Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

where is exit 246 near?

to indy and beyond!!

near bakersfield?

that is Buttonwillow, it is a asphalt track and was started to hopefully talk Nascar into come out and racing there, I guess to replace Mesa Marin, but my understanding is that they are at a stand still due to $.

I thought that the Collin's ran out of development money while developing the "new" Mesa Marin and that some preliminary work had been completed.....And it's in the same general area.....

Chuck.....

this is the new Kern river raceway 1/2 mile high banked asphalt track located at the intersection of interstate 5 and state route 43 along the Kern river.it is replacing Mesa Marin and was scheduled to open in 2008 but staled for lack of $. when finished this will be a very very nice facility

Robert Bond    San Jose Ca

It's the Kern River Raceway. They are about 30 million short of finishing it. Or so they say.

http://www.raceimages.net

On the way back from Calistoga we took the exit and drove to the track. It appears to be close to being completed, as the stands, lights, press box and asphalt track is there. It is built with a small hill surrounding the facility (like a bowl with tunnel) and looks very impressive and comfortable. In my somewhat limited opinion concerning track completion it wouldn't take much to finish the track and begin racing. It was very impressive looking and the super modifieds were scheduled to run there late this year, but as someone stated they ran into financial difficulties. To bad as I would go to watch the supers or USAC Western Sprints and Midgets.

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS

For what it's worth, rumors at the West race in Iowa a couple of weeks ago had Wayne and Connie Spears buying the facility and planning a spring opening.

Just rumors, but the Spears' have been involved throughout the process and like the other rumored buyers (Harvick and Stewart, among others) they certainly have the capital to finish the project.

And Tripcrwn, Larry did have plans for a big dollar East vs. West Super, Sprint, and Midget show before the DeStafani's had the land deal go bad that was to supply the the capital to finish the facility. Here's hoping that if and when the place is completed they are still bullish on big-hit shows.

From what I've seen of the place the supers or a HOSS or AVSS type sprinter will be hitting a buck-sixty easily going into 3.

Geez, I had fun.

The word around Bakersfield is that Delana Harvick has purchased the new and as yet incomplete racetrack just outside of town. The Kern River Raceway has been seeking a buyer for over six months. The track is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. From our local rag, the Bakersfield Californian:

The bankruptcy filing listed an estimated 50 to 99 creditors owed $10,000,001 to $50 million, and assets of $10,000,001 to $50 million.

Most of the creditors are contractors and subcontractors who worked on the partially built race track, which broke ground in February 2007.

The half-mile track is listed as worth $30 million according the Californian article. I hope this rumor is true as Kevin is a homegrown hero and would see to it that the track was finished and operational. Another owner might not keep it as a track and turn it into friggin homes, like every other piece of land around Bakersfield

Robert Bond    San Jose Ca