PETALUMA, CA (8-3-10) - After a thrilling feature event at PlacervilleSpeedway last Saturday night the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series returns to action this weekend with two consecutive nights of action in California's North Bay. On Saturday night the traveling series returns to the lighting fast 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway in the heart of the Sonoma wine country. On day later the campaign travels over the mountain into the Napa Valley for the famed "Calistoga Cup" on the half mile Calistoga Speedway.

When it comes to high action thrills, the Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Series will not let an avid open wheel race fan down and is sure to bring a new fan back to the track once they witness the spectacle. This latest version of California's premier series for 360 cubic inch powered winged sprint cars is producing a stellar chase for the coveted statewide championship title with the series point leader sitting just one digit ahead of his arch rival. It's a battle of former Civil War Champions and it's coming to coastal range this weekend.

Entering Friday's event, former four time Civil War Series Champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn leads the Civil War point standings. Forsberg has won the last two Civil War events this season at Petaluma Speedway and returns to the North Bay track with a point lead of just one points over Sean Becker of Antelope.

Becker is the defending two time Civil War Series Champion that is looking to make history in the year to come by becoming the first driver to win three consecutive Civil War Series championships. The feat would also be a record in the car owner category, making Scott Miller, the owner of Becker's competitive #2sb sprint car, the only team owner to capture three titles in a row in this competitive campaign.

This weekend could mark a crucial turning point in the journey to the 2010 Civil War Series championship with back to back events and number of championship points on the line in a 48-hour period. Saturday night, factor in the intimidating half mile Calistoga Speedway and the weekend ahead is that will feature a great deal of pressure on the two top runners of the Civil War Series. Will the Shark strike at Mr. Excitement's season long dominance of the point lead? Will a new face drive to victory lane and break Forsberg's season long win streak at the Wine Country's Center of Speed? There's only one way to find out, take a trip to the North Bay this weekend and catch two big days of racing in the Civil War Sprint Car Series.

Early season point leader and opening night winner Herman Klein of Sacramento is third in the standings, just five points out of the lead. Former two time champion Mike Henry of Sacramento is fourth, 28-points behind the leader. Mason Moore of Princeton rounds out the top five, 50-points from the lead.

Rounding out the top ten entering the weekend double header is Chico's Stephen Allard, Nicole Miller of Loomis, Rio Linda's Cody Lamar, Justin Sanders of Monterey and Sebastopol's Bradley Terrell, the current Petaluma Speedway All Pro Series point leader.

In addition to the two consecutive nights of top competition for this series and one event on the most famed tracks in Calfornia, this weekend marks a crucial moment in the 2010 Civil War Series. Following the Saturday night event at Calistoga Speedway the top 32-drivers in the point standings will determine the field for the upcoming Civil War Series Gold Cup Invitational that takes place at Silver Dollar Speedway on Wednesday night, September 8. This event is the crown jewel of the Civil War Sprint Car Series

The grandstands are set to open at Petaluma Speedway at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. For ticket information visit www.petaluma-speedway.com. For additional information on the event at Calistoga Speedway visit the track website at www.calistogaspeedway.org.