PETALUMA, CA (7-24-10) - Petaluma Speedway's heavy clay racing surface, a favorite among sprint car drivers near and far, proved to be an ideal fit Saturday night for Auburn's Andy Forsberg, who capitalized on a front row start to grab an early lead before holding off a determined late race challenge by defending champion Sean Becker of Antelope to become the Civil War Series first two-time feature winner of the season.

Both of Forsberg's victories have been on Petaluma's three-eighths-mile oval, this one adding valuable points to the slender points advantage held by the former four-time series champion over second-ranked Herman Klein, who finished fourth, and third-ranked Becker, who entered the event 10 points behind Forsberg.

Forsberg led the 22-car Sprint Car field through a mostly uneventful first 19 laps in which Becker climbed from the second row to second place, and Mike Henry, who along with fast qualifier Mason Moore had to come through the B-main to reach the feature, rose from eighth starting to third place. On Lap 19 Jimmy Trulli's mechanical problems slowed Forsberg's frantic pace, and on the next lap fourth place Richard Brace Jr., who had started in the front row, lost a wheel. With two lapped cars electing to go to the rear Forsberg's lead over Becker, Henry, Petaluma regular Geoff Ensign, and Klein was sharply narrowed.

On the restart, Becker immediately began to haunt Forsberg, closing to within two car lengths as the laps wound down, but the track, "heavy and fast, just the way I like it," according to Forsberg, who's known as Mr. Excitement, favored the leader. As the cars charged towards the checkered flag, on what should have been the final lap, Cody Lamar, running at the back of the pack but just ahead of the frontrunners, took a hard end-over-end tumble, bringing out starter Joe Ponti's red flag. The green/white and checkered two-lap finish added to the drama but Forsberg remained unaffected as he collected the triumph over Becker, Henry, Klein, Ensign, and Bradley Terrell.

In the B-main, Henry had no trouble as he led all 12 laps and transferred to the feature along with second place Moore, Camron Mendes and Lamar. The outside front row was the place to be in the heats as all four winners started in that spot with three of the victories going to Petaluma Speedway regulars. All-Pro points leader Terrell won the first heat, Stephen Allard won the second, 15-year-old rookie driver Chase Johnson of Penngrove won the third, and Jeremy Burt prevailed in the final heat race.

The Civil War Series continues this Saturday at Placerville Speedway with the 7th Annual Tribute to Al Hinds presented by Family Auto Star. The event pays $3000 to the winner. The day begins with a giant sprint car show, bbq and concert at the Shingle Springs Auto Dealer. Come join the fun, free food, a chance to win tickets to the race and music by the Hired Guns. Watch for more information at www.placervillespeedway.com.