Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Petaluma Speedway, Ukiah Speedway, Antioch Speedway, Siskiyou Golden Speedway, Madera Speedway, More

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Terrell Wins Johnny Soares Classic, 
Slaney Top Dog At Petaluma Speedway

Petaluma, CA...August 22...Bradley Terrell won the 30 lap Johnny Soares Classic for the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints and Hunt Wingless Sprints Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway. This was the Ninth Annual Johnny Soares Classic, paying tribute to the longtime Petaluma Speedway promoter. This was the second win in this race for Terrell. Covid-19 guidelines meant fans could not attend, but the race was broadcast online at Flo Racing.

Shayna Ensign was forced to vacate her third row starting spot as she pitted before the start with a flat tire, and fellow past Petaluma champion Sparky Howard loaded up early. Looking for his third win in this event, three-time Hunt Series champion Terry Schank Jr jumped into the early lead ahead of Matt Streeter.  Scott Clough hit the back wall for a Lap 5 yellow flag, and Nick Robfogel settled into second behind Schank on the restart. However, Robfogel and Matt Stewart got together in Turn 2 to for a Lap 9 yellow flag. Terrell found himself second on the restart and made a strong move on the outside in Turn 2 to take the lead away from Schank. The final 20 laps went without incident, and Terrell built a big lead as he masterfully worked his way through traffic. Schank held on to second ahead of Streeter, but championship hopeful Daniel Whitley got past Streeter for third on Lap 14. Whitley soon closed in on Schank and begin battling him as they worked slower traffic. Schank was doing a good job until getting boxed in behind a slower car in Turn 2 on Lap 29. Whitley went to the outside and got by Schank for second. However, Terrell held a straightaway advantage over Whitley at the checkered flag. Schank settled for third, followed by DJ Johnson, David Lindt II, Dylan Bloomfield, Streeter, Boy Moniz, Josh Young and Ensign.

Stewart was the quickest of 25 qualifiers with a lap of 14.864, beating the 14.986 of Ensign. They ran four 10 lap heat races with wins going to Robfogel, Ensign, Lindt and Terrell. They made the decision to run all of the drivers in the Main Event rather than run a B Main. 

Anthony Slaney won the 30 lap McLea's Tire Service IMCA Modified Main Event. This was the Top Dog Nationals, and the win paid Slaney $1,000 aboard his Xtreme Scaffolding sponsored Modified. This was the fourth win for Slaney, who continues to lead the point standings. Trevor Brady had a career best second place finish, earning him $500.

Despite competition from another track running a big race, there were still 12 IMCA Modifieds for this show. Five-time reigning champion Oreste Gonella jumped into the early lead over Brady and Slaney. Contact between Brady and Slaney in Turn 4 on Lap 4 and allowed seven-time champion Michael Paul Jr to move by both of them for second. Moments later, Brady stalled in Turn 4 for a yellow flag. Paul moved past Gonella for the lead on the restart at Slaney maintained third. By the 11th lap, Paul held a straightaway advantage over Gonella, but that lead was wiped out when Jerry Roy Jr stalled on the frontstretch for a yellow flag. Two restart attempts failed, the first when David Spriggs spun and the second when fourth place Steve Studebaker got out of shape, resulting in Spriggs and Roy tangling behind him. Paul continued to lead the restart as Slaney slipped past Gonella for second. An inside move on the frontstretch on lap 13 put Studebaker into third, and Gonella saw his run come to an end as he stalled in Turn 3 for a Lap 14 yellow flag. Paul continued to lead Slaney and Studebaker on the ensuing restart, but another yellow flag waved on Lap 17. On this restart, Slaney got a run on the inside on Paul, and there was slight contact exiting Turn 4. Slaney emerged with the lead as Studebaker maintained third. Studebaker stalled on the front straightaway for a Lap 21 yellow flag. On this restart, Paul got a bit out of shape exiting Turn 4 and made contact with Slaney's right rear. Paul ended up with front end damage as his race came to an end for a Lap 24 yellow flag. Slaney led Brady and Roy on the restart, and they finished in that order. Michelle Paul finished fourth, followed by Jim Weiler, Justin Yeager, Gary Zwicker, Spriggs, Michael Paul Jr and Studebaker. Eight lap heat race wins went to Spriggs and Slaney.

Jim Beck won the 20 lap Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Main Event. The multi-time champion had a pair of second place finishes, but this was his first win of the year. Hoping to get his second-straight victory, George Nielson set the early pace ahead of Kyle Grissom and Danny Carroll. Carroll went low in Turn 4 on the third lap to take second from Grissom, and Grissom stalled in Turn 2 for a Lap 4 yellow flag. Nielson continued to lead Carroll and reigning champion Justin Adiego on the restart. An outside pass on the backstretch of the seventh lap gained Carroll the lead, and Beck went low in Turn 3 take second from Nielson. An inside pass in Turn 3 on Lap 9 gained Beck the lead, and Carroll's run came to an end on the backstretch for a Lap 11 yellow flag. Beck continued to lead Nielson and Adiego on the restart. They finished in that order as the rest of the race went without incident. Carroll Mendenhall finished fourth, followed by Shiloh Borland, Sam Borland, Savannah Brown, Rob Brown, Trevor Mendenhall and Amber Fields. Eight lap heat race wins were earned by Grissom and Carroll. 

To accommodate the cameras for Flo Racing internet pay-per-view, racing returns this Sunday with a Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series event, being sponsored by Joe Carr Racing. Also competing will be the PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Cars, General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars and Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com or check out the Petaluma Speedway Facebook page.


Flowers, Hudson, Braaten, Steele, Smith Win 
At Siskiyou Golden Speedway

Yreka, CA...August 22...Scott Flowers won the 30 lap Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Saturday night at Siskiyou Golden Speedway. This was the first win of the season for the current point leader and reigning division champion. Due to covid-19 guidelines, fans were not allowed in the grandstands, but the track streamed all of the action for free on their Facebook page.

While Flowers lined up in the last row, Dennis Burtenhouse Jr had the outside front row and charged into the lead at the start, followed by Colby Hammond. An outside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 2 gained Matt Harlow second. A Lap 6 yellow flag flew when Jeff Haudenshild spun in Turn 2. Burtenhouse continued to lead Harlow and Hammond on the restart as James Flowers settled into fourth. An outside pass on the backstretch of the seventh lap gained Harlow the lead, but Burtenhouse went low in Turn 4 a lap later to regain first. James Flowers made a Turn 4 pass on Hammond to gain third, and James Flowers and Rick Lukens shuffled Harlow out of the Top 3 on Lap 14. An inside pass on the backstretch of the 16th lap put Lukens into second as Scott Flowers was up to fourth. As Burtenhouse continued to do a good job leading the way, Scott Flowers made a low pass in Turn 3 on Lap 18 to take third from his son James. Darek Alford spun in Turn 2 for a Lap 21 yellow flag. Scott Flowers made a strong move on the outside on the restart lap and emerged out of Turn 4 with the lead as they came across the line to complete the lap. James Flowers made a Turn 1 pass on Burtenhouse for second on Lap 23 with Lukens following into third. Burtenhouse spun for the final yellow flag on Lap 23. Scott Flowers led James Flowers and Lukens on the restart, but Lukens went low in Turn 4 on Lap 25 to take second. Lukens closed in on Scott Flowers, but Flowers stayed smooth and scored the victory. James Flowers settled for third, fallowed by Haudenshild, Harlow, Johnny Cobb, Hammond, Alford and Burtenhouse. Eight lap heat race wins went to Alford and Cobb.

Jeffrey Hudson won the 15 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Hudson was driving the Don Romer car. He nearly had the big $1,500 victory on July 3rd before having problems late. On this occasion, Hudson shared the front row with past Yreka and Medford champion Albert Gill. Hudson charged into the lead as point leader Travis Peery began pressuring Gill for second. The race went without incident, and Hudson hit all of his marks to win comfortably. Gill held off every challenge from Peery to have a season best second as reigning champion Duane Orsburn finished fourth, followed by James Welschonse and Jeremy Crebs. Hudson also won the eight lap heat race.

Jorddon Braaten won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the current leader, and he won in dominant fashion. Rookie Ryan Peery led a pair of laps before spinning in Turn 2 for a yellow flag. Championship contender Mike Medel had to take evasive actions off of the track in Turn 2 to avoid contact. On the restart, there was a brief tussle between Braaten and reigning champion Ethan Killingsworth for the lead. However, Braaten had the lead by the time the lap was completed. From there, he stretched his advantage to half a lap as Killingsworth ran a solid second. Peery recovered nicely as he settled into third. The fourth place battle was close, but Braaten managed to lap all three of those cars before the checkered flag waved. Braaten won ahead of Killingsworth and Peery. Randy Wright held off Medel and 2018 champion Trevor Tiffee for the fourth place finish as they finished in order. Colt Boswell and Jace Wright completed the finishing order. Braaten and Peery won their respective eight lap heat races.

David Steele won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This was the third win of the season for the 2015 Yreka and two-time reigning Medford champion. Steele shared the front row with teammate Steve Goetz and settled into the early lead. A high pass in Turn 4 of the fourth lap gained Kassidy Wilkinson third from three-time reigning champion Mike Whitaker. Ashtin Hedges moved past Whitaker for fourth on the backstretch on Lap 9, and a Lap 10 yellow flag flew when rookie Paige Boswell spun in Turn 4. Steele continued to lead the restart as Wilkinson made a strong outside move around Goetz for second. Unfortunately, Wilkinson spun on the backstretch for a Lap 11 yellow flag. Steele led Goetz and Hedges on the next restart, but three-time champion Marilyn Yawnick spun in Turn 2 for a Lap 12 yellow flag. The rest of the race ran without incident as Steele led the way and pulled away to a half straightaway advantage in victory. Hedges battled Goetz for the second position until making an inside pass on the backstretch on the final lap to grab the spot. Goetz settled for third, followed by Hunter Magnan, Whitaker, Yawnick, Terry Alford Sr, Boswell and Wilkinson. Steele and Goetz won their respective eight lap heat races.

JJ Smith won the 10 lap Jefferson State Jalopies Main Event. Smith also won the eight lap heat race over Ron Morris to complete the sweep. The four Jalopies currently competing were all built by Smith and Karl Bernstein. Smith charged into lead at the start of the race ahead of reigning champion Marilyn Yawnick. By the halfway point, Smith held a straightaway advantage over Yawnick with Morris running a solid third. Bernstein was lapped late at Smith won ahead of Yawnick, Morris and Bernstein.

The Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars are scheduled to appear this Saturday night along with the Mini Stocks and Jefferson State Jalopies. Any schedule adjustments or other news can be found at the Siskiyou Golden Speedway Facebook page.


Lovel, Tour Win At Ukiah Speedway

Ukiah, CA... August 22...Mike Lovell Sr won the 45 lap Limited modified Main Event Saturday night at Ukiah Speedway. Lovell was making his first appearance of the season, and the race was destined to go without a yellow flag. Due to a covid-19 guidelines, fans are still not allowed in attendance, but the race was broadcast for free on the track's Facebook page.

Roy Ingalls Jr moved into the early lead over Kylei Keown. A low pass in Turn 4 of the fourth lap put Lovell into second, and he made an outside pass down the backstretch on Lap 8 to take the lead from Ingalls. Point leader Jason Philpot was fourth and made an outside pass down the frontstretch on Lap 9 to get past Ingalls for second. As Lovell ran a smooth race just ahead of Philpot, Mike Doss closed in on Ingalls in the race for third. A high-pass in Turn 2 on Lap 20 gained Doss the third position. Lovell led the non-stop race all the way to the checkered flag, followed by Philpot, Doss, Jared Martin, Ingalls, Tyler Caturegli, Keown, Loren Powers Jr, Dennis Anderson and Bo Robertson.

Doss was the quickest of 10 qualifiers on the quarter-mile paved oval with a lap of 13.743, beating the 13.753 of Philpot. Philpot and Martin won their respective 10 lap heat races, and Keown won the four lap Trophy Dash.

