Full Throttle

In recent years the most common headline concerning short tracks are ones noting their imminent demise, to be replaced by strip malls, industrial parks and housing developments. Six months ago Kern County residents and race fans saw it first hand as Mesa Marin Raceway announced the closing of its gates after 28 years of operation.

Virtually in the shadow of Mesa Marin’s “headstone” plans have been announced for a new center of speed for Kern County. Having no official name at the moment it’s being referred to as “Kern County’s New Home to NASCAR”.

Located at the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 43 it will consist of a half mile with 13 degrees of banking in the corners, the same as Mesa Marin Raceway, 8 degree banking on the front stretch and 6 degrees of banking on the backstretch. There will be a smaller flat oval within the half-mile, and a 1/8-mile drag strip adjacent to the oval. Twelve Corporate Suites are planned in the initial phase of construction. Ground Breaking will be in March 2006 with a planned opening in 2007.

Potential events weren’t named but given the “New Home to NASCAR” moniker hung on the track it’s a safe bet NASCAR Grand National West (Mike Duncan Series Champ), NASCAR Southwest (Jim Pettit II Series Champ), NASCAR Northwest (Jeff Anderson Series Champ) and possibly ASA Speed Trucks (Matt Jaskol Series Champ) as that series made appearances at Mesa Marin in the past.

NASCAR, American Speed Association, Auto Racing