The next stop fot the R.F.T.T. will be the wing 410 sprint cars at Chico Friday July, 3rd and Bobby McMahan will eb at Placerville Saturday July 4th

The track was dry slick and took a bit of getting used to but when Sean got it figured out and started laying down laps,the other cars couldnt compete with him. Sean drove the #26 micro to his first win of the season.

The next stop will be Chico CA. Friday, June 26 for the winged 410 sprint cars.

After almost a month off the Kyle Harris, Bobby McMahan, Sean Becker and the Racing For The Troops teeam headed to Silver Dollar Speedway where they had heard about the new surface and were curious how it would play out.

The new configuration was difficult to figure out and every lap had to be perfect. Bobby McMahan owned the point lead leading into the race and knew it would be difficult to extend it with Jon Allard breathing down his neck.

Rookie Kyle Harris was excited to be back at a track that saw him lead his first main event ever in a winged 410 sprint car and Sean Becker is always a threat to win at Silver Dollar Speedway.

The night proved to be tough for Kyle Harris finishing 15th. Bobby McMahan had trouble and ended up 10th dropping to 2nd in points while Sean Becker had the best finish for the team of 3rd. The next stop for Steve Harris racing and Racing For The Troops will be June 26th. at Silver Dollar

Elk Grove's Bobby McMahan had a decent point night qualifying 12th, running 2nd in his heat, and driving the Steve Harris Racing 26b from 12th to 7th in the feature. Bobby holds on to 2nd place in the point race to Chico's Jon Allard.

The most impressive drive of the night for Steve Harris Racing was the rookie Kyle Harris. Kyle started 17th in the feature and charged his way through the field, passing cars on the top and the bottom finishing behind his teammate in 8th. Kyle Harris showed why he will he will definitely win many races. The kid sure isn't afraid to get his elbows up.

Rookie Kyle Harris had an up and down night: qualifying 9th, charging from 4th to 2nd in his heat and finishing 14th in the feature.

Kyle Harris started off the night with his best qualifying effort fo the season ending up 3rd and showed that he will push the pedal down hard night in and night out. Kyle ran 5th in the heat race and ended up hitting a rut in turn 1 and tipped it over late in the race and ended up with a 8th place finsish.

The veteran Bobby McMahan fresh off his first win of 2009. Bobby timed in 6th, won his heat and finished 4th in the feature. Bobby holds onto a 24 point lead over, Grass Valley's Mark Hall.

Next up for the Steve Harris Racing Wing Cars will be Chico Friday and Saturday July,24th and 25th

Bobby McMahan would qualify 11th, win his heat, run 6th in the dash and finish 5th in the feature. Bobby McMahan holds onto a 24 point advantage over Mark Hall in the Silver Dollar Track Championship Standings.

Rookie Kyle Harris had a tough night qualifying 15th and ended up in a tangle fighting for the final transfer spot in the B main.

Bobby McMahan headed into the Cherry Street Mini Storage sponsored event with a 24 point lead over Mark Hall. Bobby would qualify 3rd and, due to a really bad car count, have to start 6th in his heat and only the top 4 would get their time back. Bobby would make the best of a one lane track and charge from his 11th place starting spot in the feature to finish 5th and leave the weekend with a 20 point lead.

Rookie of the year contender Kyle Harris would once again show signs of what the future of Steve Harris Racing has in store. He qualified 10th, won his heat race in dominating fashion, and finished 11th in the main event.

The next stop for the Racing for the Troops team will be at the Silver Dollar Speedway on August 7th for point race #18.

Video of Kyle Harris from 7-31-09

Rookie Kyle Harris continues to impress with his best finish of the season. Kyle, for the 2nd week in a row, would have to qualify 1st and and lay down a lap good enough for 6th when it was said and done. The leading rookie of the year contender would start 4th in the heat and get his 2nd win in as many weeks. In the main event, he lined up 6th and got his elbows up, made few mistakes and got his best finish in a Winged 410 Sprint Car. (5th) After the race he said, "Now, that was fun."

Point leader Bobby McMahan had a great start to the night with the only qualifying lap in the 11 second bracket, 11.932. The veteran would start 6th in his heat and get up on the top shelf and drive the 26b up to a transfer spot on a very fast race track. Bobby would start 4th in the feature, finish 3rd and extend his point lead to 30 points.

The Chico Friday night point leader, Bobby McMahan, had another solid night. He qualified 7th quick, started 4th in his heat race, and drove around everybody to get the win. Bobby lined up 7th for the feature and with a motor that was running on 7 cylinders, managed to stay there all night long. Bobby maintains a 27 point lead over Grass Valley's Mark Hall, with only two races left to go in the series.

Next stop for Steve Harris Racing will be August 21st. (Chico Silver Dollar Speedway point race number 20.

Rookie Kyle Harris had a rough night. He qualified 12th. For the 2nd week in a row, during the feature, Jason York ran out of talent at the end of the straightaway and wore out the #33 Steve Harris Racing winged sprint car. Needless to say, young Kyle Harris was not very happy and let York know it.

The other big story of the night was the veteran Bobby McMahan. He continues to have a solid finish week in and week out. He qualified 3rd and ran 3rd in the feature. This extends his point lead to 35 points going into the final race of the season. It just shows that Bobby McMahan was and still is one of the best winged 410 sprint car drivers in Northern California.

If you follow sprint car racing in California, then you know the McMahan’s from quarter midgets to sprint cars. They have been racing for 25 plus years. So when Bobby took the last 9 years off to raise his family, it probably surprised the fans. Those who know him probably weren’t surprised a bit. Bobby McMahan is one of the most stand up guys in racing. He knew his priorities and made a tough choice for the good of his family.

Steve Harris: if you’ve never met him, you are missing out. Steve was diagnosed with brain cancer a little over 18 months ago and has been Bobby’s boss for those 9 years that he wasn’t driving. Steve had been running quarter midgets and then micros with young son Kyle, who was now ready to step up to the big leagues of winged sprint car racing. If you know Steve, you know he does it right or he doesn’t do it at all. So, if you want your son to succeed, get someone who knows how to not only drive a race car but how to carry himself before and after races, to teach him. Steve asked Bobby if he wanted to dust the helmet off and run a season to try to win a championship and teach Kyle what he needs to know about running the fire breathing 410 sprint cars. So Steve called Linda McMahan to get it cleared from the big boss. Steve hired the best sprint car wrench on the west coast Brian Sperry. Then he got Bobby’s long time friend and former car owner Keith Espindola to come on board. Finally they built some race cars and the rest is history.

So I ask you was it meant to be for Bobby McMahan and Steve Harris Racing to win the championship? He never finished out of the top 10, had no D.N.F’s, 11 top 5’s and 1 win. As a teacher: Well, you can call Kyle Harris Rookie of the year. Sperry had Kyle’s car hooked up night in and night out. The young shoe from West Sacramento continued to pound the loud pedal and ended up the highest finishing rookie in Chico. You tell me! I say it couldn’t have happened to more deserving people. Topping it all off, it is the first championship in the veteran’s illustrious career.

Racingforthetroops.com couldn’t have done it without a lot of help from the crew: Dean, Eric, Jeff , Keith, Sean, and a ton of others along the way.

Next on tap will be the biggest race of the year for Racing for the Troops: the 49th Gold Cup Race Of Champions. Bobby McMahan will kick things off Wednesday night driving the Sperry Racing #51 spec sprint in the 360 invitational. Then, Sean Becker and McMahan will go again in Thursday's qualifyer. Silver Dollar Speedway Rookie Of The Year Kyle Harris will run his qualifyer Friday night so stay tuned for new videos this week.

Video of Calistoga.

