BAKERSFIELD, California —
This Saturday night the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series will make more history with its first appearance at Orange Show Speedway for the “Citizens Business Bank 135.”
The banked, quarter-mile oval, an ASA Member Track adjacent to the National Orange Show grounds, has been hosting racing events since 1947. It was paved in 1964 and underwent a complete renovation in 2003, with repaving and increased banking.
A record 32 cars attempted to make the starting lineup at the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series season-opening event at Roseville (Ca.) March 27. There are 30 cars on the roster for this weekend’s race.
This week only, spectator gates will open at 3 p.m. Qualifying will take place from 4 to 5 p.m, followed by the on-track autograph session from 5:15 to 6 p.m. and the first race of the evening at 6:35 p.m.
Tickets for this special event are priced at $15 for general admission and $13 for seniors (60 and older), students 11 to 18 and military personnel with valid identification. Children 10 and under are admitted free. A Family Pack, which includes admission for four plus a hot dog and small soft drink for each person, is priced at $65.
Parking is $5, with entry through Gate 4 off Mill Street.
Rick McCray and his family own Best in the West Racing and are in their second year as the promoters at Orange Show Speedway.
“I’m excited about having the Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series at Orange
Show Speedway,” McCray said. “I know the Citizens Business Bank 135 is going to be a close, exciting race for our fans, and the event definitely is an important one for us at Best in the West Racing.
“To have great promoters like the Collins family think we’re doing a good enough to deserve having a Tour race is gratifying. And to have Wayne and Connie Spears involved makes it even more special because of all they’ve done for racing. I hope this is the start of a long relationship.”
M.K. Kanke, the 2009 SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series champion, has raced at Orange Show Speedway several times with the Southwest Series, but not since the track was reconfigured.
“It’s a tight race track, no doubt. All of us are just going to have to keep our heads screwed on straight,” said Kanke. “There will be side-by-side racing, but it will tight and both guys will have to give each other room. If you can get your car to turn in the middle and come off, you will be in good shape.”
SRL runner up Greg Voigt of Goleta (Ca.) tested at Orange Show last week.
“The track is smooth and fast for a bull ring. It’s fun to drive,” Voigt said. “A good starting position will be important, as with all short tracks. Being aggressive early will not be a good tactic for a good finish.
“We hope to get our season on track this week at Orange Show. We had a great car at Roseville, but didn’t get the good finish.”
Voigt was up to second place late in the Roseville race before alternator problems slowed his progress. Derek Thorn, of Bakersfield (Ca.) won the race.
SRL driver Eddie Secord, from Oak Hills (Ca.), is a 6-time Pro 4 Series champion with over 50 starts at Orange Show Speedway in Pro 4 and Super Late Model competition.
“There will be close, side-by-side racing, but you’ll have to trust the guy you are racing with. It gets really tight coming off, especially in (turn) two,” Secord said. “Patience early, to let the race play out, is always important at Orange Show. It’s going to be a real challenge and I can’t wait. It’ll be extremely exciting from the grandstands.”
The SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series “Citizens Business Bank 135” will headline a full night of racing. The program also includes the Team Too Pony Stocks, Budweiser Legends Cars, Stock Cars USA and the Orange Show Speedway debut of the Dwarf Cars.
Best in the West Racing’s promotions at Orange Show Speedway are sponsored by Lucas Oil Products, Budweiser, San Bernardino Pick-A-Part, Team Too Termite and Pest Control, JAM Sportswear, Interstate Batteries, MC Erectors, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Hoosier Tire West, KCAL 96.7 Rocks, Best Buy, Tri-City Towing, Pacific West Interiors (PWI), Luke’s Transmission, Print Depot, Riverside Mission Florist, Waynes Engine, Cal’s Towing, JP Striping, K1 Speed, Jerry’s Brake and Wheel, and Arrow Track GPS.com.
For information on sponsorship and promotional opportunities, please contact Best in the West Racing by telephone at 909-885-9000 or visit the new web site at www.BestInTheWestRacing.com.
For all other information, please contact Jim Short by telephone at 951-203-2649 or by e-mail at jimshort65@sbcglobal.net.
