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

The WoO officially announced their schedule including a race on Apr 1 in Merced. I heard rumors that this was coming, but being Apr 1 i assumed it was a joke.... Its been a few years since I've been there, have they made any improvements? The pits seemed WAY to small for outlaw rigs..

They moved the track back to the smaller configuration which means that whole backstretch area is now a pit area.

www.stevenblakesley.com

The outlaws won't be the only series going to Merced this year.

http://www.raceimages.net

The pit area has not changed from what it has been for many years. The track is smaller after it was reshaped this year, I would say smaller than even Placerville. John Soares said the track is patterned after Chico. There is an adjacent paved lot than can be used for additional pit area, plus additional parking across the street from the pits.

As I looked at the schedule I was also really surprised to see the WoO going to Merced Speedway! I didn't know they had a dirt track, let alone one that is able to host a WoO race. I was really looking forward to going to the Placerville race that was rumored to be on the schedule but oh well. I have been to almost every dirt track in California so maybe I will have to check out Merced

It's also great to see Calistoga and Hanford back on the schedule too!

Looking forward to the new Golden State King of the 
West series schedule! 

Winged sprintcars = the fastest and most exciting 
racecars on dirt! 

You'd be better off saving your money and going to a weekly or Civil War show at Placerville than to make the haul to Merced. 'Ya ain't gonna miss a thing.......

The pre-2010 Merced track was not as racy as the new version constructed in the spring of this year. While the track is small, the banking is much greater than before and I expect the sprint car shows to not only draw large crowds but to present good racing, too. I went to 5 shows at the new Merced track and was impressed with the new oval. They also have the best dirt track grandstands in the state.

based on the picture on their website it looks like the backstretch is still running behind the scoreboard which - if correct - I have never understood. They have a perfectly good scoreboard outside turn two (or at least they did) so just rip out the backstretch one and be done with it. You are right about the stands though they are nice and when I was there a lot during the early '90s there were no hassles with camping and facilities were well taken care of. So who is promoting this joint now?

The promoter at Merced is John Soares Jr.

That's what I thought and that pretty much seals that deal. No trips to Merced planned here.

Doubt they will miss you anyway..

You're probably right but I know you will big boy.....:-).....

merced is still in Chuck Griffins name on the lease if that helps