Thunderbowl Raceway Race Track in Tulare, California, USA

• dirt tracks
• USA
• California

Thunderbowl Raceway Dirt Track Logo

Thunderbowl Raceway races Sprint Cars, Midgets, and Stock Cars.

• Website
• Facebook
• Email: josh@thunderbowlraceway.com
• Phone: 559-688-0909
• Surface: 1/3 mile high-banked clay oval

• 620 South K Street
  Tulare, California, 93274 USA
• lat: 36.196735, lng: -119.341896
• Link to Google Map
• Link to Apple Map

Thunderbowl Raceway Dirt Track Racing Schedule

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

Thunderbowl Raceway Dirt Track News

• 
  Brent Sexton Set To Make 360 Wing Debut At Watsonville And Merced This Weekend

  Lakeside, CA — April 23, 2026 — Sexton Gatlin Racing will cap off a busy April when Brent Sexton heads north this Friday and Saturday for a pair of winged 360 sprint car races. The first stop is Friday night at Watsonville Speedway, followed by a Saturday showdown in the highly competitive Sprint Car Challenge Tour event at Merced Speedway. The two nights of racing will mark Brent's first appearance in a winged 360 car. Last Saturday, Brent and his youngest son, 21-year-old Grant, made the trek to the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare for a date with the third-year Ultimate Sprint Car Series. It was Brent's fourth race with the series in 2026 and his second at the Thunderbowl this year. In his previous appearance at the popular Central Valley oval, he turned in an impressive performance. After finishing fifth in his heat race, he started 14th in the A Main and charged forward to a strong seventh-place finish. That effort was even more notable considering officials red-flagged the race early due to time constraints, while both the driver and car had more to give. Unfortunately, things did not go as well for the three-time lightning sprint car champion this time around. A broken shifter cable in qualifying immediately put him behind the eight-ball for the remainder of the night. Unable to start his heat race, he was forced to line up near the back of the field for the main event. Starting 17th, Sexton advanced one position before his night came to an early end. A sticking throttle created a dangerous situation, prompting him to pull into the infield rather than risk taking a chunk out of the crash wall. "The throttle was sticking and I was standing on the brakes trying to keep it under control," he said. "It didn't end well." Grant's night showed early promise. He qualified fourth fastest in Group #1 with a lap of 16.007, which ranked eighth overall among the 19 cars on hand. He then started fourth and finished second in his heat race. In the main event, he rolled off from seventh and battled inside the top 10 for much of the race until contact from another car on lap 17 forced him to retire early. He was credited with a 15th-place finish. This weekend's races will mark the 11th start in April for a Sexton Gatlin Racing driver and car combination. Earlier this month, Sexton Gatlin Racing was scheduled to compete at both Watsonville and Merced with the non-wing USCS. However, both events were canceled due to rain. One year ago, Brent made his Watsonville Speedway debut and immediately turned heads. He opened the weekend by qualifying third fastest in his USCS group with a lap of 13.375, which placed him 10th overall in the 19-car field. He then started fourth in his heat race, led much of the distance, and finished second. Starting seventh in the main event on the Santa Cruz County oval, Sexton quickly found himself in the thick of the action. Working both the high and low lines, he advanced as high as fourth before slipping back to eighth or ninth during the intense battle. Staying composed, he rallied to finish fifth at the checkered flag. "It was so much fun," he said at the time. "I loved the track. I am having the time of my life. To finish fifth the first time ever at the track, that is cool. I am happy." Spectator gates at Watsonville Speedway will open at 4:30 p.m. for Friday's race. The track is located at 2601 East Lake Avenue in Watsonville, California (95076). For more information, visit watsonvillespeedway.com. For Saturday's event, Merced Speedway is located at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced, California (95341). Additional information can be found at mercedspeedway.net. For more updates, follow Sexton Gatlin Racing on social media and stay tuned for results throughout the 2026 season. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2026 season possible. East County Electric Works, Antonelli's Deli, Keys Brothers, Geoff Dale, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt. Collie would like to express his thanks to the following sponsors. Sexton Gatlin Racing/HRP Hose and Rubber Products/Sexton Fire Protection/Maxima Racing Oils/Automated Interiors/Valley Lubricant/Swift Powdercoating/Sunnyside Promotions/Sids Auto Body/BK Wings/BTS Equipment/TC Construction/Thunderstruck Motorsports/AG Sand Cars/Mom/Dad/Tavo/Grant/Dant If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2026, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton SGR 2026 Results 2/28/26 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/6/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 10th A Main 3/7/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 7th A Main 3/12/26 Las Vegas Dirt Track Ultimate Sprint Cars DNS 3/21/26 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main 3/28/26 Thunderbowl Speedway Ultimate Sprint Cars 7th A Main 4/4/26 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 8th A Main 4/11/26 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 6th A Main 4/18/26 Thunderbowl Raceway Ultimate Sprint Cars 18th Main Braydin Collie SGR 2026 Results 3/6/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 13th A Main 3/7/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 2nd A Main 4/4/26 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 3rd A Main Grant Sexton SGR 2026 Results 3/12/26 Las Vegas Dirt Track Ultimate Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/13/26 Las Vegas Dirt Track Ultimate Sprint Cars 21st A Main 4/4/26 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 1st A Main 4/11/26 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 12th A Main 4/18/26 Thunderbowl Raceway Ultimate Sprint Cars 15th A Main Bradin Chiaramonte SGR 2026 Results 3/7/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 15th A Main Dalton Sexton SGR 2026 Results 3/6/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings DNS Mark Henry SGR 2026 Results 4/4/26 Santa Maria Speedway California Lightning Sprints 10th A Main Drake Cardey SGR 2026 Results 4/11/26 Barona Speedway SoCal Lightning Sprints 11th A Main This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

