NARC - Northern Auto Racing Club
The NARC Fujitsu General USA Sprint Cars Series has been entertaining fans for more than six decades as the best sprint car teams do battle at dirt oval tracks in California, Oregon, and Washington. We have several great racing events and promotions lined up for you as we go on another quest to crown a “King of the West” champion.
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- NARC SPRINT CARS IMPLEMENTS SEVERAL RULE CHANGES, INCLUDING FORMAT
(1/20/23) Sacramento, CA ... The Northern Auto Racing Club rolled out its 2023 sprint car rulebook which features safety, equipment and format changes. On the safety side of the racing business, fire suppression systems are required on every car by May 1st, and rock screens are required beginning at the NARC season opener on March 18th at Silver Dollar Speedway. The fire suppression rule is being mirrored by all sanctioning bodies and local tracks on the left coast. Dish wings are no longer allowed. In addition, NARC will begin migrating to Hoosier's newly-designed asymmetrical rear drive tires as the season progresses. This includes the D15A and Medium right rear and the D12A left rear.) Front tire specs will not change. Hoosier HTW's can no longer be run. The traveling sanctioning body, which will visit 15 different tracks this season to crown a "King of the West" champion, also announced a race format change. It is similar to what some other regional associations around the country currently are utilizing (AllStars). Heat races will be lined up straight up by time, except the fastest qualifier in each heat, which will invert to the fourth starting position. The heat race winner and the fastest qualifier from each heat will transfer to the dash, which determines the first three or four rows of the feature event (depending on number of heat races). Full details are spelled out in the 2023 rulebook. The NARC General and Technical rule books, along with the 2023 membership forms can be downloaded at: https://wp.me/P8HUv9-iG.
- NARC NEWSLINE - JANUARY 19, 2022
NARC NEWSLINE - January 19, 2023 - By Jim Allen ... There are so many things going on in motorsports that missing a single day on social media can put you in a time warp. Everything seems to happen so fast; some of it good and some of it not so good. Among the headlines during the past couple of months were life-threatening RV crashes, million-dollar to win sprint car races, a shootout in Tulsa that resembled a WWE event, high-limit races, and even some proverbial head-butting between some of the big names in sprint car racing. There is a ton going on locally also, so buckle up and take notes: STATE OF THE UNION: I attended a pair of promoter's workshops this offseason. The first was the WARPA meeting in Portland in mid-November, followed by the December RPM Promoters Workshop in Reno. The way I heard it and read the room the messages were completely different. In the Pacific Northwest, where most of the tracks lost the first third of the schedule to an ungodly number of rainouts, promoters were basically doing the happy dance. Attendance was up and growing car counts complimented the great racing. By comparison, the promoters in Portland seemed a lot less stressed than their California counterparts in Reno. While sprint car racing was pretty darn entertaining in '22, every promoter in California is actively digging to entice an additional 500-600 fans into their grandstands each week. It's the difference between good and great, but with the highest operating costs in the nation, California racetrack promoters are having to work extremely hard just to make ends meet. All are doing their best to support racers, but they also have to buy groceries - and that's a fine line to walk. Either way, everybody seems very optimistic regarding the future of 410 sprint car racing on the left coast. HOOSIER TIRES: Most in dirt track racing assumed that a pop of a champagne cork on New Year's was going to signal the end to our tire problems of '22. Better slam on the brakes on those impure thoughts because Hoosier and other tire manufacturers took to the podium to spell out the situation at the workshops. When pressed on how much of an improvement we could expect to experience (enjoy) this year, Hoosier was hard-pressed to answer just five percent. Trust me when I say this, but they are not proud of that figure, but are diligently working on improving the crisis. By the way, the sheer demand for racing tires nationally (all classes) is off the charts. This cuts both ways. It shows that motorsports and grass roots racing is growing - but it is also complicating the problem by driving demand above what can be supplied. Like most other businesses in the post-Covid world, Hoosier needs people who actually want to work, and they need an influx of raw materials. They have been forced to make dramatic increases in labor rates to recruit talent, and it is working … slowly. Speaking of raw materials, just three years ago it cost about $2000 to get an entire shipping container of raw rubber from Indonesia to Indiana. For your rubber fact of the week, four countries in Southeast Asia grow 70% of the world's rubber supply and there is a shortage which was caused in 2020 when replacement trees were not planted. Today, that exact same container of raw rubber can be yours for right around $32,000. Yes, that is a real number! You can't make that stuff up! As a result, there are more price increases coming in the near future and the ticket price of a Hoosier Right Rear racing tire is fast approaching $400 a pop. For all of the politicians who say inflation is running at six-to-eight percent, I call B.S. Hoosier also announced improvements to their manufacturing process, by reducing the number of tire SKU's from over 1300 to less than 400. Less SKU's means they can build more tires because they don't need to constantly change tire molds and tooling. In hindsight, it's seeming like something that needed to happen years ago, especially in stock car racing where some associations allow 20+ different tire configurations/compounds. Another improvement was announced a couple of weeks ago stating that dirt track racing is quickly evolving to a new national Hoosier tire. It utilizes a symmetrical tread pattern that allows sprint car teams to rotate tires to extend the life cycle. This tire will be run by anybody running a sprint car on dirt from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The new D15A rolls out in February and will replace all other Hoosier right rears in existence once they fill the pipeline. So where is all this leading? To be honest with you, I'm not really sure. Is there a possibility of events being cancelled? It could happen! Will things get better? Yes, but it will take time. All I really do know is that one of the toughest jobs in motorsports right now is your local Hoosier tire distributor rep. Nobody ever calls to find out if they're having a wonderful day. And to close out this topic, here is a little flashback to 1995. At the time, the NARC sprint cars were running a McCreary MC-3 right rear club tire. The cost … wait for it … a whopping $135 each. Even at that price, most car owners thought the price was outlandish. You can imagine what they are thinking now. We need a time machine. 2023 NARC SCHEDULE: Yes, it's aggressive, featuring twenty-four races at 15 different tracks. Among those shows are new additions at Antioch Speedway (April 29th) and Brian Crockett's Douglas County Dirtrack in Roseburg, Oregon. This is the same Douglas County track that was best known for stock cars on a paved 3/8 mile. I guess if you can "pave" a dirt track, you can "dirt" a paved track. That's exactly what Crockett managed to pull off. Test runs have been impressive and now it's the second stop on the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports. That blast of racing will be a lead up to an exciting stretch of seven NARC events in ten days. It looks something like this: Thursday, June 15th - Southern Oregon Speedway (Central Point, OR) - Thursday Night Thunder Friday, June 16th - Douglas County Dirtrack (Roseburg, OR) - Friday Night Frenzy Saturday, June 17th - Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, OR) - Sprint Car Invasion Sunday, June 18th - Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) - Timber Cup Monday, June 19th - Sleep in, golf, and head to Skagit! Tuesday, June 20th - (NON-NARC POINTS RACE) Skagit Speedway - 410 Open Show Wednesday, June 21st - Participate in a variety of fan-friendly, non-racing activities at Skagit. Alcohol will probably be involved. Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24th - Skagit Speedway - $50,000 to win Super Dirt Cup (Burlington, WA) There will be a boatload of money and some serious egos to feed during those ten days and I promise the adventure is worth the trip. Hopefully, if everything works out as planned and California crowds go from good to great this season, the Speedweek concept can return locally to the 2024 schedule.. Another NARC schedule change pertains to the Howard Kaeding Classic at Ocean Speedway. It was originally rolled out as a two-day 410 show. It's back to Taco Bravo 360's on Friday and NARC 410's on Saturday. NARC NOTES: Both nights of the May 12-13th Peter Murphy Classic will take place at Keller Auto Speedway. In the past, the event was split between the Hanford track and Thunderbowl Raceway, with the tracks swapping the $11,000 to win Saturday headliner. With Peter Murphy firmly entrenched as the promoter at Keller, it only makes sense for the same track doubleheader. It will allow race fans to settle in and enjoy the entire weekend in one campground. … Tulare will now showcase the Dennis Roth Classic as a two-day show on April 14-15th, with the winner taking home $8300 on Saturday night. Look for a possible announcement in the near future about a substantial bump to that amount. … Fire Suppression Systems are mandatory on all left coast tracks by May 1st. This includes 360 and 410's. Rock screens are now mandatory beginning at the season opener. … Dish wings are no longer allowed on the West Coast. … …Thank you to former NARC HammerDown! Rookie of the year Jim Taves for sponsoring our second heat race in 2023. The winner of the Kimo's Tropical Car Wash heat will pocket 100 bucks. … Calistoga Speedway has a heartbeat! All that needs to happen is for the locals to vote on a bond measure in March which will fund the maintenance of the facility. Tommy Hunt is optimistic. Fingers crossed. … 2023 rule books and membership forms can be downloaded at NARC410.com. NARC DRIVER NOTES: Bud Kaeding will be strapping into Mike Martin's champ car this season for a handful of races in the Midwest. It's been a decade since Bud wheeled the big cars. … Congratulations to Kalib Henry who will living the dream on more of a national stage this year. The up and comer landed a ride with Shane Liebig to run for a title at Huset Speedway in North Dakota and other big profile events including the Knoxville Nationals. Yes, California lost another great young driver, but we will still see him at some big events on occasion in the McColloch Motorsports sprint car. … Congrats to Justin Sanders and Joel Myers Jr. for representing the US with some great "down under" victories. … As per Alex Nieten's NARC Pit Personality story, Justyn Cox is the new shoe in the Bates-Hamilton Racing #42X. Look for this team to make a victory lane appearance at a track near you. … Here is something new out of the Tarlton Motorsports camp. The team is NOT planning to run a permanent driver during the 2023 season. Crew chief Drew Warner stated the team will utilize a "best driver available" approach. They will be chasing the NARC car owner championship. OTHER STUFF: Watched a WWE event and a midget race broke out. Yup, that's the best way to describe the Tulsa Shootout where more than 100 flips were matched with an equal number of punches. … It sure is good for our California egos by how well our drivers collectively performed at the Chili Bowl. At least there is some positive to come out of this state. … There is a new scoring tower/announcers booth/business center being constructed at Skagit Speedway. The original 1970-vintage tower was torn down as the improvements continue at the facility. … It's hard not to get excited about the first ever $1 million to win sprint car show at Eldora. Fans went nuts on social media when they heard the news. Unfortunately, many thought this payout was going to happen with the standard $50 World of Outlaw ticket price. You can't pay that much money without securing a sizeable increase at the front gate. It's business economics 101. Tickets are expected to be in the $150+ range. … Glad to see that the World of Outlaws and Kyle Larson's High Limit Series worked out their differences. By the way, the High Limit race at Tulare was moved to March 21st. … Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill Andreetta of Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats, our trophy dash sponsor. Bill was recently diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment in Arizona. … There will be plenty of opportunities to race 410 sprint cars on the West Coast. In addition to our schedule, Keller Auto Speedway has three 410 stand-alone shows - with a 360 twist! Peter Murphy has been actively envisioning some unique twist and turns for these 20-car main events, where 360's will be given the opportunity to start up front. It will feature a standard NARC payoff. I don't have all of the details yet, but a press release will roll out soon. … And finally … It's scary how one's life can change in a split-second. Our thoughts and prayers are still with the Bloomfield family. Their RV was crushed by an intoxicated driver as they were returning home from a 360 race in Merced before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, Shannon Bloomfield took the full force of accident, resulting in an extensive list of broken bones and other injuries that seem impossible to comprehend. She is lucky to be alive. Dustin's heartfelt posts on Facebook during the ordeal were enough to make grown men cry. Shannon faces a substantial recovery process - one I'm sure she will conquer - and it will be an honor to see her at a NARC event in the near future. Amen! … We've only got a couple of months until the 2023 Mini-Gold Cup NARC season opener in Chico. In the meantime, you can find everything NARC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok and NARC410.com. Don't miss a single day! Coming to you live from Auburn, CA. See ya!
