Rent a Bus to Kern Raceway: The Complete Kern Raceway Transportation Guide

Kern Raceway race nights don't wrap up at eight. The main events run under the lights, and by the time the final checkered flag drops and the stands start to clear, you're looking at ten o'clock — on the southwest side of Bakersfield, near Enos Lane and I-5, a cross-city drive from wherever most of your group is coming from. That's the detail that catches first-timers off guard: the dwell time at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway is long, the location takes planning from the central Bakersfield side, and getting a group of 20 or 30 race fans out there and home again without anyone volunteering to stay sober for six hours is its own challenge.

A Bakersfield charter bus or party bus rental takes the whole puzzle off the table — one pickup, one drop at the track, and a bus staged and ready when the crowd exits at ten.

The raceway at 13500 Raceway Blvd, Bakersfield, CA 93311 spent its first decade as Kern County Raceway Park. In November 2023, new owners Tim and Lisa Huddleston renamed it Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway in honor of the Bakersfield native who grew up near Central Valley tracks and went on to win a NASCAR Cup championship. Today the 120-acre complex runs three distinct surfaces: a half-mile paved oval that bills itself "California's High Speed Half Mile," a high-banked one-third-mile clay oval now in its 81st season of Kern County dirt racing, and a motocross track for supermoto and off-road nights. Partybusbakersfield.net makes it easy to compare party buses and charter buses serving Bakersfield so you can find the right fit before the gates open at four.

Fill out the online form or call 661-829-1742 to see pricing in about a minute.

Why Race Groups Rent a Bus to Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway

Parking at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway is free, so the parking-cost calculation that drives a lot of stadium bus trips doesn't apply here the same way. The real case for a Kern Raceway charter bus or party bus comes down to time, distance, and the fact that nobody wants to navigate the southwest side of Bakersfield at 10:30 PM after six hours in the grandstands.

The race-day schedule on a typical event night runs like this: spectator gates open at 4:00 PM, hot laps begin at 5:00 PM, heat races start at 6:00 PM, and the main events run until roughly 10:00 PM. Add a pre-event pickup and a post-race return, and your group is looking at a seven-to-eight-hour block from curb to curb. That's a significant reservation window — and it's also a long time for one person in your group to sit out while everyone else enjoys the race without worrying about the drive home.

The location doubles the case. Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway sits near Enos Lane and I-5 on the southwest side — if your group is coming from the Highway 99 corridor, downtown Bakersfield, or anywhere in the northeast, the track is a genuine cross-city drive. A single Bakersfield sporting event charter bus handles the route both ways, keeps everyone in the same vehicle, and stages in the free parking area during the event so it's right there for the post-race exit instead of everyone splitting up to find their cars in a dark, emptying lot.

For one or two people, rideshare is the practical call — no reason to charter a bus for a pair. But the moment your group grows past a few cars' worth of people, the coordination cost of separate vehicles tips toward one bus. That's the group this guide is written for.

Three Tracks at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway: What Your Group Came to See

The 120-acre facility runs three distinct racing surfaces, each drawing a different crowd on a different night. Knowing which track is active on your event date helps you choose the right vehicle and set realistic expectations for how long the night runs.

The Paved Oval — "California's High Speed Half Mile." The signature track is a half-mile asphalt oval with 8-degree banking on the straights and 12-to-14-degree banking through the turns. Permanent seating sits at 6,000, expandable to 17,000 for major events with temporary grandstands.

The paved oval also features two infield short-track configurations — a quarter-mile and an eighth-mile layout — used for specialty racing formats on destruction and enduro nights. This is where the ARCA Menards Series West, CARS Tour West, and NASCAR Weekly Series events run, and where the biggest one-night crowds turn out. Information on upcoming asphalt events lives on the official Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway events page.

The Dirt Oval — Bakersfield Speedway. The one-third-mile high-banked clay oval on the property runs as Bakersfield Speedway and carries its own schedule — 19 nights of competition in 2026, the 81st season of Kern County dirt racing. The one-lap record of 12.021 seconds was set by Austin McCarl in March 2025.

