Merced Speedway Race Track in Merced, California, USA

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• USA
• California

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Merced Speedway is the fastest, smoothest dirt track in the Central Valley of California. With large, covered grandstands, fans are kept cool in the summer heat with an obstruction free view of the entire speedway.

Merced Speedway races IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Valley Sportsman, WRS 305's, Mini Late Models, Dwarf, BCRA Midget Lites, 360 Sprints, and 410 Sprints.

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• Phone: 209-600-8382
• Surface: 1/3 mile banked clay oval

• 900 Martin Luther King Way
  Merced, California, 95341 USA
• lat: 37.290959, lng: -120.483021
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Merced Speedway Dirt Track Racing Schedule

Schedules are known to change without warning, double check with race track before heading out.

Merced Speedway Dirt Track News

• 
  AFTER BRENT SEXTON'S CAREER BEST 410 SPRINT CAR FINISH, SEXTON GATLIN RACING HEADS TO ARIZONA

  (Lakeside, CA, April 7, 2025) Veteran driver Brent Sexton made the long trek to Ocean Speedway a memorable one when he recorded the best finish in his 410 sprint car career by placing fifth in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series 30-lap main event in Watsonville, California. Twenty-four hours later, he finished 12th when the second-year series made its first appearance at the Merced Speedway. This Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, the veteran driver and his youngest son, Grant, are heading to the Central Arizona Raceway for two nights of racing with the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars. Sexton first raced a full-sized sprint car with the USAC/CRA Series two years ago. However, there was a huge difference between that car and the one he is driving today. For those initial races in 2023 and all of 2024, he was powered by a 360 engine. At times, that was like taking a gun to a knife fight as he was competing against full fields of 410 sprint cars. While he held his own, there was only so much he could do, and at times, that was frustrating. Sexton, who is a three-time lightning sprint car champion, decided to up his game for 2025. He purchased a 410 engine to run with both USAC/CRA and the USCS. "Somebody compared it to some of the motorcross stuff we used to do saying it was like comparing a two-stroke to a four stroke," the veteran driver said in mid-March. "It is definitely an eye opener and I give respect to the guys who have been driving those (410s) for so long. I love it. It takes more throttle control. Not that I had much throttle control before. It is definitely a discipline thing for sure." For Sexton to record his best 410 finish at Ocean Speedway was kind of surprising. It was his fourth start with the more powerful engine. What was unexpected was the fact that he did it at a track he had never been on during his long racing career. The likeable racer started the weekend by qualifying third fastest in his group at 13.375. That time was also good enough for 10th best in the 19-car field. He started fourth, and led much of his heat race before ending up second. So far, so good, but the main event on the famous Santa Cruz County oval would end up being the icing on an extremely sweet cake. Starting seventh, he was immediately in the thick of the battle. Using the top and the bottom of the track, he actually moved all the way up to fourth at one point. Likewise, he also drifted back to eighth or ninth. Sexton kept his focus straight and by the time the race ended, he was fifth at the checkers. "It was so much fun," he said about the race. "I loved the track, and I love my 410. I am having the time of my life. To finish fifth the first time ever at the track, that is cool. I am happy." After Watsonville, it was on to Merced, a track Sexton is more familiar with from his lightning sprint car days. However, things did not go quite as well, and he finished 12th in the A main event. This Friday and Saturday, the Central Arizona Speedway will be a new track for SGR drivers Brent and Grant. Recently renovated, the speedy oval is now a showpiece track that will be hosting the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars for the first time. Located in Casa Grande on the Pinal County Fairgrounds at 512 S 11 Mile Corner Road, the track is about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson. Adult tickets for the shows are $25.00 each night. Active military and seniors get in for $20.00. For young adults ages 12-17, it is $15.00. Kids 11 and under are free. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. each night with racing at 7:00. For more information visit the track website at https://www.centralazraceway.com/ or call the track office at 602-292-7607. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2025 Results 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main 3/28/25 Ocean Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 5th A Main 3/29/25 Merced Speedway USCS Sprint Cars 12th A Main Grant Sexton 2025 Results 3/15/25 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 8th A Main 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main AJ Bender 2025 SGR Results 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 23rd A Main Braydin Collie 2025 SGR Results 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

