By Gary Thomas
Watsonville, CA – July 6, 2016…One of the most anticipated events of the year in Northern California will take place next weekend when the sixth annual Howard Kaeding Classic converges at the comfortable confines of Ocean Speedway in Watsonville.
Everything begins on Thursday night July 14, with the third annual HK Classic Car Show & BBQ, held this year at Martial Cottle Park located at 5283 Snell Avenue in San Jose. Various drivers, hot rods and race cars will be on hand at the get-together that runs from 4pm-8pm, which is the official kick-off for the Howard Kaeding Classic weekend.
There will be a delicious BBQ dinner from 5pm-7pm for a $20 donation, with proceeds going to the Northern Auto Racing Club Benevolent Fund. Please come out and enjoy a fun night with some great food, all put on for a terrific cause. Martial Cottle Park is located near High Five Pizza at the Snell & Branham Plaza in San Jose.
The racing weekend then begins on Friday night July 15 at Ocean Speedway with the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster taking on the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo. The event concludes Saturday July 16 with the Howard Kaeding Classic finale featuring the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints. The finale will see an earlier start time like usual during all Saturday events at Ocean Speedway.
Following Friday nights races High Five Pizza will be putting on a post-race party at the track with appetizers, drinks and a lot of fun to be had. Teams & fans are all encouraged to come and join in following the races. On Saturday afternoon the annual HK Classic Luncheon takes place, which kicks-off the final night’s action. Both events are also held to support the Northern Auto Racing Club Benevolent Fund.
The Friday night post race party & Saturday afternoon HK Classic Luncheon will both be held in the Big White Tent located just off turn four.
The NARC Benevolent Fund uses 100% of the funds raised to support the families of injured drivers, crew members and officials running Sprint Car Series’ in California. Various beneficiaries of the fund over the last 10-years include Dennis Moore Jr., Billy Sellers, Danny Faria Jr., the family of Alan Urias, Randy Hannagan, Tom Milne, Brad Bumgarner, the family of David Tarter and Peter Murphy.
“We definitely hope to see everyone at the Howard Kaeding Classic in Watsonville,” said Brent Kaeding, one of the NARC Benevolent Fund coordinators. “The special events support a very good cause and it’s an opportunity for everyone to have the chance to socialize and enjoy some great food. We always love getting the opportunity to hang with all the fans and we look forward to seeing everyone there. It’s going to be a big weekend with Civil War, the King of the West Series and the Hunt Series all at Ocean Speedway.”
“We definitely hope to see everyone at the Howard Kaeding Classic in Watsonville,” said Brent Kaeding, one of the NARC Benevolent Fund coordinators. “The special events support a very good cause and it’s an opportunity for everyone to have the chance to socialize and enjoy some great food. We always love getting the opportunity to hang with all the fans and we look forward to seeing everyone there. It’s going to be a big weekend with Civil War, the King of the West Series and the Hunt Series all at Ocean Speedway.”
The HK Classic Luncheon on Saturday July 16 at the track will feature an excellent steak lunch for a $20 donation to the benevolent fund. Howard, Brent & Bud Kaeding, along with other drivers will all be available for photos and autographs at the luncheon. Easy access is available to enter from both the pit area and the campgrounds. All race teams & fans are encouraged to come enjoy a great lunch prepared by Myles & the crew at Catering by 5.
“We really want to thank Myles at High Five Pizza & Catering by 5 for all of his support at the Howard Kaeding Classic,” said Kaeding. “Myles is doing a lot for us as always when it comes to the food and set up for these extra functions. We’re trying to make this event one of the big happenings in Northern California and one that fans want to attend every year. This event has really grown into being a premier showcase for Sprint Car racing in our state and we want to continue building on that.”
The Williams Roofing of Fremont, CA Royal Fan Draw will also take place both nights. On Friday the usual bonus of $1000 will be up for grabs to the driver whose starting position is drawn. On Saturday Williams has upped the ante to a $2500 bonus for the driver whose position is drawn! As always a trivia question will be asked from the booth and a fan will win $100, before drawing the random number out of a bag.
Tickets for the Friday night July 15 Civil War 360 Series vs Ocean Sprints event will be $22 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. Tickets for the Saturday July 16 King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series & Joe Hunt Magnetos Wingless Sprints event will be $25 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, children five & under free. Tickets can be pre-purchased at http://racepmg.com/tickets/
Camping is available for the HK Classic behind the grandstands on the main lawn area and is the perfect way to spend the weekend with the special events taking place on site.
The Ocean Speedway is located on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, two miles east of Watsonville, California on SR 152. The physical address is 2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076. More info on all things Prentice Motorsports Group can be found at www.racepmg.com