Antioch, CA...On the heels of a successful season opener, Antioch Speedway brings even more excitement this Saturday night. The season opener for the Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint Series will be the headliner this weekend. Joining the action will be the Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks, Hardtops and 600 Micro Sprints.
Antioch Speedway was the birthplace of Wingless Spec Sprint racing in 1999, but the Hunt Wingless Sprint Car Tour is the pinnacle of this division. Some of the best drivers from California and surrounding states do battle at several tracks throughout the season to crown a champion.
This series began on the heels of the end of the NCMA Select Series. That group, which is still around today, decided to become a pavement only series. The Hunt Series was immediately founded in 2010, and this is the 15th season.
Terry Shank Jr won three of the first five championships. Among the other champions were Tommy LaLiberte, Klint Simpson and Shawn Jones. The latest champion is Stockton's DJ Johnson.
Last season, Johnson had a spirited duel with Antioch's Shawn Arriaga, who was piloting the Dave Johnson owned machine. These two hard-chargers battled ferociously throughout the season, and both picked up wins at Antioch Speedway. The early season show last year produced three dozen entries, and the July event had over two dozen.
The Hunt Series brings a full field wherever they go, and that's expected to be the case this week as top stars like Nick Robfogal of Santa Rosa, Jacob Tuttle of Oakley, Heath Holdsclaw of Loomis, Mark Hanson of Petaluma, Ethon Lanfri of Milpitas and Bob Newberry at Brentwood are anticipated for this show.
Antioch Speedway has been crowning Dwarf Cor champions since 1998, and that tradition continues. Last season, Antioch's Chance Russell out-dueled David Michael Rosa of Antioch and Devan Kammerman of Dublin to win the series championship. 2020 title winner Travis Day of Concord was doing hot laps last week in anticipation of this show.
With Orland Raceway closed, Tom Davis of Los Molinos and Tony Quinones of Corning made Antioch Speedway their home and ended up with a 1-2 finish in the standings last season. The dominant Davis picked up a total of 10 wins at Antioch, while teammate Quinoines claimed one win.
Two-time champion Tom Brown of Santa Rosa also grabbed a late season win. All three are anticipated along with Antioch residents David Carson, Josh Appelbaum and Laina Bales. Jackie Price of Antioch will be among the rookies this season.
Last season, Antioch Speedway crowned its first Hardtop champion since 1964. The dominant Joel Hannigan of San Jose drove Doug Braudrick's Junkyard Dog to all seven victories. Other stars in the field include Brad Coeho of Oakley, Ronnie Ruiz of West Sacramento, Joe Shenefield of Modesto, Ken Clifford of Placerville and Don Slaney of Martinez.
The Micro Sprints had a mini championship of their own last year, won by Don McLeister of Stockton ahead of Devin McLeister of Stockton. Antioch's Charlie Kight ended up third. These three competitors are anticipated along with several others as this division's schedule at the speedway has been increased in light of the closure of Dixon Speedway.
This Saturday's show will have a more open wheel flavor, but the action will be as exciting as ever.
The gates will open at 4:00 with the first race starting at 6:00.
Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.
For further information, go to www.raceantiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.
- Wylie Wade on Mar 21, 2024
- Article Date: 3/21/2024 by Candice Martin, Photos by Katrina Kniss