Racer Radio: Checkers & Wreckers - How 86th Speedway Went from Dream to Dirt Track

What starts as a conversation on a golf course doesn't usually turn into a race track—but that's exactly what happened in Imperial Valley. In this episode of Checkers & Wreckers on Racer Radio, hosts Dave Stall and Brittany Sandoval sit down with Jeff Dale and Matt Reed, the driving forces behind the brand-new 86th Speedway, a grassroots dirt kart track built by racers, for racers.What makes this story so compelling is that Jeff and Matt aren't corporate track owners or professional promoters. They're motorsports enthusiasts who saw an opportunity to create something their community needed and decided to make it happen. With a 14-acre property, a lot of determination, and help from friends, family, and volunteers, they transformed an empty piece of land into one of Southern California's newest racing destinations.The conversation dives into the incredible effort required to build the facility, including a whirlwind construction weekend involving heavy equipment, hundreds of hand-placed hay bales, and countless volunteer hours. What began as a small gathering expected to attract a few dozen participants quickly exploded into a packed event that drew more than 250 spectators and racers.In This Episode:The creation and launch of 86th SpeedwayBuilding a dirt kart track from the ground upAffordable grassroots racing opportunitiesPredator 100 endurance racing formatYouth racing programs and community outreachThe "Karts for Kids" initiativeImperial Valley motorsports growthThe upcoming Judd Neves Classic memorial raceOne of the most interesting discussions centers on affordability. Jeff and Matt are passionate about lowering the barriers to entry that often keep people away from motorsports. Their goal is simple: make racing accessible to families, young drivers, and first-time racers. The Predator 100 endurance series embodies that philosophy by using sealed engines assigned at random, helping keep competition fair while dramatically reducing costs.The episode also highlights the "Karts for Kids" program, designed to introduce young people to racing, mechanics, and teamwork. Through partnerships with local organizations and youth programs, the initiative aims to provide hands-on learning opportunities while helping kids develop skills, confidence, and friendships through motorsports.Another heartfelt segment focuses on the upcoming Judd Neves Classic, a memorial race honoring a beloved Imperial Valley motorsports photographer whose impact on the local racing community is still felt today. The tribute serves as a reminder that grassroots racing is about far more than lap times and trophies—it's about relationships, memories, and the people who help make the sport special.Key Highlights:🏁 86th Speedway's rapid construction and successful launch🏁 A 1/5-mile clay oval designed for close, competitive racing🏁 Predator 100 endurance racing with randomly assigned engines🏁 Affordable entry points for new racers and families🏁 Youth-focused "Karts for Kids" program🏁 The upcoming Judd Neves Classic memorial event🏁 Growing motorsports opportunities in Imperial ValleyWhether you're a lifelong racer, a karting enthusiast, or someone looking for a welcoming way to get involved in motorsports, this episode showcases exactly why grassroots racing continues to thrive. It's a story of passion, community, and the belief that if the racing opportunity doesn't exist, sometimes you have to build it yourself.Watch & ListenYouTube: @MrDaveStallWebsite: davestall.com RACER RADIO 06/14/26 (HR2)