• 
  Shane Golobic strikes gold at SCCT opener in Placerville

  Placerville, CA…Fremont's Shane Golobic took the lead on lap 15 and went on to score his 17th career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour victory on opening night at Placerville Speedway. Golobic's triumph during the "Thrill on the Hill" topped a solid 41-car field and came aboard the familiar Matt Wood Racing/ NOS Energy Drink No. 17w mount. "It feels good to get another win in Placerville with SCCT," commented Golobic. "I wasn't sure how the track would be in the feature, but it turned out good and got a little tricky with the curb, which is what I like here. Dominic Scelzi made it close at the end and I could feel his pressure on the bottom. Luckily, I hit some good laps at the end, and we came out on top." Two-time and reigning SCCT champion Andy Forsberg started on the pole of the Shop Kyle Larson main event by way of capturing the High Sierra Industries Dash. The Auburn veteran climbed out to the early lead in the 35-lap contest and attempted to keep Golobic at bay once lapped traffic came into play. Racing through the traffic Golobic, Suisun City's Chance Grasty and Modesto's Tony Gomes all bunched up. A caution period brought the hot and hectic action to a stop, but the intensity continued once going back green. Golobic hounded Forsberg in exciting fashion and made a bold move up high to grab the lead as they crossed the line to finish lap 15. Once out front the three-time Trophy Cup champion had his way with things, as racing behind him continued to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Fresno's Dominic Scelzi started from row five and methodically worked his way forward while running the lower portion of the speedway. He moved into the top five with 10 circuits left and then claimed second with five to go. A final race shootout saw Scelzi try his best to do something with the leader, but Golobic was too smooth upstairs and crossed the checkered flag for the win. Scelzi came home in second to cap off an impressive run aboard the Scelzi Ent. No. 41 machine. After winning last week's Placerville point opener, Forsberg came back to round out the podium at the helm of the Pacific Highway Rentals No. 92. Sacramento's Austin Wood had another tremendous night finishing in fourth, while Aromas driver Justin Sanders completed the top five. Rounding out the top 10 in the feature were Grasty, 15th starter Tanner Carrick, 17th starting Sean Becker, Justyn Cox and Bubba Decaires. Becker's run from 17th to eighth netted him the Pit Stop USA Hard Charger Award. As noted, a strong field of 41 Winged Sprint Cars competed on opening night, which saw Tony Gomes earn the Sierra Foothills Wine Services Fast Time