Charlie Tour won the 45 lap Bombers Main Event. This was the second win of the year for the current point leader. Josh Smith raced into the early lead. The yellow flag waved after one lap for Brenton Smith, who saw his race come to an end in Turn 4. Josh Smith continued to lead Raymond Taylor and Brandon Powers on the restart. Powers made a backstretch pass on Taylor to grab second on Lap 5 with Semi Tour following closely into third. Charley Tour settled into fourth on Lap 10, and a low pass in Turn 3 on Lap 11 gained Brandon Powers the lead. Charley Tour made a big inside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 12 to grab second and slipped past Powers on the back stretch on Lap 13 to take the lead. Loren Powers Jr and Semi Tour shuffled Brandon Powers out of the Top 3 on Lap 27. The Top 3 ran in that order for the next several laps, and Brandon Powers spun for a Lap 36 yellow flag. Charley Tour continued to lead Loren Powers Jr and Semi Tour on the restart. Following a spin on the backstretch that forced a yellow flag on Lap 38, Loren Powers Jr ducked into the pits from second just prior to the restart. Charley Tour led the rest of the way for the win with Semi Tour finishing second, followed by Roy ingalls Jr, Josh Smith, Brandon Powers, Taylor, B Bomber point leader Dave Land Jr, Loren Powers Jr, Bradley Dale and Nate Hoben.

Charley Tour set the fast time of 14.656, beating the 14.676 of Loren Powers Jr. Drew Smith and Brenton Smith were the 10 lap heat race winners with Josh Smith claiming the four lap Trophy Dash win.

Charles Sanchez won the 30 lap Junior Jammers Main Event. The point leader took the lead from TJ Sorrels on a Lap 2 restart with Pro.Jammers competitor Elizabeth ingalls following into second. Sanchez led Ingalls the rest of the way for the victory. Sorrels battled Charles French for third before French gained the position on Lap 8 and finished there. Sorrels settled for fourth ahead of Kendra Land. Sanchez was the fastest Junior Jammers qualifier at 17.091, and he also won the 10 lap heat race and four lap Trophy Dash for the clean sweep.

Tia Everett won the 20 lap Jalopy Main Event. This was her first win of the year. The Jalopies run on the infield dirt track. John Parker raced into the early lead ahead of point leader Jack Schlief. Schlief made a an inside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 3 to take the lead from Parker as Everett settled into third. Everett moved past Parker for second on Lap 7. When Schlief got caught up in traffic on Lap 16, Everett moved by for the lead. Schlief recovered in second, but Everett had a good lead by then. Sorna Li made a late move around Parker for third, and Everett won ahead of Schlief, Li, John Parker, Brooke Fallai, Devon Parker, Martin Tucker, Amber Robertson and Josh Bolton. Parker and Bolton won the 10 lap heat races. 

Racing returns on September 6th with an Upstate Bomber race. Also competing will be the Limited Modifieds, Jammers and Jalopies. For further information, go to the Ukiah Speedway Facebook page.


Zampa, Brown Win MavTV Taped Event At Madera Speedway

Madera, CA...August 22...Dylan Zampa won the 80 lap Nut Up Pro Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Madera Speedway. This was his first win in 18 months, and this comes on the heels of his season best third place finish at the previous Pro Late Model race. This was a taped event for MavTV, and thanks to nutupindustries.com, the track gave away the broadcast for free for all to see on their YouTube page. 

There were 15 competitors for this event. Point leader Buddy Shepherd was the quickest qualifier on the 1/3 mile paved at 14.884, beating the 14.944 of Ryan Philpott. Championship contender Ross Strmiska had a 14.976, just beating the 14.977 of Parker Malone and the 14.980 of Joey Iest.

The Main Event turned out to be one of the smoothest run races of the season so far. Zampa had a front row start and charged into the early lead ahead of Blaine Rocha. Strmiska made a high pass in Turn 2 on Lap 2 to take the second position away, and Shepherd made an outside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 6 to move into third. As Zampa had a decent lead, Shepherd began a close battle for second that went on for about 20 laps. Shepherd finally went low in Turn 2 on Lap 28 to take the second position away from Strmiska as Rocha and Iest battled for fourth. At the lap 50 break, Zampa led Shepherd, Strmiska, Rocha and Iest.

The battle figured to be close for the second segment as three-time winner Shepherd was looking to add another trophy to his mantle place. As Zampa led Shepherd, Strmiska and Rocha ran closely behind them at first. Philpott settled into fifth. Rick Thompson spun for a Lap 69 yellow flag. Joey Iest settled into fifth on the restart, and Zampa began getting some serious pressure from Shepherd on the restart. Shepherd kept taking looks to the inside of Zampa, but Zampa was always quick to close the door. Zampa went on to score the impressive victory ahead of Shepherd and Strmiska. Rocha was a solid fourth, and recent Madera Late Model feature winner Sheldon Cooper made a late move to finish fifth.

Cole Brown won the 70 Lap 51fifty Energy Drink Junior Late Model Main Event. This was his first win, and he becomes the third different winner of the season. Brown has been getting help from the Doss Racing Team, and he's rapidly improved as a result. Brown gave an early indication of things to come by setting the fast time of 14.999. He becomes the first Junior Late Model driver to break into the 14 second bracket. Incoming point leader Bradley Erickson was second quick at 15.076, beating the 15.125 of Jake Bollman, the 15.160 of Kercie Jung and the 15.257 of Cassidy Hinds.

Looking for his first win, Bollman set the early pace ahead of Brown and Jung. Erickson had to work his way into the Top 5, making a low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 9 to take fifth from Kabe McClenny. Erickson made a similar move a lap later to take fourth from Hinds. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 25 moved Erickson past Jung. Meanwhile, Bollman was getting plenty of pressure from Brown, who finally made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 28 to take the lead. A yellow flag flew when Hailey Liles spun in Turn 4 on Lap 29. Erickson moved past Bollman for second on the restart as Brown led the way. At the 40 lap break, Brown led Erickson, Jung, Bollman and McClenny.

Brown looked very strong in the waning laps of the first segment, and two-time winner Erickson knew he had his work cut out for him. When the green flag waved, Brown motored ahead. Unfortunately for Erickson, he wasn't able to keep pace with Brown, who built a straightaway advantage by the time the checkered flag flew. Erickson drove a good race and finished second with Jung grabbing another podium in third. Bollman and Brody Armtrout completed the Top 5 at the checkered flag.

Jeffrey Erickson won the 25 lap Bandalero Main Event. This was the fifth-straight win for the current point leader as he found formidable competition from Caden Cordova on this occasion. The Bandoleros and the Mini Cups run their feature race together. Cordova was the fastest Bandalero at 17.885, beating the 18.183 of Joey Kennealy. It was Harley Kennealy topping the Mini Cup qualifiers at 18.135, beating the 18.424 of point leader Rebecca Dubie. Harley and Rebecca had a race long battle for fourth and top Mini Cup finisher.

As the Bandoleros have a slight speed advantage, they start in front of the Mini Cups and are generally the ones racing for the overall win. Cordova raced into the lead at the start ahead of Erickson. Cardova left the door open a little too far as they went into Turn 3 on Lap 7, and Erickson moved past to take the lead. At that point, Harley Kennealy was leading Dubie for the Top Mini Cup finisher, but Dubie moved by for the position on Lap 12. Bella Thompson brought out a Lap 15 yellow flag, and Erikson led Cordova, Joey Kennealy, Dubie and Harley Kennealy on that restart. Cordova was giving Erickson everything he could, and he ended up spinning on Lap 24 for a yellow flag. Because they put the Bandoleros in front of the Mini Cup cars on the restarts, Cordova was able to make another challenge as he moved past Joey Kennealy for second. However, it was Jeffrey Erickson getting the win ahead of Cardova and Joey Kennealy. Harley Kennealy was able to take the fourth position and top Mini Cup spot on the last restart, and Dubie spun in the final turn trying to regain the position as they completed the Top 5 in the overall finish.

Nick Halen won the 30 lap Legends of the Pacific Main Event. This was only their second appearance of the season, and Halen won the previous race as well. Halen led from the start ahead of Eddie Garone and Bandelero racer Wyatt Sansom. Ethan Nascimento moved past Sansom for third on Lap 2. A yellow flag flew on Lap 6 for Carlee Austin and Raymond Casey in Turn 2. Halen continued to lead Garone and Nascimento on the restart as Kevin Travels settled into fourth. A red flag waved when Top 5 contender Michael Stearns hit the Turn 4 wall and had his front end clipped by another car. Fortunately, he was not injured. Halen continued to lead Garone and Nascimento on the restart. However, Halen pulled away to a wide margin of victory at the checkered flag. In the close battle for second, Garone and Nascimento made contact. Garone ended up flipping across the finish line in a tight three-car battle that saw Garone end up second ahead of Nascimento, Travels and Sansom. Nascimento was the quickest of 14 qualifiers with a lap of 16.440, beating the 16.531 of Garone.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with the Olga's California Dream 100 Pro Mini Stocks race. The House of JuJu Central Valley Mini Stocks will be there along with the Madera Late Models, Madera Hobby Stocks, MSTs and Toyota's. Thanks to nutupindustries.com, the race will be broadcast for free on the track's YouTube page. For further information, go to www.racemadera.com or check out the Madera Speedway Facebook page.


Chadwick Wins Hetrick Memorial At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...August 22...Kellen Chadwick won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the Fourth Annual Hetrick Memorial race in honor of past Sportsman racer Jerry Hetrick and his wife Mary Ann Hetrick. The win paid Chadwick $1,000 and was particularly special to him. Chadwick viewed Hetrick as a mentor as he was coming up from the Outlaw Karts into IMCA Modified and Late Model racing. Due to the covid-19 guidelines, fans are still not allowed in the grandstands, but this race was broadcast via antiochspeedway.tv.

Chadwick worked his way into the lead and not surprisingly found challenges from four-time champion and current point leader Troy Foulger and 2018 title winner Nick DeCarlo. However, nothing was going to stop Chadwick from claiming the victory. Eight lap heat race winner Foulger settled for second, followed by DeCarlo, Brian Cass, Jim Pettit II, Aaron Crowell, JC Elrod, Shawn DeForest, Jeff Browne and Kimo Oreta. Browne was the other heat race winner. 

Fred Ryland won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The win paid $600 to the two-time reigning Merced Speedway and 2015 Antioch Speedway champion. Ryland has been running a more relaxed schedule that sees him going after some of the bigger money races, and Andrew Peckham has been doing the same. Peckham presented Ryland with his biggest challenge, but Ryland forced Peckham to settle for second. Kenny Shrader was a solid third, followed by 2017 champion KC Keller and championship contender Trevor Clymens. Past Marysville champion Philip Shelby ended up sixth ahead of reigning champion Tommy Fraser, point leader Mark Garner, Andrew Pearce and Kevin Brown. Ryland and Ryan DeForest won the eight lap heat races.

Les Friend won the 20 lap Jay's Mobile Welding Service Hobby Stock Main Event. The win paid $300 to the Placerville point leader. Friend has competed in both IMCA Modifieds and Sport Modifieds at Antioch in recent years, but he was part of the biggest Hobby Stock field of the season on this occasion. In the early going, Friend was challenged by three-time winner Travis Dutra, but Dutra saw his run end early. Forced to run the B Main, James Thomson made a charge from the back of the pack, and he managed to work his way to second behind the flying Friend. Bakersfield racer Cody Johnson finished third, followed by Jason Robles, Domossie Scoggins, Gene Haney, Gavin Griffitts, Jeff Bentancourt, Lori Brown and James Grasselle.

There were 32 Hobby Stocks for this show, giving them five eight lap heat races. The wins were earned by Friend, DJ Keldsen, Johnson, Larry McKenzie and Jim Brookshire. Thompson and Griffitts won their respective 10 lap B Mains.

The IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks will return on September 6th for the third and final round of the George Steitz Big Kahuna Freedom Series. This Saturday night, the Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series will battle the local Super Stocks, joined by the Wingless Spec Sprints, Delta Dwarf Cars and Valley Four Bangers. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Dickinson, Greene, Elam Win At Douglas County Speedway

Roseburg, Oregon...August 22...Ryan Dickinson won the 25 lap PRA Hornet Main Event Saturday afternoon at Douglas County Speedway. Last time, it was father Rich Dickinson scoring the victory, but this time it was son Ryan Dickinson leading all the way for the triumph. Covid-19 guidelines have been loosened up enough for the track to sell 250 tickets to spectators, but the race was also broadcast live for free on 541radio.com.

