JET BOWL CLASSIC II
T-Zone Promotions - Lemoore Raceway (February 17, 2019) > Lemoore Raceway is entrenched in tradition.
Having nearly seven decades of history to celebrate is something not every race track in America can boast. It makes Lemoore Raceway unique, and it validates its status as one of the premier facilities in America. The prestige associated with winning anything on this illustrious surface is unparalleled. Dreams have come true and legacies have taken shape at Lemoore for more than 68 years.
Lemoore Raceway and The Lemoore Jet Bowl became synonymous with churning out some of the best talent that the entire sport of racing has ever had the pleasure of witnessing. The tried and true traditions and legacies of racing in Lemoore were too much to not share any longer.
The Jet Bowl Classic was born to celebrate and honor the legends of the past while witnessing the stars of tomorrow.
The event was created to show the generation of yesterday appreciation and share their stories, and 68- year history with younger racers and the younger community at large. As it moves into its second running, the Jet Bowl Classic remains dedicated to reliving the glory days, and showing the world just how much history surrounds this small, but thriving, community.
It all began back in 1948 when J.P Doc Young had a vision that would be laid out amidst the salt grass and Alkali of Lemoore, California. After gaining the approval of the city Doc You g went further with his grand plan to make a racing track for small cars known as micro midgets. Over 1500 people showed up to the first event to witness the new happening. Held back by just volunteers and a single rope, the race track has come such a long way since it's humble beginning in 1949.
Read the story of the founding here:
https://sprintcarinsider.co/2018/07/06/a-man-had-a-dream/
Through the decades the 1/10th mile oval inside the city of Lemoore became known as the Jet Bowl. Names such as Tarlton, Meyers, Faccinto, Kent, Robertson and dozens of others were churned out from the Jet Bowl sparking the tradition that remains Today. Legendary, and generational legacies were born on that tenth mile. Although the track may not be the Jet Bowl, the aura remains the same. Today the lemoore tradition remains intact and may even be stronger than ever.
Adhering to tradition is something Lemoore Racers and Race fans alike adore. With the theme of the Jet Bowl Classic - celebrating the past while witnessing the future, one of the newest traditions is the Jet Bowl Classic Championship presentation.
At the Jet Bowl Classic, each Class Champion of the event will be presented their event awards by an officially enshrined Lemoore Raceway Hall of Fame Member. To commemorate the moment the Hall of Fame Member will represent a piece of Lemoore's past Legacy symbolically passing the torch to the next generation. While dawning the official Hall of Fame attire, the Hall of Fame
Member will pose with the driver for exclusive photographs.
In the years to come it may just be that these photos serve as a foreshadowing to whos destined to become a Hall of Famer themself.
As a racetrack Lemoore Raceway has a more decorated history than some of the most infamous tracks in the nation. Although what's different about Lemoore is that it hasn't been 68 continuous years on the same track. What's often misconceived and easily misunderstood is the difference between the Jet Bowl and Lemoore Raceway.
In fact, Lemoore Raceway as we see it today opened for operation in May 1995 by Lemoore Racing Enterprises.
No story would be complete without conflict and the story of Lemoore's is no different. Following the 1993 season at the Jet Bowl it was unclear if there would be Micro Sprint racing in Lemoore at all anymore. It was looking bleak.
Many decades ago Lemoore Racing Enterprises signed a deal with the city that was supposed to be a lifetime lease on the property. Without much forewarning the city came to take back the land on 18th and Iona to expand a city project. The salt grass and Alkali field of dreams of Doc Young was about to be gone and all it's tradition taken with it.
But during the 11th hour of being in Limbo fortunes began to change. The club was offered a parcel of land just a few blocks away on Hwy 41 and Idaho. It wasn't the sacred grounds of the old Jet Bowl but it was still close enough to be considered racing in Lemoore.
Taking over the parcel was no easy feat. In fact getting it prepared, and presentable to an audience took years, some things even decades. Lemoore Racing Enterprises solely focused on resurrecting racing in Lemoore, and they did that. What they could not expect
Was just how hard it would be to win back the very same Racers who built their legacies on the old property.
Lemoore Raceway in its current state opened for business May 14, 1995 and has been a work in progress ever since. This years Jet Bowl Classic is set to focus on the move from Iona to Idaho and who made it possible. It took blood, sweat, tears and years but you'll never believe just how much of the Old Jet Bowl is alive and well today at Lemoore Raceway.
Lemoore Raceway
1750 Hwy 41
Lemoore, California 93245
(559) 388-
Lemoore Raceway is a 1/5 Mile oval that has been in operation since 1948. Doc Young had a vision that was laid out amongst the Salt Grass and Alkali that evolved into one of the top producing dirt tracks of Champions, winners, and leaders alike. Today T-Zone Promotions is happy to continue fostering that talent with the same ideals as our founding.
Lemoore Raceway
1750 Hwy 41
Lemoore, California 93245
Lemooreraceway.com
TzonePromotions@gmail.com
- Rick Worth on Feb 19, 2019
- Article Date: 2/19/2019 by JJ Cox