ANTIOCH, Calif. - Oval Motorsports, Inc., announced two major racing events today for its clay ovals in Antioch and Merced, California. The World of Outlaws will visit Antioch Speedway for the first time ever on September 12. Both tracks will have a major double header, “The Budweiser Fall Classic”, for the Western All Star Late Model Stock Cars and DIRTcar West Modified Stock Cars, on October 1 and 2. “There has been continuous growth at both of our speedways, despite tough economic times,” Oval Motorsports President John Soares said today. “We believe that our two speedways offer fans the best dirt track racing in California, and in the Western states.” Soares said his family’s 60-year history of promotion - from drag racing to stock car racing and sprint car racing - has helped him steer the two speedways to success. “There’s nothing like big events to close out a great season,” he said. “We’re offering the fans of northern and central California the shows they have asked for.” The World of Outlaws is a traveling pack of professional drivers who pilot the fastest cars on dirt - winged high-powered racecars that slide sideways around the oval in thrilling wheel to wheel competition. Drivers in the World of Outlaws travel coast to coast, battling for money and championship points at a wide variety off dirt ovals. Antioch Speedway’s event is on Monday night, September 12. The entire Antioch Speedway main grandstand will be for reserved seating only. Because Antioch Speedway is hosting the major Monday night event, it’s Saturday night racing program will be canceled and a full Saturday night program will take place at Merced Speedway on September 10. Merced will not have races on September 11. “We just passed our one-year anniversary at Merced Speedway,” Soares said. “We have had tremendous success - starting with the first ever DIRTcar West Coast Nationals last August and continuing with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car event in April this year. Our weekly racing program is constantly being tweaked and refined to make Merced a successful weekly racing venue.” Merced Speedway has added a Sport Mod feature event on Aug. 7, and the second annual DIRTcar West Coast Nationals for Modified Stock Cars takes place on August 27 and 28. The West Coast Nationals grows in stature the year with the addition of Mitchell’s Modesto Harley-Davidson as the Merced Speedway sponsor. Mitchell’s Modesto Harley Davidson will bring a new dimension to the program at the Merced half of the West Coast Nationals on Sunday, Aug. 28. Several Harleys will be displayed and company representatives will be on hand to answer questions about them. October’s Budweiser Fall Classic will be new this year. “Having two great speedways just a few hours apart offers the opportunity to present unique racing shows to the fans,” Soares explained. “There are no other programs of this type in California. The concept started with the West Coast Nationals, and grew from there.” The races will have huge purses paid to the late model and modified drivers, in addition to DIRTcar regional and national points. Each track will pay the winner of the Western All Stars Late Model race $3,000 and the winner of the DIRTcar modified race $2,000. In addition to that, any driver who wins at both track will receive bonus money. “The best racing happens when you have a big event,” commented driver and car owner Bobby Hogge III. “Oh yeah, we’ll be there. We’re looking forward to it already.” Hogge III is busy preparing two new modifieds for son Bobby Hogge IV. Last year, Hogge IV took both legs of the August DIRTcar West Coast nationals. “I was preparing the cars for that race, now we’ve even got a bigger one five weeks later,” he said. “This will be fun.” The Hogges also have two late models, and Bobby IV is Western All Stars champion. In addition, the family has mastered double wins (late model and modified) - scoring five in single-track programs in the last few years. With a double header on at both Antioch and Merced, and bonus money tied in, it sets a new goal to try for. Can Hogge IV win all four in two nights? “We can try,” said Hogge III. “We have been fortunate on double feature events and races that pay bonuses. Maybe we can win both that weekend.” Weekly racing continues at both Antioch and Merced Speedways this weekend. All Star Wingless Sprints headline the show at both tracks. Antioch will have Limited Late Models, “Mini-Trux” and “Four Bangers” on the program. There will be a special appearance of BCRA “Lites”. At Merced, DIRTcar modifieds, Hobby Stocks and “Four Bangers” share the bill. Also appearing will be vintage super-modified stock cars that raced in the 60s and 70s. Antioch Speedway is located in the Contra Costa Fairgrounds at 1201 W. 10th St. in Antioch, Calif. Racing starts at 7 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Merced Speedway sees racing action starting at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Gates open at 4 p.m. Merced Speedway is located in the Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in Merced, Calif.