Wednesday, October 26, 2016

The SPEARS Southwest Tour Returns to the Series' Fastest Track



Bakersfield, CA – The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series will make its second and final appearance of 2016 at Kern County Raceway this Saturday night for the “Bulwark FR 150 presented by 51 FIFTY Energy Drink”. Saturday night’s 150-lap event at the high-banked half-mile is the penultimate race of the 2016 SPEARS Southwest Tour Series championship season.

NOTES of INTEREST:

CHAMPIONSHIP TOP TEN: Current top ten in the SPEARS (SRL) Southwest Tour Series championship standings: Derek Thorn-Bakersfield, CA 1178 points, Ryan Cansdale-Laguna Beach, CA 1129, Christian McGhee-Claremont, CA 1106, Jacob Gomes-Manteca, CA 1057, Bobby Hodges-Carson City, NV 1037, Blaine Rocha-Oakdale, CA 984, Carlos Vieira-Livingston, CA 970, Keith Spangler-Porter Ranch, CA 947, Brandon White-Eureka, CA 796, Andre Prescott-La Quinta, CA 675.

Points system: Winner 180 points, 2nd 170, 3rd 165, 4th 160, 5th 155, 6th 150, 7th 146, 8th 142, 9th 138, 10th 134, 11th 130, 12th on down 3 points less per position.

WINNER’S PRIZE: The winner of Saturday night’s “Bulwark FR 150 presented by 51 FIFTY Energy Drink” will be awarded the $5,000 winner’s purse, plus the maximum 180 championship points.

RACE FORMAT: Saturday night’s race for the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series will be 150 laps with a halfway break at lap 75. During the 8-minute break, teams will be allowed to fuel the cars and make chassis adjustments.

HALFWAY BONUS: The leader of the race at lap 75 will receive a $1,000 bonus from ‘His Works Gift Basket Co.’.

RECORD FIELD OF DRIVERS: The previous record for the number of drivers entered in a SPEARS Southwest Tour Series points paying event at Kern County Raceway was 24, this weekend’s race has a record 30 entries.

FOUR LOCAL TRACK CHAMPIONS: There are three former and one current Kern County Raceway championship drivers entered in Saturday night’s SPEARS Southwest Tour Series “Bulwark FR 150 presented by 51 FIFTY Energy Drink”; David Mayhew, Brian Richardson, Johnny White and the 2016 NASCAR Late Model champion, Buddy Shepherd.

ROOKIE CHALLENGE: NTS Motorsports driver, Christian McGhee, holds the lead in the 2016 Rookie-of-the-Year Challenge standings, ahead of Andre Prescott and Trevor Huddleston.

WINTER SHOWDOWN TUNE UP: With Saturday being the final race of the year at Kern County Raceway, many teams will use this weekend as a final tune up for the February 11th “Winter Showdown”. The “Winter Showdown” is the “Richest Short Track Race in America,” paying $30,000 to the winner.

FIRST CAREER STARTS: Two drivers will make their first career SPEARS Southwest Tour Series start this Saturday night; Doni Wanat from Woodenville, Washington and Eric Norris from Dana Point, California. Wanat is a 2016 Northwest Super Late Model Series event winner, and Norris, who is the son of actor Chuck Norris, is a former NASCAR K&N Pro Series champion.

TRICK or TREAT and FIREWORKS: In the spirit of Halloween, kids 10 and under in costume will be admitted free to the race. Kids can ‘Trick or Treat’ during the on-track autograph session and there will be a Fireworks Spooktagular just before the engines fire for the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series “Bulwark FR 150 presented by 51 FIFTY Energy Drink”.

EVENT 411: Spectator gates open at 4pm, SPEARS Southwest Tour Series qualifying at 5pm, ‘Trick or Treat’ Autograph Session at 6pm, racing begins at 7pm.

FINALE: The final race of the 2016 SPEARS Southwest Tour Series championship will be the $10,000 to win ‘Championship Season Finale’ at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on November 19th.

For more information go to www.SRLSouthwestTour.com or www.KernRaceway.com.