By Gary Thomas
Calistoga, CA – June 7, 2016…After suffering a rain out in April the historic Calistoga Speedway is set to open the 2016 season on Saturday June 25 when the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & the Wingless Sprints presented by Joe Hunt Magnetos converge at the half-mile for the Wine Country Classic.
Over the last couple years the Calistoga Speedway has seen a total transformation thanks to the hard work of some dedicated individuals. In addition to the various facility upgrades that include a booming new sound system, fencing & scoreboards, lots of work went into the racing surface, which is now wider with smoother transitions into the corners.
Along with the Louie Vermeil Classic on Labor Day weekend the Wine Country Classic is the only other event scheduled to take place at the half-mile this season. If you haven’t been back to Calistoga in a few years be sure and join us on June 25.
Last year’s Wine Country Classic was picked off by two-time King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series champion Kyle Hirst of Paradise. It marked his third career triumph at the Napa County Fairgrounds facility, with his other victories coming at the 2009 Salute to Walter T Ross and the 2012 Louie Vermeil Classic.
“Any time you can win a race at Calistoga Speedway it’s a special feeling,” said Hirst, who captured the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial on April 30 & the recent David Tarter Memorial on June 4 with KWS in Chico. “I have a lot of memories from Calistoga over the years and would love to get another trophy from there on June 25. There’s just something about Calistoga Speedway that makes us all enjoy spending time there. I definitely hope all the fans will come out and attend the show. After the rain in April it’s made everyone hungry for racing at Calistoga.”
John Prentice of Prentice Motorsports Group is looking forward to having both series compete in Calistoga on June 25. “We’re definitely excited about having the King of the West Series & the Hunt Series at the Wine Country Classic. Calistoga Speedway is without a doubt one of the most hallowed grounds that we have in dirt track racing. I know that everyone is really looking forward to finally getting a race in at Calistoga this year. There aren’t many chances to catch an event there, so whenever you have that opportunity it’s a special thing.”
John Prentice of Prentice Motorsports Group is looking forward to having both series compete in Calistoga on June 25. “We’re definitely excited about having the King of the West Series & the Hunt Series at the Wine Country Classic. Calistoga Speedway is without a doubt one of the most hallowed grounds that we have in dirt track racing. I know that everyone is really looking forward to finally getting a race in at Calistoga this year. There aren’t many chances to catch an event there, so whenever you have that opportunity it’s a special thing.”
Tickets for the annual Wine Country Classic on June 25 can be acquired by contacting (916) 773-7225. Adult reserved seats cost $30, with general admission tickets $25. Children 6-12 cost $10. Kids five & under are free.
A new fan pit pass is also being offered. Those that purchase advance reserved tickets can upgrade to a pit pass for an additional $20. The fan pit pass allows the opportunity to go back & forth between the infield pit area and the grandstand area.
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.org and for history visit Bobby Gerould’s Hammerdown USA at http://www.hammerdownusa.com/Calistogacareerwins.html
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 http://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
Info on the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series can be found at http://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