Award by clocking a 10.521 around the quarter mile. The companion Nor-Cal Dwarf Car Association main event provided several thrills of its own. In the end it was local product Shawn Whitney grabbing the checkered to earn yet another victory on the red clay. Mike Grenert, Dylan Shrum, Jace Badeker and Brenden Shrum rounded out the top five. The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour returns to action on Saturday April 19th at Merced Speedway. Placerville Speedway is back at it this coming Saturday April 5th with the "Prospectors Pursuit" featuring Winged Sprint Cars, Midgets, Lightning Sprints and Pure Stocks. Results Sprint Car Challenge Tour Thrill on the Hill Placerville Speedway March 29, 2025 41 Cars Shop Kyle Larson A Main 35 Laps 1. 17W-Shane Golobic[2]; 2. 41-Dominic Scelzi[9]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg[1]; 4. 2A-Austin Wood[7]; 5. 4SA-Justin Sanders[6]; 6. X1-Chance Grasty[3]; 7. 83T-Tanner Carrick[15]; 8. 54X-Sean Becker[17]; 9. 42X-Justyn Cox[12]; 10. 94-Greg Decaires V[13]; 11. 25-Seth Standley[14]; 12. 14W-Jodie Robinson[11]; 13. 5V-Colby Copeland[10]; 14. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield[5]; 15. 17-Anthony Snow[8]; 16. 3-Cole Schroeder[24]; 17. 61-Travis Labat[23]; 18. 55D-Dawson Hammes[22]; 19. 9X-Adrianna DeMartini[20]; 20. 2XM-Max Mittry[19]; 21. 28-Gauge Garcia[16]; 22. 7C-Tony Gomes[4]; 23. 21-Shane Hopkins[18]; 24. 13-Elijah Gile[21] B Feature 12 Laps 1. 13-Elijah Gile[1]; 2. 55D-Dawson Hammes[2]; 3. 61-Travis Labat[4]; 4. 3-Cole Schroeder[6]; 5. 17J-Josh Young[9]; 6. 9-Dustin Freitas[8]; 7. 94R-Ryan Rocha[14]; 8. 7P-Jake Andreotti[5]; 9. 93-Stephen Ingraham[13]; 10. 9L-Luke Hayes[15]; 11. 38-Tyler Cato[7]; 12. 18C-Colby Fox[11]; 13. 15-Michael Sellers[10]; 14. 85-AJ Alderman[12]; 15. 56C-Carson Hammes[3] C Feature 10 Laps 1. 94R-Ryan Rocha[1]; 2. 9L-Luke Hayes[3]; 3. 5C-Corbin Rueschenberg[6]; 4. 44T-Austin Taborski[2]; 5. 88T-Tyler Fox[4]; 6. 21C-Cody Meyer[5]; 7. 12J-John Clark[7] High Sierra Dash 6 Laps 1. 92-Andy Forsberg[1]; 2. 17W-Shane Golobic[3]; 3. X1-Chance Grasty[4]; 4. 7C-Tony Gomes[6]; 5. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield[5]; 6. 4SA-Justin Sanders[8]; 7. 2A-Austin Wood[7]; 8. 17-Anthony Snow[2] Tiner Hirst Ent. Heat 1 8 Laps 1. 4SA-Justin Sanders[1]; 2. 41-Dominic Scelzi[2]; 3. 7C-Tony Gomes[4]; 4. 94-Greg Decaires V[7]; 5. 54X-Sean Becker[8]; 6. 56C-Carson Hammes[6]; 7. 38-Tyler Cato[10]; 8. 18C-Colby Fox[11]; 9. 13-Elijah Gile[3]; 10. 9L-Luke Hayes[5]; 11. 5C-Corbin Rueschenberg[9] BR Motorsports Heat 2 8 Laps 1. 17W-Shane Golobic[2]; 2. 14W-Jodie Robinson[3]; 3. 2A-Austin Wood[4]; 4. 83T-Tanner Carrick[1]; 5. 2XM-Max Mittry[5]; 6. 7P-Jake Andreotti[6]; 7. 17J-Josh Young[7]; 8. 