By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…The rainy weather has prevented things from happening at Antioch Speedway for the last three weeks, but this Saturday night, March 16th that’s about to change. The 64th season of auto racing begins with an exciting five-division lineup.

The track at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) is the only place to enjoy auto racing in the county. There will be weekly racing from Saturday night through the end of October with some events planned in November as well.

The popular IMCA Modifieds are the headliners. This division enters its 35th consecutive championship season. They started in 1990 as the track became the third in the state to add the division. 

Nearly 15 years ago, the IMCA Sport Modifieds were offered as a slightly more affordable alternative. This is also the opening night of the fourth season for the IMCA Stock Cars.

Rounding things out will be the Pacific Coast Hobby Stocks, which began being featured at the speedway in 1995. Also, the 26th season for the Wingless Spec Sprints will begin. Antioch Speedway was the first place to feature a wingless, carbureted Sprint Car class in the state.

Last season, Troy Foulger of Oakley and Billy Bowers teamed up for a stellar effort. The duo picked up championships in both the Modified and Stock Car classes, making this the first team to ever win two championships in the same season at the track. Furthermore, Foulger was the IMCA Stock Car State title winner.

The closest point battle last season was featured in the IMCA Sport Modified ranks, where Kenny Shrader of Pacheco, Jason Ryan, Jr. of Oakley, Trevor Clymens of Brentwood and Mark Garner of Antioch all had a shot at the title going into the finale. Shrader beat Ryan by just two points. Ryan also settled for second in the State point battle behind Clymens.

Grayson Baca of Brentwood left little doubt who the Pacific Coast Hobby Stock title winner would be, despite the resurgence of Antioch’s Ken Johns late in the season. Not to be forgotten in the mix, Gilroy’s Jarrett Soares scored a pivotal win late last season to notch the Wingless Spec Sprint title as Oakley’s James East again settled for second.

General consensus is that these are the five most popular classes featured in the speedway’s lineup, and this will be a rare opportunity to see them all in the same night as the curtain comes up on an exciting new season. 

As we approach spring, this is a unique opportunity to see green grass in the infield and cars with new bodies on them as they hit the racetrack for the first time. It’s a clean slate for everybody, and anything is possible.

Jason Robles of Rio Vista ended up runner up in the IMCA Stock Car class for the second-straight season last year. He’s hoping to get back in the winner’s circle for the first time since 2022, an honor his son Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista earned at the opener last season. Kenneth topped the rookies and ended up third in the standings. 2022’s top rookie, Jason Jennings of Antioch, returns this week after a year off.

Last season’s top IMCA Modified rookie Andrew Pearce of Oakley also won the State title. Each year this talented up-and-comer has improved noticeably in his driving skills. The DeCarlo family should be back in action again, including two-time champion Nick DeCarlo of Martinez and his Hall of Fame father Terry DeCarlo Sr of Martinez. Nick and brother Terry DeCarlo Jr of Martinez are anticipated in the IMCA Stock Car ranks as well. 

Terry, Jr.’s daughter Taylor DeCarlo of Martinez is one of the top Hobby Stock drivers in the field. Jewell Crandall of Antioch will attack the season with renewed excitement, and other returning stars include Aidan Ponciano of Oakley, Kevin Brown of Oakley and Jared Baugh of Pittsburg.

The Wingless Spec Sprint division will be visited by top competitors from out of town throughout the season with a Hunt Series race scheduled for next week. Some of our top stars include ageless veteran Roy Fisher of Antioch, Jeff Scotto of Brentwood, Steve Maionch of Sonora and Bob Newberry and nephew Dylan Newberry of Brentwood.

There’s plenty of anticipation in the air as we get ready for the excitement that only a night of racing at Antioch Speedway can bring. It’s not a show that you will want to miss.

The gates will open at 4:00 PM with the first race starting at 6:00 PM.

Adult tickets are $20, Senior/Military $15, Kids (5-12) $15 and kids four and under free.

Parking for the Speedway is located on L Street between W. 10th and 18th Streets.

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

Registration deadline: Friday at 5:00pm

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Join our Adult Softball League – where camaraderie meets competition and the crack of the bat echoes through the summer evenings! Our league is a vibrant community of individuals who share a passion for softball, creating an environment that blends friendly sportsmanship with the thrill of the game.

