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Stockton Dirt Track announces 2014 schedule that begins & ends in grand fashion
By Gary Thomas
Stockton, CA – December 30, 2013…The Stockton Dirt Track has officially released its 2014 schedule, which sees a big focus on special events that opens & closes with major showcases, including a return of the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series & the first ever championship finale featuring both of California’s premier Winged Sprint Car Series’ on one night.
The season kicks off on March 21 & 22 at the 3/8 mile clay oval, with the inaugural “Western Racing Classic” weekend. Friday’s opener features Winged 360 Sprint Cars & BCRA Midgets taking to the track, in what is expected to be a full pit area of race cars. There is also currently a TBA/ Tentative event scheduled for Thursday night at the fairgrounds that could possibly have a charity tie-in with go-karts. Just like last year a car show & live band is also planned for Saturday afternoon, along with a post race party on Friday night following the races.
The Friday evening opener on March 21 will mark the third Winged 360 Sprint Car event to take place at the Stockton Dirt Track since it opened up last season. The previous two races have been captured by Sacramento’s Willie Croft and San Jose’s Tim Kaeding. It will also be the second ever BCRA Midget event, after last year’s debut was claimed by Stockton's own Jonathon Henry over Visalia’s Greg Bragg and Sean Dodenhoff. For information on the Bay Cities Racing Association visit www.bcraracing.com
On Saturday March 22 the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series will invade the lightning fast track for the second time ever. Last season’s World of Outlaws event in Stockton was claimed by Elk Grove native Kyle Larson, who picked up the win over two-time King of the West 410 champion Tim Kaeding and five-time WOO titlist Donny Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota. Eventual World of Outlaws champ Daryn Pittman of Owasso, Oklahoma came home fourth, with California native and current Nashville, Tennessee resident Paul McMahan rounding out the top-five.
Two-night adult General Admission tickets for the March 21 & 22 weekend are available for just $50 & two-night Reserved Grandstand tickets cost only $70. Single-night tickets & box seats are also available. To purchase tickets for both nights log onto http://dirtcar.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=125 or call (877) 395-8606. Last year’s World of Outlaws event held on a Friday was a sell out and with this season’s outing moving to a Saturday, fans are encouraged to get their tickets now for the best seats possible.
In addition to opening night of the “Western Racing Classic” weekend, there will also be two additional events featuring non-sanctioned Winged 360 Sprint Cars, with those being on Saturday May 17 and Friday June 20. The May 17 show will find the Winged 360 Sprints paired with the BCRA Midgets, while the June 20 event will be co-headlined by the IMCA Modifieds.
For the first time the West Coast Late Model Shootout Series will take to the Stockton Dirt Track, with that event also including the IMCA Modifieds on Saturday July 12. For more information on the always exciting and high-octane West Coast Late Model Shootout log onto http://westcoastlatemodels.com/
The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series will attack the Stockton clay for the first time in 2014 on Saturday August 2 and is paired with the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints that night. The August KWS event last year was picked off by young Dominic Scelzi over Evan Suggs & Carson Macedo. Info on the KWS Series can be found at www.kwssprints.com & info on the Hunt Magnetos Series can be acquired at http://www.joehuntmagnetoswingless.com/
The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series then returns to the Stockton Dirt Track for championship night on Saturday November 1 and for the first time ever, will be joined by the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster, in what is championship night for Civil War as well. It’s sure to be huge evening of action, with both the King of the West Series and Civil War Series champion being crowned in the unique winners’ circle that is found at the Stockton Dirt Track. For more on the Civil War Sprints visit www.civilwarsprints.com
If that wasn’t enough the night will also mark the 31st annual “Tribute to Gary Patterson,” as the prestigious event returns to Stockton for the second consecutive season. Known as the "Dancing Phantom from Stockton," the "Preacher," the "Hostile Hippie" or just simply "GP," Gary Patterson was one of the most colorful characters of his time and captured a number of lucrative wins in his career, including the Gold Cup Race of Champions when it was held at West Capital Raceway in Sacramento, the Super Dirt Cup in Washington at Skagit Speedway and the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot Park in Gardena among others.
Patterson unfortunately lost his life in a Sprint Car crash at Calistoga Speedway on Memorial Day weekend 1983 and an event in his memory has been held every year since. The event began at Calistoga Speedway, before moving to Silver Dollar Speedway in 2008-2011, prior to going back to Calistoga in 2012. “GP” moved to Stockton, California in 1957 and actually began his career at the Stockton 99 Speedway. With the event being such a huge success last season it was decided to have it back at the Stockton Dirt Track on the very same weekend in 2014.
Additional motorsports dates at the Stockton Dirt Track in 2014, includes Tractor Pulls on Sunday June 15 and a pair of TBA events on Saturday April 19 and Saturday October 18.
The 7th Annual Stockton 99 Speedway Swap Meet takes place on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at the Stockton 99 Speedway located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, Stockton, California 95205. It’s a Hot Rod, Race Car & Antique Collectibles Swap Meet also featuring a race car and hot rod car show! Pre-registration deadline is February 5, 2014 - $10 extra per space day of event.
Hot Rod, Race Car & Antique Collectibles swap meet spaces are $30 each for approx. 20' x 40' space which includes 2 admission passes per vendor, not per space. Car Corral spaces are $20 each which includes 2 admission passes per vendor, not per space. Race Car and Hot Rod Car Show Entry is $20 each which includes 2 admission passes. There will be class awards and vehicles will be featured on the front straight-a-way of the Stockton 99 race track. Questions contact 209-466-9999 or 209-482-6969
The Stockton Dirt Track is a lightning fast 3/8 mile clay oval and is located on the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, California. Defending World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman set the track record on opening night last season with a clocking of 13.278 aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing/ Great Clips No. 9 machine.
The physical address for the Stockton Dirt Track is 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206. Camping will also be available during the weekend with a number of great spots available for RV’s and Campers on the fairgrounds. For information on the speedway visit http://www.stocktondirttrack.com/
Be sure and like the Stockton Dirt Track on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stocktondirt?fref=ts as well as follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stocktondirt
For information on the paved quarter-mile oval Stockton 99 Speedway located on Wilson Way in Stockton log onto www.stockton99.com & like it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheNewStockton99?fref=ts
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A look at the pits last year in Stockton during the grand opening featuring the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. S and S Pics
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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