Dirt nights feature IMCA Modifieds, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, USAC-sanctioned midgets, and sprint car series, with named specials like the Richie McGowan Memorial, Budweiser Nationals, and the Jason Leffler Memorial as season anchors. The full dirt track schedule is posted at Bakersfield Speedway's website.

The Motocross Track. The motocross course, which opened in October 2014, adds a third surface and supports supermoto competition on select asphalt-track event nights — the First Responders Night on September 19, for instance, includes Super Moto racing alongside the NASCAR series program on the paved oval. Groups coming for a motocross night should confirm the specific schedule on the official events page, since supermoto runs as part of multi-surface event programs rather than standalone nights.

Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway

Spectator parking at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway sits at the north end of the track past the main entrance on Raceway Blvd — and it's free. The 120-acre property holds roughly 2,000 vehicles in the spectator lot, with handicap parking available on site. Race teams and competitors park separately, south of the racetrack beyond turn two of the pavement oval, so there's a clear flow between spectator arrivals and competitor access.

For a charter bus or party bus pulling in for a race night, the free, open lot at the north end is where the bus parks and stages. There's no per-vehicle parking charge to calculate into the group's cost — just pull in, drop the group at the lot entrance, and the bus positions for the post-race pickup window. Because the lot is large and the property is substantial, oversized vehicles have room to maneuver without the tight urban-venue concerns that come with a downtown arena or convention center.

For multi-bus groups or any charter situation involving coordination with track staff, a call to the raceway in advance is the right move. The main line is (661) 866-5777, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. That one call confirms the best approach to the north-end lot for your vehicle size and makes sure the parking staff is expecting a large group — helpful when the lot is full and everyone's moving at the same time after the final race.

Getting to Kern Raceway from the Highway 99 Corridor and Taft Highway

Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway is a southwest Bakersfield venue, and if your group is pulling together from the Highway 99 corridor — the main commercial spine running through central and north Bakersfield — the track is a cross-city drive to the southwest side. The primary connector from the Highway 99 area is the Taft Highway (CA-119), which heads southwest from the central Bakersfield side toward the I-5 corridor and brings you into the Enos Lane and Raceway Blvd area where the facility sits.

It's not a difficult route, but it's not downtown — and if part of your group has never been, coordinating a dozen separate cars through the southwest side on a race evening adds a layer of confusion that a single bus eliminates completely. The bus picks up from your location, whether that's a hotel on the Highway 99 corridor, a parking lot in central Bakersfield, or anywhere in between, and handles the southwest Bakersfield navigation to Raceway Blvd without anyone in the group following directions on their phone in an unfamiliar part of town.

2026 Events at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway Worth Renting a Party Bus For

The fall and winter schedule at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway runs deep, with both the asphalt oval and the Bakersfield Speedway clay oval hosting events through December. Here's what's on the calendar from August 2026 forward:

• Mike Moshier Classic — August 29 (Dirt Track, Bakersfield Speedway). A named annual classic on the one-third-mile clay oval drawing IMCA and sprint car divisions for a special event night format.
• HotPit Autofest Drift Show — September 12 (Asphalt Oval). Drift exhibitions, a burnout box competition, VIP showcase displays, and a vendor midway on the paved half-mile — a non-traditional race night that works for groups who want the event atmosphere without tracking a specific racing series.
• First Responders Night — September 19 (Asphalt Oval). NASCAR Limited Pro Late Models, INEX Legends, Crown Vics, Spec Racers, Super Moto competition, and Auto Soccer on the same bill — one of the fuller multi-discipline programs of the fall season on the asphalt track.
• USCS Sprint Cars Night — September 12 (Dirt Track, Bakersfield Speedway). USCS Sprint Cars headline the clay oval program, running concurrently with the HotPit Autofest Drift Show on the asphalt side — a two-track event night.
• Budweiser Nationals — October 9–10 (Dirt Track, Bakersfield Speedway). A two-day event on the clay oval featuring IMCA Modifieds, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, and American Stocks. Two-day events are the most common reason groups book multi-night transportation — one bus for back-to-back nights instead of coordinating separate carpools twice.
• Agriculture Night — October 10 (Asphalt Oval). The NASCAR Limited Pro Late Models and Spec Racers championship finales, plus INEX Legends, Crown Vics, and a Chain Racer Figure-8 to close the night.
• October Classic featuring CARS Tour West — October 17 (Asphalt Oval). The CARS Tour West Pro and Limited Pro Late Model divisions on the half-mile, plus INEX Legends and Crown Vics championship finales and a demolition derby finish. One of the marquee touring-series nights of the fall.
• ARCA Menards Series West NAPA Auto Parts 150 / Haunted Night of Destruction — October 31 (Asphalt Oval). The biggest racing event of the fall at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway — the ARCA West field on the half-mile paved oval paired with enduro, figure-8, skid plate, drag-a-boat, jet car exhibition, and a fireworks finale. This is the highest-demand night of the year on the asphalt track. Book early.
• 10-4 Magazine Trucker Rodeo & Show — November 7–8 (Asphalt Oval). Show trucks, rolling smoke displays, industry vendors, and live entertainment across a full weekend — a group event that draws automotive and trucking enthusiasts for both days.
• LiUNA Local 220 Monster Truck Bash — November 14 (Asphalt Oval). Monster truck competition, freestyle runs, and ride-along experiences. Consistently the biggest family-group draw on the fall calendar and the most common first race-night experience for groups bringing kids.
• Jason Leffler Memorial — November 24 (Dirt Track, Bakersfield Speedway). USAC National Midgets close the clay oval season with the Leffler Memorial — a nationally recognized USAC event and the marquee night of the Bakersfield Speedway year.
• Christmas Night of Destruction — December 5 (Asphalt Oval). NASCAR Crown Vics, enduro, figure-8, skid plate, drag-a-boat, and fireworks — one of the most-attended destruction events of the year and a popular end-of-year group outing.

What Size Bus Fits Your Kern Raceway Group?

The key variable at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway that's different from most venue trips: the dwell time is long. Spectator gates open at 4:00 PM, the program runs through 10:00 PM, and your bus is reserved for the full window — pickup before gates, staged during the race program, and return after the stands clear. That's typically a 7-to-8-hour reservation, and it makes the per-person cost math work out better than most groups expect when you compare it to gas, parking coordination, and the question of who drives home.

Here's how the vehicle options fit a Kern Raceway race night:

For groups up to 14, a 14-passenger Sprinter limo or a Sprinter van handles the group in one vehicle without paying for seats that stay empty. Good for small friend groups or work groups who want everyone together without full charter-bus economics.

For groups of 15 to 35, a 15-to-35 passenger minibus is the right fit — comfortable reclining seats, powerful A/C for the warm September and October evenings, and enough room that nobody's on top of each other during the long dwell window. Weekend hourly rates run $200–$275, with full-day options from $1,100–$2,150 depending on vehicle and event.

For groups who want the pre-race energy on the ride out, a party bus in the 20-to-50-passenger range brings built-in LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, and flat-panel TVs to the ride down Raceway Blvd. A 25-passenger party bus runs $275–$375 per hour on weekends; a 40-passenger party bus runs $325–$500 per hour on peak weekend nights. For destruction derbies and the Monster Truck Bash especially, the build-up on the way out is part of the night — the party bus format fits those events well.

For groups of 40 or more, a 40-to-56-passenger charter bus moves the full group in one vehicle, with deep undercarriage bays for any gear, reclining seats, climate control, onboard restrooms for a long round trip, and WiFi. Hourly rates run $200–$350 both weekday and weekend. Across 50 people on an 8-hour race-night window, the per-head figure often lands between $30 and $60 — usually less than what two separate gas stops and a post-race rideshare surge would run across a caravan of cars.

