Antioch, CA — Antioch Speedway strives to bring the fans special events throughout the season, and this Saturday night is one such occasion. The Elk Grove Ford Sprint Car Challenge Tour makes their only appearance at the track this year. They will be joined by the IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Mini Stocks.
The Sprint Car Challenge Tour is the premier Winged 360 Sprint Car Series on the West Coast. Back in 2017, Antioch was the site of the first race for the group, which produced a record 360 Sprint Car turn out for the track with over 60 cars.
The track hadn’t been on the schedule for a few seasons when the Sprint Car Showcase was created in 2022 as a way to entice the series for a return. Many of its top drivers competed that night in a race won by Colby Copeland of Roseville. The result was a scheduled date last season, won by Shane Golobic of Fremont.
This is the sixth race of the season for the group, but the first five shows had a familiar name at the top. Series point leader Justin Sanders of Aromas has won all of the races, including the prestigious Mel Hall Memorial at Marysville and the Asparagus Cup at Stockton.
As you might expect, he is currently leading the championship charge by 69 points over second place Dylan Bloomfield of Oakley. Bloomfield gives the fans a local hero to cheer for. The rising young star has a pair of Top 5 finishes as he pursues his first win.
In addition to ranking second in the series and finishing third overall last year, Bloomfield is currently ranked fifth in the NARC/King Of The West Series this year. Currently holding down third in the standings is rookie Braden Chiaramante of El Cajon. Braden is a graduate from the Micro Sprint circuit.
There is a closer battle for third in the standings. Michael Faccinto of Hanford is four points behind Chiaramonte. 17 points back is 2022 champion Andy Forsberg of Auburn. Travis Labat of Livernore, Golobic, Tanner Carrick of Lincoln, 2023 point runnereup Kaleb Montgomery of Templeton and Sean Becker of Roseville round out the current Top 10 in the standings.
In the IMCA Sport Modified division, we have a tie at the top of the standings. Reigning champion Kenny Shrader at Pacheco and Jason Ryan Jr of Oakley are both feature winners so far this year. Two points behind them is three-time champion Fred Ryland of Brentwood. Tommy Clymens Jr of Oakley is 14 points out of the lead, and Dylan Connelly of Antioch trails by 25.
Currently holding down ninth in the standings is Chuck Golden of Pittsburg. Golden won the championship at Watsonville last season and is in the battle to win it again this year. He’s also the current IMCA State point leader.
Ryland is in contention for a double championship season. With a win in the IMCA Stock Car season opener, he’s leading Jason Jennings of Pittsburg by 17 points. Jennings is 23 points ahead of Jason Robles of Rio Vista and 26 ahead of Troy Foulger of Oakley.
Robles has enjoyed back-to-back runner-up seasons in the standings at Antioch Speedway and was also second in the State last year. Last season was a bit frustrating, however, as he was unable to get a feature win. Last time out, he changed that by scoring an impressive Main Event win.
The Mini Stocks are slowly growing their ranks as the entry level division on the speedway lineup. Santa Rosa’s Tom Brown is a two-time champion at Antioch with four titles at Petaluma Speedway. He won the Antioch opener and picked up his third win at Petaluma last time out.
Brown finds himself leading Tony Quinonez of Corning by four points and Santa Rosa’s Mike Cover by six. Reigning champion Tom Davis of Los Molinos is eight points back. He will be looking to dial things in this week and make a return to the winner’s circle.
The Winged 360 Sprint Cars have some of the fastest machines you’ll see competing at Antioch Speedway, and Saturday is the only opportunity to see the Sprint Car Challenge Tour. Add in the two IMCA classes and the Mini Stocks, and this will be a show you won’t want to miss.
The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00. Adult tickets are $30, Senior/Military $20, Kids (5-12) $20 and kids four and under free.
With the Contra Costa County Fair coming up, this Speedway will be open on May 17th and 18th for two nights of racing. Scheduling adjustments are being considered to make up rain outs later this year.For further information, go to www.raceantiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.
Previous Races
- June 12 – Jones Wins Hunt Series Race At Antioch Speedway
- June 4 – Foulger, Ryland, Robles, Holbrook Win At Antioch Speedway
- 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