PETALUMA, CA (4-7-09) - The competitive Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series will head to the lighting fast 3/8 mile Petaluma Speedway this Saturday night. After suffering a rain out in Placerville last month, Saturday's event will officially open the Civil War Series season at the North Bay track.

The Civil War Sprint Car Series is a unique traveling campaign for winged, 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars. The series is designed for competitors to compete for a regional style championship while permitting them to compete at their home tracks for weekly season titles as well. Each of the participating tracks in the series operate under an agreement to "go dark" with their winged sprint car division on the nights a fellow track is hosting the series. This cooperative promotion effort allows the series to soar in participation levels while increasing visibility and growth of the division throughout Northern California.

Operating under the banner sponsorship of Hoosier Racing Tires West and the Management of Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated, the Civil War Series offers single event winnings nearing $20,000 with payout and contingency awards and over $20,000 in championship funds with the sponsorship of Hoosier Racing Tires, the official tire of the Civil War Sprint Car Series.

Saturday's event marks the first of three events that will come to the competitive Petaluma oval. Following the series opener the series will return with visits on Friday July 3, Saturday, July 25 and Saturday September 19.

As the 2009 series campaign begins, look for defending series champion Sean Becker of Sacramento to return to defend his most recent title. Becker will be joined by nearly 40 of California's best drivers. Among the talent on hand will be various track champions from throughout the region including the 2008 Petaluma Speedway champion Alissa Geving of Penngrove, Andy Forsberg of Auburn who is the reigning Silver Dollar Speedway champion with four Civil War titles to his name and Colby Wiesz, the 2008 Placerville Speedway track champion. Bradley Terrell of Sebastapol is the only driver with a Petaluma victory to his name so far this season. Terrell is expected along with area drivers like former track champion Art McCarthy of San Jose, Camron Mendes and Brett Rollag of nearby Rohnert Park and Roberto Kirby of Santa Rosa. Mike Benson of Calistoga is sure to be on hand along with Myles Bishop of Escalon, Herman Klein of Sacramento and more.

The gates to Petaluma Speedway will open at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Adult admission will be $16, Juniors $12 and Seniors are $10. Complete details of the track can be found at www.petaluma-speedway.com.

In addition to Petaluma Speedway, five additional tracks will host Civil War series events in the year to come. Placerville Speedway on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds will host four Civil War events in 2009. The series will return on May 2 for the highly anticipated Family Chevrolet Tribute to Al Hinds event. This annual event is sponsored by the local car dealership. Not only will it pay a $1000 bonus to winner but the night of racing will follow an afternoon car show, bbq and concert in 2009 with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Placerville bullring will host Civil War events following the Hinds Tribute on Saturday August 1 and the series finale on Saturday, September 26.

The high banks of Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico will pay host to the Civil War Warriors on Sunday, May 24th for the traditional Memorial Day race that takes place during the family oriented Silver Dollar Fair. Following the fair event the Civil War Series will return to Silver Dollar Speedway on Wednesday, September 9 for the Pacific Sprint Cup Invitational. This event pays $3000 to win and opens the Gold Cup Race of Champions week in Chico.

The scenic American Valley Speedway in Quincy will host the series for a sole event again in the coming year. This favorite facility located in the scenic Shasta Cascades region, will host the Civil War Series on Saturday June 20.

The famed Calistoga Speedway will host only one series event in 2009. In the past three years the California half mile has held two events for the series but due to scheduling conflicts with the Napa Fairgrounds and events taking place in the small city only the Calistoga Cup will be on the schedule and will take place on Saturday, August 8th.

After returning there from a several year hiatus last year, Ocean Speedway in Watsonville will be home to series once again. This year the quarter mile track on the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds will host two events. Both dates will be on Friday night to race in conjunction with the track's existing weekly schedule. The first appearance will be July 17th with the second coming to the coastal range track on September 25.

For up to date information on the upcoming Civil War Series be sure to visit the brand new official Civil War Series website at www.civilwarsprints.com.