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Photo's by http://www.stevesracingphotos.com
Andy Gregg sets fast-time & runs fourth in feature with Civil War 360 Series in Petaluma
By Gary Thomas
Petaluma, CA – July 8, 2009…Gearing up for this weekend’s annual Mark Forni Classic Placerville, CA's Andy Gregg put together a pair of solid outings this past Friday & Saturday that included a fourth place finish in Petaluma with Civil War and a podium result during a special 4th of July event in Placerville.
After the strong weekend Gregg is confident going into the Forni Classic as he searches for his first career win in the $5,000 to win event. "We're continuing to run good pretty much each and every night so that definitely gives me some momentum heading into the Forni on Saturday," said Gregg, who didn't compete in last year's event due to a knee injury. "Mark Forni was a very special person to me and was a great man so I want to win this race very badly."
This most recent weekend saw Gregg venture to the Petaluma Speedway on Friday evening for Round 6 of the California Sprint Car Civil War Series season and he kicked if off in strong fashion by being the only driver in the 12-second bracket during qualifying to give the Guts Racing, Dale Miller Plumbing, JLR Drafting No. 16x sprinter fast-time out of the 39 entrants on hand.
"The Hurricane" then started on the outside of the third row in the opening heat race and ran a strong third to transfer into the main event where he lined-up on the outside of row three, just like in the heat. A number of caution and red flags plagued havoc with the 30 lap contest and Gregg battled amongst the top five for the duration of the event, before crossing the line in fourth to score his best finish of the Civil War season.
The result marked Gregg's first top-five of the year with the traveling 360 winged sprint car tour and helped move him into a tie for ninth in the series standings despite missing one event. "This was certainly our best night with Civil War this year so we're happy with the outcome," said the 29 year-old driver. "We haven't exactly had the kind of start with Civil War we've wanted, but hopefully this will be a sign of things to come and we can continue running strong with these guys as the season goes on."
On Saturday Gregg and the Team Guts Racing, Myers & Sons Drywall, BR Motorsports No. 16x headed to the Placerville Speedway for a Fourth of July event sponsored in part by the US Army Placerville Recruiting Office. After qualifying fifth fastest in the 28 car field Gregg proceeded to drive from fifth to first in his heat race and then score a third place finish in the main event after starting from the third row during the 25 lap contest.
The feature on Saturday was captured by CJ Humphrey's, who won his third race of the year in Placerville and was followed by Jimmy Trulli in second. "The track was pretty tricky like it usually is on the Fourth of July here and although we wanted a win to gain even more momentum we'll take a third tonight," Gregg said. "We've had a pretty successful start to the year so we'll just go into the Forni this weekend looking to have some fun and race in memory of our good friend and maybe we can get a win."
Prior to the Forni Classic Gregg will bring his own Guts Racing Maxim to the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico on Friday to compete in Withrow’s Motorsports & JP’s Paint & Body Works Night. His last appearance with the Feather Falls Casino 410 Championship Series netted a third place finish on June 12 and he’ll be searching to put the No. 16x machine into victory lane on Friday.
On Saturday Gregg will be in action at the Mark Forni Classic aboard the Bullet Racing, Ervin Sales Group No. 53 sprinter. "I'm looking forward to driving the 53 car on Saturday and really would like to give these guys a win," Gregg said. "There should be a strong field of cars at the Forni and it's really grown to be one of the biggest single night 360 shows on the West Coast."
More info on the event can be found at http://www.placervillespeedway.com
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On Saturday night Andy Gregg will be an action at the $5,000 to win Mark Forni Classic behind the wheel of the Bret Ervin owned Bullet Racing No. 53 sprint car. The Placerville driver is also scheduled to compete on Friday evening in his Guts Racing No. 16x at the Silver Dollar Speedway.
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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