Author - bakersfield

Johnson hangs on for Modifieds win at Speedway

BY STEPHEN LYNCH Special to The Californian Michael Johnson’s starting position on the front row of Saturday night’s 25-lap IMCA Modifieds feature at Bakersfield Speedway didn’t ensure his eventual victory. But as the Bakersfield driver admitted after the race, it certainly helped. As did Johnson’s stout performance behind the wheel, holding off the challenge of Danny Lauer and Brad Pounds to claim his first-ever victory in the series. Lauer ended up second. Pounds, who won the first IMCA main event of the [...]

April 23, 2012 News Read more...

Warmer weather welcome sight for soggy Bakersfield Speedway

BY MIKE GRIFFITH Californian staff writer mgriffith@bakersfield.com The heat will be on at Bakersfield Speedway, and throughout Kern County, on Saturday, which comes as a warm relief to race fans, drivers and yes, track owners. Soaking rains last Friday forced Bakersfield Speedway owner Scott Schweitzer to cancel last Saturday night’s planned races — the third time weather has derailed action over the past five weeks. The temperature is expected to rise to 93 degrees this Saturday with not a cloud in sight. “We’re [...]

April 19, 2012 News Read more...

Tonight’s Event Cancelled due to Wet Conditions

After the recent storm and every effort exhausted trying to prepare the facility for a safe event for racers, crew members, race fans and employees, I am left with no choice but to cancel tonight’s scheduled event. There are just too many unsafe conditions in and around the entire facility as a result of the amount of rain we received in the past week and not enough time to correct them before we would open the gates. We will [...]

April 14, 2012 News Read more...

Decker wins USAC Midget main for Bakersfield owner McQueen

BY MIKE GRIFFITH The Californian There was only one fast way around the Bakersfield third-mile clay oval during Saturday night’s USAC Western States Midget feature. Michele Decker of Guthrie, Okla. was there when the race started and was still there when it ended 30 laps later. Decker, running a car owned by Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield, started on the pole and stayed glued to the bottom of the track as she powered her way to victory. “Thanks to Shannon McQueen, I’ve never won [...]

April 9, 2012 News Read more...

USAC Midgets Return this Saturday Night

USAC Western States midgets make there first of two visits in 2012 this Saturday night to the high banked 1/3 mile clay oval. A full field of USAC open wheel cars along with American stocks and the popular Okie Bowl hard tops round out a great night of racing entertainment.  KUZZ Radio night at the races is sure to bring a big crowd out to this high powered event, so don’t miss it. Gates open at 4:00pm with racing [...]

April 2, 2012 News Read more...

Irwin wins Hobby Stock opener at Speedway

BY MIKE GRIFFITH Californian staff writer mgriffith@bakersrfield.com It took four weeks and three tries for the Hobby Stock racers to get in their first feature race at Bakersfield Speedway. The Hobby Stocks were first scheduled to race on opening night and did — except for the feature, which was canceled due to curfew. Last week it was Mother Nature taking charge, washing out all racing at the third-mile clay oval. On Saturday night, Jimmy Irwin took control, leading from start to finish to [...]

March 26, 2012 News Read more...

Former Sprint Car champ to Race Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway

BY MIKE GRIFFITH Californian staff writer mgriffith@bakersfield.com No doubt about it, Tracy Hines loves to race. The former USAC Silver Crown and Sprint Car champion competes nearly 100 times a year so when Dave Calderwood suggested putting together another car for Hines to drive a few times a year, Hines was all in. On Saturday night, Hines will be driving one of Calderwood’s car in a USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car race at Bakersfield Speedway. Calderwood, who owns MP Environmental Services in [...]

March 23, 2012 News Read more...

“Feed the Crew” Presented By Del Taco

“Feed the Crew” Presented by DelTaco on Merle Haggard Drive This Saturday Night at The Bakersfield Speedway!!!The winner of the “H & S Body Works Hobby Stock Main Event” will get an extra bonus courtesy of DelTaco on Merle Haggard Drive. The Winning driver will receive $50 in gift cards to “FEED THE CREW” at DelTaco. Once a month during the 2012 Budweiser Racing Series at The Bakersfield Speedway, A division will be chosen at random and the winner of that [...]

March 23, 2012 News Read more...

USAC WEST COAST 360S RETURN TO BAKERSFIELD THIS SATURDAY

by Lance Jennings SANTA MARIA, CA – MARCH 19, 2012… This Saturday, March 24th, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will make their return to Scott Schweitzer’s Bakersfield Speedway. Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, and the popular NMRA TQ Midgets are also featured on the “Jack FM Night” showcase. The Front Gates will open at 4:00pm with Racing scheduled at 6:00pm. After rain cancelled last Saturday’s events at Tulare, the Bakersfield show will open the 2012 point season for the [...]

March 19, 2012 News Read more...