- 63rd Antioch Speedway Schedule Released
Antioch, CA...The 2023 season at Antioch Speedway will also be the 63rd consecutive year of championship auto racing on the 3/8 mile clay oval. For the fourth year, Chad Chadwick of PROmotions will be at the helm. The season will offer a few new touches to the schedule, while also giving the fans plenty of IMCA sanctioned Modified, Sport Modified and Stock Car racing. The popular Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Wingless Spec Sprints, Super Stocks, Print Club Mini Stocks and Delta Dwarf Cars will also be in the regular rotation, and we will also get more visits from the Hardtops. Working with Chadwick in putting the schedule together was Race Director Chris Bennett. From the time Bennett was a kid in the grandstands cheering on his favorite racers, he's taken the time to learn the sport and even competed in multiple divisions. A primary concern for Bennett and Chadwick this year was to put together a schedule that had Antioch Speedway's best interest at heart, while also working with some of the neighboring tracks to not step on their schedules. All too often, we've seen conflicts in the scheduling, and many times Antioch Speedway has been on the worst end of those conflicts. Bennett and Chadwick both wanted to make sure that Antioch Speedway fans would be getting a dose of great racing action on any occasion on which the speedway opened for business. Bennett had another thing in mind when he was first able to make scheduling adjustments going into September last year. He wanted to give the fans more Sprint Car racing. Through the years, the speedway has offered some of the best traveling association Sprint Car shows as well as its own in-house efforts, but things have gotten light on the schedule of late. It started with Chris getting a Hunt Series race for the Soares Memorial last October, continued with the addition of the first ever Open Wheel Showcase in November and concluded later that month when several phone calls resulted in 22 Wingless Spec Sprints for the final race of the year . The Open Wheel Showcase was designed to get the track back on the Sprint Car Tour's schedule, and it's happened in a big way. On April 29th, the Speedway welcomes the return of the NARC Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car series, joined by the track's IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars along with the Delta Dwarf Cars. On July 1st, the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour, Presented by Abreu Vineyards, will be in the house, joined by the track's Hobby Stock division. on April 15th, the Hunt Wingless Sprint Series will be there along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds. The Hunt Series returns on July 29th along with the IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and WMR Midgets Also competing will be the BCRA Midgets, Lightning Sprints and Vintage Midgets on August 26th and September look 23rd. The BCRA Midgets and Lightning Sprints will also be in action on April 8th. The USAC Western State Midgets will be in town on March 25th along with the IMCA sanctioned Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, the Hobby Stocks and the Delta Dwarf Cars. Fans wanting Sprint Cars will get plenty of it. The track will also run the occasional Winged 360 Sprint Car show, offer the 25th season of Wingless Spec Sprints and brings back the Sprint Car Showcase on November 11th. The intent is to give the fans more special occasions with plenty of racing and fast cars to enjoy. Some adjustments had to be made in October, and that meant that established events were getting moved. Everybody knew that the second weekend of October was the Soares Memorial Hall of Fame weekend. However, Hall of Fame night has been moved to September 15th and 16th. The two-race weekend offers IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks on the 15th and Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Super Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks on the 16th. The Soares Memorial event will take on a more important tone as the trifecta of IMCA, Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, compete along with the Hobby Stocks and Xtreme Limited Late Models. After the success in saving the Larry Damitz Memorial race last October, the tribute to the legendary competitor who raced until he was 87, has been moved to May 13th. Among the divisions in the lineup will be the Tri State Pro Stock Series, the West Coast Hobby Stock Series and the Hardtops that Damitz competed in for the first 20 years of his career. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will also be there that night along with the third running of the Mother's Day Minivan race. Hobby stock fans will still get a big dose of the division they love. The Third Annual Hobby Stock Nationals will take place on October 6th and 7th, while the Dean Cline Classic returns on June 17th. Fans of the IMCA trifecta will get plenty of it. On some occasions, the divisions will be separated. On July 8th, those three divisions will compete in the 7th Annual Hetrick Memorial along with the Wingless Spec Sprints. On October 21st and 22nd, the three IMCA divisions run for the money again in the 5th Annual Bill Bowers Memorial West Coast Nationals. The Friday portion will also pay tribute to living legend and Hall of Famer JD Willis. The fans demanded their Figure 8 after what turned out to be the biggest attended event in the postseason last October. The 15-car field ran for $1,000 to win that race, won by two-time Spec Sprint champion Dan Gonderman. The big money event will take place on the second night of the Hobby Stock Nationals among the six events for the series this year. Other touches might be added to Figure 8 races throughout the season. Likewise, the Hardtops will have seven races, including the Annual Chet Thompson Memorial on September 30th. There's discussions about that night also being a Hall of Fame celebration for Vallejo Speedway. On October 28th, the track will also have the second running of the Butch Althar Memorial Hardtop show. Dwarf Car racing fans have things to be excited about. On June 9th and 10th, the annual Dwarf Car Nationals will bring some of the best drivers on the West Coast to the track. Friday will see the Wingless Spec Sprints and IMCA Stock Cars joining them, while the Tri State Pro Stocks and Mini Stocks will be there a night later. On April 29th, the Delta Dwarf Cars go head to head with the NorCal Dwarf Cars as part of the big Sprint Car event. The West Coast Sport Compact Series comes to Antioch on August 26th. The schedule looks so exciting and action-packed that fans will be breaking out their highlighter pens to pick out the dates. More of those dates will be highlighted as must see for long time Speedway observers. After a couple of practice events, the season kicks off on March 11th with Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks. A week later is the season opener for the IMCA Modifieds along with Wingless Spec Sprints and Mini Late Models. The three IMCA sanctioned divisions, Hobby Stocks and Delta Dwarf Cars will be a part of the third week of racing on March 25th along with USAC Western States Midgets. Super Stock point racing kicks into high gear on May 6th along with Wingless Spec Sprints, Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks. The idea is to make Antioch Speedway a destination point for people in the area once again. On any given Saturday night from March through October, there's something exciting happening on the 3/8 mile clay oval. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out any Antioch Speedway by PROmotions on Facebook. 2023 Antioch Speedway Schedule Subject To Change February 25 - Practice March 4 - Practice March 11 - Winged 360 Sprints, Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks March 18 - Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, Mini Late Models March 25 - USAC Western States Midgets, Delta Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks April 1 - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks (NP) April 8 - BCRA Midgets, BCRA Lightning Sprints, Hobby Stocks, Hardtops, Delta Dwarf Cars, Figure 8 April 15 - Hunt Wingless Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds, 600 Micro Sprints April 22 - IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks April 29 - NARC Sprint Cars, Delta/NorCal Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars May 3 - Central Valley Clash - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars May 6 - Wingless Spec Sprints, Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks May 13 - Larry Damitz Memorial - Tri State Pro Stock Series, West Coast Hobby Stock Tour, Hardtops, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mother's Day Mini Vans May 19 - Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars May 20 - IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Figure 8 May 27 - Dark June 3 - Soares Memorial - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Xtreme Late Models June 9 - Dwarf Car Nationals - WSDCA Dwarf Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks June 10 - Dwarf Car Nationals - WSDCA Dwarf Cars - Tri State Pro Stocks, Mini Stocks June 17 - Dean Cline Classic - Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks, Hartdtops, 600 Micro Sprints June - 24 - Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Stock Cars, BCRA Lightning Sprints, Hobby Stocks, Figure 8 July 1 - Sprint Car Challenge Tour, Hobby Stocks July 8 - Hetrick Memorial - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Wingless Spec Sprints July 15 - IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Figure 8, 600 Micro Sprints July 22 - Wingless Spec Sprints, Super Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars, Hardtops, Xtreme Late Models July 29 - Hunt Wingless Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, WMR Midgets, Mini Stocks August 5 - Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Delta Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks August 12 - Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks, Figure 8 August 19 - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Delta Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks August 26 - BCRA Midgets, Lightning Sprints and Vintage Midgets, Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars, Hardtops, WCSC Mini Stocks September 2 - Dark September 9 - Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour September 15 - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks (Hall Of Fame) September 16 - Wingless Spec Sprints, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Delta Dwarf Cars, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Extreme Late Models (Hall of Fame) September 23 - Wingless Spec Sprints, BCRA Midgets, Lightning Sprints and Vintage Midgets, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks September 30 - USAC Western States Midgets, Delta Dwarf Mania, Super Stocks, (Chet Thomson) Hardtops October 6 - Hobby Stock Nationals - Hobby Stocks October 7 - Hobby Stock Nationals - Hobby Stocks, Figure 8 October 14 - TBA October 20 - Bill Bowers Memorial - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars (JD Willis Tribute) October 21 - Bill Bowers Memorial - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars October 28 - Wingless Spec Sprints, Xtreme Late Models, Super Stocks, Hardtops (Butch Althar), Mini Stocks November 11 - Sprint Car Showcase November 25 - IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks 2022 Antioch Speedway Season Had Much To Be Excited About Antioch, CA...2022 offered Antioch Speedway fans a season of excitement. Racing kicked into gear back in March and didn't let up until the last weekend of November. Fans got to see a nice variety of different shows along with special events, such as two Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour visits and two Flat Track Motorcycle events. People know what to expect at the speedway these days. The IMCA Modifieds have been a featured class since 1990, the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks have been around since 1995, the Delta Dwarf Cars have been a regular attraction since 1998, the Wingless Spec Sprints have been there since 1999, the Super Stocks have been there since 