ANTIOCH, California — It’s been a long time coming. World of Outlaws Sprint Car Champion and current point leader Jason Meyers of Fresno is excited to be racing at Antioch Speedway next Monday. It will be the first time the touring group appears at the 3/8 mile Bay Area clay oval, although Meyers raced the historic track prior to hitting the circuit with the Outlaws a few years back.
"Antioch Speedway’s smooth clay and high banking will provide fans with a thrilling experience."
“Nothing beats racing in front of your home-state fans,” Meyers said Wednesday. “We have a strong fan base in Northern California. I’ve been looking forward to the addition of Antioch Speedway to the schedule. It will be good to be back to one of the tracks where I began my career.”
The high-horsepower cars, with drivers sitting in a roll cage behind the engine and between huge rear tires, have wings overhead to increase down force as they race at up to140 mph. Antioch Speedway’s smooth clay and high banking will provide fans with a thrilling experience.
At the speedway, preparation has been ongoing. There are new bleachers in the pit area. Extra vendors will be in the midway. World of Outlaws souvenir trailers will line the entrance. It will be the biggest show the speedway has had in recent years.
The World of Outlaws sprint cars began their yearlong trek in Florida criss-crossing North America twice. The group appeared at Antioch’s sister track, Merced Speedway April 1. Since then, the fastest cars on dirt raced in more than 50 events. Just completing their “Great Northern Tour”, they are traveling in from the Pacific Northwest after racing in Edmonton, Alberta.
Meyers tries not to notice that he is in first place this year, defending his championship.
“I take everything one race at a time,” he explained. “I treat each race like it is the first race of the season. I’m there to win.”
There are approximately 300 drivers listed on the point list for this season, with Meyers sitting on top. As the Outlaws go track-to-track, local sprint car drivers join in to challenge the traveling pack.
“I point list takes care of itself. It is what it is,” Meyers explained. “It is great to win a championship. But, you can’t think about that when it is time to race.”
Four-time champion Donny Schatz of North Dakota is second to Meyers, with the World of Outlaws legend Steve Kinser of Indiana just four points behind him. Kinser is the most winning driver in the history of the tour, with 561victories and 20 championships since he raced in the first event back in 1978. Both drivers will join about 40 more who will unload at Antioch Speedway on Monday, Sept. 12.
Some $40 reserved tickets for the Speedway’s main grandstand are still available. They are on sale at the World of Outlaws website, www. woosprint.com.
General admission tickets for the bleacher sections are on sale Saturday and Sunday from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. at the main gate of the speedway for $35. The Reserved Ticket Sales and Will Call ticket window will be open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Both ticket windows will be open at noon on race day. Pit entrance will be offered on Monday for $50. Antioch Speedway is located at the Contra Costa Fairgrounds, 1201 W. 10th St. in Antioch, CA.
