by Ron Rodda

(TULARE, California) — The Abreu Vineyards 28th Trophy Cup presented By Rudeen Racing had 75 cars return to Thunderbowl Raceway for the final night with Shane Golobic crowned champion for the third time.

One driver was to be named champion and earn a guaranteed $28,000 for accumulating the most points.

But four drivers had a chance for a bonus ranging from $22,000 to $2,000 dependent on starting in rows nine or 10 for the 50-lap finale. If any of those four won the race and title, the bonus earned was based on starting position.

No qualifying was needed as the better of the two preliminary race nights points determined lineups. A trio of D mains moved a dozen to the straight up C main. Four from the C moved to the invert six B main which added four to the invert 20 A main.

After the D mains the top 48 in points competed in six heat races fully inverted by points. These heats were 36 points to win with a three point drop per position.

With heats adding points to the preliminary night points, the top 20 in points moved directly to the A main, 21 through 40 went to the B main, and 41 to 48 were C main bound.

Starting in the A main guarantees $5,000 minimum payout for all three nights.

Shane Golobic had the best heat race with a third-place finish moving him from third to first in points, making him the driver eligible for a $50,000 payout to win. Tyler Courtney finished fourth in his heat to maintain second in points and eligible for a $40,000 check to win the main and title.

Kyle Hirst dropped to third in points by finishing sixth in a heat and would collect $35,000 for winning the main and championship. Corey Day and Ryan Timms remained in fourth and fifth.

The big finale had Tony Gomes and Zeb Wise on the front row for the 150 points main with a three point drop per position.

Wise led initially with Gomes and Kalib Henry in pursuit. Henry passed Wise on the front stretch on lap 14 and led five laps before Wise used a turn two slider to regain the lead. Chase Randall got third with a low line turn one pass on lap 26.

The planned fuel stop came after 29 non-stop laps and Golobic was 10th and Courtney 14th but the point battle doesn’t become clear until the lap count gets into the final 10. If the title battle came down to those two whoever was ahead of the other would win.

Wise continued leading while Henry held off pressure from Randall for second until Gomes took third back before a red flew for a Tim Kaeding and Kyle Hirst tangle that eliminated both.

As the lap count approached 50, Wise clicked off the laps smoothly and kept a late-charging Rico Abreu in second at the finish.

The drama centered around Golobic as he was in control of the championship but needed to pass four cars in six laps to collect the bonus.

Golobic got past two on a restart but Wise and Abreu were too far ahead to catch and no yellow to help saw Golobic finish third 20th starting spot.

Golobic became a three-time Trophy Cup champion. Corey Day was fourth in points, Courtney third. Wise fourth and Abreu was fifth.

The Trophy Cup continues to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation with a $321,000 donation to raise the total to $2,671,000. This is made possible by many contributors and activities as well as all entry fees going to support the Foundation.

The finish:

Feature (50 laps): 1. 26-Zeb Wise[2]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu[9]; 3. 17W-Shane Golobic[20]; 4. 5J-Kalib Henry[3]; 5. 14-Corey Day[17]; 6. 83T-Tanner Carrick[11]; 7. 18-Cole Macedo[6]; 8. 57W-Tyler Courtney[19]; 9. 2X-Justin Sanders[8]; 10. 94TH-Landon Brooks[7]; 11. 5T-Ryan Timms[16]; 12. 18T-Tanner Holmes[12]; 13. 9R-Chase Randall[10]; 14. 88-Austin McCarl[4]; 15. 5V-Colby Copeland[13]; 16. 7B-Sean Becker[21]; 17. 41X-Colton Hardy[14]; 18. 7C-Tony Gomes[1]; 19. 94-Kyle Hirst[18]; 20. 83-Tim Kaeding[15]; 21. 22-Ryan Bernal[23]; 22. 41-Dominic Scelzi[24]; 23. 73-Hunter Schuerenberg[22]; 24. 21-Mitchell Faccinto[5]

Author

Ron Rodda
Posted October 22, 2022

Ron Rodda is a contributor to Hoseheads Sprint Car News and Speed Sport News.

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by Ron Rodda

(TULARE, California) — The second preliminary night of the Abreu Vineyards 28th annual Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing had 84 winged 360s in action at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway Friday night with Tyler Courtney standing in victory lane.

Thursday’s format was repeated and drivers raced hard to win a heat or be the highest point car following eight intense laps.

The A main inverted 12 by points putting 21-year-old Kalib Henry and 16-year-old Chase Randall in row six for the 30-lap, $4,000-to-win race, adding 100 points to the night’s total for the win with a two point drop per position.

Justin Sanders wasted no time, blasting out of turn two to lead initially from fourth starting. Colton Hardy was second for a lap before Tanner Holmes took the spot to chase Sanders.

Courtney used the bottom of turn two to take third on lap 10 and by mid-race the fast lane moved up to the wall, a Tulare tradition that leaves no room for error. Kyle Hirst, Thursday’s point leader, dropped out with engine issues.

