Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico plays host to one of the largest sprint car events of the season, "The Gold Cup." A 4 day event that features 360 Winged sprint cars & Spec sprints on Wednesday night, USAC/CRA non wing 410's & BCRA midgets on Thursday night and the World Of Outlaws Friday and Saturday night.
Since it had been several years since Team Moose competed at Chico,Tom,Jim,Chris & Laurie took on the unexpected roles of spectators Wednesday so the guys could watch and hopefully get some insight as to how the track surface might play out. Apparently they did gain some knowledge that they thought would be beneficial in the set up of the Moosemobile.
34 sprint cars and 24 midgets on hand to battle for The Gold Cup. If the outside air temp would be any indication of what then track action would be like = the fans would be in four a barn burner, as temps in CHico topped over 100!!
When qualifying wa completed - Jake, in the 92 sprinter was 8th quick. The 4 heat race line ups were posted - and Jake would take tot he track in the 4th Heat. Starting inside row 3 in 5th - it was going to be a battle for sure, as in the earlier heats reveal of the top qualifiers had not made it into the top 4 direct trans spots into the Main. But with elbows up, Jake flawlessly wheeled the the Moosemobile to 2nd. Those few other cars that didn't make the direct transfer spots and would have to run the B Main , moved Jake up to 6th - giving him The Pole for The Main Event!!!! Green Flag and Jake is a rocket - pulling out to a sizable lead... Spencer gaining , running the high groove and gets around Jake, but Jake is giving him al pressure he could handle, and gaining lap after lap. Sitting now on his bumper, Jake gets a tad bit to high coming off of 4, catches the cushion and loops it, smacking the tail tank and flattening a tire. The amazing group of guys - known as The Moose Herd, sprang into action - had the tire replaced and surveryed the rear of the car for any other damage that could be repaired while in the work area and had Jake back on the track in time. Restarting at the tail of pack - when Damion Gardener took the checkers for the Win, Jake crossed the line in 17th.
Trailer loaded and heading on down the road about 4 hours to the next race place, Watsonville. Luckily having a bed on wheels works into the teams favor, when exhaustion kicks in giving Tom the option to pullover and sleep. Being on a level surface the guys decided to work on the car at the truck stop and then point the rig in the direction of Watsonville.