bakersfieldspeedway Archives

Pearce Prevails in Winter Clash Feature at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (February 21, 2026) — Eighth-starting Andrew Pearce of Oakley won the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap season opener during the Winter Clash at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. 2025 champion Brad Pounds and 2024 champion Gavyn Manning collided while battling for the lead in turn one on lap 11, thrusting 2025 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod champion Tyler Bannister into the top spot. Pearce searched all over the speedway for a way to get around Bannister before the caution flew for Pounds with an apparent oil line fire underneath his machine on lap 18. Bannister restarted with a mechanical failure on his left front wheel, and Pearce took advantage of the wounded machine to make the decisive pass for the lead on lap 19. Markus Frazier of Santa Maria then flipped in turns one and two to bring out a red flag. Pearce led the final 10 laps for his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of 2026, while Race Liberante drove into second place. Bannister held on [Read More]

Bakersfield Speedway Season Opener Shifts to One-Day Winter Clash Saturday

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway will launch its 2026 campaign with the Winter Clash, now scheduled as a one-day event on Saturday, Feb. 21, following wet weather throughout the week. Originally planned as a two-day program, all Friday racing activities have been consolidated into Saturday, creating a full night of racing for one ticket price. Competition will feature Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, with all divisions competing for championship points. Grandstand gates open at 2 p.m., with hot laps and qualifying set for 2:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for approximately 5 p.m., followed by heat races and main events for all classes. Race fans can save on general admission by purchasing tickets in advance at BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult tickets are $22 online, including fees, or $25 at the gate. Kids ages 6–12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children five and under are admitted free. Parking is free. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is [Read More]

Pounds Powers to Mike Moshier Classic Win, Seals Bakersfield Modified Title

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 16, 2025) — Rob Sanders led the opening 21 circuits of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature during the Tenth Annual Mike Moshier Classic at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. Brad Pounds, however, had other plans. Charging from sixth on the grid, Pounds relentlessly pounded the high side until he swept past Sanders for the lead on lap 22. Sanders stuck to the bottom and kept within striking distance, but Pounds was not to be denied. He grabbed his third victory of the season — all three coming in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region — and wrapped up the 2025 track championship in the process. Sanders settled for second with Justin Crockett in third. Bannister Dominates SportMods for Crown Tyler Bannister left zero doubt in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Starting from the pole in the 25-lap feature, Bannister checked out from the drop of the green and stretched a 6.6-second advantage at the finish. The Bakersfield standout earned his fifth win of the season [Read More]

Tenth Annual Mike Moshier Classic Serves as Championship Night at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 13, 2025) — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway will celebrate “The Race Doctor” with the 10th annual Mike Moshier Classic on Saturday, August 16. The night’s dirt track action will also serve as the 2025 championship night for all three Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions, with the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars in competition. The event celebrates Mike Moshier, the late voice of Bakersfield Speedway, known for many catchphrases including “Holy Guacamole.” A large number of Moshier family members will be in attendance. The new Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, located at Enos Ln. and I-5, includes the “Mike Moshier Tower” overlooking the one-third-mile dirt track. Grandstand gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 5 p.m. Opening ceremonies are set for approximately 6 p.m., followed by heat races and main events for all five divisions. General admission tickets are on sale now at www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult tickets are $18; kids ages 6–12 are $10; and kids [Read More]

Robby Sawyer Takes Modified Victory at Bakersfield Speedway

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 26, 2025) — Robby Sawyer won his third Friesen Pefromance IMCA Modified feature of 2025 at the new Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, persevering over an opening lap melee to win the 30-lap main event. Michael Scruggs jumped ahead of the 14-car field at the start of the feature. Scruggs then abruptly slowed and spun in turn four, gobbling up multiple cars for a large crash. Sawyer was able to drive through the carnage but clipped Scruggs for right side damage. Ricky Childress, Jr., Brad Watkins, and Bryan Clark were among the drivers unable to continue. Sawyer drove around Austin Kiefer on the restart to take control of the 30-lap contest, then pulled away for a commanding win — his third of the year in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Kiefer held off Brad Pounds to finish second. Tyler Bannister of Bakersfield won the 25-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature after starting seventh. Bannister took over second from Matthew Frazier on lap 13. Landon King had [Read More]

