BAKERSFIELD, California -- For the first time in the history of NASCAR racing at Mesa Marin Raceway, both the NASCAR Grand National West Series and NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series will compete on one big night.
This Saturday night, Mesa Marin will host both of NASCAR’s top touring series for one big race night.
“Never before have we hosted both series in one night, but we always look to build bigger better events and to present something that our race fans have never seen before and may never see again,” stated Mesa Marin Vice-President, Larry Collins.
Friday, will be a Media Day and Open Practice from 2pm to 7pm at Mesa Marin, as the race teams prepare for Saturday night’s $150,000 event.
“This is a big undertaking (hosting both series on the same day), but we were able to bring it together with the support of Lucas Oil, HPS Mechanical, Stock Building Supply and Victory Circle Race Cars.” Collins added.
Both the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series “HPS/Victory Circle 150” and the NASCAR Grand National West Series “Lucas Oil 150” will be nationally televised live on HDNET TV, with a taped delayed broadcast of the “Lucas Oil 150” on SPEED CHANNEL.
“Once again Lucas Oil is very pleased to align ourselves with Mesa Marin Raceway to bring the fans the Lucas Oil 150,” said Shaunna Allum, Marketing Director.
“We look forward to a sold out crowd for one premier night of racing action when the NASCAR Grand National West Series and the AutoZone Southwest Series compete in Bakersfield.” Allum concluded.
As an added attraction, Stock Building Supply will host the Bakersfield Home Improvement Show at Mesa Marin as part of the April 9th event.
Mesa Marin Raceway has hosted the NASCAR Grand National West Series and the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series for a combined total of more than 100 events, the most of any track in history.
Saturday’s gate open at 3pm, opening ceremonies at 6pm, with racing at 6:30pm. Adult tickets $30. Free children’s tickets available at Kern County Wendy’s Restaurants.
For more information call 661-366-5711 or go to www.mesamarin.com.
- Both Series - The first time in Mesa Marin history, the half-mile oval will host both the NASCAR Grand National West Series and NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series on the same night.
- Television Coverage - Both the NASCAR Grand National West Series “Lucas Oil 150” and the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series “HPS/Victory Circle 150” will be nationally televised on HDNet TV and Speed Channel will provide a tape delayed broadcast of the NASCAR Grand National West Series race.
- Burney Lamar – Current point leader in the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series, Burney Lamar and team owner Les DenHerder of HPS Mechanical will donate all the winnings from the race to cancer research. Lamar will also contest the NASCAR Grand National West Series “Lucas Oil 150” driving for team owner Kevin Harvick. It will be Lamar’s first race driving for Kevin Harvick, Inc.
- Mike Duncan – The Bakersfield driver is the defending NASCAR Grand National West Series champion, and will enter the April 9th event in second in the series standings. Duncan has an impressive record at Mesa Marin with one win, three poles, and five top fives.
- Sarah Fisher - Fisher, who is making the transition from open-wheel racing to stock cars, is a three-time winner of the Indy Racing League's Most Popular Driver Award. In 2000, she became only the third woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. She finished second in an IndyCar Series event at Homestead Miami Speedway in 2001 and won a pole position a year later at Kentucky Speedway. Fisher, 24, grew up racing quarter-midgets, go-karts and eventually sprint cars. Her rookie campaign in the West Series this year is part of a driver development program between Bill McAnally Racing and Richard Childress Racing, in conjunction with the Drive for Diversity program endorsed by NASCAR.
- Home Improvement Show – Stock Building Supply will present the Bakersfield Home Improvement Show on April 9th as part of the big race day. Spectators will be able to walk through a huge expo tent featuring dozens of companies who offer all your home improvement needs.
- Over 80 NASCAR teams from the western U.S. are expected to be in Bakersfield for this weekend’s $150,000 NASCAR Double Header.
- This Saturday night’s race event will be the first time in history that both the NASCAR Grand National West Series and the NASCAR AutoZone Southwest Series will compete on the same night at Mesa Marin Raceway.
- Spectators will travel from throughout California and eight western states to attend this Saturday night’s NASCAR event - 6,000 to 8,000 are expected.
- The race teams are scheduled to be at the track on Friday for a Media Day/Open Practice Session.
- In addition to the teams and spectators, NASCAR officials and television productions crews will also be in town for this weekend’s race.
- Based on historical data from previous events of this size, this weekend’s NASCAR event will be worth over $5,000,000 to the local economy.