Tanner Holmes dove low into turn three and got under Sanders to take the lead on lap 16, Courtney grabbed second two laps later, and Sanders found the turn-two wall and was able to continue.

Tim Kaeding moved up to third on the restart and immediately pressured Courtney for second. Corey Day used a low turn two pass to run third on lap 29 before Kalib Henry brought out a red.

It was now a 31-lap main and Holmes, a 19-year old from Jacksonville, Ore., had to keep Courtney behind him for a pair of laps.

Courtney used a turn-one slider to take the lead on the restart, lost the spot a lap later in turn two, but raced out of turn two to gain the win over Holmes. Corey Day, Tim Kaeding, Shane Golobic finished the top five.

Drivers will use the better point total from each preliminary night to determine the heat race lineups on Saturday.

The top 48 in points will race six heats, fully inverted, for points and the top 20 in points after the heats go to the A main. Preliminary mains will follow, leading to the 50-lap championship main which inverts 20 by points.

Hirst and Courtney are tied with 278 points after two nights of racing.

The finish:

Feature (30 laps): 1. 57W-Tyler Courtney[9]; 2. 18T-Tanner Holmes[2]; 3. 14-Corey Day[8]; 4. 83-Tim Kaeding[5]; 5. 17W-Shane Golobic[14]; 6. 69-Bud Kaeding[24]; 7. 7P-Jake Andreotti[17]; 8. 41X-Colton Hardy[1]; 9. 9R-Chase Randall[11]; 10. 18-Cole Macedo[20]; 11. 46JR-Joel Myers[19]; 12. 94TH-Landon Brooks[3]; 13. 5V-Colby Copeland[6]; 14. 88-Austin McCarl[15]; 15. 98H-Tyler Thompson[21]; 16. 2X-Justin Sanders[4]; 17. 2K-Kaleb Montgomery[16]; 18. 5T-Ryan Timms[22]; 19. 5J-Kalib Henry[12]; 20. 7C-Tony Gomes[10]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu[13]; 22. 94-Kyle Hirst[7]; 23. 52-Blake Hahn[23]; 24. (DNS) 88N-DJ Netto

Author

Ron Rodda
Posted October 21, 2022

Ron Rodda is a contributor to Hoseheads Sprint Car News and Speed Sport News.

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by Ron Rodda

TULARE, Calif. — Ryan Timms took the lead on lap one of the 30-lap main event on Thursday and claimed a $4,000 victory on the opening night of the 28^th Trophy Cup at Thunderbowl Raceway.

Points earned in qualifying and heat races added to main event points put Timms in fifth place in points out of the 86-car field.

The field was split into two groups for qualifying and heat races and then combined for main event lineups. Qualifying gives 150 points to the quickest lap with a one point drop per position. Heat races offer 36 points for a win with a three point drop per position.

Each group ran four heats and the winner and highest point car from each moved directly to the A main while each of a pair of B mains elevated four additional drivers to the night’s finale. Heats and B mains inverted six and the main event had a 12-car inversion, all by points.

The A main is 100 points for a win with a two point drop per position. A sweep would be 286 points.

Entering the main Carson Macedo, Shane Golobic and Kyle Hirst we’re the top three in points. Since Macedo will be in Pennsylvania Saturday, he will not be finishing the Trophy Cup.

Timms and Landon Brooks filled the front row it was a short time in front for Brooks as a snapped axle left him sitting after one quarter of a lap. Tony Gomes inherited the outside front row spot

Timms edged Gomes at the line on lap one and pulled away. Justin Sanders took second using the bottom of turns three and four to claim second on lap three. Hunter Scheurenburg slowed after six laps with engine issues and Tyler Courtney took third out of turn four before a multi-car tangle in turn one drew a yellow.

Trophy Cup restarts are all single file and Timms maintained his lead and 14 non-stop laps saw Sanders close on Timms but then drop back.

Sanders got into the turn-two wall and flipped to promote Courtney to second and Kyle Hirst into third with six laps remaining.

With clear air Timms controlled the final laps to win over Courtney, Hirst, Golobic and Macedo.

Friday’s action will mirror the opening night’s format except the second group from Thursday qualifying will go first and the order within each group is reversed.

The finish:

Feature (30 Laps): 1. 5T-Ryan Timms[1]; 2. 57W-Tyler Courtney[8]; 3. 94-Kyle Hirst[10]; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic[11]; 5. 21T-Carson Macedo[12]; 6. 18T-Tanner Holmes[3]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu[14]; 8. 5J-Kalib Henry[18]; 9. 21-Mitchell Faccinto[5]; 10. 83T-Tanner Carrick[15]; 11. 9R-Chase Randall[7]; 12. 7C-Tony Gomes[4]; 13. 26-Zeb Wise[23]; 14. 7B-Sean Becker[16]; 15. 14-Corey Day[19]; 16. 88N-DJ Netto[20]; 17. 22-Ryan Bernal[17]; 18. 5V-Colby Copeland[21]; 19. 2XM-Max Mittry[22]; 20. 2X-Justin Sanders[6]; 21. 28-Chase Johnson[24]; 22. 83-Tim Kaeding[13]; 23. 73-Hunter Schuerenberg[9]; 24. 94TH-Landon Brooks[2]

Author

Ron Rodda
Posted October 20, 2022

Ron Rodda is a contributor to Hoseheads Sprint Car News and Speed Sport News.

