“The Chez” Goes for Two Top-10’s in-a-row in SRL at KCRP
Bakersfield, CA – Scott “The Chez” Sanchez is set to make series start #119 when the Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series visits Bakersfield, CA, and Kern County Raceway Park for the 7th Annual “Winter Showdown” on April 2nd. Sanchez sits right on the rear bumper of 2015 series champion Jacob Gomes for the all-time series mark for starts, only one back. Sanchez will make his series leading 50th straight appearance in the SRL, and is the only driver currently active in the series to compete in its’ inaugural season. He had nine starts in the maiden effort for the then SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout Series.
The Livermore, CA transplant now calls Bakersfield, CA his home where he will be seeking his second top-10 in 19 Kern starts. His best run was an eighth in last season’s “October Classic 150”, so he would love to duplicate that finish at a track which is outside his preferred size.
“KCRP is a great facility and close to home, which is nice”, Sanchez stated. “I’m not the biggest fan of the actual on-track racing, as I’m more comfortable with the smaller bullring types of tracks. It will be one of those weekends where we’ll just do the best we can to stay out of trouble.”
“The Chez” has had made his mark in the series over the years. He still holds the record for most positions improved in a race, driving from 29th starting to finish fourth in the “Canidae Classic” at Irwindale Speedway in 2011. He scored a career best three top-10’s in 2014, including a fifth-place finish at the Bullring at LVMS. He added two more to his career mark of 14 in 2021. In 2016, he served on the crew for Derek Thorn Racing’s SRL Championship winning effort with Campbell Motorsports. He also has four top-10 championship efforts in the series, finishing ninth in 2021.
Although Sanchez enjoys the competition in the series, it is another aspect of the racing weekend that the veteran racer looks forward to, as he acknowledged.
“My favorite part of race weekend is to see all my friends at the track. When I first started, the racing had a much more family feel. Hopefully we can bring some of that back. When team’s hangout, it creates respect among the drivers and crews, which I believe creates better racing.”
But to hang out with his friends at the track, it takes a lot of support to get him to each event. He is thankful for all those who make it happen for the former Altamont Raceway Park competitor.
“It takes a lot to field one of these Supers, and I couldn’t do it without the help of some really great friends and family”, Sanchez specified. “I’d like to thank Gibson Crane and Tom and Missy Gibson. Also, a big thanks to Salted Metals Architectural Metals with David and Mirna Mulchay, as well as Bakersfield Muffler and Magic Mike. And of course, I’m so thankful for my beautiful fiancé Michele Burrow.”
The Seventh Annual “Winter Showdown” at Kern County Raceway Park will take place on April 2nd and pay $10,000 to the winner of the 100-lap event. The SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series will be joined by the SPEARS Pro Late Models presented by Sigma Performance Services and the SPEARS Modified Series. Admission gates will open at 4:00pm with Qualifying for all three divisions beginning at 4:15pm. Opening Ceremonies and a Truck Parade roll off at 5:30pm. Qualifying Heat Races start the official racing action at 6:00pm. All three divisions will compete in the Heat Races. 60 lap Feature Events for the Modifieds and Pro Late Models will be followed by 100 laps for the Super Late Models.
For those unable to attend, catch all the action LIVE at www.SpearsRacing.TV. The event will also air on MAVTV at a time and date to be announced later.
Celebrating its twenty-second season in 2022, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.
