By Gary Thomas
Image courtesy of Tim Holland
Placerville, CA…There will be no shortage of excitement and enthusiasm when the Placerville Speedway plays host to its annual “Mother’s Day Madness” extravaganza presented by the Mountain Democrat this Saturday May 7th.
The Russell Motorsports Inc. managed facility presents an eclectic and diverse show featuring the Thompson’s Winged 360 Sprint Cars, the USAC Western States Midgets, BCRA Lightning Sprints and the Mtn. Democrat Mini Trucks. To help celebrate Mother’s Day weekend the Coors Light Cold Zone will be offering Vizzy Mimosas during the night.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate mom than to bring her out to the races this Saturday at Placerville Speedway,” said RMI President Scott Russell. “It’s always a great show when you have both the Winged Sprint Cars and Midgets, plus you’ll add in the Lightning Sprints and Mini Trucks, which are routinely fun to watch as well. We are expecting another good car count, so hopefully everyone will come out and pack the grandstands.”
Fresh off his 67th career Sprint Car win at Placerville Speedway last weekend, Auburn’s Andy Forsberg brings the point lead into Saturday’s program. The 45-year-old veteran battled tooth and nail with Jodie Robinson to claim the hard-fought triumph. Templeton’s Kaleb Montgomery currently sits runner up in the standings and is just eight digits behind Forsberg going into the fourth point race of the year for the Thompson’s Winged 360s.
Elk Grove’s Bubba Decaires is not far behind in third, while he’s only 13-points out of the lead, one marker ahead of J. Robinson who ranks fourth. Completing the top-10 in the standings are Shane Hopkins, Justyn Cox, Stephen Ingraham, Jimmy Trulli, Michael Ing and Chris Masters.
The USAC Western States Midget portion of the night will mark their second appearance of the season, which is also part of the Elk Grove Ford Mini Series. San Diego’s AJ Bender sits atop the USAC Western States standings heading into the last tune up at Placerville Speedway prior to November’s “Hangtown 100.”
Ben Worth, Michael Faccinto, Travis Buckley and recent Placerville winner Jake Andreotti round out the top-five in the standings. On the Elk Grove Ford Mini Series side of things it’s Matt Wood Racing driver Shane Golobic who sits atop the points by just two markers over Faccinto.
The BCRA Lightning Sprints will hold their annual “Tracy Taylor Memorial” on Saturday with over $2,500 worth of prizes handed out during the night. Elk Grove’s Matt Land has returned to the dirt track world this season and brings the point lead into the event over Hunter Kinney and Greg Dennett.
Placerville’s Austin Struthers was a multi-time winner last season with the Mountain Democrat Mini Trucks and returned on opening night to snag yet another victory over Mike Miller, Howard Miller, Paizlee Miller and Thomas Jensen.
Adult tickets for this Saturday May 7th cost $20 while seniors 62+, military and juniors 12-17 will be $18. Kids 6-11 cost $8 and those five and under are free. Purchase tickets online at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/points-race-7 or at the gate on race day.
Grandstand seating is general admission at each event, except for the reserved seats marked for season ticket holders. Please note if patrons sit in a reserved seat, they may be asked to move. Pit passes can be purchased at the pit gate or on Pit Pay to take advantage of the expanded seating area on the hill.
The pit gate will open at noon, with the front grandstand gate opening at 3pm. Happy Hour is offered from 4-6pm in the grandstands featuring live music along with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:30pm with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, ADCO Driveline qualifying and racing will follow.
The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California. Take Hwy US-50 to Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto http://www.placervillespeedway.com
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Upcoming events at Placerville Speedway:
Saturday May 7: Thompson’s Winged 360 Sprint Cars, USAC Western States Midgets, BCRA Lightning Sprints and Mtn. Democrat Mini Trucks | Mother’s Day Madness presented by Mountain Democrat
Saturday May 21: Thompson’s Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Mtn. Democrat Ltd. Late Models, Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars | John Padjen Kids Bike Night
Saturday June 11: Northern Auto Racing Club Fujitsu 410 Sprint Car Series and Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards | 31st Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial