CHICO, Calif. – With the uncertainty of COVID-19 crowd restrictions imposed by Napa County health officials and support from the Vermeil Family, Hunt Promotions has decided to move the 13th Louie Vermeil Classic from Calistoga Speedway to Silver Dollar Speedway this year.
The two-day event featuring traditional sprint cars is scheduled during the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend in September.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to host the Louie Vermeil Classic at Calistoga Speedway in 2020 due to this awful pandemic,” said promoter Tommy Hunt. “We knew that the prospect of hosting this year’s event in September at Calistoga were slim to none. So collectively we decided to make a tough choice and move the race to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico with help from track manager Dennis Gage and the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds.”
All involved hope this is just a temporary move. The City of Calistoga’s effort to purchase the Napa County Fairgrounds, including the speedway, has been stalled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials from Hunt Promotions are optimistic to have the race moved back to Calistoga Speedway in 2022.
Hunt Promotions is dedicated to host all the events at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds that made this a marque event for racing fans who traveled to the Napa Valley in years past. The Calistoga Speedway Hall of Fame dinner is scheduled for Friday night, Sept. 3. The popular beer and wine gathering for the fans is also a top priority along with live music that is played each day.
On Sept. 4-5, the popular AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series will hit the track at Silver Dollar Speedway. Joining them will be the NARC King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series.
The race honors the legacy of Louie Vermeil, a co-founder of the Northern Auto Racing Club, who was a leader of sprint car racing not only at the Calistoga Speedway but throughout Northern California for multiple decades.