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Copeland Wraps Up WST Speedweek Series Championship With Win At Cottage Grove Speedway

Cottage Grove, Oregon...July 17...Colby Copeland won the 30 lap WST Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Cottage Grove Speedway. The win was worth $5,000 to Copeland aboard the Jim Van Lare owned Sprinter. It was also his third win in the five race series as he wrapped up the championship.

Washington competitors Logan Forler and Trey Starks scored the 1-2 finish in the five lap Trophy Dash to grab the front row for the feature race with Justyn Cox and Copeland lined up in the second row. When the green flag waved, Starks and Copeland raced into the first two positions with Forler running third. Unfortunately, a tangle involving Forler and Starks brought out a Lap 9 yellow flag. Copeland led reigning Winged 360 Sprint Car track champion Tyler Thompson and Cox on the restart, but Cox motored past Thompson for second a lap later. At that point, Chase Goetz was running fourth, and there would be no position changes in the Top 4 the rest of the way, despite Cox giving Copeland pressure down the stretch. Copeland was the happy winner ahead of Cox, Thompson, Goetz, track point leader Garen Linder, Tanner Holmes, Max Mittry, Jodie Robinson, Brad Bumgarner and John Clark.

There were 28 competitors on hand, and Justyn Cox toured the quarter-mile clay oval with a fast lap of 10.797 in qualifying, beating the 10.878 of Starks, the 10.909 of Copeland and the 10.942 of Forler. Once again, the Top 4 finishers in each of the four eight lap heat races made it into the show with wins going to Gregory Hamilton, Bumgarner, Holmes and Chase Majdic. Unfortunately, Majdic saw his qualifying time disallowed, which meant that he would still have to run the B Main despite winning his heat race.

James Setters won the 12 lap B Main. He raced into the lead at the start with Majdic moving into second on Lap 2. Majdic took the lead from Setters on Lap 5 with Matt Hein running into third at that point. Unfortunately, Majdic saw his race end on Lap 7. Setters took over from there and went on to victory ahead of Hein, Brian Boswell, final transfer Don Trent and Donny Waddell.

Jeffrey Hudson won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was his second win of the season aboard the Don Roemer owned Modified. Hudson started on the front row and motored into the lead immediately as Paul Culp was an early second ahead of Matthew Drager. Drager slipped past Culp for second on Lap 5 and took up pursuit of Hudson. Culp held third until briefly being overtaken by Aaron Sheelar on Lap 17. However, Culp regained the spot on Lap 20 with Sheelar also being passed by championship contender Curtis Towns at that point. Though Drager was able to keep it close, Hudson would prevail at the checkered flag. Culp settled for third ahead of Towns, point leader Jake Mayden, Steven Sturdevant, Aaron Sheelar, Paul Rea, Ryan Baker and Dave Duste Jr. Culp was the fast qualifier at 15.415, barely beating the 15.418 of Hudson and the 15.573 of Mayden. Eight lap heat race wins went to Hudson and Rea with Mayden prevailing in the four lap Trophy Dash.

Graig Osborne won the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event. This was the sixth win of the season for the current point leader. Osborne started in the second row but bolted into the lead when the green flag waved. Michael Hollingsworth was an early second ahead of Troy Chamberlain, and that proved to be the battle. Chamberlain briefly got by for second on Lap 4, but Taunton Swaim took the position on Lap 6. Chamberlain roared back on Lap 9 to regain second, but the tenacious Swaim again got by on Lap 15. Anthony Prather moved into third at that point and made a Lap 19 pass to steal second from Swaim. Osborne won not too far ahead of Prather as Swaim settled for third, followed by Larry Owens, Chamberlain, Hollingsworth and Eric Freeman. Osborne set the fast time of 17.357, beating the 17.455 of Swaim. The eight lap heat race win went to Osborne and Swaim, and Osborne made it a clean sweep with his four lap Trophy Dash win. Mike Swaim was a Main Event scratch 

Next Saturday night is a special occasion as it's Historical Night. The track will be honoring some of its legends by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. The Late Models return for the annual Loggers Cup race, which will pay $2,000 to win. Also competing will be the Todd's Auto Body Limited Sprints and the IMCA Sport Compacts. For further information, go to www.cottagegrovespeedway.com.

