ABREU VINEYARDS TROPHY CUP 31 — TULARE THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY
October 16–18, 2025 | Tulare, California
Event Overview
The 31st annual Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup, presented by Rudeen Racing and hosted at Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway, brings three nights of elite 360 Sprint Car racing to Tulare, California, from October 16–18, 2025. Now promoted by Kevin Rudeen and 26 Promotions, the event continues the legacy of its founder Dave Pusateri, merging high-stakes racing with a mission of compassion.
This season marks the 20th consecutive Trophy Cup at Thunderbowl Raceway, benefitting the Rayce Rudeen Foundation, which empowers communities to fight addiction. With a record $310,000+ purse, a $30,000 championship prize, and a worldwide audience tuning in via FloRacing, the 2025 edition stands as one of the richest and most meaningful in the event’s 31-year history.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, October 15 – Kickoff Party (Tulare Golf Course / 9 Iron Bar & Grill)
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6:00 PM – Late: Bracket-Style Horseshoe Tournament (drivers & teams)
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“Putt Putt for Charity” open to all participants
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Food, drinks, and public driving range access
Thursday, October 16 – Night One
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Gates Open: 3:00 PM | Racing Starts: 6:15 PM
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Division: 360 Winged Sprint Cars
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Casino Night – benefiting the Tulare County Fair Heritage Foundation
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Tacos, beer, and live music by Tulare Dust Band
Friday, October 17 – Night Two
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Gates Open: 3:00 PM | Racing Starts: 6:15 PM
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Division: 360 Winged Sprint Cars
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BBQ Night – presented by High Five Pizza & Catering
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Live music by Kohootz at the Pavilion
Saturday, October 18 – Championship Day
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Morning Pavilion Festivities:
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8:00 AM – Red Beer & Breakfast Burritos
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9:00 AM – BYOP Cornhole Tournament check-in
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10:00 AM – Cornhole play begins with 50/50 Air-Mail Challenge
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Fan Fest: Driver autographs & team interviews
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Gates Open: 3:00 PM | Time Trials: 4:45 PM | Racing Starts: 6:15 PM
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Division: 360 Winged Sprint Cars
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Post-Race Trophy Cup Party – Nacho Bar, music, and refreshments 20 minutes after the final checkered flag
Payout Summary
Thursday & Friday, Oct. 16–17
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A-Main Winner: $7,500 | Start: $1,000
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B-Main Winner: $300 | C-Main Winner: $75
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Total Nightly Purse: ≈ $50,750
Saturday, Oct. 18 (Finale)
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A-Main Winner: $10,000 | Start: $1,000
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B-Main Winner: $300 | C-Main Winner: $75
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Total Nightly Purse: ≈ $53,250
Overall Points Fund
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Champion: $30,000
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Total Points Payout: $156,000
Total Event Purse: Over $310,000
Download Official Payout PDF
Ticket Information
Thursday, Oct. 16 & Friday, Oct. 17
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Adult Grandstand $55 | Bleacher $50
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Seniors Grandstand $55 | Bleacher $50
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Kids 6–12 Grandstand $55 | Bleacher $25
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Kids 5 & Under FREE
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Adult Pit Pass $60
Saturday, Oct. 18
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Adult Grandstand $60 | Bleacher $55
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Seniors Grandstand $60 | Bleacher $55
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Kids 6–12 Grandstand $60 | Bleacher $15
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Kids 5 & Under FREE
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Adult Pit Pass $65
Ticket Sales & Hours
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Box Office Opens: ~10:00–10:30 AM Thursday | 1:00 PM Friday & Saturday
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Call (559) 688-0909 or purchase at the gate on race day
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Will-call available Wednesday afternoon via GM Josh Miller at the campground
Streaming
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Exclusive coverage live on FloRacing, October 16–18, 2025
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Presented by FloSports and 26 Promotions
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Each night’s A-Main: $7,500 to win Thursday/Friday, $10,000 Saturday
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$30,000 to the overall points champion
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Past winners include Kyle Larson, Jac Haudenschild, Rico Abreu, Buddy Kofoid, and Corey Day
Charity Focus
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All proceeds benefit the Rayce Rudeen Foundation, dedicated to addiction awareness and community healing
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Continues Trophy Cup’s charitable mission, with more than $3 million raised for Make-A-Wish Foundation before the transition under 26 Promotions
Night-by-Night Reports
Night 1 — Thursday, October 16, 2025
Kaeding Claims Opening Night of Trophy Cup 31 in Tulare
Tulare, CA — The 31st running of the Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup opened in spectacular fashion as Tim Kaedingcharged from fourth to win the 30-lap A-Main aboard the Williams Motorsports No. 0, kicking off the weekend with his fourth career Trophy Cup night victory.