2000, the Mini Stocks have been there on and off since 2003, the Hardtops have been making visits since 2008 and the IMCA Sport Modifieds are the new kids on the block, competing regularly at the track since 2012. Most of the divisions had at least one special event with more money on the line. The bigger picture was the championship battle that took place in each regular class. When the final checkered flag flew on the point races, titles were won by Nick DeCarlo IMCA Modifieds, Fred Ryland, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Travis Dutra IMCA Stock Cars, Misty Welborn Hobby Stocks, Shannon Newton Wingless Spec Sprints, Danny Wagner Delta Dwarf Cars, Jim Freethy Super Stocks and Tom Brown Mini Stocks. A few of those battles went down to the wire. Sometimes there might only be one driver going for the IMCA Modified championship, but in this case Nick DeCarlo and Kellen Chadwick both declared intent. The 15 race point season went down to the wire and ended up with both drivers tied at the top. It came down to wins with DeCarlo edging Chadwick four to three. DeCarlo also had 12 Top 5 finishes to 11 for Chadwick. The race had to be audited through IMCA, but as many times the totals end up going with what the sanctioning body initially had, it was proven that Antioch had the total correct all along. The sanctioning body always edits to make sure things are accurate on their end. Bobby Motts Jr was in the hunt for most of the season, but the past champion couldn't quite get it to the winner's circle. He did, however earn six Top 3 finishes, including two runner up efforts, to maintain third in the standings ahead of an intense rookie battle between Trevor Clymens and Terry DeCarlo Jr. The two drivers went back and forth until Clymens broke through to get season best second and third place finishes in a three race span. Clymens had 11 Top 5 efforts to three for DeCarlo, but he still only won this battle by 12 points. The list of feature winners during the course of the season included seven-time victor Troy Foulger, two-time winner Bobby Hogge IV and 2004 champion Aaron Crowell one time. Foulger won the Bill Bowers Memorial West Coast Nationals in October. He came close to winning the Hetrick Memorial in July before settling for second behind Hogge in the extra money affair. Fred Ryland returned In his effort to match Trevor Clymens as a three-time IMCA Sport Modified champion. Along the way, he picked up his 70th combined career win at the Speedway, moving him into fourth on the all-time winner's list. Ryland needed those wins with Andrew Pearce nipping at his heels. He picked up four feature wins to three for Pearce. Pearce edged Ryland, 12 Top 5s to 11. Pearce won the last two point events, but mechanical errors while leading late In the third to last race of the season may have been his undoing. Ryland beat Pearce by eight points. Rising star Jacob Mallet Jr set about winning the IMCA State championship and accomplished the task. He won at multiple venues, including two wins at Antioch among nine Top 5 efforts. He had a solid hold on third. Kenny Shrader picked up three wins during the season, but two of them were the Hetrick Memorial and the Bill Bowers Memorial. This enabled him to beat Chuck Golden by just 11 tallies. The steady Golden had twelve Top 10 finishes and also won a race earlier in the season at Quincy. He was 23 points ahead of rapidly improving Jason Ryan Jr in the final rundown. A look at the winner's list found 2019 champion Tommy Fraser with two victories, while past champion KC Keller had one triumph. As the track continued to nurture the IMCA Stock Car division in its second full season, there were just 12 point events. Past Dwarf Car and Mini Truck champion Travis Dutra set about repeating as division champion. His consistency was unmatched. He had a division-leading 11 Top 5 efforts. Impressively, he racked up a division-leading five second place finishes, but he put the icing on his championship cake by winning his first race in the finale. Jason Robles had picked up two wins in seven Top 5 efforts, but bad luck kept him 20 points behind in the end. Past Mini Stock champion Jason Jennings battle past Street Stock competitor Dave Hill for third and top rookie honors. However, it wasn't as close as the 23 point differential in Jason's favor would make it appear. Jennings did have five Top 5 efforts. With Jim Reed turning the wrenches, Hill did get faster as the season ended and had two Top 5 finishes. Coming off of a third place season and driving a new car, Dan Gonderman beat Jeff Bentancourt by just seven points for fifth in the standings. His seven Top 5 efforts included three season-high third place finishes. Also earning spots on the winner's list were four-time victor Troy Foulger, three-time winner Garrett Corn, Fred Ryland with two triumphs and one win for Kellen Chadwick. Foulger won the IMCA Stock Car portion of the Bill Bowers Memorial and did the same at the extra money paying Construction Night event. Corn, who lost a close battle with Steven Johnson for the Merced title, had three wins, but a broken A-frame kept him for winning the Construction Night special. Corn was the winner of the IMCA Stock Car portion of the Hetrick Race. The Hobby Stock division proved to be the workhorse division at the track. They were also the division that had the best car count and frequently needed B Mains to set the 20 car grid for the feature race. Misty Welborn shot out of the gate like a cannonball with her three wins happening in the first four events. She had a total of six Top 5 efforts. Michaela Taylor kept it close during the first half of the season. Though Taylor had a season high second place Main Event finish in her three Top 5 efforts, the win eluded her. She needed the fourth place finish she had at the point finale to beat Jared Baugh by just for tallies. Baugh led the final race for several laps before mechanical issues ended that. He had 10 Top 5 efforts and two wins . Taylor DeCarlo had an eventful rookie season, including three Top 5 finishes, and she had a solid hold on fourth in her Rookie of the Year effort. The rapidly improving Jewell Crandall used her third fifth place finish in the point finale to overtake Grayson Baca by 20 points for fifth in the standings. Baca had six Top 5 finishes, including one win. Other drivers on the winner's list included Clarence Holbrook III four times, two times for Les Friend and one each for Kenneth Robles, Ken Johns, reigning champion Larry McKinzie Jr and Aidan Ponciano. The front-runners were likely breathing a sigh of relief as Holbrook only ran eight times and didn't chase points. He was dominant when he was there. The Dean Cline Classic was introduced as a late season addition, and McKinzie picked up the win in that race. Bakersfield star Dylan Wilson bagged the $5,000 prize in the second running of the Hobby Stock Nationals. The win on Hetrick Memorial night went to Les Friend. The Hobby Stocks also ran three Figure 8 races. There had been rumors of the addition of this class. After a rather bold statement was made by Figure 8 enthusiast Jim Robbins by running through an X that didn't exist on practice night in August, things changed. That event happened to be broadcast on the track's Facebook page, and Promoter Chad Chadwick threw down the gauntlet. Get him 15 cars for the race in October, and he'd pay $1,000 to win. Robbins himself beat the drum to get drivers to run and also secured sponsrship for this event. The rough and tumble Figure 8 that night didn't have 15 cars until Charlie Bryant signed up at the last minute. Figure 8 legend Johnny Keldsen, a three-time Antioch champion, nursed a smoking mount to a Top 3 finish, but it was two-time Spec Sprint champion Dan Gonderman hoisting the championship belt over his head and claiming the $1,000 prize. Other wins went to Richard Keldsen and son DJ Keldsen. Richard's win happened to be in the Mike Conley Salute. The Figure 8 proved very popular as the big money race was the best attended special show in postseason. The Wingless Spec Sprint division entered their 24th season on a seemingly high note, but car count was less than desired at times. With the win in the opener, Zack Neely was the early front runner in the John Hendrickson Motorsports car, but he fell out with the consistent James East taking over the lead. East did lead the class with eight Top 5 finishes, but a win was never in the cards for him. Shannon Newton got hot with four wins and seven Top 5s among his eight starts, enabling him to beat East by just 17 markers. The steady Steve Maionchi used his two Top 5 finishes to secure third by just 30 points over three-time Top 5 finisher MacKenzie Newton. Neely managed to settle for fifth. Also etching their names onto the winner's list were Ethon Lanfri, Cameron Martin, Scott Chapetta, Shawn Arriaga, Jarrett Soares, Daniel Whitley and Jimmy Christian. Arriaga collected the win in the special Sonny Calkins Memorial on June 11th, netting him a $2,500 payday. The Hunt Series was added on late notice as part of the Soares Memorial event in October, and Shawn Jones picked up that victory. A hastily scheduled race at the last event of the season saw an impressive 22 drivers show up with Jimmy Christian claiming the glory. The Dwarf Cars have had championships at Antioch since 1998, but this was the third year under the Delta Dwarf Car and Western States Dwarf Car rules package. Danny Wagner was unstoppable as the champion at Antioch and with the South Bay group at Watsonville. He racked up six wins in nine races at Antioch, and managed to nurse his lead despite driving with a broken arm for a few races. Despite falling 60 points short, young up-and-comer Devan Kammermann notched his first two wins among eight Top 5 finishes for a stellar season. The consistent Ellie Russo beat David Michael Rosa by 24 points to claim third as Chance Russell held off David Rosa by just 22 points for fifth. Antioch Speedway proudly hosted a Western States Dwarf Car Nationals event in July that had over 60 competitors. On the money night, it was Adam Teves picking up his first Pro division win. Teves has moved to Nevada, but he called Antioch Speedway his home track for several seasons. Mike Reeder won the Veteran division portion of the show, while Kinser Endicott was the Sportsman winner. Michael "Spanky" Grenert was the only other driver to get a win during regular season, but it was Brandon Shaw picking up the $1,000 prize in the special Nighthawk 30, which accompanied the Sprint Car Showcase. Janis Munroe held off Danny Wagner to win the after hours Golf Cart race in the pits during the Dwarf Car Nationals. The Super Stocks seemed to be on the edge of oblivion, but a few dedicated racers wouldn't give up the fight. With four wins to his credit, there was little doubt that Jim Freethy would win his third championship in the class. Joey Ridgeway liked to run at other tracks, and that proved negative towards his car when he had a hard crash at Petaluma. He had four fourth place finishes at Antioch to beat Jim Robbins by just eight markers. Robbins had a season-high second early in the season. Mike Walko was a solid fourth in the final rundown with two season-high seconds, one of which happened in the Larry Damitz Memorial. Two-time champion and division all-time winner Mike Gustafson had a season-high pair of third place finishes, giving him a six point advantage over Chad Hammer for fifth in the standings. Ryan Smith of the Tri State Pro Stock group won on a crazy night when their race had bad weather and several drivers came from Hanford to be a part of the Antioch show. Because he built and set up his car, Michael Burch put Nick DeCarlo behind the wheel on one occasion and watched DeCarlo claim the glory that night. Burch, who's been around the speedway for many years, picked up his first career win in the Larry Damitz Memorial race, netting him the $1,000 prize and a championship belt. In Mini Stock competition, Tom Brown picked up where he left off a year earlier. He again won the championship at Petaluma. With four wins at Antioch, he cruised to his second-consecutive title there. After Dana Gardner broke leading his heat in the point finale, Laina Bales overtook him for second by six points in the final rundown. She had two Top 5 finishes to six for