Via PCS Media/Blakesley Sports Media
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (June 1, 2016) - For the first time since 2013, the Pacific Challenge Series presented by PenneyLawyers.com will hit the 3/8ths mile Shasta Speedway in Anderson, CA on Saturday. A large field of local drivers and touring stars will go head-to-head in one of the premier races on the 2016 Super Late Model series' calendar. The last four previous Pacific Challenge Series champions will all be in action for one of the toughest fields so far this season.
Roseville, CA's Eric Schmidt is arguably the most accomplished driver at Shasta in the last 20 years with multiple fall Open Show wins and PCS wins at the venue. Schmidt swept all four PCS events at Shasta in 2013 en route to the series championship. The driver of the Sierra Speed #05 is fresh off of both the track record and win in last Saturday's Tri-Holiday Classic at Stockton 99 Speedway as well.
"Shasta's a really cool race track. It doesn't have a lot of grip but it has a lot of character," Schmidt said. "The fans up there are great. The pits are probably the best pits we go to on our series. All the fast guys will be there so it'll be awesome!"
2016 series points leader Jeremy Doss of Upperlake, CA finished second in his all-time series debut at the track in late 2011. His win at the speedway in 2012 was part of his eight victories that year for the series championship. Doss finished third at Stockton to enjoy an 18 point lead over teammate Jeff Bischofberger of Tracy, CA.
Anderson's Ryan Peeples is one of the leading local drivers that will be taking on the series veterans on Saturday. Peeples has two top-tens in three PCS Shasta starts and also finished ninth at Roseville earlier this year.
"It is a great series and a great track that creates a lot of excitement," Peeples said. "There is a lot of character to that track. A LOT! It is just a great facility. We're just hoping to come out and give (the fans) a good show."
Other local drivers expected include Anderson's Derek Copeland, Redding's James Johns and Jason Mitchell.
2014 PCS champion Mike Beeler of Modesto, CA ranks third in the 2016 standings with a pair of second place finishes and a fifth place finish in his last three starts. Factoring in his 17th place finish at the season-opener in Madera as a likely throwaway race makes Beeler one of the championship contenders as he makes his first Shasta PCS start.
Loomis' Chris Scribner had run in the top-six in all three races leading into Stockton last Saturday night before a hard crash on the final lap derailed his season. Rounding out the top-five in the points is Manteca's JR Courage despite missing the Roseville race.
Hayward's Danny Malfatti, Granite Bay's Cole Moore, Madera winner Jacob Gomes, Valley Springs' Tracy Bolin, and Lodi's Matt Wendt round out the top-ten. 2015 PCS champion John Moore is 11th in the standings. Other drivers expected on Saturday night include Elk Grove's Mike Hite, Idaho's Travis Milburn, Upperlake's Jimmy Stillman, Modesto's Kyle Gottula, Roseville's Shannon Mansch, and Cloverdale's Todd Lands.
Local Legends join the action for the fifth race where Legends have shared the card with the PCS. Pete Pierce won the Legends race at Stockton last weekend. Local Late Models, Bombers, and Hornets round out the card.
Friday night practice will see gates open at noon with practice from 3 p.m. - dark for $30 per pit pass. Saturday pit gates open at noon. Car and driver entry for the PCS is $100 while all other pit passes are $30. Adult general admission tickets are only $5 if purchased in advance through the fairgrounds or $7.50 at the gate
For more information on the Pacific Challenge Series, visit them online at www.PacificChallengeSeries.com or on Facebook and YouTube. More information on Shasta Speedway is available on Facebook.
The Pacific Challenge Series is presented by: Penney Racing Supply, Penney & Associates, American Racer Tires, Maita Chevrolet, Compact-It, Northwest Compactors, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, BrakeOMeter, Lefthander Chassis, ARP Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Bassett Wheels, Frank's Radio, WrapStar Pro, and Blakesley Sports Media. All PCS Super Late Models race ABC Bodies or Muscle Car bodies on American Racer Tires with Sunoco Racing Fuel.
2016 Pacific Challenge Series Schedule
(Subject To Change)
March 19 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Televised on MAVTV, presented by Loanmart* - Winner: Jacob Gomes
April 16 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) Winner: Jason Romero
May 8 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) Winner: Jeremy Doss
May 28 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #1 of Tri-Holiday Series* Winner: Eric Schmidt
June 4 Shasta Speedway (Anderson, CA)
June 25 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ North State Modified Series*
July 2 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #2 of Tri-Holiday Series*
July 16 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA)
August 13 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Televised on MAVTV, presented by Loanmart*
September 3 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #3 of Tri-Holiday Series*
September 24 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ North State Modified Series*
October 1 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) *2016 Championship Race*
October 15 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ K&N West, Non-Points*
PCS Track Stats - Shasta
(active drivers in 2016)
#05 Eric Schmidt
Starts: 4, Wins: 4, Top-Fives: 4, Top-Tens: 4
#39 Jimmy Stillman
Starts: 4, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 1
#75 Jeremy Doss
Starts: 3, Wins: 1, Top-Fives: 2, Top-Tens: 2
#5 Ryan Peeples
Starts: 3, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 2
#5 Chris Scribner
Starts: 1, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 1, Top-Tens: 1
#5 Todd Lands
Starts: 2, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 1
#52 Ryan Philpott
Starts: 2, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 0
#39m Jason Mitchell
Starts: 1, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 0
#77 Derek Copeland
Starts: 1, Wins: 0, Top-Fives: 0, Top-Tens: 0
