Learn more at www.dreamteamantioch.org.

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media 

There’s no doubt this has been a wetter winter than we’ve had in recent years. The Contra Costa Event Center (county fairgrounds) has received so much rain that it was flooded in areas this year, and Antioch Speedway was under water throughout much of January and February. This has left the crew scrambling to get things ready.

With pumps removing the water from the racing surface, there has been optimism of getting races going in recent weeks. However, steady rainfall has put an end to that. This Saturday night, the 63rd season of auto racing is set to begin with an action-packed card.

The Trifecta of IMCA, Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, will be competing along with the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Super Stocks and the WMR Miidgets.

Though there is rain forecast for early in the week, there is optimism that this week will indeed happen. The season opener is always an exciting time at the race track. Drivers show up with new bodies on their cars or even brand new race cars. The point standings have been wiped clean, and it’s a fresh new start. Anybody can make their move.

Last season saw a spirited duel between Kellen Chadwick of Oakley and Nick DeCarlo of Martinez go down to the final IMCA Modified race with both of them still tied in the end. DeCarlo ended up with his second Antioch championship due to the fact that he had four Main Event wins, while Chadwick had three.

The consistent Bobby Motts Jr of San Pablo ended up third. A competitive field that will include a few past champions is anticipated on Saturday.

Nobody has won more races in the IMCA Sport Modifieds then Fred Ryland of Brentwood, but the three-time champion needed four wins to hold off young star Andrew Pearce of Oakley for the championship last season.

Another rising star, Jacob Mallet Jr of Oakley, ended up third in the standings and also won the IMCA State crown. This year will be interesting with the return of another three-time champion, Trevor Clymens of Brentwood.

The exciting new IMCA Stock Car division continues to grow by leaps and bounds. This division offers a different yet very exciting style of racing compared to the Modified classes, and drivers are still getting used to these cars.

Past Dwarf Car and Mini Truck champion Travis Dutra of Concord notched his second-straight division championship after a season-long battle with Rio Vista’s Jason Robles. Top rookie Jason Jennings of Pittsburg ended up third in the rundown. New drivers are anticipated this year.

No division offered a bigger car count per week then the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks last season. It was a year of the ladies with Misty Welborn of Castro Valley finishing first, Michaela Taylor of Oakley ending up second, Taylor DeCarlo of Martinez fourth and Jewell Crandall of Antioch fifth. Several drivers have just gotten started in this class in recent years and are getting better with every turn behind the wheel.

Super Stocks have been at the speedway for over 20 years, and Danville’s Jim Freethy won the championship last year over Brentwood’s Joey Ridgeway and Concord’s Jimmy Robbins.

Car count is expected to increase a little bit this year. Among the several big events lined up at the track this year will be the Larry Damitz Memorial race on May 13th, featuring the Tri State Challenge Pro Stocks.

Midget racing has been a big deal in California for over 70 years, but the Ecotec motor program introduced by the WMR Miidgets is bringing new blood into the class. They are a division that is in high demand and competes at several venues on the West Coast.

Antioch is looking forward to hosting this coming race, which could have a field of a dozen or more cars. Two of the champions on the tour in recent years are Blake Bower of Brentwood and David Prickett of Fresno.

We’ve definitely needed the rain in California, but now racing fans need a little bit of dry weather. It’s time to go racing, and Speedway Management is optimistic that this week will be the time for it to finally happen.

Once we unleash the beasts, we’ll have racing pretty much regularly all the way through the last weekend of October with a few events lined up in November. Special Sprint Car touring races and big events like the Bill Bowers and Hetrick Modified races are highlights of what should be an action-packed season.

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 five and under free.

For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com or check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

 

2022 Champions were Nick DeCarlo (IMCA Modifieds), Fred Ryland (IMCA Sport Modifieds), Travis Dutra (IMCA Stock Cars), Misty Welborn (Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks), Shannon Newton (Wingless Spec Sprints), Jim Freethy (Super Stocks), Danny Wagner (Delta Dwarf Cars) and Tom Brown (Print Club Mini Stocks)

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing News

Antioch, CA…This Saturday night, March 25, 2023, Antioch Speedway has a loaded program as the 63rd season of championship auto racing is set to begin. Weather permitting, the trifecta of IMCA, Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars, will be joined by the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and United States Auto Club Western States Midgets. Wet weather leading up to Saturday could postpone things again.

