Rollercoaster weekend for Alissa Geving in Silver Dollar double header

By Bill Sullivan/Sullivan Images Media
PENNGROVE, CA (5-10-10) – When she decided to follow the full season of the Golden State Challenger Series Sprint Car tour, Penngrove’s Alissa Geving was well aware that the campaign would certainly have it’s share of high and low points along the way. For Geving the early part of this competitive season has certainly had its share of upward climbs and breath taking descents, but the 18-year old two time lady champion is committed to the wild ride and enjoying every minute of it.

This past weekend was a classic case of the roller coaster effect for Geving and her Chicko Motorsports team as they took to the banks of Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for two consecutive days of 410 sprint car racing. On Friday night, Geving had a strong night aboard her Tillett Tool, Matt Cordeiro Enterprises, Pit Stop USA #3 sprint car, making it into the top five during the second Feather Falls Casino point race on the famed quarter mile. Saturday night, she kept her chin up in an event that saw its share of ill winded luck blow her way throughout the night.

“It was a great weekend for us, it was also a tough weekend for us,” said Geving, a driver that developed her sprint car racing career in a very winning fashion with two Petaluma Speedway titles and three different Rookie honors. “I’m really happy that we solved our ongoing motor problems. We have finally put that one behind us and I’m relieved. This weekend we just had a scenario of unfortunate events is all.”
On Friday night, Geving returned to the Chico clay for the first time since the fall of 2009. The fast banked oval in the north state has always been a favorite for Geving in her young racing career and she has had little opportunity to race there in the past while dominating the competition in the past two season’s of the Petaluma Speedway All Pro series. On this night, she returned to the famed track without the worry of point standings and had an excellent night behind the wheel of her family owned Maxim.

In qualifying, Geving didn’t set any records or turn any heads. She simply turned a solid lap of 11:999 seconds that placed her midway on the roster in the 18th qualifying position. The smooth lap was a welcome sight for both Geving and the team after several weeks of ignition and motor woes.

“It wasn’t my best lap, but it was two complete laps that felt better than the last few I have had,” said Geving. “It was nice to get back on the track at Chico. I love that place.”

In her heat race, Geving drove from her second place starting position to take the win in the 8-lap qualifier, locking a position in the 25-lap A-feature event. In the feature she started in the 14th position and charged her way up to fifth place when the checkered flag flew.

“It was a great run,” said Geving. “I really have to thank my family and my sponsors for all their help getting back on track. I also want to say a special thanks to Jonathan Allard. He has gone out of his way this year to help me in the 410′s and has been there to help me every race. I really appreciate his help and his advice.”

On Saturday night, Geving returned to the Golden State Challenge Series as Silver Dollar Speedway hosted the annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial race. On this night, Geving’s luck turned somewhat sour throughout the night. In qualifying she turned a 12:122 second lap, placing her 16th on the roster.

In heat racing was when the troubles began. Geving suffered a broken powered steering line in the 8-lap preliminary event. The incident took her out of contention for a transfer directly into the A main and spewed hot fluid on her legs and caused a brief fire. She went to the pit area and made repairs in time for the B feature.

In the B feature, Geving maintained the fourth place position from start to finish to transfer into the 30-lap A feature. It was in the big money race where the night took a downward ride. Geving had difficulty with her throttle forcing her to ride the brakes throughout the event as she tried to stay in competition to accumulate needed championship points. At one point she collided into Chico’s Brett Miller while trying to maintain control of her car in traffic.

“I really felt bad for getting into Brett, I was having to coordinate my brake and throttle the whole time and pull the throttle up with my toe strap every time I pressed it,” said Geving. “It wasn’t a good finish to the weekend and the last thing I wanted to do was drive into anyone like I did.”

Geving hung on to finish in the 15th position when the checkered flag flew at the end of the night. The finishing position dropped her one spot in the series point standings where she now sits in eighth place overall. This week the Golden State Challenge returns to the Tulare Thunderbowl for the eighth round of the competitive series.
“Even though we had a tough night I know we are turning it around,” said Geving. “I’m looking forward to Tulare this weekend and we can start to rally back in the standings after this last month that has been pretty tough on us.”

In addition to the Golden State Challenge Series, Alissa Geving has announced additional dates to her 2010 schedule that will bring her back to Petaluma Speedway for several select events in the months to come. Visit her website to view her revised schedule with the added races that do not conflict with the King of California Series.
Chicko Motorsports would like to thank their current dedicated marketing partners including, Tillett Tool, Matt Cordeiro Enterprises, Pit Stop USA, and Auto Repairs Unlimited. Additional associate sponsors and promotional considerations include K&N Filters, Napa Auto Parts, Flowmaster Mufflers, Hodgin and Son Tree Service, Allstar Performance, Santa Rosa Auto Parts, Jeremy’s Chair Repair, Afex Graphics, Simpson Racing Products, 21st  Century  Health Club, Vanlare Steering Repair, Pro Shocks, ALC Machine, JW Web Design and Sullivan Images Media Specialties.