PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Set to enter its sixth year under the Russell Motorsports Inc. banner, Placerville Speedway has released its schedule of events for the upcoming 56th season of competition.
The season starts off with a test and tune on March 13, followed by the opening point race dubbed as First Responders Night on March 20. Sixteen weekly championship point races will be held throughout the season, with points paying divisions comprised of winged 360 sprint cars, limited late models, pure stocks and mini trucks. The weekly action will open on March 20 and concludes on Aug. 28.
The annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial featuring the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu 410 Sprint Car Series and the Sprint Car Challenge Tour will hit the Placerville bullring for the first time on June 12. The top Winged Sprint Car drivers from around the Golden State will grace the red clay for the 30th running of the event in one huge evening of competition.
The Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford and Abreu Vineyards will also open their fourth season of action during the “Spring Fever Frenzy” at Placerville Speedway on March 27, while the King of the West-NARC Series returns to the track for opening night of the Fastest 5 Days in Motorsports during a special Wednesday showcase on Aug. 25.
Continuing to gain steam the annual Nor*Cal Posse Shootout returns once again with a slight twist, as it moves to Labor Day weekend on Sept. 4-5. Winged 360 sprint cars will headline the two-night card with more details to follow as the event gets closer. The Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Ass’n will also be in action each night at the shootout.
The USAC West Coast Sprint Car SEries will invade the bullring for a pair of events, with those occurring on July 10 and Oct. 9. Both shows will be paired with the USAC Western States Midgets and Wingless BCRA Lightning Sprints. The Summer date will also see the inaugural appearance by the Western RaceSaver 305 Sprinters. As is tradition, the Placerville fan base will also enjoy a trio of visits by the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Tour.
Following a successful debut this past season California IMCA Speedweek returns to Placerville Speedway on May 7. That night will be sure to see a pit area full of IMCA Dirt Modifieds and IMCA Sport Mods, before coming back on Saturday with a weekly point show dubbed as Mother’s Day Madness. The annual Tilford Tribute will be headlined this coming season by the Tri-State Pro Stock Series on April 24, with it also showcasing the Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Mini Trucks.
Among the electrifying additions to the schedule this coming year includes the return of the 49er Gold Rush Classic featuring the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Ass’n. It marks the 10th appearance by the World of Outlaws at the quarter-mile bullring.
One of the more anticipated events of the season will be the second running of the Elk Grove Ford Hangtown 100 in November. The USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets and USAC Western States Midgets will tackle the speedway for what is scheduled to be three exciting nights of competition on Nov. 18-20. The BCRA/ California Lightning Sprints round out the bill each evening.
Other special events that highlight the schedule include the 18th annual Tribute to Al Hinds on April 10, Mountain Democrat Kids Bike Night on May 15, the annual Freedom Fireworks showcase on July 4, Thompson’s Fan Appreciation Night on July 24, the 16th annual Mark Forni Classic on Aug. 7, Legends Night on Aug. 14, the Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour on Sept. 24-25 and MLM Tractor Pulls on Oct. 2.