Bobby McMahan would be up first in the Thursday night prelim. He qualified 10th, ran 2nd in his heat race, and finished a very solid 8th in the feature. His point total locked him in solid for Saturday night's main event.

Kyle Harris was on tap for Friday night's prelim, where he was 12th quick. He won his heat race, where he battled with the defending World of Outlaw's champion, Donny Schatz. It was an exciting moment for the rookie and his father. The whole team was very proud of the maturity he showed during that heat. Kyle Harris showed why he will be a force to be reckoned with in winged sprint car racing in the future. He went on to finish 16th in the feature.

Kyle and Bobby both had misfortunes in their main events on Saturday night, but all in all, had a great Gold Cup experience.

Check it out and let him know what you think! Thanks, Carl!

Video here.

The Rookie Kyle Harris continues to show improvment. He drew an early number and still qualified 17th. He started 2nd in the heat and lead wire to wire. The feature was a different story. The young shoe started on the pole and struggled to get a handle on the very slick track finishing 17th. All in all, it was a great learning experience for the young driver out of West Sacramento.

The veteran Bobby McMahan continues his solid year qualifying 8th, running 4th in his heat and moving the 26b from 8th to 6th. Sunday, Bobby made the trip to Fallon NV. to run the Sperry Racing #51. He set the new track record, won his heat, the dash and the feature to complete the clean sweep.

The youngest of the racingforthetroops.com team Sean McMahan got to make a rare start at the same track as his dad in the American Tool Micro. Sean Started dead last and was up to 4th when the motor let go on the last lap.

The rookie Kyle Harris had a tough time mastering the high speed track. He qualified decent Friday night but had mishaps in the heat race and the B Main. When I talked to him after the race, he said he was at a loss for why he struggled in his first run at the Thunder Bowl.

Bobby McMahan continued his solid season with another solid finish. Bobby started outside front row and drove the wheels off the 26b, passing Andy Forseberg for the lead once and losing it back. He was good on long runs. There just wasn't enough of them to get the win. Bobby ended up in the runner up spot Friday night.

Best wishes to all of our veterans and active members of the United States or America.

Special thank yous go out to all of our service men and women who won't be home to enjoy the holidays.

Come home safely so we can all celebrate together.

Wiki Article on The Attack on Pearl Harbor

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (1-25-10)- Steve Harris Racing and the championship caliber Racing for the Troops sprint car team have announced their itinerary for the 2010 racing season. No matter where they search, one will not find an inked schedule of when and where the successful organization plans to compete in the year to come, but one of the team's four drivers are sure to be visiting a track near you in the months to come.

After winning the Silver Dollar Speedway Track Championship last season, lead driver Bobby McMahan along with his teammates Kyle Harris and Sean Becker, are calling themselves "California Outlaws" for the 2010 racing season. The West Sacramento based multi-car team plans to compete at multiple venues throughout the year with just one set of things in mind; consistent finishes, winning races and supporting our military service members, both present and past.

"It's pretty simple, we are planning a California Outlaw schedule and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a lot of fun for everyone," said McMahan, the 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway track champion. "We're planning on racing everywhere we can throughout the year. We really want to set our sights on the bigger shows and work our weekly schedule around those races."

Last season, McMahan returned to full time racing after a several year layoff to spend time with his family and his kids as they grew into their teen years. After jumping back behind the wheel part time in late 2008, the former Northern Auto Racing Club and USAC top runner agreed to make it a fulltime effort in 2009, racing the #26 Maxim Sprint Car out of the impressive Racing for the Troops stable.

Last season the original plan was much like this year for McMahan and the team. While visiting multiple venues they wouldn't necessarily focus on a points championship. However, early in the season the team found themselves in an precarious position when they took the point lead in the weekly 410 sprint car series at Silver Dollar Speedway and went on to win the season title.

"That wasn't what we originally planned at all," said McMahan, who became a mentor for his teammate Harris, 19, as he advanced from micro sprints into full sized sprint cars. Harris is the son of team owner Steve Harris, founder of the Racing for the Troops organization.

"Kyle was originally going to just race the entire series at Chico and his plan changed a bit for school, then it changed back. Steve decided we would run the entire season with both cars since it was going so well. It was kind of unplanned but in the end I was glad we veered off the plan and won the title, it was a great way to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces with a title."

After veering off their planned road for the season, McMahan won the championship at the Silver Dollar Speedway while Harris finished the season eighth in the standings and was runner up for the rookie of the year title for his impressive efforts in his first full season behind the wheel of a powerful winged sprint car. Additionally, Harris was presented with the Silver Dollar Speedway Humanitarian Award for his contributions to the sport and the support of American Troops and their families.

In 2010 both McMahan and Harris will return to the team along with Oroville native Sean Becker. Becker is a two time Civil War Series champion with titles in the Golden State Challenge Series and Silver Dollar Speedway. Becker will pilot the team's #51 car fielded by team member Brian Sperry at various events during the year. Becker will also continue to driver for his longtime car owner Scott Miller in the Civil War series.

"When Sean isn't in Scott Miller's car he will be in the 51 car with us," said Sperry. "We will likely run most of the Friday night races at Chico and select Golden State Challenge races as his schedule permits."

As the new racing season rapidly approaches Steve Harris Racing and Racing for the Troops is setting their sights on several major events, mixed with a variety of area weekly programs to make a full schedule spanning from February until November. The team will begin their 2010 run on February 26th in Las Vegas with the nationally recognized World of Outlaws Sprint Car tour. McMahan is certain to be in competition in the city that never sleeps and additional team members may join the race card as the date nears and funding becomes available.

Following their high octane opener, the team plans on competing at the Mini-Gold Cup in Chico and will then begin traveling the state for their zigzag style campaign. Some of the larger races they plan to commit to include the annual Mark Forni Classic at Placerville Speedway and the Louie Vermeil USAC event at Calistoga Speedway in August. They plan weekly appearances throughout the year at Silver Dollar, Marysville, Placerville, Ocean Speedway, Petaluma, Antioch, Quincy and more.

"We're going to plan our destination each week," added McMahan. "Sometimes we might not know where we will be racing until late in the week. I like it that way. Sean Becker will be a pretty regular face in Chico while Kyle and myself will travel and mix it up a bit."

This season the Racing for the Troops will add a fourth name to their roster during the season, Sean McMahan, Bobby and Linda's 16 year old son. The younger McMahan is expected to strap into a team car during the year to make his sprint car racing debut. The second generation driver has over 100 victories and four titles in quarter-midgets and micro sprints combined as he follows in his father's footsteps. Notably both father and son began their winning ways with duel titles in the Pacific Coast Quarter-Midget Nationals.

"Sean is ready, there is no doubt in my mind, " added McMahan. "We don't have an exact date just yet but this year he will be behind the wheel and I'm confident he will learn well. Who knows he might even teach me some new things once he gets going."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team has a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.

The team is proud to continue it's support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. Learn more about the team's mission by visiting their website at www.racingforthetroops.com.

"We are all very saddened in this time of loss," said Bobby McMahan, primary driver for the Racing for the Troops and a key associate of World Environmental Energy Group. "Steve fought a hard fight to the very end and made every attempt to be involved in our day to day operations, it was a life he loved. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family."

McMahan and Harris raced to their first championship together in 2009 at Silver Dollar Speedway. Steve's son, Kyle Harris finished as a runner up to the Rookie of the Year title as well. In January Harris was named the Silver Dollar Speedway Humanitarian of the Year for his contributions to local racing and our military.

Steve had a love for racing and a passion to support and honor our active and retired military members. The team is proud to continue that tradition in Steve's honor in the year to come and will continue educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families.

