BAKERSFIELD, California -- Twenty-four race dates, twelve racing series, and nearly a half-million dollars in prize money will make up Mesa Marin Raceway's 2005 race season which opens this Saturday night.
“Our ‘season opener' is always an exciting time for us,” stated Mesa Marin Vice-President, Larry Collins.
“There has been a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from both the competitors and the race fans anticipating the start of our 2005 season.” Collins added.
This Saturday night's “Season Opener” will feature the NASCAR Late Models competing in ‘twin' fifty lap main events, the Crystal Pools Street Stock Series and the Pick-Your-Part 911 Series, which will kick off its season with ten Bakersfield Police officers racing head to head on the “west's fastest half-mile”.
The NASCAR Late Models are the backbone of Mesa Marin's season, which will contest 18 races to make up its championship season. For 2005, the Late Models will have a new championship points format similar to the Nextel Cup “Chase for the Championship”. Mesa Marin's “Chase for the Championship” will take the top ten in points in the NASCAR Late Model championship standings as of the end of the July 21 st event, and separate the top ten by three points per position. The top ten will then have the final five races to compete for the 2005 series championship title.
At this Saturday night's ‘Season Opener' gates will open at 5pm, with racing underway at 6:30pm. For more information 661-366-5711 or www.mesamarin.com .
2005 MESA MARIN SEASON OPENER
NASCAR Late Model Series - Twins
Crystal Pools Street Stock Series
Pick Your Part 911 Series – Bakersfield Police Department
| Schedule of Events | |
| 11:00am | Registration Opens |
| 2:00 – 2:15pm | Crystal Pools Street Stocks – Practice |
| 2:15 – 2:45pm | NASCAR Late Model – Practice |
| 2:45 – 3:00pm | Crystal Pools Street Stocks – Practice |
| 3:00 – 3:30pm | NASCAR Late Model – Practice |
| 3:30 – 3:40pm | Pick Your Part 911 Series – Practice |
| 3:45pm | Drivers Meeting (Late Model teams must have spotter at meeting) |
| 4:15 – 4:45pm | Crystal Pools Street Stock Qualifying 2 Laps |
| 4:45 – 5:15pm | NASCAR Late Model Qualifying 2 Laps |
| 5:30pm | On-track Autograph Session |
| 6:30pm | Racing Begins |
| Late Model Trophy Dash 4 Laps | |
| Crystal Pools Street Stocks Trophy Dash 4 Laps | |
| Trophy Presentations | |
| Late Model Heat #1 6 Laps | |
| Late Model Heat #2 6 Laps | |
| Crystal Pools Street Stocks Heat #1 6 Laps | |
| Crystal Pools Street Stocks Heat #2 6 Laps | |
| NASCAR Late Model Main Event #1 50 Laps | |
| Pick Your Part 911 Series Main Event 20-25 Laps | |
| Crystal Pools Street Stocks Main Event 30 Laps | |
| NASCAR Late Model Main Event #2 50 Laps | |
DRIVERS TO WATCH AT THE SEASON OPENER
Josh Horn, Bakersfield, CA -- NASCAR Late Model #13: Josh is a two-time Mesa Marin Street Stock Series champion who placed second in the 2004 NASCAR Late Model championship standings.
Eric Richardson, Bakersfield, CA -- NASCAR Late Model #40: This eighteen-year-old driver is in his third year of NASCAR Late Model competition. Third in the final Late Model points standings in 2004.
Ray Robinson, Ontario, CA -- NASCAR Late Model #31: Ray, is a seventeen-year-old rookie in NASCAR Late Models, but brings years of go-cart racing experience with him to Mesa Marin. Ray will have the support of last years NASCAR Late Model champion David Mayhew working as his crew chief, when Mayhew is not competing on the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series.
Cody Pruitt, Bakersfield, CA -- NASCAR Late Model #88: Cody is another rookie who brings extensive go-cart experience with him as he starts his first full season of Mesa Marin Late Model competition. Pruitt finished 15 th in the October Classic in his Late Models debut in 2004.
Brian Richardson, Bakersfield, CA -- NASCAR Late Model #4: Brian was the 2003 NASCAR Late Model champion at Mesa Marin, who finished second in the NASCAR regional standings that same year. A limited schedule in 2003 kept Brian out of championship contention, but he will be a favorite heading into Saturday night's season opener.
Michael Burrow, Bakersfield, CA -- NASCAR Late Model #44: Michael is the true veteran of the Late Model series and is coming off a top five in the 2004 series standings.