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Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing Kicks-off Thursday at Thunderbowl Raceway

By Gary Thomas

(Tulare, CA – October 17, 2022)   Electricity is drifting through the air as one of the biggest weeks in California Sprint Car racing has arrived, which means only one thing, it’s time for Trophy Cup 28 at Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare.

The Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing is not just known for featuring some of the best racing seen all year long, but it’s also well regarded for being held to benefit one of the truly great organizations around, the Make-A-Wish Foundation. With the Trophy Cup’s donation last year, it brought the total amount of contributions to $2,350,000 since the event was created back in 1994.

This weekend marks the 17th occasion that the Trophy Cup will be held at Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare. All cars that start the Saturday A-main are guaranteed at least $5,000 in weekend winnings and the overall champion is guaranteed a stout $28,000 in weekend winnings. The three-day extravaganza on October 20th, 21st and 22nd features a $200,000 overall purse.

Past Trophy Cup champs set to compete this weekend include three-time winner Tim Kaeding of San Jose; two-time champion Shane Golobic of Fremont, along with single-time winners Rico Abreu of Rutherford, Bud Kaeding from Campbell, Willie Croft of Colfax, Chico’s Jonathan Allard and Fresno’s Craig Stidham.

“It’s been great to see the fan and team support continue to be outstanding at the Trophy Cup year after year, which has simply been amazing to watch,” said Thunderbowl Raceway Promoter Steve Faria. “The extra functions on the fairgrounds continue to create a happening at the event and one that people mark down on their calendar every season. I know we are looking forward to it and hope everyone else is too. Dave Pusateri and his entire team do an exceptional job with everything. I know we’re honored to host the Trophy Cup for the 17th straight year.”

Adult grandstand tickets for the 28th Trophy Cup cost $50 on Thursday and Friday and $55 on Saturday. Bleacher tickets are $45 on Thursday and Friday and $50 on Saturday. Kids pricing and senior pricing is also available.

Tickets can be purchased starting at approximately 10am-10:30 each race day behind the stands at the box office. The event has never sold out and plenty of tickets will be available. The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 20th, with the drivers meeting just after 3pm. Wheel packing, hot laps, qualifying and heat races will follow.

The special events that have become so popular are also returning with a slight twist. Following the races on Thursday will be BBQ Night sponsored by High 5 Pizza and Catering, while Friday after the races will be Taco Bravo Fiesta Night featuring Tacos. On Saturday afternoon from 11am-2pm Steve Faria and Thunderbowl Raceway will present the annual Spaghetti Feed.

Both Thursday and Friday nights will showcase Razor Bike Races plus RC car racing for children, while a brand-new function on Saturday includes the Driver Dunk Tank. The post-race parties start 20 minutes after the checkered flag with beer, water and soft drinks also available for purchase inside.

A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during all these events is appreciated. Fans and teams are all encouraged to attend the special eating events. More info on the Trophy Cup, as well as an entry list can be found at www.trophycup.org

Special thanks to Promoter Steve Faria with System 1 and System 1 Pro Ignition, General Manager Josh Miller, along with all our partners for making things happen at Thunderbowl Raceway including Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC, Budweiser, Roth Motorsports, KRC Safety, George at Garton Tractor, Double “D” Towing and JD Heiskel & Company.

For more info on the Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway-392991907541396

The Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street Tulare, California 93274. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds. Camping is available for fans off turns three and four.

Author

Gary Thomas
Posted October 18, 2022

Motorsports Public Relations Director/ Announcer from the Golden State of California. Business Manager of the The Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford & Abreu Vineyards competes in California. A premier Winged 360 Sprint Car series on the West Coast.

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By Gary Thomas

(Tulare, CA – October 10, 2022) With the 28th Trophy Cup ready to tackle Thunderbowl Raceway next week Promoter Steve Faria has announced an extra special perk that will go to the overall point champion at the event.

The driver who wins the overall title at the Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing already goes home with $28,000 in weekend earnings. Thanks to Steve Faria, they will also take home a commemorative 14k solid gold ring engraved with the 28th annual Trophy Cup logo.

Trophy Cup 28 Winner’s Ring

Not only will the Trophy Cup champ take home the prize, Faria has also offered up another 14k solid gold ring to be auctioned off at the event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 28th Trophy Cup occurs on October 20th, 21st and 22nd at Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway.

“The Trophy Cup is such a great event for an outstanding cause, and we are really ramping up for it,” commented Faria. “I wanted to do something special for the champion this year, so felt that offering up this 14k solid gold ring with the Trophy Cup logo on it was just that. The event is all about raising money for Make-A-Wish and doing another ring for the auction was a no brainer for us a well.”