Details on services for Steve Harris remain to be announced at this time. The Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team will tentatively begin their season in March for the annual Mini Gold Cup.

Please visit http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/2532011.html to read the article.

As the entire team will don their uniforms with heavy hearts, the youngest active member of their troop will be carrying the biggest load on his shoulders as he lost far more than a team owner recently. But Kyle Harris is ready to follow the road his late father led him to during their final year together.

"Last year it felt like we were running in every different direction trying to do everything that we wanted to do. At times it was pretty challenging with racing and school and my Dad's illness," said Harris. "But my Dad taught me something. He taught me to slow down and look ahead to what the future holds. He believed I had a future in racing and I'm ready to follow that lead this year."

At just 56 years of age, Steve Harris lost a courageous battle with cancer in early February. A successful West Sacramento businessman, Harris had a love for supporting the active and inactive military. He also had a love for auto racing and he found a way to bring the two entities together with the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team.

The Racing for the Troops team consists of three talented sprint car drivers, 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway Champion Bobby McMahan; two time Civil War Series Champions Sean Becker and his own flesh and blood, 19-year old Kyle Harris who made his debut in winged sprint cars last season.

After advancing from a successful career in quarter midgets and micro sprints, Harris jumped into 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars full time in 2009, competing at Silver Dollar and various venues along with McMahan who shared his many years of victorious knowledge with the you8ng talent as they competed side by side throughout the season.

In the 2009 championship campaign at Silver Dollar Speedway, Harris had a strong first year showing with four top ten finishes in the year, one top five and three heat race wins. He finished runner up to the season Rookie of the Year title and joined his father at the stage of the season awards banquet. Steve was presented with the first ever Humanitarian Award by the track as a car owner who went to great extents to support sprint car racing while recognizing America's soldiers and their families in each and every event where they competed.

"I'm ready to get back on the track," said Harris. "I feel this is where my future is, in racing and I need to follow that. It's not going to be easy going back without my Dad but at the same time it's what he wanted and it's a great way to honor him for what he led me to."

Harris will return to the track he knows best for his first race of the year, the high banked Silver Dollar Speedway on the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. The event is the season opening Mini Gold Cup, a high paying open competition event for 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars. He will be joined by the entire team as McMahan and Becker will join in the action. The team plans to travel to various venues throughout the year, many of which include the banks of Silver Dollar on Friday nights.

"For Kyle to advance as a driver, he needs to get out and race on different tracks and different surfaces," said McMahan, who will somewhat takeover as manager of the team along with the likes of Brian Sperry. "We think that's the best plan for us, a California Outlaw schedule is what we like to call it."

While Steve Harris will be sorely missed member of their team, the Racing for the Troops sprint car team is sure to succeed in 2010 as their leader's spirit will carry them to the forefront. Championship titles will not be the name of the game, winning races will be the number one focus for Harris, McMahan and Becker.

"If I could go out there and get a win for my Dad that would be huge," said Harris. "That would be a great way to honor him. I'm going to do what I can to do it. All of us are."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team has a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.

The team is proud to continue it's support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families.

With three very competitive drivers already in their stable and a fourth one waiting in the wings, the odds of a victory in the upcoming high dollar Mini Gold Cup in Chico could be very good for the trio, all of which have won their share of racing championships in various venues. One such driver stands out from the others when it comes to victory at Silver Dollar Speedway, however. Sean Becker will pilot the Racing for the Troops – Brian Sperry fielded #51 and is looking to lead his team to the winner's circle in honor of Harris.

Becker has championship titles in the California Civil War Sprint Car Series, the Golden State Challenge Series and at Silver Dollar Speedway back in 2005. In addition to the championship trophy he posses from the famed track, he has won some of the facilities most prestigious races there. Once of the sports most respected winning drivers, Becker admits that returning without Harris in their company is going to be difficult.

"Steve Harris was a great man with an enormous passion for the sport of racing and winning," said Becker. Brian Sperry and Steve had become close friends in recent years. Knowing how heavily Steve's memory will weigh on the hearts and minds of this 51 team, it's going to be a privilege to not only compete, but hopefully win some races in his honor."

Becker will pilot the Racing for the Troops #51 sprint car for numerous events during the years, including a number of Friday night events at Silver Dollar, select Golden State Challenge events and more. Additionally, Becker will return to the seat of the Scott Miller owned #2sb in the regional Civil War Series.

"Basically, when he isn't Scott Miller's car he will be in the 51 with us," said Sperry. "We will be running a lot of Chico races and we might even run some Placerville races to be ready for the Forni Race if he doesn't do that with Scott. We plan to run several venues during the year together."

In 2009, Becker drove the #51 in 11 of 13 championship events at Silver Dollar Speedway, the track the Oroville native still calls home. During the year the duo had 10 top ten finishes, seven top five finishes and a feature event victory. They finished fifth in the championship point standings overall. Becker also won his second straight Civil War championship of his career and second $5,000 Mark Forni race in a row at Placerville with the Miller team.

The Racing for the Troops sprint car team will hit the track beginning Friday, March 12 in Chico. Along with Becker will be Bobby McMahan in the #26b team car. McMahan is the 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway champion. Kyle Harris will return to action in the #33 mount. Last year Harris made a stellar run in Chico, finishing 8th in the standings in his first full year of sprint car racing after much success in quarter midgets and micros.

In the wake of Steve's passing, McMahan and Sperry have assumed the role of managing the race team operations in the year to come. The entire team is geared towards continuing their winning ways while continuing it's support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team has a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.

This weekend, McMahan will face one of his most challenging races when he takes to the banks of Silver Dollar Speedway for the season opening Mini Gold Cup. However, it's not the competition that will be in McMahan's mind. Nor is it the fear of being rusty after a long winter. Friday will be the first time McMahan climbs behind the wheel of a Racing for the Troops #26b sprint car since the passing of Harris last month.

"Steve had the biggest heart of anyone I've known," said McMahan. "He would do whatever he could to help out his friends. He gave us all the tools we needed with this racing team and he loved this sport. It's going to be hard to go back to Chico knowing he is gone but I know he'll be watching over us from a great vantage point."

Last season, McMahan returned to full time racing after a several year layoff to spend time with his family and his kids as they grew into their teen years. After jumping back behind the wheel part time in late 2008, the former Northern Auto Racing Club and USAC top runner agreed to make it a fulltime effort in 2009 as one of three drivers from the Racing for the Troops' stable. However, the decision to return to the seat wasn't all up to McMahan and the invitation from Harris illustrated the late businessman's true spirit and will always be a memorable moment to McMahan.

"Steve called Linda, my wife, before he even asked me to drive for him. He wanted to make sure it was ok with her and the family before he made the offer," said McMahan. "So everyone pretty much knew about it before I even did. Then he came to me and told me it was ok with her if I drove for his team and he wanted me in the car. He always had a plan in his head."

During the 2009 racing season, Harris was battling cancer in his final stages. In fact, according to his son Kyle, McMahan's teammate, he was beating the odds of the illness far longer then doctors had ever predicted. During the year, McMahan and the younger Harris raced together with fellow teammate Sean Becker in the Friday night championship at Silver Dollar Speedway in a season they all will long cherish. McMahan claimed the title, Becker finished in fifth place and Kyle placed eighth in his first full year of racing. Steve Harris was then presented with the track's Humanitarian Award for his contribution the sport and his community support to America's Troops and Veterans.

"It was a bittersweet year for us, we all knew how ill Steve was," said McMahan. "But to see him continue on the way he did was inspiring for all of us. He never gave up and he fought all the way to the end. He lived life to its fullest one day at a time."

