Rico Abreu Racing 25th Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing fast approaching at Thunderbowl Raceway
Rico Abreu Racing 25th Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing fast approaching at Thunderbowl Raceway
By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – September 24, 2018…The biggest event of the season at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is less than a month away with the much-anticipated Rico Abreu Racing 25th annual Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing ready to invade Tulare on October 18, 19 and 20.
The Trophy Cup has catapulted itself into being one of the premier Winged Sprint Car showcases in the country and the 2018 version is sure to be another must attend weekend. The 25th edition of the Rico Abreu Racing Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing boasts an event record $200,000 overall purse.
The event originally started out at San Jose Speedway in 1994 and was held at the track until its closing in ‘99. It then moved to Ocean Speedway for one year, before heading to the Kings Speedway in Hanford from 2001-2004. In ‘05 the Trophy Cup was moved to Thunderbowl Raceway, where it has been held ever since.
With its unique format the Trophy Cup regularly produces some of the best Winged Sprint Car racing that fans will witness all season. Each time a driver hits the raceway for competitive racing there are points on the line. It’s all a lead-up to the 50-lap feature on Saturday night, which features the top-20 in overall points inverted, plus the four transfers out of the B-main making up the final four spots.
All cars that start the Saturday A-main are guaranteed at least $5,000 in weekend winnings and the overall champion is guaranteed a stout $25,000 in winnings. The Trophy Cup is always an all-star showcase in California, with champions and winners from all over the state and beyond in action.
Tickets continue to be on sale for the Rico Abreu Racing 25th annual Trophy Cup presented by Rudeen Racing with all seating in the house reserved during the weekend. Adult grandstand tickets cost $50 on Thursday and Friday and $55 on Saturday. Bleacher tickets are $45 on Thursday and Friday and $50 on Saturday. Kids pricing and senior pricing is also available.
A seating chart is online at www.thunderbowlraceway.com and tickets can be acquired by calling 559-688-0909. The pit gate opens at 10am on Thursday October 18, with the drivers meeting at 3:30pm sharp. Qualifying is scheduled for 4:45pm, with first race at 6:15pm.
All the special events that have become so popular are returning once again, including the Thursday Chili Dog Night sponsored by Taco Bravo, the Taco Bravo Fiesta Night on Friday and the Saturday afternoon spaghetti feed sponsored by La Villa Delicatessen. The post-race parties start 20 minutes after the checkered flag, while the spaghetti feed goes from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. A DJ will be on hand for music, with drinks available for purchase inside.
A Friday morning breakfast sponsored by the Tulare County Fairgrounds will also occur from 8am to 11am.
Thursday’s Chili Dog Night features razor bike racing, which will have a $1,000 total purse. Entry’s into the bike races are $10 and limited to 120 participants. Bikes have been sponsored by former champions Brent, Bud and Tim Kaeding, Willie Croft, Shane Golobic and Jason Meyers. The bikes will then be autographed by each and auctioned off after the event to benefit Make-A-Wish.
Friday’s Fiesta Night will then bring back the popular “Dancing with the Stars” contest. During Saturday’s Spaghetti Feed there will be a corn hole tournament that has a $40 entry fee. The winning team will receive $1,000, second place earns $650, third place gets $250, while fourth place receives $100. The corn hole tournament is sponsored by Osky Challenges, SE Inc., Hoosier Knoxville, Moyle Racing Engines, Soares Motorsports, Smith Titanium, HRP, Kustom Race Parts Knoxville, ART Speed Equipment and Maxwell Industries.
A donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the door during all these events is appreciated. Over the last 24-years Dave Pusateri and the Trophy Cup team have raised over $1,570,000 in donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Fans and teams are all encouraged to attend the special eating events. More info on the Trophy Cup, as well as an entry list can be found at www.trophycup.org
Special thanks to all our partners for making things happen at Thunderbowl Raceway including Merle Stone Chevrolet, Budweiser, Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Roth Motorsports, KRC Safety, Western Metal Company, Southwest Contractors, Double “D” Towing and JD Heiskel & Company.
For more info on Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway visit www.thunderbowlraceway.com and like our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Tulare-Thunderbowl-Raceway-392991907541396/?fref=ts
The Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds.
Photos courtesy of Chuck Fry