Ryan Dickinson raced into the lead at the start with Zach Asumendi moving into second on Lap 2. The yellow flag flew when Mini Stock racer Gary Carnes blew a motor on the front straightaway on Lap 4. Ryan Dickinson continued to lead Asumendi on the restart as Ron Johnson settled into third. Haven Smith and Brian Belt tangled in Turn 4 for a Lap 10 yellow flag, and Ryan Dickinson continued to lead Johnson and Andy Nelson on the restart. Rich Dickinson and Asumendi tangled in Turn 3 for a Lap 12 yellow flag. Ryan Dickinson continued to lead Johnson and Nelson on the restart. The Mini Stock of Dale Roth moved into fourth on Lap 16 with Rich Dickinson charging back into fifth by then. Zach Asumendi blew a motor and spun in Turn 4 for a Lap 22 yellow flag. Track cleanup crews went to work on cleanup for the three lap shootout. Ryan Dickinson continued to lead the restart as Nelson moved past Johnson for second. Roth made a good run on the outside and settled into third, making an outside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 24 to take second from Nelson. Roth pulled side by side with Dickinson for a battle to the finish line, but it was Ryan Dickinson beating Roth by a few inches. Nelson settled for third, followed by Johnson, the Mini Stock of Chuck Jacobs, Rich Dickinson, Dylan Grichar, Pete Lemon, Kenny Smith and Valerie West. Heat race wins went to Asumendi, Ryan Dickinson and Roth. There were a total of 19 cars for this race.  

Kyran Greene won the 25 lap PRA Hardtop Main Event. The reigning division champion had a bit of luck on his side for this occasion. Troy Gasner, Greene and previous winter Harlan Cox moved into the first three positions on the second lap, and the trio pulled away from the pack. Greene and Cox both got past Gasner in Turn 2 on Lap 5, and Cox made a Turn 3 pass on Lap 7 to take the lead. Gasner spun on the back straightaway on Lap 16 to bring out a yellow flag. Cox continued to lead Greene on the restart as Brian Smith moved past Donnie Fain for third. Brian Lenihan spun in Turn 2 for a Lap 19 yellow flag. During the caution period, Cox lost power and stalled in Turn 1. His race was over as he joined Lenihan in the pits. Greene had the lead on the restart and steadily pulled away from second place finisher Brian Smith by the time the checkered flag waved. Fain settled for third, followed by Chuck Jacobs, Lenihan, Steve Smith, Cox and Gansner. Greene outran Cox to win the eight lap heat race, and Mike Batman was a Main Event scratch.

Tom Elam won the 35 lap Sport Modified Main Event. The race had just one yellow flag. Riley Watson jumped into the early lead ahead of Nick Hansen and Tom Elam. Contact sent Blake Harvey spinning in Turn 2 for a Lap 2 yellow flag. Watson had just taken the lead from Hansen prior to the slowdown. On the restart, Elam moved past Hansen into second as Riley Watson continued to lead the way. The lead two drivers pulled away as Hansen also began to pull away from John Harvey in the race for third. On Lap 22, Elam pulled up to the back bumper of Watson to present a challenge. and he pulled underneath him going though Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 25. Elam just beat Riley Watson back to the line for the lead. From there, Elam pulled away steadily from Riley Watson for the victory. Hansen settled for third, followed by John Harvey, Brad Watson and Blake Harvey. Elam won the eight lap heat race ahead of John Harvey.

For information on what's next at the speedway, go to www.douglascountyspeedway.com or check out the Douglas County Speedway Facebook page.


Montgomery Gains Point Lead With Win, 
Lehman, Emry, Kellam Coos Bay Winners

Coos Bay, Oregon...August 22....Brody Montgomery won the 25 lap NASCAR America's Mattress Super Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Coos Bay Speedway. This was the first win of the season for the 2018 champion, and he gained the point lead after incoming point leader Jason Johnson was a Main Event scratch. Recent Tidal Wave 50 winner Preston Luckman was going for his fourth win of the season, and after finishing second to Braden Fugate in the 10 lap heat race, he outran Montgomery to win the five lap Trophy Dash. Montgomery started in the second row outside with Luckman lined up behind him. Fugate raced into the early lead, but Montgomery and Luckman soon got by him. Montgomery would go on to win with Luckman settling for second ahead of Fugate, Wayne Butler, Hannah Robison and Mike Taylor.

Blake Lehman won the 25 lap Street Stock Main Event. He became the sixth different winner of the season. Reigning champion Steve Dubisar was on a roll going into the future race after winning the five lap Trophy Dash and his eight lap heat race, both ahead of 2018 Sportsman Late Model champion Dyllan Siewell. Dubisar and four-time winner Graig Osborne lined up in the second row with Lehman starting on the pole. These three drivers battled at the front of the pack with Lehman prevailing at the checkered flag ahead of Osborne and Dubisar. Dubisar gained a little ground on incoming point leader Ken Fox, who finished fifth behind Siewell. The steady Charlie Withers started back in the seventh row and finished sixth, followed by Michael Hollingsworth, Troy Chamberlain, Dustin Hitner and Amanda Solum. Osborne and Lehman were the other eight lap heat race winners.

Ryan Emry won the 20 lap Sportsman Late Model Main Event. This was the second ranked competitor's first win of the season, but he gained little ground on incoming point leader Trace Fugate, who finished second. Fugate started on the front row and battled with Emry before Emry took the lead. Eight lap heat race winner Jared Simmons finished third, followed by Jim Van Loon and Jim Crabtree. Emry claimed five lap Trophy Dash honors.

Jason Kellam won the 20 lap Mini Outlaw Main Event. This was his first win of the season as he becomes the fifth different winner in the class. Kellam also won the eight lap heat race, putting him on the outside front row next to the returning Dan Daniels. Seth Christian came from the third row to present the biggest challenge to Kellam before settling for second over Daniels. Scott Beaudoin finished fourth ahead of previous winner and five lap Trophy Dash winner Tahlen Rogers and incoming point leader Brad Hicks.

Seth Christian won the 20 lap Hornet Main Event. This was his second win of the season in that division, and he nearly pulled off a double win after finishing second in the Mini Outlaw feature. Christian and John Henry lined up in the second row and both got by the front row of Kevin Rockwell and William Hitner. Incoming point leader Isaac Stere came from the fourth row to battle for a Top 3 position. Christian took the checkered flag ahead of Henry, Stere, Hitner, Dan Briesacher, Rockwell, Dusty Singleton, Stephanie Nix, Mike Bales and Kris Parker. It was a clean sweep performance for Christian after he won both his eight lap heat race and the five lap Trophy Dash. Parker was the other heat winner.

Griff Smith continued his domination of the Junior Stingers division by winning the 15 Main Event, five lap Trophy Dash and his eight lap heat race. Smith is the two-time reigning champion and current point leader in the Hornet division for 11 to 14 year olds. Smith started in the second row and quickly moved into the lead. Third row starters Lily Metzgus and Teagan Montgomery battled for a Top 3 position. Smith took the checkered flag ahead of Lily Metzgus, Montgomery, sixth row starter Jordan Wheeler, James Shingleton, Miles Kirns, Drake Vincent, Nicole Emry, Cameron Metzgus and Heather Burton. Montgomery was the other heat race winner, and second ranked Alex Butler was a Main Event scratch after problems in the Trophy Dash

There were eight competitors with the OTRO Hardtop group. Main Event results weren't available, but local Street Stock star Justin Krossman held off Mark Minter and Dean Cast to win the eight lap heat race, while Larry Mudge outran Rick Hillmick for the five lap Trophy Dash win.

NASCAR Whelen All American Series Racing action continues next Saturday night with the Fourth Annual Street Stock Battle At The Beach. The America's Mattress Super Late Models will be back along with the Sportsman Late Models, Mini Outlaws, Hornets and Junior Stingers. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us or check out the Coos Bay Speedway Facebook page.

Winters, Collins, Doss Win At Lakeport Speedway

Lakeport, CA...August 22...Scott Winters won the 30 lap NCRA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Lakeport Speedway.  This was the first regular Lakeport visit of the year for Winters, who is a regular with the North State Modified Series. Robert Schmidt led the opening lap before Richard Knight moved by. Winters quickly moved into contention and passed Knight for the lead on Lap 7. Point leader Mike Sullivan followed into second. Dustin DeRosier and Ian Elliott moved into third and fourth. Elliott grabbed the third position on Lap 15. Winters led the rest of the way to win by nearly a straightaway. Sullivan held off Elliott to finish second as DeRosier, Donovan Cox, Schmidt, Knight and Kevin Coburn completed the finishing order. Winters set the fast time on the quarter mile paved oval at 12.561, beating a 12.764 of Elliott. DeRosier won the four lap Trophy Dash with Sullivan the 10 lap heat race winner.

Mikey Collins won the 30 and lap NCRA Taco Bell Bombers Main Event. This was his fourth win of the season. Jim Kollenborn led early with Collins moving into second on Lap 5. Collins went by Kollenborn for the lead on Lap 6. Eddie Klein moved past Kollenborn for the second position and wasn't too far behind Collins as he would finish second. Kollenborn was the final lead-lap finisher in third, followed by Klinton Waite, Trevor Abella, Amber Portlock and Thomas Esberg. Klein won the four lap Trophy Dash, and Collins held off Klein to win the 10 lap heat race.

Jeremy Doss won the 30 lap NCRA Legend Car Main Event. Doss jumped into the lead at the start and led the entire distance. A Lap 28 yellow flag bunched the field and gave the Daniels siblings a shot at Doss, but he motored ahead when the green flag waved and brought it home to victory. Aiden Daniels held off sister and point leader Kylie Daniels to finish second as David Lee finished fourth, followed by Tom Summers, Nick Reading, Marc Burch, Trey Daniels and Ethan Imperatrice  Aiden Daniels set the fast time of 13.805 beating 13.869 of Doss. Ten lap heat race wins were earned by Summers and Doss, and Kylie Daniels beat Doss in the four lap Trophy Dash to prevent the clean sweep.

Dane Nissen won the 30 lap Late Model Main Event ahead of Cody Winchell and Noel McCormick Jr. There were four cars, but Mike Bourbon scratched after hot laps. Nissen was the fastest qualifier at 12.500 and won both eight lap heat race and four lap Trophy Dash for the clean sweep. 

For further information on coming events, go to the NCRA Lakeport Speedway Facebook page


Henson, James, Fuller, Henson, Humphrey 
Repeat Winners With The Yreka Outlaws

Yreka, CA...August 21...Merissa Henson won the 500 Open Kart Main Event Friday night with the Yreka Outlaws at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds track. Henson is the point leader, and this was her fourth win of the season. Only a second to rookie Cadyn Smith in her first heat race marred an otherwise perfect evening. Henson held off championship rival Dryver Dothage to win the other eight lap heat race and then proceeded to beat Dothage to win the 15 lap Main Event. Randy Simmons finished third ahead of Smith and Taylor Fuller.

Jacob James won his second-straight 250 Outlaw Kart Main Event. The fourth-generation racer started on the pole and held off second row starter and point leader Nicolas Perrin to score the victory. James was one of four different eight lap heat race winners along with Emma Rodgers, Logan McKnight and reigning champion Cale Cunial. It was Cole Cunial holding out brother Cale to finish third in the Main Event. McKnight came from 13th starting to finish fifth in the Main Event, followed by Ryan Hirschbock, Dryver Dothage, Blake Peery, Drew Barry and Rodgers.

Brionna Fuller won the 12 lap UAS Speedway Kart Main Event. This was the third win for the championship contender, and only a second to grandfather Larry Fuller in the first eight lap heat race marred a perfect evening. She held off defending champion Steve Rambo to win the second heat and then beat Rambo in the Main Event. 2016 champion Ed Grubb finished third, followed by Lori Fuller. Larry Fuller was a Main Event scratch.

Carson Henson won his second Box Stock Main Event of the season. Reigning champion Henson and Bentleigh Chapman continue to battle fiercely for the championship, and they exited the evening locked in a tie. Chapman and Henson were the eight lap heat race winners. In the Main Event, Henson got a bigger threat from Mallory Hirschbock, who finished second. Chapman and Albert Gil Jr completed the finishing order. 

Elijah Humphrey won the 15 lap Beginners Box Stock Main Event. It was a sweep of Main Event and both eight lap heat races for Humphrey, but he still finds himself trailing Talia Cilley by 26 points in the championship chase. Liam Tesdale finished second ahead of Colley. Urijah Boardman was a Main Event scratch.

The regular lineup of Outlaw Karts will be back for another show next Friday night. For further information, go to the Yreka Outlaws Facebook page. 


