Civil War Sprints Open Season at Marysville

MARYSVILLE, CA 3-16-98 - The 1999 Hoosier Racing Tires California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series is set to kick off this Saturday night at Twin Cities Speedway in Marysville, California. This will be the first of 13-season events for the 1999 Civil War campaign and will open the race season for the 1/4 mile clay oval located in the heart of the Golden State's farm community. The California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series is a traveling sanction body dedicated to 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars. The series travels to five different California tracks including Marysville, Placerville, Petaluma, Antioch and Silver Dollar Speedway between the late march and early October to compete in a total of 13 events. Drivers competing in the CSCCWRS are awarded championship points and well as earnings for their success in each event that takes place which posts more that $10,000 plus contingencies in nightly purse awards. Additionally, the series boasts a $20,000 championship fund which is divided up accordingly to the top ten point earners at the conclusion of the newly sponsored Hoosier Racing Tires series. Topping the entry list for Saturday's event will defending Civil War champion Roger Crockett of Rio Linda. Last season Crockett dominated the top spot in point standings for the majority of the 1998 campaign. Driving both Roger Henderson's #7n mount and his father, Brian's #11 machine, Crockett drive his way to a total of 11 top ten finishes and seven top five finishes. Among this youngster's success was one victory which took place at Placerville Speedway, two second places, three thirds, one fourth, two sevenths, one eighth and one tenth. In preliminary action, Crockett clocked fast time on four occasions, won two heat races and one semi-main event. Prior to Saturday's event, Crockett competed in the Mini-Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California where he placed seventh overall. Among the 50 or more drivers that are expected to join Crockett at Marysville later this month are Shane Scott of Chico, three time winner last year and runner up in the Civil War point standings., Chad Riolo of Roseville who finished third overall ahead of Grass Valley's Jeff Halleib and Billy Wallace. Two time Civil War feature event winner and Placerville track champion David Robinson Jr. is expected along with former Marysville champions Mark Hall and Jeff Young. Rick Frock of Minden, Nevada has announced he will vie to the Civil War title in 1999 as well as Damion Gardner of Concord, the Placerville Speedway Rookie of the Year. Tim Sherman, Colby Weisz, Dave Angus, Kyle Schild, Alan Bradway, Billy Sellers and Andy Forsberg are just a few more of the drivers that are expected this Saturday. The pit gate is scheduled open at 3:30 for the March 20 event. The main grandstand will open to the public at 5:00. Time Trials are scheduled to begin at 6:30 with the first heat race kicking off at 7:30 p.m. The evening's format will include four 10-lap heat races, a C-main, B-main and a 30-lap feature event featuring the top 20 drivers of the evening's competition. For ticket prices or further information contact Twin Cities Speedway at (530) 742-9222. Information on the Civil War Series can also be obtained by contacting the office of John Padjen Motorsports at (916) 969-7484 or at www.johnpadjenmotorsports.com.