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Heather Bartlett returns to defend Street Stock title Friday night

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Photo by Steven Cox[/caption]

CHICO, CA (4-29-10) - At the conclusion of the 2009 racing season history took place at Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway as Heather Bartlett of Chico became the first female driver to win a track championship at the famed quarter-mile that has been home to auto racing since 1962 at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.

Several months and rain delays later, Bartlett is ready to begin defense of her title this Friday night as the long awaited championship season gets underway under the sponsorship of Feather Falls Casino, Hoosier Racing Tires, Riebes Auto Parts, Coors Light and Pepsi Cola. Bartlett will lead the roster in Silver Dollar Speedway's Street Stock division that will share the spotlight on Friday night with the 410 sprint cars the Dirt Modifieds and the Dirt Solutions Late Models in a full night of racing action.

"I'm really excited to be coming back to Silver Dollar this season," said Bartlett, who also finished second in the point standings at Placerville Speedway in 2009. "I miss all of my fans and I am ready to get racing again."

In 2009, Bartlett raced her first full season at Silver Dollar Speedway. After winning titles behind the wheel at Orland Speedway and Marysville Raceway Park, Bartlett set a goal to become the first female champion in Chico. From night one she drove her way towards the front of the field in one of the most memorable championship battles in recent history at Silver Dollar.

During her campaign, Bartlett drove her way to a total of ten top five finishes out of the eleven championship events that took place. Within those top finishes were four feature event wins and three heat race victories which launched her to the helm of the division point standings. Bartlett was the second winningest driver of the season in 2009. Veteran driver Phil Marino won five feature events. Jeff Olshowka claimed two victories during the season.

At the conclusion of the 2009 season, Bartlett won the track championship by a 33-point margin over Richard Workman of Cottonwood. Joe Longmire of Chico rounded out the season in third place, 54-points out of the lead. During the season a total of 38 different drivers made appearances at Silver Dollar during the season.

Bartlett is known for her bright pink stock car with flashy lettering and slogans that promote "Girl Power" in the sport of auto racing. While she is known as a fierce competitor behind the wheel, the Chico State University student is also an advocate for female involvement in auto racing and she encourages other women to get behind the wheel. Bartlett's competitive spirit with her many fans donning her pink shirts is a proving testimony this is not just a testosterone dominated sport anymore and nearby Placerville Speedway has already seen an increase in female drivers this year.

"I try to show everyone that girls are just as capable to race as the boys," said Bartlett. "Sometimes we are just as good as the boys too. I love the fact that more women are starting to race. I'm not sure if I had an influence in that or not but either way it's great. I'm looking forward to racing with the boys and the girls out there this year."

This Friday night the battle begins once again as Bartlett looks to set the bar for future lady racers by aiming to become the first two-time female champion of the speedway. Like many racers and fans, Bartlett has been eager to get behind the wheel at Silver Dollar Speedway. After weeks where Mother Nature was the only one scoring victories, Bartlett and her colleagues are ready for door to door street stock racing action Friday night.

On Friday night the gates to Silver Dollar Speedway will open at 6 p.m. with racing beginning at 7 p.m. Adult tickets will be $12.00, juniors and seniors $10.00 and Children will be $5. Silver Dollar Speedway is a great source of entertainment for all ages. This Friday night, join the family and the fun. For complete information on all of the racing action on Friday night visit the track's official website at www.silverdollarspeedway.com. Race fans can also receive news updates via twitter by signing up at www.twitter.com/sdspeedway.

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