Despite the heavy heart he will carry along with his teammates, McMahan is ready to lead the team back to the battlefield for the high paying season opener. While he greatly misses Harris he will look to continue the legacy of Harris in the sport of area sprint car racing at the arena that meant so much to them in 2009.

"We will be there and ready to race," said McMahan. "It's what Steve wanted us to do and what he planned for. If one of us can get to victory lane or a podium finish that would be a great tribute but just being there, racing, is tribute in itself to the man that never gave up. We're not giving up anytime soon."

In the wake of Harris' passing, the entire team has been very busy in recent weeks relocating their racing operations and preparing all three of the team cars and back up cars for the year to come. McMahan's #26b ART chassis is assembled and waiting for the talents of area graphic artist Matt Fontaine to apply the finishing touches in the coming days.

"I've always driven a Maxim car but Steve really wanted me to run an ART car late last year," said McMahan. "So that's taken some time to get everything positioned in the car with the new chassis but we will be ready, we pretty much just need to make it pretty now."

Following the Mini Gold Cup, McMahan and Harris will begin traveling the state for their outlaw style campaign. Some of the larger races they plan to commit to include the annual Mark Forni Classic at Placerville Speedway and the Louie Vermeil USAC event at Calistoga Speedway in August. They plan weekly appearances throughout the year at Silver Dollar, Marysville, Placerville, Ocean Speedway, Petaluma, Antioch, Quincy and more. Becker will compete along with the team as his schedule permits; he will also be driving for championship car owner Scott Miller in the Civil War Series.

"It's taken a lot of work to get ready for this weekend," adds McMahan. "We've had a lot of help and I really want to thank our entire team, Scott Miller's team and everyone who pitched in. I can't possibly list them all. It was great."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team has a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.

McMahan will return to Placerville this Saturday night with teammate Kyle Harris of West Sacramento for the Hoosier Tires Civil War Series opener. For McMahan, Placerville Speedway is the track where he first raced a winged sprint car. For Harris, Placerville is one of many tracks that the young driver is learning to hone his skills in becoming a competitive sprint car driver in hopes to one day maintain a resume similar to that of McMahan.

The year was 1982 and very few area tracks were open to the idea of permitting newly licensed teens to compete in auto racing events. Today it is much different, many drivers begin racing as soon as they are tall enough to reach the pedals. For McMahan, Placerville Speedway played a key role in the launch of his successful racing career that continues to flourish today.

"I had raced quarter-midgets and wanted to move up to sprint cars but there weren't many tracks around here that would let a 16-year-old kid race," said McMahan. "Then we found out that Placerville Speedway was ok with it so my Dad got us a sprint car and we went racing at Placerville Speedway."

That same year McMahan drove his way to the Rookie of the Year title in the sprint car division at Placerville. The time was just the beginning of a very successful racing career for McMahan. He went on to become one of the track's most competitive drivers along with similar accolades at Baylands Raceway three years later.

In 1986 McMahan began competing with the Northern Auto Racing Club. While the California tour would draw him away from Placerville on a weekly basis the foothill quarter-mile was always a favorite to return to when the campaign made it's annual stops here. He then went on to become a successful competitor with the USAC Western States Sprint Car Series before he stepped away from racing from 2003 until 2008 to spend time with his family and focus on the racing career of his son Sean.

Anyone who followed the racing scene last year is well away that McMahan is back in a very big way. He claimed the 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway Championship while his Racing for the Troops teammates Sean Becker and Harris each finished in the top ten as well. Becker claimed 5th in the track point standings and Harris finished 8th in his first full year of racing.

But 2009 wasn't all about the numbers for McMahan and the entire team. It was the final year both McMahan and Harris raced in the company of their car owner Steve Harris who was battling cancer. During the off season Harris lost his courageous battle and this Saturday night will mark the team's first time back on the track since his passing.

"It's always special for me to go back to Placerville, that's where I started racing," said McMahan. "This is tough for all of us to be going back to racing without Steve by our side. He was a great man not only in racing but in business and as a husband and Father. Continuing on is what he wanted us to do and here we go. Last year we didn't do real well at Placerville, it wasn't Steve's favorite track. Maybe he will be helping us out a little bit this time."

Even more so than McMahan, Harris will be returning to the driver's seat Saturday night with an incredible void in his life. For his entire childhood life Steve Harris supported his son's racing career and kept him focused on a future in the sport. Beginning Saturday, Harris is ready to follow that lead.

"Last year was crazy for us, we were going in all different directions doing all different things," said Harris. "We had to, my Dad was already beating the odds. But in that time he taught me to sit back and look at the big picture. He taught me to follow my dreams and look into the future and my future is in racing. I'm ready to follow that now."

Becker will be in competition Saturday night as well but he will not be behind the wheel of a Racing for the Troops ride in this event. For the Civil War Series Becker will continue to pilot the Scott Miller #2sb sprint car but both teams are sure to confer and work together in the pit area.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.

The team is proud to continue it's support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. They invite all the race fans to their pit area following the races where both McMahan and Harris will have new t-shirts for sale. They look forward to meeting fans of all ages.

After a solid run at Placerville Speedway last week for the Civil War Series opener in their 360 cubic inch powered sprint cars both Bobby McMahan of Elk Grove and Kyle Harris of West Sacramento will return with additional horsepower this Saturday night. The event is the season opener for the Golden State Challenge Sprint Car Series, the premier campaign for winged 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars.

"We were having a tough time deciding if we would run in Chico for the Silver Cup or Placerville for the Golden State Challenge Series. We even considered racing one night of each," said McMahan. "But the opportunity to drive a 410 at Placerville doesn't come that often so we've decided that's our destination this particular week."

Last Saturday night both McMahan and Harris made their season debut at Placerville Speedway for the Civil War Series. Before racing began the odds seemed against the team as Harris clipped the wall in qualifying and suffered a damaging roll over while McMahan damaged a rear end in hot laps and had to make repairs.

McMahan qualified 14th in the program; Harris earned no official lap time due to the accident. In heat race competition McMahan finished in fourth place to secure a position in the A-feature while Harris placed sixth to enter the semi-main event. Harris' night would end with a seventh place finish in the 12-lap semi while McMahan drove the #26b A.R.T Chassis from 12th to seventh in the 30-lap A-feature.

"We were really happy with the night overall," said McMahan. "Kyle's crash in qualifying was really misfortunate but he remained focused and did an outstanding job of rallying back. Sometimes an incident like that can make it pretty hard to focus when you come back out, especially when you haven't been doing it too long. We we're all really impressed with the way Kyle shook it off and gave it his best."

Saturday night the duo will make their first GSC appearance of the year when the series rolls into Placerville for the first of just three visits there. Placerville is one of the tighter tracks on the GSC tour but for McMahan, racing 410 sprint cars at Placerville Speedway is commonplace. When he began his racing career there and won Rookie of the Year in 1982 that was what the weekly division consisted of.

"It's always fun to race at the track I learned at but it's even better when it's in a 410," said McMahan, who had great success in the famed Northern Auto Racing Club back in the day. "The tight track and the extra horsepower make things exciting for the drivers and the fans. We're looking forward to it."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises and Redline Oil.

The team is proud to continue it's support of military veterans and active duty service members, educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. They invite all the race fans to their pit area following the races where both McMahan and Harris will have new t-shirts for sale. They look forward to meeting fans of all ages.

"It's always special to come back to this place, this where I first strapped into a sprint car and it's where I learned how to become successful in this sport," said McMahan, who finished third in Saturday's Golden State Challenge Series event. "It's even better to come here and do well like we did tonight in a 410. This place is really special to me. It's close to home and close to my heart."

