http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946 We're not sure what to call it anymore since the KernCountyNascar website has disappeared, but the unfinished racetrack at Interstate 5 and Enos Lane had at least one racer taking spins recently. Photos posted on LateModelRacer this week show weeds are starting to take over the track, which is partially paved and which features some seating. It's an unfinished track, but one that's still clean enough for a local dirt-track racer to take a few spins in his truck. And as one of several posters noted, there's enough work complete that if someone bought the track for pennies on the dollar, they might be able to build it out and make a go of it once the economy rebounds. We're not sure what to call it anymore since the KernCountyNascar website has disappeared, but the unfinished racetrack at Interstate 5 and Enos Lane had at least one racer taking spins recently. Photos posted on LateModelRacer this week show weeds are starting to take over the track, which is partially paved and which features some seating. It's an unfinished track, but one that's still clean enough for a local dirt-track racer to take a few spins in his truck. And as one of several posters noted, there's enough work complete that if someone bought the track for pennies on the dollar, they might be able to build it out and make a go of it once the economy rebounds. en-us Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:30:31 PDT <p>How sad is that? What a waste of money.....................now. Maybe the people at Bakersfield Speedway could buy it?</p> <br /> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420062 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420062 <p>How sad is that? What a waste of money.....................now. Maybe the people at Bakersfield Speedway could buy it?</p> <br /> <p>Too bad the Golden Boys of Bakersfield that made it in Nascar hasn't stepped up to help save this race track---how quick they forget home when money and fame is being made---heck, they don't even live here no more--so why should they help out a bunch of hicks back home....</p> <br /> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420068 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420068 <p>Too bad the Golden Boys of Bakersfield that made it in Nascar hasn't stepped up to help save this race track---how quick they forget home when money and fame is being made---heck, they don't even live here no more--so why should they help out a bunch of hicks back home....</p> <br /> <p>Why should Harvick and Mears be obligated to dump millions into something that looks like a bad investment just because they're successful? Harvick, moreso than Mears, certainly can trace his success directly back to Mesa Marin. But he's also returned numerous times on his own dime to help raise money locally, whether to get people into the seats at Mesa Marin or to raise money for North High. Could he do more? Probably. But I'm not seeing the obligation. And given the weakening of sponsorships and GM cutting back its racing budgets, Harvick has his hands fully trying to keep his racing teams going. Mears is just trying to keep his ride.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420217 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420217 <p>Why should Harvick and Mears be obligated to dump millions into something that looks like a bad investment just because they're successful? Harvick, moreso than Mears, certainly can trace his success directly back to Mesa Marin. But he's also returned numerous times on his own dime to help raise money locally, whether to get people into the seats at Mesa Marin or to raise money for North High. Could he do more? Probably. But I'm not seeing the obligation. And given the weakening of sponsorships and GM cutting back its racing budgets, Harvick has his hands fully trying to keep his racing teams going. Mears is just trying to keep his ride.</p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">&nbsp;Bakersfield has a love-hate relationship with former residents who find success and fame. &nbsp;Whether it's Rick Mears or Merle Haggard, &nbsp;Bakersfield simply LOVES them <u>as long as they live here</u> and treats their legacy like crap if they dare to move to another city.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">I tried for over ten years to get the city of Bakersfield to name a street, park or SOMETHING - ANYTHING for Rick Mears. &nbsp; All I ever heard was people piss and moan about how we shouldn't bother since he had moved away. &nbsp; I have never in my life seen such childish and irrational displays of temper and bruised egos! &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">Harrumph.... &nbsp;You take their name in vain then have the nerve to complain they don't pour money into a hometown project? &nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">GET</span>&nbsp;A&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: larger; "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; ">LIFE!</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">I honestly wouldn't blame any hometown hero for turning his back. &nbsp;B</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">akersfield, You get what you deserve. &nbsp; &nbsp;(That is unless you're a hometown boy who makes good!)</span></span></span></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420231 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/bakosphere/46946/#c_420231 <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">&nbsp;Bakersfield has a love-hate relationship with former residents who find success and fame. &nbsp;Whether it's Rick Mears or Merle Haggard, &nbsp;Bakersfield simply LOVES them <u>as long as they live here</u> and treats their legacy like crap if they dare to move to another city.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">I tried for over ten years to get the city of Bakersfield to name a street, park or SOMETHING - ANYTHING for Rick Mears. &nbsp; All I ever heard was people piss and moan about how we shouldn't bother since he had moved away. &nbsp; I have never in my life seen such childish and irrational displays of temper and bruised egos! &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">Harrumph.... &nbsp;You take their name in vain then have the nerve to complain they don't pour money into a hometown project? &nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">GET</span>&nbsp;A&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: larger; "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; ">LIFE!</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">I honestly wouldn't blame any hometown hero for turning his back. &nbsp;B</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="font-size: larger; ">akersfield, You get what you deserve. &nbsp; &nbsp;(That is unless you're a hometown boy who makes good!)</span></span></span></p>