Kaeding took the lead from Dylan Bloomfield on lap 18 after a fierce mid-race battle in traffic. The duel ended dramatically when contact between the two sent Bloomfield flipping in turn four on the final lap. Kaeding, with nose wing damage, survived a one-lap restart to seal the win ahead of Gauge Garcia and Jace Park.
A-Main (30 Laps)
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Tim Kaeding (0)
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Gauge Garcia (2K)
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Jace Park (17)
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Max Mittry (2XM)
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Trey Starks (55)
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Shane Golobic (17W)
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Dominic Scelzi (41)
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Landon Brooks (21L)
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Bud Kaeding (29)
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Ryan Bernal (73)
Quick Time Awards:
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Group A – Tanner Holmes (13.866 sec)
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Group B – Tyler Thompson (14.349 sec)
🎥 YouTube Highlights: Tim Kaeding Wins Night One – Trophy Cup 31
Photo Credit: Thunderbowl Raceway / 26 Promotions
Night 2 — Friday, October 17, 2025
Gardner Scores First Trophy Cup Win on Thrilling Second Night in Tulare
Tulare, CA — Making his first-ever start at Thunderbowl Raceway, Cody Gardner of Benton, Arkansas, delivered one of the biggest surprises in recent Trophy Cup memory, capturing Night 2 of Abreu Vineyards Trophy Cup 31 in front of a roaring Tulare crowd. Driving the Burkham Contracting No. 6, Gardner slid past Colby Copeland on lap 10 and never looked back, earning his first career Trophy Cup preliminary win.
Copeland led early from the pole aboard the C&M Motorsports No. 7C, with Bud Kaeding and Joel Myers Jr. in close pursuit. Gardner capitalized on traffic to make the winning move and then executed flawlessly through multiple late-race restarts, holding off Copeland and Kaeding to score a breakthrough victory on the California clay.
A-Main (30 Laps)
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Cody Gardner (6)
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Colby Copeland (7C)
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Bud Kaeding (29)
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Joel Myers Jr. (19)
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Ryan Bernal (73)
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Anthony Macri (94TH)
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Justyn Cox (42X)
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Tim Kaeding (0)
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Landon Brooks (21L)
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Caeden Steele (121)
Quick Time Awards:
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Group A – Tim Kaeding (13.762 sec)
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Group B – Levi Hillier (14.087 sec)
Points Update:
After two nights, Cody Gardner leads the Trophy Cup standings by 1 point over Tim Kaeding, with the top five separated by just four points, setting up one of the closest championship battles in Trophy Cup history.
Abridged Race Call Summary:
Copeland controlled the opening laps before Gardner, running the cushion with confidence, made his winning move on lap 10. Kaeding surged to third before a late series of cautions bunched up the field. On each restart, Gardner hit his marks perfectly, while Copeland attempted multiple slide jobs but could not make one stick. Gardner powered away on the high side to take the checkered flag — an emotional debut victory for the Arkansas driver.
🎥 YouTube Highlights: Cody Gardner Stuns Thunderbowl Raceway Crowd – Trophy Cup 31 Night Two
Photo Credit: Thunderbowl Raceway / 26 Promotions
Past Champions (1994–2024)
1994 – Ronnie Day
1995 – Kevin Pylant
1996 – Brent Kaeding
1997 – Mark Kinser
1998 – Brent Kaeding
1999 – Brent Kaeding
2000 – Tom Tarlton
2001 – Craig Stidham
2002 – Tim Kaeding
2003 – Steve Kent
2004 – Jac Haudenschild
2005 – Brent Kaeding
2006 – Tim Kaeding
2007 – Jason Meyers
2008 – Brad Sweet
2009 – Tim Kaeding
2010 – Jonathan Allard
2011 – Jac Haudenschild
2012 – Jason Meyers
2013 – Kyle Larson
2014 – Willie Croft
2015 – Bud Kaeding
2016 – Shane Golobic
2017 – Shane Golobic
2018 – Jac Haudenschild
2019 – Rico Abreu
2020 – No Race (COVID-19)
2021 – Buddy Kofoid
2022 – Shane Golobic
2023 – Corey Day
2024 – Corey Day
Track Information
Stone Chevrolet Buick GMC Thunderbowl Raceway
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Address: 620 S. K Street (Bardsley & K), Tulare, CA 93274
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Phone: (559) 688-0909
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Website: www.thunderbowlraceway.com
Coverage & Resources
Timestamp: Saturday, October 18, 2025 – 7:00 AM PDT
Archive Status: Night 2 Complete — Verified and Locked
Compiled by Nick Coward — RACECAR Illustrated — Driven by Racers
ALL DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL!
ENDS ARTICLE