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The Hunt For A Championship Begins This Friday

CHICO, CA (3-28-11) - The Wells Fargo / Riebes Auto Parts / Hoosier Tire/ Coors Light / Pepsi Friday night point championship season begins this Friday, April 1, at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. A diverse field of 410-winged sprint cars, dirt modifieds, street stocks and wingless sprints will all converge at the quarter-mile clay oval speedway for the start of what will be a season long battle toward individual track championships.

Opening night will also bring a special guest to the speedway. Chico's own reality television star Shawntel Newton will serve as our special Grand Marshal for the nights racing action. Newton was featured on a hit well-known National television show that has catapulted her into celebrity status around Northern California. "I am super excited to be a part of this," said Newton. "This will be a good time and I am happy to come out and support a local community event like this."

Wells Fargo will be on hand to kick off their first night of being our new title sponsor. There will be special give-a-ways for the fans along with a chance to enter drawings to win special prizes. Chico branch manager Steven Hatcher said, "We are thrilled to be able to get involved with a local race track like the Silver Dollar Speedway. This year we plan to create more awareness for this grass roots style of auto racing that the Chico community has supported and loved for numerous years."

Pit gate will open at 4 pm. Front grandstand gate opens at 6 pm. Sprint car qualifying is slated to start at 6:30 pm with a full gauntlet of racing for all divisions to follow.

Adult general admission into the spectator side of the main grandstand is $12.00 while junior and seniors is $10.00. Children prices are $6.00.

Familiar drivers are expected to line the pit area of Silver Dollar Speedway this Friday night. Chico's Brett Miller, Robbie Whitchurch and Brad Bumgarner are all local drivers with a shot at the 410 sprint car track title. Drivers from surrounding area's like Paradise's John Michael Bunch and Redding's Tyler Wolf are also considered favorites this season to win it all. Sacramento driver Kyle Hirst, Auburn's Andy Forsberg and Oroville's Sean Becker have each confirmed they will be here this Friday night. Grass Valley driver Robert Stice and Roseville's Colby Copeland are also scheduled to appear.

The Marysville duo of Randy McDaniel and his son Ryan are expected to lead the charge of the dirt modified ranks. Chico's Mark Abouzeid is always a threat to win on any given night. Car owner Ira Compton is ready to field race cars once again this season. Chico's Richard Papenhausen is another former champion who can get the win anytime he shows up.

Santa Rosa veteran Terry Schank Jr. will lead an all-star cast of drivers this Friday night. Grass Valley's Billy Wallace, Orland's B.J Martin and the Youngman's from Grass Valley are expected. Chico St. University will be well represented by Orland Taylor Simas and Sutter's Brian Southers who each attend the school while racing on the weekends.

As of last year our two-time track champion Heather Bartlett was unsure of her racing direction for 2011. We are hopeful that she can make the majority of our events this season. If not Bartlett then a whole assorted of competitors are chomping at the bit ready to win the track title. Redding's Scott Rogers, Chico's Phil Marino and Orland's Jake VanTol can be considered three of the favorites. Throw into the mix two Chico boys Mike Slightom and Joe Longmire and add Live Oak's Matt Magenheimer and this year's field will be as tough as ever.

All of this local action will take place this April 1st. For more detailed information please visit www.silverdollarspeedway.com

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