Antioch, CA — The conditions are right for some great racing action at Antioch Speedway. The weather is getting nicer, and some exciting races are on the agenda for the month of June. Fans have been enjoying the show on the 3/8-mile clay oval so far.
This Saturday night, The Contra Costa County Event Center race track will offer an exciting four-division lineup. The IMCA Modifieds and Sport Modifieds are back along with the IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast Hobby Stocks.
Initially, this was to be Fan Appreciation Night, but the that event, which will feature a reduced ticket price, will happen on August 3rd. This will enable the track to deliver the same quality show that the fans saw on Fan Appreciation Night last year.
Following this Saturday’s show, the Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Series will be a part of the excitement on June 8th with a strong field of competitors anticipated. On June 15th, fans will see the lightning fast Sprint Car Challenge Tour, and June 29th will see the thrilling BCRA Midgets make up an earlier rain out.
After three events, a battle is shaping up between past IMCA Modified champion Kellen Chadwick of Oakley and reigning State titlist Andrew Pearce of Oakley.. Pearce’s remarkable rookie season last year also saw him winning the Merced Speedway crown. Despite Chadwick winning the last two races, Pearce leads the battle by three points.
There’s also the matter of family bragging rights. Andrew is the nephew of Kellen, and these two have already enjoyed a few good battles in the young season. Season opener winner Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas is third in the standings, four ahead of six-time reigning champion Troy Foulger of Oakley and seven in front of current State point leader Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley.
The IMCA Sport Modified division is a wide open battle that frequently leaves the crowd delighted by the things they’ve witnessed. A good portion of the drivers who show up on any given week have a shot at victory. Dylan Connelly of Antioch is the latest driver to add his name to the winner’s list.
One of the rising young stars of the speedway, Dylan has had multiple occasions in the last two seasons in which he led several laps, only to see a yellow flag and ensuing restart be his undoing. Yellow flags didn’t deter him last time out as he held off all comers to pick up his first feature win.
So far, the battle between reigning champion Kenny Shrader of Pacheco and Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley continues. Ryan used his third place finish last time out to take a one point lead over Shrader. This battle is just getting started, and there is another serious challenger in the mix.
Four-time champion Fred Ryland of Brentwood is only four points out in third, eight ahead of Tommy Clymens Jr of Oakley. Connelly and Oakley’s Kelly Campanile are just 15 points back in fifth. Ryland had a big night on Sunday at the Stockton Dirt Track. He won both the Tri State Pro Stock and IMCA Sport Modified Main Events.
Ryland won the season opener for the IMCA Stock Cars back in March. A solid start has given him a 16 point advantage in the IMCA Stock Car class. The driver in second may be a bit of a surprise to some, but not to those who have been paying attention.
Jason Jennings of Pittsburg has had a little bit of bad luck, including a blown motor at the season opener. Despite all of that, the 2022 Rookie of the Year has written his name on the list of serious title contenders this year. He’s also the 2004 Mini Stock champion.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Coast Hobby Stock division has a surprise at the top of the standings, although not a surprise to racing fans familiar with neighboring tracks. Ryan Hart of Dos Palos scored the win during the Contra Costa County Fair to put him 50 points ahead of Clarence Holbrook III of Galt.
Holbrook was going for a double win that night but settled for second in the oval. He ended a great night by winning his very first Figure 8 race for a $1,000 payday. He is currently six points ahead of 2020 champion James Thomson of Pittsburg.
24 points behind Thomson is the tied Brandon Carpenter of Galt and Rick Rogers of San Pablo, while Maddie Motts of San Pablo is 28 points behind Thomson in sixth.
This Saturday’s show will give the fans a blend of fast and exciting Modified and Stock Car racing. The weather is expected to be nice, and the championship battles are just heating up.
The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00.
Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.
For further information, go to www.raceantiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.
Recent Stories:
- May 28 – Slaney Wins Eighth Annual Larry Damitz Memorial at Antioch Speedway
- May 21 – Antioch Speedway Treats Fairgoers to Two Nights of Racing
- May 14 – Sanders Prevails In NARC Sprint Car Feature at Antioch Speedway
- March 22 – Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Series Comes To Antioch Speedway
