Chico,CA — Warm temperatures and sunny skies greeted competitors for the opener of the 56th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions on September 10 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California. Jason Meyers battled Sammy Swindell early in the preliminary feature, taking the lead on the ninth lap with Danny Lasoski making a late race charge and actually taking the lead, though that pass was negated by a red flag prior to the lap being completed. In the end it was Meyers winning at the ¼-mile bullring for the second time this season.