Antioch, like much of the state, has seen more rain this winter than has been seen in several years. The rain hit the track so hard that you could have had a fishing contest on the flooded racing surface back in February. With water pumps and a diligently working track crew, the track is expected to be ready on Saturday as long as the weather allows the six-division show to happen.

Back in February, the track did manage to make an awards banquet happen to celebrate last season. This has not been a given for the track in recent years. Due to COVID-19, the track couldn’t even have fans in the grandstands in 2020 when they held races, and the banquet was a non-starter. The banquet was set to happen early in 2022, which would celebrate the previous season, but COVID-19 regulations kept the gathering from happening again.

However, last year was the first season since 2019 in which fans were able to attend every race. There were no restrictions in place. A last minute effort was put together for the banquet, which took place at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in February. With some sponsorship and teamwork from throughout the racing community, champions in eight divisions were crowned in February.

Drivers earning the big trophies included Nick DeCarlo (IMCA Modifieds), Fred Ryland (IMCA Sport Modifieds), Travis Dutra (IMCA Stock Cars), Misty Welborn (Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks), Shannon Newton (Wingless Spec Sprints), Jim Freethy (Super Stocks), Danny Wagner (Delta Dwarf Cars) and Tom Brown (Print Club Mini Stocks).

The Top 10 drivers in each division were honored along with Most Improved Driver and Rookie of The Year awards in all classes, plus special awards. Track Photographer Katrina Kniss also had some special awards for the Top 3 drivers in each class.

The gala event was nearly at capacity, and the interesting part was something was attempted that had never been done before. This was a free to attend event for the racing community, which also included a spaghetti meal and beverages. A live band ended the night on a positive note.

Drivers were speaking of their enthusiasm coming into the new season, It’s a clean slate. That means a new opportunity for drivers to run for points in the popular IMCA divisions, which always garner lots of attention from the fans. The Hobby Stocks were noteworthy last year in bringing the biggest car count week in and week out. If the five regular divisions on the schedule aren’t enough, there’s a special attraction on Saturday.

Promoter Chad Chadwick and Race Director Chris Bennett worked diligently to give the fans several special events of interest, and more open wheel racing will be a part of it. For the first time ever, the United States Auto Club Western States Miidgets will compete at Antioch Speedway, and this is just their first visit of the year. These fast wingless open wheel cars have been a popular form of racing in California since the 1930s.

Later on this year, the fans will be treated to NARC Winged 410 Sprint Cars, Sprint Car Challenge Tour Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Hunt Wingless Spec Sprints, among the many special events that will be a part of things in the weeks ahead.

The track’s website has the schedule listed along with other vital information, and it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the social media pages.

The IMCA Modifieds are the longest continuously tenured division currently in the lineup, having had championship seasons every year since 1990. DeCarlo enjoyed his second Antioch championship last year. The Sport Modifieds have a slightly bigger car count and will have intense competition this year, while the Stock Cars continue to gain more competitors among their ranks. They are poised to have a breakout season. Add in all the other elements, and Saturday night is a must-see event for racing enthusiasts.

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 five and under free.

For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com for check out the Antioch Speedway by PROmotions Facebook page.

 

During School Day S.T.E.A.M. Fest 2023!

Velma Wilson of Antioch will sing the National Anthem before the Santa Cruz Warriors game at Chase Center Saturday night, March 4. Wilson was the Contra Costa County 2021 Humanitarian of the Year.

Gather your family and friends and join us for School Day STEAM Fest 2023 as your Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA G-League Affiliate) take on the Cleveland Charge! Join us on West Concourse Terrace for our STEAM Fest where a variety of vendors will be showcasing educational and interactive activations for you and more!

Part of annual international competition

All boys and girls ages 8 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.  Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestant as of January 1, 2023.  Proof of age is required (please bring a copy of your birth certificate).