Buddy Kofoid Trophy Cup 27 Winner in 2021
Image courtesy of Devin M Photography

Adult grandstand tickets for the 28th Trophy Cup cost $50 on Thursday and Friday and $55 on Saturday. Bleacher tickets are $45 on Thursday and Friday and $50 on Saturday. Kids pricing and senior pricing is also available.

Tickets can be purchased starting at approximately 10am-10:30 each race day behind the stands at the box office. The event has never sold out and plenty of tickets will be available. The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 20th, with the drivers meeting just after 3pm. Wheel packing, hot laps, qualifying and heat races will follow.

The special events that have become so popular are also returning with a slight twist. Following the races on Thursday will be BBQ Night sponsored by High 5 Pizza and Catering, while Friday after the races will be Taco Bravo Fiesta Night featuring Tacos. On Saturday afternoon from 11am-2pm Steve Faria and Thunderbowl Raceway will present the annual Spaghetti Feed.

Both Thursday and Friday nights will showcase Razor Bike Races plus RC car racing for children, while a brand-new function on Saturday includes the Driver Dunk Tank. The post-race parties start 20 minutes after the checkered flag with beer, water and soft drinks also available for purchase inside.

A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during all these events is appreciated. Fans and teams are all encouraged to attend the special eating events. More info on the Trophy Cup, as well as an entry list can be found at www.trophycup.org

Special thanks to Promoter Steve Faria with System 1 and System 1 Pro Ignition, General Manager Josh Miller, along with all our partners for making things happen at Thunderbowl Raceway including Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC, Budweiser, Roth Motorsports, KRC Safety, George at Garton Tractor, Double “D” Towing and JD Heiskel & Company.

For more info on the Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway-392991907541396/?fref=ts

The Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street Tulare, California 93274. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds. Camping is available for fans off turns three and four.

Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway Remaining Schedule

Saturday October 15^th: Northern Auto Racing Club Fujitsu 410 Sprint Cars, Kings of Thunder Winged 360s and Legends of Kearney Bowl (Dennis Roth Classic)

Thursday October 20^th: Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing
Friday October 21^st: Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing
Saturday October 22^nd: Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing

Author

Gary Thomas
Posted October 10, 2022

Motorsports Public Relations Director/ Announcer from the Golden State of California. Business Manager of the The Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford & Abreu Vineyards competes in California. A premier Winged 360 Sprint Car series on the West Coast.

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by Ron Rodda

(TULARE, Calif. – 24-Aug, 2022) – Next month’s Abreu Vineyards 28th Trophy Cup Presented By Rudeen Racing has drawn a record number of entries and may pay a record purse for the three-day event at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway.

There are 111 cars entered for the Cup, to set an all-time record and the purse has a guaranteed $200,000 payout. The regular payout has the champion receiving $28,000, while the drivers that fill the 24-car field for the final night’s 50 lap race will each receive at least $5,000.

But this year, it could be a substantially increased payout for the champion.

A sponsor is making the bonus possible and the four drivers who start the 50-lap Saturday night finale in rows nine and 10 will be eligible to collect the bonus if they win both the main event and the Trophy Cup title.

With 20 cars inverted by points, the two rows eligible means they are the top four in points entering the extra length main. If the high point car entering the main wins the race and championship, the total winnings for the three days will be a guaranteed $50,000. If the second in points wins the main and title, the check will be for $40,000.

If third in points is both the main event winner and high point car, the reward will be $35,000 and if fourth in points is able to win both race and points, the total will be $30,000.

Another record that could be set is the youngest champion of the Cup.

Buddy Kofoid now owns that record after stealing last year’s title as a 19-year-old driver. Several challengers to that record will be racing this year, including fourth in points Corey Day, sixth-place points finishing Ryan Timms, and 19th in points from last year, Chase Randall.

Author

Ron Rodda
Posted September 24, 2022

Ron Rodda is a contributor to Hoseheads Sprint Car News and Speed Sport News.

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By Gary Thomas

(Tulare, CA – September 21, 2022) – The most anticipated period of the season at Thunderbowl Raceway is fast approaching with the Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing ready to invade Tulare on October 20th, 21st and 22nd.

Something sure to add intrigue this year will be the fresh new show one weekend prior, with the inaugural “Dennis Roth Classic” occurring on Saturday October 15^th. The event honoring newly minted National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Dennis Roth features the NARC Fujitsu 410 Sprint Car Series and the Kings of Thunder Winged 360s.

It’s sure to be an epic lead-in for the Trophy Cup, as teams and fans get to enjoy back-to-back weeks of racing at the Thunderbowl.

The Trophy Cup continues to be one of the premier Winged Sprint Car showcases in the country and the 2022 version is sure to be one of the biggest and best yet. The 28th edition of the Trophy Cup once again boasts a $200,000 overall purse for the three nights, with over 100 cars currently entered for competition.

