PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Andy Forsberg tends to suggest he is over the hill as he approaches his 43rd birthday next month.
Saturday at Placerville Speedway he showed that is not correct. Racing against talented drivers half his age, Forsberg showed he still knows how to get it done by claiming the 25-lap main event for winged 360 sprints.
One of the fastest drivers this year every time he races, Tony Gualda redrew the pole for the finale while Forsberg gridded seventh. Gualda won his first winged main earlier this year at Stockton, and had come close several times last year at Placerville.
Leading the first 20 laps, Gualda looked to be heading to his first Placerville win despite Forsberg closing on him. Traffic loomed ahead of the 19-year old and when the yellow waved, it seemed to be a break for Gualda as he would have a clear track the final five laps.
Seeking his 60th Placerville win, Forsbeg took three turns after the restart to show why he already had 59 trophies from from the foothill quarter-mile. Â Gualda left just enough room under him heading into turn three to allow Forsberg to fill the gap, allowing Forsberg to take the lead and lead the final five laps.
It was a vintage Forsberg move for a driver who is not quite ready to move to a vintage class of racing. Gualda crossed the line in second while Kalib Henry was third. Bobby McMahan and Jimmy Trulli filled the top-five.
Ryan McDaniel dominated the limited late model main, Dan Jinkerson won the pure stock race, and Dakota Albright led the BCRA midget lites to the finish line.