93-Stephen Ingraham[9]; 9. 94R-Ryan Rocha[8]; 10. 88T-Tyler Fox[10] King Racing Products Heat 3 8 Laps 1. 92-Andy Forsberg[1]; 2. 5V-Colby Copeland[2]; 3. 17-Anthony Snow[4]; 4. 25-Seth Standley[3]; 5. 21-Shane Hopkins[6]; 6. 55D-Dawson Hammes[5]; 7. 3-Cole Schroeder[8]; 8. 15-Michael Sellers[7]; 9. 44T-Austin Taborski[9]; 10. 21C-Cody Meyer[10] A.R.T. Speed Equipment Heat 4 8 Laps 1. X1-Chance Grasty[1]; 2. 42X-Justyn Cox[3]; 3. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield[4]; 4. 28-Gauge Garcia[8]; 5. 9X-Adrianna DeMartini[2]; 6. 61-Travis Labat[5]; 7. 9-Dustin Freitas[6]; 8. 85-AJ Alderman[9]; 9. 8-Justin Henry[7]; 10. 12J-John Clark[10] Qualifying A 1. 7C-Tony Gomes, 00:10.521[9]; 2. 2A-Austin Wood, 00:10.653[6]; 3. 4SA-Justin Sanders, 00:10.702[2]; 4. 83T-Tanner Carrick, 00:10.706[12]; 5. 41-Dominic Scelzi, 00:10.750[1]; 6. 17W-Shane Golobic, 00:10.777[14]; 7. 13-Elijah Gile, 00:10.786[19]; 8. 14W-Jodie Robinson, 00:10.787[20]; 9. 9L-Luke Hayes, 00:10.791[11]; 10. 2XM-Max Mittry, 00:10.792[10]; 11. 56C-Carson Hammes, 00:10.812[16]; 12. 7P-Jake Andreotti, 00:10.825[4]; 13. 94-Greg Decaires V, 00:10.943[13]; 14. 17J-Josh Young, 00:10.952[7]; 15. 54X-Sean Becker, 00:11.035[5]; 16. 94R-Ryan Rocha, 00:11.116[21]; 17. 5C-Corbin Rueschenberg, 00:11.138[18]; 18. 93-Stephen Ingraham, 00:11.148[15]; 19. 38-Tyler Cato, 00:11.590[17]; 20. 88T-Tyler Fox, 00:11.634[8]; 21. 18C-Colby Fox, 00:11.715[3] Qualifying B 1. 17-Anthony Snow, 00:10.595[10]; 2. 83V-Dylan Bloomfield, 00:10.681[17]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg, 00:10.684[14]; 4. X1-Chance Grasty, 00:10.781[5]; 5. 5V-Colby Copeland, 00:10.820[3]; 6. 9X-Adrianna DeMartini, 00:10.847[6]; 7. 25-Seth Standley, 00:10.876[7]; 8. 42X-Justyn Cox, 00:10.908[9]; 9. 55D-Dawson Hammes, 00:10.934[12]; 10. 61-Travis Labat, 00:10.963[11]; 11. 21-Shane Hopkins, 00:10.966[16]; 12. 9-Dustin Freitas, 00:10.973[13]; 13. 15-Michael Sellers, 00:11.026[4]; 14. 8-Justin Henry, 00:11.049[8]; 15. 3-Cole Schroeder, 00:11.077[1]; 16. 28-Gauge Garcia, 00:11.131[19]; 17. 44T-Austin Taborski, 00:11.210[20]; 18. 85-AJ Alderman, 00:11.334[2]; 19. 21C-Cody Meyer, 00:11.860[15]; 20. 12J-John Clark, 00:12.251[18] Nor Cal Dwarf Car Association: A Feature 20 Laps 1. 15N-Shawn Whitney[8]; 2. 12N-Mike Grenert[9]; 3. 31N-Dylan Shrum[10]; 4. 7N-Jace Badeker[3]; 5. 50N-Brenden Shrum[4]; 6. 508N-Steve Costello[18]; 7. 57N-Ben Wiesz[14]; 8. 21N-Fred Dickey[19]; 9. 57ON-Anthony Pope[17]; 10. 29N-Corey Eaton[13]; 11. 05N-Tim Dodson[12]; 12. 69N-Cody Shrum[1]; 13. 32N-Dan Geil[15]; 14. 40N-Eric Fromong[20]; 15. 72N-Mike Reeder[7]; 16. 99N-Gage Meyers[5]; 17. 38-Bennett Gooch III[11]; 18. 52N-Chuck Conover[16]; 19. 42N-Isaak Geil[6]; 20. 19N-Patrick Weger[2]

