4/15/2010
Sprint Source
John Taylor team begins fifth championship with new gun at the wheel
Veteran car owner brings Fremont's Shane Golobic to the weekly championship series
[i By Bill Sullivan, Handy Racing Promotions Media Relations]
[b PLACERVILLE, CA] – With the opening round of the 2010 Red Hawk Casino Championship Season less than three days away the field looks to be shaping up for the chase to the Winged Sprint Car Championship in the series sponsored in part by Hoosier Racing Tires, Coors Light, Pepsi Cola and Riebes Auto Parts.
Topping the entry list for the brand new chase for the crown isn't necessarily a defending championship driver, but a defending championship team that has become somewhat of a dynasty at the quarter-mile clay oval in the way of winning annual titles. John Taylor and his Bullet Racing #35 sprint car will return to action seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive championship.
In the past Taylor as provided one of the sports most competitive cars to some of the top names in local sprint car racing. Colby Wiesz of Colfax won the last two championships with Taylor and prior to that it was Elk Grove's Greg DeCaires winning two straight Placerville titles along with a Civil War Series championship.
Saturday night, Taylor will bring a new personality to the weekly campaign at Placerville Speedway but the young man is no stranger to success in open wheel racing. Shane Golobic of Fremont, is Taylor's young after he and Wiesz mutually parted ways at the end of 2009.
Following their second championship together Taylor and Wiesz decided to take different directions in 2010. Wiesz will likely compete at a variety of venues aboard his family owned #21 sprint car while Taylor has chosen Golobic as his replacement following a test run in the 2009 Trophy Cup in Tulare.
"Colby Wiesz is a very talented driver and I wish him all the best. We worked together very well, even during a year that was a very tough one for us," said Taylor. "We just both wanted to do different things in 2010 is all. I'm going to miss having him in the car and at the same time I am very excited to have Shane on our team. He is a talented young driver and I think he is a perfect fit."
Golobic will drive the #35 sprint car for the entire Placerville Speedway championship season along with a select number of special events during the year including various Civil War Series races. The San Jose State University Freshman will schedule his commitment with Taylor around his busy school schedule along with a number of driving appearances across the nation.
"It is an honor to be given the opportunity to drive for John Taylor and his championship winning team," said Golobic. "I had the chance to drive for John at the Trophy Cup and I believe that we worked very well together."
Over the past two seasons, Golobic has made a handful of appearances in his family owned car at Placerville Speedway during special events. He drove in 26 races throughout the state in 2009 for eight different car owners and claimed the 2009 Calistoga Speedway track championship with a top ten finish in every event there during the season.
"I'm looking forward to racing at Placerville on a weekly basis with John Taylor and his team," added Golobic. "Placerville is an aggressive and challenging track. I know this team will provide me with a car capable of being up front each and every night. I'm looking forward to racing with the Placerville regulars and learning as much as possible."
While Golobic had a successful year in multiple venues in 2009, Taylor had a solid season at Placerville. Despite a stint of mechanical challenges and a number of nights where his driver simply fell victim to unavoidable incidents, the team rallied to the top of the point standings and claimed the track title in a campaign where three different drivers were gunning for the lead down to the last night of competition.
Like any race team, Taylor's Bullet Racing sprint car team relies on the strong support of sponsorship. In a challenging economy, several of the team's long time sponsors continued their outstanding support during this history making year. Taylor is the only car owner in the history of Placerville Speedway to win four straight championships with both Greg DeCaires and Colby Wiesz behind the wheel.
"I have a lot of people to thank for the past race season, "said Taylor. "I have to thank all of my sponsors that have stuck with us so long and through tough times, my entire crew and especially Colby Wiesz who won two championships in my car. I know the last year was tough and we look forward to competing with him at various events this year."
Taylor returns to the track he has fared well as team owner. Golobic is one of California's great young talents and is well prepared to fend off the pack of victory hungry wolves he will face beginning this Saturday night. Among the top competitors will be former champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn. Forsberg won the Placerville title in 2000 and has also claimed four Civil War Series titles. Even with absences Forsberg has continued to be the winningest driver of our current time at Placerville Speedway.
This year Forsberg has announced he will campaign for another championship this year aboard his newly former BC Racing owned #47 sprint car. This newly formed team places Forsberg's longtime crew chief in the car owner position and they will come into Saturday's opener fresh of their first win of the year in Civil War competition last week in Petaluma.
"It's going to be a competitive year at Placerville," said Taylor. "With Andy running for another championship in that team it's going to come down to the final night of the year no matter who is in the running. We're looking forward to it."
Wiesz is expected to make a number of Placerville Speedway appearances during the year and former champion Billy Wallace is expected with the likes of top locals like CJ Humphreys who had the best season of his career in 2009. Local favorites Scott Russell, Andy Gregg, Jimmy Trulli, James Sweeney and Justin Johnson are expected along with top names from the central valley including Mike Henry, Scott Kinney and Billy Strange Jr. Mason Moore of Princeton will contest for the title with F&F Racing, two time championship car owners here. Look for Rookie of the year Kenny Allen to return along with Billy Butler, Troy Machado and many more.
The front gates will open at Placerville Speedway at 5 p.m. on Saturday night. The sprint cars will join the firebreathing Dirt Solution Late Models and the Pure Stocks for a full night of racing under the management of Handy Racing Promotions Inc. For additional information on the event and the season to come visit the track's official website at www.placervillespeedway.com. Placerville Speedway can also be found by using twitter where race fans can get updates of upcoming events send directing to their pc or cell phone by signing up at www.twitter.com/pvllspeedway.
Submitted By: Bill Sullivan