By Gary Thomas
Antioch, CA – April 6, 2011…Following months of preparation the Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series is set to officially kick-off the 2011 racing season this Saturday night April 9 at the Antioch Speedway.
During the off-season, a number of changes have gone on within the California sprint car racing scene and the Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series has certainly been a big part of that.
At the top of the list of changes for the traveling 410 series is new management, which has introduced a much increased point fund, extra money to start the A-main & Last Chance Qualifier, the implementation of double-file restarts and a different format among others.
For 2011, the Golden State King of the West Sprint Car Series will be racing in 26-point paying events at 15 different tracks and features an overall cash and contingency fund that currently stands at $1.4 million.
An extensive contingency program is in place, as a complete sprint car with engine and a complete race engine will be given away at the year-end banquet.
The standard nightly A-main will see $3,000 going to the winner and a minimum $500-to-start each night. The Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) with KWS will have a total payout of $3,250 with $350 going to the first non-transfer and a guaranteed $200-to-start the LCQ.
For the Antioch opener this weekend however, there is also extra money on the line with the C-main paying $200-to-start and the Last Chance Qualifier awarding a very solid $300-to-start.
A slightly different format will be in place this year that sends the heat race winners and the next four fastest qualifiers that transfer through their heat (in a four heat race format) to the dash. Those heat winners will then draw for the first two rows in the dash lineup with the balance of the six-lap contest lined up by qualifying times. It is hoped that the new format will create competitive racing in the heats, with more emphasis on winning.
Extra officials, fan fest parties, a souvenir trailer, a show car, traveling push trucks, a weekly internet show, the VIP Road Warrios Club and much more will be among the various other additions that KWS is introducing this season.
The front grandstand gate at the Antioch Speedway will open at 5pm this Saturday April 9 with hot laps around 6, qualifying at 6:30 and racing to follow. Adult tickets cost $20 Saturday.
The Antioch Speedway is located at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds on the corner of 10th & L Streets in Antioch, California. Take SR-4 East (Highway 4) to the Somersville Road North Exit. Follow Somersville Road to 10th Street. Turn Right on 10th Street. The address for the track is 1201 W. 10th Street Antioch, CA 94509.
Visit KWS on the internet at:
Official Website- http://www.kwssprints.com
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Golden-State-King-of-the-West-Series/150145691703907
Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/KWS410s