Renovated All American Speedway - The Right Moves

"Phase one was to relocate all the speakers," says McAnally. "They are all aimed at the center of the track. Phase two was to build a sound wall (90 percent complete before the opening race). It really made it quieter. We're trying to make things better for our neighbors."

The track rules already stipulate 82 decibels as the maximum sound reading at the property line. Vehicles exceeding the limit are black-flagged.

"One of our real strengths," says Gage, "is good, solid car counts. We don't have any 10-car divisions. I think Modifieds, for instance, started out last year with 40 and settled down to about 25."

Four divisions of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series run at All American: Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Bombers. On an average Saturday night, 1,600 people will fill the grandstands.

Special events include visits by USAC Sprint Cars, Western Scale Racing Association (Baby Grands and Mini Cups), the Northern California Modified Sprint Cars, Junior Focus Midgets, Ford Focus Midgets, and an All-American Vintage Classic.

Enduros at All American have a twist to add interest. "We have a water system of PVC pipe around the track with a pump and a barrel of soap. The system shoots soap and water onto the track," Gage says. "It works pretty well and adds some excitement to the racing."

This year a new class called Interceptors has been added. "We needed a feeder division," Gage says. "We needed a place for people to start racing and we needed to keep the cost down."

Gage's 30 years in a public safety fleet division led him to the idea of using old public safety vehicles, primarily Ford Crown Victorias.

"California buys 4,000 cars a year," he says. "They're readily available. They have 114-inch wheelbases, stock motors, big wheels, and you just put in a rollcage. We have very stock rules. They have to run the catalytic converter and muffler."

Competition equipment includes a racing seat, five-point seatbelt, window net, cutoff switch, and fuel cell. Gage hopes that police and fire departments may be drawn to the division and that the folks who actually drive them on the streets will come and compete against each other.

"We sent out letters to departments telling them about the class. They can decorate the cars any way they want, even theme them," he says. "The first race was going to be July 19, but we've had so much interest that we added a May 10 date."

To keep competitors from pouring too much money into their Interceptor cars, the class includes a $1,500 claim. The rules remind potential competitors that these are "cars we race, not racecars."

What's in the future for All American Speedway?

"We're starting to build some VIP suites," says McAnally. "We're looking at a different variety of food, nicer restrooms. It's all about making it better for the fans."

It must be working. McAnally says last year's attendance was up 66 percent.