The City of Antioch offers two seasons of Softball Leagues for adults. Our Spring season runs April-July and our Fall season runs July-October. Below is a list of divisions offered, each night. Please note that all games take place at Antioch Community Park, 801 James Donlon Blvd.

Mondays: Women’s E & D

Thursdays: Men’s E & Men’s D

Fridays: Men’s E & D

Register, by clicking here.

Adult Softball schedules, scores and standings can all be found by clicking here.

Receive a free Kevon Looney Bobblehead!

The Warriors are hosting a day of fun, excitement and education focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) in addition to cheering on the Santa Cruz Warriors, their G-league team as they take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The game is LIVE at the Chase Center this Sunday, March 10th, tipoff is 12:30pm.

Seats are in sections 126, 127, 128 starting at row 6. This is a great opportunity to engage your kids in S.T.E.A.M.-related activities throughout the Main concourse and enjoy an afternoon of some great basketball.

Everyone will receive a Kevon Looney Bobblehead.

Wolverines’ student athlete Jaelyn Wilkins recognized by state, federal representatives

12 other students win essay, art contests; Dozier Libbey senior honored with Reggie Moore Memorial Community Service Award

Carmen Dragon students win all 3 for both Elementary School essay and art contests

By Allen D. Payton

(Publisher’s Note: Apologies for the delay in publishing this article, but the information was not provided to the Herald until last week.)

During this year’s Antioch Unified School District Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration held in January, awards and checks were presented to a variety of elementary, middle and high school students who won the contests for the best essay and art. The submission topic for this year was, “Shifting the Culture Climate through the Study and Practice of Dr. King’s Nonviolence.” Students were invited to submit either a written entry of a poem or essay, short story, etc. or a visual entry including a story told through video, photographs, music, drawings, paintings, collages, etc.

Deer Valley High School sophomore scholar athlete, Jaelyn Wilkins, won first place in the high school essay contest and received a check for $250.00, as well as certificates of recognition by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblyman Tim Grayson.

Wilkins also runs on the cross country and track teams for the Wolverines. In 2022 she was honored to be part of the Cross Country Second Team All-League by the coaches of the Bay Valley Athlete. Wilkins was also honored as the 2022-23 Deer Valley cross country team’s Freshman Phenom and the track team’s Most Valuable Player with the Most Points.

Following is Jaelyn’s winning 2024 MLK contest essay:

“Dr. King’s incredible legacy has a profound impact on me, even at the age of 15. 

Embracing the 2024 theme, I am determined to make a difference in my own unique way. Through acts of kindness, understanding, and empathy, I strive to create a world where everyone is treated with respect and equality. 

Inspired by Dr. King’s unwavering dedication, I am committed to standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. 

Whether it’s advocating for social justice, promoting inclusivity in my school and community, or raising awareness about important issues, I believe that every action, no matter how small, can contribute to a brighter future. 

As a young person, I recognize the power of my voice and the impact I can have on those around me. By educating myself and others, fostering dialogue, and encouraging empathy, I hope to inspire my peers to join me in creating positive change. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build a more equitable society. Dr. King’s dream of equality and justice serves as a guiding light for me and my generation. 

We carry his message in our hearts and are committed to continuing his work. With passion, determination, and a belief in the power of unity, we can make a lasting impact and create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Let’s continue to honor Dr. King’s legacy and work towards a future filled with love, compassion, and equality.”

The following AUSD students were the winners in each contest category and the prize money amounts they received:

High School-Essay:

1st place: Jaelyn Wilkins, 10th grade, Deer Valley High School – $250.00

2nd place: Daniela Edeh, 10th grade, Dozier Libby High School – $150.00

3rd place: Jae’la Falls, 10th grade, Deer Valley High School – $100.00

Middle School-Essay:

1st place: Airabella Clark, 7th grade, Dallas Ranch – $150.00

Elementary School-Essay:

1st place: Annabella He, 5th grade, Carmen Dragon – $50.00

2nd place: Alijah Jones, 3rd grade, Carmen Dragon – $40.00

3rd place: Yesenia Gonzales, 3rd grade, Carmen Dragon – $25.00

High School-ART:

1st place: Andelia Melgar-Portillo, 9th grade, Dozier Libby – $250.00

2nd place: Iris Zhang, 10th grade, Deer Valley High School – $150.00

3rd place: Mckeyla Feliciano, 10th grade, Antioch High School – $100.00

Elementary School-ART:

1st place: Aviya Gaetos, 5th grade, Carmen Dragon – $50.00

2nd place: Milena Palumbo, 5th grade, Carmen Dragon – $40.00

3rd place: Ryuu Clarke, 5th grade, Carmen Dragon – $25.00

There were no winners in the Middle School Art contest, according to Velma Wilson, the district’s Parent & Student Engagement Liaison.