Gardner. However, Gardner got hot in postseason with his first two wins. Don Abitz had three Top 5s to finish fourth in the standings by 16 points over rookie Shane Titman, who had two Top 5s. 2021 Petaluma Super Stock champion Randy Miramontez won the season opener. Many-time Orland Raceway champion Tom Davis won the special extra money race at the end of October. Race Director Chris Bennett organized the Sprint Car Showcase on November 12th and got a field of 23 competitors to show up for the race that was won by Colby Copeland over Colby Johnson and Kaleb Montgomery. The race was a success, leading to a Sprint Car Challenge Tour race being booked for 2023. The track had five Xtreme Scaffolding Limited Late Model races on the schedule. Dan Brown Jr had a pair of seconds and three wins in the Antioch races as he won the series title over the consistent Matt Micheli. Other wins went to Anthony Slaney in the opener and Placerville champion Dan Jinkerson the following week. The track had three WMR Midget races. It was Sage Bordenave beating Brody Petrie in an eventful race back in April. Series champion Blake Bower outran teammate Bryant Bell to win the next visit. Bower took a tumble in the final Antioch visit to end things early for him, while Hunt Wingless Sprint star Josh Young won that race ahead of Logan Mitchell and Terry Nichols. The BCRA Lightning Sprints made two appearances with wins going to Harlee Aguilera ahead of champion Matt Land and Peter Paulson in the first visit. Land outran Hunter Kinney and Brandon Leedy at the next go-round. There was a hastily scheduled Hardtop race at the end of September that was run in memory of the late Butch Althar. The Sportsman of two-time Merced champion Rick Elliott won this eventful showdown ahead of Joel Hannagan in the Doug Braudrick owned Junkyard Dog and Mike Gillard. They also had the regularly scheduled Chet Thomson Memorial, and Hannagan became the first three-time winner of this race ahead of Gillard and Elliott. The very first California Sharp Mini Late Model race was won by Late Model veteran Mitch Enos after early leader Matt Malcolm spun twice. There were many highlights during the 2022 season, and some good moments were created. There's much optimism in the air around the speedway. Though the 62nd season of racing might have had a lot of things to be proud of, the 63rd year is expected to be even better. Stay tuned for more information to come. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or go to Antioch Speedway by PROmotions on Facebook Antioch Speedway Final 2022 Points IMCA Modifeds 1 Nick DeCarlo 483 2 Kellen Chadwick 483 3 Bobby Motts Jr 456 4 Trevor Clymens 442 5 Terry Decarlo Jr 430 6 Kenneth Robles 384 7 Troy Foulger 376 8 Terry Decarlo Sr 292 9 Buddy Kniss 280 10 Aaron Crowell 249 IMCA Sport Modifieds 1 Fred Ryland 456 2 Andrew Pearce 448 3 Jacob Mallet Jr 432 4 Kenny Shrader 368 5 Chuck Golden 357 6 Jason Ryan Jr 324 7 Tom Fraser 307 8 KC Keller 301 9 Dylan Connelly 300 10 Tyler Browne 290 IMCA Stock Cars 1 Travis Dutra 446 2 Jason Robles 426 3 Jason Jennings 379 4 Dave Hill 356 5 Dan Gonderman 315 6 Jeff Bentancourt 308 7 Joe Gallaher 300 8 Fred Ryland 297 9 Troy Foulger 254 10 Kellen Chadwick 211 Pacific Coast Engineering Hobby Stocks 1 Misty Welborn 580 2 Michaela Taylor 510 3 Jared Baugh 506 4 Taylor DeCarlo 454 5 Jewell Crandall 420 6 Grayson Baca 400 7 James Graessle 350 8 Larry McKinzie Jr 342 9 Jess Paladino 338 10 Gavin Griffiths 318 Delta Dwarf Cars 1 Danny Wagner 418 2 Devan Kammermann 358 3 Ellie Russo 296 4 David Michael Rosa 272 5 Chance Russell 256 6 David Rosa 238 7 Travis Day 212 8 Sean Catucci 174 9 Mario Marques 162 10 Toby Brown 152 Super Stocks 1 Jim Freethy 270 2 Joey Ridgway 182 3 Jimmy Robbins 174 4 Mike Walko 146 5 Mike Gustafson 96 6 Chad Hammer 90 7 michael burch 78 8 Nick DeCarlo 56 9 Jay Bryant 54 10 Ryan Smith 50 Wingless Spec Sprints 1 Shannon Newton 370 2 James East 353 3 Steve Maionchi 256 4 MacKenzie Newton 226 5 Zack Neeley 215 6 Jimmy Christian 186 7 Dylan Newberry 180 8 Tony Bernard 174 9 Roy Fisher 170 10 Richard Panfili 158 Print Club Mini Stocks 1 Tom Brown 278 2 Laina Bales 194 3 Dana Gardner 188 4 Don Abitz 150 5 Shan Titman 134 6 Eddie Humphrey III 132 7 David Carson 84 8 Chris Corder 82 9 Ryan Graham 82 10 Randy Miramontez 56
- PROPER TIMING: REUNION WITH BATES-HAMILTON RACING LEADS COX TO NEXT CHAPTER WITH NARC
(1/7/2023 - Alex Nieten) Sacramento, CA… Last year Justyn Cox found himself somewhat discouraged and uncertain of his racing future when the door opened to reunite with a former team where he'd experienced success, leading to Cox getting a second chance at a NARC Sprint Car championship in 2023. After an underwhelming start to 2022 with his own team, Cox shelved his family car and wasn't sure what would come next. Then in the fall, Bates-Hamilton Racing and Tim Kaeding decided to go in different directions. Cox was familiar with the team owned by Joshua Bates and Roger Hamilton, having filled in for an injured Kaeding in the No. 42X back in 2018. Cox helped them secure the SCCT owner's championship, and the pairing nearly won Trophy Cup. With their past success and his own car on the sidelines, Cox decided to reach out. "It was kind of just proper timing," Cox said. "I hate to see anyone lose a ride, but when I saw that happened, I was kind of sitting idle. I had big plans for my own team, but it just wasn't going the way that I thought it should. I just wasn't enjoying racing at the time. "When I decided to park my own team for a while and take a break, it was probably about a month after that they parted ways with TK," Cox continued. "I thought it was maybe a good time to call them and see about getting in the car. There were some big races coming up. I just wanted to see if I still enjoyed racing maybe from a different outlook. Sometimes driving for people can open your eyes in a great light or a negative light." The light he found was bright and reassuring. BHR decided to bring him back aboard for a few races. Their first night reunited was October's Morrie Williams Memorial at Keller Auto Speedway. In the second of the twin-20 lap features, Cox lined up on the front row and stayed near the top of the leaderboard the entire race, ultimately finishing second after nearly stealing the win in the final corner. The result marked his best finish to date with NARC. After the early success, the team decided to pencil in a few more nights with Cox behind the wheel. "Originally it was just going to be the Williams race and Trophy Cup," Cox recalled. "It kind of just seemed to progress from there. I think running off the bat with a podium at the Williams race helped propel a little bit of excitement in the team." Cox went on to wheel the car for the final four races of the NARC campaign, picking up a trio of top-tens to close out the season. The consistency was encouraging for the team and revitalized Cox who had been combating some confidence issues after the first half of the year with his family car hadn't gone according to plan. "It was really encouraging because I've had a rough year for me," Cox admitted. "I picked up a win at a local Watsonville show, but I just wasn't competitive in my own stuff. For whatever reason, things weren't clicking right. When you get in a slump, it's really tough mentally to get out of it. So, to kind of hop back in at Hanford, which is one of my favorite tracks, and find speed in the second race felt really good… It kind of made me hungry to do it a lot more." Racing a lot more with the team is exactly what Cox is now set to do with the 2023 season on the horizon. The team was pleased enough with Cox's performance that they decided to bring him back as their full-time driver for this year with their focus on a NARC title run. "I think it was after Kern (County Raceway Park), where we had a really good run there from the back," Cox said. "Roger was just really happy, and I wasn't actually scheduled to run Stockton the following weekend. So, I kind of thought Kern was my last race. After the run, Roger was really happy and mentioned he'd really like me to run Stockton, so him and Josh put something together and got me back there. "Stockton was going okay until I had an issue," Cox continued. "I almost thought that was the end of it. Roger came down from the stands and pulled me aside and said he'd really like me to be his driver. We just had to work out a couple details and make sure his sponsors were okay with it and obviously Josh and Scotty (Taylor) and everybody involved. I think I heard a week into December that it was going to happen. It was just a big weight off my shoulders to hear from Josh and Roger that they believed in me and thought I was a good fit." This season will mark Cox's second attempt at completing the full NARC campaign. The Clarksburg native's rookie campaign came back in 2016 when he impressed by finishing third in points and claiming Rookie of the Year honors. While it will be his sophomore try at tackling the entire NARC season, it'll be Cox's first with BHR. Back when he helped them wrap up the SCCT owner's title, the team primarily focused on 360 racing and has since shifted their focus more towards 410s. Cox is looking forward to chasing a title with a team he has a history with and has built a solid rapport. "The dynamic is good," Cox said. "It's all positive vibes. We're all there to obviously do well but also enjoy what we're doing. We're very blessed to be at the racetrack. Those guys put in a lot of hard work. Josh spends a lot of hours at the shop. Scotty comes all the time to the shop to help and so does Roger. They're just dedicated to the sport. They love it." The BHR team has become one of the steadiest forces on the NARC tour since adding some 410 engines to the shop. Over the past two seasons they collected three series victories with Tim Kaeding and finished third in points in 2021, narrowly missing the runner-up spot by just a point. Heading into the season Cox has one main goal for the NARC campaign at that is to, at the least, replicate his points finish in 2016 by claiming one of the top-three spots. Another item on the bucket list he'll have a chance to cross off this season is winning a NARC race. He's finished third and second in his career, but the top spot of the podium has eluded him through 42 career feature starts. While he'll be happy to get a win at any track, Cox has one particular race circled where an inaugural series victory would be a storybook moment. "I think I'm kind of known as the guy that can run Placerville really well, so if we can pick off a Bradway (Memorial), that would mean the world to Josh, Roger, and Scotty," Cox said. "They've made it known that they want to win the Bradway. They almost did last year with Kyle (Hirst). I've done it with the SCCT portion, so if I can back it up and win the NARC side, especially if that was my first one, I could quit that day. That would be amazing. The Bradway, as a whole, is such a special race." Cox is also looking forward to the huge Pacific Northwest swing in mid-June that concludes with the $50,000 to win Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway. Even though he's from California, much of Cox's early sprint car experience came in the Northwest driving for Harley Van Dyke. "I'm really looking forward to the Northwest swing," Cox commented. "I've spent a lot of years going to Oregon. I've always ran the Northern Speedweeks, and I kind of got my feet wet in the Northwest. My rookie year in a sprint car I won the Rookie of the Year award for the ASCS Northwest region." Just a tad more than two months remain before the 2023 NARC season receives the green flag at Silver Dollar Speedway. With Cox fitting in so well in the Bates-Hamilton Racing organization and the team's success over the past few seasons, the combination will be one to watch throughout the duration of the campaign. After the uncertainty that came with parking his family car last summer, Cox couldn't be more appreciative of the opportunity. "I'm just excited and humbled to do this with Josh, Roger, Scotty, and Bates-Hamilton Racing as a whole," Cox said. "I'm excited to hopefully find a home with a team. I've had great opportunities over the years and it's been great, but to finally get to that extra little hump of a team that runs 410s is just a dream come true."