Saturday night, McMahan was the sole representative of the Steve Harris-Racing for the Troops sprint car team based in West Sacramento. Originally both McMahan and his teammate Kyle Harris were slated to compete together in the Golden State Series opener but a late week decision sent the two opposite directions for the night as Harris chose to race a 360 car at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico.

"We just couldn't make our minds up this week until the last minute," said McMahan. "Kyle went up to Chico Friday night and decided to run the whole two day show we packed up the small trailer with everything we needed and headed to Placerville. I knew I was going to race here regardless and I'm glad I made that decision."

When he competes with the Golden State Challenge Series, McMahan is in his comfort zone. While he enjoys racing various venues including 360 cubic inch powered cars, wingless sprints and an occasional venture to the likes of asphalt open wheel racing the former Northern Auto Racing Club Speedweek champion is at home when he has the hefty horsepower in a winged machine on dirt.

Saturday night at Placerville Speedway McMahan joined the likes of King of California champions Brent Kaeding, Jonathan Allard and Jason Statler on the famous red clay at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds. From the first green flag, the night was one of success for McMahan.

In qualifying, McMahan was one of two drivers with the fastest time of the night, a 10.140 second lap. McMahan carried that momentum into the preliminary heat race as well as the dash where he finished second in each event. The bridesmaid finish in the dash placed McMahan on the outside of the front row for the start of the 30-lap feature event.

With the waving of the green flag McMahan went to work between two series champions, Allard started on the pole while Kaeding started in third place. Kaeding found his way around McMahan and the three veterans raced their way into lapped traffic early in the race. When the checkered flag waved Allard and Kaeding were followed across the line by McMahan.

"I'd like to get a win here, but finishing behind the two former King of California Champions isn't too bad when you look at it," said McMahan."I really missing racing with the GSC so we're hoping to be out here as much as possible this year."

While McMahan had a strong night of racing, Harris was not quite as fortunate in the Chico Silver Cup. An abundance of cars were in competition seeking a start in the feature event. On Friday night Harris finished the night with an 8th place finish in the B feature after driving to 6th in his heat race. On Saturday night his night ended with an 8th place finish in the B-main.

This week both McMahan and Harris are tentatively planning to return to Silver Dollar Speedway for the first Friday night point race of the season. The duo will likely be joined by the third member of their team, Sean Becker of Antelope, as they all compete together for the first time at the track that crowned McMahan as the champion last season. On Saturday the Golden State Challenge Series will likely be their destination as it competes at Antioch Speedway.

"That's the plan for now, " said McMahan. "We really want get back to Chico to pay tribute to Steve since we are the defending champions there so Friday night might be the time and then we are looking at Antioch on Saturday."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises,Simpson Race Products and Redline Oil.

"We set out on the idea of being California Outlaws and that's still what we want to do," said McMahan, who now ranks third in the GSC point standings after two events. "But we've gotten off to a good start in this series, so for now that's what we will continue to run and just see how things go."

Two weeks ago, McMahan started the 2010 racing season with momentum in the form of a podium finish in the Golden State Challenge Series opener at Placerville Speedway. The stellar run was a fine tribute to his late car owner and the founder of the Racing for the Troops Team, Steve Harris, who lost his life to cancer just before the season began. The top finish was also rewarding for McMahan as his passion lies in 410 sprint car racing and he started his career at the foothill speedway at just 16 years of age.

Following his success in the opener, the Racing for the Troops team chose to carry their momentum into round two of the King of California campaign this past weekend at Antioch Speedway. Racing in freezing temperatures near the California coast didn't phase McMahan and the talented soldiers that Harris put in place to continue his dream. McMahan drove to his second consecutive top five finish in the 30-lap feature event.

"It was a top five finish but I wasn't really happy with it," said McMahan, who started third in the race. "All night long we were fighting the set up of the car, we were too loose the whole time before the feature then we let it get ahead of us in the main and fought a tight car the whole time. I can't complain about another top five but I know I could have done better."

Despite the handling woes, McMahan raced the #26b ART Chassis into fifth place and he sits third in the series point standings, just 10-points out of the lead. Although it is early in the season and the 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway champion is reluctant to commit to a full tour, sitting third among California's best competition is a good place to be to start the season.

"Right now we are happy with how were doing here. So we will give it another run this week and come Monday we will see what next week brings," said McMahan.

In preliminary action on Saturday, McMahan qualified fourth with a 12:090 second lap. In his heat race he drove from fourth into second and then advanced from fourth to third in the qualifying dash to start on the inside row of the feature event.

Saturday night McMahan was joined by teammate Sean Becker in the Brian Sperry-Racing for the Troops #51 car. Becker's night consisted of 9th quick in qualifying, a third place finish in his heat race and he retired with a flat tire in the feature event to officially finish in 14th.

This week McMahan will head to the exciting Tulare Thunderbowl for the Faria Memorial event, round three of the GSC tour. He will be joined by his teammate Kyle Harris who took the past weekend off from competition. Becker will defect from the team for this week to compete in the Civil War Series in Petaluma for his primary car owner Scott Miller.

"Both Kyle and I really look forward to racing at Tulare, said McMahan."Kyle has had good runs there and I love the place, it's big and it's fast. It's just a bit of a road trip is all."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

The Racing for the Troops team is proud to honor military veterans and active duty service members. They carry the legacy started by the late Steve Harris by educating the public on the needs of those returning from war and supporting activities which provide resources to America's active military, veterans and their families. The team invites all of the race fans to their pit area following the races where both McMahan and Harris are available for autographs and photos. Both drivers have brand new t-shirts for sale and each event where they compete. They look forward to meeting fans of all ages.

"There is one thing that really upsets me and that is the infamous "DNF" in any event," said McMahan. "But in this case there is nobody to blame but myself. I pushed it a little too hard early in the race and took myself out of the race."

In qualifying on Saturday night McMahan's #26b World Environmental Energy-C&H Veteran Disabled Services sprint car looked to be continuing its momentum in the 2010 Golden State Challenge King of California Series when he clocked the second fastest time of the night behind point leader Jonathan Allard with a 13:427 second lap on the lightning fast clay oval that was packed hard as early as qualifying.

"The car was feeling pretty good in the early running," said McMahan. "I really thought we were going to have a pretty good night after qualifying well and finishing in the heat race."

In the third 10-lap heat race of the night McMahan started fourth on the outside of the second row behind Bud Kaeding, Andy Gregg and Tommy Tarlton. When the checkered flag he had finished third after overtaking Gregg and holding off fellow Elk Grove resident Kyle Larson to the line.

In the feature event, the inversion placed McMahan in a superb starting position. He lined up on the inside of row two behind Bud Kaeding and Tartlon with Larson on the outside and Allard directly behind him. In the first three laps of the race McMahan and Allard began a dogfight for the fourth position. In an effort to gain the advantage McMahan when to the high side of the turn near the cushion where he brushed the outside wall.

"I just pushed it too hard trying to race with Allard," added McMahan. "I flat screwed up it all. It damaged the W link and broke a shock and that’s no place to be racing around with a damaged car."

McMahan brought his car to a stop and went to the work area with three laps complete. When Keith Espindola and the Steve Harris Racing crew surveyed the damage they decided to withdraw from the event. They simply would not be competitive and the car just wasn't safe.

McMahan's teammate Kyle Harris was originally scheduled to compete in Tulare but decided late Friday night to stay out of the driver's seat as he was feeling under the weather. Brian Sperry, crew chief for Harris, made a cameo appearance on the track however. Upon arrival to the Thurderbowl Sperry decided he would strap into the Racing for the Troops #51 for the night.

"Brian figured out that there were 21 cars there and they put 22 cars in the main event so he got back in the firesuit for the night," said McMahan. "He had fun and made a little bit of money too. In fact, he finished better then me this time."