The event originally started at San Jose Speedway in 1994 and was held at the track until its closing in ‘99. It then moved to Ocean Speedway for one year, before heading to the Kings Speedway in Hanford from 2001-2004. In ‘05 the Trophy Cup was moved to Thunderbowl Raceway, where it has been held ever since.

With its unique format the Trophy Cup regularly produces some of the best Winged Sprint Car racing fans will witness all season. Each time a driver hits the speedway for competitive racing there are points on the line. It’s all a lead-up to the 50-lap feature on Saturday night, which features the top-20 in overall points inverted, plus the four transfers out of the B-main comprising the final four spots.

All cars that start the Saturday A-main are guaranteed at least $5,000 in weekend winnings and the overall champion is guaranteed a record $28,000 in weekend winnings. The Trophy Cup is always an all-star showcase in California, with champions and winners from all over the state and beyond in action.

Tickets continue to be on sale for the Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing, with all seating in the house reserved during the weekend. Adult grandstand tickets cost $50 on Thursday and Friday and $55 on Saturday. Bleacher tickets are $45 on Thursday and Friday and $50 on Saturday. Kids pricing and senior pricing is also available.

Tickets can be acquired by calling 559-688-0909 or at the gate. Pre-sale tickets will be available until two weeks prior to the event, as all track staff will be at the raceway daily and not in the office, in preparation to make sure everything goes as well as possible. The event has never sold out and tickets will be available if you choose to purchase at the gate.

The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 20th, with the drivers meeting around 3pm. Wheel packing, hot laps, qualifying and heat races will follow.

The special events that have become so popular are also returning with a slight twist. Following the races on Thursday will be BBQ Night sponsored by High 5 Pizza and Catering, while Friday after the races will be Taco Bravo Fiesta Night featuring Tacos. On Saturday afternoon from 11am-2pm Steve Faria and Thunderbowl Raceway will present the annual Spaghetti Feed.

Both Thursday and Friday nights will showcase Razor Bike Races plus RC car racing for children, while a brand-new function on Saturday includes the Driver Dunk Tank. The post-race parties start 20 minutes after the checkered flag with beer, water and soft drinks also available for purchase inside.

A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during all these events is appreciated.

David Pusateri Showing a Make-A-Wish Child Around

Over the last 27-years Dave Pusateri and the Trophy Cup team have helped gather more than 2 million dollars in donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Fans and teams are all encouraged to attend the special eating events. More info on the Trophy Cup, as well as an entry list can be found at www.trophycup.org

Special thanks to Promoter Steve Faria with System 1 and System 1 Pro Ignition, General Manager Josh Miller, along with all our partners for making things happen at Thunderbowl Raceway including Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC, Budweiser, Roth Motorsports, KRC Safety, George at Garton Tractor, Double “D” Towing and JD Heiskel & Company.

For more info on the Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway visit www.tcfair.org and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway-392991907541396/?fref=ts

The Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street Tulare, California 93274. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds. Camping is available for fans off turns three and four.

Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway Remaining Schedule

Saturday October 15^th: Northern Auto Racing Club Fujitsu 410 Sprint Cars, Kings of Thunder Winged 360s and Legends of Kearney Bowl (Dennis Roth Classic)

Thursday October 20^th: Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing
Friday October 21^st: Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing
Saturday October 22^nd: Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 28 presented by Rudeen Racing

Author

Gary Thomas
Posted September 22, 2022

Motorsports Public Relations Director/ Announcer from the Golden State of California. Business Manager of the The Sprint Car Challenge Tour presented by Elk Grove Ford & Abreu Vineyards competes in California. A premier Winged 360 Sprint Car series on the West Coast.

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by Joseph Terrell
Editor of wcsprintscene.com
 
(Cannon Beach, Oregon – August 18, 2022) August is a quiet month on the west coast for sprint car racing with no major special events scheduled – Johnny Key is not a major – as most of the sprintcar world has their attention focused on some small town in Iowa called Knoxville. But the calm ends out west beginning when the World of Outlaws touch ground at Skagit Speedway Labor Day weekend. After that pretty much every weekend features a big race punctuated by 28th annual Trophy Cup in late October.
 
So as we sit a little more than two months away from the Trophy Cup it is time to analyze early contenders, the drivers registered and consider the possibilities for some of the vacant seats.
 

DEFENDING CHAMPION IN NEW RIDE

Last year Buddy Koifoid dominated the Trophy Cup in the Paul Silva prepared Works Limited sprinter and essentially had the overall points championship locked before the Saturday A pushed off. This year Koifoid will be back to defend his championship but this time he will be aboard the Crouch Motorsports sprinter he has spent most of the summer driving. Koifoid has had plenty of success in the Crouch ride in 2022 – including his first outlaw win at Huset’s, being named Knoxville Nationals rookie of the year and winning the inaugural High Limits even – so I expect Koifoid to still be a contender but this year he will be minus the secret ingredient known as Paul Silva.
 
Steering the Work Limited sprinter will be none other than Tyler Courtney whose last appearance in this car netted a $76,000 Dirt Cup payday at Skagit Speedway. Courtney, who  was originally entered in the Roth Motorsports stable when the Trophy entries first came in, made the smart decision when the Works Limited team had no driver to move his seat to the car that won last year.