• 
  SEXTON GATLIN RACING HEADS NORTH FOR TWO RACES THIS WEEKEND

  (Lakeside, CA, March 24, 2025) Lakeside, California's Sexton Gatlin Racing will wrap up a busy month of March with a trek to Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on the 28th and the Merced Speedway on the 29th for races in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series. The trek north will take SGR 454 miles from its San Diego County base for the Friday portion of the weekend doubleheader. On Saturday, the team will head 100 miles south from Watsonville to Merced for Saturday's race on the Doug Lockwood-promoted track. SGR had last weekend off after competing in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Series during the California Mid-Winter Fair at the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds on the 14th and 15th of the month. The two nights of racing at the track located just north of the USA-Mexico border brought a mixed bag of results for the longtime Southern California team. The Friday portion of the show at the track, which old-time fans still refer to as El Centro, started off well for the team when 20-year-old Grant clicked off the seventh fastest time in the 28-car field. Even though he was less than a half second slower, Brent timed in 19th best. Brent's night ended on the first lap of the third heat race when he was battling for the lead. Starting on the outside of the front row, contact with the car on the inside sent him into a series of nasty flips as he came off turn two. He climbed out of the car unscathed, but the tumble ended up finishing his car for the night. "I am not sure after watching the replay," Sexton answered when asked what triggered the flip. " After I watched the replay, someone may have caught the inside berm and caught my left rear, but I do not know. It is hard to say, really. We could have been ready, but with just two classes there, time was short. I just figured why push it with a two-day show. Let's focus on getting it fixed right and be ready for the next night. It really was not damaged too badly for as hard as I flipped. Front axle, bent the torque tube, and rear bumper." Grant ended up sixth in the heat. That sent him to the B main, where he needed to finish sixth or better to continue to the A. He did so comfortably by finishing third. That put the young driver in the 30-lap finale. However, car issues plagued him, and he finished 19th. With the flip in his past, the Saturday portion of the show saw Brent turn in his best USAC qualifying effort to date. His 13.389 was the 11th fastest lap of the 26 cars on hand. He followed that by competing in the toughest heat race of the weekend. The veteran racer fought hard and managed to hold the final transfer spot until the last lap when he slipped back to sixth. That outcome placed him on the front row of the B main, and getting more used to the 410 each night, he brought it home third to earn a ticket to his first USAC/CRA main event of the year. In the main, the wily veteran started 11th. After some see-sawing forward and backward in the race, he ended up 14th. While he wanted more, he was happy with the night, and he loves life as a 410 sprint car driver. "It was my best qualifying to date with USAC." Sexton proudly stated. "I am kind of setting some goals for this year, like qualifying better with USAC, because that is everything. Finish a little better than last year. Last year, I was usually 18th to 24th. This year, I want to get near the top 10. I would like to have finished closer to the top 10 at Imperial, but I will take the 14th place." "I do actually," Sexton continued when asked if he felt this year is like a rejuvenation of his career. "I am having a lot of fun. Especially with this 410. It is all a learning curve, jumping up to a 410. I am enjoying it." San Diego's AJ Bender, who has driven SGR cars and won in the past in lightning competition, jumped into Grant's car on Saturday to see what it was like to wheel a Triple X. However, the driver who finished fourth in USAC/CRA points in 2024, was feeling the car out for the first time, and he exited the A main early. "I am looking forward to this weekend," Sexton offered about racing at Ocean and Merced. "We have run Merced with the lightning sprint, but I have never been to Ocean before. We will have to figure out gearing and all of that stuff. Hopefully, we will come out of the box strong." To see SGR in action this weekend, the Ocean Speedway is located at 2601 E. Lake in Watsonville, California. For times and ticket information, call the track office at 831-688-7223. On Saturday at the Merced Speedway, gates will open at 5:00 p.m., and racing will begin at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for those 17 and older are $25.00. Juniors, aged 11-16, get in for $10.00. Tickets for kids 6-10 are $5.00. Children 5 and under are free. The track is located at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced. The track website is http://www.mercedspeedway.net/ and the office phone number is 209-600-8382. The final SGR racer on the weekend at Imperial was eager teen Braydin Collie of El Cajon, California. Racing on a track where he recorded a second-place finish in 2024, things did not go quite as well on the weekend with the SoCal Lightning Sprint Cars. On Friday, he looked impressive in winning his heat race, but he flipped on the back stretch during lap three of the main event and finished 11th. Twenty-four hours later, the talented teen placed 11th again when the center splines on the right rear stripped out. Big news from Sexton Gatling Racing is the fact that they are going to be a CSI certified shock dealer for the West Coast. The team bought Mel Murphy's shock dyno and crew member David Bezio flew out to Indy on Monday to study with CSI in Indiana. "We will be open right away (when Bezio gets back)," Sexton commented. "I have the dyno and we have been doing our own shocks. David is there taking the course so we can be a certified dealer. We are excited about that." Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2025 Results 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 13th A Main 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars DNS 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 14th A Main Grant Sexton 2025 Results 2/15/25 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 8th A Main 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 19th A Main AJ Bender 2025 SGR Results 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 23rd A Main Braydin Collie 2025 SGR Results 3/14/25 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main 3/15/25 Imperial Valley Raceway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

