By Gary Thomas
Stockton, CA – May 2, 2016…After being silent since the World of Outlaws weekend in mid-March the Stockton Dirt Track will finally return to life on Saturday May 21, with the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Wingless Sprints presented by Hunt Magnetos invading the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.
The night of action pays honor to the legendary LeRoy Van Conett, who was born in Stockton and would go on to become one of the very best to ever sit behind the wheel of a Sprint Car in California.
The driver simply known as the “Dragon from Galt” is the all-time leader in career wins at the famed Calistoga Speedway half-mile, with 31 victories to his credit. He captured the track title seven-times in his illustrious career.
Van Conett also claimed 65 career wins with the Northern Auto Racing Club and eight series titles, both of which rank second to only Campbell’s Brent Kaeding.
In 1976 he scored victory at the Gold Cup Race of Champions and in 1999 was given one of the highest honors any driver can receive, by being inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. Special event shirts will be available on May 21 and Van Conett will be on hand during the night for autographs.
The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series has competed in two events so far this season, with Campbell’s Bud Kaeding and Paradise, CA’s Kyle Hirst claiming victories respectively. Kaeding & Hirst will be in action at the Salute to LeRoy Van Conett and both will be gunning for their first career Stockton Dirt Track triumph.
More drivers set to tackle the Stockton Dirt Track on May 21 will be Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi, Hanford’s DJ Netto, Roseville’s Willie Croft & Sean Becker, Chico’s Jonathan Allard, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, Elk Grove’s Bobby McMahan, Watsonville’s Justin Sanders, Clarksburg’s Justyn Cox, Grass Valley’s Jason Statler, Penngrove’s Chase Johnson, Gilroy’s Jarrett Soares and others.
The night of racing will also be the season-opener for the Wingless Sprint Car Series presented by Hunt Magnetos. Last year the tour provided some great competition at the Stockton Dirt Track alongside the King of the West 410 Sprints.
Upper deck tickets on Saturday May 21 will cost $25, with lower deck tickets $20. Kids 10 & under are free in the lower deck bleachers. Tickets can be acquired by contacting 916-370-9417. The ticket booth and main gate opens at 4pm.
The Stockton Dirt Track is a lightning fast 3/8 mile clay oval located on the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, California. The physical address is 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206. For information on the speedway visit http://www.stocktondirttrack.com
Information on the King of the West 410 Series & Wingless Sprint Car Series presented by Hunt Magnetos can be found at http://www.racepmg.com
Career Winged Sprint Car wins at the Stockton Dirt Track
Rico Abreu 4
Andy Forsberg 3
Donny Schatz 3
Dominic Scelzi 2
Jonathan Allard 2
Kyle Larson
Willie Croft
Tim Kaeding
Kerry Madsen
Andy Gregg
Colby Copeland
Shane Golobic
Tyler Walker