2008 Season Schedule Results Pacific Sprints Driver Roster Driver Standings Owner Standings Pro Stocks Driver Roster Driver Standings Owner Standings Pure Stocks Driver Roster Driver Standings Owner Standings Wingless Sprints Driver Roster Driver Standings Owner Standings Seasons: |'07|'06|'05|'04| |'03|'02|'01|'00| |'99| Registration Rules 360 Sprints Pro Stocks Pure Stocks Wingless Sprints Points System History Track Records Former Champions Cars Location Personnel Silver Dollar Speedway Placerville Speedway California Sprint Car Civil War Series Golden State Challenge - King of California Series GOLD CUP Race of Champions HELP MENU Site Map Contact Us Search the Site Sponsor Index

Sweeney wins the battle and Wiesz wins the war in Placerville Championship
Stevens secures Pure Stock championship; Brown celebrates Pro Stock title with victory
by Bill Sullivan

Saturday, August 30, 2008 Results
Qualifying Pacific Sprints Pro Stocks Pure Stocks Midget Lites

James Sweeney claimed his first career win at Placerville Speedway. JPM Photo by Donna Peter

In the sprint car division, local favorite James Sweeney of Placerville drove his way to his first ever feature win. In 2006 Sweeney was the Rookie of the Year at Placerville Speedway and has since been a consistent top five finisher. He entered the night fourth in the championship point standings and led every lap of the 25-lap feature event to win his first victory, a feat that literally brought the capacity filled grandstands to their feet in celebration.

“I have been waiting for this all year, I just can’t wait to come back and get in this winner’s circle a lot more next year,” said Sweeney, who held of the competitive Colby Wiesz, the 2008 series champion, for the victory worth $2000 courtesy of Performance Plus Carpet Care. “I knew he couldn’t pass me down low tonight so I just stayed up high were it was fast and held him off. Now we’re going to the Gold Cup and I’m ready for that.”

While Sweeney was surrounded by a large crowd in the center of the speedway, another group was gathering on the front stretch around the popular #35 sprint car owned by John Taylor and driven by Wiesz . Wiesz officially became the track champion at Placerville Saturday night for the first time in his career while Taylor became the first car owner in track history to win three consecutive titles.

“This has been a great season, one of my best,” said Wiesz. “Driving for John Taylor has been incredible and I am so thankful they gave me this opportunity. I have to congratulate James Sweeney on the win, I would have liked to get one more tonight but there was just no way to catch him.”

Those gathering around Wiesz were celebrating with champagne showers, but at the same time we’re remembering a friend who was missing from the celebration. Last Thursday the racing community learned that former racer and graphic designer Dan Ramey suffered a fatal heart attack at just 52 years of age. Ramey was a big part of Taylor’s team, not only in his services but as a friend. Additionally, the Bay Cities Racing Association was competing Saturday night in their annual “Tracy Taylor Memorial” that paid tribute to Taylor’s sister who died of cancer just a few years ago. Taylor is not one to make public speeches, but Saturday night the time was right

“This has been a great season for us and I can’t say enough good things about Colby,” said Taylor. “Tonight was really difficult for us after hearing the news about Dan (Ramey). Dan helped me so much and he was a real part of this team, in fact he was a part of almost every team here. So tonight we’re thinking about him and remembering Tracy and how much both of them truly loved this sport.”

Tom Tilford win the final race of the season. JPM Photo by Donna Peter

In the Pure Stock Division, Brian Stevens of Pollock Pines was celebrating his division championship with teary eyes as well. Stevens returned to the track this year without his teammate, Terry Scher of Pollock Pines. Scher was the leader of the team known as ‘The Wrecking Crew” and lost a battle with cancer just before the season began.

“Were celebrating tonight but were remembering Terry,” said Stevens. “He was the man who got me out here racing and this season has been tough without him. I wanted to win this championship in his memory and we got the job done, this one is for Terry.”

Tom Tilford won the feature event, his tenth of the season, in the Pure Stock division. Tilford won more feature events then any other driver, racing on a part time basis. In addition to the wins, he claimed 12 to five finishes in 12 starts.

“I have a lot of people to thank for a great year again,” said Tilford. “But tonight I just want say thank you to everyone for remembering Dan Ramey. He helped me a lot through the years and he went out of his way to help a lot of drivers and the track. I couldn’t believe the news when I heard it, we’re going to miss him.”

Dan Brown Jr. capped off a dominating season with his 14th win. JPM Photo by Donna Peter

In the Pro Stock division, Dan Brown Jr. had sealed the title entering Saturday’s event. Without the worry of point standings, Brown drove his way to his 14th feature win of the year to celebrate the championship in victory lane.

“Tonight was a fun night, we didn’t have to worry about the points and I actually got to race with my Dad for the first time,” said Brown. Dan Brown Sr. strapped behind the wheel of Jeff Arobogast’s #88 stock car for the night, not telling his son until they had completed warm ups.

“I didn’t even know about it until hot laps, afterwards he pulled beside and waved to me. That was pretty fun, added Brown. “This has been a really great season for us and I am so thankful for everyone’s help and support in winning this championship.”

Brown now holds the record for the most wins in a season at Placerville Speedway, winning all but one event during the year. In 2009 he looks to advance to an open wheel car or a different division.

Brian Corso of Ripon won the feature event in the visiting Midget Lites Saturday Night. For additional information on the traveling division, visit www.bcraracing.com.