The Desert Thunder Raceway will re-open its gates Friday and Saturday with the first of three sets of races during the 2020 calendar year.

Equipped with a new owner, Shane Weybright, the track is set for a new era. Former owner Harvey Howard is now the acting track manager and has had an active role in putting together the schedule for this racing season, which begins on July 24.

“We’ll be celebrating Utah’s birthday at the same time we are celebrating the reopening of the raceway,” said Howard on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports. “We are going to have a real big car count. There are a lot of people that are excited to come back here and race.”

This year’s season opener will feature the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) Modifieds as the main event. Also featured throughout the night will be stock cars, hobby stocks, mini stocks, a bombers class and a sports car class that will feature any car that doesn’t fit into the IMCA classes.

The track itself will host three sets of races, each coming with a Friday and Saturday event. The next set will take place on August 28 and 29, before the Castle Country Clash in September.

“The Castle Country Clash will be a three-day event running Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” said Howard. “The Wild West Modified Tour will be apart of the event this year. We are also planning on late models as well. This is always the biggest racing weekend of the year and we’re looking forward to it.”

The local drivers that are expected to make an appearance include Shawn Parish, Wyatt Howard, Mickey Stubbings and more. A number of other well known drivers from surrounding areas are also expected to compete.

The racing action on both Friday and Saturday is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m., with the gates scheduled to open at 5:00. Adult tickets are $10.00 per night, while children 6-12 will be $6.00. Pit Passes are available for $25.00.

Below is the complete schedule for the remainder of the season:

July 24 and 25.
August 28 and 29.
Castle Country Clash- September 24, 25 and 26.