Reggie Moore Memorial Community Service Award: 

Matilda McCarthy, 12th grade, Dozier Libby Medical High School – $300.00

“Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Annual Dr. King Art & Essay Contest,” Wilson shared.

The Contra Costa County Delta Stars play their home games at the Cornerstone Christian School gym at 5:15 p.m. 1745 E. 18th Street in Antioch. For more information about the team visit cccdeltastars.com. The Stars compete in the 109-team American Basketball Association. For more information visit Home of American Basketball Association (ABA)

Ticket prices range from $6,059 to $56,448 each on resale sites

By Alma Galvan, Regional Communications Manager, Better Business Bureau

San Francisco, CA – With the San Francisco 49ers securing a spot at this years big game, many are traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada to experience this event in person. The National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are teaming up to ensure fans, including passionate supporters of the San Francisco 49ers, have a winning game day experience. With the rise of digital ticketing and the increasing risk of scams, consumers are urged to be extra careful when purchasing tickets for one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year. 

Securing tickets to popular sporting events and concerts has become more challenging, especially when many venues are only accepting digital tickets. This creates opportunities for scammers to take advantage of sporting fans. In the past year alone, the BBB received over 140 reports on BBB Scam Tracker related to ticket scams for various events.

To assist fans in making safe and informed decisions, the BBB and NATB offer the following tips for purchasing tickets to the big game:

1. Purchase from the Venue: Whenever possible, buy tickets directly from the official venue. 
2. Verify the Source: Understand the differences between professional ticket brokers, ticket scalpers, and scammers. 
3. Use Trusted Vendors: Buy only from trusted vendors you know and trust. Avoid clicking through from emails or online ads.
4. Understand the Refund Policy: Only purchase tickets from sellers that provide clear details about the transaction terms. Sellers should disclose seat locations and shipping details before purchase.
5. Payment Protection: Always use a credit card for ticket purchases to have recourse if the tickets are not as promised. Avoid using debit cards, wire transfers, or cash transactions, which can be risky.
6. Be Wary of Advertisements: Exercise caution when encountering online advertisements for cheap tickets. 
7. Verify Tickets if Unsure: If uncertain about the legitimacy of purchased tickets, visit the event venue’s customer service (“Will Call”) and verify the tickets’ authenticity.

As the countdown to the big game begins, the BBB is committed to raising awareness and educating fans, including loyal supporters of the San Francisco 49ers, on the smartest ways to buy tickets. 

For more information or to report potential scams, please visit BBB.org and VerifiedTicketSource.com. 

ABOUT BBB: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for over 110 years. In 2022, people turned to BBB more than 250 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on about 12,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

Registration deadline Feb. 26

Shoot for the stars and dribble into a world of excitement! Join our Junior Warriors Co-Ed Basketball League – where teamwork, skill-building, and fun collide! League open to youth in grades K-8th. Sign up now and let the balling adventure begin.

Registration deadline is Monday, February 26th. Visit antiochca.gov/register.

Qualify for District competition

By Wayne Steffen

Ten boys and girls ages 8 to 14 were named local champions of the 2024 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship and have earned the right to compete at the district level.  Antioch Council #3265 sponsored the local competition at Most Holy Rosary parish center. 

The champions are:

Age                     Boys                                         Girls

8                      Cristiano Pham                       Brianna Davenport

9                      Isaac Torres                            

10                    Isaac Ramirez             

11                                                                    Ruby du Pont

12                    Lex Magpoc                            Gabriella Matar

13                    Matthew Gallego                    Thalia Pham

14                    Jorge Aragon                                                             

Each of these winners will compete in the district competition to be held on February 10 with an eye toward moving on to county, state national, and international levels.

Council #3265 in Antioch, CA 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.