- NARC SPRINT CARS ROLL OUT FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS RULE: EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2023
(12/27/22) Sacramento, CA ... The Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC), sanctioning bodies and sprint car race promoters throughout California and the left coast have agreed to implement a fire suppression system rule in 2023. Effective May 1, 2023, all sprint cars will be required to run a fully functional system meeting a SFI 17.3 specification. The safety-enhancing rule was discussed in depth with representatives of all major sanctioning bodies and dirt tracks at the Reno RPM Workshop and all agreed on the date moving forward. This includes the Sprint Car Challenge Tour, Kings of Thunder, Skagit Speedway and all tracks on the 2023 NARC 410 sprint car schedule. The equipment specifications mirror what most major sprint car sanction bodies are requiring during the 2023 season. A complete breakdown of the rule will be published in the NARC rulebook in early January. Listed below is the baseline for the rule: A fire suppression system that meets the SFI 17.3 specification must be installed and functional in all race cars at all times when competing at Northern Auto Racing Club events after May 1, 2022. The fire suppression system must include a thermal trigger and a manual trigger. Both triggers must be mounted in the driver's compartment. The thermal trigger must be in the lower area of the drivers compartment forward of the seat near the area of the fuel pump. The manual trigger must be mounted within reach of the driver on the forward left-hand side of the cockpit. A minimum of one nozzle must be mounted in the lower area of the cockpit forward of the seat. The DOT approved cylinder manufactured of aluminum or steel must be securely mounted to the frame per the manufacturer's instructions. The cylinder must have a minimum capacity of five-pounds. The system must be fully charged and display a legible and valid SFI 17.3 and manufacturer label, easily viewable at any time by NARC and/or race track officials. Cylinders that are beyond useful certification date must be inspected, serviced and re-labeled by the manufacture. If a nozzle is connected to the cylinder with a line, the line must be steel or steel reinforced and must be triggered at the end of the line. (NOTE: SFI is a certification that demonstrates that the manufacturer certifies the racing equipment has been laboratory tested to meet or exceed SFI safety specifications. This gives consumers and sanctioning bodies a way to differentiate a certified product from one that is untested.) Approved Manufacturer's: Lifeline Fire & Safety USA Safecraft Safety Equipment, Martinez, CA Safety Systems Inc. (Firebottle), Ft Myers, FL Spa Technique Inc. Indianapolis, IN
- NARC SPRINT CARS ROLL OUT FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS RULE: EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2023
The Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC), sanctioning bodies and sprint car race promoters throughout California and the left coast have agreed to implement a fire suppression system rule in 2023. Effective May 1, 2023, all sprint cars will be required to run a fully functional system meeting a SFI 17.3 specification.
- GOING OUT ON TOP?: CROFT MULLING FUTURE AFTER CAREER-BEST NARC CAMPAIGN
(12/10/2022 - Alex Nieten) Sacramento, CA… Heading into 2022, Willie Croft planned for this to be his last year as a full-time competitor to cap an excellent career, but after a personal-best finish of second in NARC 410 Sprint Car points, he isn't quite sure if he's ready to hang up the helmet. Long before he became one of the most familiar names in California, Croft's passion for sprint car racing began as a young fan in the stands. "When I grew up, my uncle took us to the sprint car races, his kids and myself," Croft said. "Once they moved out of town, I would spend my summers down there, and he would take me to Baylands and some San Jose stuff. Before he moved out of the Sacramento area we would go to Placerville on a weekly basis. That's kind of how I got involved in racing. I knew from the very beginning this is what I wanted to do." As he aged into his later teenage years, Croft slightly faded away from the sport as he discovered other interests as many high schoolers do. However, a chance encounter at one of his friend's garages reignited his fire for racing. "One of my friends, one day we were at his house, and I was walking by the garage that was open and there was a sprint car in there," Croft reflected. "I was like, 'Where'd this come from?' My buddy Jason was like, 'My dad is helping this guy, Rick Hirst.' It wasn't my father-in-law, Rick Hirst. There's actually another Rick Hirst who raced. "So, one thing led to another and I met this guy, Rick," Croft continued. "I found myself, whenever went over to Jason's, working on this car rather than hanging out. We were really heavy into skateboarding at that time, so instead of doing any type of skateboarding or going downtown to skate for the weekend, I was helping Rick with his car and then eventually going to the races with them." After his introduction to the hands-on, mechanical side of the sport, Croft would go on to meet a handful of personal influences as he navigated the early parts of his career as a crew member and, eventually, the beginning of his time behind the wheel. "I met Mike Wasina from there and was helping Wasina when Rick wasn't racing," Croft said. "I ended up actually buying my first racecar from Mike Wasina and an engine and open trailer. I met Roger Crockett and Brian Crockett, who let me actually keep my car at their house and helped mentor me, how to maintenance a car and what not. "Meeting Rod Tiner, I learned a lot more from Rod and going racing with him and his brother, Randy Tiner, at certain races," Croft continued. "I was learning and talking to Rod on the way home, asking, 'Why'd you do this or why'd you do that?' 'One of my best friends is Paul Silva," Croft added. "Once Paul started, I helped him quite a bit in the very beginning. I still do when I don't race, whether it's Knoxville Nationals or whatever it may be. Learning from Paul I learned how to be organized, how to be clean, how to have everything sorted. He does everything 100%, in my mind, correct. It kind of taught me a lot, opened my eyes up and helped me with my own program on how to be 100% ready." Croft has maintained that mindset of being fully prepared through the duration of his more than two decades racing sprint cars. The approach has helped him remain one of the steadiest forces of the California circuit year in and year out and construct quite the resumé. In 2004 Croft scored his first NARC victory, topping the prestigious Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway. Among his dozens of overall sprint car wins are also a Faria Memorial (2016), Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial (2018), and three Trophy Cup features. Croft added his name to the list of Trophy Cup champions in 2014. Throughout his career, Croft primarily wheeled his familiar, personally owned No. 29, but his talents also landed him opportunities driving for famed car owners such as Clyde Lamar and Kevin Rudeen. Croft entered 2022 aiming to make one last run at a NARC title aboard the No. 29 after posting a best effort of third on two occasions in 2007 and 2013. Early on, Croft appeared poised to battle eventual champion, Dominic Scelzi, down to the final race. He posted seven top-fives in the first 10 races including a victory at Willamette Speedway in Oregon. Bad luck plagued the second half of his season, but he still held on to the runner-up spot in the final standings. A challenge Croft battled throughout the year is a rotation of crew members. Croft serves as his own crew chief and maintains his car throughout the week, but during the year he didn't have a set team traveling with him to each race. While the lack of a consistent crew created some difficulties in race day routine, Croft found himself feeling appreciative of the fact that a variety of capable hands were willing to help when needed. The experience reminded him of his own path. "It's pretty rewarding," Croft said. "I always think back to myself as a crew guy when I first came around the sport. I ate and breathed it. Sprint car racing is all I wanted to be around. I wanted to learn anything and everything I could learn, and I had really good people to learn from, the likes of Mike Wasina, Rod Tiner, and Brian Crockett. "That was me looking up to them, and, you know, it's so weird, I don't look at some of these younger people looking up to me in that way but maybe they do," Croft continued. "It's pretty gratifying to have guys that want to come help me, that want to go win races and work in my tough environment that I try to keep. I try to keep a standard of having everything organized and clean. It's that part of me that I can't do anything without knowing I'm 100 percent prepared." Croft's efforts as a crew chief adjusting to a different team through the season didn't go unnoticed. At the NARC Championship Awards Banquet, Croft was presented the Billy Albini Mechanic of the Year. The recognition filled Croft with emotion and provided one of the top moments of his career. "I still think about it every day," Croft said. "I think about that moment and how much that trophy really means to me. Billy Albini was one of the best. I feel fortunate to have been able to talk to him even just in passing… I was really caught off guard. I still get a little emotional thinking about it. It's just a really, really cool award to have. The trophy goes back, but I still have the ring. I still have the memory of being on it that's going to stick with me for a lifetime." Now, Croft sits in somewhat of a limbo as 2023 looms. A variety of factors are in play that he must consider before deciding on what, if any, racing plans he'll make. Croft owns a business, Amerikote Powdercoating, which occupies much of his time. This year he sadly lost one of his longtime supporters when Dave Wasney with Holey Smokes BBQ passed away. Croft also continues to have a major role in his son, Cole's, blossoming racing career in karts. Cole has the same passion for the sport his father showed at a young age, and Willie puts plenty of time into working with him as he makes his own way towards sprint cars. "It's a little hectic at times. I'm not going to lie," Croft said of balancing his son's racing. "I'm putting myself in a position where I'm trying to do anything and everything I can do to give him the best equipment, the best car and setup that I can give him, but I don't know anything about them (the karts). They're not like a sprint car. They're opposite of how you set a sprint car up." Though Croft remains uncertain of his racing future, he is confident in one area. If he does decide to continue competing, the 50-year-old plans to race often with the NARC 410 Sprint Cars and potentially try to challenge for a championship. "I wish I could just say I'm going to run the NARC schedule again because I had a lot of fun, and there's a lot of good people in the sport that run that series," Croft explained. "There's a lot of camaraderie, and that's what I want to do. If I'm going to race, I want to race with the people I like racing with and the people that look out for us as a series with Jim (Allen) and Brent (Kaeding). I feel like that's where my heart is. If I can make it happen, that's awesome but I just don't know." It won't be long before the NARC season opener in March is around the corner and Croft is faced with making his decision. Everyone who has watched sprint cars in California over the past two decades knows this local legend has nothing more to prove, but how does the man himself feel about his career? Will he be satisfied? Overall, he's conflicted. Like any racer, there is always one more event he'd like to check off the bucket list. However, if he does choose retirement, Croft feels complete and happy with the career he's put together and the invaluable relationships he's formed along the way. "Thinking back to when I was asked, 'If you race sprint cars, what level do you want to compete at?'" Croft recalled. "I said, 'I just want to win a Golden State Challenge (NARC) race.' So, to have done that, winning Trophy Cup, Mini Gold Cup, some of the other races, it's pretty satisfying. But, then I think about it and I want to win an Outlaw race. I think that's a top prize in sprint car racing is winning an Outlaw show. "I don't know. I really don't know," Croft added on if he's content with his career. "I guess I'll know 10 years from now or something like that when I sit back and think about. It's tough. Are you ever satisfied? I'm probably not. I probably would want to win some of these other races before I was completely satisfied. "You know what, though? It is what it is," Croft continued. "I've had a lot of fun. I've met a lot of good people. I still want to be around it. I will be around once my son does get into it. So, am I satisfied? Yes, in that aspect. I am satisfied to be able to live my dream and meet great people, meet my wife, but you always want to do better and you always want to win more, and you always want to win the bigger races."