• 
  Thrill on the Hill launches SCCT season at Placerville Speedway

  Placerville, CA…The Sierra Foothills situated Placerville Speedway will be the destination for the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour this Saturday March 29th, as the traveling Winged 360 series opens another season. The "Thrill on the Hill" kicks-off a 16-race campaign for the Sprint Car Challenge Tour in 2025. It marks the first of three appearances at the popular El Dorado County Fairgrounds venue, which is located just a short drive from the capital city of Sacramento. "We look forward to getting the SCCT season underway this Saturday at Placerville Speedway," commented Promoter Scott Russell. "We have a nice mix of California races this year, along with our Northwest Swing in July. Hopefully it's a good show to open everything up." The www.shopkylelarson.com A-main will hand out $3,000-to-win/ $400-to-start on Saturday. Thanks to the generous support from Elk Grove Ford, Hoosier Tires and RMI, the SCCT champion once again pockets $10,000 cash out of an over $50,000 point fund this season. Live music will be performed from 4-6pm to coincide with Coors Light/ Coors Banquet Happy Hour. Seating is General Admission, except for the reserved seats allocated to season ticket holders that are marked. Fans and teams looking for lodging in the area can receive a special Placerville Speedway rate at the Hampton Inn & Suites Folsom by visiting https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/sacfohx-ps1-7ed8114f-dd07-4819-af5f-59dae60894a1/ Last year saw Auburn's Andy Forsberg claim his second career Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour championship. The now 10-time Placerville Speedway titlist also scooped up the Western Sprint Tour Speedweek crown in July aboard the Pacific Highway Rentals No. 92 mount. El Cajon's Braden Chiaramonte finished second in the points while earning the Garth Moore Insurance Rookie of the Year Award. The youngster snagged an exciting victory at Antioch Speedway after starting from the trunk that night. Oakley's Dylan Bloomfield, Placerville's Shane Hopkins and Livermore's Travis Labat rounded out the top five in the SCCT standings. Aromas driver Justin Sanders won last season's Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour opener. It helped catapult him to a record five wins in the first five events of the SCCT slate. Tickets and Details: Adult tickets for the Thrill on the Hill this Saturday March 29th cost $25 while juniors 12-17, seniors 62+ and military with ID cost $22. Kids ages 6-11 are $10, with those five and under free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online via https://www.eventsprout.com/event/psr032925 The pit gate will open at noon, with the front gate opening at 4pm. Hirst Home Team Happy Hour is offered until 6pm in the grandstands featuring live music with discounted Coors Light and Coors Banquet at the beer booth. The pit meeting will be held at 4:30pm with cars on track at 5:15. Hot laps, Sierra Foothills Wine Services qualifying and racing will follow. The Placerville Speedway is located on the beautiful El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville, California. Take Hwy US-50 to Forni Road/Placerville Drive exit. Then go north on Placerville Drive to the Fairgrounds. The physical address is 100 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. For more information on the Placerville Speedway log onto http://www.placervillespeedway.com For those who can't make it to the track CaliDirt.TV provides live coverage of every Sprint Car Challenge Tour event. The service also covers every championship point race at Placerville Speedway. Fans can purchase through a cost savings monthly membership or on a per race basis via https://calidirt.tv/ The Sprint Car Challenge Tour would like to thank Elk Grove Ford, Hoosier Racing Tires, CaliDirt.TV, Shop Kyle Larson, Pit Stop USA, Tiner-Hirst Enterprise, BR Motorsports, King Racing Products, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Sierra Foothills Wine Services, Garth Moore Insurance and Financial Services, Pacific Highway Rentals and High Sierra Industries for their support this season. The Sprint Car Challenge Tour is managed by Russell Motorsports Inc., which also runs the Placerville Speedway in Placerville, California. For sponsorship opportunities and inquiries, RMI can be reached at 530-344-7592 or office@sprintcarchallengetour.com More information on the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour can be found at our official website www.sprintcarchallengetour.com - Be sure to also like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sprintcarchallengetour and follow on X/Twitter https://twitter.com/360SCCT for the latest breaking news regarding SCCT. You can also find us on Instagram by searching scct360. …… Upcoming Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour events Saturday March 29: Placerville Speedway (Thrill on the Hill) Saturday April 19: Merced Speedway (Clash on the High Banks) Sunday May 25: Marysville Raceway (25th annual Mel and Marlyn Hall Memorial) Friday May 30: Placerville Speedway (Davy Thomas Memorial- Prelude to the Bradway)

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  AFTER GOOD RUNS AT VENTURA, SEXTON GATLIN RACING HEADS TO IMPERIAL FOR FRIDAY/SATURDAY DOUBLEHEADER

