By Gary ThomasPetaluma, CA – May 3, 2016…The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series continues its early season tour of Northern California with round three in the battle for the championship, which takes place this Saturday night at the always sticky and action filled Petaluma Speedway.
The 3/8 mile clay oval has been a welcomed stop over the years for teams with the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series. The tacky & hooked-up speedway has often produced exciting competition, as lapped traffic can create some of the most hectic racing towards the front of the field of any track on tour.
The Petaluma Speedway had been a staple on the Northern Auto Racing Club/ Golden State 410 Sprint Car Series schedule over the years, but a multiple-season hiatus from the track occurred during the late 1990’s to 2004.
In 2005 the series returned to Petaluma and ran each season through 2010, until another hiatus was seen, before the King of the West 410’s returned a few years later. In total there have been 14 Winged 410 Sprint Car events held at the Petaluma Speedway since ’05.
“We’re definitely looking forward to having the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series at the Petaluma Speedway 3/8 on Saturday,” commented track announcer, statistician & co-founder of the California Dream Team Ron Lingron. “The King of the West Series brings some of the best drivers from around the Western United States and it’s always a joy to watch them try to tame the sticky adobe. It’s always a great show and we hope everyone is looking forward to it.”
Two-time King of the West champion Kyle Hirst goes into the Petaluma Speedway on Saturday with momentum, following his big victory at last week’s Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial. The 28-year-old Paradise, CA resident now sits tied for fifth on the all-time series win list and will be searching for his first KWS Petaluma win this weekend.
Hirst’s biggest challenge will arguably come from his brother-in-law Willie Croft, who captured King of the West races at Petaluma Speedway in 2013 & ’14. The Sacramento wheel-man has been one of the strongest competitors so far this year and is always fast on the sticky gumbo. Croft also won in weekly action at the track in March.
King of the West round one winner Bud Kaeding of Campbell claimed last year’s series visit to the Petaluma Speedway and will be gunning to go back-to-back on Saturday. The three-time USAC Silver Crown champ led all 30-laps last season to earn his second career KWS triumph at the track.
More drivers set to tackle the Petaluma Speedway on Saturday will include five-time KWS winner at the track Jonathan Allard of Chico, along with Auburn’s Andy Forsberg, Fremont’s Shane Golobic, Elk Grove’s Bobby McMahan, Fresno’s Dominic Scelzi & Cory Eliason, Hanford’s DJ Netto, Watsonville’s Justin Sanders, Clarksburg’s Justyn Cox, Grass Valley’s Jason Statler, Penngrove’s Chase Johnson, Roseville’s Colby Copeland, Cobble Hill, BC’s Robbie Price, Gilroy’s Jarrett Soares, Atwater’s Sean Watts, Murrieta’s Cori Andrews and others.
The front gate opens at 4pm this Saturday May 7 with adult tickets $22, seniors & juniors $16 and children five & under free. The pit gate will open at noon.
The Petaluma Speedway is located in the southern part of the wine country at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds just off Highway 101 in Petaluma, California. Fans are recommended to bring a jacket and warm clothes if you have never been to the Petaluma Speedway, as temperatures usually do chill off once the sun goes down. More info on the track can be found at www.petaluma-speedway.com
The all-time 410 track record at Petaluma Speedway is held by 2009 KWS titlist Tyler Walker, who set the mark on August 1 of his championship year. “T-Dub” toured the 3/8 mile oval for the track record in 11.990 seconds aboard the Scott Chastain owned NMI Industrial Contractors No. 24 machine.
The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series is held under the management of Prentice Motorsports Group, which also operates the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster, the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo, the Wingless Sprint Car Series presented by Hunt Magnetos, the All Star Modified Tour and Ocean Speedway.
Info on the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series can be found at www.racepmg.com
Be sure to like the KWS Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/kingofthewestsprints and become a member of our Twitter community at https://twitter.com/KwsSprintRacing for all the latest breaking news regarding the series
Upcoming King of the West Series events following Petaluma
Saturday May 14: Thunderbowl Raceway – Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
Saturday May 21: Stockton Dirt Track – Stockton, CA (Salute to LeRoy Van Conett)
Saturday June 4: Silver Dollar Speedway – Chico, CA (David Tarter Memorial)
Saturday June 18: Stockton Dirt Track – Stockton, CA (Jimmy Sills Classic)