- BRODY ROA COMPLETED HIS 2022 SEASON AT THE TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX
(Cypress, CA, December 7, 2022) Nearly eleven months after it started, Brody Roa finished his 2022 racing season in the 81st annual Turkey Night Grand Prix at Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway. Contesting the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series portion of the program in Jayson May's pretty #8M sprint car, the Garden Grove, California driver ended up finishing 17th in the 30-lap main event due to some late-race bad luck. 310350912_10166729824325201_6527411594461310400_n.jpg Brody Roa's Turkey Night Grand Prix ride. May photo. The two-night program featured heat races, qualifiers, and a dash for the sprint cars on Friday night. An outstanding field of 49 entries showed up for the event. Drivers did not qualify but rather drew for positions in the Friday night heat races. Roa pulled a number that placed him in the second heat race on the famous 1/5-of-a-mile clay oval. The 31-year-old started in the fourth position in his heat race. By the end of the opening go around he was second and was applying immediate heat to the leader. The veteran racer kept the pressure up all the way to the Kris Kornder checkered flag but he had to settle for second. The finish placed him on the outside of row number one for his 12-lap qualifier. From there, he steered the #8M into the lead and proceeded to stay out front every inch of the way. Two races down and everything was working to perfection. However, that was about to change. With the heat and qualifiers out of the way, there was only one thing left for Roa on the night. That was the 15-lap dash for the top 10 drivers in points after the heat races and the qualifiers. The way they finished the dash would be the way they started the main event straight up. Roa was on the outside of the second row in fourth for the start. He stayed in that position over the first two circuits before slipping back to fifth on lap three. On lap nine Roa moved back to the 4th place spot. That pass moved him up a full row in Saturday's main if he could stay there. Everything went smoothly until lap 12. Entering turn three, the second-place car clipped one of the huge tires protecting the end of the crashwall at the pit entrance. That caused the car to spin and it also kicked the tire onto the track. The third-place driver, Roa's teammate Chase Johnson, hit the tire and turned over. Roa, who was close behind, had nowhere to go and slid into the mess. For good measure, another car sailed into Roa and the red flag came out. For all intents and purposes, it looked like Roa was done for the night. In fact, he climbed out of his car and took off his helmet. But after a closer look, he realized his car was not damaged as much as he thought. The veteran racer pushed his helmet back on, climbed back in the car, and bumped off for the restart. By that time there were only seven cars left in the race. That meant Roa had to restart at the back in seventh. In the remaining laps, he passed one car to finish sixth and start one spot closer to the front in Saturday's championship main event. Saturday night Roa and his fellow competitors were greeted by a near-capacity crowd at one of America's most popular dirt tracks. In addition to the packed house, the race was also seen by thousands more around the world on Flo Racing. Being that he finished sixth in points the previous night, Roa did not have to race in any of the preliminaries. He was seeded right into the 30-lap finale and would start on the outside of the third row in May's gorgeous #8M. At the drop of the Chris Kornder green flag, Roa immediately went on the attack. However, the green flag was short-lived as the caution came out on the second circuit. For the restart, Roa was in fifth and he dogged the fourth-place car for the first 1/3 of the race. By lap 20, he had slipped back to seventh. As the race reached the waning laps, he was still in seventh, but with an engine issue and an overzealous driver clobbering him from behind, Roa was knocked from the action with two laps to go. He ended up 17th. The Ventura result was not the way "The Pride of Garden Grove" wanted to conclude the season but he did have a very good year. He had 15 top-10 finishes and 11 of those were in the top five. Despite not running the full USAC/CRA schedule, Roa's total of three wins was second-best on the circuit and he finished sixth in points. Highlights of the year included his win at Mohave Valley after he started 11th in the main event. At Santa Maria, he drove to the win in the 410 race in May's 360 powered rocketship. He also had a win in May's car in a USAC West Coast Series race at Ventura. In addition to his non-wing endeavors, Roa, also qualified for his first-ever World of Outlaws main event at Perris on March 26th. It was only his second-ever race in the legendary series. The first came 24 hours earlier at Bakersfield. While the 2022 season just ended, 2023 will kick off in just five weeks in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Chili Bowl. The sprint car season will kick off two weeks after that at the Cocopah Speedway in Arizona. In between now and Cocopah, the team will be working on cars, ordering parts, and exploring marketing opportunities with potential partners. If you would like to join forces with Roa for 2023, give him a call or drop him an email at the contact information at the top of this release. To learn more about Roa and the team or to pick up some team merchandise, check out the website https://www.brodyroa.com/. Fans can also stay up to date by checking out the team news on Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/br91r/. If you are looking to purchase a sprint car, Roa has a nice roller for sale. It is a 2021 Eagle 87/40 Raised Rail. It includes KSE Gen2 Steering, new in 2022, KSE Steering Pump, Winters Competition Eliminator 4.12 Rear End with swivel coupler, XYZ Birdcages, BMRS Plumbing, Plenty of Titanium, Carbon Body, Quick Car Gauges, Wilwood Brakes. Front axle length of buyer's choice - 50" or 53". No Fuel Tank, Shocks, or Seat. Quality Race Car! CSI Shocks and/or Saldana Fuel Tank can be added at additional cost. $9,900. Send an email address for a list of components. Brett - 562-230-1286 brett@brodyroa.com or Brody - 714-932-7994 brody@brodyroa.com. Roa and the team want to thank the following sponsors for making the 2022 season possible. HD Industries, Burris Racing, Sander Engineering, Inland Rigging, Caltrol, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, Competition Suspension, ALR Virtual Services, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. In addition, the veteran driver offers thanks to RDM Mechanics, Fastenal, KC Keen Concrete, Coopers Propane, Ten West Towing, Ten West Environmental, TJM Distribution, and Westco International for sponsoring May's #8M. To keep up with May Motorsports, please check out and "like" its Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MayMotorsports8M Brody Roa's 2022 Schedule and Race Results January 12 Tulsa Expo Raceway Chili Bowl Nationals 15th A Main January 15 Tulsa Expo Raceway Chili Bowl Nationals 13th C Main January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main January 29 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 4th A Main February 11 Central Arizona Speedway ASCS/CAS 360 5th A Main February 12 Central Arizona Speedway ASCS/CAS 360 2nd A Main February 26 Keller Auto Speedway King of Thunder 9th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway World of Outlaws 8th B Main March 26 Perris Auto Speedway World of Outlaws 24th A Main April 9 Keller Auto Speedway NARC King of the West Canceled April 30 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main May 28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 3rd A Main June 11 Ventura Raceway USAC/CRA 2nd A Main June 25 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 1ST A Main July 22 Gas City I69 Speedway ISW - USAC National 9th C Main July 23 Kokomo Speedway ISW - USAC National 7th B Main July 24 Lawrenceburg Speedway ISW - USAC National Rained out July 25 Circle City Raceway ISW - UASC National 19th A Main July 27 Terre Haute Action Track ISW - USAC National Rained Out July 28 Lincoln Park Speedway ISW - USAC National 8th B Main July 29 Bloomington Speedway ISW - USAC National 16th A Main July 30 Tri-State Speedway ISW - USAC National 16th A Main August 6 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA 1st A Main August 20 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 19th A Main August 27 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 1st A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 3rd A Main September 24 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 DNS October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 1st A Main October 15 Kern County Raceway USAC West Coast 360 17th A Main October 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC National & CRA 15th A Main October 29 Cocopah Speedway USAC National & CRA 15th A Main November 3 Perris Auto Speedway USAC National & CRA 16th A Main November 4 Perris Auto Speedway USAC National & CRA 17th A Main November 5 Perris Auto Speedway USAC National & CRA 11th A Main November 25 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 7th Dash November 26 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 17th A Main @hdindustries_1971 @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @inlandrigging, @eaglemotorsportsinc @caltrolinc @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- NARC 2023 SCHEDULE: CALIFORNIA STAPLES, HUGE NORTHWEST SWING HIGHLIGHT CAMPAIGN
(12/5/2022) Sacramento, CA… The NARC 410 Sprint Cars are set for another busy campaign in 2023 with the unveiling of a 24-race schedule for the West Coast's best drivers and teams as the series enters its 63rd season of racing. For the second straight year NARC will visit all three states that comprise the West Coast at tracks as far south as Bakersfield and all the way up north nearly to the Canadian border. Overall, 13 different facilities are on the calendar. Teams will compete for more than $800,000 in prize money throughout the entirety of the schedule, plus another $50,000 in product and cash awards up for grabs. Shares of a lucrative championship points fund will also be on the line. March-ing Into Chico The season opener will see the revitalization of a historic, fan-favorite race. On March 18th the series kicks off the 2023 campaign with the return of Mini Gold Cup at Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway. Originally starting in 1987, the Mini Gold Cup has been a spring staple in California but took a brief hiatus after the 2019 edition. Throughout its history, the event has alternated between NARC and World of Outlaws sanctioning. With the 2023 edition being a NARC event, it again gives locals a shot at Mini Gold Cup glory and placing their name alongside some legends of sprint car racing. The Classics The state of California has established a handful of "Classic" races that have become fan-favorites, and per usual some of those coveted events have found a home on the NARC schedule. The first of five Classics on the calendar is on the second weekend of April and will be the third edition of the Anthony Simone Classic at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford on April 8th. The night honors the versatile driver known as "Mr. Excitement" and offers a $10,000 payday to the winner. The very next weekend will be another lucrative event as Tulare's Thunderbowl Raceway will host the second Dennis Roth Classic. As a nod to Roth's iconic car, the feature winner will again be awarded $8,300. The Roth Classic has grown by a day for 2023 and will showcase