Pounds Prevails in Emotional McGowan Memorial Win at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Jun. 28, 2025) — Brad Pounds delivered an emotional victory in Saturday’s 30-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, capturing the $1,032-to-win Richie McGowan Memorial at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. The win marked Pounds’ second of the season at Bakersfield Speedway and in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region, coming in tribute to his late father-in-law. Pounds and Bryan Clark shared the front row for the main event, with a four-wide battle on the opening lap quickly sorting out in Pounds’ favor. He took command of the race while Jake Pike gave chase using the high line through lapped traffic. Two late-race restarts inside the final 10 laps gave Pike opportunities, but Pounds held on by a car length for the special win. Rob Sanders rounded out the podium. Brad Pounds celebrates his Richie McGowan Memorial victory with wife Tina after winning the $1,032-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on June 28. The race is run annually in honor of Tina’s late father. (Photo [Read More]

14th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial and Bakersfield’s Biggest Fireworks Show This Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Jun. 24, 2025) – This Saturday June 28th, Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway honors a great racer and honors America with the 14th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial, featuring Bakersfield’s biggest fireworks show, plus racing for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Saturday’s event is the first time Kern Raceway at Enos Ln & I-5 will host the McGowan Memorial. Grandstand gates open at 4pm with hot laps at 5pm. On Track Autographs are scheduled by 5:30pm followed by opening ceremonies, heat races, and main events. Bakersfield’s Biggest Fireworks Show closes the show. General Admission tickets are on sale now at www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult general admission tickets are $25 with kids ages 6-12 admitted for $15 while kids five and under are free! Parking is free of charge. McGowan was an important figure at Bakersfield Speedway as a racer and fellow competitor, along with his daughter Tina. His memorial race has served as one of the most cherished events of the season throughout [Read More]

Sawyer Strikes Again in Modifieds at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 13, 2025) – After winning the season opener for the renovated and relaunched Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in March, Bakersfield’s Robby Sawyer returned to victory lane on Friday night in the 30-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. Sawyer earned his second win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region, with both victories coming at Bakersfield. Once action resumed following a red flag incident, Sawyer passed Dalton Houghton on lap 12 and fended him off the rest of the way for the triumph. Jake Pike, the round two winner from Nevada, finished second, while Ricky Childress Jr. rounded out the top three. Bannister Battle Goes to Jason in Family Duel Jason Bannister claimed his second win of the 2025 season in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, with both victories coming at Bakersfield. The 2024 track champion started on the front row alongside his son and current points leader Tyler Bannister. Jason seized the lead early and never relinquished it, leaving Tyler to settle for [Read More]

Hamilton Tops Modified Feature at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (May 30, 2025) — A strong Friesen Performance IMCA Modified field put on a show Friday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway, where Harvick was on hand serving as Grand Marshal. The 30-lap main event featured wheel-to-wheel battles, heartbreak, and a breakthrough win for Eric Hamilton. Bakersfield’s Robby Sawyer opened the feature with a thrilling three-wide move to take the lead. Behind him, Eric Hamilton, in the Bob Lyon-owned no 44, fought off champions Brad Pounds and Gavyn Manning in a fierce chase. Sawyer, aiming for his second win of the season, was sidelined by mechanical issues in turn four on lap 12. Hamilton inherited the lead and opened up a solid advantage. Manning tracked him down but slowed with mechanical trouble of his own, drawing a caution with nine laps to go. Brad Pounds mounted several late-race challenges, but Hamilton stood his ground and held on for the $750 payday — his first win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Pounds was second, [Read More]

Combs, Wilson, Johnson Crowned Central California Clash Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — Josh Combs, Dylan Wilson, and Nicholas Johnson each made history with their first career Central California Clash championships in their respective Speedway Motors IMCA divisions, capping a competitive four-race tour across the Golden State. Roseville’s Josh Combs clinched the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified title with a strong and consistent week. After opening with a ninth-place finish at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway Park, he stormed to victory at Santa Maria. Combs followed that with a runner-up finish at Merced before closing the series with a fifth-place run at Petaluma. Bakersfield youngster Gavyn Manning was runner-up in points after finishing second on opening night, taking ninth at Santa Maria, winning at Merced, and wrapping up the week 10th at Petaluma. Third in points went to Keith Brown Jr., now based in Greenbrier, Ark. Brown’s week included a 10th at Bakersfield, third at Santa Maria, eighth at Merced, and 12th at Petaluma. Dylan Wilson of Bakersfield earned the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod championship with a [Read More]