  (Lakeside, CA, March 12, 2025) After a successful run in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series last Saturday night at the Ventura Raceway, Sexton Gatlin Team drivers Grant Sexton and his father Brent will head to the Imperial Valley Raceway for a pair of Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car races this Friday and Saturday. A total of 26 cars showed up for the USCS portion of the program at the track that is located adjacent to the breaking waves of the Pacific Ocean. Brent turned in a lap of 13.313 on his first night running a 410 engine. That was good enough for the fourth-best time in his group of eight drivers. It was the 16th fastest of the 26 cars on hand. Grant broke a steering arm in his hot lap session and did not get a qualifying time. He began at the back of his heat, and proceeded to slap the back straight wall, ripping the Jacob's ladder out. That dropped the whole rear end out of the car and left the torque tube standing up like a tee-ball tee in turn two. Needless to say, he did not complete the heat. The team thrashed to replace the drive train and the rear end in Grant's car. Despite their best efforts, they could not get the car ready to run before the B main. It looked like the 20-year-old driver's night was over at that point. However, attrition for others netted him an invitation to start at the back of the A main. From there, the 2023 USAC/CRA Rookie of the Year put on a show. Starting shotgun on the 24-car field, Grant excited the crowd with a brave ride through the pack. He steered the beautiful #22 all the way up to fifth before a brush with another driver on the final restart pushed him back to eighth. That is where the talented third generation driver finished in the 30-lapper. For Brent, it was a big night. Having competed in lightning sprint cars for decades and a 360 against the 410s in the USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series the past two years, Saturday was his debut in a 410 and he looked good. After the aforementioned qualifying effort, he started fourth in his heat race on the tight 1/5 mile track. He worked his way up to third, which earned him the 12th starting spot in the 24-car main event field. "I started 12th and I went back five or six positions just because of me being a throttle jockey," he joked about his first time racing a 410. "Through attrition, I finished 13th." "Somebody compared it to some of the motorcross stuff we used to do saying it was like comparing a two-stroke to a four stroke," the three time lightning sprint champion said. "It is definitely an eye opener and I give respect to the guys who have been driving those (410s) for so long. I love it. It takes more throttle control. Not that I had much throttle control before. It is definitely a discipline thing for sure." Dating back to 2022, the Imperial Valley Raceway has supplied Sexton Gatlin Racing with a lot of successes. Racing with the POWRi Southwest Lightning Series at the Midwinter Fair in 2022, Brent and his oldest son Dalton won the two main events. At another POWRi show that October, Brent again collected the winner's trophy. Five months later Brent kicked off the 2023 POWRi campaign with fourth and second place finishes before visiting victory circle and placing third in the final two POWRi lightning races at the track. Grant notched a fifth place finish in an open 360/410 race that October. In 2024, the Sexton's again launched their racing campaign at Imperial with Brent taking second and fourth in the lightning sprint mains. Grant ended up 5th and 9th in the open comp. 360/410 class over the two nights. Last October when USAC/CRA visited the track that is just north of the USA/Mexico border, Grant was 11th and 21st, while Brent made one of the mains and placed 13th. In addition to Grant and Brent racing their 410s this weekend at Imperial, second-year lightning sprint driver Braydin Collie will compete in the SoCal Lightning Sprint Car Series portion of the program. Last season, rookie Collie made seven lightning sprint starts. His best finish was a second at Imperial on October 19th. Racing will start at 6:00 p.m. each night at Imperial. Admission to the fair is $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for seniors and children. Parking at the fair is $10.00. Admission to the races is $10.00 for ages 18 and over and free for everyone 17 and under. The Imperial Valley Raceway is located on the Imperial Valley Fairgrounds at 200 E. 2nd Street in Imperial, California (92251). For those who cannot make it to Imperial, both nights will be streamed live online with a subscription to Flo Racing. The Lakeside, California team will wrap up a busy month of March with a trek to Ocean Speedway in Watsonville on the 28th and the Merced Speedway on the 29th. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2024 season possible. East County Electric Works, Keys Brothers, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt. If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2024, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2025 Results 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 13th A Main Grant Sexton 2025 Results 2/15/25 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 20th A Main 3/8/25 Ventura Raceway USCS Sprint Cars 8th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

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  Shop Kyle Larson shifts to A-main sponsor with SCCT in 2025