two nights of racing on April 14th and 15th with the winner of the latter taking home the big check. The wildly popular Peter Murphy Classic is set for May 12th and 13th and will take place at the site of the two aforementioned Classics. Night one will be at Thunderbowl Raceway with Keller Auto Speedway taking center stage for the $11,000 to win finale. Like last year, NARC will be joined by the Sprint Car Challenge Tour both nights. Another one of the most anticipated races of the campaign can be found in July as the Howard Kaeding Classic continues as a summertime staple. Unlike recent years, the event will now feature two nights of the NARC 410 Sprint Cars at Ocean Speedway as opposed to 410s only partaking on the final night. "The HK" is slated for July 14th and 15th. On August 26th the series heads to Stockton Dirt Track for the Champions Classic. After a cancellation this year due to the tire shortage, teams will be eager for its return and to fight for a $6,000 payday by visiting victory lane. A Busy Road To Dirt Cup For the second straight year NARC will hit the Road to Dirt Cup, but this year's edition will include a few more stops and double as the Fastest Four Days in Motorsports. In lieu of making a pair of trips to the Pacific Northwest like in 2022, the series will make one extended journey to make logistics easier on the teams. The four straight nights of action begins on Thursday, June 15th at Central Point, Oregon's Southern Oregon Speedway. The next night it's up to Douglas County Dirt Track in Roseburg, Oregon, a track that was converted from pavement to dirt over the off-season under the new promotional leadership of Roseburg Racing Promotions. Night three is a visit to Lebanon, Oregon's Willamette Speedway, where Justin Sanders set a new track record when NARC invaded last year. And the Road to Dirt Cup meets an end at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington on June 18th. Overall, the trip promises to provide four fantastic nights of racing at four different facilities and will feature a special bonus to any driver that can sweep all four events. Dirt Cup After a wildly successful 2022 Jim Raper Memorial Super Dirt Cup, NARC will again support the West Coast crown jewel as it enters its second year of a return to 410 sprint cars at Burlington, Washington's Skagit Speedway. The Dirt Cup will again feature a trio of nights (June 22nd - 24th) with the final night's winner taking home a whopping $50,000. Last year the race attracted more than 40 competitors as promoters Peter Murphy and Kevin Rudeen restored a ton of prestige to one of the most historic events on the left-coast. *On Tuesday, June 20th there will be a Dirt Cup Tune-Up race at Skagit, but it will not be a NARC event. Making History A pair of historic races with winners lists that read like a California Hall of Fame will again be a part of the NARC campaign with many drivers hungry to add their names in one of those coveted slots. The 32nd Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial Race will occur on June 3rd at the scenic Placerville Speedway, marking the third straight year the El Dorado County track has hosted one of the most prestigious races in California. With lap money and other awards, this show features one of the largest one-day purses of the year. The season finale will see a historical race enter another decade of existence as Stockton Dirt Track hosts the 40th Tribute to Gary Patterson on November 4th. And More A few other racetracks and events help complete the 2023 schedule. Petaluma Speedway has a pair of dates with the Salute to First Responders set for May 20th and the Salute to Baylands Raceway Park scheduled for July 8th. The second race of the season will be the fourth annual Asparagus Cup on April 1st at Stockton Dirt Track with the SCCT joining the card. Silver Dollar Speedway's second and final NARC race of 2023 will be on April 29th as the series will again partake in the David Tarter Memorial. The fourth edition of the Morrie Williams Memorial will be run on September 30th at Keller Auto Speedway. The unique event will again showcase a twin-20 lap features to conclude the evening. NARC will make its lone trip to The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park on October 28th for the Halloween Spectacular. NARC 410 Sprint Cars 2023 Complete Schedule March 18: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA) - Mini Gold Cup April 1: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) - Fourth Annual Asparagus Cup w/SCCT April 8: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) - Anthony Simone Classic ($10,000 to win) April 14: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) - Dennis Roth Classic April 15: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) - Dennis Roth Classic ($8,300 to win) April 29: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA) - David Tarter Memorial May 6: RAIN DATE May 12: Thunderbowl Raceway (Tulare, CA) - Peter Murphy Classic w/SCCT May 13: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) - Peter Murphy Classic ($11,000 to win) w/SCCT May 20: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA) - Salute to First Responders June 3: Placerville Speedway (Placerville, CA) - 32nd Annual Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial June 15: Southern Oregon Speedway (Central Point, OR) - Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup June 16: Douglas County Dirt Track (Roseburg, OR) - Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup June 17: Willamette Speedway (Lebanon, OR) - Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup June 18: Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) - Fastest Four Days in Motorsports/Road to Dirt Cup June 22: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) - Super Dirt Cup June 23: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) - Super Dirt Cup June 24: Skagit Speedway (Burlington, WA) - Super Dirt Cup ($50,000 to win) July 8: Petaluma Speedway (Petaluma, CA) - Salute to Baylands Raceway Park July 14: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA) - Night One of the 13th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic July 15: Ocean Speedway (Watsonville, CA) - Night Two of the 13th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic July 29: OPEN August 26: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) - Champions Classic ($6,000 to win) September 30: Keller Auto Speedway (Hanford, CA) - Morrie Williams Memorial Twin-20s w/SCCT October 28: The Dirt Track at KCRP (Bakersfield, CA) - Halloween Spectacular November 4: The Stockton Dirt Track (Stockton, CA) - 40th Annual Tribute to Gary Patterson w/SCCT November 5: Championship Awards Celebration at Brookside Country Club (Stockton, CA)
- NARC 2023 SCHEDULE: CALIFORNIA STAPLES, HUGE NORTHWEST SWING HIGHLIGHT CAMPAIGN
From James Allen (12/5/2022) Sacramento, CA… The NARC 410 Sprint Cars are set for another busy campaign in 2023 with the unveiling of a 24-race schedule for the West Coast’s best drivers and teams as
- BRODY ROA WRAPS UP THE 2022 CAMPAIGN IN THE TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX AT VENTURA
(Cypress, CA, November 25, 2022) Southern California racing veteran Brody Roa will close out another successful season tonight and Saturday, November 25th and 26th, in the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series at the 81st running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Jim Naylor's Ventura Raceway. The veteran driver will be back behind the wheel of Jayson May's gorgeous #8M sprint car that has already carried him to a pair of victories in 2022. 297879254_2204237209743457_8079382424926505894_n.jpg Brody Roa in Jayson May's #8M. SCRAFAN.COM Photo. Roa's prowess at Ventura and in May's car makes him one of the favorites in this week's race. In two appearances at the beach side track in 2022, he has a win and a second-place finish. Driving his own #91R car in a USAC/CRA race on June 11th, Roa ended up second in the main event. He was clearly the fastest car on the track, but on the night, the track was one lane on the bottom. Rather than wreck the first-place car and possibly take himself out as well, Roa wisely settled for second. Two months later, he steered May's car to the USAC West Coast Series main event win on the tiny, challenging oval that is located a stone's throw away from the breaking surf of the Pacific Ocean. After returning from Indiana Sprint week, Roa jumped into May's 360 and led every inch of the way in the USAC/CRA 410 race at the grand re-opening of the Santa Maria Raceway on August 6th. His other 2022 appearances in May's equipment came in early February in a pair of CAS/ASCS events at the Central Arizona Speedway. The first night Roa had the main event in the bag, but the competition was plagued by an exorbitant amount of yellow flags and Roa ran out of fuel near the end of the race. He restarted at the rear and came back through the field to finish fifth. Twenty-four hours later he placed second on the same track. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. each day at Ventura with cars on the track at 3:15. The sprint cars will have heats and a dash for cash on Friday. On Saturday, they will have preliminary main events and a $3,000.00 to win A main. The USAC National Midgets will join the action with practice on Friday. On Saturday, the midgets will qualify, contest preliminaries, and finish the night with the historic 98-lap main event. The Ventura Raceway is located on the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard (93001). The website is http://venturaraceway.com/ and the office phone number is (805) 648-RACE. Friday night adult tickets are $22.00. Seniors, military, and students get in for $18.00, and it is free for kids under 12 on Friday. On Saturday, reserved seats are $45.00 for those 13 and older. Reserved seats for those 12 and under are $25.00. General admission tickets are $35.00. Roa comes into the event after ending the 410 sprint car portion of his 2022 season at the 26th running of the Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway. The first night of the Ovals saw the Garden Grove, California racecar chauffeur being the most competitive of the local drivers at the race on the famous Riverside County half-mile clay Oval. In qualifying in the stellar 40-car field that showed up for the last USAC National and USAC/CRA race of 2022, Roa only managed to qualify 18th fastest. He shrugged off the time trials result with a convincing win in the first heat race of the three-day event. For the 30-lap main, Roa, 31 started in the ninth spot. Racing in the toughest field on the famous Riverside County half-mile clay oval in 2022, the veteran driver was the highest-running USAC/CRA driver in the field. He was just behind the USAC National Series regulars in the early part of the race. As the laps dwindled down, he began to infiltrate the invaders and advance toward the front of the pack. Running on the top, which had an unforgiving cushion, he was in the sixth spot with two laps to go when the cushion bit him and sent the #91R careening into the wall. Roa looked at the car, saw little damage, and climbed back in. He restarted at the back and ended up 16th. On the second night at the Ovals, Roa qualified 22nd fastest. He backed that up with a third-place finish in his heat race. That gave him his second straight ticket into the 30-lap main event. The veteran driver started that race in 20th and finished 17th. The tangle with the cushion on Thursday, combined with the 17th place finish on Friday, meant that Roa would have to qualify again on Saturday and make it to the main event through his heat race or the B main. The affable racing star was the ninth-quickest qualifier and placed third