This message was edited on
February 09, 2007 at
05:42:18 PM by Gary Thomas
Kings Speedway wil pack 'em in
Hanford track unveils a 36 date schedule for 2007 By Nick Giannandrea / The Bee
02/09/07 05:22:54 Kings Speedway sat dark for most of 2006.
That won't be the case this year.
Promoter Frank Dias has scheduled 36 dates of racing — everything from 410 sprint cars to monster trucks to motorcycles and quads — for the three-eighths-mile dirt track in Hanford.
The season opener is Feb. 24 with a night of racing featuring 360 sprint cars, American Late Models, Super Streets, IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Super 4s.
"It's a pretty aggressive schedule," said Dias, who initially said he would stage about 26 races in 2007 after taking over as the track's promoter in July.
The expanded schedule features 20 different classes.
"Over our short term last year, we talked to a lot of different racers and race fans and got a lot of requests," Dias said. "We're trying to fulfill those requests."
Highlighting the schedule are seven dates of 410 sprint car racing — three Golden State Challenge dates (March 16-17 and July 21), three stops by the United States Auto Club/California Racing Association (March 31, June 30 and July 28) and the season-ending Cotton Classic (Oct. 27).
The GSC is back in Hanford after having its date canceled last year because the track was without a promoter.
"We're very excited about getting the GSC back. [Series promoter] John Padgen has a great program," Dias said. "And we're very fortunate to get USAC races in again."
Kings Speedway will be the home track for the Sprint Car Racing Association's wingless 360s this season. Other classes that will run at least one date at Kings include Late Models, Super Streets, IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Super 4s, IMCA Stocks, BCRA Midgets, NMRA TQs, ATVs, Dwarfs, Spec Sprints, Enduros, Focus Midgets, monster trucks, mud boggers, motorcycles and destruction derby cars.
The extra car classes aren't all that's new at Kings Speedway.
The scoreboard has been upgraded for use with transponders, which will be mandatory for all cars this season. The old railing on the front straightaway has been replaced with concrete, which added a couple of feet of width to the track. And the concession stands have been renovated.
"We're just trying to make it user friendly and someplace where you're proud to enjoy your evening," Dias said. "I am very serious when I say that in three to four years, I want to be in the top 10 tracks across the nation."
Kings Speedway hosts Gasoline Alley between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday at the Kings Fairground Commercial Building. The event features drivers' meetings for many of the car classes, as well as sponsors' booths. And on Sunday, the tracks hosts its second practice session from 11 a.m. through 4 p.m.
The third practice session is scheduled for Feb. 17
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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