March 7 marked the opening day of the season at Bakersfield Speedway.
Contestants in the Mini, American, Hobby and International Motor Contest Association stocks, shredded exhaust pipes and tires as they battled for the winning title.
Fans cheered as the speed machines fitted with high compression engines roared around the one-third-mile clay track, spitting dirt and smoke into the stands.
“I’m an Oildalian, this is a dirt track, and there ain’t nothin’ else like it,” said Chris Breedlove, a lifelong spectator of the races.
J.R. Garcia planned to compete in the American stock but was unable to race due to technical problems.
The former racer at Mesa Marin expressed how he preferred asphalt to dirt but said, “I’m glad this place is open.”
The races were opened with the four-cylinder modified economy cars of the Mini Stock division, followed by the 350 block engines of the American class, the IMCA modifieds and closed with the Cameros and Novas of the Hobby stock.
Axles were broken, sheet metal torn and radiators blown as racers roared around the track.
“I like the action of wrecking,” said Ryan Megary, “but I wouldn’t if it was me in the car.”
The action intensified in later heats as more cars were let on the track, increasing the mayhem and causing drivers like Rick Sylvester of number 38, in the IMCA stock, to flip his car in the last heat.
“We try not to think of people getting hurt,” said Brenda Dutton, mother of driver Gary Dutton. “We don’t like to worry.”
Jeff Berger, driver of Hobby car 22, was disqualified for rough driving with David Childress of car 45.
“I’m a little disappointed with myself for losing my temper, but other than that I had a really good time,” said Berger after shaking hands and making amends with Childress.
In the pits, racers filled the air with revving engines and clanking tools during pre-race checks, pulling out onto the track with eager vigor to run a hot lap before the main races.
“I like the excitement of being in the car and going fast,” said Garcia.
Lloyd Wren Jr., driver of Hobby car 87, said, “I love the adrenaline about it,” as he stood next to his reinforced steel-caged 1977 Camaro.
“I enjoy coming out here, having fun and the thrill of racing,” said Aaron Bruce, Hobby driver 18.
When asked if they ever get scared, Tracy and Kim Childress, drivers of American Stock cars 17 and 45, said, “No, it’s fun.”
Alongside the cars in the pits, stood drums of highly flammable methanol. “More horsepower from methanol is a myth,” said Scott Pounds.
“Engines run cooler on methanol.
You can run a higher engine compression on methanol.”
The night ended safely, with no one having to take a trip in the ambulance, and with fans going home satisfied.
Winners of the night included Mike Johnson driver of car 11X in the IMCA class, Jason Bannister of car 51 in the Hobby Class, car 29 driver Alex Tillema in the American Stock and Jordan Hagar with number 99J in Mini division.