Championship Night At Marysville Raceway On Wednesday

Marysville, CA...When it comes to getting the dirt tracks opened again in California, Marysville Raceway has been a leader in the effort. This Wednesday night will be the tenth and final point race for the Winged 360 Sprint Cars. It will also be broadcast live on floracing.com. Joining the Sprint Cars will be the Pepsi IMCA Sport Modifieds for their final point race, the NorCal Dwarf Cars and the California Hardtops. The track will only allow the first 100 people who show up to pay to spectate due to covid-19 guidelines.

Two-time reigning Placerville Speedway champion Andy Forsberg has had an up-and-down year. Though he does have a feature win, he had one night when he was battling for victory and he flipped in Turn 1. Forsberg had a flat tire nearly derail his effort last time out, but he got it changed and managed to get a Top 10 finish. In doing so, he maintains a 39 point advantage over reigning champion Michael Ing. Ing has also had a challenging season with four Top 5 finishes and no victories to his credit.

The Carrick brothers have been stars of the show this year. Third-ranked Blake Carrick has a win, and sixth ranked Tanner Carrick has a pair of victories. Tanner won the last time out, and Blake had second until being passed on the final lap by multi-time champion Colby Wiesz. Blake Carrick is 34 points behind Ing in the battle for second, and he also leads Brad Bumgarner by 38 points. Bumgarner has a little bit closer competition in the race for fourth, three points ahead of Alec Justeson and 11 in front of Tanner Carrick. It's been a wide-open battle all season long as only Tanner Carrick has more than one win to his credit. Other winners this season include reigning Chico champion Sean Becker, Shane Golobic, John Michael Bunch, DJ Netto and Ryan Robinson.

The IMCA Sport Modified battle is close and could go either way this Wednesday. Following his first win of the season, State point leader Timothy Allerdings moved three points ahead of Jimmy Ford in the hotly-contested battle. Ford is a two-time Mini Stock champion at the track, but he would love to get his first Sport Modified title. Only eight points behind Allerdings is past champion Mike Merritt. Scott Savell is 13 points out of the lead and Jason Ferguson is 14 points back. It might come down to the Top 3 drivers, but everybody is hoping to get a win before the season concludes. Other winners so far include past champion Philip Shelby, Justin Funkhouser, Todd Cooper and two-time winner Andrew Peckham.

The NorCal Dwarf Cars haven't had too many opportunities to go racing this year as the virus has seen the cancellation of many of their events. The group is happy to be hosting the Western States Dwarf Car Nationals on the final weekend of September, and this Wednesday's race will be a tune up for them. Reigning champion Michael "Spanky" Grenert as well as past champions Ryan Winter and Shawn Jones have been fast this year and have won with other groups. Jones won the most recent race at Marysville. They might lead the charge for victory this Wednesday, but NorCal is a very competitive bunch. Among the others to keep an eye on are Ben Wiesz, Tim Fitzpatrick, Wade Erlich, Dylan Shrum and Dan Geil.

The California Hardtop Association isn't getting too many opportunities to race these days due to the virus shut down, but they are on the schedule on Wednesday night. The two Hardtop races that have been held so far have been won by the Junkyard Dog owned by Doug Braudrick and driven by Joel Hannagan. The car is a replica of the car owned by Dick Braudrick and driven at Vallejo Speedway in the 1970s. The top driver in the group last season, Ron Ruiz, has a new paint scheme and is coming off of a podium finish at the Placerville race. Ron has been one of the faster competitors whenever he's been at the track. Some of the drivers to watch for at this event include Ken Clifford, Joe Shenefield and Dennis Armstrong.

This will be the last regular point event at Marysville Raceway, although the Crate Sprints and Limited Late Models will have their point finale events during the Dwarf Car Nationals on the final weekend of September. To find out all of that information, go to www.marysvilleraceway.com or the Marysville Raceway Facebook page. To watch this show streaming live on internet pay-per-view, go to www.floracing.com.


Ukiah Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
B Bombers
Dave Land
Nate Hoben

Jr Jammers

Christian Sanchez
Charles French
TJ Sorrels
Kendra Land

Limited Modifeds
Mike Lovell
Jason Philpot
Mike Doss
Jared Martin
Roy Ingalls Jr
Tyler Caturegli
Kylei Keown
Loren Powers Jr
Dennis Anderson
Bo Robertson

Bombers
Charley Tour
Simi Tour
Roy Ingalls Jr
Josh Smith
Brandon Powers
Raymond Taylor
Loren Powers Jr
Bradley Dale
Drew Smith
Dave Land
Brenton Smith

Pro Jammers

Elizabeth Ingalls

Jalopies
Tia Everett
Jack Schleif
Sorna Li
John Parker
Brooke Fallai
Devon Parker
Martin Tucker
Amber Robertson
Josh Bolton
Richard Swing DNS
Justin Johnson DNS


Coos Bay Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
America's Mattress Super Late Models

Brody Montgomery
Preston Luckman
Braden Fugate
Wayne Butler
Hannah Robinson
Mike Taylor

Sportsman Late Models
Ryan Emry
Trace Fugate
Jared Simmons
Jim Van Loon
jim CRABTREE

Street Stocks
Blake Lehman
Graig Osborne
Steve Dubisar
dylan siewell
Ken Fox
Charlie Withers
Michael Hollingsworth
Troy Chamberlain
Dustin Hitner
AMANDA SOLUM
Sam Talon
Peyton Reigard
Leroy Rockwell

Mini Outlaws
Jason Kellam
Seth Christian
Dan Daniels
Scott Beaudoin
Tahlen Rogers
Brad Hicks

Hornets
Seth Christian
John Henry
Isaac Stere
William Hitner
Dan Briesacher
Kevin Rockwell
Dusty Shingleton
Stephanie Nix
Mike Bales
Kris Parker
Jamie Daniels

JR Stingers
Griff Smith
Lily Metzgus
Teagan Montgomery
Jordan Wheeler
James Shingleton
miles kirns
Drake Vincent
Nicole Emry
Cameron Metzgus
Heather Burton
Alexus Baker

OTRO Hardtops
Dash 1

larry mudge
rick hillmick
CHRIS MEHRER
Matt Butler

Heat 1
Justin Krossman
MARK MINTER
DEAN CAST
CHRIS MEHRER
larry mudge
rick hillmick
Matt Butler


Siskiyou Golden Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
IMCA Modifieds

Jeffrey Hudson
Albert Gill
Travis Peery
Duane Orsburn
James Welshonse
Jeremy Crebs

Jefferson State Jalopies
JJ Smith
Marilyn Yawnick
Ron Morris
Karl Bernstein

Mini Stocks
David Steele
Ashtin Hedges
Steve Goetz
Hunter Magnan
Mike Whitaker
Marilyn Yawnick
Terry Alford Sr
Paige Boswell
Kassidy Wilkinson

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Jorddon Braaten
Ethan Killingsworth
Ryan Peery
Randy Wight
Michael Medel
Trevor Tiffee
Colt Boswell
Jace Wright

Outlaw Pro Stocks Stocks
Scott Flowers
Rick Lukens
James Flowers
Jeff Haudenshild
Matt Harlow
Johnny Cobb
Colby Hammond
Darek Alford
Dennis Burtenhouse Jr


NCRA Lakeport Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
NCRA Modifieds

Results are not official
1     #24 Scott Winters       
2     #5 Mike Sulivan
3     #27 Ian Elliott
4     #12 Dustin DeRosier
5     #13 Donovan Cox
6     #37 Robert Schmidt
7     #15 Richard Knight
8     #89 Kevin Coburn   

NCRA Tace Bell Bombers
Results are not official
1     #79 Mike Collins   
2     #13 Eddie Klein
3     #17 Jim Kollenborn
4     #18 Klinton Waite
5     #51 Trevor Abella
6     #75x Amber Portlock
7     #00 Thomas Esberg   

NCRA Legends Cars

Results are not official
1     #24c Jeremy Doss
2     #8 Aiden Daniels
3     #7 Kylie Daniels
4     #44 David Lee
5     #64 Tom Summers
6     #20 Nick Reading
7     #3m Marc Burch
8     #3 Trey Daniels
9     #83 Ethen Imperatrice           

LATE MODELS

Results are not official
1     #98 Dane Nissen           
2     #12c Cody Winchel       
3     #99 Noel McCormack Jr       


Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
Ninth Annual Johnny Soares Classic
PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints/Hunt Wingless Sprints

Bradley Terrell
Daniel Whitley
Terry Schank Jr
DJ Johnson
DayDay Lindt
Dylan Bloomfield
Matt Streeter
Boy Moniz
Josh Young
Shayna Ensign
Matt Stewart
Ryon Siverling
Bob Davis
Kevin Box
Angelique Bell
Tony Bernard
Tim Sherman Jr
Eden McCormick
Kaimi Moniz-Costa
Paul Vandenberg
Keith Calvino
Jessica Walker
Nick Robfogel
Scott Clough

McLeas's Tire Service IMCA Modifieds
Top Dog Nationals

Anthony Slaney
Trevor Brady
Jerry Roy Jr
Michelle Paul
Jim Weiler
Justin Yaeger
Gary Zwicker
David Spriggs
Michael Paul Jr
Steve Studebaker
Oreste Gonnella
Jake Dewsbury

Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros
Jim Beck
George Nielson
Justin Adiego
Carroll Mendenhall
Shiloh Borland
Sam Borland
Savannah Brown
Rob Brown
Trevor Mendenhall
Amber Fields
Kyle Grisson
Danny Carroll
Charlie Emery


Irwindale Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekley
Pick Your Part Late Models
Main Event #1

Dean Thompson
Dylan Garner
Tanner Reif
Nick Joanides
Lucas McNeil
Lawless Alan
Dustin Vandermooren
Kevin Furden
Rodney Peacher
Takuma Okada
David Sear
Glenn Schwenger

Main Event #2
Dean Thompson
Lucas McNeil
Dylan Garner
Lawless Alan
Dustin Vandermooren
Tanner Reif
Rodney Peacher
Takuma Okada
Glenn Schwenger
Nick Joanides
David Sear
Kevin Furden

Spec Trucks/Late Models
Andy Partridge
Andrew Porter
Jake Drew
Kenny Smith
Will Brown
Troy Andersen
L.J. Billings
Bory Molina
Jacob McNeil
Steve Lozano
Mark Perry Jr
Dennis Arena

Enduro
Main Event #1

Results are not official
1     #71sp Bory Molina
2     #9sp Rodney Argo
3     #4sp Ian Rotundo
4     #7 Robert Rice
5     #37sp James Bolinas
6     #22 Tony Price
7     #27sp Joseph Bereiter
8     #35 John Beard
9     #18sp Bobby Ozman
10     #62 Brad Stellman
11     #3 Cheryl Hyland
12     #19 Jason Woolcott
13     #16 Robbie Salcido
14     #39sp Joe Furlow
15     #73 Sonya Klaus
16     #6sp Mike McIntyre
17     #57 Trish Rojas
18     #88sp Rick Conti
19     #49 Daniel Azzolina

Main Event #2
Results are not official
1     #9sp Rodney Argo       
2     #71sp Bory Molina
3     #27sp Joseph Bereiter
4     #18sp Bobby Ozman
5     #4sp Ian Rotundo
6     #16 Robbie Salcido
7     #6sp Mike McIntyre
8     #7 Robert Rice
9     #88sp Rick Conti
10     #62 Brad Stellman
11     #22 Tony Price
12     #35 John Beard
13     #39sp Joe Furlow
14     #3 Cheryl Hyland
15     #73 Sonya Klaus
16     #57 Trish Rojas   
17     #37sp James Bolinas       

Super Stock
Bryan Harrell
Robert Harryman
Jason DeLong
Jim Vermillion
Harry Michaelian
Kevin James
Jerry Toporek
Jay Verduzco
Rich DeLong III

Legends
Tyler Reif
Lawless Alan
Tyler Hicks
Mike Vanderlip
Christen Bazen
Skyler Meisenbach


Cottage Grove Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 22, 2020
IMCA Modifieds

John Campos
Jake Mayden
Steven Sturdevant
Aaron Scheelar
Paul Rea
Wayne Sturdevant
Brody Sim
Tom Lawson
Roy Kirk Jr
Dick Wright
Jason Begley
Eric Ashley
Chad Groves
Ray Bloom
Eston Whisler DQ

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Doug Coffman
Hunter Bloom
Jordan Henry
Steven Sanders
KC Scott
David Schmidt
Travis Pruitt
Shawn Hand
Aaron Bloom
Gavin Ropchan
Chuck Carson
Matt Brown
Jeff Cluff
Jayson Nelson
Dustin Comer
Daniel Ray
Matt Sanders
Mike DeSilva
Joby Shields

