40TH ANNUAL BUDWEISER NATIONALS AT BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (October 7, 2026) – The biggest dirt stock car show of the year races for the 40th time in Bakersfield on Friday and Saturday nights at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway with the Budweiser Nationals. Six divisions compete in complete shows each night with South Valley AC & Heating IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, American Stocks, and National Dwarf Cars ready to roll. Overall champions will be decided after two nights [...]
FOUR DRIVERS COMPLETE CHAMPIONSHIP SEASONS DURING SATURDAY ACTION AT BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (September 27, 2026) – Tyler Bannister, Jason Bannister, Ricky Childress, Jr. and Carson Conway completed championship winning seasons at the Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on Saturday night, during Championship Night on the dirt. J.D. Brown of Bakersfield completed the local driver party with a victory in the National Dwarf Car feature as well. Photo by Tom Macht Childress was the only champion to win during the season finale, however, grabbing his 11th Hobby Stock win [...]
KALEB MONTGOMERY SWEEPS 2026 ULTIMATE SPRINT CAR SERIES ACTION IN BAKERSFIELD
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (September 13, 2026) – Kaleb Montgomery completed a sweep of the Ultimate Sprint Car Series races at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway for 2026 and a sweep of the weekend’s USCS action in the central valley, taking the checkered flag in Saturday’s 25-lap feature in Bakersfield. Montgomery won Friday night’s revival of Kings Speedway in Hanford as well. Photo by Mindee Crawford Grant Sexton led the leaders into lapped traffic in the feature before Camarillo’s Ricky [...]
ULTIMATE SPRINT CAR SERIES RETURNS TO BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (September 9, 2026) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway celebrates an All American Saturday Night at the races with the Ultimate Sprint Car Series competing. The second appearance for USCS in 2026 will be paired with the Central Valley Clash for the National Dwarf Cars paying $1,500 to win. Hobby Stocks, American Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Western Racing Association vintage cars are also scheduled to race. Pit gates open at 3pm. Grandstands open at 5:30pm with [...]
MANNING, PIKER, AND VAN ESSEN SCORE IN IMCA ACTION AT BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 26, 2026) – 2024 Bakersfield Speedway champion Gavyn Manning of Bakersfield returned to victory lane on Saturday, claiming his third 25-lap South Valley AC & Heating feature of 2026 during the Summer Spectacular at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. John Piker of Bakersfield won in the IMCA SportMods while Jacob Van Essen led the IMCA Stock Car action as well, part of a six division line-up at the one-third mile dirt track. Photo by Tom Macht Manning used [...]
BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY HOSTS SUMMER SPECTACULAR THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 21, 2026) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway returns to dirt slinging action on Saturday night with the Summer Spectacular, featuring six divisions of championship racing on the one-third mile dirt track. The event features the South Valley AC & Heating IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, American Stocks, and Mini Stocks on the card. Photo by Tom Macht Pit gates open at 3pm. New race teams are encouraged to join the [...]
RICKY CHILDRESS, JR. SCORES RICHIE MCGOWAN MEMORIAL WITH 32-LAP HOBBY STOCK WIN
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 28, 2026) – Ricky Childress, Jr. won his seventh Hobby Stock feature of the season while claiming the coveted 15th annual Richie McGowan Memorial on Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, storming to a commanding win in the 32-lap feature that ultimately paid $732 to win with sponsors and bonuses. Photo by Tom Macht Childress won at Santa Maria Speedway earlier in the evening then ventured to Bakersfield. He rolled off 12th for [...]