  Placerville, CA…The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour is pleased to welcome back Shop Kyle Larson as a season-long partner in 2025. The company will morph into sponsor of the A-main this year, boosting every SCCT feature to a minimum of $3,000 to win. Each main event also hands out a minimum of $400 to start once again this season. "We want to thank Kyle Larson and www.shopkylelarson.com for their continued support," commented SCCT President Scott Russell. "We had been doing the full-time bonus award the last several years, but this season, Shop Kyle Larson will become our main event sponsor. By having that support, it guarantees $3,000 to win every night, for any team that runs a Sprint Car Challenge Tour show." www.shopkylelarson.com is the official place to shop for merchandise from 2021 NASCAR Cup champion and now three-time Chili Bowl Nationals winner, Kyle Larson. The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour opens its season with the March 29th "Thrill on the Hill" at Placerville Speedway. The Sprint Car Challenge Tour is operated under the Russell Motorsports Inc. banner, which also manages the Placerville Speedway in Placerville, California. For sponsorship opportunities and inquiries, RMI can be reached at 530-344-7592 or office@sprintcarchallengetour.com More information on the Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour can be found at our official website www.sprintcarchallengetour.com - Be sure to also like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sprintcarchallengetour and follow on X/Twitter https://twitter.com/360SCCT for the latest breaking news regarding SCCT. You can also find us on Instagram by searching scct360. …… Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour 2025 Schedule Saturday March 29: Placerville Speedway (Thrill on the Hill) Saturday April 19: Merced Speedway (Clash on the High Banks) Sunday May 25: Marysville Raceway (25th annual Mel and Marlyn Hall Memorial) Friday May 30: Placerville Speedway (Davy Thomas Memorial- Prelude to the Bradway) Saturday June 14: Petaluma Speedway (Wings Over Wine Country) (Western Sprint Tour Speedweek) Friday July 18: Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico (12th annual Tyler Wolf Memorial) Saturday July 19: Placerville Speedway ($5,000-to-win/ $500-to-start Gold Pan Rampage) Monday July 21: Douglas County Dirt Track in Roseburg, Oregon Tuesday July 22: Coos Bay Speedway Wednesday July 23: Cottage Grove Speedway Friday July 25: Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington (360 Summer Nationals Opener) Saturday July 26: Skagit Speedway ($26,000-to-win/ $600-to-start 360 Summer Nationals Finale) Sunday July 27: Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington (Hall of Fame Tribute - 360 Battle Royale Speedweek Finale) Saturday September 20: Petaluma Speedway ($5,000-to-win 14th annual Adobe Cup) Saturday October 4: Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare (Trophy Cup Tune-Up w/USCS) Saturday November 8: Stockton Dirt Track (42nd annual Tribute to Gary Patterson- Part II)

Merced Speedway Dirt Track Videos

• 𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺: USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets | Merced Speedway Race #2 | November 24, 2024
• 𝑯𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺: USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets | Merced Speedway Race #1 | November 24, 2024

Merced Speedway Nearby Dirt Tracks

Distance information is direct (as the crow flies) - driving distance will differ due to road routes and things like lakes or mountains.

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  Hills Ferry Raceway Race Track27 miles away - Newman, California, USA
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  Stockton Dirt Track Race Track61 miles away - Stockton, California, USA
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  Delta Speedway Race Track62 miles away - Stockton, California, USA
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  Lodi Cycle Bowl Race Track68 miles away - Lodi, California, USA
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  Ocean Speedway Race Track72 miles away - Watsonville, California, USA
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  Lemoore Jet Bowl Race Track79 miles away - Lemoore, California, USA
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  Kings Speedway Race Track81 miles away - Hanford, California, USA
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  Antioch Speedway Race Track88 miles away - Antioch, California, USA
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  Plaza Park Raceway Race Track90 miles away - Visalia, California, USA
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  Thunderbowl Raceway Race Track98 miles away - Tulare, California, USA
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  Speedway 41 Race Track98 miles away - Hanford, California, USA
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  Placerville Speedway Race Track100 miles away - Placerville, California, USA

Merced Speedway Dirt Track Racing Organizations

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  BCRA - Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  CLS - California Lightning Sprints Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  HMWT - Hunt Magnetos Wingless Tour Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  NARC - Northern Auto Racing Club Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  SCCT - Sprint Car Challenge Tour Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  USAC - United States Auto Club Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  WoO - World of Outlaws Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  WSDCA - Western States Dwarf Car Association Dirt Track Racing Organization