B Main
Daniel Ray
KC Scott
Shawn Hand
Joby Shields
Jim Smith
Dalton Bloom
Roger Bell

Senior Sprints

Brian Crockett
David Marble
Chris Rolfe
Kevin Journey
Gene Ashley
Dave Button

Late Models
Jimmy Whistler
Chuck Christian
Chad Groves
Willie Sutton
Bruce Rayburn Jr

Street Stocks
Colby Clay
Garrett Barth
Eric Freeman
Jake Mayden
Anthony Prather
Braeden Casto
Mark Farrar

IMCA Sport Compacts

Ricky Ashley
Brad Moffett
Mark Milligan
Barry Cannon
Jeremy DeGrout
Cole Trissell
Jason Loucks
Tim Meltibarger
Bradley Martin
Tyler Fagen
Kerry Cooper
Nick Egbert
Dusten Henderson
Kimberly Cannon
Scarlett Drake


Yreka Outlaw Karts Unoficial Race Results August 21, 2020
Beginner Box Stock

Elijah Humphrey
Liam Tesdal
Talia Colley
Urijah Boardman DNS

Box Stock
Carson Henson
Mallory Hirschbock
Bentleigh Chapman
Albert Gill Jr

UAS Speedways
Brionna Fuller
Steve Rambo
Ed Grubb
Lori Fuller
Larry Fuller DNS

250 Outlaw
Jacob James
Nicholas Perrin
Cole Cunial
Cale Cunial
Logan McKnight
RYAN HIRSCHBOCK
Dryver Dothage
Blake Peery
Drew Berry
Emma Rodgers
Faith McCollough
Dallin Dagata
Morgan Berry

500 Outlaw
Merissa Henson
Dryver Dothage
Randy Simmons
Cadyn Smith
Taylor Fuller


The Editor's Viewpoint

I had hoped to put this post up sooner, but I had a technical issue. While working on the results articles, somehow I managed to delete most of them. Since I use my phone to help me with all of this, there was no easy way to get that back. It required starting over again. I use my phone in the writing process because it enables me to stand up and be mobile, rather than sitting at the desk all the time. It's not a quicker process, but it does help. It certainly doesn't help when you lose so much and basically lose a day in the process. I was almost going to give this one up, but I decided not to.

We continue to try to make the best of it during this difficult situation. We have strong opinions on both sides of the issue when it comes to the virus, and we're still hearing bad news mixed in with the good. We're coming towards the end of August, and that remains the case. As if to make matters worse, the extreme heat and the lightning strikes have ignited several fires throughout California, and that's led to poor air quality. I guess that's good news for people who have no problem wearing the mask. It sort of comes in more handy when you're dealing with the smoke. I know there's quite a few people wishing we could hit the fast-forward button and get out of this year, but I'm looking for rewind. Send me about 40 years back please.

As the tracks were making their plans for this weekend's activities, they knew there were fires in the area in Watsonville. Air quality was not so great in Petaluma. This prompted the Wingless Spec Sprint competitors to request their 50 lap Main Event be reduced to 30 laps to make it easier on the racers. At Watsonville, families were relocated with their animals to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, but management was hoping they would still be able to run the 60th Annual Johnny Key Classic. They maintained that stance until hearing from displaced families. 

The track's gesture was going to be one of giving these displaced families some entertainment. Ironically, that meant fans would actually be up in the grandstands, although these wouldn't be paying customers. However, many of the families declined the offer on the grounds that it might agitate their animals. I'm really not surprised by that as probably more often than not, animal people are going to choose to shut down cars when they can. I'm sorry if that sounds a little bit grumpy, but that's been my experience. 

I'm not pointing a finger at anybody here, because I honestly would have canceled the races the minute they started evacuating people to the fairgrounds. It's not like management wouldn't have an excuse to do so. You can't sell customers tickets, so you're running your big Sprint Car show without fans. You can say you tried, but circumstances ended things. Watsonville is certainly not the first track that's tried to do something for displaced families in a similar situation. I recall Merced Speedway a few years back wanting to entertain the fire crews with a private race, but the crews declined because some of them were trying to get some sleep. Perfectly understandable. 

As I am trying to wrap up this particular post, the news came out already that Watsonville would not be having a race this weekend either. We already knew that the NARC/King of the West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car race was not happening, but I think they could have put the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars in there and ran everything else as originally scheduled. Since people are still relocated at the fairgrounds, it's not happening. They will look ahead to the Pat and Jim Pettit Memorial Shootout that happens on the final weekend of September.

We're dealing with a virus that people are still questioning the legitimacy of, and now we've got fires. Some people might be asking if the locusts are next. People are speculating that come November, this whole thing will end. Once the people make their vote, the people who don't like the guy in the office will just have to try something else if he gets reelected. 

I'm shaking my head here, because this is bigger than a person in the oval office, and the light switch probably won't suddenly be shut off, regardless of the outcome. I would encourage people to go vote for whatever it is they believe in, but don't think that suddenly on November 4th things are going to be ok. My opinion is that we are witnessing something that the powers-that-be are attempting to use to change life as we know it. You may see it differently.

We keep looking for signs in our sport that things are going to get back to normal again, and there is more discouraging news than good news in that area. While I noticed that there's a race coming up at Barona Speedway that allows some fans, I'm not hearing much other news on that front. As I'm writing this, I haven't seen the particular details on what will be allowed at Barona. I believe that race track is on Native American land, so they may be subject to whatever the tribal law is. Generally, the tribes are trying to be in line with what the government is doing, but I don't want to speculate on what's going to be allowed there once the cars hit the track and they race in front of fans. 

It looks as if much of the USAC schedule has been dropped through September. There are a few USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car or USAC Western Midget events set to take place at Petaluma Speedway, but other bigger races have been canceled. We knew that was going to be the case when the Louie Vermeil Memorial race was canceled a couple of months ago at Calistoga. The other tracks followed suit, but we were looking at the Petaluma Speedway race date on September 7th and wondering if Rick Faeth was going to fight for that date. I think he was at first, but it's just too big of a purse. Furthermore, how many racers would come up from Southern California just for the one visit to Petaluma? Canceled.

We were speculating on what Ocean Speedway might do on August 28th. This was a NARC/King of the West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Series race, and they hadn't said anything about canceling it. Since they fought for the Howard Kaeding Classic, we were wondering. Then again, nobody from NARC was saying a word, which was not a good sign. This was also the time of year where they were trying to reform the old Speedweek Series. They're getting closer, and though there were several dates during a week's time, they weren't referring to it as Speedweek yet. Sadly, the whole week was lost, including the Watsonville date. I think there were over a half-dozen races lost.

The sixty-year-old Winged 410 Sprint Car organization has had one race this year, and we don't know if October will yield an event for them, perhaps in Hanford. We do know that the Gary Patterson Tribute race is still on the schedule at the Stockton Dirt Track, and we also know that Tony Noceti was fighting to give them a race on Labor Day weekend before the county health officials made that impossible to do. I'm not suggesting that the November race will be lost or won. I am simply saying that Tony might be trying to make it happen. The way things are going, the news can go either way. There are other divisions involved in visits there in November, including the Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series.

Also ahead on the calendar, we know that the Chowchilla Barn Burner Outlaw Kart Series will not get started in 2020. The fairgrounds facility will not be available to them at that time. This doesn't mean that they won't try to put something together early next year if they can, but don't hold your breath. The signs aren't encouraging, but news can change. We know that there are no plans to run the Barn Burner through the end of 2020. The news further up north regarding the Outlaw Karts is a little bit more hopeful. 

The biggest Outlaw Kart events during the winter months happen in Red Bluff. The Red Bluff Outlaws will get their season started as scheduled, according to their Facebook page. However, they cannot allow fans to come spectate at this time. With an Outlaw Kart program, things are just a little bit different. How many people actually go to the races just to spectate one of these shows? Since this event is bigger than your average show, there probably are some. However, many of the people that come to these events are associated with one kart or another. Therefore, it's almost going to be business as usual. They will be able to do some racing.

The absurdity of this whole deal is that Red Bluff officials announced that they will allow the crews to sit up in the empty grandstands, wearing masks and observing social distance guidelines. These regulations make absolutely no sense to me. My opinion is that they are designed more to see what people will agree to obey. What's the difference between crew members wearing masks and sitting in the grandstands at a social distance and selling a certain amount of tickets to fans to allow them to do the same? If your answer is absolutely nothing, you are correct. It's no more unsafe to allow a crew member to do this than a paying spectator, but this isn't about safety.

This is about control and compliance. We can't let the average person think that they can enjoy any entertainment. If you let people buy so many tickets so that you can maintain social distance in the grandstands, it's still not exactly normal. However, you allow the people willing to take that risk an opportunity to buy a ticket and enjoy a night at the races. What they're saying by allowing racing to continue without fans is very inconsistent. Are you saying that this "deadly disease" might kill the racers, but you could give a damn if they die, or are you saying something else? What exactly are you saying?

If you're saying that this is the way for hobbyists to enjoy their bit of recreation, that's fine. However, since when has a night at the races been just about the hobbyist on the race track and not about the fans too? The answer is it was always about the fans as well as the racers. I've had that conversation with Mike, who thinks that we could go down the road in the future where it's pay to play at the track and we don't get fans. This could be the vehicle by which it happens, but that's only speculation. What I am saying is if it's safe for racers and their crew members to be at the track and observe social distancing in how they are allowed to sit in the grandstands, it's safe for fans to do it as well. You'll never convince me otherwise, so don't bother with a rebuttal.

It comes back to that number of 250 that they have used at Hermiston Raceway and Douglas County Speedway. They are saying that we can do social distancing and allow 250 people in the stands. I think most grandstands could probably fit a few more than that, but that's the number they use. Nobody's getting too close to each other, they're all wearing masks and those fans enjoy a night at the races. Why can't every track at least do that? By the way, Hermiston Raceway hopes to be back to Phase 2 again by September 11th, and that means that they could be racing on September 19th with a twilight program and an evening program with 250 spectators at each.

As we were going to press with our post on Friday mornings, we received word that Coos Bay Speedway had lost their liquor license. This is something that should cause concern to the fans who have been enjoying activity at the oval track and the drag strip. The way Drake Nelson has been able to get spectators at his venue has been by referring to his place as a bar and grill. The bar part is now closed until he can have a hearing. The OLCC revoked his liquor license for the rest of the year. It should be noted that this had nothing to do with serving alcohol to minors. It had everything to do with the governor's mask regulations and concern that the track wasn't following them or the social distance guidelines properly.

The concern will come if something happens with their food license next. I'd be just a little bit worried. The liquor license news came later in the week, and maybe if somebody were trying to do something else, they didn't get the paperwork in order before the week ended. This is pure speculation on my part, and I'm only looking at this from the worst case scenario. If something should happen or they lose their food serving license, they can no longer call themselves a bar and grill. How can you call yourself that if you aren't serving either food or drink? Therefore, you might not be able to get fans at that point.

I know there are people in the racing community who are a little bit upset about this, but can you say you're surprised? Anybody who believes that what Drake has been doing in Coos Bay has been within the letter of the regulations is simply in denial. We can question whether these are legal rules or not, and I agree that they aren't. I believe governors are over-reaching, but they still have the authorities on their side. They can still send you cease and desist letters and send the law to deal with you personally, so you have to be prepared for that when you take the fight to them.

Up until now, Coos Bay Speedway has been the shining light of race tracks opening as close to normal as possible on the West Coast. I don't think the average they've been getting in the grandstands is much different than one of their average shows during normal times, and their pits have been inflated as other Oregon tracks were sitting dark. With Willamette Speedway now opening along with Cottage Grove Speedway, the numbers in the pits have begun to dip, so the money coming in won't be quite what it was. I don't blame Drake for taking the risk, because he saw dollar signs. On the other hand, he knew something bad could be around the corner. 

Within the racing community, you've got people quietly policing each other. Don't say this or don't say that. Suddenly, pictures of how the grandstands looked at Coos Bay stopped circulating around the internet for people to see. The racing community knew what was going on, but people who aren't for racing are another matter. They didn't want them paying attention. My guess is that when they brought in the Monster Truck Tour, people who aren't really racing fans might have come in there, maybe even some sort of state representative. At that point, they might have been taking notes and reported the track. It's just a guess. Whatever happened, the hammer fell down on the liquor license at that point. 

