Antioch Speedway hosts Bill Bowers Memorial event

The event is as much a gathering of racing friends as it is a competition itself. To highlight that, Thursday night will be the pit party, complete with a pizza, cornhole tournament and karaoke. The drivers will be practicing until dark, which is when the party kicks off. Admittance into the pits that night is $25.

The three divisions run full programs on Friday and Saturday night. On Friday night, the IMCA Modifieds compete for $1,000 to win and $100 minimum to start, while the IMCA Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars each get $500 to win. Bigger money is on the line Saturday with the IMCA Modifieds receiving $3,000 to win, $1,500 for second and $200 minimum to start. The IMCA Sport Modifieds get $1,500 to win and $100 minimum to start, while the IMCA Stock Cars get $1,200 to win and $100 to start.

When Chadwick and PROmotions introduced this race to the lineup in 2019, he evoked the West Coast Nationals name. Longtime speedway observers will note that this race had a five-year history starting in 1993. Hall of Famer Scott Busby organized the first race that year, which saw a record 83 Modifieds compete. That record still stands today. Mark Welch picked up the win that night, and Chadwick came out of retirement by purchasing Welch’s car the following week in San Jose.

While Chad Chadwick is still working to try to add to the purse, the IMCA Modified division is anticipating some of the best drivers for this show. Highly decorated champion Bobby Hogge IV still hasn’t forgotten losing a thrilling battle with Kellen Chadwick in 2019. Jacob Hobsheidt came in from Nebraska to win the following year, and then past Chico champion Ryan McDaniel got the glory last year. The list of drivers with championship credentials who are anticipated for this race includes Troy Foulger, Nick DeCarlo, Jim Pettit II, Buddy Kniss, Bobby Motts Jr. and Brian Cass.

Andrew Pearce finished second in track points and ended the points season with back-to-back victories. He’ll have his eyes on the prize along with 2019 race winner Kenny Shrader, Tommy Fraser, Andrew Peckham, KC Keller and Jonathan Hagio. As with the other two divisions, drivers are still declaring their intent to run this race.

The IMCA Stock Car division continues to grow at Antioch as well as other racing venues. Bakersfield star Nick Johnson won this race last season, while Troy Foulger won the debut for the class a year earlier. Foulger has multiple wins at Antioch this year and could be the driver to beat. New track champion Travis Dutra won the season finale. Rival Jason Robles is anticipated as well as Merced champion Steven Johnson, multi-time Antioch winner Garrett Corn, Fred Ryland, Rob Gallaher and Kellen Chadwick.

For further information, go to www.antochspeedway.com.