Forged in California Dirt

How the Golden State Became One of Micro Sprint Racing’s Most Influential Powerhouses

For more than three decades, California has stood as one of the most influential regions in American micro sprint racing. While states like Oklahoma and Pennsylvania are often cited for their sheer volume of competitors, California’s reputation has been built on something deeper: technical sophistication, elite driver development, and a concentrated manufacturing ecosystem that consistently produces winning equipment.

From the bullrings of the Central Valley to the national proving ground of the Tulsa Shootout, California micro sprint racing has shaped drivers, engineers, and chassis builders who have gone on to define the sport at every level.

This is the story of how California became one of the most respected micro sprint regions in the country.

The Foundations: Tracks That Forged a Culture

California’s micro sprint identity was built on a small number of demanding dirt ovals that rewarded precision, adaptability, and mechanical understanding over raw aggression.

Keller Auto Raceway at Plaza Park, which opened in 1992, quickly became the epicenter of Central Valley micro sprint racing. Its tight configuration, variable dirt conditions, and high-caliber weekly fields made it a benchmark track—drivers who could win at Plaza Park were widely considered capable of winning anywhere.

To the north, Delta Speedway emerged as one of the most technically demanding micro sprint facilities in the state. With a history stretching back to the late 1980s, Delta’s compact layout emphasized throttle discipline, chassis balance, and race-long tire management—skills that translated directly to national competition.

In the south, Lemoore Raceway provided a complementary challenge. With deep roots in California dirt racing and a surface that could change dramatically over the course of a night, Lemoore became a proving ground for both drivers and equipment.

Together, these tracks formed a California micro sprint triangle—a weekly testing laboratory where drivers raced often, learned quickly, and refined their craft under pressure.

The Manufacturer Effect: California as a Chassis Powerhouse

Unlike many regions that rely on out-of-state builders, California developed its own manufacturing backbone—one that directly influenced how the cars were driven and how drivers were trained.

PMP Chassis

Founded by Stan Yockey in the mid-1990s, PMP Chassis was among the first California builders to take micro sprint construction seriously as an engineering discipline. Beginning with 250cc cars and expanding into 600cc platforms by the late 1990s, PMP helped professionalize micro sprint chassis design on the West Coast.

PMP cars became known for balance, consistency, and adaptability—qualities that made them especially effective on slick, technical California tracks. Just as importantly, PMP created a pipeline where young drivers learned to communicate setup feedback, understand weight transfer, and develop mechanical intuition early in their careers.

Pace Chassis

Pace Chassis rose to prominence as California racing evolved into increasingly competitive, dry-slick conditions. Pace-built micro sprints earned a reputation for forward drive and stability on challenging surfaces, making them a popular choice among top-tier California teams.

Their success during major California events—and later on the national stage—cemented Pace as a brand synonymous with winning under difficult conditions.

Driven Performance

Driven Performance represented the next generation of California racing innovation. With decades of experience supporting micro sprint teams, Driven expanded beyond components into complete chassis solutions. Their presence reflected a broader trend in California racing: integration—builders who understood not only fabrication, but setup philosophy, data, and driver feedback.

Ten‑J Chassis

Founded by Jerrod Huckleberry, Ten-J Chassis marked a modern evolution of the California builder model. Drawing on years of high-level racing and fabrication experience, Ten-J emphasized refinement, repeatability, and performance at the highest levels of micro sprint competition.

By the late 2010s, Ten-J cars were appearing in major events across the country, reinforcing California’s reputation not just as a racing region—but as a manufacturing authority.

The Driver Pipeline: From Bullrings to the National Stage

California micro sprint racing has long functioned as a developmental ladder rather than an endpoint. Drivers raised in the state’s micro programs often graduate with a level of racecraft and technical awareness that sets them apart.

Several nationally recognized sprint car drivers cut their teeth in California micro sprints, including Carson Macedo and Cory Eliason, both of whom competed extensively in California micro sprint programs before advancing to top-tier sprint car competition.

The Scelzi family—most notably Dominic Scelzi—helped elevate the visibility of California micro sprint racing through consistent success and professional team operations. Their achievements underscored the depth of competition in the state and validated the California development model.

Other standout competitors such as Jake Andreotti, Jade Avedisian, Brody Fuson, Jett Yantis, and Jake Hagopian further demonstrated how California micro sprint racing consistently produced drivers capable of excelling beyond state borders.

California Speedweek and the Rise of National Validation

The introduction of Micro Sprint California Speedweek in the mid-2010s marked a turning point. By linking multiple premier tracks into a single, high-profile series, Speedweek forced teams and drivers to adapt night after night—mirroring the demands of national touring competition.

As participation grew, Speedweek attracted out-of-state teams and manufacturers, placing California’s drivers and chassis under direct national comparison. The results were decisive: California-built cars and California-trained drivers consistently ran at the front.

That success carried over to the Tulsa Shootout, widely regarded as the most competitive micro sprint event in the world. California manufacturers—including PMP, Pace, Driven Performance, and Ten-J—became regular contenders, confirming the state’s influence on a global stage.

Why California Still Matters

California’s impact on micro sprint racing is not defined by geography alone. It is defined by systems:

• Weekly racing that prioritizes driver development

• Tracks that reward precision and adaptability

• Manufacturers embedded directly within the racing community

• A culture that treats micro sprints as a serious, professional discipline

These elements combine to create racers who think, builders who innovate, and teams that perform under pressure.

In an era where micro sprint racing continues to grow nationally, California remains what it has been for decades: a proving ground for champions and a laboratory for innovation.