California's Premier Sprint Car Series bound for famed Half Mile Calistoga Speedway

July 28, 2012 - PRLog -- by Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Inc.

CALISTOGA, CA (8-4-12 ) –  It’s by far one of the most scenic tracks spanning the Western States and the largest dirt track in California. At the same time, the half mile oval that is nestled at the far end of the Napa wine country is one of the most intimidating tracks in the history of sprint car racing. It’s the famed Calistoga Speedway and this Saturday night, August 4, it will host the competitive Hoosier Racing Tires California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series for the annual Calistoga Cup.

"This is a really special place and is always a special night for everyone," says Andy Forsberg of Auburn. Forsberg is a six time Civil War Series Champion and the current series point leader as the tour roars into the hills of the Napa Valley. Last year, Forsberg won his second career victory at the dirt version of the lady in black. Despite all of his prestigious accolades in his racing career, the one accomplishment that stands above them all is his victories at Calistoga.

   "This is a track that I have wanted to win at since I was a little kid watching my Dad race here. The first win was something I had always dreamed of and to be able to win it again and give my team their first victory here was really special. This was one of Dave Bradway Jr.'s favorite tracks."

   Forsberg is the hired pilot of the F&F Racing –Pitstop USA #X1 Sprint Car that is fielded by the Steve Tuccelli and Alan Bradway, best known to the racing community as the Bradway family. Back in 1987 the sprint car racing world lost  28 year old Dave Bradway Jr. in a tragic racing accident in  Skagit Washington. Now the family carries on the tradition of Bradway's winning ways and his exciting driving style in a new era with the driver known as Mr. Excitement behind the wheel. Winning a third Calistoga Cup victory would be an outstanding accomplishment for the team that currently leads the Civil War Series point standings.

   "To win this race twice is an accomplishment. To become a third time winner and give this team its second Stoga victory would be a dream come true for all of us on this team," said Forsberg.

   Forsberg is currently leading the Civil War point standings by a mere 10-points over Cameron Park's Stephen Allard.  Colby Wiesz of Colfax is third in the standings, just five points behind. Allard is currently ranked number one in California's Sprint Car and Midget poll. The former Silver Dollar Speedway champion has two Civil War wins to his name and is catching the attention of fans throughout Northern California as he threatens Forsberg's domination of the Civil War throne as well as his reign at their hometrack of Placerville Speedway.

   Allard has had his share of victories at multiple tracks. Much like Forsberg stated, a win at Calistoga would be huge for Allard and his team owned by Scott Russell and Kami Arnold in the points chase. But the victory would mean far more than a handful a digits on a spreadsheet.

   "Stoga is the fastest, longest track we have in California. Being able to race there is amazing," said Allard, best known to the local fans now as "Allard Mania"  Being able to go there and win something no that's special. That track has a lot of history behind it. I have always enjoyed races at Stoga. Whether is racing myself or watching. I'm really looking forward to this race with this team."

   Sitting fourth in the standings is Greg DeCaires of Elk Grove. DeCaires too is well aware of the glory that Calistoga Speedway can bring a driver and their team. However, like his colleagues, DeCaires knows the history of this famed track in its early years and must used their heads at all times.

  “This isn’t just any dirt track, it's Calistoga,” said DeCaires. “She is big, she is fast and if you aren’t careful she can tear you up bad. This track can make a drivers' career or can end it. Even those of use that have raced here for decades fear this place when the green flag drops. You have to fear it, or else you're going to get yourself in trouble or get hurt because the slightest mistake can be devastating. When you crash at Calistoga you don't come home with a car to work with and you count your blessings that your not hurt."

      DeCaires has a great deal of experience and success at Calistoga Speedway. The former Civil War Champion, Silver Dollar Speedway Champion and Placerville Speedway champion won the inaugural Calistoga Cup when the Civil War Series first brought the Napa County Fairgrounds to life and paid visits to the podium several times during his stint with the Northern Auto Racing Club Series.

   Sitting fifth in the standings is Princeton's Mason Moore. Moore is just 41-points out of the point lead. Moore comes into the Calistoga Cup with the momentum of his first ever American Sprint Car Series victory in the Bullring Nationals at Placerville Speedway last week and a previous 410 win at Silver Dollar Speedway. The former Civil War Rookie of the year is one of many looking for his first Calistoga win Saturday night.

   One driver that is far out of the top five point standings in the Civil War Series but is always a favorite when is comes to California's big track. Hometown boy Mike Benson will make his third start of the year in the Civil War series this Saturday night. Benson grew up down the street from Calistoga Speedway.

   In 2007 Benson achieved a life long dream when he claimed victory at the Calistoga Cup, a night that both he and the community will long remember as nearly every driver and fan cleared the fences and swarmed into victory lane to celebrate with the local favorite. The celebration was so large that it blocked communications between the infield commentator and the speedway but Benson didn't mind the lack of the trackside interview, it was the highlight of his racing career and the whole town was right there with him.

   "I grew up at this place, there is nothing I wantde more as a driver then to win at Calistoga Speedway," said Benson. "I remember the old days here when this place was the talk of the town. This place saw many big names in racing. I am proud to be able to add my name to the win list at Calistoga Speedway and note that all my crew members and sponsors are of equal importance in getting it done. Now there's nothing I want more than to do it again."

  Saturday’s race is the 8th segment of the Civil War Sprint Car Series, This tour competes at six of California's best known race tracks which span Northern California from the Sierra Foothills to the Wine Country and the Coastal Region. Saturday's event and every regular Civil War Series event will pay $2000 to the winner and $300 to start the 22 car A-feature.

   Joining the Civil War Sprint Cars this season will be the firebreathing West Coast Late Model Stock Cars on the Calistoga Half Mile. This exciting series brings the golden state's top stock car talent to their largest venue on their tour and some thirty drivers are expected to form the roster.

The front gates to Calistoga Speedway will open at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Adult tickets will be $20. All children 12 and under will be free for this event to encourage families to make the trip to the scenic Napa Valley to enjoy the thrills of Calistoga Speedway as they celebrate 75 years of operation on the Napa County Fairgrounds.

   Who will add their name to the prestigious list of former winners at the intimidating half mile dirt track that is too tough to tame? There is only one way to find out, make plans to visit Calistoga Speedway this Saturday night.  For further information on this event visit www.civilwarsprints.com or www.calistogaspeedway.org.

The Civil War Sprint Car Series is managed and promoted by Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated of Roseville. For additional information visit the official series website at www.civilwarsprints.com.