The highly anticipated opening of the state-of-the-art Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield will become a reality when NASCAR Whelen All-American Series-sanctioned races hit the track in 2013. The grand opening race has been scheduled for Saturday night April 20.
The half-mile and quarter-mile paved tracks at the Kern County Raceway Park will look to continue Bakersfield’s NASCAR legacy after Mesa Marin Raceway shut its doors in 2005. A group of investors, led by Bakersfield businessman James Vernon, took over the partially completed Kern County Raceway Park last February and will have it completed in time for a full 2013 season.
Twenty-four events make up the inaugural calendar of Saturday night racing under the lights, headlined by the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in the “Bakersfield 150.”
Weekly divisions on the half-mile speedway are the NASCAR Division 1 Limited Late Models and NASCAR Pro Late Models along with a Spec Modified division based on regional dirt Sport Mods. Quarter-mile divisions include Mini Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros, and Mini Dwarfs offering grassroots opportunities for the youngest of the Kern Raceway competitors.
Other important events include the July 6th Fireworks spectacular that will have both the Pro Late Models and Limited Late Models in action and a special Sunday afternoon Legends National Qualifier race on Aug. 4. A major event for Sept. 7 is TBA at this time.
Limited Late Model teams will utilize rules similar to other Late Model and Western Late Model divisions across the West Coast, while the Pro Late Models will be a class combining tour cars, Super Late Models from the Southwest, and Super Late Models from the Northwest into one all encompassing division. Limited Late Model events will be 50 laps and Pro Late Models will compete in 100 lap contests.
A full rules package for all divisions is being finalized and will be announced to the track website when available.
Tickets will go on sale soon as well, with single race and season pass options available in one of the 5,500 grandstand seats. The four-story tower complex that is the signature of the park includes 12 luxury suites that are nearly sold out.
To join Kern County Raceway Park as a sponsor, contact Steven Blakesley of Blakesley Sports Media by email at [email protected] or by phone at (916) 509-7049.
Kern County Raceway Park is online at www.kernraceway.com More information on Kern County Raceway Park is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kernraceway and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kernraceway
Kern County Raceway Park 2013 NASCAR Schedule
APRIL 20 GRAND OPENING! NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros
APRIL 27 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Mini Dwarfs
MAY 4 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros
MAY 18 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros
MAY 25 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks
JUNE 1 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks
JUNE 8 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Legends, Bandoleros
JUNE 15 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks
JUNE 22 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Legends, Bandoleros
JUNE 29 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks
JULY 6 FIREWORKS NIGHT! NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Mini-Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros
JULY 13 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Mini Stocks
JULY 27 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros
AUG. 3 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Legends, Bandoleros
AUG. 4 Legends National Qualifier
AUG. 10 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks
AUG. 17 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Mini Stocks, Mini Dwarfs
AUG. 31 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models, Legends, Bandoleros, Mini Stocks
SEPT. 7 TO BE ANNOUNCED
SEPT. 14 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Limited Late Models 50, Mini Stocks
SEPT. 28 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Mini-Stocks, Mini Dwarfs
OCT. 5 NASCAR Pro Late Models 100, Spec-Mods, Mini Stocks
OCT. 12 NASCAR Limited Late Models 50, Mini Stocks, Legends, Bandoleros
OCT. 26 NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West “Bakersfield 150”
with Limited Late Models 50, Spec-Mods
NOTE: All dates and lineups subject to change
Kern County Raceway PR
- FRIDAY FEATURE – Mike Greci: Veteran Presence - March 29, 2013
- Video: Danica Patrick wrecks out at Phoenix - March 3, 2013
- Danica Patrick Phoenix Accident Quotes - March 3, 2013