Antioch, Calif. - If you ask King of the West sprint car driver Jonathan Allard what is special about Antioch Speedway, you may be surprised to hear it’s not the track surface or the banking. It’s the fans. Allard and a full field of winged 410 sprinters play to the Antioch crowd this Saturday night. “It’s always packed there - like a concert performer or a football player, you’re better when the fans are into it,” Allard said. “It’s really great place to race. There’s a highly charged atmosphere. That makes the difference.” Allard’s stellar season began in April by winning the King of the West Sprint Car Series season opener at Antioch Speedway. Since then, Allard, of Chico, has scored big - winning the $40,000 Dirt Cup in Skagit, Wash. in addition to two more victories in the tough KWS series. Saturday night, he’s back where it all began. High banked and lightning fast, Antioch Speedway’s allure for drivers and fans is sheer excitement. Allard wages battle with sprint car racing’s most highly competitive drivers - all trying to master the tricky Antioch track. “Antioch Speedway is a challenging track,” Allard explained. “It is small bullring where turns one and two can be good and three and four could be a bit difficult.” Allard has won 27 Golden State and King of the West features, putting him just one win away from tying two-time champ Steve Kent for all-time wins. He sits fourth in points, with formidable opponents Tim Kaeding, Evan Suggs and Brent Kaeding ahead of him. “We started out with the main objective being to win the championship,” Allard said. “Some DNS (did not start) cost us in points. Now, we’re out to win races and we’re not worried about points.” Allard, 34, drives for well-known former driver, now car owner, Morrie Williams of Oakhurst, Calif. They will be traveling to the Midwest in a few weeks to race in the prestigious Knoxville, Iowa Nationals for sprint car racing. Williams has three sprint cars on the trailer ready for Allard to use as he needs them. “Morrie has been racing since the 1950s and he is well versed in all aspects of sprint car racing,” Allard explained. “He’s the guy I look up to for answers. He’s helped me learn about the sport from inside to outside.” Allard sticks by his car brand - Maxim - and feels that it is suited for Antioch Speedway. “You can make changes to the car and it will respond really well,” he explained. “The box of being good is bigger than with most cars. As the track changes, you are not battling the car. It opens up the window of opportunity. That window is what Allard will be looking for on Saturday night. General admission for the special event is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and children 6-12. A family pack of two adults and two children is available for $50. Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Antioch Speedway is located on the Contra Costa Fairgrounds at 1201 W. 10th St., Antioch, CA 94509.