I think some of the promoters who have had several races and are working on closing down for the year might be the smart ones. They had some success and now it's time to regroup and hope for a better year next year. Diamond Mountain Speedway ran their last race a week ago. Up until the week before that, they were at least able to have socially distanced fans. However, Lassen County Health officials didn't give them permission after that. I think Jeff Olschowka might have been smart enough to look at the numbers in the pits and what he wasn't getting and called it good at that point. You don't have to be a hero. Besides, the track was paying better for their regular IMCA Modified and Sport Modified shows than anywhere else in the state. 

Marysville Raceway will be running their final point event on Wednesday, and I agree this is the time to shut it down. There are other dates on the schedule. I know the Dwarf Car Nationals will happen at the end of September, but I don't know about the October specials. Dennis Gage was a leader in reopening the tracks, showing other promoters a path to doing it. This is the only other track that I've seen in California that was able to get fans. It was only 100 fans, but it was something at least. They'll have championship night for the Winged 360 Sprint Cars and IMCA Sport Modifieds on Wednesday, and that will be it for the regular shows. It's the perfect time to walk away and call it a season.

Some tracks are just going to double down and run later, figuring there are more cars for them. Two of the more active tracks will be Antioch Speedway and Petaluma Speedway. Hey, if it pencils in for them, more power to them. I don't know how many people will be traveling down the road to be there when their local tracks are closed at that point. A lot of people have been doing that, and some are going to call it good. I like the strategy at Bakersfield Speedway of running bigger races once or so a month. They have the Mike Mosier race this Saturday night for the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and whatever other classes, and I think they'll do good numbers despite having no fans. It'll be a bakersfieldspeedway.tv affair. Of course, it's also best to check out the Bakersfield Speedway Facebook page for any updates concerning scheduling.

The other bit of bad news we are hearing is that several World of Outlaw racers have tested positive for covid-19. The World of Outlaws group was the one that drafted the plan that most of the tracks across the country have used to get open. When it comes to their own racers, they are testing them to make sure they are safe. This is where the panic sets in and the media uses inflated numbers to scare the crap out of everybody. Keep in mind that most of these people are being tested for something they don't even have any symptoms of. They are not feeling sick, but they are taking tests to see if they have it.

It's part of the scare tactic used by the media. Once they test positive, it becomes another number as part of their statistics saying that the virus is getting worse and is spreading. It's pretty much a lie. That's my opinion, but I'm happy to say there are more people agreeing with me these days. I'm not going to tell you for an instant that people aren't getting sick, because they are. However, many of the people getting sick are coming down with something else. The numbers of deaths they are selling us as being caused by the virus are also inflated. If we don't start waking up to the truth, things aren't going to change for the better. They're going to get worse. We're going to wonder where our lives went, because normalcy won't be anything near what it used to be.

What I would warn everybody is that It doesn't have anything to do with who's in The White House. Obviously, politicians are going to use whatever is going on in the world to their advantage if they can. It's the bad guy in The White House causing it. Whatever  Go to the polls in November and vote however you see fit. Just don't expect that this is going to change based on politicians alone. The people have to stand up and say enough is enough, or things aren't going to get any better. All you have to do is listen to certain people who are giving interviews, people who aren't even doctors, to know they have bigger plans ahead.

I don't blame promoters for fighting to keep racing going in any way they can. We all want normalcy, and this situation is anything but normal. I worry about the damage this whole thing is causing to the sport, because it's also damaging businesses. We haven't even begun to see how bad this situation can get. 2021 cannot be a repeat of this year. Businesses in general won't take it. People are going to be put out of work and eventually put out of their homes. That's where we're going if we continue down this path. Race tracks opening under these circumstances won't be able to keep doing so indefinitely.

This is why I like the strategy being employed by Madera Speedway and a few others. When Kenny Shepherd is giving away the free stream, he's doing so because he wants his fans engaged. He wants Madera Speedway to continue to be on the minds of the fans, so that when they can go back to the grandstands, they will. The way you do that is you let them know what's going on out there on the track. You can't be here with us, but you can share the experience online at the very least. That's the smart strategy, and any track that doesn't have an internet pay-per-view should be looking at this is an option.

Promoters have to keep in mind that business is definitely going to be down right now, so you're also looking ahead to when you can have fans again. What moves can you make now during this difficult time that will translate into more fans supporting the track when they can return? That's the question you should be asking. A few promoters have blown it in different ways, in my opinion, but others, such as Shepherd at Madera, David Furia at Ukiah and a few others have done it in a smart way.

I'm not sure how Ukiah Speedway avoided my radar going into this past last weekend other than the fact that when I checked their schedule earlier nothing was listed. I wasn't expecting them to come back until next month, but they got clearance for another race. I guess you take those race dates where you can get them. The other interesting thing about this add-on was it went head-to-head with Lakeport Speedway, who was also running a Saturday night program. On this occasion, Ukiah Speedway was broadcasting live for free on Facebook, and Lakeport was doing the same at the NCRA Lakeport Speedway Facebook page.

With so many different options on what I'm going to cover on any given week, I sort of have to pick races that will fit at specific times. Ukiah Speedway has been an enjoyable show for me, so I threw them in.  They had 10 Limited Modifieds, and these drivers ran the quarter-mile paved oval flawlessly for a non-stop 45 lap Main Event. They did that a couple of races go when Sierra Furia scored the win. This time, it was Mike Lovell Sr doing the honors with the hard-charging Jason Philpot not far behind him. These guys definitely get around the track pretty well, and it's some close racing there.

You get some wild action at times with the Bomber division, but Charley Tour got the win on this occasion. He ran strong, and not even Loren Powers Jr was going to stop him. Powers had problems on a late restart, so Semi Tour ended up second. As they didn't quite have enough cars to run a B Bomber race by themselves, the three drivers in that classification joined the 11 Bombers. This is what they do at Ukiah. Another example of that is the Jammers, which run the Junior class together with the Pros.  It's logical to do that in order to fill out a field a little bit more, rather than having three or four cars in one group and 10 in another.

You end up looking at two decent divisions. They also run the old-school style of program, which is something I appreciate. You get time trials on the clock, heat races that go 10 laps and a Trophy Dash. Sometimes, they change it up with the Trophy Dashes. The fastest drivers don't always get to run those races. Sometimes they run it as a Slow Dash with the slowest qualifiers. They did that on this occasion. I like that idea as it gives some drivers a shot at glory that might not otherwise get it. I enjoy watching the Ukiah Speedway program enough these days that I'm always going to try to make time for it if I know they are running. From the racing to the announcer, I just enjoy the broadcast and appreciate that David Furia is giving it away to the fans for free.

David was on the tractor in the infield getting that track ready for the Jalopy race. In looking at that little track, it would certainly fit inside of a Rodeo Arena. When I talk about my Hornet race cars doing an oval track in a Rodeo Arena, this is sort of what I am getting at. In this case, they build in bumps on the straightaways and it's not necessarily a smooth racing surface. It's not just about cars going fast around that track. It's about negotiating your way around the track. If somebody spins, they're left there. Unless it's an emergency, you don't get a red flag. You go 20 laps for the Main Events and in this case they also had 10 lap heat races.

I like it on a couple of levels. The first thing is that it proves my point that there's something there in this Arena Racing concept. I'd love to see something developed in this area, not just as a special event during a County Fair. I will certainly get more into this subject in the future. 

The second thing I like about this is it gives Ukiah Speedway another division for people to enjoy. When they're able to have fans in the grandstands, they get them involved here. They count down to when the flag man throws the green flag. There's so much crazy action going on that it is entertaining to watch. You'll also see some of these drivers get their feet wet with this division on the dirt track before going to one of the other classes on the pavement. The very fast Loren Powers Jr won the championship in this class last year.

Lakeport Speedway did their thing. I think when Furia Motorsports was at the helm of this track, they did their best to keep the two tracks off of each other's nights. That just makes sense because you do have some drivers who go back and forth. You've got a base of drivers that stay at either track, but you can always make the programs better when you don't book on top of each other. It used to be a touchy subject. I can remember back in the 1990's when I made the occasional visit to Ukiah. I fell in love with Ukiah pretty quickly at that point, and I think I might have voiced the opinion of the two tracks working together.

I might have even mentioned that to Nadine Strauss at the time, who happened to be up in the stands watching a Ukiah Fair race with Gary Jacob and I. She was cordial about it, but Gary later indicated that it was a touchy subject with Nadine. Go figure. If you go back far enough in history, these were sister tracks that actually worked together. During this pandemic, they've been booked on top of each other twice. I understand that right now scheduling on top of each other is going to happen. Schedules are being booked on the fly, and in this case, I don't think it was Lakeport that booked on top of Ukiah, but vice versa. In any event, you run the show you have and do the best you can.

I found it interesting that Lakeport booked the Legend Cars, and the Legends of the Pacific were also in Madera. You don't see that many Legend Cars these days, so having the group in two different locations affected the count. It didn't affect it as badly as I thought it would. Lakeport ended up with 10 cars. I found it interesting that Jeremy Doss ended up running a Legend Car. You might usually see him running Stock Cars, but he was holding off two of the young guns, Aiden Daniels and sister Kylie Daniels, to win the race. The Daniels siblings have been making Junior Late Model starts at Roseville this year. Madera has created a monster with the Junior Late Model class that other tracks are trying to copy. There seems to be no end to the talented young drivers going in that direction. 

They had Late Models on the schedule, but unfortunately only four competitors showed up. I think they were hoping to get some cars from Redwood Acres Raceway in Eureka, but they haven't been getting many cars themselves. Dane Nissen has been racing in the Legend Car class this year. He took the night off in that division and ended up winning the Late Model race ahead of another Legend Car racer, Cody Winchell.

The two prime divisions in Lakeport are the Modifieds and the Taco Bell Bombers. On any given week, this is your main attraction at Lakeport. Mike Sullivan has proven to be tough competition in the Modifieds, but longtime Modified competitor Scott Winters was the one winning on this occasion. I remember covering Scott racing at Altamont Raceway over 20 years ago, so it's great to see him still out there doing his thing. Meanwhile, Mikey Collins grabbed his fourth win of the season in the Bombers class. I wasn't expecting spectacular numbers at Lakeport, but all in all they delivered an enjoyable show from what I could tell. The broadcast seemed to go well on the NCRA Lakeport Speedway Facebook page as they do their best to keep their fans included.

I know some of the numbers were down at the tracks, and like I said before, we'll probably be seeing more of that. We're in the dog days of summer now, and numbers take a hit as it is during normal circumstances. As we're going through this pandemic, there could be other factors that affect it. Madera Speedway had their MavTV taping, and they didn't deliver huge car counts in the Nut Up Pro Late Models or the 51fifty Energy Drink Junior Late Models. Be that as it may, both divisions delivered entertaining races. There was enough excitement going on for them to put something together for a future broadcast on MavTV.

The free broadcast, which is sponsored by nutupindustries.com, was certainly worth watching. I was switching back and forth, but I rewound it to watch the two Late Model shows. The Pro Late Models have been dominated by Buddy Shepherd this year, but Buddy met his match. He certainly gave it a great effort, but Dylan Zampa was just a little bit quicker. With the pressure that Shepard was dishing out in the waning laps, Zampa definitely earned his victory. They've now had three different winners in five races with Shepherd the only repeat winner so far. 

Junior Late Model point leader Bradley Erickson was looking for his third win, but Cole Brown was just a little too quick for him on this occasion. Erickson made some good moves to get into second, but he couldn't quite get up there to make the challenge for the win. Young Brown has been getting some help from the Doss Racing Team, and it certainly seemed to help. That car was head and shoulders above the competition on this occasion. I remain impressed by Kercie Jung. She piloted her car to a third place finish. From the Mini Dwarf Cars to the Bandoleros and now Junior Late Models, this young lady has done a good job.

The Bandoleros versus the Mini Cups and the Legends of the Pacific certainly added another element of excitement to the program. In this case, Top 3 Legend Car finisher Eddie Garone rolled across the finish line in a moment reminiscent of something out of Days of Thunder. He wasn't going to catch Nick Halen, but he was in a heck of a battle at the end trying to hold onto his podium finish. His car might have been destroyed, but Garone was able to get out and walk away under his own power.

When the parents are trying to get their kids up to the next level from Outlaw Karts, some of them look at the Mini Cups and the Bandoleros. The Mini Cup sanctioning body that was growing this class folded years ago, but you still see these cars along with the Bandoleros. The difference between the two is the Mini Cups seem to corner better than the Bandoleros, but the Bandoleros have a little bit more horsepower. You're not going to see a Mini Cup win a head-to-head race unless the Bandolero cars have real problems.

