NST: Kings Speedway preview

Allard looks forward to return to Kings Speedway

HANFORD, Calif. -- Jonathan Allard recently joined the National Sprint Tour, and already he's going home.

Allard and the other NST regulars race at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Allard is just one of the NST drivers from California. The others are Jason Meyers, Paul McMahan and Tim Kaeding, who has 13 wins so far this year driving for Steve Kinser Racing.

The California natives will take on fellow NST regulars Kinser, points leader Danny Lasoski, Jason Solwold, Jason Sides, Shane Stewart, Brian Paulus, Dean Jacobs, Kerry Madsen, Chad Hillier, Travis Rilat and Stevie Smith. In addition, expect several prominent other California drivers to be on hand.

Allard, the 'King of California' for winning the 2006 Golden State Challenge Series, has a successful track record at Kings Speedway.

"Last year we won three of five races there," Allard said. "We've been successful there. I've probably raced there 20 times, and have eight wins total. I like to be able to run up front. Consistency is the key. I won eight GSCS races there, and was always top-three."

Allard had expectations when he and his Morrie Williams-owned Williams Motorsports Team joined the NST recently.

"We expect to be able to make dashes and get top-10s, then get top-fives. Then the goal is to be top-three, then win. My goals are realistic. Morrie has given me the equipment to win, so I need to go out and do that."

In the last two years with the Williams Motorsports Team, Allard has racked up 19 wins and won the 2005 Dirt Cup.

Even with that track record, Allard is aware success will be harder to come against the likes of Kaeding, Lasoski and Kinser.

"It is tough to step up mentally," Allard said. "I'm so used to being dominant. Then you come here and get whooped by guys like Lasoski, Kinser and Kaeding.

"These guys have accepted me into the group," Allard added of the NST drivers. "It's gone really well. I've run with a lot of them throughout the years at various shows. You earn their respect by being smart and in control of your car."

Allard noted he isn't sure what the rest of the season will look like for his team.

"We've had a couple of motor problems," he said. "We don't want to stretch ourselves out too thin. "We want to be doing it correctly next year," Allard added. "We want to get our feet wet this year. We're learning what it's going to take. I don't want to just be there. I want to be there to win."

At Hanford, that just might happen sooner than expected. Allard finished third in the Aug. 29 NST race at Cottage Grove Speedway in Cottage Grove, Oregon and returns to one of his best tracks.

"It's usually a pretty fast race track," Allard said. "I'm pretty excited to be there again. The fans there are just tremendous."

Reserved tickets for the Sept. 5 Kings Speedway show can be purchased by calling 1-800-801-ELITE.

Main grandstand seats are $40, while bleacher seats are $35. Family passes are $120 for two adults and two children.

On race day, ticket booths open at 3 p.m. Front gates open at 5, with qualifying scheduled for 6:30 and racing at 7:15.

Kings Speedway is located at 801 S. 10th Ave, south of Highway 198 at the Hanford Fairgrounds.

-credit: nst