ANTIOCH, California — Promoter John Soares has upped the ante. There’s $1500 at the finish line for the winner of the 360 Winged Sprint feature Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. The sprinters return to the high banks of Antioch Speedway for the first time this season to headline a program including Hobby Stocks, “Four Bangers” and “Mini-Trux”.
Last season’s top three sprinters - Craig Smith, Ryan Rusconi, and Art McCarthy will begin the new points chase on a level playing field. McCarthy, of San Jose, Calif., is excited to return to Antioch Speedway.
“You bet I’ll be there,” he said Thursday. “That’s a good purse.”
McCarthy, who began his career in 1970, graduated from super modified cars on pavement tracks to sprint cars on dirt.
“The competition is tough, and the racing is exciting in this division,” McCarthy said. “It’s going to be a great race.”
Championship battles have already developed in the young season. “Mini-Trux” driver Danny Wagner is “going all out” to win the title in his division. The 18 year old high school student from Bay Point leads Junior Garcia of Antioch by four points.
“I’m taking this seriously,” Wagner said. “I go over every part of my truck during the week. I bring spare parts - everything I think I may need - every week to the track.”
In the “Four Banger” division, Laura Crabtree and Mike Felt are tied for the lead. Only one of them will emerge as leader after this week’s event.
Jim Freethy of Danville, Calif. has jumped into an early lead in the Hobby Stock division. Brad Myers of Brentwood is chasing him, and will have to finish ahead of Freethy to catch him.
Action starts with qualifying at 6 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. Antioch Speedway is located in the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, at the corner of 10th and L Streets in Antioch, Calif. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and senior citizens. Children under age 5 are free. A family pack of tickets is $30.