Jeffrey Erickson hasn't had any real problems so far with the Bandoleros as he remains perfect with five wins to his credit. Caden Cordova seems to be getting just a little bit closer, but Jeffrey still had the winning combination. The Mini Cup race saw Harley Kennealy snap a four-race win streak for Rebecca Dubie. I noticed that Harley was actually making more practice laps, and I was thinking at the time that this could translate to her doing well in the Main Event. The best thing for the kids out there is to get laps and learn to be more consistent.

I'm not quite on the bandwagon of seeing kids as young as 10 years old behind the wheel of Late Models. Maybe I'll come around to it. I'm just nervous about something happening to a kid. I'm still kind of old school in my beliefs of people earning their way into Late Models, but this is 2020. Whether I'm hip to it or not, it's happening. The farm system that Madera has going for it is solid. You put some of the younger kids in these Mini Cups and Bandoleros and have them work their way into Junior Late Models. The one thing I know about Kenny Shepherd and the program he runs is that they don't just idly put a kid in race car. The newer kids are paying their dues and learning from the adults.

In any event, I consider Madera Speedway the leader in opening race tracks here on the West Coast during the covid-19 situation. There really is something to be said about giving away the stream for free. I know it's a business decision, and I'm not knocking the places that do internet pay per view. If you can't pay the bills, you can't open the gates. Quite honestly, I'm not so sure I'd be running a race track every week during this situation as it's not profitable. Madera has some good people sponsoring them for sure, and that is one of the reasons that they're not only able to open the gates, but they can include their fans for free on the internet. As I understand it, there were some 700 people watching the stream with Steven Blakesley and Outback Andy. That's pretty damn cool. 

Siskiyou Golden Speedway opened the gates again after being closed for a few weeks. I was a little bit annoyed when they made the announcement that they weren't allowing anybody from the pits to stream it online. To me, your giving a middle finger to the fans. The other thing is, you're going to be crossing a line when you start cracking down on people doing that and it can ultimately hurt the track more than help the track. 

I've noticed other tracks saying the same thing, but some places aren't being Draconian about it. They would rather you didn't stream it, and some of these tracks are actually running an internet pay-per-view. I know they think they're losing money when somebody streams it for free, but 95% of the time, the people watching it for free will not pay for it if free isn't an option. That's just the way the internet works. Those of us who try to generate revenue from the internet have had to deal with that ugly reality for a few years now.

It turns out that Misty Buchanan was up in the grandstands broadcasting the heat races and the Main Events for the Yreka track. I think she made a better decision doing it from there, rather than from a pit view or an infield view. You get to see more of the action. Where the broadcast lacks is no commentary. I don't expect that out of Misty, who I know isn't familiar with some of the names. When you're trying to watch these cars, it can be difficult to keep track of things when you don't know who's in what car. It's one of the reasons why I haven't watched any of the footage broadcast from River City Speedway. They give you a decent vantage point.from the grandstands, but you can't hear the announcer and don't really know who you're looking at. 

At least for this occasion, I think Misty was broadcasting from her camera phone. I understand there are people who might be helping the track at some point with equipment, but I'm only hearing rumors right now that I probably shouldn't comment on. What I can say is you'd have a hard time announcing into a camera phone. What could be done to give the fans a little bit more would be announcing the lineups of the races before they start so people know who's on the track. During yellow flags, you can let them know who the Top 5 are. At the end of the race, you can give people at least the Top 3 if not Top 5. I understand Misty may not know some of the names, but this is a way to enhance the broadcast if it's done with a smartphone.

I read comments from people in Yreka, and it's the same with any other track. Fans living near the place hear the roar of the engines. If you're a fan of racing, it's agonizing to hear that. You want to be up in the stands watching the action. When a track that doesn't have the internet pay-per-view gives away the show for free like this, they're sympathizing with the fans. They're letting their fans know that they want them out there and here is what you have been missing. Kenny Shepherd has been very eloquent about the whole thing at Madera Speedway. They're giving away a quality broadcast there because they miss their fans. Misty was echoing that sentiment during the night. I don't want to repeat how grumpy I am about this no fans situation, so I'll just comment on the show itself.

The numbers were not spectacular. I think I counted 35 total cars among five divisions. I figured some racers might have headed to Cottage Grove, which might have been the case with the IMCA Sport Modifieds. However, that track took a hit in car count as well. When the novelty wears off for the track opening during the covid-19 shutdown, other things factor in. Finances, the realization that it's still not normal, whatever else. Take your pick. I thought they could draw a few more cars from Medford, which isn't likely to have a race this year. However, that really wasn't the case. I think the numbers should have been a little bit bigger than they were, but the show went on nonetheless. 

They ran the Outlaw Pro Stocks in the final spot. It turns out that was probably the smart move as that race had some excitement with Dennis Burtenhouse Jr leading a good portion of the race. I've watched this division get dominated by a couple of drivers who clearly had superior equipment to everybody else over the past few years, and those drivers weren't in the field. I'm not knocking those drivers for bringing out what they had, just pointing out that they did dominate the show.

In their absence, it's anybody's guess who might win. Scott Flowers brings the experience advantage, but the cars are pretty equal. Flowers did make a move late to get the lead, but it was interesting watching Rick Lukens close in on him with a couple of laps to go. I don't think it's a stretch to say that most of the cars on the track have a legitimate shot to win right now. 

The IMCA Modifieds only delivered six cars. That's the bad news. The good news is that they've have four races in the books and IMCA will acknowledge the championship. Travis Peery might have hoped he could get his third win, but he was stuck battling Albert Gill for second while Jeffrey Hudson got the win. Hudson nearly won the $1,500 prize back in July, but he encountered problems later in the race that ended his hopes. He is a talented young driver for sure, and it was nice to see the 2015 Pro Stock champion get the win.

In the Mini Stocks and the IMCA Sport Modifieds, you had talent and experience rising to the top again. Jorddon Braaten will probably end up with the IMCA Sport Modified championship. The IMCA point average put him back in the fourth row, but that didn't stop him from making a mad dash from the back and winning by half a lap over reigning champion Ethan Killingsworth. He lapped everybody up to the Top 3. David Steele didn't lap everybody in the Mini Stocks, but once he took the lead, the only thing that was going to stop him was mechanical failure. This was his third win of the year. 

I finally got a chance to watch the Jefferson State Jalopies. I think they're going for a vintage look with these cars, but they really don't look vintage in that sense to me. I think of them more as a bigger version of a Dwarf Car. Some would say the Dwarf Cars are like a mini version of a Hardtop, but I don't see it that way. In any event, these cars are unique looking with their skinny, sleek appearance. The problem is, there's nobody in Yreka building these cars that I know of. They were all built by JJ Smith and Karl Bernstein. Four of them have completed, and a fifth car is in production. Smith and Bernstein haven't gotten much of the glory on the track, but it was Smith picking up his second feature win on this occasion. If they had a dozen of these cars, they could be quite interesting to watch.

Petaluma Speedway ran the 9th Annual Johnny Soares Classic. I really enjoyed listening to Ron Lingron announce this show and pay tribute to John Soares. A lot of times you'll have a memorial race where nobody talks about the person being memorialized. It's just about the race, the extra laps and the money being paid. As I've gotten older, it's meant more to me to talk about the person we're remembering. Yes, I like that the race pays more and people want to come out there and win that prize, but let's not forget who we're remembering. John promoted Petaluma Speedway for over half his life. His life from his 20s on was devoted to the sport of racing, and there were many accomplishments he had through the years.

The Hunt Series went head-to-head with the PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints. Local leadfoot Bradley Terrell grabbed the lead from two-time race winner Terry Schank Jr. After that, he pulled away and worked traffic masterfully for his second victory in this race. Daniel Whitley made a late move around Schank, which should help him move into the track point lead. 

There were 25 Wingless Spec Sprints for this event, which is great to see. I'm kind of sad as I know the Wingless Spec Sprints are evolving into Wingless Sprints. The ideology that we had when we put the class together at Antioch Speedway two decades ago is slowly fading away, but it is what it is. It's still been quite a run for this class, and Petaluma still refers to them as Spec Sprints.

The Top Dog race was one of the biggest IMCA Modified races in California in the 1990s when John was promoting the speedway. It's been brought back, though not as big as it once was. When you're paying $1,000 to win the Main Event, it's still better than your average IMCA Modified race. Even second place was getting $500, which is a winner's prize. Because Antioch Speedway had their money race on the same night, you weren't going to see any visitors from there, but Petaluma had a dozen racers for this one.

As you might expect when the money is on the line, seven-time champion Michael Paul Jr and five-time champion Oreste Gonella were both in the hunt. However, this has been a good year for Anthony Slaney. He hung with both of these drivers and managed to surprise Paul by getting the lead on a restart. There was a little bit of contact in that pass, and later Paul got out of shape exiting Turn 4 and hit the rear end of Slaney's car. Paul suffered front-end damage. 

Slaney went on to win the race, but he expressed disappointment in himself for making contact with Paul on the restart that saw him get the lead. I see that as a classy move on Slaney's part to acknowledge that. I know the team has put a lot of effort into getting where they are today, and they really want this championship. However, they also want the respect of their fellow racers, and they know how good of a racer Paul has been at Petaluma over the last decade.

The Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micro Sprint division seems to be pretty insane. These guys get around the track pretty well, and their battle at the front of the pack seems pretty intense from the moment the race starts all the way to the checkered flag. There were three or four drivers who seemed to be one good move away from the lead for most of that race. Multi-time champion Jim Beck was missing last year, but he's back and very fast this year. He had a sure win get away from him at the previous race, but this time he battled his way past George Nielson to grab the victory. These guys set the tempo as the first Main Event of the night, and it got more exciting as things went on.

This was certainly one of the more entertaining races that I've witnessed from Petaluma's Flo Racing broadcasts so far this year, and I'm glad it happened on the night that remembered the longtime promoter. Because of the virus situation preventing us from having fans at most of these tracks, racing schedules have been affected. Next Sunday was to be a NARC/King of the West Series Sprint Car race, but that's obviously not going to happen. They will be racing, however. The new schedule finds the PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprints back in action again along with the General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars and the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600s.

It's also going to be the inaugural visit of the Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series. The Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks have struggled a little bit, and Promoter Rick Faeth reached out to Pro Stock Series Director Roy Bain about a visit. In short order, they were able to bring in Joe Carr Racing to sponsor this event. Bain was also able to secure a date at Antioch Speedway the night before so that drivers traveling a long distance would have two Bay Area events to participate in. That race will be sponsored by Jay's Mobile Welding, and a weekend series championship will pay $300, thanks to Rick Workman Communications. Therefore, next Sunday's race might not have the excitement of Winged 410 Sprint Cars, but it's looking like it will still be a special occasion to enjoy.

On Sunday afternoon, full results were posted without the names for Antioch Speedway. This was the Hetrick Memorial race. I see my concerns about decreasing car counts were partially founded. The IMCA Modifieds delivered 11 cars for $1,000 to win in honor of Jerry and Mary Ann Hetrick. That proved to be an emotional occasion for Kellen Chadwick, who claimed the victory. As Chadwick was making his move up from Karts into the IMCA Modifieds and Late Models, Jerry served as a mentor, encouraging him when he did well and critiquing him when there were things that he felt Kellen needed to learn. 

The track isn't keeping any point standings that I'm aware of, but IMCA is. With two races left on the schedule, Troy Foulger seems to be heading for the championship unless he stumbles badly in the Bowers Motorsports entry. Chadwick and Jim Pettit II will battle down to the final checkered flag for second. Foulger and Pettit are also fighting for the State point lead, which is currently being led by Foulger.

Fred Ryland isn't running for points, but that didn't stop him from coming out and grabbing the $600 first prize for the IMCA Sport Modifieds. That kind of money brought Andrew Peckham, who has picked up a few victories this year as well. Ryland was just a bit quicker than Peckham. The battle right now for the championship is still close between Mark Garner and Trevor Clymens and could go either way with two races remaining. Even KC Keller is in the hunt, despite missing a race.

I'm not exactly sure where all of the Jay's Mobile Welding Hobby Stocks came from, but they had 30 of them for a $300 first prize. Since the rules are opened up a little bit in this class, you're getting drivers that would not have been welcomed at Antioch just a year ago. In this case, it was Les Friend coming in from Placerville with his Hobby Stock. Les has competed in both Modified classes at Antioch in the past and is a winner in Sport Modifieds there, but now he can claim he is a Hobby Stock winner. James Thomson continues to knock on the door to victory. Despite having to win the B Main to get into the show, he came from the back of the pack for another second place finish. 

