BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The NARC King of the West Fujitsu Racing Series will kick off its season this Saturday with a unique season opening Dual Show at Kern County Raceway Park.
The night of racing will also feature NASCAR Superstocks and Modifieds on the paved half-mile oval before the 410 sprint cars tackle the third-mile dirt oval for the Fujitsu Infinite Comfort Shootout.
Race fans have grandstand access to both shows for a single $20 ticket. There is also a special autograph session planned on the front straightaway of the asphalt track at 5 p.m., which will feature all of the NARC and NASCAR drivers and their racing machines.
NASCAR racing is set to take the green flag at 6 p.m. The 900-plus horsepower sprint cars will begin qualifying on the dirt track at 6:40 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies and racing at 7:30 p.m.
Leading a strong field of open-wheel sprint cars to Bakersfield will be defending King of the West champion D.J. Netto. The Hanford, Calif., driver was a model of consistency last season and outlasted the best drivers in California in a heated points battle.
However, competition is expected to be fierce as several teams have stated their intentions to chase the coveted title. In fact, championship aspirations may be at an all time high. All teams have spent the off season hard at work building their teams, new racing equipment and and securing financial backing. Among those who have thrown their names into the championship battle royale is two-time series champion (2002 and ’11) Tim Kaeding and 2017 champion Bud Kaeding. Those two have accounted for 89 series wins, so they know their way around victory lane.
Other’s expecting to make a strong run include Justin Sanders, Shane Golobic, Willie Croft, Colby Copeland and Indiana traveler Spencer Bayston.
Sanders teamed up with Pleasanton, Calif., car owner Larry Antaya over the winter for their championship quest. Even though Sanders has claimed five King of the West feature wins, this is his first foray at a title chase with the Northern Auto Racing Club.
“I think we have a very strong team this year,” said Sanders, who has yet to compete on Kern County Raceway’s action-packed one-third mile oval. “I think we will be okay on some of the tracks I haven’t competed at because Larry has experience at those facilities. I have always looked forward to running at Kern County.”
What’s it going to take to win the crown? Sanders feels it will take an effort very similar to what DJ Netto pulled off last year.
“To win the championship, it will be all about finishing races. It takes consistent top five finishes and no part failures,” Sanders said.
Also expected to compete on Saturday is Chase Johnson, Sean Watts, Mitchell Faccinto, Dominic Scelzi, Rico Abreu and Kenny Allen, among others.
In addition, Kyle Offill and Jodie Robinson have announced their intentions to run for the Johnstone Supply Rookie of the Year honors.