MERCED, California — Big changes are underway at Merced Speedway. It is being transformed into a better racetrack for the new season.
More than 80 truckloads of clay have been dumped and spread to change the track from a tight quarter-mile circuit into a one-third mile oval with wide, sweeping turns. The new surface will make the track one of the fastest ovals in California.
“The drivers begged for a larger, wider track,” said Oval Motorsports President John Soares. “We listened and we’re giving them the most race-able oval we can provide.”
The concrete backstretch inside wall has been removed to expand the width of the racing surface. Light poles are being moved outside the track and aimed for better visibility. Both drivers on the track and fans watching from the speedway’s massive covered grandstand will benefit from the improved lighting.
Drivers are excited to race upon the new track. Atwater’s Bill Egleston was impressed in visiting the speedway this week.
“I haven’t seen any tracks with turns that wide,” Egleston said. “It’s going to be a really, really fast track - but it will have room for racing. There will be less beating and banging in the turns.”
Egleston, who hauls dirt for a living, raved about the track’s new river clay surface.
“I grabbed a handful and squeezed it,” he explained. “It stayed together in the shape of my hand. It will become an awesome surface to drive on. The changes are going to be great for all of us who race at Merced Speedway.”
The track will open for practice sessions in early March. The World of Outlaws Sprint Car series returns to Merced Speedway on Friday night, March 30. Ticket sales have been brisk at woosprint.com, the official site of the World of Outlaws.
Merced Speedway will feature its weekly racing program on Friday nights this season. A complete schedule will be released in the days to come.
SPEEDWAY NOTES: Oval Motorsports will honor its Merced and Antioch Speedway champions on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at the Clarion Inn and Suites on E. Waterloo Rd. in Stockton. A “Happy Hour” Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 and orders must be received by Jan. 25 at Oval Motorsports, P.O. Box 4575, Antioch, CA 94531.
