FRIDAY FEATURE: LOOKING BACK AT THE OPENING OF KERN COUNTY RACEWAY

(May 22, 2020) – On May 18, 2013, the highly-anticipated Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield swung open the gates for its grand opening. After an eight-year development process, the spectacular venue came to fruition with 8,000 fans in the stands. With our contributor Jason Galvin, we look back at the grand opening and where KCRP stands today in the motorsports landscape in California. Photos by Ricky Bassman

What was it like waiting through the development process and then finally seeing the project come to fruition?

Steven Blakesley – Director of Marketing and Communications for KCRP 2012-14: It was a surprise when I was asked in January 2012 to handle the communications for the restart of the raceway project. A lot of us had written off any possibility that the venue could happen after the economic downturn had stopped it in its tracks. I knew this was a project of deep significance for the sport in this state and that a lot of eyes would be watching. Although May 18, 2013 was the official grand opening, the date that stood out more was February 1, 2012 when we announced that the project was moving forward. The energy created from that announcement was a sign that there was a great appetite for KCRP to happen. When I arrived at the facility for my first look at the construction progress in March 2013, it was clear that this was a next-level venue. It rose above the Enos Ln overpass in a way that resembled a NASCAR Cup facility. I knew this was a place that could make an impact.

Jason Galvin – KGET TV17 Sunrise Anchor 2014-2018: For me it was exciting. I grew up an hour from Bakersfield, but never made it to Mesa Marin. I was late to the short track community (19 at my first race), and Bakersfield obviously had a rich tradition of racing. I had become friends with Steven after working a Turkey Night Grand Prix together, and when he started getting involved, it became a little personal. I helped secure the pit reporter (good friend and mentor Barry McKeever), and I was curious about how the community would support KCRP, as I was working at Irwindale and we were admittedly in a negative slide as far as car counts, fan counts and publicity. The pictures of the facility were stunning, so I was eager to step foot on the property for the first time.

What stood out about the grand opening?

SB: The grand opening had been delayed twice due to construction delays, mostly caused by the elevator installation that were out of our control. With a delay, we wondered what the response would be to the venue. Without a whole lot of experience or equity with either the local community or the racers who would be participating, we attracted media coverage from most outlets in the region and a tremendous turnout of race cars. From atop the tower complex we could see the steady stream of cars on Panama Lane as far as you could see to the east. Looking down on the 8,000 fans in attendance was a thrill for sure.

JG: Oh man, I couldn’t believe how big the place was. I mean, it felt like if we built grandstands taller and all around, like we’d be at a Cup series track. You think “half-mile”…well, ok, Irwindale is supposed to be a half-mile. Vegas is 3/8ths. This place felt like Daytona compared to those tracks. And the tower and suites were as nice as something you’d find at a Cup caliber track.

What did the grandstand turn out say about the support of motorsports in the area?

SB: KCRP’s grand opening was unique compared to other successful grand openings such as Irwindale Speedway and Stockton Dirt Track. The divisions competing were the NASCAR weekly divisions with a drivers roster almost entirely made up of drivers from Bakersfield or the LA area. To attract 8,000 fans for an event like that seemed to show a lot of promise. Although there were some big names in attendance such as a Pro Late Model field that featured Jason Fensler, Derek Thorn, and Michael Self, that wasn’t really the draw for most; people were just hungry for racing. When I think about the grand openings at Irwindale and Stockton Dirt Track, they invited special guests and special attractions. The Stockton event had 11,000 fans, but that included Tony Stewart and Kyle Larson in the field for example.

JG: It certainly showed that the Central Valley missed big-time short track racing. The racing was really good, too. I think the night could have gone a little smoother as far as the fan experience, and ultimately, I think that might have soured people a little. But I’m also not sure anyone dreamed of such a turnout. That track was alive in a way I had only seen a few times prior at a short track, at events like the All-Star Showdown and Turkey Night Grand Prix’s that major stars like Tony Stewart showed up for.

Jason, as a race winning driver there now, what lessons have we learned and what could they do differently to make Kern a success?

I’ve personally never been a big fan of how similar the Late Models and Super Stocks are now. That track is not conducive to the open late model format – it’s too big and fast I believe. I’d like to see them go all-in on the Super Stocks and Modifieds, with a focus on the touring Super Late races with the SRL and an ARCA West race or two. I’ve always thought they could do a little more on the demolition side of things as well. They started to go the Irwindale route (on destruction events), but never fully committed. Larry and Steve work their tails off, but the location (I don’t think it’s a long drive but other’s in Bakersfield seem to) and summer weather don’t help things from a fan perspective.

The Super Stocks put on a great show despite the horsepower deficiencies because they have no air on the back end and run leaf springs. The crate 604 Late Model also just doesn’t make enough power I don’t think for the big track, especially mixed with the suspension and 970 tire. That track thrives with high horsepower cars, and cars that lack grip. Mesa Marin was around in an era when there were no spec motors and shocks. That’s what made the racing unique and fun. But in the era of cost control and these sort of “fixed” setup divisions, I just think it’s difficult to consistently make the show entertaining with some of the current poplar combos of cars.

SB: I think the biggest retrospective for me on my time with Kern was the difficulty in establishing weekly racing competition on the half-mile. The fan support would have followed if we had been able to hit on the right formula. The “Pro Late Model” division, which was a Super Late Model class, was the right approach to build around. For some reason it never took hold with the teams. The Modifieds on their IMCA tires were dramatically different than the Pro Late Model so that gave a bit of variety. Both featured a lot of local talent in them as well, whereas the Late Model division has catered to out of the area racers in recent years.

A recent focus on weekly racing with a strong Super Stock division and a strong Spec Modified division has paid dividends to re-establishing the track, in concert with the resurgence of the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour for several highly successful touring events a year. I think that combination was poised to pay dividends in 2020 before the COVID19 pandemic reared its ugly head. The concept of running Madera-style 602 Pro Late Models on the big track this year intrigued me as well although I am curious how the lower horsepower will translate. The support of the business community for the track was outstanding in the beginning and was a big tenant to getting us off the ground as well.

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About Steven Blakesley

Steven Blakesley is a motorsports announcer and public relations specialist with more than 15 years of experience. His biggest pet peeve is race fans who only enjoy one form of racing over all others.