Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, and Brad Sweet, the three-time World of Outlaw NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Champion, have joined forces to become the new promoters of Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California. The Northern California locals formally signed a deal with Silver Dollar Fairgrounds this week, with a combined 14 sprint car victories at the track less than two hours from their childhood hometowns.
“Our goal is to continue to provide entertaining, exciting auto racing and introduce new ideas to enhance the fan and driver experiences,” said Sweet, 35 of Grass Valley, California. “I’ve always loved Silver Dollar Speedway. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the Gold Cup (Race of Champions). I’ve learned a lot about the racing business the last eight years on the Outlaw tour and I have promoted some races along the way.”
“I’m so excited to be a part of the future at Silver Dollar Speedway,” said Larson, 29, from Elk Grove, California who started his racing career at nearby Cycleland Speedway. “I’ve spent many days at Silver Dollar as a fan and driver, and have been lucky enough to win some of their big races. It is a special place and I’m eager to help grow it back into one of the nation’s top dirt tracks.”
Sweet will supervise day-to-day operations at Silver Dollar Speedway while Larson and Sweet focus on their full-time racing careers. Colby Copeland of Roseville, California, is a third member of the newly created Sweet Larson Copeland (SLC) Promotions team. He’ll be the go-between for the promoters, drivers, and fans. Copeland, who recently promoted three successful Outlaw Kart events, stated, “I look forward to working with Brad, Kyle, and the crew at Silver Dollar Speedway.”
The group intends to improve the track’s renowned Gold Cup experience, renovate the midway behind the major grandstands, and freshen up the facility, among other things. Next month, SLC Promotions will attend the Promoters Workshop in Reno to plan a competitive racing program for 2022. “Our strategy is to keep grassroots divisions alive and well in the future,” Sweet explained. “Silver Dollar Speedway has been a local community fixture since 1962, and all divisions are vital parts of its heritage and future.”
SLC Promotions thanked former promoter Dennis Gage for serving the speedway since 2010. “Dennis has been very gracious in making this transition smooth,” said Sweet. “As he retires from Silver Dollar Speedway, he leaves the place in solid shape for us to continue and grow all of our events.”
“I am proud of what we’ve done at Chico, and also extremely excited to see how SLC Promotions takes the track into the future with all of their connections,” said Gage who confirmed that he’ll still manage and operate nearby Marysville Raceway in 2022.
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