15TH ANNUAL RICHIE MCGOWAN MEMORIAL THIS SATURDAY AT BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 23, 2026) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway honors a great supporter of racing during the 15th annual Richie McGowan Memorial, headlined by the $632 to win Hobby Stock 32-lap feature presented by MMI. Racing action will also include the $1032 to win South Valley AC & Heating IMCA Modifieds, $632 to win IMCA SportMods, and American Stocks. All four divisions will be a draw / re-draw format.
Grandstands open at 5:30pm with free on track autographs beginning at 6:30pm. Opening Ceremonies are at 7pm. Race fans can save $2 on general admission tickets by grabbing them in advance at www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com General Admission is $18 online including all fees or $20 at the gates. Kids 6-12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gates. Kids 5 and under are always free!
Parking is free of charge. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd, near Enos Ln and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield.
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 its 15 editions.
Bakersfield’s Nicholas Johnson has won back-to-back editions of the McGowan Memorial, spanning both the N. Chester Ave facility and the current Enos Ln. facility. Six-time 2026 feature winner Ricky Childress, Jr. leads the current Hobby Stock standings, followed by Brooke Cimental, the other winner this year in Stephen Johnson, Ryan Barnes, and Marcus Wankum.
Tyler Bannister has had a brilliant rookie campaign in the South Valley AC & Heating IMCA Modifieds and leads the points with two wins. 2024 champion Gavyn Manning is second, also with two wins, followed by Markus Frazier, Rob Sanders, and Justin Crockett. 2025 champion Brad Pounds scored in the 2025 McGowan Memorial, signaling that a good run in Saturday’s $1032 to win feature could be a harbinger of future championship glory for one of the contenders.
Jason Bannister won the 2025 McGowan Memorial for IMCA SportMods and leads the 2026 IMCA SportMod championship standings. His three victories have lifted him to a narrow two-point advantage over Matthew Frazier. Ethan Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, and Santiago Lopez make up the balance of the top-five heading into Saturday’s 25-lap feature.
Carson Conway has three victories and possession of the American Stocks points lead. Like in the Modifieds, the 2025 McGowan Memorial winner of Kyle Wood went on to win the season championship.
Dan Bryant, Robert Swearengin, Tyler Weeks, and Grant Perkins are in pursuit of Conway with a 20-lap feature on tap.
For more information on Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, visit www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com or follow the speedway on social media. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd, near Enos Ln and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield.
2026 SCHEDULE – SUBJECT TO CHANGE
JUNE
27- MCGOWAN MEMORIAL – IMCA MODIFIEDS, SPORT MODS, HOBBY STOCKS, AMERICAN STOCKS
JULY
25- IMCA MODIFIEDS, SPORT MODS, STOCK CARS, HOBBY STOCKS, AMERICAN STOCKS, MINI STOCKS
AUGUST
29- MIKE MOSHIER CLASSIC – IMCA MODIFIEDS, SPORT MODS, STOCK CARS, HOBBY STOCKS, AMERICAN STOCKS, MINI STOCKS
SEPTEMBER
12- USCS SPRINTS, HOBBY STOCKS, AMERICAN STOCKS, MINI STOCKS, WRA VINTAGE
25- WORLD OF OUTLAWS, CALIFORNIA LIGHTNING SPRINTS
26- IMCA MODIFIEDS, SPORT MODS, HOBBY STOCKS, AMERICAN STOCKS, NATIONAL DWARFS, MINI STOCKS
OCTOBER 9-10 BUD NATIONALS – IMCA MODIFIEDS, SPORT MODS, STOCK CARS, HOBBY STOCKS, AMERICAN STOCKS, NATIONAL DWARFS
NOVEMBER 24- JASON LEFFLER MEMORIAL USAC NATIONAL MIDGETS, SPORT MODS
