By Steven Blakesley
WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA (February 10, 2012) – Ocean Speedway Inc. Race Tracks and John Prentice are proud to announce that they have taken over operations at Chowchilla Speedway for a long-term lease beginning with the upcoming 2012 season. The speedway will be renamed Ocean Speedway Chowchilla and will have a full slate of Saturday night races at the one-third mile dirt oval.
The operations at Ocean Speedway Chowchilla will augment the busy Friday night schedule for Prentice at Ocean Speedway Watsonville. All efforts will be made to ensure that competitors can easily compete at both race tracks for championships if desired, with drivers who compete at Watsonville on Friday nights being offered free entry for car and driver for Saturday night shows at Chowchilla the following night.
Prentice will take over the facility from Short Track Management’s Kenny Shepherd who will continue in his role as promoter of Madera Speedway in Madera, CA.
“We are very happy to come to terms with both Mr. Shepherd and the Fairgrounds,” Prentice said. “This deal was put together relatively quickly but I think it’s good for all parties involved.”
The 2012 race schedule and rules for Ocean Speedway Chowchilla is being prepared for release in the next 7-10 days, with a tentative opening night of April 7. Three play days will be held in March leading up to the opening night. The planned schedule will include points racing action for Modifieds, Sport Modifieds, American Stocks, and other classes to be determined.
“We are very excited for the new challenge that Chowchilla brings,” Prentice said. “Ocean Speedway Inc.’s goal has always been to add additional tracks to run under the Ocean banner. We hope to have a 20-25 race schedule in 2012.”
Racing at Ocean Speedway Watsonville begins on March 16th with Modifieds, Sport Modifieds, Ocean Late Models, and Wingless Sprints among the divisions on a busy opening-night card.
For more on the Ocean Speedway Watsonville visit http://www.oceanspeedway.com A new Ocean Speedway Chowchilla website is coming soon!