BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The countdown has begun as the richest short-track event in west coast racing comes to Mesa Marin Raceway. The annual NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Weekend comes to Mesa Marin this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The "weekend" will feature five divisions of competition, with $485,000 in prize money up for grabs. This weekend will mark the eighth time the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to its birthplace, Mesa Marin Raceway. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be joined on the weekend’s schedule by the NASCAR Winston West Series, NASCAR Late Models, Ultra Wheels Super Truck Series and the 911 Race for Youth Series.
The weekend will be kicked off Thursday at 6:00pm as the NASCAR teams display their racing equipment in downtown Bakersfield for the "Automobile Club of Southern California - NASCAR Downtown Street Festival". Driver autographs, food, fun and entertainment make this a great way to start this big race weekend.
Friday, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Ultra Wheels Super Truck Series will practice from 11:30am to 4:00pm. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying will begin at 5pm for Saturday’s "Orchard Supply Hardware 250", followed by "Happy Hour" practice. Immediately after "Happy Hour" will be a practice session for the Ultra Wheels Super Truck Series, then the 911 Race for Youth Series main event. The finale for the evening will be the Ultra Wheels Super Truck Series qualifying race for Saturday’s "Automobile Club of Southern California 100".
Saturday, is the big day of the weekend as the Ultra Wheels Super Truck Series "Automobile Club of Southern California 100" kicks off the action, followed by the headlining "Orchard Supply Hardware 250". Gates open at 11:00am, with racing at 3:00pm on Saturday.
Sunday, the NASCAR Late Model "Time Warner Cable 100" will start at 2:00pm, followed by the finale of the weekend, the NASCAR Winston West Series "Foods Co 200" presented by Pepsi.
For tickets and information please call 661-366-5711.
Local Activities Surrounding the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Weekend
Tuesday, March 13
The Craftsman Motorsports seventy foot rolling interactive display will be at Jim Burke Ford from 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
Wednesday, March 14
The Craftsman Motorsports seventy foot interactive display will be at Orchard Supply Hardware at Ming and Ashe from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Time Warner Cable and Mesa Marin Raceway will host "Inside Motorsports Live" at 7:00pm. A live weekly show with this weeks guests, NASCAR drivers; Joe Ruttman, Rick Carelli, Matt Crafton, Mark Reed, Mike Duncan and Jason Small.
Thursday, March 15
The "Automobile Club of Southern California presents the NASCAR Downtown Street Festival" downtown on Chester Avenue from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. NASCAR teams on display, driver autographs, rib cook-off, food, and entertainment.
Friday, March 16
California Trucking Association NASCAR Celebrity Golf Tournament
- 7:00am at Kern River Golf Course.
Richard Petty Enterprises driver Carlos Contreras will speak to students at Jefferson School from 8:30 to 9:30am.
Current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series point leader Scott Riggs will speak to students at Bakersfield High School in the A.V. Auditorium from 10:00 to 11:00am.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice sessions at Mesa Marin Raceway 11:00am to 4:00pm
