In the early 90's it started out as a somewhat impromptu series with just a handful of events at approximately three different tracks but it has since grown into one of California's most prestigious championship campaigns. Formerly known as the North State and North vs. South Civil War, it's now bannered as the California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series and it's taking open wheel spectators by storm in the Golden State.

The California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series features limited "360" sprint cars in multiple events at several different California Speedway's between March and October. In addition to cash winnings for each event, this competitive series, one that has recently grown astronomically in popularity among both racers and spectators, offers accumulative points to drivers for each event towards the coveted Civil War championship at the conclusion of the series, a title that is rarely determined until the final checkered flag waves.

"This is where the competition is, in the Civil War," says two-time series champion Glenn Boune of Elk Grove, California. "This series is by far the most competitive I've ever seen. Sure, the 410's are faster, that's a fact, but the competition just isn't as close. In this deal you've got 40 or 50 cars a night and all 20 of those that manage to make the A-main have the ability to win, not just the top five."

In 1997, the California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series featured 14 different events at 5 different tracks in the Golden State. Out of those 14 events came a total of 157 different Civil War participants, 12 different feature event winners and an average car count of 48 for each event that took place. These figures were by far the highest in the history of the Civil War series, clearly illustrating the increase in growth of the Limited "360" Sprint car field, a contingency of racers that were without a sanctioned race series until John Padjen Motorsports joined forces with fellow California racing promoters Mel Hall, Rick Farren and John Soares to expand and cultivate this potentially powerful series. In 1998 the popularity of the California Sprint Car Civil War Race Series is expected to continue to grow in popularity, consisting of 13 total events at four different California tracks spanning from the Bay Area to the North State and the Sierra Foothills beginning in March.