(11/2/25 – Andrew Kunas) Stockton, CA … The Northern Auto Racing Club marked the end of an era while expressing excitement for the future on Sunday, all while enjoying good food and great times at its annual Championship Celebration on Sunday at the Brookside Country Club in Stockton.
The series honored its champion and top performers and handed out special awards as well, while a couple of key individuals spoke as well. Many of the Top 10 drivers in points who were in attendance had highlight videos played. And more than $13,000 was raised for the NARC Benevolent Fund.
The man of the hour was Hanford’s D.J. Netto, who was crowned “King of the West” after winning his second career NARC championship aboard the Netto Ag No. 88N machine. Netto thanked his team, including all those who came and went during the season, for their support, including crew chief Jimmy Carr who joined late in the season. Netto finished the season with three victories and won the championship on the strength of his overall consistency throughout the season despite the occasional bump along the way.
“It was a trying year for us,” said Netto. “I think the first championship we won, it was a trying year also. This year we had a horrible speedweek (in June), but the guys at Netto Ag were behind me all year.”
Fresno’s Mariah Ede, in her first season racing 410 sprint cars, finished fifth in the NARC point standings, despite the ups and downs that are were part of the learning curve for her and her family’s team. Ede was recognized as NARC Rookie of Year on Sunday for her efforts this season.
Other drivers taking to the podium on Sunday included points runner-up Sean Becker, third place points man Bud Kaeding, Dominic Gorden, Gauge Garcia and Justin Sanders.
The Billy Albini Mechanic of the Year Award, presented to the team crewmembers who best exhibited the spirit of helping out other teams while maintaining top performance out of their own car, this year had two recipients. Matt Britt and Billy Martins were recognized for their behind the scenes work as wrenches for Bud Kaeding and the BK Motorsports No. 29 team.
Perhaps the most special award presented was the Dave Bradway Jr Inspirational Trophy, going to the individual showing dedication to the sport of sprint car racing either on the track or behind the scenes. This year, the recipients were longtime NARC officials Dan & Laurel Belton, who get to take possession of the perpetual trophy for the next year. Shocked at their selection, the Belton’s expressed their thanks and also their gratitude for being involved in California sprint car racing for most of their lives.
Bud Kaeding wiped away tears while thanking his team and his wife and daughter for their support while he finished third in the NARC standings this season, but before that he performed his annual task of auctioning off several special items for the NARC Benevolent Fund. This time around, he teamed up with Justin Sanders, the 2024 NARC champion and Saturday’s Tribute to Gary Patterson winner, to be his partner in crime. Through the usual antics that drew many laughs from banquet attendees, the auctioneers raised a substantial amount of money.
Jim Allen, the longtime general manager of the NARC over two separate stints, emceed his final banquet as he is retiring from the series this off-season. Allen had co-owned the series alongside Brent Kaeding, the several time series champion who was more the silent partner while Allen ran the day-to-day operations and marketing. Allen convinced Kaeding to come onto the stage and then presented him with a gift card for an Alaskan cruise. The two hugged after more than 40 years of friendship and the last several as co-owners of NARC. Allen fought off tears numerous times on stage during the afternoon but finally let loose during his final sendoff to close out the festivities. Allen was given a standing ovation by all the attendees for his years of dedication to sprint car racing on the West Coast.
Allen and Kaeding are handing over the reins to six-time national sprint car champion Brad Sweet and Kevin Rudeen. Sweet, a California native who began his 410 sprint car career racing with the old Golden State Challenge before hitting the national stage, won five consecutive World of Outlaws championships from 2019 to 2023 before claiming the High Limit Racing title in 2024 and then retiring from full-time racing after this season. Beginning with High Limit Racing in 2023, Sweet has put on the promoter’s hat, and now has taken interest in the series based in his home state.
Sweet was in attendance for Sunday’s banquet and briefly stepped up to the podium. He spoke of growing up going to NARC races, watching the likes of Brent Kaeding, Steve Kent and Tim Green before getting into a sprint car himself, and about the NARC series meaning so much to him. While not giving details, Sweet expressed his excitement for NARC’s future though a lot of work was ahead for him, Kevin Rudeen and Jon Hager.
Much will be happening over the next few months in preparation for the 2026 season. Fans and race teams are encouraged to follow NARC’s social media pages as well as the NARC website for updates during what will be an off-season full of change.
