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UPDATE ON NEW BAKERSFIELD TRACK
Source: Kern County NASCAR PR/bo
Date: 07/31/2007
Construction Update:
Construction continues on the new Bakersfield half-mile paved raceway. The 85 acre multi-use racing facility located on Interstate 5 is on schedule for completion by the spring of 2008. The turn 1 access tunnel is now complete and the crash walls are finished with exception of the 200 feet remaining over the tunnel. The grandstands are currently under construction, the four story super structure has been started and the paving of the racing surface is scheduled to begin in September.
Drivers Share Their Excitement:
Many drivers have visited the track construction site and have been impressed by what they have seen.
“Looks great so far…they’ve obviously done their homework from their years at Mesa Marin and notes from the numerous tracks they’ve visited.…Great Layout…Seems to be very fan friendly, with everything sunk down so the fans can have a great view…The tunnel really makes this track more user-friendly…It has a lot of Mesa Marin’s character, but with a progressive, state-of-the-art feel to it – they’re building something very special.” Stated two-time NASCAR Grand National West Series champion Mike Duncan.
“The front straight-away will give the fans incredible finishes…Looks really fast…built to create intense racing…back straight-away will keep drivers seriously focused…we’re really looking forward to this new facility.” Duncan added.
Two-time Mesa Marin Raceway track champion and current SRL Late Model Touring Series competitor Dan Holtz couldn’t stop talking about the track layout and how it will lend itself to great racing.
“A lot of corner speed…and a lot of racing room…with multiple lines entering the turns will make for intense high speed side by side racing,” Holtz said.
“I only see Bristol rivaling this place as providing the best racing you’ll see on a short track.”
Holtz added.
After sneaking through the tunnel and making a few hot laps, 2006 NASCAR Southwest Series champion Rip Michels had this comment about the new track, “All I can say is that Californians are really spoiled as we are going to have the two nicest short-tracks in the nation.”
Long time NASCAR Super Late Model and southwest series driver Tommy Fry had these comments after a stop by the west Bakersfield facility.
“I was already excited about the new track and some of the features that were rumored to be part of it, but after taking a quick tour, I’m thoroughly impressed with every aspect of what I saw.”
Fry commented.
“A few of the things that I really liked were the consistent banking all the way up to the crash wall which gives a very controllable area to ‘chase it up the hill’ if you get out of shape. Keeping the pits inside of the track feels so much more genuine to fans and racers alike, the elevated back straight so the fans can see over the haulers in the pits, and there’s even an area inside the infield (accessible through the tunnel) where friends and family can visit without having to buy a pit pass.” Fry added.
Competition Update:
Even though the schedule of events for the new track won’t be finalized until September, the Rule Books for the Late Model Stock Cars and the Street Stocks are now posted to the track’s web site www.kerncountynascar.com. As the 2008 schedule of events takes shape; the Late Models, Street Stocks, Sport Compacts, Legends, the SRL Late Model Touring Series, will be the back bone of the schedule. The NASCAR Grand National West Series, USAC Sprint Cars and Midgets, Super Modifieds, Figure Eights, West Coast Pro Trucks, ASA Speed Trucks, Marion’s Beer Truck races and other special events are being considered to round out the 2008 racing schedule.
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