Bakersfield, CA – On the eve of the biggest race weekend of the entire year, Thursday, February 9th, the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace will host the “2017 Winter Showdown Kick Off Party presented by Visit Bakersfield”. Open to the public, with no ticket required, the “Winter Showdown Kick off Party” will feature live music featuring the John Hollins Band, driver interviews, raffle items and the presentations honoring the top drivers of the 2016 SPEARS Southwest Tour Series champion season.

As always, the Crystal Palace will be serving their legendary dinners and both bars will be open.

All Winter Showdown race teams at the Kickoff Party will be entered into a raffle, with a chance to win Traeger grills, LED TV’s, VISA Gift Cards, Five Star Race Car Body and more.

The Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace staff will begin serving dinner at 5pm; the party and presentations start at 7pm. Reservations are not required, but strongly encouraged by calling 661-325-7860 or online at www.buckowens.com

The 3rd annual Winter Showdown is the richest race event of it’s kind in the nation, featuring the top Super Late Model drivers from around the nation, including notable drivers NASCAR star Kyle Busch, Eric Jones, SPEARS Southwest Tour Series champion Derek Thorn and two-time Winter Showdown winner, Senoia, Georgia’s Bubba Pollard. Racing begins Friday night, and ends Saturday night with the “Spears Manufacturing Winter Showdown 250.”

For tickets and information go to www.kernraceway.com.