2/9/2009
Silver Dollar Speedway
Outlaws Return after 17 Year Absence
CHICO, CA (2-9-09) - When World of Outlaw sprint car star Steve Kinser wheeled to victory in the 6th annual Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in 1992, few if any, knew that it would take 17 years for the National Traveling tour of sprint cars to return to the high banked � mile clay oval for the season opening race. The traveling band of winged sprint car warriors will gladly return to Silver Dollar Speedway for the 23rd annual Mini Gold Cup where the best Western drivers will challenge the best of the WoO on Friday and Saturday nights March 13 and 14.
Kinser nursed an ailing engine to victory with veteran Ohio hot shoe Jac Haudenschild riding his rear bumper. Kinser just made the checkered flag when the engine exploded in his then Karl Kinser Valvoline Maxim. 17 years later both drivers are as sharp as ever and plan to return for the 23rd renewal of this short track extravaganza. This was Kinser's only victory in Mini Gold Cup racing action, and Haudenschild had already won the event in 1987 and 1989. He has not won the Mini Gold Cup since that time, but both have enjoyed great success in the huge Gold Cup Race of Champions where Haudenschild is the defending champion.
Complete race programs will be held each night of the Mini Gold Cup with timed qualifying, heat races, dashes, and main events. Last year sixty four cars reported for the Mini Gold Cup when it ran with the State Golden Challenge sanction, although it was World of Outlaw regular Jason Meyers of Clovis, California who reeled in the $6,000 top prize. Meyers, Washington's Jason Solwold, Indiana's Joey Saldana, and Oklahoma's Shane Stewart all took advantage of an off weekend last year to compete in the 2008 Mini Gold Cup.
They'll be joined this year by reining World of Outlaw champion Donnie Shatz of Fargo, North Dakota along with Minnesota's Craig Dollansky, and Daryn Pittman of Owasso, Oklahoma. Tennessee's Jason Sides has also been hot in early Florida racing for 2009. Locally Chico's own Jonathan Allard is still seeking his first Mini Gold Cup crown. He's won the track title, the statewide Golden State Challenge championship, and the prestigious Fall Nationals, but the Mini Gold Cup is still a target for the local speedster. Mini Gold Cup success and glory has graced the Kaeding family where father Brent has claimed the Mini Gold Cup title four times and son Tim won the event in 2005 and 2007.
Reserved seating or information is available from the track business office at 916-969-7484 or the track website at www.silverdollarspeedway.com.
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