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Photos by Johns Racing Photos
Bad luck strikes Team 292 Inc. during weekend
By Gary Thomas
Chico, CA – July 22, 2008…Team 292 Inc. appeared to be back-on-track this past weekend until motor issues slowed the progress and took away a possible chance at victory during Friday nights Civil War Series event at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico.
The California Civil War Series race at the Silver Dollar bullring saw a 40 car field sign in at the back gate and Team 292 Inc. drivers Andy Forsberg and Willie Croft hoped to run up front at a track both know extremely well. To be able to compete in the event Croft was borrowing a motor from Harley Van Dyke Racing for the night.
The evening began on a good note as both drivers qualified among the top five with Forsberg placing the A & A Stepping Stone No. 92 third fastest and Croft just behind in fifth aboard the Holey Smokes BBQ No. 29. Croft ended up being placed in the opening heat race, which turned out to be a stacked affair and he ended the 10 lap contest just ahead of Civil War point leader Sean Becker in the fifth position to put him into the B-main.
The Sacramento racer then proceeded to charge to victory in the semi and transfer into the 30 lap feature where he started from the eighth spot. As Croft was making his way to the top five in the main event, he got over the edge of the racing surface and pulled to the pits as the motor wasn’t running up to par and didn’t want to risk damaging the borrowed bullet.
Forsberg’s night looked to be going much smoother as he finished third in his heat race and started the main event from the inside of the third row. The Auburn driver was on the move from the get go and carved his way into third by the sixth lap and then got his elbows up to move the Basalite Concrete, K & N Filters No. 92 into the runner-up spot on lap 11.
“Mr. Excitement” then closed in leader Kyle Larson and took advantage when the youngster hit a rut in traffic after the midway point, to take over the top spot of the race. Following this Forsberg looked to be on way to victory until a rock went through the radiator, which caused all the water to escape resulting in a blown head gasket and putting him out of the running with just a handful of laps remaining in the race.
Forsberg and the No. 92 team then made the trip to the Placerville Speedway on Saturday using the spare 360, but while pushing off to go wheel pack, it was found that the engine had a bad lifter and he was forced to scratch for the night.
After the second straight rough week Team 292 Inc. will look to rebound this coming weekend with a big double-header beginning on Friday as Forsberg competes with the Golden State Challenge King of California Series. The current Feather Falls Casino point leader will look to hold up local honors running against the top traveling 410 winged sprint car drivers in California. After that Forsberg plans to be in action at the Petaluma Speedway on Saturday with the Civil War Series. As of now Croft’s plans for the weekend are still up in the air.
More information on Team 292 Inc. drivers Willie Croft and Andy Forsberg can be found at http://williecroft.com/front.html and http://aamotorsports.net/
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www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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