Brad Pounds, Tate Sanders and Eric Humphries on the Open Outlaw podium

Release prepared by Blakesley Sports Media

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (January 20, 2018) – The opening night of the inaugural Bakersfield Indoor Kart Nationals at Bakersfield Karting Experience saw IMCA Modified champion Brad Pounds take the $400 Open Outlaw Kart victory. The 1/10th mile dirt oval also hosted three divisions of Mini Dwarf competition and Beginner Box Stocks during the busy night.

Pounds used a daring outside pass to take the lead, then assumed the lead after Tyler Seavey relinquished it in a scuffle with lapped traffic.

26 Open Outlaw Karts were in action with six heat races and twin 14 lap B Mains setting the 12 kart lineup for the feature. Redding’s Brandon Williams started on the pole and led early before he spun and Bakersfield’s Tate Sanders, in his career Outlaw Kart debut, took over the lead. Sanders also won his heat race earlier in a strong debut performance.

Pounds reeled in Sanders and drove up to the cushion for a slingshot run down the backstretch to the take the lead, much to the approval of the strong crowd on hand. The Bakersfield IMCA Modified champion was passed a few laps later by Seavey, who started seventh after winning the first B Main.

Seavey looked poised to drive away with the victory but was halted when Kailyn Lopez spun in front of him in turn two for a caution. Seavey stopped and had to restart at the rear of the field.

Pounds held off Sanders and Chowchilla’s Eric Humphries over a sprint to the finish for the victory. All three have their eyes set on Saturday’s action which will pay $1000 to win.

Nine Beginner Box Stocks staged an entertaining 20 lap race. Four year old Bentley Nelson led the all green flag affair until he spun on lap 19 to surrender the lead and force a caution. Bakersfield’s Spencer Vasquez took over the lead and fended off a tough challenge from Chowchilla’s Kenzie Brown to get the hometown win. Khloe Cotton charged through the field to finish third.

Jett Yantis continued his sterling run at BKE in Sr. Mini Dwarf races, taking another victory for the 2017 Bakersfield Speedway Jr. Mini Dwarf champion. Yantis held off Trenton Eurto early in the event. A late caution brought the field together and allowed Kennedy Cotton to nab second from Eurto near the finish. Jr. Mini Dwarf saw double-duty racer Khloe Cotton use what she learned in the Beginner Box main to hound race leader Bryson Martin. Martin would not be deterred, however, as he went on the for the 20 lap main event win. Blake Watson and Emma McKellar were the top-two in the Jr. Jr. class as well.

Saturday’s activities for the Indoor Kart Nationals include a $200 to win Clone kart feature and Box Stocks. Open Outlaw Karts will race for $1000 to win for nationals feature. Saturday’s show will be an afternoon show with drivers meeting at 1 pm.

General admission tickets will be $15 on Saturday. The full complex is open including the restaurant, arcade games, golf simulator, rental kart racing, RC car racing, live music, and so much more. Event is being presented by 51FIFTY Energy Drink, H&S Body Works, Kern Asphalt, and American Fabrication.

For more information, you can visit Bakersfield Karting Experience online at www.BakersfieldKE.com

Sponsorship and media inquiries can be directed to Jeff Thielscher at (661) 428-0911

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Kern County Raceway, “Bakersfield’s Place to Race” proudly announces its 2018 schedule, featuring twenty race events at the state of the art paved half-mile track just west of Bakersfield.

The Kern County Raceway 2018 season kicks off with the 4rd Annual Winter Showdown on February 2nd and 3rd. The Winter Showdown “The Nation’s Richest Short Track Event” will feature top Super Late Model/Tour Car Drivers from around the nation, including NASCAR champion Kyle Busch. The weekend will also include the Late Models and Super Stocks.

On Thursday night, March 15th, Bakersfield’s own NASCAR Cup Champion, Kevin Harvick will make his racing debut at Kern County Raceway at the NASCAR K & N Pro Series West Season Opener.

Other highlights of the 2018 season will be the return of the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series April 14th, and the return of the “October Classic” featuring both the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series and The K & N Pro Series West Championship finale on October 27th. KCRP will host the Lucas Oil Modified Series on June 30th, featuring the Salute to America Fireworks Spectacular.

And for the fifth straight year, the season will close out with the “George Snider Classic” King of the Wing National Sprint Car Championship on Sunday, November 4th.

Championship divisions at Kern County Raceway in 2018 will include; NASCAR Late Models, Super Stocks, and Spec Mods. Other championship divisions include INEX Legends and Bandoleros, Junior and Senior Mini Dwarfs, Skid Plate Races and Golden Empire Supermoto.

After a huge success in 2017, the JoRonCo Rentals “NIGHT OF MAYHEM” will return in 2018. Three mayhem nights have been scheduled featuring the craziness of skid plate races, waterless boat races, RV Races of Destruction and more.

“We made some big gains in 2017 with both car counts and the quality of our events,” stated KCRP General Manager Larry Collins. “Our staff has worked extremely hard to build a great race season for our fans and competitors. 2018 promises to be a big year at KCRP and we’re looking forward to continuing the heritage of our sport in our community.”

The Dirt Track at KCRP Schedule to be released soon!!

Kern County Raceway is proud to partner with Budweiser, Bulwark FR, Coors Light, Jim Burke Ford, and Whelen Engineering.

Please visit KCRP online at www.kernraceway.com, like us on Facebook at #/kernraceway and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/kernraceway and Instagram at instagram.com/kernraceway