Monday, March 14, 2016

Irwindale Event Center To Host The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West This Saturday


By Dave Grayson

Here's a true hot ticket because it involves a special Saturday night appearance from the always exciting NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The famed series will be treating Irwindale fans to the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150, presented by Bill McAnally Racing. This event is the official 2016 season opener for the series.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series, both the West and East Series, is the top in NASCAR's developmental ladder before drivers progress to the three national touring series. According to NASCAR historical archives, the West Series actually dates back to 1954 during a time when NASCAR racing came to the west coast and established the Pacific Coast Late Model Circuit. Eventually that series morphed into the touring show that we enjoy today. To find out how strong this program is today you only have to ask reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick. He won the West Series championship back in 1998.

The relationship between this series and the Irwindale Event Center is also rich in history and dates back to June 19, 1999. On that night former series champion Butch Gilliland established a qualifying record of 17. 871 second/100.722 on Irwindale's high banks. By the way, that record setting qualifying record remains intact and is still waiting to be broken after all of these years. On this night it was series' veteran Steve Portenga who won the first West Series race at Irwindale.

While the K&N Pro Series West will certainly be the highlight of Saturday night's racing show, the IEC has added two more levels of racing excitement for this special evening. The NASCAR Whelen Late Models will be treating the fans to a 50 lap main event along with an appearance from the Race Car Factory Spec Late Models.

On Saturday race day the spectator gates will open at 4pm followed by qualifying rounds at 5pm and racing at 6pm. There will of course be the IEC's autograph session allowing fans to come down on the track see the cars and meet the drivers.

Here's yet another aspect of IEC Saturday night that will make the evening special for the fans. It's a special gift from West Series championship team owner, and former series driver, Bill McAnally. $15 general admission tickets are currently available at www.bmrnapa.com/bmr-racing/storetickets. If tickets are purchased from this page or Paypal, you will receive an email confirmation. Your tickets will be available at the IEC will call window on Saturday, March 19th, at 3pm. If you would like to receive hard tickets via Federal Express, please call 916-676-0010 extension 1103. An extra fee will be added to your purchase. There is also a parking fee of $10, cash only please. Anyone who has attended NASCAR K&N Pro Series West events in the past are well aware of the fact that $15 tickets are both a bargain and a gift. Thank you Bill McAnally Racing.