• 
  Justin Sanders take “Faria Memorial” at Thunderbowl

  Justin Sanders won the "Chris & Brian Faria Memorial" 30 lap NARC King of the West feature at Thunderbowl Raceway Saturday night. Sanders led all 30 circuits and was masterful threading his way through traffic until two late race cautions, but Sanders held on over Dominic Scelzi, Chance Grasty, Max Mittry and Kaleb Montgomery.

• 
  Brad Sweet takes NARC checkers at Thunderbowl, Ryan Bernal wins non wing main

  Tulare,CA (March 29,2026)- Brad Sweet won the 30 lap NARC feature over Justin Sanders, Tim Kaeding, Dominic Scelzi and Shane Golobic Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway. Ryan Bernal won the curfew shortened non wing feature

• 
  Sexton Carries Ventura Runner-Up Momentum Into Thunderbowl Debut Saturday

  Lakeside, CA — March 25, 2026 — Veteran Southern California open wheel driver Brent Sexton will wrap up a busy month of March when he makes his first appearance at Tulare's Thunderbowl Raceway with the Ultimate Sprint Car Series this Saturday night, March 28th. The race will be Sexton's fifth of the month, and it comes hot on the heels of a second-place finish in the California Lightning Sprint Car race last Saturday night at the Ventura Raceway. Sexton, a Tennessee native who lives in Lakeside, California, qualified fifth fastest at Ventura. The three-time lightning sprint car champ then placed fifth in his first heat race and won his second heat on the track that is located at the beach on the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The wily veteran started on the pole for the 20-lap main event and led most of the first circuit on the 1/5 mile track. Sexton, who last visited the Ventura Raceway on Thanksgiving weekend last year, eventually slipped back to fourth. He bided his time in fourth but had moved up to second by the time veteran starter Kris Kornder ended the 20-lapper with his checkered flag. While Sexton will be making his debut at the famous Thunderbowl on Saturday, it will be the second appearance of a Sexton Gatlin Racing car at the Central Valley track. Nearly three years ago, his youngest son, Grant, tried to tame the famous 1/3 mile clay oval. In a race with the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, the then-teenage driver timed in ninth fastest in qualifying. After racing up to third in his heat race, he had a meeting with another driver's rear tire and flipped. Before getting upside down, the car slammed rear-end first into the crash wall, breaking the rear end. The crew thrashed to get the car ready for the main event and narrowly got it done before the race pushed off. However, the drive shaft pulled out after only a few laps, and Grant finished 14th. Brent is hoping to have a little better luck on his Thunderbowl debut on Saturday. At the Thunderbowl, gates will open at 4:00 with hot laps at 5:00, qualifying at 6:00, and racing at 7:00. Adult tickets are $30.00 (grandstands) and $25.00 (bleachers). For seniors, tickets are priced at $28.00 (grandstands) and $23.00 (bleaschers). Kids 6-12 are $30.00 in the grandstands and $18.00 in the bleachers. Children 5 and under are free. The Thunderbowl is located on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets at 620 South K Street, Tulare (93274). The website is http://www.thunderbowlraceway.com/ and the office phone is (559) 688-0909. For more updates, follow Sexton Gatlin Racing on social media and stay tuned for results throughout the 2026 season. Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2026 season possible. East County Electric Works, Antonelli's Deli, Keys Brothers, Geoff Dale, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt. Collie would like to express his thanks to the following sponsors. Sexton Gatlin Racing/HRP Hose and Rubber Products/Sexton Fire Protection/Maxima Racing Oils/Automated Interiors/Valley Lubricant/Swift Powdercoating/Sunnyside Promotions/Sids Auto Body/BK Wings/BTS Equipment/TC Construction/Thunderstruck Motorsports/AG Sand Cars/Mom/Dad/Tavo/Grant/Dant If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2026, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com. Brent Sexton 2026 Results 2/28/26 Mohave Valley Raceway USAC/CRA Sprint Cars 16th A Main 3/6/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 10th A Main 3/7/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 7th A Main 3/12/26 Las Vegas Dirt Track Ultimate Sprint Cars DNS 3/21/26 Ventura Raceway California Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main Braydin Collie 2026 Results 3/6/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 13th A Main 3/7/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 2nd A Main 3/12/26 Las Vegas Dirt Track Ultimate Sprint Cars 15th A Main 3/13/26 Las Vegas Dirt Track Ultimate Sprint Cars 21st A Main Bradin Chiaramonte 2026 Results 3/7/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings 15th A Main Dalton Sexton 2026 Results 3/6/26 Imperial Valley Raceway CLS/SCLS Lightnings DNS This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com