TARLTON, ROTH, OTHERS SEEKING DRIVERS

Tarlton racing has four entries to date with no drivers yet named. One would expect Carson Macedo and Mitchell Faccinto to be in two of the seats but the other two…they could be filled by Gauge Garcia and Caeden Steele. Garica and Steele have shown speed all year and Steele especially has been stout of late getting his first win at Ocean and winning a NARC heat race with a 360. On the other hand Tarlton could seek some more star power especially since the World of Outlaws and All Stars have no races scheduled for Trophy Cup weekend.
 
Roth had two drivers originally – Kerry Madsen and Courtney. However, as mentioned, Courtney grabbed his seat and headed over to the Works Limited team leaving a seat open. Enter Parker Price-Miller who was tabbed to fill the seat upon Courtney’s departure but now that seems a little shaky as PPM recovers from a wicked accident from Knoxville. Early indications are he might be able to return in six weeks but back injuries are tricky so it seems plausible that PPM will not be ready for Trophy Cup. If PPM is not ready will Roth turn to his outlaw driver – James McFadden? Or will he stay on the west coast and try to find someone? Trey Starks anybody.
 
Clayton Snow is in the same predicament as Tarlton with cars (two be exact) entered but no driver listed. Will he put Carson Short in one of the cars? How about Justin Grant who was in it for the High Limits race?

RYAN TIMMS AND COREY DAY

This could be the rivalry that defines the next 25 years in sprint car racing. Or it could be a short moment in history before both these phenomenons move on from sprint cars and dirt to chase dreams on Sunday afternoon? Nobody knows what the future holds so we might as well enjoy it now.
 
Timms will be making his second appearance at Trophy Cup and after taking a little time to get used to the track last year he put in an exclamation point on the final night as he won the 50 lap main event after fending off numerous challenges from Tanner Carrick. If Timm can put himself in a better position in qualifying I wouldn’t be surprised if the Oklahoma driver becomes the youngest Trophy Cup champion in the race’s history. Timms, before his 16th birthday, has already become one of the best winged sprint car drivers in the country and his eight wins prove it including the impressive Jackson-Huset’s three for three he pulled off in June.
 
If Timms doesn’t become the youngest winner it could be Day. Day will also be making his second appearance at the Trophy Cup and like Timms if he can put together a solid preliminary night he has a legit chance to win the overall championship. In the west coast’s first major sprint car race of 2022 – Dirt Cup – Day was hampered by lackluster qualifying and he will need to clean this up because Trophy Cup cannot be won with subpar qualifying efforts. Day has been the talk of the nation since he scored consecutive runner-up finishes to close out the sprint west coast outlaw tour and has backed it up winning five times out west between 360 and 410 competition. He also showed he can go to new places and show speed evidenced by his speed during his summer midwest tour – specifically US 36 Raceway and Knoxville. Although his Knoxville results weren’t amazing at first glance anybody that paid attention knows how much speed Day showed.

INTRUDERS ON THE ROSTER

One the best things about the Trophy Cup is the teams and combinations on the roster. A lot of one-off and out-of-state teams that west coast fans only get to see once a year. In addition to Koifoid, Timms and  Courtney many other drivers/teams will descend upon the Thunderbowl who either are new to Trophy Cup, only combine once a year or just aren’t familiar faces on the west coast sprint car scene.
 
Amongst the registered intruders: Justin Peck makes second appearance at Trophy Cup  in the F&F Racing sprinter. Fellow All Star regular Hunter Schuerenberg is slated to drive for Josh Ford Motorsports. ASCS National regular Blake Hahn will make his annual trip to the Thunderbowl. Knoxville regular Chase Randall will be making his second appearance. California native Cole Macedo will compete, but this year it will be in the Ray Brooks sprinter that he normally wheels in Ohio. Knoxville polesitter and Iowa resident Austin McCarl will be back out west aboard the west coast based Country Builders Construction ride he has driven all season. Three Arizona drivers are entered: Nick Parker, mini sprint star Colton Hardy and teengater Logan Calderwood. Texas teenager and national midget standout Brenham Crouch will join Koifoid as a teammate in a second Crouch Motorsports entry. World of Outlaw rookie Robbie Price and Pennsylvania Posse member Devon Borden are entered in their northwest based family  cars. I would expect a few more intruders to fill some of the empty seats that are available – Scelzi Motorsports has an open seat that Gio would fit nicely in and maybe an Outlaw or two will decide they need to fill the off week on their schedule.

ONE DRIVER TWO SEATS

Justin Sanders might be the best driver on the west coast and I still think he will get  close to 20 wins in 2022 but he isn’t good enough to drive two cars at once. What that means is either Demo Mittry or Dale Miller – two of the best  sprint car rides in the state – will have a steering wheel to hold. My guess, and with Sanders it is just that, is he will be in the Mittry entry that has been his main ride in 2022. Miller has been flirting with Kaleb Montgomery in the car recently with Sanders unavailable but as of now Montgomery seems to be settling in as the full-time driver in the Keller Motorsports sprinter.  Either way Sanders will be in a top notch ride and some other driver might land themselves a contending ride they weren’t expecting.
 
