BAKERSFIELD, California — NASCAR star Kevin Harvick will return to Bakersfield to continue his support of a racing program for local high school students as well as help kick-off the 24th annual Budweiser Nationals at Bakersfield Speedway.
“We’ve been supporting the Kern County Youth Racing Series for a few years now, and we want to give these kids the opportunity to race, so we’re coming to the Speedway to help make that happen,” said Harvick.
The program was designed for high school students to experience all aspects of the sport of auto racing at the new half-mile paved raceway planned in west Bakersfield, but a delay in its opening has spurred Harvick to keep the program going by having an event at Bakersfield Speedway on Wednesday, October 7th.
“We believe that giving the kids in our community the opportunity to be part of our sport has many positives, so we want to do all we can to keep this program alive,” the 2007 Daytona 500 champion added.
The teams of high school students that make up the Kern County Youth Racing Series have already built their race cars and are ready for the their first race event. Not only will Harvick be at Bakersfield Speedway to be part of the event, he will spend time with the teams during their afternoon practice session and will actually race with the students during the event on October 7th.
“I'm excited to give the high school series kids a chance to race the cars they have worked on,” stated Bakersfield Speedway’s Scott Schweitzer. “It's a great opportunity to have Kevin Harvick back again.”
A special Hobby Stock race will be held at the Speedway, on the same night as the Kern County Youth Racing Series event paying $1,500 to the winner. There will be a media/celebrity race on tap as well that night. Adult tickets are $5.00, $3.00 for students with high school IDs, 5 and under free.
Front gates open at 5pm with opening ceremonies at 6pm. For more information, please contact the Bakersfield Speedway at (661) 393-3373 or visit their website at www.bakersfieldspeedway.com.