Kern Raceway Charter Bus and Party Bus Rental Prices

Pricing for a Bakersfield party bus or charter bus to Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway moves with the vehicle size, the total rental hours, and your pickup location. Partybusbakersfield.net connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Bakersfield and the surrounding region, and you can see planning rates from available vehicles in under a minute — no account required, no obligation.

To give you an idea of what a race-night rental looks like: a group of 32 books a minibus for the October Classic featuring CARS Tour West on October 17. Pickup at 3:30 PM from a hotel near central Bakersfield, at the Raceway Blvd lot by 4:00 PM gates-open, staged through the evening, and a return run after the stands clear around 10:30 PM — roughly a 7-hour reservation. A 35-passenger minibus for 7 hours at weekend rates of $200–$275 per hour comes to approximately $1,400–$1,925.

Split among 32 people, that's roughly $44–$60 per person for a full race night with the cross-city drive handled both ways. Actual pricing shifts with the specific vehicle, your exact route, and availability on that date — the online form or a call to 661-829-1742 gets you numbers tied to your event in about a minute.

See the Bakersfield party bus prices page for a fuller look at planning ranges across all vehicle types, or call 661-829-1742 any time for a quick, no-obligation quote.

Race Night Tips for Groups Visiting Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway

A few things every group should know before race night at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway, pulled from the track's own published information:

• Gate times. Spectator gates open at 4:00 PM on most race nights. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM for competitors. Hot laps begin at 5:00 PM, heat races kick off at 6:00 PM, and main events run through approximately 10:00 PM. Times can vary by event — confirm the specific schedule for your night on the official site before your bus departs. Plan your pickup window to arrive just after 4:00 PM to take full advantage of the gate-open-to-finish window.
• Parking is free. Spectator parking at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway costs nothing and sits at the north end of the property past the main entrance. Handicap parking is available on site. No pre-purchased pass is required for spectator lots.
• No outside food or coolers. Both the asphalt track events and Bakersfield Speedway dirt nights prohibit outside food and beverages. Concessions at the facility include tacos, hot dogs, loaded fries, nachos, ice cream, and standard drinks — enough to cover a full six-hour race evening without hauling anything in from outside.
• Ear protection is optional but worth packing for paved oval nights with full-field ARCA or CARS Tour West cars at speed on the half-mile. The grandstands get loud, especially in the turns. A pair of earplugs in your pocket is cheap insurance for anyone in the group who's noise-sensitive.
• Admission prices vary by event. For Bakersfield Speedway dirt track nights, adults typically run $20–$45 depending on the event, kids 6–12 run $12–$15, and children 5 and under enter free. For asphalt track events — ARCA nights, CARS Tour West, and special events — check the Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway events page for event-specific pricing and purchase options, as marquee nights may differ from standard admissions.
• Camping is available for select special events only. For high-demand multi-day events like the Budweiser Nationals on the dirt track, camping may be offered on site. Contact the Bakersfield Speedway directly at (661) 393-3373 or through bakersfieldspeedway.com for details if your group is traveling from out of the area.
• Set your post-race pickup at 10:30 PM. The program wraps around 10:00 PM, and your bus can be staged nearby during the event. Coordinating a specific pickup window before the race — rather than figuring it out at 10 PM in a darkening lot — is the single most important logistical step for a smooth race-night exit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway

Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Kern Raceway?

Spectator parking — and the primary access point for all arriving visitors — is at the north end of the track past the main entrance on Raceway Blvd. A charter bus or party bus follows the same main entrance approach and parks in the spectator lot with the general vehicle flow. For a large-group visit or a multi-bus situation, a quick call to the track at (661) 866-5777 before your event confirms the best approach for your vehicle size and lets parking staff prepare for the arrival.

Is parking free for a charter bus at Kern Raceway?

Spectator parking at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway is free, and the lot accommodates roughly 2,000 vehicles across the 120-acre property. There's no published per-vehicle parking fee for oversized vehicles. Calling the track in advance for any large group or oversized vehicle is worth it so the access flow is confirmed and there's no guessing at a closed lane when the lot is full.

