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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The 80th season of dirt track racing in Bakersfield and Kern County will be an impactful one, as Scott Schweitzer at Bakersfield Speedway and Tim Huddleston at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway have announced a partnership.
Bakersfield Speedway’s 2025 operations will relocate to the one-third mile Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway Dirt Track with a full season of racing.
Bakersfield Speedway held 79 years of dirt track racing at its current home on Chester Ave. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway at Enos Lane and I-5 opened in 2013, while its dirt track began operations in 2015.
Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway combines two of California’s signature venues into one racing season. The Kern Raceway dirt track is undergoing a transformation with a reshaping of the exit of turn two into the entrance to turn three. More than 2,000 additional seats will be added along with a new VIP Booth, scoring tower, and press box are also planned.
Track championships will be awarded in the IMCA Modifieds, Sport Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and American Stocks. The new era of dirt track racing in Bakersfield begins on March 8 with IMCA opening night.
Schweitzer and his staff will continue their roles as the steward of racing operations while the bulk of marketing will fall upon Huddleston and his team.
“We cannot begin to express our excitement at this opportunity to partner with Scott Schweitzer,” Huddleston said. “Kevin and I are looking forward to this chance to elevate motorsports in Kern County with a full season of dirt track racing.”
Schweitzer echoed the excitement.
“Crissy, Dakota, Brody and myself are overwhelmed that everyone at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Racing was excited to have us as a part of this state-of-the-art racing facility,” he said. “We look forward to taking the dirt racing experience at Kern Raceway to the next level for all the racers, crew members and race fans starting March 8. Partnering with Tim and Kevin on the dirt track is an amazing opportunity for us and we can’t wait to get started.”
A highly anticipated debut is scheduled for Friday night March 21 with the Kubota High Limit Racing 410 sprint cars. After a thrilling appearance at Bakersfield Speedway in 2024, the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws race into Kern Raceway on Friday Sept. 12. NARC 410 Sprint Cars make their 10th Kern appearance on Oct. 25. The USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midgets close the Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway season on Nov. 25.
Annual IMCA traditions continue at the new facility with the McGowan Memorial on June 28, Mike Moshier Classic on Aug. 16, and the Bud Nationals on Oct. 10-11.
Ultimate Sprint Car Series wingless sprints hit the track for two appearances on April 12 and June 7. USAC Western Midgets, California Racesaver Sprints, SoCal Dwarf Cars, California Lightning Sprints, Western Midget Racing, Western Racing Association, West Coast Sport Compacts, NMRA TQ Midgets, and many other series will compete throughout the season.
