The final month of the 2023 championship season opens with one of Placerville Speedway’s biggest nights of the year for the Anrak Late Models and Red Hawk Casino Pure Stocks, with the annual “Carnett Clash” presented by Country Lube Automotive set for Saturday.
Extra money will be on the line for the top three finishers in both the Ltd. Late Model and Pure Stock main events respectively this weekend. An additional $1,000 will be handed out to the winner of the Late Model feature, while the Pure Stock victor receives a $500 bonus. Second and third in each will also have added cash.
Along with the Ltd. Late Models and Pure Stocks we also welcome the Thompson’s Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars and the Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association at the Carnett Clash. Including this weekend’s event there are just three Hoosier Tires championship point races remaining in 2023.
Thanks to the El Dorado County Fair Association, parking will be free of charge during the entire month of August at Placerville Speedway, beginning at this Saturday’s event.
Bryan Carnett was a true fan of the stock car divisions at Placerville Speedway while racing, owning, and sponsoring both Pure Stocks and Late Models throughout the decade he spent at the track. Bryan had a knack for storytelling. He could carry on a conversation with anyone and oftentimes had people in tears laughing from his sense of humor.
He was known for his generous, caring personality and was always willing to give of himself to help someone in need. On October 18, 2015, after a short but aggressive battle with brain, bone and lung cancer, Bryan passed away at his home in Placerville surrounded by his family.
“Placerville Speedway has always been our home track and I am thrilled that Scott Russell and Kami Arnold were willing to host the Carnett Clash once again,” said Forryst Carnett, son of the late Bryan Carnett. “I am hoping we can build upon the success we’ve had in previous years and have another exciting night of racing, which is the best way to remember the competitive spirit of my dad.”
The Anrak Ltd. Late Models are ready to make their first appearance since the Independence Day show on July 4th. Two-time and defending track champion Dan Jinkerson has claimed three wins and brings the point lead into Saturday’s Carnett Clash. Jinkerson, however, is just nine-markers up on Auburn’s Ray Trimble. Tyler Lightfoot, Matt Davis Rod Oliver, Dan Brown Jr. and others will be searching for victory this weekend.
Four-time Red Hawk Casino Pure Stock titlist Nick Baldwin sits atop the standings heading into the Carnett Clash presented by Country Lube Automotive. The Oakley wheelman has picked off four wins thus far and top-five finishes in all nine races. Kevin Jinkerson continues to hold down the second spot and is fresh off a fantastic outing that saw him net runner up results in both the Pure Stock and Truck last Saturday. Kenny Bernstein, Chris D’angelo and Miky D’angelo round out the top-five.
The Thompson’s Dealerships Winged 360 Sprint Cars also head into their final few point races of the season beginning with the Carnett Clash. Two-time USAC Midget champion Michael Faccinto leads Tony Gomes by 17-points, as he searches to secure his initial Placerville Speedway title.
Faccinto and Gomes have been a mark of consistency, as both have finished among the top-five in all but two shows. Shane Hopkins, Ashlyn Rodriguez and Luke Hayes continue to rank third through fifth in the standings. The three Winged Sprint Car point shows in August also serve as a tune-up for the fast approaching Nor*Cal Posse Shootout on Labor Day weekend.
Tickets and Details:
Grandstand seating is general admission at the Carnett Clash presented by Country Lube Automotive this Saturday August 5th, except for the reserved seats marked for season ticket holders. Adult tickets cost $18, while seniors 62+, military and juniors 12-17 will be $16. Kids 6-11 cost $7 and those five and under are free.
Purchase tickets online at https://www.eventsprout.com/event/ppr-2023 or at the gate on race day. Pit passes can be purchased at the pit gate or on Pit Pay to take advantage of the expanded seating area on the hill.
The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 3pm. Happy Hour is offered when the gates open until 6pm in the grandstands featuring live music along with discounted Coors Light and Coors Original at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:45pm with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, ADCO Driveline qualifying and racing will follow.
For those who can’t make it to the track, CaliDirt.TV will provide live flag-to-flag coverage of every Placerville Speedway point race this season. The live streaming service also includes each event with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour in 2023. Fans can purchase through a monthly membership or on a per race basis via https://calidirt.tv/
The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California. Take Hwy US-50 to Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto http://www.placervillespeedway.com
Join over 16,800 followers of Placerville Speedway on Facebook, where you can keep abreast of updates for the 2023 season. You can also find Placerville Speedway on Twitter by following us https://twitter.com/pvillespeedway – In addition, Placerville Speedway is also on Instagram. Please follow us @PvilleSpeedway.
Upcoming events at Placerville Speedway:
Saturday August 5: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars | Carnett Clash presented by Country Lube Automotive
Saturday August 12: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Mini Trucks | Big Trophy Night presented by Coors Light
Saturday August 26: Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Ltd. Late Models, Pure Stocks and Nor-Cal Dwarf Cars| Legends Night/ Western Sprint Tour NW Speedweek Finale
Saturday September 2: Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Wingless Spec Sprints | 6th annual Nor*Cal Posse Shootout presented by Adrian Blanco Jewelry
Sunday September 3: Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Wingless Spec Sprints | 6thannual Nor*Cal Posse Shootout presented by Pville Speedway’s Official Realtor, Taylor Hirst and Hirst Home Team
Photos courtesy of D&P and Tim Holland
