Willie Croft strikes for victory on night one of the Nor*Cal Posse Shootout

By Gary Thomas

Placerville, CA: Making the final Placerville Speedway starts of his career this weekend, Colfax driver Willie Croft proceeded to make it count by racing to victory on opening night of the Nor*Cal Posse Shootout presented by Berco Redwood.

Sharing victory lane on Saturday during the High Sierra West Coast Wingless Shootout portion of the night was Placerville’s own Shane Hopkins.

The 30-lap Winged 360 Sprint Car finale began with Roseville’s Colby Copeland putting the Van Lare Steering Repair No. 5v out front. Dash winner Croft stalked his every move however, as close battles were seen all throughout the field.

The complexion of the race then changed on lap 11 though, as the yellow flag waved for a car slowing down the back stretch. Unfortunately for Copeland, heartbreak city occurred when he got upside down in turn three along with Ryan Rocha while avoiding the slowing car. Both drivers were okay but done for the night.

Croft now found himself out front with Modesto’s Tony Gomes moving into the runner up spot. Several movers and shakers were seen in the main event, including Shane Hopkins, who charged from 16^th to third by lap 12.

Gomes kept leader Croft withing his sights and at one point, made the move to slide in front of him entering turn three. The veteran driver stayed poised though and sliced back to his inside, maintaining the point.

A final caution then occurred with three circuits remaining. On the restart Croft blasted away from the pack to accept the Ron Stahl checkered flag aboard his Grinders Automotive/ Rudeen Racing No. 29. It marked his fifth career Winged 360 Sprint Car triumph at Placerville Speedway, ironically tying him with Gomes and fellow veteran Jimmy Trulli, who also wraps up his driving career this season.

Gomes crossed the stripe in second, with Hopkins finishing off a stellar run from row eight to round out the podium.

Hanford’s Michael Faccinto arguably had the run of the night though. After winning the B-main, the driver of the F&F Racing x1 rocketed through the field in aggressive fashion to finish in fourth place after starting from 21^st. Redding’s Max Mittry also capped a solid night by rounding out the top-five.

Completing the top-10 on opening night of the Nor*Cal Posse Shootout presented by Berco Redwood were Lincoln’s Tanner Carrick, Australian Jock Goodyear, Suisun City’s Chance Grasty, Dunnigan’s Luke Hayes and El Cajon’s Braden Chiaramonte.

A total of 37 Winged Sprint Cars competed on Saturday. Yuba City’s Seth Standley earned his first career Placerville fast time award to open the night with a lap of 10.650.

The 25-lap main event for the High Sierra West Coast Wingless Shootout started out with Roseville’s Josh Young climbing into the lead. Young had earlier set fast time and captured his heat as he worked on a clean sweep of the evening.

Several stoppages were seen in the feature, which never allowed drivers to get into a constant flow. Shane Hopkins though had found something through the middle of the speedway and began to march his way forward. The 30-year-old took over second on lap eight and then came after the leader.

After hounding Young for the top-spot Hopkins took command on lap 12 and never looked back. The driver of the Cliften & Warren Feed/ MP Operations No. 21 pulled away for his fourth career Wingless Sprint Car win at Placerville Speedway.

Young, DJ Johnson, Brent Steck, Dylan Newberry, Eathon Lanfri, Peter Paulson, Tyler Cato, Shannon Newton and Josh Gillis rounded out the top-10.

The Nor*Cal Posse Shootout presented by Berco Redwood finishes tonight at Placerville Speedway. Tickets are available at 2024 Legends Weekend | Nor Cal Posse Shootout Night #2 | EventSprout