How long is a race night at Kern Raceway?

Spectator gates open at 4:00 PM, hot laps run at 5:00 PM, heat races begin at 6:00 PM, and the program wraps around 10:00 PM — a six-hour on-site window. With a pre-event pickup and a post-race return run, a full race-night bus reservation typically covers 7 to 8 hours from curb to curb. Build that into your quote request so the price reflects your realistic timeline and there's no gap between when the gates close and when the bus is available.

Which vehicle is right for my group size?

Up to 14 people: a Sprinter limo or Sprinter van. Fifteen to 35 people: a minibus gives you comfortable reclining seats and A/C for the full evening. Groups in the 20-to-50 range wanting the rolling pre-race atmosphere: a party bus with LED lighting and Bluetooth sound.

Groups of 40 or more: a full charter bus with undercarriage storage, onboard restrooms, and WiFi for the long round trip. See the full vehicle overview or call 661-829-1742 for a recommendation based on your headcount and event date.

What is the biggest event to rent a bus for at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway?

The ARCA Menards Series West NAPA Auto Parts 150 on October 31 is the highest-demand single night on the asphalt track — ARCA West racing plus enduro, figure-8, jet car exhibition, and fireworks on the same bill. The Budweiser Nationals (October 9–10) on the clay oval is the biggest multi-day dirt event of the year. Both dates fill the right-size vehicles earliest, so booking as soon as your date is confirmed is the move for those weekends.

How far in advance should I book a bus to Kern Raceway?

For the October events — especially October 17 (CARS Tour West), October 31 (ARCA), and the October 9–10 Budweiser Nationals — book as soon as your date is set. October at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway stacks four major events across three weekends, and that's the window where group bus demand runs highest. For regular Saturday nights on the dirt track and standard asphalt programs outside those marquee dates, two to four weeks of lead time is usually workable — but earlier always means better options.

Call 661-829-1742 or use the online form to check availability for your specific date.

Can I rent a bus for back-to-back nights at the Budweiser Nationals?

Yes. Multi-night reservations for the Budweiser Nationals (October 9–10) or any back-to-back event combination can be arranged. Mention the full itinerary — both nights, both pickup and return windows — when you request your quote so the right vehicle is confirmed for each evening's schedule.

Are tickets available at the gate or does the group need to buy in advance?

Tickets for dirt track nights at Bakersfield Speedway are available at the gate on race day, with admission running $20–$45 for adults and $12–$15 for kids 6–12 depending on the event; children 5 and under are free. For asphalt track events including ARCA and CARS Tour West nights, check the event-specific listings on kernraceway.com/events before your group commits to seats, as marquee-event pricing may differ from standard admission rates.

Can the bus wait for us during the full race program?

Yes. The bus is reserved as a block of hours, so it parks in the free spectator lot during the event and stages for your arranged post-race pickup — no gap between the checkered flag and your ride home. Set your pickup window to 10:30 PM when you book so the bus is already positioned when your group walks out.

That coordination upfront is what separates a smooth post-race exit from standing in a dark, emptying lot waiting for a rideshare.

Book Your Charter Bus or Party Bus to Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway

Whether your group is heading to the ARCA Menards Series West on October 31, the clay oval for the Jason Leffler Memorial in November, the Monster Truck Bash on November 14, or a regular Saturday night on the Bakersfield Speedway dirt track, Partybusbakersfield.net makes it easy to compare party buses, charter buses, and minibuses serving Bakersfield and find what fits your group's size and race-night timeline. The free parking at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway takes one variable off the table — the bus drops your group at the north-end lot, stages through the event, and picks everyone up when the stands clear at ten, while the rest of the lot figures out where it parked in the dark.

Call 661-829-1742 any time to get pricing for your event date, or use the online form for estimates in about a minute. Also planning a group trip to another Bakersfield event venue? The Dignity Health Arena group transportation guide covers drop-off and parking for arena events downtown, and the Kern County Fairgrounds transportation guide walks through the fairgrounds approach for concerts and fair-week trips.