• 
  SCCT announces return to Watsonville Speedway

  Watsonville, CA…The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour has revealed an update to its schedule of events, with the 66th running of the Johnny Key Classic added to the slate. The SCCT 360s are eager to be back at the newly rebranded Watsonville Speedway for one night only this season on Saturday June 20th. The Johnny Key Classic originally started out at the paved San Jose Speedway following the passing of driver Johnny Key during a racing crash in Cincinnati, Ohio during the 1954 season. It moved to the fairgrounds dirt track in 1978 and had been a staple at the speedway until the closing of the dirt oval in 1999. After several years sitting idle, Watsonville Speedway decided to bring the event back in 2007 when the Ocean Sprints came into existence. This year marks the 20th consecutive season that it is held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds facility. It will be the first Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour show at the track since 2023. Previous winners of the Key Classic in SCCT competition have included Dominic Scelzi on two occasions, along with Shane Golobic. Thanks to the support of www.shopkylelarson.com all main events with the Sprint Car Challenge Tour are once again a minimum of $3,000-to-win/ $400-to-start this season. It all gets underway with the Thrill on the Hill at Placerville Speedway on April 4th. Sprint Car Challenge Tour 2026 Championship Point Fund 1. $10,000 2. $9,000 3. $8,000 4. $7,000 5. $6,000 6. $5,000 7. $4,000 8. $3,000 9. $2,000 10. $1,000 If you can't make it to the track every SCCT event in 2026 can be seen live via www.calidirt.tv Be sure to also like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sprintcarchallengetour and follow on X https://x.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 2026 Schedule Saturday April 4: Placerville Speedway (Thrill on the Hill) Saturday April 25: Merced Speedway (Clash on the High Banks) Sunday May 24: Marysville Raceway (26th annual Mel and Marlyn Hall Memorial) Saturday May 30: Placerville Speedway (2nd annual Davy Thomas Memorial) Saturday June 13: Petaluma Speedway (Wings Over Wine Country) Saturday June 20: Watsonville Speedway (66th Johnny Key Classic) (Western Sprint Tour Speedweek) Friday July 17: Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico (13th annual Tyler and Chuck Wolf Memorial) Saturday July 18: Placerville Speedway (Gold Pan Rampage) Monday July 20: Douglas County Dirt Track in Roseburg, Oregon Tuesday July 21: Coos Bay Speedway Wednesday July 22: Cottage Grove Speedway Friday July 24: Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington (Fred Brownfield 360 Nationals Opener) Saturday July 25: Skagit Speedway ($26,000-to-win Fred Brownfield 360 Nationals Finale) Sunday July 26: Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington (Hall of Fame Tribute-360 Battle Royale Speedweek Finale) Saturday October 3: Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare (KRC Safety Night at the Races) Saturday October 17: Petaluma Speedway (15th annual $5,000-to-win Adobe Cup) Saturday November 7: Stockton Dirt Track (43rd annual Tribute to Gary Patterson)

Thunderbowl Raceway Dirt Track Videos

• Mittry vs Thunderbowl Raceway… HOLD ON 😳 (NARC Onboard)
• Dominic Scelzi Charges to P2 at Thunderbowl Raceway | NARC King of the West
• Justin Sanders Gets His FIRST 410 WIN at Thunderbowl Raceway! | NARC King of the West
• NARC King of the West Points Race #2 FULL EVENT | Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway
• TK Onboard at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway 🚀 NARC 410 Sprint Cars | Insane P3 Run! 🔥🏁

Thunderbowl Raceway 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.

• 
  Plaza Park Raceway Race Track9 miles away - Visalia, California, USA
• 
  Kings Speedway Race Track18 miles away - Hanford, California, USA
• 
  Lemoore Jet Bowl Race Track26 miles away - Lemoore, California, USA
• 
  Speedway 41 Race Track26 miles away - Lemoore, California, USA
• 
  Bakersfield Speedway at Kern Raceway Race Track62 miles away - Bakersfield, California, USA
• 
  Merced Speedway Race Track98 miles away - Merced, California, USA

Thunderbowl Raceway Dirt Track Racing Organizations

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  DIRTcar - DIRTcar Racing Dirt Track Racing Organization
• 
  HLR - High Limit Racing Dirt Track Racing Organization
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  IMCA - International Motor Contest Association 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