CHICO, Calif. — Justin Sanders won the 360 sprint car feature on opening night of the 70th Mike Curb NOS Energy Drink Gold Cup Race of Champions presented by Napa Auto Parts on Wednesday night at Silver Dollar Speedway.
In front of a packed house, the 30-lap event was fast and furious and filled with some drama. Kyle Larson started on the pole and jumped out to the lead. Larson was the class of the field and in search of his seventh sprint car win in a row.
Larson seemed poised to visit victory lane until issues arose with six laps to go. Larson, battling with thick traffic, was slowed in turn four and going into turn one on lap 25.
Sanders drove to the inside of Larson, the two banged wheels, sending Larson off the track and crashing into the wall. Larson retired from the event.
Sanders was the leader and had to hold off Corey Day for the final five laps. Sanders was up to the task and earned the $7,000 payday.
Day was second, while Cory Eliason was third. As Sanders climbed from his car in victory lane, the crowd let him know that they weren’t happy with the contact between him and Larson. Boos reigned down upon Sanders who took it all in stride. Dominic Gorden ran strong all night to finish fourth. Michael Faccinto rounded out the top five.
The finish:
Justin Sanders, Corey Day, Cory Eliason, Dominic Gorden, Michael Faccinto, Jock Goodyer, Justin Peck, Sean Becker, Willie Croft, Tony Gomes, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Max Mitry, Dylan Bloomfield, Austin Wood, Shane Hopkins, Chance Grasty, Tyler Thompson, Braden Chiaramonte, Tanner Carrick, Bailey Hibbard, Kyle Larson, Shane Golobic, Andy Forsberg.
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