Sperry turned a lap time of 15:845 seconds. He finished the night 16th overall. McMahan was officially scored in the 20th position. This week the team will make repairs and head to Petaluma Speedway for the fourth round of the Golden State Challenge Series. McMahan is now sixth in the standings, 28-points behind the leader. It is unknown at this time if Harris will return to action with McMahan this week.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"It wasn't a bad night for us, in fact it was really a pretty good night by the time we took the checkered flag," said McMahan. "It was just one of those nights where we didn't really do anything spectacular. We didn't qualifying so great but we worked our way close to another top five finish on a night that was tough on a lot of teams."

McMahan qualified in the 11th position last weekend with a 13:675 lap on the Petaluma track located on the Sonoma-Marin County Fairgrounds. In heat racing he started on the pole position and maintained it for the entire 10-lap affair over Evan Suggs and Brad Bumgarner.

"It was tough to pass all night long," said McMahan. "In the heat race we started on the pole and just got out in front and it pretty much became follow the leader. The track came in a little better by the time we reached the main event."

In the A-feature, McMahan started in the middle of the field in the 11th position, Racing on a track that still had very little in the way of passing room, he managed to work his way towards the front in the 30-lap race. A series of caution periods throughout the night provided him with plenty opportunities to advance, taking it one move at a time.

"We just took it lap by lap, they had a lot of cautions, I think there were only ten of us on the lead lap by the time in ended," he said. "I just had to do a lot of zigging and zagging in this one to stay out of trouble and get towards the front."

At the checkered flag, McMahan secured a sixth place finish behind winner Jonathan Allard, Brent Kaeding, Kyle Larson, Evan Suggs and Tommy Tarlton. With the sixth place run and his success in the prelinary events, McMahan advanced back into the top five in the Golden State Challenge Series point standings. He now sits 36-points out of the lead in a season where he never intended on racing in one venue but has found that his passion lies within 410 sprint car racing and the Golden State Challenge Series.

This Saturday night, McMahan will roll the World Environmental Energy- C&H Service Disabled Veterans sprint car out of the Steve Harris Racing stable for another week with the Golden State Challenge Series. The venue is the always smooth quarter-mile Ocean Speedway on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.

"I've ran good there in the past. It's been awhile since we have raced there though," said McMahan. "It's always a good surface down there and good show. Hopefully we make it a little more exciting than these past two weeks but we're happy with where we are at right now. So far it's been a very positive season for us."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"It's wasn't too eventful of a night for us," said McMahan. "I just flat out missed the set up in the feature event and I couldn't move up. I was ready for at least a top five but eighth place wasn't bad considering what I was faced with out there."

The quarter-mile Ocean Speedway provided very little room for passing on Saturday night. McMahan, with his challenging set up on the car combined with a very hard packed, dry track surface, advanced from ninth to 8th in the feature event.

"I couldn't get the car to do anything impressive and the track was pretty much a one groove race all night," said McMahan. "They had a play day the night before and didn't have a lot of time to work on it. I didn't use a tear off for the whole night it was so dry."

In preliminary action on Saturday night McMahan drove the World Environmental Energy C& H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises ART chassis to 9th with a 14:263 second lap. In his heat race he started in the third position and drove to victory over Brent Kaeding and Jason Statler.

"In the heat race it felt pretty good," added McMahan. "Then the track really started drying out and we just didn't keep up with it on our set up for the main. They really run a fast program there and you don't much time to change your mind in the pits. We thought we were good after the heat. I'm still happy, we rolled the car in the trailer in one piece and that's always good."

This Saturday McMahan returns to Santa Maria Speedway with the Golden State Challenge Series. The visit will mark the first time McMahan has raced there since 2000 when he drove the #98x Family Auto Service car at the request of the owner's wife who had passed away that year.

"Its' been awhile since I've been there," said McMahan. "It’s a bad ass race track for sure. The place is banked like Placerville but the straight aways are banked too so it’s a fast bowl. You are on it all the way around that place."

It's expected that McMahan will be joined by teammate Kyle Harris of West Sacramento for this event. Harris has been selective in the events he competes in this season following the passing of his father Steve Harris, owner of the team and his schedule with school. McMahan looks forward to the return of his teammate if he commits to the trip.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"Santa Maria is a fast little place, you have to be on top of your game for sure," said McMahan. "It's a lot like Placerville Speedway but its banked all the way around and you are on the gas just about the whole time. We had a pretty good night considering the close calls we had early on."

In qualifying, McMahan was the second fastest car of the night. He clocked a 13:715 second lap, trailing fast qualifier and eventual feature event winner Tommy Tarlton who clocked a 13:707. In heat race competition McMahan started fifth and finished fifth in the second preliminary 10 lap event of the night to secure a starting position in the dash that would determine his starting position in the feature event.

In the eight car dash, McMahan took the green flag in the third position and ended up finishing fourth overall behind Tarlton, Zach Zimmerly and Jonathan Allard. The finishing position put him on the outside of the second row in the feature event outside of Allard, a former King of California champion.

"We ok in the heat and the dash," said McMahan. "Nobody had anything for Tartlon all night long. The guy was just a rocket around that place.."

In the A-feature the green flag came out and McMahan raced wheel to wheel with Allard for position. The two tangled briefly, sending Allard off the track with a flat tire and forcing McMahan to gather himself back up to rally back towards the front.

"It was really a racing deal; we were both racing hard for position. He came up as I came down not realizing just how close we were," said McMahan. "Luckily it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I was able to get on the brakes before we hit really hard. Unfortunately he got a flat tire out of the deal and for me the car still didn't feel right for awhile."

Battling a rough track surface, McMahan rode his way towards the front of the field in the remainder of the event. When the checkered flag waved he finished just one spot out of the top five in the sixth place position. Following his finish, McMahan continues to hold the fifth position in the series point standings.

"We had a good night," added McMahan. "There were a couple of holes out there tonight that really slowed me down. After I hit one of them I think I spent three laps just trying to get my helmet spun around straight. It rocked me pretty good. Tarlton was on fire at that place. I think he lapped up to seventh place and I was next."

This coming weekend, McMahan will return to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the running of the annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial. The event is one that is special to McMahan and his colleagues alike as it remembers a fallen competitor at the track where he loved to race.

McMahan will be without his teammate Kyle Harris this weekend as well. Harris remains out of competition following injuries in a recent motocross accident. Sean Becker is expected to be on hand in the Racing for the Troops #51 car for the evening. Becker is a former Silver Dollar Speedway track champion and a former Golden State Challenge champion.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"This is always a special race to be part of, " said McMahan. "Dave Bradway Jr. was a great driver and those of us that remember him will never forget that. At the same time the young guns in the sport today need to know about these great drivers that made their mark in the sport and helped form it into what it is today. No matter how you finish in this race, just being part of it is special."

For McMahan, the Bradway race marked the first time he returned to the likes of Silver Dollar Speedway since late in 2009. During the off season, Steve Harris, the founder and owner of the McMahan's popular '"Racing for the Troops" sprint car team lost his life to cancer so this weekend marked an emotional time for the team as they returned to the track that Harris truly loved to attend.

"Steve loved this place that's for sure, " said McMahan. "I didn't think it would take us this long to get back here but Mother Nature had some different ideas. It was nice to get back to Chico. At the same time, a big part of all of us was missing this time. Sometime this year it would be a great honor to get a win in Chico for Steve."

On Saturday night, McMahan returned along with his teammate Sean Becker of Antelope. McMahan piloted his familiar #26b sprinters while Becker was aboard the Brian Sperry fielded #51. Both drivers managed to salvage a top ten finish at the end of the night.

