CHICO, Calif. – After coming so close on many occasions, last year was the year that Willie Croft finally broke through and won the prestigious Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial.

Fast forward one year later, and the coveted Bradway is again up for grabs, with Croft hungry to defend his win on Saturday at California’s Silver Dollar Speedway.

“It’s been a bit of and up and down start to our season,” Croft said. “We have had good speed at times, just have had things not go our way and keep us from good finishes. We had really good speed during the last KWS 410ci race, and I am looking forward to getting back up to Chico this weekend and competing for another Bradway win.”

After a slew of 360 Sprint Car Challenge Tour events, Croft and company will get their 410ci engine bolted back into the frame rails of the Holey Smokes BBQ/ButlerBuilt/Brown and Miller-backed No. 29 to compete in the unsanctioned Bill Brownell Memorial on Friday.

Croft will then get back to King of the West/NARC action on Saturday night for the 29th Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial.

“The Bradway is easily one of the biggest races we compete in with the King of the West Series,’ Croft said. “It is a race that means a ton to my family so to be able to win it was special, but we aren’t satisfied with just one.

“We want another and hopefully we can accomplish that goal on Saturday night.”