From Motorsports Ventures Media Relations
Calistoga, CA — (February 9, 2014) — At the end of last year one of the most discussed topics in Northern California Sprint Car racing was the transformation that the famed Calistoga Speedway had underwent during the season. Following an overwhelming success at the “Vermeil Classic” on Labor Day weekend, the historic half-mile will finally be greeted by Winged 410 Sprint Cars when the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series invades the track on Saturday & Sunday April 5 & 6.
It will be the very first Winged Sprint Car event at the Napa County Fairgrounds based facility since October of 2012 and will certainly be the most anticipated “Winged” outing in many years. The most recent back-to-back double-header at the track for the World of Outlaws occurred way back in 2007, making the April visit a must see for many long-time fans of the high-speed and picturesque speedway.
“The amount of work that went into Calistoga Speedway last year was simply amazing,” commented Chris Morgan of Motorsports Ventures. “All of the support that the track received was pretty special and the effort they put into this place has launched it right back up there with the best dirt track facilities we have on the west coast. If you didn’t make it to the Vermeil Classic last year, you’ll definitely be in awe when you come to the World of Outlaws event in April. It’s really impressive what they have done here.”
In addition to the various facility upgrades that includes a new catch fence all the way around the track and a booming new sound system, lots of work went into the racing surface, which is now wider and features a better degree of banking with smoother transitions into the corners. The new wider track is expected to create some of the best Winged Sprint Car racing we’ve ever seen at the speedway, with incredible speeds and more passing opportunities. Unlike the last time the World of Outlaws competed in Calistoga, all teams will also pit in the infield to give fans that classic view of some the greatest Sprint Car teams from around the country.
“With the way the track is shaped now I think everyone from fans to drivers to crew chiefs are excited to find out how Winged Sprint Cars will run on it,” Morgan said. “There’s a lot of anticipation and I think we could see some of the best Winged Sprint Car racing we’ve ever had at Calistoga Speedway. The upgrades have really improved the overall fan experience as well. Everything is freshly painted and the new sound system is killer. We invite everyone to come out and enjoy a great weekend of racing at the fastest dirt track in California.”
The most recent World of Outlaws event at the Calistoga Speedway in September of 2012 saw five-time champ Donny Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota hold off the advancements of Australian Kerry Madsen to capture the re-scheduled series race at the track, following a rainout early in the year. It was the third career victory in Calistoga for Schatz, after previously winning the 2005 “Harvest Classic” and a prelim feature at the ’04 version. The 1997 series Rookie of the Year is coming off a season that saw him claim 23 World of Outlaws main event wins.
The Calistoga double-header will also be part of Steve Kinser’s “Salute to the King” tour, as the 20-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion makes one final run at the championship. The Bloomington, Indiana veteran and National Sprint Car Hall of Famer has raced to 10 career victories at the Calistoga Speedway. Fellow Hall of Famer Sammy Swindell of Germantown, Tennessee will also be gunning for victory in April at Calistoga. The three-time Outlaw champ is a multiple-time winner at the track and once swept all three nights of the former “Harvest Classic” at the half-mile.
After winning his first World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series crown last season Owasso, Oklahoma’s Daryn Pittman will bring the Kasey Kahne Racing/ Great Clips No. 9 machine into Calistoga looking for his second career victory at the track. The veteran competitor earned eight wins and 13 fast-times last season en route to his initial World of Outlaws championship. In 2002 Pittman captured the “Harvest Classic” at the Calistoga Speedway half-mile and routinely runs strong in the Golden State. He’s also a former winner of the prestigious “Gold Cup Race of Champions” at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, earning $50,000 for his win at the event in 2006.
California natives turned Outlaws looking for good things over the weekend will include San Jose’s Tim Kaeding, Grass Valley’s Brad Sweet and current Nashville, Tennessee resident Paul McMahan. Kaeding has won seven-times in his career at Calistoga and scored the second most World of Outlaws wins last season with nine. After dabbling in the NASCAR ranks during recent years Sweet is back full-time in a Winged 410 Sprint Car and great things are expected from him this year. McMahan is fresh off one of the best season’s of his career, having finished third in the final WOO standings with four wins and 17 fast-time efforts. The California native has scooped up four career wins at Calistoga.
Other drivers set to invade Calistoga on April 5 & 6 will include Brownsburg, Indiana’s Joey Saldana; Rutherford, CA’s Rico Abreu; Bartlett, Tennessee’s Jason Sides; Red Lion, Pennsylvania’s Cody Darrah; Sacramento, CA’s Kyle Hirst; Chico, CA’s Jonathan Allard; Campbell, CA’s Bud Kaeding; Bloomington, Indiana’s Kraig Kinser; Grass Valley, CA’s Jason Statler; Fresno, CA’s Dominic Scelzi; Hanford, CA’s DJ Netto; Elk Grove, CA’s Bobby McMahan and more.
Adding to the excitement each night will also be the Wingless Sprinters of the USAC Western Classic Series. Defending series champion Ryan Bernal of Hollister will be one of the many drivers to beat during the weekend. Winged Sprint Cars, Wingless Sprint Cars and the most beautiful dirt track in America is sure to make for one great weekend of racing! Adult Reserved tickets each night cost $45, with adult General Admission tickets being $40. Children 12 and under are $10 in General Admission. To purchase your tickets for Saturday & Sunday April 5 & 6 simply visit http://dirtcar.ticketforce.
The Calistoga Speedway is located on the scenic Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga, California at 1435 North Oak Street and has been in existence since 1937. For more information on the half-mile log onto http://www.calistogaspeedway.