Powell Becomes Latest New Sprint Car Winner 

At Marysville Raceway 

Marysville, CA...July 17...Steel Powell won the 25 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Marysville Raceway. It was his first win of the season as there have been nine different winners in the 10 races held so far this year.

Dennis Scherer had visions of his first win as he jumped into the early lead ahead of Powell and Korey Lovell. A yellow flag waved on Lap 6 for a backstretch tangle between James Taylor and Dawson Hammes. Hammes joined Colby Wiesz on the sidelines at that point, and Scherer led Powell and Korey Lovell on the restart. Through a Lap 8 yellow for John Sullivan in Turn 1 and a Lap 11 caution flag for Carson Hall in Turn 4, Scherer continued to lead Powell and Korey Lovell. As they hit the Lap 20 mark, Powell begin to pressure Scherer for the lead. Paul made the move into the lead on Lap 23, but Scherer regained the point a lap later. Unfortunately, he had problems and didn't make it to the checkered flag as Powell went driving by for the lead and victory. Korey Lovell ended up second, followed by Kevin Lovell, point leader Billy Wallace, Josh Wiesz, William Fielding, Brian McGahan, Koa Crane, RJ Baker and Pat Harvey Jr. 

There were 19 Sprint Cars on hand. Josh Wiesz set the fast time in qualifying with a lap of 13.358, beating the 13.649 of Colby Wiesz and the 13.718 of McGahan. They ran three eight lap heat races with the wins going to Kevin Lovell, Powell and McGahan.

Cameron Haney Jr won the 20 lap Winged Crate Sprint Main Event. He snapped a four-race win streak for point leader Brett Youngman. It was actually the third win of the season for Haney as he picked up the victory on Sherm and Loree Toler Memorial night and also has a win at Silver Dollar Speedway. Jason Ballantine set the early pace ahead of Haney and Youngman. There were three early yellow flags with Dusty Barton being sidelined before he could complete a lap. The battle got close at the midpoint of the race, and Haney slipped past Ballantine for the lead on Lap 11. Jason Ballantine saw his run up front end as he spun in Turn 1 for a Lap 19 yellow flag. This set up a two lap overtime finish, but Haney maintained command from the restart to the checkered flag. Youngman ended up second, followed by Mike Ballantine, David Sims, Jason Ballantine, Chad Thompson, Spencer Slocum and Barton. Haney also won the eight lap heat race by making a last lap pass on Sims.

Dan Brown Jr won the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. This was the second win of the season for Brown. He started on the front row and trailed Rod Oliver for just a lap before taking over. Point leader Jay Norton settled into third, and they ran that way through a Lap 2 yellow flag for Ray Trimble and a Lap 14 slow down for Eddie Gardner. Brown was leading Oliver and Norton up until Lap 16, when Norton spun in Turn 4 for a caution flag. Brown resumed command on the restart and brought it home to victory ahead of Oliver. Trimble finished third ahead of Norton, Matt Davis and Gardner.

The California  Hardtops were originally scheduled to be a part of this program, but the group decided it was too hot and canceled at the last minute.The Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Winged Crate Sprints return to action again this Saturday night along with the Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.marysvilleraceway.com.

Rasmussen, Smith, Forster, Glover Win 

At Bakersfield Speedway

Bakersfield, CA...July 17...Kyle Rasmussen won the 15 lap IMCA Western RaceSaver 305 Sprint Car Main Event. The win definitely puts him back in the battle for the State championship. Only five drivers showed up for this race, and Connor Danell and Chris Ennis were both Main Event scratches. Phil Heynen started on the pole and led seven laps before Rasmussen drove by for the lead. Rasmussen pulled away to a straightaway advantage over Heynen with Sean Quinn ending up third. They ran two eight lap heat races, and Rasmussen won both of them.

Chris Smith won the 20 lap Western Pro Stock Main Event. Smith has been running with the Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Tour this season. He bolted into the lead at the start ahead of son Ryan Smith and Paul Miller. Late Model veteran Jerry Stewart moved past Miller for third on Lap 4 and set his sights on Ryan Smith. That was made a moot point when Ryan Smith fell out on Lap 11. Chris Smith drove a good race and beat Stewart by nearly a straightaway to the checkered flag. Hobby Stock point leader Ricky Childress Jr was running back in sixth when the yellow came out for Ryan Smith. He made a big move into third on the restart and held off Dakota Schweitzer for the third place finish. Frank Nyback ended up fifth, followed by Ryan Smith and Paul Miller. Stewart was the eight lap heat race winner. 

