By Gary Thomas

(Tulare, CA – September 29, 2021) – The biggest event of the season at Thunderbowl Raceway is fast approaching with the Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 27 presented by Rudeen Racing ready to invade Tulare on October 21, 22 and 23.

The Trophy Cup continues to be one of the premier Winged Sprint Car showcases in the country and the 2021 version is sure to be another can’t miss weekend. The 27th edition of the Trophy Cup once again boasts a $200,000 overall purse for the three nights.

The event originally started out 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 $27,000 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 27 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.

A seating chart is online at www.ThunderbowlRaceway.com and tickets can be acquired by calling 559-688-0909. The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 21, 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 Hot Dog/ Chili Dog Night sponsored by KRC Safety, while Friday after the races will be Taco Bravo Fiesta Night featuring Tacos. On Saturday afternoon Steve Faria and Thunderbowl Raceway will present the Spaghetti Feed as well. Both Thursday and Friday nights will also showcase RC car racing, while Cow Pie Bingo returns as usual on Saturday.

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. Over the last 26-years Dave Pusateri and the Trophy Cup team have raised 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 Steve Faria with System 1 Filters and all our partners for making things happen at Thunderbowl Raceway including Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC, Budweiser, Roth Motorsports, KRC Safety, Western Metal Company, 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 www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway

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 September 30, 2021

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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(8/24/19) By Jim Allen, Stockton, CA …  Tim Kaeding clinched the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports title with an impressive $10,000 King of the West by NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series victory in front of a huge crowd at the Stockton Dirt Track’s Champions Classic on Saturday.
 
It was his second victory aboard Rod Tiner’s potent AB Company/Shark Racing Engines number 83 Helix sprinter during the four day event.  He finished third in the other two races to walk away with an additional $2000 from the Sunnyvalley Bacon point fund.  It was his 68th career series win.
 
Despite the popular victory, Kaeding was very apologetic in victory lane, after inadvertently running into the slower car of Jace VanderWeerd.  While cutting through traffic with just five laps remaining, Kaeding clipped the front end of VanderWeerd’s causing him to flip and bring out the only red flag of the 30-lapper.   Luckily, he was unhurt.
 
“The first thing I want to say is I apologize to Jace and his team,”  said Kaeding.  “I thought I had him cleared while going past him and I feel really bad.   I know I hit him hard because it shook my head inside my helmet.”
 
Surprisingly, Kaeding did not sustain any damage to his car, which allowed him to hold off a hardcharging Shane Golobic and King of the West by NARC championship point leader DJ Netto in the late going to secure the win.
 
“I can’t say enough about Rod Tiner and all of the guys on this team,” continued Kaeding.  “They worked really hard to give me a great race car these past four days.”
 
ARP fast qualifier and Pole Shuffler winner Dominic Scelzi led the first 10-laps, until Kaeding drove under him in turn one and motored out of the second corner with the lead.  Golobic, who started sixth aboard Matt Wood’s Elk Grove Ford ride, powered past Scelzi with six to go to move into the hunt.   Golobic pressured Kaeding in the late going, but was unable to make anything stick.

Netto may have had the fastest car on the track after the red flag and charged into third with four remaining.  Netto launched a couple of attacks at Golobic, but had to settle for third aboard the Netto Ag/Rotella Shell KPC.
 
Kyle Larson drove the Finley Farms-sponsored ride to fourth, followed by Scelzi in the Roth Motorsports KPC.
 
The second five to cross the checkered was Rico Abreu, Mitchell Faccinto, Bud Kaeding, Willie Croft and Colby Copeland.  Geoff Ensign earned the Swift Metal Finishing hardcharger award charging from 23rd to 11th.
 
Heat races were picked off by Golobic, Faccinto and Chase Johnson.
 
FUJITSU FEATURE EVENT (30-laps):   Tim Kaeding, Shane Golobic, DJ Netto, Kyle Larson, Dominic Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Mitchell Faccinto, Bud Kaeding, Willie Croft, Colby Copeland, Geoff Ensign, Ryan Bernal, Kyle Offill, Sean Watts, Nathan Rolfe, Tim Estenson, Michael Sellers, Jace Vanderweerd, Cole Macedo, Chase Johnson, Jason Statler, Kenny Allen, Jonathan Allard, Jenna Frazier.
 
LAP LEADERS:   Scelzi 1-10, T. Kaeding 11-30
 
ARP FAST QUALIFIER (24 cars):   Dominic Scelzi – 13.661 seconds
 
BROWN & MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS FIRST HEAT (8 laps):     Shane Golobic, Kyle Larson, Cole Macedo, Dominic Scelzi, Colby Copeland, Michael Sellers, Jason Statler, Kenny Allen.
 
FK ROD ENDS SECOND HEAT (8 laps):   Mitchell Faccinto, Bud Kaeding, Tim Kaeding, Jonathan Allard, Sean Watts, Rico Abreu, Jace VanderWeerd, Geoff Ensign.
 
SPEEDSHIFT TV/MVP THIRD HEAT (8 laps):  Chase Johnson, Ryan Bernal, DJ Netto, Willie Croft, Kyle Offill, Tim Estenson, Nathan Rolfe.
 
SUNNYVALLEY BACON/FOUR CCCC’S CONSTRUCTION POLE SHUFFLE:  Netto beat Larson; Golobic beat Netto; T. Kaeding beat Golobic; Faccinto beat T. Kaeding; Scelzi beat Faccinto.
 

Author

Gary Thomas
Posted August 26, 2019

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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Gary Thomas