Penultimate point’s race is ‘Race for Hunger’

Drivers and fans to raise donations, awareness for Food Bank of El Dorado County

It’s all about Hunger at Placerville Speedway Saturday night, as many drivers will be hungry for valuable championship points toward their prospective championship titles at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. The penultimate championship point race will benefit the Food Bank of El Dorado County as “Race for Hunger.”

The Food Bank of El Dorado County is the area’s largest collaborative charity that serves 8,000 to 10,000 individuals and families each month. The bank works with over 30 local charities with its Emergency Food Assistance Network. The drivers will be reaching out to race fans on during intermission with open helmets to collect donations from race fans for this grassroots charity as they prepare for the busy holiday season ahead in our current tough economic times.

“The racing community is always very giving when it comes to events like this,” said former track champion Tom Tilford. “We always look forward to coming together and helping for a good cause. I hope we can get every driver we have Saturday night in those stands and make a statement of what the racers bring to El Dorado County.”

While raising money for local hunger will be a big topic at Placerville Speedway Saturday night, so will the chase for the 2012 track championships. One division title will officially wrap up this Saturday night while two crowns remain heavily contested. Three divisions are on tap Saturday night, Winged Sprint Cars, Late Models and Pure Stocks and the action in all divisions is sure to be hot as this is the second to last race of the season.

In the Sprint Car division, single digits separate the two top runners. Defending champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn remains at the top of the standings but is in the lead by a mere nine points. Stephen Allard of Cameron Park, is on heals of Forsberg’s season long point lead. Last weekend both drivers had their share of issues during competition and in the end, came out single digits apart once again. It’s a classic case of “may the best man win” as both drivers show their competitive edge on the track and leave nothing on the table, yet, they shake hands when the checkered flag waves regardless of who wins the war.

Another driver who remains in the hunt is Greg DeCaires of Elk Grove. DeCaires is no slouch when it comes to racing for championship titles as well. The former Placerville, Silver Dollar and Civil War Series champion is known for sitting back and letting the scenario unfold and spawning to the front at the opportune moment.

Rounding out the top five in this division is Justin Johnson of Shingle Springs who is having one of his strongest years. C.J. Humphreys of Placerville is one notch out of the top five ahead of Placerville’s sole woman racer, Nicole Miller of Elk Grove.

The Pure Stock championship chase will be exciting, too. With a mere two races left in the season, Orangevale’s Matt Tilford hangs on to the point lead in this division by a single point. Tilford’s closest challenger is former champion Chris Curtiss of Placerville, who is just one point behind the leader.

In the Limited Late Model Division, Matt Micheli of Live Oak simply has to start Saturday’s race and he will clinch the 2012 division championship one week early. Micheli enters the second to last race of the year with an outstanding 71-point lead over his father Ken Micheli.

Adult tickets are $13 for Saturday and available at the track box office. Seniors and Juniors are $11 while Children are $6. Those five and under will be admitted free.

For further information visit placervillespeedway.com or call the track office at 916-783-DIRT. Fans and competitors are also urged to join Placerville Speedway on Facebook, and/or follow on Twitter at: @pvllspeedway.