(6/21/17) – By Jim Allen – Sacramento, CA … The only thing hotter than the temperatures this weekend will be the exciting wheel-to-wheel racing of the King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series, which will showcase it’s only two-race weekend of the season.
On Friday, June 23rd, Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, CA will host the King of the West-NARC sprint cars for the 32nd Annual Pombo-Sargent Classic. The following night, Saturday (June 24th), the series will be joined by the Sprint Car Challenge Tour at Calistoga Speedway for the Dirt Classic; an event benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of St. Helena & Calistoga.
This marks the ninth and tenth rounds of the ultra-competitive 17-race traveling series. Current KWS-NARC championship point leader Giovanni Scelzi has ambitions to add his name to the coveted winners list at the Pombo-Sargent Classic. It would not only lock his name into California sprint car history, but it would also make him the youngest winner at 15-years old.
The previous champions of the Pombo-Sargent Classic reads like a “who’s-who” of sprint car racing greatness. The event, which pays tribute to longtime racing legends Al Pombo and Marshall Sargent, has seen the likes of Jimmy Sills, the Kaeding’s (Brent, Brandon & Tim), Steve Kent, Chuck Miller, Tim Green, and Tom Tarlton enjoy the spoils of victory lane.
Scelzi maintains a slim one-point advantage over Campbell’s Bud Kaeding (467-466) in the standings. Kaeding is a three-time winner of the event (1997, 1998, & 2012.)
The Dirt Classic at Calistoga is expected to be one of the biggest events of the season, featuring all of California’s best 410 and 360 sprint car talent competing on the big half-mile oval. Many teams and drivers will be performing double duty, racing in both divisions in different race cars. That means exactly what it sounds like, a true test of their pit crew’s ability to prepare two near-perfect cars, and the drivers ability to stay sharp through two complete racing programs despite ever changing track conditions. And the event has a few wild cards thrown in, including former NASCAR star and current sprint car legend Tony Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Rico Abreu who are making special appearances.
Three-time KWS-NARC champion Kyle Hirst of Paradise, CA, who is racing for both sanctioning bodies Saturday, offers this overview of the track. “Calistoga Speedway is a place where you can’t afford to make any mistakes. It’s a flat out, pedal to the metal racetrack. If you’re off just a little bit in qualifying, or miss a set up in a heat race, it will be a long night spent chasing the leaders from the back of the pack.”
Dirt Classic Promoter David Abreu is hoping to raise close to $100,000 for the Boys & Girls Club at the event. Abreu and other local vintners played a major role in helping contribute funds to build the St. Helena Boys & Girls Club 20-year ago. Approximately 280 boys and girls take advantage and use that facility every day. Saturday night’s efforts are centered on supporting the new Calistoga facility that is almost completed. Funds are earmarked to help offset daily operating expenses.
“From what I’m hearing, Calistoga will probably be standing room only and we intend to put on a great show for the fans,” continued Hirst. “And the fact that we are racing for a good local cause and charity makes it that much better.”
Calistoga Speedway is located at the Napa County Fairgrounds at 1435 N. Oak St. in Calistoga. The front gates and pit gates open at noon.
Ocean Speedway is located at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on 2601 E. Lake Avenue in Watsonville. Pit gates open at 2:00 p.m. Front gates open at 4:30. This racing card also includes IMCA Modifieds, and Dwarf Cars.
KINGOFTHEWESTSPRINTCARSERIES-PRESENTEDBYTHENORTHERNAUTORACINGCLUB
The King of the West Fujitsu Racing Series – presented by the Northern Auto Racing Club is co-sponsored by Hoosier Racing Tires. Contingency award sponsors include ATL Racing Cells, ARP Racing Bolts, BMRS, Butler Built, FK Rod Ends, Flowmaster, Fuel Safe Racing Cells, Kaeding Performance Center, KSE Racing Products, Maxim, PAC Racing Springs, Pyrotect, Racing Optics, Saldana Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, SCI Racing Products, System 1 Ignition, Ultra Light Brakes, Weld Racing Wheels, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Williams Roofing, and Winters Performance Products.
2017 KWS-NARC FUJITSU SERIES POINT STANDINGS
(After eight events in 17-race Series)
- Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno (3) – 467
- Bud Kaeding, Campbell (1) – 466
- Cory Eliason, Selma (1) – 461
- DJ Netto, Hanford – 443
- Bobby McMahan, Elk Grove – 379
- Kyle Hirst, Paradise (1) – 375
- Michael Kofoid, Penngrove – 372
- Jarrett Soares, Discovery Bay – 369
- Sean Watts, Atwater – 366
- Willie Croft, Sacramento – 348
- Nathan Rolfe, Atwater – 340
- Mitchell Faccinto, Hanford – 334
- Carson Macedo, Lemoore – 230
- Brent Bjork, Fremont – 228
- Mathew Moles, Fresno – 218
- Shane Golobic, Fremont – 215
- Chase Johnson, Penngrove (1) – 205
- Sean Becker, Roseville – 196
- Dominic Scelzi, Fresno – 195
- Craig Stidham, Fresno – 146
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 1 – Keller Auto Speedway, Hanford, CA
July 15 – Ocean Speedway, Watsonville, CA – Howard Kaeding Classic