What are you doing on Saturday night? If you’re in Santa Maria, California, chances are you’ll hear the roar of the engines at the Santa Maria Speedway. The speedway opens in April each year after the Town Center Mall Car Show, and finishes its final races in October. For those looking for Americana, it doesn’t get much more down home than this Central Coast town off the 101–ranches, wineries, farms, oakwood cooked tri-tip, rodeos, and car races out at the track that feature American made machines. If you want a slice of apple pie, you’ll find it Pappy’s on Beteravia Road or IHOP near the I-101, but you can experience “apple pie” flavor by attending a car show at the track in a truly American made experience.

Other California speedways include Auto Club Speedway in Fontana (autoclubspeedway.com), Infineon Raceway in Sonoma (infineonraceway.com) and Laguna Seca in Monterey (laguna-seca.com).

THE BEEF:

• American, Mini, Street, and Hobby Stock Cars, Late Models, Sprints, Go Karts on a Mini-Oval track
• 2012 Season starts April 7 with Open Practice and play day, then most Saturday nights till October
• Pit passes available but general admission is around $12-16
• Hotels are within a mile to several, offer chain hotel accommodations and affordable rates
• Lots of golf courses & wineries to check out
• Beaches approx. 10 miles west
• racesantamariaspeedway.com racing info — 2012 schedul now posted!