Mod Lites guru Zack Forster returned to action and won the 20 lap IMCA Mod Lites Main Event. This was his third win of the season. Point leader Tim Varney jumped into the early lead ahead of Candi Varney and Phil Barrow. Barrow took second from Candi Varney on Lap 4 and slipped past Tim Varney for the lead a lap later. Third row starter Forster moved into second on Lap 6 and put the moves on Barrow for the lead on the eighth lap. JD Brown had settled into third on Lap 6. Forster went on to win ahead of Barrow, Brown, Candi Varney, Tim Varney, Parker Cherry and Shane Balser. Tim Varney won the eight lap heat race.

Gene Glover won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This makes him the fourth different winner in five races. Jose Rosales jumped into the early lead with Glover getting into second on the fourth lap. Glover gained the lead on a Lap 10 restart with the retirement of Rosales. 16th starter Clint Duncan would manage to get around point leader Brandon Wolford for second. However, Glover was not going to be denied as he sped to the victory ahead of Duncan, Brandon Wolford, Joe Rogers Jr, Taylor Bard, Destiny Wolford, Josie Robinson, Trent Lone, Jason Cook Jr and Skyler Corella. Rogers and Glover picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Jason Denman won the 20 lap Kern County Hardtop Main Event. This was his third win of the season. After winning the eight lap heat race ahead of rival Rich Souza, Denman started last in the five car field. He and Souza mixed it up with Marc McCaslin briefly before Denman would move ahead and won in front of Souza, McCaslin, Tom Sommerfield and Tyler Weeks.

Racing continues this Saturday night with the IMCA Modifieds back in action along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and American Stocks. For further information, go to www.bakersfieldspeedway.com.

Becker Wins $6,900 Prize In Howard Kaeding Classic 

At Ocean Speedway

Watsonville, CA...July 17...Sean Becker won the 30 lap NARC/King of the West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Ocean Speedway. The occasion was the 11th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic, and it proved to be the biggest win in the career of the seven-time Silver Dollar Speedway champion. The triumphant Becker was piloting the David Vertullo owned Star Property Management/Morrison Concrete sponsored Sprinter, and he collected $6,900 for his winning effort.

Corey Day earned himself a pole position start by holding off Jesse Attard and Shane Golobic to win the six lap Trophy Dash. However, Attard ruined Day's moment by charging into the lead at the start ahead of Sean Becker. Sean Watts stalled with a flat tire for a Lap 1 yellow flag. Attard resumed leading the way on the restart ahead of Becker and Golobic. Golobic slipped past Becker for second on Lap 6 and took the lead from Attard on Lap 9 with Becker following into second. Moments later, JJ Ringo spun for a yellow flag. Becker motored into the lead on the restart ahead of Attard and Corey Day, but Day lost third to Mitchell Faccinto on Lap 12. Blake Carrick moved in to challenge Attard for second. On Lap 14, the two drivers made contact in Turn 1, resulting in a pileup that also collected point leader Bud Kaeding, Justin Sanders, JJ Ringo, Joey Ancona and Kurt Nelson. Nobody was hurt, but it took a while to clean up the mess as Attard, Kaeding, Ancona and Sanders were all eliminated. Becker led Tanner Carrick and Faccinto on the restart. The second half of the race went without interruption, and Becker's rapid pace put him in traffic during the final five laps. Tanner Carrick closed in on him, but there wasn't much he could do as Becker made the right moves. Becker won ahead of Tanner Carrick, Faccinto, Blake Carrick, Ryan Bernal, Billy Aton, Keith Day Jr, Kyle Hirst, Golobic and Kalib Henry.

28 Winged 410 Sprint Cars took their turns qualifying on the Tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval, and Tim Kaeding set the fast time of 11.115, beating the 11.200 of Becker, the 11.224 of Corey Day and the 11.229 of Golobic. There would be 24 positions up for grabs in the $1,000 to start Main Event, starting with the Top 5 finishers in each of the four 10 lap heat races earning transfers. Wins in those races went to Tim Kaeding, Ryan Bernal, Kyle Hirst and JJ Ringo. Four spots were up for grabs in the 12 lap B Main. Series regular Sean Watts ran first the entire distance with Watsonville regular Kurt Nelson a race long second. Jason Chisum held third over brother Jeremy Chisum until Jason Chisum brought out a Lap 5 yellow flag. Jeremy Chisum gained third on the restart and would finish there with Kenny Allen the final transfer as Geoffrey Strole finished fifth.

