By Gary Thomas
Stockton, CA – October 28, 2015…The Northern California dirt Sprint Car season comes to a close in a big way next week when the Stockton Dirt Track plays host to the two-night Tribute to Gary Patterson weekend on November 6 & 7. 
The highlight of the double header is the 32nd annual Tribute to GP on Saturday, which features the only night all season long that the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster are showcased on the very same night. In fact, it will be only the second time it has ever occurred in the 30-year history of KWS & the 25-year history of Civil War.
Each series champion will be crowned in the unique Stockton Dirt Track winner’s circle, where fans are invited to gather around and enjoy the ceremonies. Both series also feature extremely close point battles at the top of the standings going into the finale. Neither title has been decided, which means it all comes down to November 7.
Going into the Tribute to Gary Patterson Lemoore’s Carson Macedo leads the King of the West standings by only three-points over Campbell’s Bud Kaeding. Macedo, at age 19 is trying to become the second youngest series champion behind Kyle Larson, while Kaeding, a three-time USAC Silver Crown champion & recent Trophy Cup winner, is looking to join his father Brent & brother Tim as a KWS titlist.
The Civil War Series features a close three-horse race between Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Fremont’s Shane Golobic & Watsonville’s Justin Sanders. Forsberg is looking for his eighth Civil War title, while Golobic is hoping to go back-to-back after winning last year. Sanders’ is gunning to cap the season by winning his 21st main event to try and claim his first Civil War championship.
The ultra tight battles make this the most anticipated championship finale in years and one that California fans do not want to miss.
The overall weekend opens with championship night for the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints, along with BCRA Midgets & Dwarf Cars on the card. San Jose’s Gary Nelson Jr. looks to wrap up the Hunt Series title and goes into the finale leading Santa Rosa driver Klint Simpson by 27-points. Midget auto racing in Northern California can be traced back to the sport’s first ever race on June 4, 1933 at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento. BCRA has sanctioned countless events in the Stockton area, with this being the fourth ever appearance at the Dirt Track.
Tickets are on sale for the final major dirt race in Nor Cal this season, with reserved upper deck seats $30 on Saturday November 7 and general admission bleachers $20. Kids 6-12 are half price and five & under are free in the lower bleachers. Box seating is also available in increments of six & eight seats. All seating during the Friday opener on November 6 is general admission, with adult tickets just $15, kids 6-12 only $5 and children 5 & under free. The front gate both nights is scheduled to open at 4pm. On Saturday will call opens & ticket sales begin at 2pm.
To order tickets contact 916-370-9417 from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Pre-sale ends on Thursday November 5 at 5pm. During the day on Saturday from noon till 4pm a car show & live band will entertain the crowd behind the grandstands. Camping is also available, with reservations taken until Monday November 2.
Known as the Dancing Phantom from Stockton, the Preacher, the Hostile Hippie or just simply GP, Gary Patterson was one of the most colorful characters of his time and captured a number of major wins in his career, including the Gold Cup Race of Champions, the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup in Washington and the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot Park among others.
Patterson lost his life in a Sprint Car crash at Calistoga Speedway on Memorial Day weekend in 1983 and an event in his memory has been held every year since. GP moved to Stockton, California in 1957 and began his career at the Stockton 99 Speedway. The 2015 season will be the third time we’ve paid honor to Gary Patterson at the Stockton Dirt Track. The best California has to offer in Winged Sprint Car racing will be on hand to finish off the dirt track campaign in Northern California.
The Stockton Dirt Track is a lightning fast 3/8 mile clay oval located on the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, California. It is built inside a one-mile horse track and boasts one of the nicest dirt track facilities in the state. The physical address is 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206. For information on the speedway visit www.stocktondirttrack.com
Info on the King of the West Series, Civil War Series & the Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Series can be found at www.racepmg.com and info on the Bay Cities Racing Association can be found at www.bcraracing.com