The competitions will be held on January 13, 2023, at Giovannoni Parish Center, 21 East 15th St., Antioch.

Free Throw Championship

Ages 8-11        Registration at 5:30pm            Competition begins at 6:00pm

Ages 12-14      Registration at 6:30pm            Competition begins after 8 to 11-year-old competitors are done

The Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and jurisdictional competitions. International champions are announced by the Knights of Columbus international headquarters based on scores from the jurisdiction-level competitions.

For more information contact: Wayne Steffen 925.890.0119 or Mike Hayes 925.565.4482

Council #3265 in Antioch is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.

Will give away hundreds of prizes to participants

The Antioch Recreation Department is partnering with the Golden State Warriors to offer a Holiday Basketball Clinic for local youth on Saturday, December 10th. We thought that your news outlet may be interested in attending and wanted to formally invite you to the event. The clinic is sold out with 80 children registered.

Golden State Warriors Academy coaches will put players through a series of drill stations followed by games and competitions. The clinic will conclude with a performance from the Golden State Warriors Dunk Team. The Warriors are donating hundreds of prizes for all players that participate in the event.

The clinic takes place from 10am-12pm at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way.

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

The marathon season at Antioch Speedway comes to a close this Saturday night, Nov. 26. Over 40 events have been held at the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) track this year. Originally, this was to be a two-race weekend, but it’s been condensed down to one.

The IMCA sanctioned Modifieds, Sport Modifieds and Stock Cars will be on hand along with the Wingless Spec Sprints, Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks and Super Stocks. It’ll be the final opportunity to see racing here until next year.

The championship season for the IMCA Modifieds came down to a tie. In fact, IMCA did an official audit when they originally had Kellen Chadwick of Oakley leading by one point over Martinez’s Nick DeCarlo. It was determined that the tie the track had calculated between the two drivers was in fact the correct.

DeCarlo will win the championship based on the fact that he beat Chadwick, four wins to three wins. Bobby Motts, Jr. will end up third in the final run down ahead of this year’s top rookie, Brentwood’s Trevor Clymens and Terry DeCarlo, Jr. of Martinez.

The IMCA Sport Modified battle went down to the wire. Andrew Pearce of Oakley seemed good until mechanical issues at the third to last race while leading sent him to the pits. Brentwood’s Fred Ryland had four wins this season and beat Pearce by eight points for the championship. Pearce did end up winning three races this season for a strong second place outing, followed by IMCA State champion Jacob Mallet, Jr. of Oakley, Pacheco’s Kenny Shrader and Chuck Golden of Pittsburg.

Travis Dutra of Concord ended up winning the IMCA Stock Car championship by 20 markers ahead of Jason Robles of Rio Vista. This is the second-consecutive championship for Dutra, who finally got his first win in the season finale. He only missed the Top 5 one time in 12 starts. Jason Jennings of Pittsburg wrapped up third in the standings and top rookie honors, followed by Dave Hill of San Francisco and Antioch’s Dave Gonderman.

Misty Welborn kicked off the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stock season with three wins in the first four races. The Castro Valley resident cruised to the championship, while Oakley’s Michaela Taylor beat Jared Baugh of Pittsburgh by just four points in the race for second. Top rookie Taylor DeCarlo of Martinez ended up fourth ahead of the much improved Jewell Crandall of Antioch.

Shannon Newton of Elk Grove wasn’t planning on racing for points this year, but the four-time winner ended up winning his second Wingless Spec Sprint championship by 17 points ahead of Oakley’s James East. Steve Maionchi of Sonora ended up third ahead of MacKenzie Newton of Elk Grove and Tulare’s Zack Neeley.

In Super Stock competition, Jim Freethy of Danville picked up his third championship. He picked up four wins along the way, and his title was never in doubt. Brentwood’s Joey Ridgeway bested Jimmy Robbins of Concord by just eight points to end up second in the standings. 2020 champion Mike Walko of Knightsen and two-time title winner Mike Gustafson of Concord ended up fourth and fifth, respectively.

At this point, it’s about the bragging rights and the purse money when these six divisions come to compete this Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. 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.antiochspeedway.com.