Bud Kaeding is clinging to a one point lead over Dom Scelzi with reigning champion DJ Netto four points back in third. The NARC/King of the West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Cars head to Tulare Thunderbowl this Friday and Santa Maria Raceway on Saturday. For further information, go to www.narc410.com.

Rick Diaz won the time limit shortened 16 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Diaz has made the move into the division after picking up two championships in the IMCA Sport Modifieds at Merced Speedway.

Diaz jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Steve Pemberton and Matthew Hagio. Pemberton took the lead from Diaz on Lap 2 before a yellow flag waved. Pemberton continued to lead Diaz and Andy Obertello on the restart, but a Lap 3 yellow flag waved, signaling the end of the race for Mitch Machado. Diaz and Hagio shuffled Pemberton back to third on the restart, but a yellow flag waved after just one more lap was completed with Robert Montalvo out of the race. Diaz led Hagio and Pemberton on the next restart, but a Lap 7 yellow flag flew as State point leader and track championship contender Jim Pettit II was eliminated in a incident with Aaron Crowell and Todd Hermosillo. Diaz led Lap 8 and lap 9 restarts ahead of Hagio and five-time Antioch champion Troy Foulger. The order didn't change after a yellow flag on Lap 11, but time was becoming a concern when the yellow flag waved on Lap 15. Shawn DeForest was out at that point with 14 of the original 23 starters still running. Diaz led the restart, but when the yellow flag waved on Lap 16, the race was called complete with Diaz the winner ahead of Hagio, Foulger, Nick DeCarlo, reigning champion Cody Burke, Pemberton, Austin Burke, Carl Berendsen II, Raymond Keldsen Jr and Terry DeCarlo Sr. Obertello, Diaz and Hagio picked up the eight lap race wins.

Austin Van Hoff won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Van Hoff is a regular at Merced Speedway, and this year he's been making a run at the IMCA State championship in his first year in the Stock Car class. He got behind the wheel of the car normally piloted by DJ Keldsen and jumped into the lead at the start ahead of past Merced Hobby Stock champion Ryan Hart and Adriane Frost. Van Hoff and Hart began to pull away from the pack in the rapidly run race, but Hart pitted on Lap 17 with Frost now second ahead of Joe Willoughby. Van Hoff took the checkered flag not too far ahead of Willoughby, who passed Frost on the final lap. However, Willoughby was later disqualified, elevating Frost into a second place finish ahead a point leader Joe Gallaher, three-time champion Rob Gallaher, Wally Kennedy, Steve Remde, Norm Ayers, Scott Freeman, six-time champion Sam Kennedy and JP Gallaher. Willoughby and Sam Kennedy picked up eight lap heat race wins.

AJ Waltrip won the 15 lap Police N Pursuit Main Event. Waltrip represents the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office, and this was his first win of the season. Incoming point leader Roy Iler of the San Benito Sheriff's Office was a Main Event scratch, which opened the door for Scotts Valley Police Department representative John Hohmann to grab the lead in the standings. Waltrip led from the start ahead of Hohmann and Jackie Yeung of the Capitola Police Department. Yeung got past Hohmann for second on Lap 3 with Nate Graham of the Santa Cruz Police Department stalking Hohmann for third until making the pass on lap 10. Graham slipped past Yeung for second on Lap 12. At that point, Waltrip wasn't too far ahead of him, but he ran out of time as Waltrip won ahead of Graham, Yeung, Hohmann, Pat Sullivan, Fernando Tellez, Tony Weir, Eric Perez and Ryan Luke. Hohmann and Waltrip won the six lap heat races.

Racing returns this Friday night with the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars back in action along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, South Bay Dwarf Cars and Four Bangers. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.

Johnson, Balding, Learn Score Sunday Evening Wins 

At Petaluma Speedway 

Petaluma, CA...July 18...Colby Johnson won the 25 lap Hagemann Farms Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Sunday evening at Petaluma Speedway. The track was offering a minimum of $300 to everybody who started the feature race.

