BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The closing stretch of the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series campaign continues with the October Classic this Saturday (Oct. 25), as the series makes its only appearance of the season at the Bakersfield Speedway dirt track at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway.
The October Classic combo-show also features the CARS Tour and the “Harvick Showdown” with NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan racing against each other in late models on the half-mile asphalt oval.
The pavement race starts at 6 p.m., the NARC show at approximately 7:30 p.m.
NARC last visited the Kern Raceway dirt track this time last year, but since then the old Bakersfield Speedway in nearby Oildale closed and its operations transferred over to the dirt track at Kern. The dirt track facility now operates as Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. The facility has also undergone improvements since NARC’s last visit, including additional seating.
No matter the official name of the track, action will be hot on Saturday night with much at stake. Things remain tight at the top of the NARC standings with only two events remaining. D.J. Netto of Hanford picked up an enormous victory on Oct. 11 at Antioch Speedway to increase his point lead over Sean Becker, who finished fourth in that race. Just 12 points now separate the two former series champions.
Netto has three NARC wins on the season, including winning both Antioch races. Becker is winless on the season but has been strongly consistent all season and more than once has knocked on the door of victory.
Even with Netto winning in NARC’s last outing, one misstep by Netto coupled with a strong outing by Becker – or even better, a win for him — could really shake things up for the Nov. 1 finale at the Stockton Dirt Track.
In last year’s October Classic at Kern Raceway, it was Tim Kaeding picking up the victory. The veteran racer and former NARC champion led every lap, but had to withstand a number of race stoppages and challenges for the lead along the way. Kaeding, long one of the most popular and exciting racers out of California, will be one to watch again.
Another Kaeding to watch will be Tim’s brother Bud, who sits third in the NARC points. The Campbell driver won his 23rd NARC feature event of his career, winning the Johnny Key Classic at Ocean Speedway in August.
Clovis driver Dominic Gorden ran a strong second in the race at Antioch and set fast time in qualifying earlier that evening. Having won the Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial earlier this season and posting other podium finishes, Gorden is hoping to capture a second NARC victory on the season before the season is up.
Having opened in 2015, the Kern Raceway dirt track has hosted numerous sprint car races and other open wheel events on its third-mile clay oval. Shane Golobic was a NARC winner in 2022 and the following year it was Corey Day picking up a win there on his way to the 2023 NARC championship.
Future NARC champion Justin Sanders picked up a win there in 2021.
Mariah Ede is expected to race and will look to all but wrap up NARC Rookie of the Year honors. The young lady from Fresno has had her struggles during his first year in a 410 sprint car, but has shown speed at times also. Former NARC champion Dominic Scelzi is expected, along with Tanner Holmes, Kaleb Montgomery, Gauge Garcia, Max Mittry, John Clark, Jarrett Soares and Billy Aton.
