Team History
The Sawyer Racing legacy began when Kelly Sawyer of Bakersfield, California built his first street stock in 1980. In the next thirteen years of racing Kelly's number 98 won the Street Stock Championship. Kelly later moved up to the Late Model Division (known as pro-mod's at the time). Kelly now acts as mechanic and engineer for Robby's car.

Kelly SawyerKelly uses a common sense approach to chassis setup as well as his racing knowledge. It's all about percentages, weight, springs and car set up. Kelly states that all the elements including track conditions and the driver's seat time are in order to have a competitive car.


 


 
 
 

 

Early Racing Photos
Brief Description Click to enlarge.
 

Pro- mod at the Budweiser Facility Budweiser & Promod
Budweiser racecar photo shoot - Bakersfield's Hart Park Bud car photo shoot
Sawyer works on car - Mike Sawyer and Mike Corwin looking on.
 Sawyer Pits
   
Kelly and Willy in those younger days - Bakersfield Pits. Kelly & Willy in pits
Kelly's first car - 1969 Cutlass.
Car purchased for $200.00. Stripped car in a weekend in front yard of our house and went racing in two weeks.		 First Race Car
First night out...grey Nova. Kelly wins his heat race at Speedway. The Grey Nova
Post Race: Bench Racing - friends visit Kelly in pits. Recognize anyone? Visiting with friends in pits
Kelly receives award from Jerry Holder during Bakersfield Speedway award ceremony.
Nice shirt Kelly!		 Kelly receives award from Holder
Sawyer Wins Turkey Classic in Pearsonville. Kelly won cash and a turkey for Thanksgiving the family's Thanksgiving dinner! Kelly wins at Pearsonville
Bakersfield, Driver introductions of Kelly Sawyer - promod #98! Kelly promod - driver introductions
Kelly racing Street Stock against Don Galloway early 80s. Kelly racing Don Galloway
Kelly and Todd Mayfied. Early 80s. Wow they look young! Kelly & Todd - early 80s
Kelly's first trophy dash win...his trophy girl was "Little Miss Kern County". First Trophy Dash Win
Having fun at the races...once again... Kelly comes to track as the "unknown driver" pictured here with speedway officials. The unknown driver
Kelly first year racing. New paint on oldsmobile ...notice the flannel shirt. Hey where was the fire suits back then? Kelly racing
Racing Speedway early 80's in the car that earned the "Best Appearing Award" and $25 cash! Best Appearing Car
The normal saturday night...kids in the pits after the races Robby into the sodas and standing far right. Kids in Pits
Kelly is cleaning the mud (clay?) off the car after wheel packin...in the early promod days. Cleaning off the mud
Bakersfield Speedway heat race...is that a Ferris behind Kelly? Orange ss racing
1981 Official Speedway Program. 1981 program
1982 Official Speedway Program 1982 Program
The famous Santa Maria Speedway and driver their introductions to the crowd. A class act! Santa Maria driver introductions
Kelly visits with Gary Jacobs after the evening's race at Bakersfield Speedway - early 80s. Kelly and Gary Jacobs
Kelly reading as Robby looks on...hey what happened to the Sesame Street books? Kelly read with Robby
Bud Nationals early 80s - Santa Maria drivers (Danny Simpkins) and others use Sawyer's garage to work on their cars. One race car...ok...but four! What fun we had! Santa Maria drivers at Sawyers
Kern County Fair Car Show - Sawyer enters promod with "Just Say No to Drugs" campaign. Say No To Drugs
Early 80s heat race at Speedway. Early 80s heat race