That is my first look at the Trophy Cup roster for 2022. This roster is in constant flux and so what seems now may look different come October. One thing for sure though is September 15 is the deadline for car owners to register so by that date we should have a firm grasp on all the teams entered even if the driver musical chairs continue into the fall.
 

Author

Joseph Terrell
Posted August 18, 2022

Short Track Racing Junkie (Sprints or Stock Car, Dirt or Pavement - I enjoy it all). Went to the first Trophy Cup at San Jose Speedway. Check out Joseph's website: www.wcsprintscene.com Currently lives in Olympia, Washington -- Home Track: Skagit/Grays Harbor; make at least two trips to California each year including Trophy Cup - A weekly contributor to hoseheads.com (West Coast Sprint Car Scene).

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by Ron Rodda

(Tulare, CA – March 29, 2022) In October the Abreu Vineyards 28th Annual Trophy Cup Presented by Rudeen Racing will be held at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway and this year offers an opportunity for a quartet of drivers to receive a record check by claiming the Cup championship, the result of earning the most points over the three nights of racing. Since this is the 28th year of the event, the champion receives $28.000 total for the three days. All drivers in the 24-car Saturday finale are guaranteed $5000 for their three day total.

But this year it could be a substantially increased payout for the champion.

A sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous is making the bonus possible and the four drivers who start the 50-lap Saturday night finale in rows nine and ten will be eligible to collect the bonus if they win both the main event and the Trophy Cup title.

With 20 cars inverted by points, the two rows eligible means they are the top four in points entering the extra length main. If the high point car entering the main wins the race and championship, the total winnings for the three days will be a guaranteed $50,000. Second in points wins the main and title and the check will be for $40,000. If third in points is both the main event winner and high point car the reward will be $35,000 and if it is fourth in points able to win both race and points the total will be $30,000. All others in the 24-car field will receive the regular $28,000 to win the title.

In the 27 years the Trophy Cup has been held, only once did the high point car entering the Saturday main win both the race and the title. Tim Kaeding won the title and came from 24th starting to claim the Saturday main event also. The 2009 accomplishment at Tulare featured TK bouncing off the cushion and sometimes the wall in his sterling drive to the front to be the only driver to win the Saturday main from last starting.

A couple years ago the format was adjusted to the high point car now starts 20th, so Kaeding’s feat will never be matched. A change for this year is no limit on the number of entries. Those who raced last year will have their entry forms mailed on May 1 and the only restriction is entries must be received by September 15.

Author

Ron Rodda
Posted March 29, 2022

Ron Rodda is a contributor to Hoseheads Sprint Car News and Speed Sport News.

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By Joseph Terrell

(Tulare, Calif/Olympia, Wash ‐ 10/25/2021) — The Trophy Cup is just one of those must see events. I mentioned that in my previous column and the 2021 version only reiterated this idea. It is a destination for so many race teams and drivers – an event they look to all year because of its unique format, the legendary Thunderbowl Raceway, the parties, the money raised and friends. It is all the above but Thursday, Friday and Saturday from about 5pm to 11pm it is all about the drivers and their attempt to tame the Tulare Thunderbowl and take home the $27000 top prize for the Trophy Cup champion.
 
The long straights, high banks and always a nice a hole a two mixed in the Thunderbowl is tough to conquer. It eats cars like a horse eating grass – often with ease and no discretion. A driver can go zero to hero in a moment and sometimes the demanding conditions and inevitable contact that occurs causes tempers to rise above a manner deemed appropriate socially. So here is a look at what caught my attention during the three night of Trophy Cup 27:

