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.

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.

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