Allard looks to continue win streak at Tiner Classic

Stephen Allard is the newest addition to what other racers call the “Placerville Posse” and lately he’s on a roll when it comes to victory lane at both Placerville Speedway and the Civil War Sprint Car Series.

Tonight, Allard looks to extend his win streak on one of Placerville Speedway’s biggest nights, The July 4th Tiner Classic featuring the Sprint Cars of the Civil War Sprint Car Series.

The annual Fourth of July race boasts the largest crowd of the season as many area race fans flock to the foothill speedway to enjoy the competitive series for winged 360 sprint cars that concludes with a giant fireworks display celebrating Independence Day.

This year, there will be plenty of fireworks as the Tiner Classic commemorates 50 years of open wheel racing within the Tiner family. Additionally, sponsors pay an impressive $4,000 to win and $500 for fast time.

At the start of the season, Allard was named as the new hired gun in the season of the popular No. 14r sprint car owned by Scott Russell and Kami Arnold. After a few weeks of fine tuning, this team has come together and is the new force to contend with as they seek to dethrone multi-time champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn in both the Civil War and the Placerville Speedway campaigns.

Allard has won the last two point-racing events at Speedway as well as the most recent Civil War Series race that took place in Quincy last month. Today, he comes into the track he now calls home before its biggest crowd to race for one of it’s biggest checks.

“I think it would be great to be able to stay on a win streak. This is what we’ve been striving to do, win the first Tiner Classic would be great,” Allard said. “I drove for and raced with Rod Tiner for a handful of years and the Tiner family has always been very close to me.

“I have never won a July 4th race at Placerville and would love to do that for all of our sponsors and crew. I can’t wait to see all the fans and the amazing crowd that Placerville has for this race.”

As Allard takes to the track to extend his win streak, he will be joined by nearly 40 of California’s top race teams in the Civil War Sprint Car Series. Additionally, a handful of drivers from the King of the West Series are expected to compete, including Stephen’s brother Jonathan who will be in a competitive Paul Silva-owned car as well as Rico Abreau and of course, Steven Tiner who has put this high paying event together.

Entering Wednesday’s race, six-time series champion Forsberg leads the championship point standings with a 16-point lead over Kyle Hirst. Allard is third in the ranks, 18-points out of the lead and tied with Colby Wiesz. Greg DeCaires rounds out the top five point runners.

Due to the fireworks display, racing starts an hour earlier than normal. The grandstands open at 4 p.m. with qualifying starting at 5:30. An early arrival to the speedway is recommended as routinely the holiday event sells out early and additional attendance is expected do to the high-caliber of this event and the return of Tiner who was always a fan favorite.

Tickets for tonight’s race is $18 for adults, seniors $14, juniors $12 and children five and under are free. Active military personnel with ID will be admitted for $12.

For more information, visit placervillespeedway.com.