Racing this weekend in Merced, Chowchilla

Merced and Chowchilla speedways will host the first events in the nation for the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) this weekend.

Chowchilla Speedway is now under the management of Oval Motorsports Inc. – the company that has managed Merced Speedway the past five years.

Oval Motorsports and the IMCA announced that the points races for the organization’s Modified and SportMod stock car divisions will be the IMCA West Coast Nationals. The four-day event began New Year’s Day at Antioch Speedway. The top four drivers in each division qualified for the Merced Speedway portion of the event on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Merced Speedway hosts the second leg of the IMCA West Coast Nationals, drawing cars from throughout the West. The largest field of cars in recent years is expected. They will race in two 30-lap features.

In addition to the IMCA Modified and SportMod divisions at Merced Speedway, a large field of Hobby Stocks will compete in qualifying races and a feature event.

Chowchilla Speedway, which was added to Oval Motorsports in December, will host the “Let it Rain 50” on Sunday afternoon. Cars will travel from Antioch to Merced to Chowchilla before heading to races in Arizona next weekend.

The Chowchilla Speedway event will feature each IMCA division in qualifying races and a 25-lap feature. Four-cylinder “Mini-Stock” and “Four-Banger” cars will also compete in qualifying races and a feature event.

Merced Speedway is located at the Merced County Fairgrounds. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for children. A family four-pack of tickets is $40. Grandstands open Saturday at 4 p.m. Racing begins at 5 p.m..

Chowchilla Speedway is located at the Chowchilla Madera County Fairgrounds. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for children. A family four-pack of tickets is $32. The grandstand opens Sunday at 2 p.m. Racing begins at 3 p.m.

This story was originally published January 1, 2015 at 6:43 PM with the headline "Racing this weekend in Merced, Chowchilla."