BAKERSFIELD SPEEDWAY ROARS BACK TO IMCA CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION ON MAY 2ND
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (April 29, 2026) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway welcomes six divisions for dirt track racing on Saturday night May 2nd with the Bako-Tucky Derby. IMCA South Valley AC & Heating Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, Hobby Stocks, American Stocks, National Dwarf Cars, and California Lightning Sprints are part of the action-packed night of races. Photo by Tom Macht
Racing in honor of the Kentucky Derby, drivers will put their horsepower to the test. Race fans are encouraged to bring their most creative hats to be entered to win prizes throughout the night as well.
Grandstand gates open at 4:30pm. Hot laps are at 5:00pm with Opening Ceremonies at 6pm.
Race fans can save $2 on general admission tickets by grabbing them in advance at www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com General Admission is $18 online including all fees or $20 at the gates. Kids 6-12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gates. Kids 5 and under are always free!
Parking is free of charge. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd, near Enos Ln and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield.
2025 IMCA SportMod champion Tyler Bannister has steered himself into the points lead for the 2026 IMCA Modified battle. Bannister leads Gavyn Manning by 14 markers heading into Saturday’s 30-lap race for $750 to win. Justin Crockett, Markus Frazier, and Brad Pounds are the balance of the top-five contenders.
2024 IMCA SportMod champion Jason Bannister has a three point advantage in search of the 2026 crown at Bakersfield Speedway. Matthew Frazier runs second followed by the up and coming Ethan Johnson. Santiago Lopez has risen to fourth in the points followed by Nicholas Johnson. SportMods race for 25-laps and $600 to win.
Four wins has been the ticket to lift Ricky Childress, Jr. to the Hobby Stocks points lead but the cushion is just ten markers over a consistent start for Stephen Johnson. Brookie Cimental, Ryan Barnes, and Marcus Wankum are in pursuit with a 20-lap feature. American Stocks are led by Carson Conway with three wins followed by Dan Bryant, Robert Swearengin, Tyler Weeks, and Grant Perkins.
The National Dwarf Cars make their second stop at Bakersfield Speedway in 2026 on Saturday night with a 25-lap feature planned. Brandon Wiley won the Dwarf car feature during the Winter Clash to open the season in February. Bakersfield’s J.D. Brown attempts to defend home turf this weekend.
Jeff Dyer leads the California Lightning Sprints to Bakersfield for their first appearance of the year. Brent Sexton is second in the championship order while rookie Tyler Warner is off to a solid start in third.
For more information on Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, visit www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com or follow the speedway on social media. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd, near Enos Ln and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield.
