The Desert Thunder Raceway will be back in action this Friday and Saturday with the first of three sets of races during the 2017 calendar year.

“It has implications for not only the local track championship, but also state, region and national points,” said track owner Harvey Howard on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports. “We’ll have thunder trucks and a newer class. Both nights are going to be filled with action.”

This year’s season opener will feature the International Motor Contest Association Modifieds as the main event. Also featured throughout the night will be SportMods, stock cars, hobby stocks, mini stocks and trucks.

Several local drivers who have become fan favorites at the track will also be participating in the action. Price native Wyatt Howard is currently at the top of the IMCA state standings with 79 points, just four points better than second place Chase Hansen.

The track itself will host three sets of races as they return in July, and then again in September with the Castle Country Clash. The schedule is a two race increase from last season.

“The track is going to be in great shape, as it always is,” said Howard. “It is the widest track we run on anywhere by 20 feet or more. We can actually run six wide if we really wanted to, which you won’t see anywhere else.”

The action on both Friday and Saturday is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., with the gates scheduled to open at 4:00. Family passes will be available at the gates for $25.00, while adults are $8.00 on Friday and $10.00 on Saturday. Children 6-12 will be $6.00 on Friday and $8.00 on Saturday. Pit Passes are available for $15.00.