Mr. 10-time Grabs 33rd Career Civil War Win

Marysville Raceway
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10-Time Champ Forsberg Wins Civil War Opener

Marysville, CA (March 10, 2019) – Auburn’s Andy Forsberg bested a light field of Civil War Sprint Cars to win his 33rd career Civil War main event. Threatening skies and cold temperature damped the car count and fan turn-out but give promoter Dennis Gage credit for pushing the envelope and getting the first race of 2019 in at Marysville.
The 10-time champion of the series clean swept the night by winning both heat races, the dash and the 20-lap main event. With the light car count, officials scratched qualifying and went to a two-heat race format. Forsberg won the dash and picked up an extra $100 from the Hall family. He also grabbed another $100 from the Hall family by winning the main event. Forsberg left Marysville $2700 richer for his efforts. Troy White, racing photographer and all-around great guy, added an extra $100 split between the two last place finishers in the main event. The race was also in tribute to the Sherm and Loree Toller. It was great to see the Toller family in attendance.
Koen Shaw made the long tow from Fresno to compete at the Civil War opener. Shaw was able to finish in the second spot. Fifteen-year-old standout Blake Carrick raced hard all night. He finished second in both heat races, after leading a majority of both, and went on to finish third in the main event. Justin Henry and Pat Harvey finished fourth and fifth.
Undeniably, the IMCA Pepsi Sport Mods were the show tonight. Eighteen drivers attended the first Marysville point show of the season. The 20-lap main event was spectacular. Keith Brown led most of the race. Hard charging Guy Ahlwardt was able to use a slower car to his advantage and pass Brown late in the race for the lead. This seemed to get Brown back up in the driver’s seat and pressure Ahlwardt. With less than two laps to go, Ahlwardt slipped up a bit and Brown took advantage of it. Brown motored by Ahlwardt to regain the lead. Brown led the field back to the checkered flag and got the win. Ahlwardt finished second. Brian Cooper was solid all night, as usual. Cooper was also right in the mix for the win but ultimately brought his familiar No. 17c home in the third spot. Cooper started ninth.
It is always fun to watch Jimmy Ford race. He never gives up and drives with a ton of passion. Tonight, was no different. Ford started seventh and methodically worked his way into fourth. He had a great battle with Todd Cooper around the half way point of the main event. Cooper was a nice addition to the division again. The former Silver Dollar Speedway champion had been sorely missed in 2018. Hopefully Cooper in seen a lot more around the raceway in 2019. It was also good to see Philip Shelby. Unfortunately, Shelby retired with a mechanical failure early in the event but before that, was up front running with the leaders.
Darren Johnson won the 15-lap Crate Sprint car main event. Johnson held an almost three-second lead at the finish line. Brett Youngman finished comfortably in the second spot. Youngman was the winner of the lone eight-lap heat race. Mike Sayre started fourth and ended up third. Cameron Haney Jr. ran second for most of the race and challenged for the lead on lap nine but entered turn three too high and spun around. He finished fifth. Kiely Ricardo finished fourth. Mike Ballentine rounded out the top six.
Racing resumes this Saturday night, March 16th, with a full night of championship racing.
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