CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE CONTINUES FOR KING OF THE WEST-NARC CROWN AT THE DIRT TRACK AT KERN COUNTY RACEWAY PARK ON SATURDAY

Sacramento, CA – 10/1/18 … The King of the West-NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series swings back into action this Saturday, October 6th, when the high powered open wheel teams return to the Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield.

With only three races remaining on the 2018 schedule, the season is essentially on the line for those with championship aspirations. Leading an all-star contingent of drivers will be current point leader Kyle Hirst of Paradise, CA. Hirst is attempting to zero in on his fourth King of the West-NARC crown in six years and currently leads Elk Grove driver Shane Golobic by a 1197-1163 margin.

Golobic is mathematically still in the hunt, but must post top podium finishes the rest of the way, and hope for some DNF’s on Hirst side to have an honest shot.

On the other side of the coin, if Hirst can score a top ten finish at Kern County on Saturday, followed by another at Hanford on October 13th, he would effectively clinch the title the second he took the green flag in qualifying at November 4th season finale in Stockton. The incentive is a $10,000 winner share from the $60,000 championship point fund.

"I try not to think about those things," admitted Hirst, when asked about future results. "There’s already enough pressure to succeed in this business without having that added to the mix. However, I know that if stay focused and go out and race my race, then I’ll be in position to produce a good night for my team. If I get away from that premise, things tend to go sideways, and not in a good way."

Hirst is the most prolific winner this season, claiming five feature events at five different tracks, giving him 28 for his King of the West-NARC career. To date, there have been six different winners. Golobic is next in line this season with three victories.

"It’s seems like it gets harder and harder to win out here all the time," continued Hirst. "I can name at least five drivers right now who should have already won at least once this season. All they needed was a small break or a split-second advantage in qualifying – but that doesn’t always happen."

Also making the trip to Bakersfield is 2017 driving champion Bud Kaeding of Campbell. Kaeding is currently third in points.

Others expected to compete include Penngrove driver Chase Johnson; Roseville’s Colby Copeland and Willie Croft; Atwater drivers Nathan Rolfe and Sean Watts; Dustin Golobic of Fremont; Sacramento’s Jenna Frazier; Hanford drivers DJ Netto and Mitchell Faccinto; Tanner Thorson of Minden, NV; Jarrett Soares of Discovery Bay; Bobby McMahan of Elk Grove; and Grass Valley’s Jason Statler. Up for grabs will be more than $20,000 in prize money and contingency awards.

The King of the West-NARC racing program will feature qualifying, three heat races, a trophy dash, and the 30-lap Fujitsu-sponsored headliner. The racing card is loaded with action. It also includes Mini-Stocks, American-Stocks, Mod-Lites, and RaceSaver Sprint cars.

Front gates open at 3:00 p.m., qualifying at 6:30 p.m. and racing kicking off at 7:00 p.m.

The Dirt Track at Kern County Raceway Park is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd. in Bakersfield (I-5 and Highway 43 Interchange.) For more info, go to www.kernraceway.com or NARC410.com

NOTE: There will be a driver autograph session behind the main grandstands beginning at 4:00 p.m. – Chase Johnson and Shane Golobic

NOTE: If any driver can beat the KWS-NARC qualifying record of 12.406 seconds, they will earn a $1000 bonus from Croft Racing.