2009 Silver Cup

When, March 27, 2009
Where, Chico, CA. Silver Dollar Speedway
Weather, Nice high 70’s sunny
Promoter, Handy Racing Promotions
Car Count, 36

March 27, 2009 was the first night of the 2009 Silver Cup at Silver Dollar speedway in Chico, CA. Marking the 360 Winged Sprint Car debut for Wes Gutierrez in his 2009 ButlerBuilt, Kaeding Performance Maxim chassis. With a strong car count of 36 cars it was going to be tough for Wes and his WG Motorsports team.

The track was prep was great, the track fast. With Friday’s drivers meeting over it was time for qualifying, this would be Wes’ first time out in his 2009 DMI, and Douglas Wheels Maxim 360 winged chassis. With all of Wes’s sprint car experience being in non-wing, he had to take this one step at a time. Fast time on Friday went to Robbie Whitchurch with a 12.479 followed by Sean Becker with a 12.487 and third was Brett Miller. Wes qualified at a 13.329 for 26th fast.

After qualifying Rick Santos from S and S Automotive found a small problem with the fuel settings and with Wes’ car. Rick and the team worked at a fast pace to get the car ready for the heat race. With Wes starting on pole he was looking for a strong showing. Wes decided to push the rules just little and after a slight jump on the start, well let’s say the flagman pushed back a little harder moving Wes back to the 5th starting position. Wes ran a smart heat race passing strong driver and friend Stephen Allard for 3rd place. This put Wes in the Main Event which a great accomplishment for first time out in a 360 Winged Sprint Car.

The main event would be challenging starting 18th in a 20 car field, Wes in his Defnder, DMI, Advanced Racing Maxim chassis would need to drive a have a smart a methodical race in hopes of a good finish. Wes had worked himself into the top 10 with just a handful of laps left when he made one small mistake that sent him spinning out of control coming of turn four. When the race went back to green Wes did everything possible to move to the front. With the checkers falling Wes was in 17th, one better that he started.