BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY SEASON OPENS WITH THE WINTER CLASH FEBRUARY 20-21
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (February 16, 2025) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway launches the 2026 season with a strong line up of dirt track racing, February 20th and 21st, for the Winter Clash. USAC Western States Midgets and National Dwarf Cars headline the Saturday action while IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Mods will compete both Friday and Saturday nights. Friday’s racing also includes the season openers for the IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, and American Stocks. Photo by Nick Cordova
Grandstand gates open at 4pm each night. Opening ceremonies are set for approx. 6pm each night followed by heat races and main events for all divisions. Race fans can save on general admission tickets by grabbing them in advance at www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com Friday general admission is $18 online including all fees or $20 at the gates. Saturday general admission is $22 online including all fees or $25 at the gates. Kids 6-12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gates each night. Kids 5 and under are 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.
Avanti Windows & Doors USAC Western States Midgets kick off their 2026 campaign in Bakersfield on Saturday night. The series has raced four times on the dirt at Kern Raceway, with Castro Valley’s Jake Andreotti scoring victories twice. Bakersfield’s Cade Lewis and Arizona’s Drake Edwards are also former winners. Stockton’s Caden Sarale led Riverside’s Dane Culver in the 2025 series championship, with Sarale taking the title on the strength of three main event wins. $1,200 is up for grabs for the race winner.
The IMCA Modifieds race for an outstanding $750 to win each night of the 2026 Bakersfield Speedway season. Drivers from across the southwest took on the one-third mile dirt track in 2025 with veteran multi-time champion Brad Pounds prevailing for another title for the trophy case. The IMCA Sport Modifieds also enjoyed familiar success last season with Tyler Bannister topping 2024 champion Jason Bannister for the top spot in the standings. The Sport Mods continue to race for $600 to win each night this year.
IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, and American Stocks were well-represented during Open Practice leading into the 2026 season with plenty of energy surrounding their season openers this Friday night.
National Dwarf Cars, recently rebranded from So-Cal Dwarfs, take to the dirt on Saturday night for their first of seven races in Bakersfield this year. Bakersfield’s JD Brown starred in the series throughout 2025 and defends home turf against racers from across the region. $500 is on the line for the feature winner.
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.