Mesa Marin Raceway
Circuit info:
- Circuit length:
- 0.500 miles/0.808 km
- Circuit type:
- Permanent oval course
Circuit history:
Mesa Marin Raceway's high-banked paved half-mile oval was opened in 1977 by the Collins family at Bakersfield. As a local businessman and race car competitor, Marion Collins designed his raceway to be an accommodating environment for families to enjoy auto racing as spectators, and the competitor to enjoy a challenging, fast and safe raceway.
For 29 years Mesa Marin hosted NASCAR sanctioned racing events and played an integral part in the development of NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series. Mesa Marin was the site for the design, construction and testing of the prototype NASCAR Craftsman Truck, with the team of designers and fabricators led by Gary Collins.
Mesa Marin hosted an annual schedule of over 25 racing events, including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 1994 to 2003. The track also promoted non-racing events such as freestyle motocross, monster trucks, career days, and concerts featuring artist such as Garth Brooks, Reba McIntyre, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, George Strait and more.
The circuit closed its doors in October 2005 and the land has been sold for housing. However, the Collins family is heavily involved with building a new oval in Kern County, very much in the image of Mesa Marin.