As we've watched the Modified car counts level off, the Hobby Stocks remain strong at Antioch. I thought that the Wednesday night Speedweek Hobby Stock car count was an anomaly, and it certainly was. Given this support, I'm anxious to see how Antioch will do when they run the $1,000 to win race on October 24th. I'm thinking that could turn out to be quite a show. Allowing the drivers who had a bit of an advantage in recent years to come compete has certainly not hurt the show, and it's nice to see people like Thomson stepping up their game to meet the challenge.

Unfortunately for the Four Banger division, it looks like nobody answered the call to come race for a purse. The track announced that there would be a purse if five cars came out to race, but there weren't enough cars to race, if anybody showed up at all. The division definitely needs a jump start, and I do hope the purse offer remains in effect. It's not necessarily going to be easy to get this division started as it has been dead for the past five years. The option of giving Dan Myrick of the Central Valley Mini Stocks a call and seeing if something could be arranged is still there if management wanted to put a show on the track to highlight how exciting Four Banger racing can actually be.

One thing that Antioch is interested in doing is keeping the gates open for the Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series. Since they've opened up the Super Stock rules to allow these cars to come out and race, it's been a little bit of a shot in the arm for the local effort. This Saturday night will see the drivers competing for at least $1,000 to win as Jay's Mobile Welding has come on board to sponsor the event. Drivers will be coming from down south in the Bakersfield area, Northern California and even Nevada. The fact that there will also be a Pro Stock race at Petaluma on Sunday makes it more enticing for drivers to make the trip. 

Antioch Speedway just moves ahead, week by week. I don't see any empty dates from now through October 31st, meaning there will always be something going on there on a Saturday night unless something comes up to change that. There is some optimism, however unfounded, that rules might loosen up a little bit going forward to allow fans in the grandstands. I don't know whether that's going to happen or not, but you never know. I do know that there are still some big races left on the schedule at Antioch Speedway.

The state of Oregon had its most active weekend of racing yet with five tracks holding events, one with socially distanced fans and one with a 250 fan limit, while three didn't allow fans. A sixth track, Hermiston Raceway, hopes to get back in action by September 19th with 250 fans in the stands for twilight and evening races. River City Speedway seems to be going with a strict rule of just 250 people in the pits, which is the guideline as laid down by the governor under the Phase 2 plan. They announced on Friday night that they had sold out. They had been broadcasting the events on their Facebook page, but there was nothing available for Saturday.

However, they are going ahead with plans to run on Labor Day weekend with the Iron Giant Street Stocks and Northwest Dwarf Cars as the two featured classes. Depending on how sign ups go, a third division could be added. The iron Giant Series has acknowledged this event and are trying to bring in a sponsor or two to help the purse. Normally, Labor Day weekend would have been the big Iron Giant race at Willamette Speedway, which has recently reopened. However, the series will be getting behind the River City Speedway race as it was announced first. We've heard no comments yet from the series in regards to the Coos Bay Speedway Battle At The Beach Street Stock show that's coming up on Saturday.

Given the fact that Coos Bay is still doing good numbers in their Street Stocks and despite the fact that Cottage Grove and Willamette have reopened, we know that they will go full speed ahead with the big race. We also anticipate that some drivers who count themselves among The Iron Giant Series will participate at Coos Bay, and the show should work well, provided that goes on as scheduled. We are just a little bit concerned after hearing that the OLCC revoked their liquor license on Thursday night and are wondering if there's anything else around the corner this week. If Drake Nelson is still able to open with a socially distanced crowd and sell them food, don't expect him to change anything in regards to his schedule unless he adds something more.

Because Willamette Speedway is open, there was a noticeable decline in the Late Model and Sportsman Late Model classes at Coos Bay. We aren't really surprised to see that. What's interesting is the battle they've got going in the Super Late Model division. Willamette area racer Jason Johnson had been leading the standings up until this past weekend when he had mechanical issues and didn't start the Main Event. 2018 champion Brody Montgomery collected his first win of the season and assumed the point lead with rookie Braden Fugate following him into second. The battle is still close between these two racers.

The strength of the Saturday program was the Street Stocks, Hornets and Junior Stingers in terms of car count, and the track also added the OTRO Hardtops. The OTRO and the PRA group at Roseburg don't necessarily see eye-to-eye, so you had Hardtops competing at both venues. There were eight of them at Coos Bay. The Junior Stingers division is an interesting thing to note. This is Coos Bay's attempt at bring in the young drivers as 11 to 14 year old kids get to compete in Hornet race cars.

I have yet to see any video footage of a race, but every time I've seen the MyLaps information posted, it looks like Griff Smith is pretty much dominating. Some kids just have that natural ability and aren't afraid to put their foot to the floor, and that seems to be the case with him. It's almost like shooting ducks in a barrel for him at this point, and he's got to be close to graduating from this class. Last season, they let him run with the Hornets one night and he finished third. I have to believe he could actually win one of those Hornet races in relatively short fashion once he moves up. The competition behind him seems to be close with different drivers taking their turns in second.

At a place like Coos Bay Speedway, you take your cars where you can get them. Half of their base is in the ocean if you go by a 50 mile radius around the track, so having a Hornet division that can recruit young drivers isn't a bad thing. Some of these kids will naturally progress to the Hornet division or some of the other classes. While the track has benefited from drivers coming from out of town, they know they can't expect that to be a regular occurrence once tracks are able to open under normal conditions. The Junior Stinger division certainly helps the cause a little bit. Even before the shutdown, we were hearing reports of more parents getting their kids into this class.

While Coos Bay Speedway has had everybody talking about what they've been able to do, Douglas County Speedway had a different approach to getting fans. Hermiston Raceway definitely showed them the way. If not for the fact that Umatilla County has been put back to Phase 1, Hermiston Raceway would have had another race by now. The plan for Hermiston is to run two Main Event and hot lap only programs, one in the late afternoon and one in the early evening. With 250 people allowed in the stands, they could sell 250 tickets twice, and at $20 a piece they were pulling in $10,000 total for the sellouts they've had so far.

As we mentioned, Hermiston could return to action on September 19th. The Roseburg track was able to get the same deal at 250 people in the stands. Unlike Hermiston, they didn't inflate their ticket price and made it a general price. They were still selling $15 tickets for general admission and $8 tickets for juniors. From what I could see from the footage, they may have been close to selling out all 250 tickets if they didn't sell out. They never made that announcement. In fact, they never made the announcement that there was a place you could watch the race streaming live for free. I should have been paying better attention going into the weekend as I missed that fact as well as the Ukiah Speedway race that was scheduled.

They had Race Monitor showing the live scoring, and the idea hit me to check 541radio.com just to see if anything was going on. It turns out the sports radio station had cameras and their two DJs from the last show announcing this race. While the camera was a bit spotty at times as it seemed to be suffering from lag, the announcing was coming through crystal clear. I love the idea that these guys were running an afternoon show, because I could easily fit them in as I tried to cover as much racing as possible.

As I mentioned above, some tracks aren't bringing that many cars to the show, and other than the 19 Hornets, the count wasn't spectacular. Three of the drivers running with the Hornets were Mini Stocks as they elected to run them together rather than letting the Mini Stocks have their own show. Longtime racer Dale Roth slowly and steadily drove his Mini Stock through the pack in the Hornet race, but he didn't quite make the pass. Race long leader Ryan Dickinson beat him by inches to the checkered flag in what was an entertaining race for the group.

I've been happy to check out the PRA Hardtop races on the two broadcasts. I'm a Hardtop fan, and one can trace the modern California Hardtop movement to Roseburg in the 1980s. At that time, OTRO was sanctioning it, but PRA has taken over the Roseburg class in recent years. Harlan Cox and Troy Gassner were running strong, but mechanical issues struck to eliminate both of them during a Lap 19 yellow flag. Reigning champion Kyran Greene, who was making this a close three-car battle during the first half of the race, took it from there and was the happy winner.

They have a Sport Modified division, which I think is a retooled Modified division. I do wonder as I see some of the tracks that run Limited Modifieds on the pavement. You have places like Lakeport and Ukiah in California and Roseburg in Oregon. Everybody is so in love with IMCA, I am curious if anybody at these pavement tracks even thought about going to them for sanctioning? In any event, longtime racer Tom Elam scored the win after a good battle with Riley Watson. The Watson family and the Harvey family seem to be the ones keeping this division going.

I don't know what might change with regards to fans in the stands in Oregon or California, but I'm not sure we'll see more than six Oregon tracks running for the remainder of the year. Anything is possible, but I think the reopening of Willamette Speedway may have been the last for the year. Cottage Grove Speedway had been doing very good numbers up until the point when Willamette Speedway reopened. The numbers took a noticeable dip in all classes except for the IMCA Sport Modifieds and Sport Compacts. It was a season-high for the Sport Compacts, and the Sport Modifieds needed a B Main. The Late Models and Street Stocks had less than 10 cars each.

The curiosity for me was the Senior Sprint division that Brian Crockett introduced. People will know Brian as one of the biggest stars at Placerville Speedway in Sprint Car competition before moving up to Oregon and becoming the proud father of Sprint Car star Roger Crockett. I've made the observation that Brian is pretty much the godfather of Sprint Car racing in Oregon, such as it is. I'm not really so sure that this is a good thing, but it is what it is. I can't imagine he's thrilled by the fact that they aren't able to have any Winged 360 Sprint Car races, but he still wanted to exert his influence. 

I think one of the biggest reasons that Brian approved the ISCS sanctioning for the Coos Bay Speedway race last week was just so he had his hands on something this year. There could also be an ISCS race in Coos Bay at the end of September, which was originally scheduled. I'm not sure if Brian might work out a deal with Kevin down in Yreka, but he was looking to do something closer to home in Cottage Grove. He came up with the idea of the Senior Sprint Car division. It's not necessarily an original idea as Ventura Raceway and Perris Auto Speedway do the same thing with their Wingless Sprints.

What you see these days in Sprint Car racing is these drivers in their teens and early 20s getting involved. It's becoming a young man's game, which doesn't necessarily delight me either. I am happy for the future, but these kids will be pushed out of the way when they get into their 30s in some cases. Regardless, the idea of a senior class does have merit. The older drivers in some cases know each other better or trust people who have been on this planet a little bit longer. I think that's one of the reasons why the Veterans class at the Dwarf Car Nationals does so well. Some of those drivers are talented enough to run with the Pros, but they choose to run in the Veterans division and put on a race as entertaining as the Pros.

Crockett proposed the Senior race, and I really wanted to know if anybody would show up for this. Would there be more than two or three cars? The other thought was that maybe he was putting this together so he could go out there and kick some butt. He ran a Limited Sprint race prior to that and was kind of mired in the pack. On Saturday, there were six Sprint Cars, and Crockett did what I thought he might do. He won the Main Event ahead of Southern Oregon Speedway racer David Marble. I don't think they expected big numbers for this first race, and I'm thinking that Brian was happy to start off with six cars. 

He'll go back to Heather Boyce and talk about this and what can be done in the future. Is there room for a Senior Sprint class in addition to Limited Sprints? I think so. I don't know how much money there is for some racing teams. The father might have the son in a race car, so sharing the car may not be something they want to do. On the other hand, there is not a shortage of Sprint Car chassis that can be had at a reasonable price. Having a Senior Sprint class might be just the thing to get a few of the old-timers back out there for one last hurrah, knowing they're racing with their peers and not young drivers they may not be so sure about

We head into the final weekend of August, and the virus has definitely torn the heart right out of the season. There are still some special shows coming up, and the big winners right now are Flo Racing. Not only are they streaming so many tracks, but they managed to buy out Speedshift TV and take over their market. I can't imagine it's been a bad year for business for Flo Racing. They're doing this with a cheaper subscription than Speedshift TV had, but they also run commercials and have sponsors. 

We are going down the stretch run for the IMCA championship seasons. By the end of September, those are done. Some tracks won't be having their own championship races, so that makes the fact that they are sanctioned by IMCA that more much more special. IMCA will at least do the things they usually do to honor the champions at the end of the season. We will continue to cover all of that through September and then figure out what we're going to do as we begin to close the regular media effort here on the blog.

On that note, I'm going to end this column. Until next time...