in his heat. That automatically sent him into the A main for the third consecutive night. For the 40-lap championship main event, Roa started in the 10th place spot and was 11th when the checkered flag ended the contest and the 410 season. That was the best performance by a USAC/CRA driver in the race. Roa and the team want to thank the following sponsors for making the 2022 season possible. HD Industries, Burris Racing, Sander Engineering, Inland Rigging, Caltrol, "Biker" Bruce Fischer, Competition Suspension, ALR Virtual Services, K-1 Race Gear, Molecule, Rod End Supply, Driven Racing Oil, Baldwin Filters, and NGK Spark Plugs. In addition, the veteran driver offers thanks to RDM Mechanics, Fastenal, KC Keen Concrete, Coopers Propane, Ten West Towing, Ten West Environmental, TJM Distribution, and Westco International for sponsoring May's #8M. If you or your company would like to jump on board and receive recognition as a team partner throughout 2023, please give the two-time USAC champion racer a phone call or drop him a note at the contact information on the top of this release. Fans can learn more about Roa and the team at https://www.brodyroa.com/. Fans can also check out the team news at Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/br91r/. To keep up with May Motorsports, please check out and "like" its Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/MayMotorsports8M Brody Roa's 2022 Schedule and Race Results January 12 Tulsa Expo Raceway Chili Bowl Nationals 15th A Main January 15 Tulsa Expo Raceway Chili Bowl Nationals 13th C Main January 27 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 5th A Main January 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 6th A Main January 29 Cocopah Speedway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 4th A Main February 11 Central Arizona Speedway ASCS/CAS 360 5th A Main February 12 Central Arizona Speedway ASCS/CAS 360 2nd A Main February 26 Keller Auto Speedway King of Thunder 9th A Main March 25 Bakersfield Speedway World of Outlaws 8th B Main March 26 Perris Auto Speedway World of Outlaws 24th A Main April 9 Keller Auto Speedway NARC King of the West Canceled April 30 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 6th A Main May 28 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 3rd A Main June 11 Ventura Raceway USAC/CRA 2nd A Main June 25 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 1ST A Main July 22 Gas City I69 Speedway ISW - USAC National 9th C Main July 23 Kokomo Speedway ISW - USAC National 7th B Main July 24 Lawrenceburg Speedway ISW - USAC National Rained out July 25 Circle City Raceway ISW - UASC National 19th A Main July 27 Terre Haute Action Track ISW - USAC National Rained Out July 28 Lincoln Park Speedway ISW - USAC National 8th B Main July 29 Bloomington Speedway ISW - USAC National 16th A Main July 30 Tri-State Speedway ISW - USAC National 16th A Main August 6 Santa Maria Raceway USAC/CRA 1st A Main August 20 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 19th A Main August 27 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 1st A Main September 17 Perris Auto Speedway USAC/CRA 3rd A Main September 24 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 DNS October 8 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA 1st A Main October 15 Kern County Raceway USAC West Coast 360 17th A Main October 28 Cocopah Speedway USAC National & CRA 15th A Main October 29 Cocopah Speedway USAC National & CRA 15th A Main November 3 Perris Auto Speedway USAC National & CRA - Oval Nationals 16th A Main November 4 Perris Auto Speedway USAC National & CRA - Oval Nationals 17th A Main November 5 Perris Auto Speedway USAC National & CRA - Oval Nationals 11th A Main November 25 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 - Turkey Night GP November 26 Ventura Raceway USAC West Coast 360 - Turkey Night GP @hdindustries_1971 @burris_racing_usa @mikeburrisoc @csishocks @sander_engineering @sanderjenna @theoriginalloosebruce @alrvirtualservices @k1racegear @moleculesports @rodendsupply @baldwinfilters @ngkracing @originalngksparkplugs @usacnation @usac_cra @perrisautospeedway @b_roa91 @tai_xoxo_roa @zacboz35 @joegibb83, @inlandrigging, @eaglemotorsportsinc @caltrolinc @drivenracingoil This release was produced by Scott Daloisio Sports (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com
- SANDERS CRUISES TO TRIBUTE TO GP TRIUMPH, SCELZI WRAPS UP SECOND STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
(11/5/2022 - Alex Nieten) Stockton, CA… On Saturday night in Stockton, two of the best sprint car drivers in California shared a jubilant victory lane celebration. The Central Valley 3/8ths mile hosted the 39th edition of the Tribute to Gary Patterson, and Aromas gasser, Justin Sanders, dominated the Fujitsu Feature en route to his 13th career series victory while Dominic Scelzi sealed his second straight NARC Fujitsu General Sprint Car championship. For Sanders, the outcome was rarely in doubt as the pilot of the Farmers Brewing Co./Mittry Construction led all 25 laps and didn't face much of a challenge on the hooked up Stockton surface. The victory marked his second at the track and second in the Tribute to GP after claiming the 2020 edition, as well. "This car was great all night," Sanders commented. "From the minute we rolled out of the box and hot lapped the car felt really good. In qualifying we turned a good lap and that kind of sets you up for the night." In what's been a year defined by his unflinching consistency, Dominic Scelzi fittingly capped his title campaign with his series-best 13th podium of the season by finishing third. The Fresno driver of the Red Rose Transportation/Whipple Superchargers No. 41 became the first driver since Kyle Hirst in 2013-14 to win two straight championships. He also became just the 10th driver in series history with multiple titles. "Our consistency, I think, speaks volumes for this 41 team," Scelzi said of his season. "Everyday I want to continue to grow our success. I want to be back here every year and try and do this again and again. We've got a long time to worry about the next championship, but back to back is pretty damn special." Scelzi was quick to credit his crew, led by Jimmy Carr, for his success. "I want to thank my guys so much," Scelzi said. "Jimmy, he came on board there in 2020, and he changed my entire career. You look at the record books from 2012 to 2019, and you don't see a whole hell of a lot of success, and he turned us into a race team, and he turned us into an operation that could win night in and night out. Lukas (Steward) came on board last year, and he's done a great job. My father-in-law, Mike (Patterson). Todd (Jorgensen) comes to every damn race. My good friend, Scott Martzen. It takes an army to win a championship." The race began by providing the only issue Sanders would face during the tilt. He led the field to green from the pole and slipped out coming out of turn four on the race's initial start, getting sideways on the front-stretch and nearly falling out of the top-10. However, a yellow flag for said start proved to be his savior as the caution allowed Sanders to reclaim his pole position for the complete restart. "Man, I'm so glad that first start got called back," Sanders said. "I hit the grease all the way on the bottom and spun down the front straightaway. Thank god there was a yellow because I wouldn't have won this race if it wasn't for that." Given a second chance after the opening start issue, Sanders would not be denied. He darted ahead on the second attempt and opened an early advantage until Willie Croft went for a nasty ride on the second lap in turns three and four after contact with Colby Copeland. Croft exited the car unharmed. After another quick yellow for a spinning Bud Kaeding, the race entered a long run with Sanders driving away from the field on the restart. Second starting Tim Kaeding looked as if he may present Sanders a challenge as the leader entered traffic. Sanders got stuck behind a slower car for multiple laps just before the halfway point allowing Kaeding to close. Before the Roth Motorsports driver could pounce, Sanders expertly sliced by a pair of lapped cars to give himself some breathing room as Scelzi slipped by Kaeding for second. TK wheeled back around Scelzi just before one last yellow flew for a slowing Max Mittry with 7 circuits remaining. The caution made no difference, though, as Sanders powered ahead on the restart and won by nearly three seconds. "I tried to go where the lapped cars weren't," Sanders said of his race. "I tried to power through the holes as best as I could. My car was really good everywhere I went. I just tried to keep my foot down and the car as straight as possible. This is awesome. It feels really good to get another win before the end of the year." Tim Kaeding and Dominic Scelzi chased Sanders to the line to round out the podium, and the balance of the top-10 included Bill Balog, Shane Golobic, Ryan Timms, Tanner Carrick, Colby Copeland, Mitchell Faccinto and Justyn Cox. Max Mittry finished 11th and claimed 2022 Rookie of the Year honors. FUJITSU GENERAL USA FEATURE (25 laps): 1. Justin Sanders 2X 2. Tim Kaeding 83 3. Dominic Scelzi 41 4. Bill Balog 7 5. Shane Golobic 17W 6. Ryan Timms 57 7. Tanner Carrick 83T 8. Colby Copeland 5V 9. Mitchell Faccinto 21 10. Justyn Cox 42X 11. Max Mittry 2XM 12. Austin McCarl 88 13. Bud Kaeding 69 14. Dylan Bloomfield 83V 15. Billy Aton 26 16. Blake Carrick 38B 17. Richard Brace Jr. 2R 18. Josh Young 1 19. Willie Croft 29 SWIFT METAL FINISHING HARDCHARGER: Colby Copeland ARP FAST QUALIFIER (19 Cars): Justin Sanders - 12.812 BROWN AND MILLER RACING SOLUTIONS HEAT ONE (8 laps): Golobic, Sanders, Timms, T. Carrick, B. Kaeding, B. Carrick, Young KIMO's TROPICAL CAR WASH HEAT TWO (8 laps): Balog, Mittry, Scelzi, Croft, Aton, Bloomfield DIRT.TRAVEL CLUB HEAT THREE (8 laps): Cox, T. Kaeding, Copeland, McCarl, Faccinto, Brace Jr. SUNNYVALLEY "POWERED BY BACON" TROPHY DASH (6 laps): Sanders, T. Kaeding, Scelzi, Balog, Cox, Golobic
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NARC - Northern Auto Racing Club Dirt Track Racing Videos
2022 NARC 410 SPRINT CAR "LET'S GET IN THE MOOD" VIDEO!
2022 NARC CHAMPIONS - DOMINIC SCELZI & THE SCELZI ENTERPRISES TEAM
2022 NARC SECOND PLACE DRIVER - WILLIE CROFT
2022 NARC THIRD PLACE DRIVER - BUD KAEDING
2022 NARC FOURTH PLACE DRIVER - MITCHELL FACCINTO
2022 NARC FIFTH PLACE DRIVER - SHANE GOLOBIC
2022 NARC EIGHTH PLACE CAR OWNER - BATES-HAMILTON RACING
2022 NARC NINTH PLACE CAR OWNER - DAVID VERTULLO
2022 NARC SIXTH PLACE DRIVER - JUSTIN SANDERS
2022 NARC SEVENTH PLACE DRIVER - MAX MITTRY
2022 NARC 8TH PLACE DRIVER - BILLY ATON
2022 NARC NINTH PLACE DRIVER - TIM KAEDING
2022 NARC 10TH PLACE DRIVER - JOEL MYERS JR
2022 NARC 410 SPRINT CAR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS!
2022 NARC Mood Setter Banquet Video
BEST RACE OF THE YEAR - NARC SPRINT CARS - HANFORD - OCTOBER 14, 2022
dirt track racing advertisement
NARC - Northern Auto Racing Club Dirt Tracks
- Cottage Grove Speedway Race TrackCottage Grove, Oregon, USA
- Grays Harbor Raceway Race TrackElma, Washington, USA
- Keller Auto Speedway Race TrackHanford, California, USA
- Kern County Raceway Park Race TrackBakersfield, California, USA
- Ocean Speedway Race TrackWatsonville, California, USA
- Petaluma Speedway Race TrackPetaluma, California, USA
- Placerville Speedway Race TrackPlacerville, California, USA
- Silver Dollar Speedway Race TrackChico, California, USA
- Skagit Speedway Race TrackBurlington, Washington, USA
- Southern Oregon Speedway Race TrackWhite City, Oregon, USA
- Stockton Dirt Track Race TrackStockton, California, USA
- Thunderbowl Raceway Race TrackTulare, California, USA
- Willamette Speedway Race TrackLebanon, Oregon, USA