Placerville Speedway is pleased to announce the hiring of Rio Linda’s Brad Kennedy as the new track announcer for the 2016 season.
“We are very happy to welcome Brad Kennedy as the announcer at Placerville Speedway”, new track promoter Scott Russell states. “We feel with Brad’s knowledge of the competitors, his family’s history in the sport, and specifically at Placerville Speedway, combined with his youthful exuberance, that he is the right man for the job. Our goal is to utilize Brad to create an informative and entertaining experience for the race fan.”
Kennedy steps into the booth following the departure of long time track announcer Bill Sullivan, who has left due to increased responsibility in his profession. “We are very sorry to lose Bill”, said Russell. “He was a great asset to Placerville Speedway. He is a true ambassador to the sport of auto racing, especially to our local track. We wish him all the best in this new journey that he has worked so hard to earn.”
Despite being just 18 years old, Kennedy has a long history in the sport of auto racing, and a great family legacy to draw from. Already in his young career, Kennedy has experience as a crew member on a few Nation-wide traveling Sprint Car teams, spending the summer of 2015 in the Midwest, crewing for various race teams.
In addition, he has served as the voice of the Kings Speedway in Hanford, California for two seasons, as well as a couple of years experience as an Internet talk show host, having been a part of the popular hard-hitting “Fish & D Show” in 2012 and 2013. With his family’s long legacy at Placerville Speedway, Brad is excited about the opportunity to work at the track he grew up at.
“This has always been my home track”, Kennedy explains, “I’ve long wanted to announce at Placerville. The idea of me joining the announcing team has been kicked around before, as possibly being an infield announcer alongside Bill Sullivan. Now that Bill has moved on, I know I have some big shoes to fill. But, I am looking forward to the challenge. This is a dream come true for me.”
The tight 1/4 mile bullring at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds is where Kennedy’s love for auto racing began. His maternal grandfather, Johnny Tiner won his one and only NARC Feature event at Placerville on July 8, 1983 by overtaking Chuck Gurney on the final corner to post one of the most celebrated victories in the history of the Speedway. His Uncle Randy “Boo” Tiner started his career at Placerville in 1985, driving for another Uncle, Rod Tiner, who also spent time at Placerville as a driver, at what was then known as “Hangtown Speedway”. His father Tom and his paternal grandfather Wil Kennedy are former car owners as well. In fact, the patriarch Kennedy scored a track championship at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington with Marc Huson in 1992. In addition, he has the distinction of giving NASCAR star Kasey Kahne his first opportunity in a Sprint Car.
Placerville Speedway’s 51st season kicks off on Wednesday, March 23rd, with the 2nd Annual “Brad Sweet Presents the Placerville Short Track Showdown” for the traveling World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and USAC Western Midget Series. Ticket info can be found at www.woosprint.com/placerville-speedway.
The 2016 Placerville Speedway Championship Series begins on Saturday, April 2nd with it’s regular three division program of 360 Sprints, Limited Late Models, and Pure Stocks along with the Vintage Hard Tops. For more information, contact the Speedway office at 530-344-7592, or watch for further updates at www.placervillespeedway.com.
