PLACERVILLE, CA (3-19-09) - The 2009 Red Hawk Casino Racing Season is set to begin this Saturday night at the famed Placerville Speedway with the opening segment of the competitive Hoosier Racing Tires Civil War Sprint Car Series. The event will mark the first event for the El Dorado County Fairgrounds track under the new promotion of the Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated.

The Civil War Sprint Car Series is based in Northern California and the opening round will sure to be action packed as California's best drivers converge on Placerville's quarter-mile clay oval. The 2009 Civil War Series consists of 14 overall events taking place at six different facilities between the months of March and October.

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.

Operating under the banner sponsorship of Hoosier Racing Tires West, 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.

Last year, Sacramento's Sean Becker claimed the coveted Civil War Championship title. It was Becker's third sprint car driving title of his career. This year Becker will return to defend his most recent championship and will be joined by nearly 40 or more of California's best drivers.

The quarter-mile oval at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds is expected to come to life Saturday beginning at 5:30 with warm ups followed by qualifying at 6:30. the format will include heat races, semi main events and a 30-lap feature event that pays $2000 to the winner.

The Civil War Sprint Cars will be joined by the Nor Cal Dwarf Cars for the opening season event that is the first of four visits by the Civil War Series this year at Placerville Speedway.

Tickets will go on sale at the track box office beginning at 5 p.m. when the grandstand gates open. Adult tickets are $15, juniors are $10, children are $5 and under six will be admitted for free. For additional information please visit the new official track website at www.placervillespeedway.com.

Placerville Speedway is managed by Handy Racing Promotions Incorporated and is an ASA Sanctioned track that has been in operation since 1965 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. The track is supported by the Red Hawk Casino in Placerville along with Hoosier Racing Tires, Coors Light and Coca Cola.

Prior to Saturday's event, race fans can meet sprint car drivers Camron Mendes and Colby Wiesz and see their brand new sprint cars that will be on display at the Executive Barber Studio at 259 Main Street in Placerville between the hours of 10 and 4 p.m. The event will take place from 10 a.m. until mid afternoon and will showcase the racing photography and unique artwork of local artist Phil Hamilton in a special art sale. All proceeds will go towards Saturday's race.