By Joseph Seemayer
Ventura Raceway roared back to life Saturday night, March 7, as the 2026 racing season opened at the Ventura County Fairgrounds with a full program of competition highlighted by the Ventura Racing Association (VRA) Sprint Cars. Fans filled the seaside grandstands to watch drivers battle wheel‑to‑wheel on the tight clay oval, continuing a tradition that has made the Ventura track one of Southern California’s most distinctive motorsports venues.
The Ventura Raceway has long been a centerpiece of racing in Ventura County. Built inside the Ventura County Fairgrounds horse track, the facility has hosted a wide range of motorsports over the decades. Since the mid‑1990s, the Ventura Racing Association Sprint Cars have been one of the premier divisions competing regularly at the track. The series attracts experienced drivers from across California while also giving local racers the opportunity to compete on a high‑profile stage close to home.
Saturday’s season opener featured 15 VRA Sprint Car entries and delivered exciting racing from the drop of the green flag. When the 30‑lap main event concluded, Camarillo’s Ricky Lewis piloted the No. 41 sprint car to victory, thrilling Ventura County fans with a hometown win.
Lewis started fourth in the feature and steadily worked his way toward the front of the field before taking control of the race. Known for his smooth car control and experience on tight bullring tracks, Lewis navigated traffic and the demanding Ventura surface to secure the opening‑night triumph.
For Lewis, the victory carried special meaning. A resident of nearby Camarillo, he is considered a local favorite whenever he competes at Ventura Raceway. Lewis has built a reputation as one of the most accomplished drivers in non‑wing sprint car racing on the West Coast. Over the course of his career, he has captured numerous victories across multiple racing series and has competed nationally in USAC sprint car events.
Finishing second in the feature was Cole Wakim in the No. 73 sprint car. Wakim demonstrated strong speed throughout the evening, setting fast time in qualifying with a lap of 12.658 seconds and winning the first heat race earlier in the program.
Charlie Butcher drove the No. 96 sprint car to a third‑place finish after also showing impressive pace during the evening. Butcher won the second heat race and remained among the front‑running competitors throughout the feature race.
A competitive field filled the remainder of the finishing order as drivers continued battling for position throughout the 30‑lap event. Ventura Raceway’s tight layout often produces dramatic racing, forcing drivers to make quick decisions as they maneuver through traffic and search for the fastest line around the high‑banked corners.
For fans in attendance, the action was a reminder of why sprint car racing has remained a staple at the Ventura County Fairgrounds for decades. The compact dirt oval places the grandstands only a short distance from the racing surface, giving spectators an unusually close view of the cars as they slide sideways through the corners and accelerate down the straightaways.
The combination of speed, precision, and driver skill required to control a non‑wing sprint car makes the division one of the most exciting forms of short‑track racing. The Ventura track, with its small size and demanding surface, has earned a reputation among drivers as one of the most challenging venues in California.
Opening night also serves as an important kickoff for Ventura Raceway’s annual racing calendar. The facility hosts a regular schedule of VRA Sprint Car events along with several additional racing divisions throughout the season, drawing competitors and fans from across California.
For many teams, Ventura’s season opener represents the first major event of the year and provides an early benchmark for the championship battles that will unfold over the coming months. Drivers often use the race to evaluate their equipment and gauge how they stack up against the competition.
Race nights at Ventura Raceway have become a longstanding local tradition. Families and racing fans gather at the fairgrounds throughout the season to enjoy the unique atmosphere of dirt track racing with the Pacific Ocean only a short distance away.
With a Ventura County driver standing in victory lane on opening night, the 2026 season has already delivered a memorable moment for local racing fans. https://venturaraceway.com.
Top Finishers – VRA Sprint Car Feature (30 laps)
- Ricky Lewis (#41)
- Cole Wakim (#73)
- Charlie Butcher (#96)
- Bruce Douglass (#13)
- Blake Hendricks (#14)
