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Calistoga Speedway
Napa County Fairgrounds May 24, 2010
Calistoga, Ca. For Immediate Release
More Info: Bill Sessa, (916) 804-3663
Calistoga Speedway Opens Season Over Memorial Day Weekend
Rare “Three-Peat”for Golden State Challenge Sprint Cars in North Bay
Second Annual “Calistoga Modified Invitational” Features Top 35 Drivers
Calistoga…..North Bay area sprint car fans will have a rare opportunity to see three consecutive nights of racing over Memorial Day weekend, as the Golden State Challenge Series arrives at Calistoga Speedway on Saturday and Sunday nights, following a Friday race at Petaluma Speedway.
In a “racing doubleheader” at Calistoga, the region’s premier touring series for high horsepower sprint cars will be joined by 35 of the area’s top modified drivers who will make their only appearance of the year on the half mile oval in the second annual “Calistoga Modified Invitational.”
“Last year, the modified race was so competitive that fans were emailing us before the checkered flag fell asking that we bring them back,” noted Carlene Moore, CEO of the Napa County Fairgrounds.
One of last year’s winners, Jeff Olschouka of Chico, is returning and will be challenged by modified drivers from several Northern California tracks, including veterans Scott Busby of Martinez, Richard Papenhausen of Chico, Joe Carr of Petaluma and Jeff Thomas of Penngrove.
One of three drivers could walk away from Calistoga at the end of the weekend with the championship point lead in the Golden State Challenge Series, including two-time titleholder Jonathan Allard, who has found victory circle a series-leading three times in the first 10 races this season.
Easily within striking distance, however, is 13 time champion and former Calistoga Speedway champion Brent Kaeding and 17 year old Kyle Larson in a car owned by Kaeding and sponsored by Calistoga businessman Lyle Stadelhofer.
Napa Valley drivers Mike Bensen of Calistoga, a former winner on the half mile oval, and Rich Griffin of St. Helena are also expected to compete for the checkered flag, as will North Bay driver Allisa Geving of Penngrove.
This weekend is an unusual opportunity for Geving, a third generation driver, to race locally after making a season-long commitment to the traveling Golden State Challenge Series. "It's always nice to race so close to home," said Geving, who returned to her home track of Petaluma Speedway last Saturday night to get some track time in preparation for the coming weekend. "The Golden State Challenge Series is very competitive and it requires a lot of traveling each week. I'm looking forward to racing just a few minutes away for another weekend."
A full racing program is scheduled for both nights at Calistoga, including heat races, a semi-main “last chance” race and main events for both sprint cars and modifieds, beginning at 7 pm. Ticket information is available at the track’s website, calistogaspeedway.org.
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