TULARE, Calif. – Joining an increasing list of postponed major events, the 27th annual Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing will not take place in October.
The decision comes as a result of continued limitations in California due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Trophy Cup’s host track, Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway, has been unable to put a car on its three-eighths-mile oval this year, with no improvement in sight. That made it apparent the event would not be able to take place this October with fans in the stands.
Dave Pusateri, the founder of the Trophy Cup in 1994, does not want to run the event without fans.
“The race is for the fans. Yes, we are doing the race for the drivers also, but without fans, that’s not what the race was designed for,” Pusateri said. “Without the fans there, it is not a race.”
As of now, the Trophy Cup is aiming towards Oct. 14-16, 2021, when the next chapter of the unique event will unfold at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway. Winged 360 sprint car teams will race for a total purse of $200,000 – with the event champion guaranteed $27,000.
When the Trophy Cup resumes with the 27th annual race, the event’s support of Make-A-Wish will continue.
More than $2 million has been given to Make-A-Wish by the Trophy Cup event.