In qualifying McMahan timed in the 10th position with a 11:906 second lap while Becker was the 7th fastest of the night with an 11:830 second trip around the banked Chico clay. McMahan was in the second heat race of the night where he drove from the fourth place position into second place. Becker came to the track for heat race three where he traveled from 5th place into third.

With their success in the preliminary events, both drivers qualified for the evening's dash which determines the top starting spots for the A-feature. Becker went from fourth to 2nd in the dash while McMahan faded from 2nd to sixth place. In the A feature both drivers had their share of battles from the waving of the green flag. Becker had the biggest foe when the green flag waved and he spun coming out of the first turn to initiate a multi-car melee that involved several cars and damaged the #51. During the red flag the team made repairs and Becker returned to the event where he finished ninth.

"We had a great car all night long," said Becker. "I'm proud that our team was able to get me back out after I spun and got the damage on that first lap. I'm so happy to have salvaged a top ten but I'm disappointed in myself because I know how special this race is for Brian."

Throughout the evening McMahan battled an ill handling. Despite multiple attempts by the team to correct the problem it continued throughout the feature event. Despite the challenges he still claimed a tenth place finish.

"We fought the car all night long," said McMahan. "It seemed like no matter what we did it just wouldn't make a difference. I'm glad we managed to get another top ten. We're going to take a couple weeks off and regroup a little bit before Petaluma and Calistoga.

Following Saturday's event, McMahan maintains the fifth place position in the Golden State Challenge King of California point standings. Becker has raced limited events and sits 22nd overall. Racing for the Troops is expected to return to the Golden State Challenge at Petaluma Speedway on May 28 and then Calistoga on May 29 and 30.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"We weren't planning on racing again until Memorial Day weekend down there," said McMahan. "I decided to kind of lay low and go get some track time before next week. We ended up with out first win of the year and that's pretty cool. This place is a fun track, I don't get here too often."

McMahan started the night off with success in qualifying as he turned the second quickest time of the night with a 13:329 second lap. He then went out and won his 8 lap heat race before preparing for the 25-lap feature.

A straight up inversion placed McMahan on the outside of the first row for the feature race next to fast qualifier and pole sitter Mike Benson of Calistoga. At the waving of the green flag both drivers raced hard into the first set of turns. As they entered the third turn, McMahan overtook Benson for the lead he would never relinquish for the remainder of the event.

"Mike made just a little mistake as we went into three and I was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on it," said McMahan. "When he went into the turn the way he did I was able to get a run on him and get out in front. Once I was out there the car was perfect, the crew did a great job tonight."

McMahan sliced and diced his way through lapped traffic in the event to distance himself for the win. The victory was McMahan's first of the season and the first win of the year for the team since the passing of Steve Harris just before the 2010 season opened. Harris was the founder and owner of the Racing for the Troops team. McMahan and the team have been carrying out Harris' wishes by continuing to field a number of competitive drivers including McMahan, Sean Becker and Kyle Harris who is recovering from non racing related injuries.

"This is for Steve," added McMahan. "This is the first win we've had without him. He loved this sport and he provided us with great equipment and motivation. We miss him dearly, he was one of the kindest, most generous men I have ever known and this is for him. Hopefully we can come back here next week and do well again."

McMahan will return to Petaluma Speedway this Friday night as the Golden State Challenge Series returns to the North Bay. On Saturday the team will then take to the competitive half mile Calistoga Speedway for two nights of racing in the King of California tour.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"We struggled a little bit on the set up early on but then it seemed like we found our fast line around that place," said McMahan. "It doesn't matter how long you've raced there, Placerville is always a tough track. It's tight and fast and one mistake will really cost you track position."

In qualifying, McMahan turned a 10:092 second lap on the quarter-mile clay oval. The lap was good enough for third place as fellow competitors Andy Forsberg and Jonathan Allard both turned incredible laps in the nine second bracket on this particular night.

In his heat race McMahan started fifth and drove to fourth place at the checkered flag behind Brent Kaeding, Kenny Allen and Jimmy Trulli. The qualifying time and the heat race finish made McMahan eligible for the six lap dash that would ultimately determine his starting position for the 30-lap A feature.

At the green flag, McMahan started in the fourth position in the dash and maintained it at the checkered flag. The finish earned him the outside starting position on the second row for the feature race later in the evening.

"We got ourselves a pretty starting spot, " added McMahan. "Unfortunately I didn't finish there at the end of the night but we did well considering everyone was running extremely strong on Saturday night. It was a very fast track all night long."

McMahan finished the night in the sixth place position overall. Now, the former Silver Dollar Speedway track champion and USAC competitor will return to his California Outlaw travels in the week to come. McMahan's venue is known only by him at this time and even that could change before the weekend.

"Well we're not doing the speedweek deal because our schedule just won't allow it so that's out," he said. "Not exactly sure where we will end up this weekend. I could be at Placerville or maybe I'll go back down to Petaluma. I can tell you one thing, it will be a dirt track somewhere around here. Racing like this makes it fun for us, no set plans until later in the week."

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"We had the car to win tonight, it was really hooked up good especially with the tough track conditions," said McMahan. "A long story short, we got caught up with a spinning lapped car and it ended up costing us the win. Another win would have been good but I'm happy with second too. We will be back here soon to get another one."

In qualifying, McMahan drove World Environmental Energy, ART Chassis to the second fastest time of the night with a 13:0443 second lap on the 3/8 mile track. In his heat race he charged from 5th place into second and earned the pole for the 25-lap feature event.

At the waving of the green flag McMahan muscled ahead of the local favorite Camron Mendes to take the lead of the event on an extremely dry slick track that was already affected by the heavy afternoon winds in the North Bay. For the first seven laps McMahan hugged the bottom of the track in search of moisture.

On the eighth circuit McMahan continued to drive the preferred lower line with Mendes in his wake. However, when a lapped car spun in front of him he veered to the high side and left an open door for Mendes to steal the lead during the incident that didn't draw a caution flag. In the closing laps McMahan remained within striking distance of Mendes but had no competitive edge or driving line to overtake him for the lead.

"Once he got passed me it didn't matter how much power you had or how the car was set up, it was a one lane deal and there was no place I was going to be able to pass him," said McMahan. "Second is ok we were just disappointed because we had the car to win tonight."

On Friday night, Sean Becker represented the Racing for the Troops team at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the Golden State Challenge opener to Western Speedweek. Driving the Brian Sperry fielded Cherry Street Mini-Storage #51, Becker was the sixth fastest car in qualifying with an 11:786. After finishing second in his heat race he placed eighth in the dash and started on the outside of row four for the start of the 30-lap feature event.

In the early laps of the event Becker dueled for the top position with early race leader Brent Kaeding. Zach Zimmerly eventually got past both of the veteran front runners to win the race. Becker ended the night with a fourth place finish.

This week McMahan and the Racing for the Troops team will take a week off from competition and will announce their next venue in the week to come.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"I've never been so proud and nervous at the same time in my life, I can't stop shaking, said Bobby McMahan as he watched his 16-year-old son take to the track competitively at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for the first time two weeks ago. "I always looked forward to when this day came but it's not easy. I remember how scared I was out there for the first time. He's doing really good though."

After racing successfully in outlaw karts, Sean McMahan graduated to the full sized sprint car in style. Behind the wheel of the #26 that has been his father's number for much of his career. The second generation McMahan is racing under the banner of the Racing for the Troops Sprint Car Team along with his father and Sean Becker. However, he is behind the wheel of a car that is fielded by the McMahan family to begin what looks to be a competitive sprint car racing career.