• Buddy Koifoid won Thursday’s main event and set the tone for the weekend as he simply dominated. Even before Saturday’s main event it seemed he was in a great position to win as he was nine points ahead of Friday night winner Rico Abreu and 16 points ahead of third running Kyle Hirst. The championship was sealed barring disaster when Abreu and HIrst got together early and were eliminated. After that Koifoid avoided trouble and mounted a late race charge to finish fourth to go along with a first and second the first two nights. Only other drivers to score top 10 finishes all three nights were second and third in points – Colby Copeland and DJ Netto.
• As Koifoid was cruising to an easy overall championship 15 year old Ryan Timms was again reminding everybody just how special he is. Whether it was his domination of ASCS National Speedweek to his many POWRI midget wins, Timms just wins. Saturday night of the Trophy Cup was no different. Yes the field was inverted but make no mistake in one of the most talented features of the season anywhere Timms simply laid a whooping. Minus a gaffe on lap 40 that allowed Tanner Carrick to take the lead, Timms set a pace on Saturday night nobody could match.
• Fellow 15 year old Corey Day never won a main during the weekend but he did finish fourth in overall points, two spots ahead of Timms. Day seemed to be a different driver than the one I saw in August and was much more patient which is only bad news for the competition.
• As someone who has been around sprint car racing my whole life I understand just how expensive these cars are and the Thunderbowl will always be tough on cars and this year was no different. At least five teams brought down a second car and many others did extensive re-bullds. The Country Builders team went back to Tracy after Thursday to retrieve a new car only to see one car catch on fire and the other flip on Friday before calling it quits after Friday night qualifying. The fact there is a flip count at this race doesn’t sit right nor does the fact that some seem to celebrate the carnage. I know a few drivers who I talked to during the weeknd who weren’t racing and when I asked why they said “Look around.” Flipping is not cool.
• No driver wrecked harder than JJ Ringo Friday night. He hit the turn three wall full throttle and rode the wall for a second before flipping violently, landing in turn four. Later that evening I walked by the pits and saw something that barely resembled a sprint car and Ringo visibly shaken in the back of his trailer. Fast forward 10 hours and as I walk the pits Saturday morning I see the Keller Motorsports team pulling down a second car and getting to work. I was shocked. JJ Ringo and the whole team would have been justified in saying they had seen enough for the weekend but no…Ringo showed why sprint car drivers are some of the most courageous athletes in the world as he hopped back in the rocket ship for some more Saturday night.
• As ugly as some of the wrecks were, nothing matched the ugliness of what happened between Dominic Scelzi and Devon Borden during the first heat race of Saturday night. Scelzi entered Saturday seventh in points and Borden was 19th. Each driver is big time, expects to win every time they are on the track and don’t lift for anybody. That all came together on the second lap of heat one Saturday night and ultimately resulted in both drivers on the hook. Scelzi confronted on the track and then again in the pits leading to his disqualification. Borden parked his ride for the night. I am not going to go into details because I don’t know exactly what happened but you could see the pressure mounting on Scelzi as the weekend seemed to slip away. WIth undefeated season at Tulare coming into Trophy Cup, Scelzi was almost deemed Trophy Cup champion before the race.
• Scelzi’s disqualification created the biggest controversy of the weekend as officials elected only to start 23 cars instead of 24 – not replacing Scelzi who had enough points to be in the A. Two of the most upset were Justyn Cox and Willie Croft. Cox was 21st in points so would have started on the pole of the invert 20 main instead of the 21st position he started after transferring through the B. Croft started seventh in the B and missed the main – if Cox would have been moved up he would have started on the pole of B since they inverted six. Why they didn’t start 24 and bump up everybody one position is beyond me. My belief is they paid Scelzi the $5000 for qualifying for Saturday’s main and didn’t want to pay an extra driver the guaranteed $5000.
• Anthony Macri left an impression right away. His thrilling second place finish Thursday night had the California faithful fired up and smashing beers. Post race he was interrupted multiple times by fans as he tried to drink a beer on his way to a post race party. West coast fans love drivers who get up on the gas…Macri gets up on the gas and has a new fan base for years to come.
• The two most important events of Trophy Cup continue to be Thursday qualifying and the Saturday main event. Even though you get to choose your best point night, a good Thursday qualifying effort will ease your mind as you start the weekend ahead of the game. Saturday night’s main event is an opportunity to make amends for your weekend. Timms and Tanner Carrick showed that a good finish Saturday can help salvage a weekend as they entered the main 19th and 17th in points but used podium finishes to wind up sixth and fifth in points. Only qualifying and Saturday’s main offer 150 points and work down.
• Steve Kent is one of the best to ever strap into a sprint car from the west coast. One thing that made him legendary was his drive and determination which was on display again this weekend as he wrenched on his son’s (Steven Kent) sprinter. After Steven Kent found the wall and damaged his front end in his Saturday night heat race, his dad went to work in ferocious style. Banging, yelling, demanding and not giving up Steve and his band of Grandpas got Steven out for the B. Friday I had asked Steve if ever wanted to strap back in and he said “No” but you can tell the fire still burns.

The 2021 season has finished for me. Ten tracks and 35 races stretching from Tulare to Skagit the season was a blast as I was able to catch many of the major events on the west coast and even get shoutout from the legendary Bobby Gerould on my journeys. While I am now grounded until spring of 2022 look for this column to continue to churn as the world of sprint car racing never slows.

Email me at wcsprintcarscene@gmail.com. Follow me on twitter @wcsprintcarscene where I tweet about west coast and national sprint car racing and occasionally go to the darkside of dirt super late model racing and pavement super late model racing.

Author

Joseph Terrell
Posted October 25, 2021

Short Track Racing Junkie (Sprints or Stock Car, Dirt or Pavement - I enjoy it all). Went to the first Trophy Cup at San Jose Speedway. Check out Joseph's website: www.wcsprintscene.com Currently lives in Olympia, Washington -- Home Track: Skagit/Grays Harbor; make at least two trips to California each year including Trophy Cup - A weekly contributor to hoseheads.com (West Coast Sprint Car Scene).

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