PLACERVILLE, Calif. — On a night honoring former Placerville Speedway Promoter Al Hinds, it was only fitting that one of its all-time track legends reached a milestone victory during it on Saturday.
Andy Forsberg had been stuck on win number 199 since last July, but that all changed on Saturday, as he took the lead on lap 14 and never looked back, en route to his long awaited 200th career triumph. It marked his third victory in the Tribute to Al Hinds, which ranks as the second most behind Justin Sanders.
“It’s a great feeling to finally get this 200th win checked off,” Forsberg said in victory lane. “I was able to get 199 in Petaluma last July and for one reason or another it just didn’t happen. My crew gave me a great car tonight and it’s pretty special to win it during the Tribute to Al Hinds. We won this race way back in 2006 for the first time and again in 2016, so I guess us old guys can still get it done. Big thanks to my entire team and everybody that supports us.”
Ashlyn Rodriguez led the early laps in impressive fashion aboard her Berco Redwood No. 87 machine. Rodriguez had earlier earned her first career ADCO Driveline Fast Time Award. Michael Faccinto then showed his strength on lap six when he drove by and snagged the top spot.
A well-groomed surface allowed racers to utilize every inch of the Placerville bullring and with 14 circuits complete, Forsberg sliced to the inside of Faccinto to claim the lead. The nine-time track champ held command over the duration of the 25-lapper and crossed under the Ron Stahl checkered flag to claim his 69th career Winged 360 win at the track.
Faccinto crossed the stripe in second, followed by Jake Morgan with one of his career best efforts in third. Michael Ing returned on Saturday to also record one of his finest Placerville Speedway performances in fourth, with Shane Hopkins also having a tremendous run from the rear of the field to fifth.
Feature Finish (25 Laps)
1. 92-Andy Forsberg[8]; 2. X1-Michael Faccinto[4]; 3. 7-Jake Morgan[7]; 4. 21M-Michael Ing[11]; 5. 21-Shane Hopkins[16]; 6. 87-Ashlyn Rodriguez[2]; 7. 77-Ryan Lippincott[1]; 8. 93-Stephen Ingraham[6]; 9. 21W-Josh Wiesz[5]; 10. 9-Tyler Brown[19]; 11. 1-Chance Grasty[20]; 12. 9L-Luke Hayes[12]; 13. 98-Chris Masters[18]; 14. 7C-Tony Gomes[3]; 15. 25-Justin Johnson[13]; 16. 222-Wyatt VanLare[9]; 17. 7H-Jake Haulot[10]; 18. 12J-John Clark[15]; 19. 25S-Seth Standley[17]; 20. 15-Michael Sellers[14]