For his sprint car racing debut, Sean McMahan had the full attention of his father in the pit area. Bobby McMahan is the 2009 Silver Dollar Speedway track champion and chose not to race on this special night to focus on the needs of Sean. In his first ever competition McMahan qualified 17th , finished 6th in his heat race and drove from 18th to 13th in the A-feature.

"My first race was intense," said the younger McMahan. "I was so excited to finally be in a sprint car, knowing that one day I would be racing against my Dad and my Uncle Paul. The power of these cars is mind blowing. I went from four cylinders to eight. I brought the car home in one piece and made my Dad pretty proud. It meant a lot to me to see all the people coming to our trailer and congratulating me on how well I did. Some even said I'm going to be a contender which means a lot because I want to be someday."

For his second event, both father and son took to the track at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico on July 3. Sean returned to the seat of the #26 while his father wheeled the Brian Sperry-Racing for the Troops #51 for the night. On this night, Sean finished 7th in his heat race while Bobby took the preliminary win. In the 25-lap feature he ended up 16th overall and Bobby placed in the ninth position.

Topping the team roster for the night was Antelopes' Sean Becker has returned to victory lane in the King of California Series for the first time since 2007. Becker was aboard the Brian Sperry #51 for the night and made a last lap pass that led him to his ninth career win in the Golden State Challenge Campaign.

We got the lead there early on in traffic and then lost it and struggled for a bit so it was a great to come back and get the win on the final lap,” said Becker. “Andy Gregg had a real big lead there and I thought we were racing for second at one point, but then we kept creeping in closer and closer and when the white flag came out I knew we had a shot at it. I really have to thank Brian Sperry, the McMahan family and everyone that helps us out, because without all of them it wouldn’t be possible.”

After qualifying 5th on Saturday night with a 12:269 second lap, Becker finished second in both his heat race and the dash to secure a second place starting position in the A-feature. The 30-lap money race got off to a rough start for the Racing for the Troops team as 16-year-old Sean McMahan went upside down hard shortly after the green flag flew. McMahan was uninjured and the race was restarted with his fellow teammates Becker, Bobby McMahan and Brian Sperry all in competition.

Polesitter Andy Gregg of Placerville took command of the field on Saturday night as he shot into the lead on the feature event restart. Becker pursued Gregg from the waving of the green and waited for the opportune moment to make his move. The moment fell on the final turn and the final lap of the race as he stole the lead from Gregg and went on to post the win.

While Becker took home the win, Bobby McMahan ended his night with another top ten finish to his name. McMahan qualified 9th in the field and battled his way to an 8th place finish, holding off charges from Alissa Geving all the way to the line. Sperry finished 13th on the night in one of his rare driving appearances.

"It was a great night for Becker, we just were off on our set up and were way too loose," said McMahan. "But we rolled it into the trailer with a top ten and that’s always good. That's more than I can say for my kid. He was just trying to hard to pass his Dad and messed up."

This weekend, Sean McMahan will return to action along with Bobby at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. On Saturday night the team will head to Antioch to catch up with the Golden State Challenge Series.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

"This has always been a fun track for me," said McMahan. "I wish we had more winged sprint car races here during the year. The fans here love watching us and it's really a fun track as a driver. We had a good run down there."

After suffering motor damage in the #51 sprint car on Friday night in Chico, McMahan returned to the seat of the Racing for the Troops #26b car on Saturday night for the 22nd round of the Golden State Challenge Series. He was joined on the track by his son Sean McMahan who piloted the blue and yellow #26 car in which he has been rapidly learning the ropes of full sized sprint car racing at various tracks under the guidance of his talented father and the Racing for the Troops team.

"We're really pleased with Sean's progress so far," said McMahan. "He certainly isn't afraid to go fast and he's learning a lot at the different tracks we've been running and from the crew. He had a good running going in Antioch and was trying to catch up to me until he lost his brakes and slapped the wall. He was doing so great it was tough break for him."

In qualifying on Saturday night, McMahan gave his 16-year-old son a quick study session as he went out and turned the third fastest lap of the night with a 12:400 second circuit. Sean later qualified in the 14th position, turning a 13:160 second lap.

In heat racing action, Bobby drove to a fourth place finish which locked him in the dash later in the program. In the six lap dash he took the win and earned the pole for the feature event. Sean rolled to a fourth place position in his respective heat race as well.

In the feature event, McMahan was the first driver to see the green flag but second place starter Kyle Larson of Elk Grove was the second one to see it. Larson used the momentum of the high line to launch himself into the lead of the race. McMahan quickly found himself amidst a fierce battle between both Larson and 13-time King of California Champion Brent Kaeding in the early laps of the race.

Kaeding overtook McMahan and began chasing down his 17-year-old hired gun, Larson, in lapped traffic. McMahan maintained his third place position at the checkered flag to tie his season best finish in the Golden State Challenge Series.

Sean McMahan finished 14th in the feature event. Coming off a strong eighth place finish on Friday night in Chico, the second generation driver drove from the 14th starting position all the way up to 7th place on Saturday night until his brakes failed him and he made contact with the wall and suffered front end damage."

"We can't complain about the weekend to much," said McMahan. "We won the dash, got a top three and we rolled one car in the trailer at the end of the night. Sean was really having a great run tonight, it was unfortunate that he lost the brakes like he did, he definitely had a top ten finish coming."

This weekend, Sean McMahan will return to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico for championship point racing on Friday night. Saturday night Bobby McMahan will compete at Marysville Raceway Park on Saturday night for the Golden State Challenge Series.

Steve Harris Racing and the Racing for the Troops sprint car team have a number of marketing partners for the 2010 racing season. Proud supporters of the team include World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil.

McMahan will return to the fast Ocean Speedway quarter-mile aboard the Bobby McMahan Racing #26 Maxim Sprint Car for the second to last event of the series. The event will mark the xth start of the year for the 2009n Silver Dollar Speedway Champion in the traveling tour for 410 cubic inch powered sprint cars.

"I'm looking forward to going back to Ocean," said McMahan. "The last GSC race the track was really dry due to an event the night before so I'm looking forward to a fast, smooth racetrack that is pretty common at that place."

Two weeks ago, McMahan and the Golden State Challenge Series returned to Marysville Raceway Park. It was the first time in several years that the North State quarter mile hosted the fire breathing 410 sprint cars. When the checkered flag flew at the end of the night it marked a successful return to the speedway for McMahan.

In qualifying, McMahan turned the 5th quickest lap of the night with a 12:627 second lap. The fast trip around the clay in time trials netted McMahan a solid starting position in the 10-lap heat race. In the heat race, McMahan drove to his third preliminary victory of the year in the Golden State Challenge Series and went on to place 5th in the mid-program dash which set the stage for the 30-lap feature event.

Before one of the largest crowds in recent history at Marysville Raceway Park, McMahan drove his way to a 4th place finish in the 30-lap feature event. The race concluded a busy weekend of competition for McMahan and his #26 sprint car, which carried 16-year old Sean McMahan to a ninth place finish in the feature event one night earlier in the Silver Dollar Speedway Feather Falls Casino Championship Series.

The second generation McMahan has been successfully following in his Father's footsteps. Earlier in the night he qualified 16th in the field and then drove his way to victory in the heat race during the Friday night program.

"It was a good weekend for both of us, " said McMahan. "Sean has been doing really well, we're proud of him. Our plan is for me to finish out the season in the #26 car and then we will make our plans for the post season events such as the Gold Cup and the Fall Nationals and see what we can do next."

Bobby McMahan would like to thank a number of long time supporters of his racing career. Among the many marketing partners are World Environmental Energy Incorporated, C & H Service Disabled Veterans Enterprises, Benic Enterprises, Simpson Race Products Butler Built Seats, SS Racing, Art Enterprises, and Redline Oil