By Gary Thomas
Aptos, California – December 21, 2013…The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series has officially released its 2014 schedule, which showcases 16 dates at 10 different tracks throughout California, including a number of special events that have been synonymous with the tour over the years, as well as a few new additions to the slate. Along with the 16 events already locked up, there is also currently a TBD weekend on the schedule for September 12 & 13.
The upcoming season will mark the fourth campaign held under the King of the West Sprints banner and the 29th overall year since the Golden State 410 Series came into existence back in 1986. It will also be the first full season contested with the direction & leadership of John Prentice and Brent Kaeding, who took over helm of the KWS Series this past September.
For the first time the King of the West 410 Sprint Cars will kick off the season at the Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare during the inaugural “Spring Thunder Nationals presented by KRC Safety Company” on Saturday April 12. The one-third mile clay oval has become one of the most popular venues on the west coast over the last handful of years and will also host KWS on Saturday May 17, for what will be the annual “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial.” The Faria Memorial will also include the always entertaining USAC West Coast Wingless 360 Sprints that night.
The high-banked bullring of Placerville Speedway once again plays host to a pair of KWS 410 events next season, with those occurring on Saturday April 19 & Saturday July 19. The lightning fast and exciting track is a favorite among fans for its distinctive red clay and extremely close action. Both of last year’s events at the track were nail biters right down to the end and featured over-flowing crowds that packed the stands. The all-time King of the West 410 track record at Placerville is also a blistering 9.913 and is shared by Tim Kaeding & Evan Suggs.
The famed Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico will hold two King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series events in 2014, with both being special shows. The first will be on Saturday May 3, which marks the always prestigious 24th annual “Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial” & the second will be on Friday June 6, in what will be the 2nd annual “David Tarter Memorial.” The Bradway Memorial each season is a major cornerstone event for the series and the Tarter Memorial is expected to become one as well at the quarter-mile clay oval. More information on both of these marquee events will be out as the season grows closer.
The Kings Speedway in Hanford will feature two dates during the upcoming season, including the return of the prestigious “Pombo/Sargent Classic” as a King of the West 410 event on Saturday June 14, which also coincides with the Kings County Fair for the first time. The 29th annual “Cotton Classic” on Saturday October 11 is another surely can’t miss show, with the KWS Winged 410’s paired with the Wingless 410 Sprint Cars of the USAC/CRA Series. It’s going to be one of the most anticipated events of the year, with the best of both “California 410 Worlds” coming together on one night at the 3/8 mile clay oval.
Hosting a pair of events in 2014 is the always pristine Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, with the first coming on Friday June 20 and the second on Saturday July 12, which will be the fourth annual “Howard Kaeding Classic.” The event has become a very special one paying honor to the legendary “Campbell Comet.” The “HK Classic” weekend also features the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series vs. Taco Bravo Ocean Sprints on Friday July 11, which will make for an exciting double-header weekend at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds quarter-mile. Extra info on the “HK Classic” weekend will also be out closer to the start of the season.
California’s newest dirt venue, the Stockton Dirt Track, will also see the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series on two occasions, including Saturday August 2 and on Saturday November 1, which marks the season-finale for the second year in a row. The finale will also be the 31st annual “Tribute to Gary Patterson” and was a very successful one last season, with this coming year expected to be even bigger & better, as it also marks championship night for the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster. Fans and teams alike won’t want to miss November 1 when both of California’s premier traveling Winged Sprint Car Series’ cap the season in grand fashion at the Stockton Dirt Track.
Holding single-night KWS showcases in 2014 will be the Petaluma Speedway on Saturday May 10, Marysville Raceway Park on Saturday June 7, Calistoga Speedway on Saturday June 21 and the Antioch Speedway on Saturday July 26.
The King of the West 410’s returned to Petaluma Speedway last season for the first time in a few years and the series is excited to be back at the 3/8 mile clay oval in 2014. Racing through lapped traffic at Petaluma is some of the best you’ll see anywhere & always creates great action. The event at Marysville Raceway Park will be the first time 410’s have graced the quarter-mile clay oval since 2011 and is paired with the “Tarter Memorial” at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico the prior night on June 6, making for an action packed weekend of KWS racing in the North State.
After being off the KWS schedule last year the famed Calistoga Speedway returns in a big way with the “Wine Country Classic” and will be a much anticipated stop during the season, after numerous improvements were made to the track and facility last year. The show will be held during NASCAR weekend in Sonoma and is also paired that weekend with Ocean Speedway in Watsonville the night before on June 20. The Antioch Speedway visit in late-July will be another show that’s looked forward to and is your only chance to catch the series at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds track in 2014.
The King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series will be part of the “California Triple Crown” that includes the Civil War 360 Sprint Car Series presented by Flowmaster and the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo. If a driver can win all three championships they will take home a substantial bonus, with more details to be released following the start of the year. There are no conflicts between the three, so there is the possibility of a driver performing the feat for the first time ever.
“It’s going to be a great year for the King of the West Sprint Car Series,” said John Prentice of Prentice Motorsport Group. “If you look at the schedule you’ll see a number of big events and that’s a major focus. Having special shows is a key for any traveling series and next season you’ll see we have quite a few of them. The schedule worked out great with no conflicts between KWS, Civil War and the Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo, so I can’t thank all the promoters enough for working together to make it happen. There’s a lot of positive energy going on throughout the Sprint Car community in California right now and that is definitely a great thing.”
Info on the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series can be found at http://www.kwssprints.com/
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