Johnson started on the front row and raced into the lead when the green flag flew, followed by Bret Barney and Andy Forsberg. As Johnson pulled away a little bit, Forsberg was pressuring Barney for second when a yellow flag waved on Lap 6. Johnson continued to lead the restart with Forsberg settling into second. Barney was still holding off two-time Petaluma champion Bradley Terrell for third, and Forsberg started pressuring Johnson for the lead when a yellow flag flew for past champion Jake Haulot on Lap 16. Terrell managed to get past Barney on the restart as Johnson led Forsberg. Forsberg kept it close, but Johnson stayed smooth to score the well-earned victory. Terrell settled for third, followed by Barney, Brinton Marvel, David Lindt II, logan Calderwood, Haulot, Justin Henry and Tuesday Calderwood.

In lieu of time trials, the 11 Winged 360 Sprint Car competitors were given two sets of eight lap heat races with point totals determining the lineup for the Main Event. The first round of heat race wins went to Forsberg and Barney. Haulot and Johnson won the second set of heats.

Tim Balding won the 25 lap Butler Auto Glass IMCA Modified Main Event. The win paid $1,000 to the past All Star Series champion as everybody that took the green flag got a minimum of $150. Balding jumped into the lead at the start ahead of many time champion Michael Paul Jr and Josh Combs. A yellow flag waved after three laps for Jeffrey Faulkner, and Balding led Michael Paul Jr and Michelle Paul on the restart. Following a Lap 7 yellow flag, Michelle Paul and State point leader Jim Pettit II shuffled Michael Paul Jr out of the Top 3. However, Balding was pulling away from Michelle Paul, who had her hands full with Pettit. Unfortunately, Pettit brought out a Lap 15 yellow flag. That proved to be the final slowdown of the race, and Balding led Michelle Paul and Michael Paul Jr on the restart. Balding again resumed his rapid pace as he pulled away from Michelle Paul. Pettit rapidly worked his way through the pack, taking fourth from Combs on Lap 24. However, Balding won by over a straightaway ahead of Michelle Paul and Michael Paul Jr. Pettit settled for fourth ahead of Combs, Freddie Plourde III, Jeffrey Faulkner, Jim Weiler, incoming point leader Anthony Slaney and Tim Yeager. Michael Paul Jr, Pettit and Slaney picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Past division champion Mike Learn won the 25 lap Jay's Mobile Welding Service Super Stock Main Event. This was his first win of the season, and he had a little bit of luck on his side. Learn led at the drop of the green flag ahead of the Matt Hagemann and previous winner Dean DeVolder. A yellow flag waved after just one lap, and DeVolder moved into second behind Learn. As the lead duo pulled away, Hagemann was holding on to third. DeVolder was steadily pulling away from Learn as they hit the halfway point of the race. He held about a straightaway advantage, but traffic was becoming a factor. Unfortunately for DeVolder, he cut a tire, and Learn reeled him in and made the pass on Lap 14. DeVolder was riding it out for as long as he could, surrendering second to Hagemann on Lap 15 and giving third to Dave Spindell a lap later as he finally headed to the pits. Learn held about a half-lap advantage by Lap 18 as Spindell slipped past Hagemann for second. Learn continued to stretch his lead over Spindell as he cruised to victory with Spindell getting his second-consecutive runnerup finish, followed by Hagemann, Randy Miramontez, reigning Antioch champion Mike Walko, Duane Croft, Justin Zwicker, DeVolder, Sid Hess and Roger Miller. Past champion Shawn McCoy and DeVolder were the eight lap heat race winners.

George Nielson won the 20 lap Sparky's Collision Center 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. This was the second win of the season for Nielson, and it came after a thrilling battle with Caleb Debem. Carroll Mendenhall set the early pace ahead of Nielson and Trevor Mendenhall. That was the order after a Lap 1 yellow flag, but Nielson took the lead from Carroll Mendenhall on Lap 3. Brian Slubik moved into third at that point and took second from Carroll Mendenhall before another yellow flag waved on Lap 5 with Trevor Mendenhall out of the race. Nielson led Slubik and Debem on the restart, but Debem and Carroll Mendenhall shuffled Slubik out of the Top 3 on Lap 7. A yellow flag waved at that point. The restart was botched for a tangle that eliminated Carroll Mendenhall and Jack Clark. Nielson led Sam Borland and Rob Brown on the restart, but Brown took second on Lap 9. Debem slipped past Borland for third on Lap 14 and gained second a lap later. It looked like Nielson might have the win in hand, but a Lap 16 yellow flag waved with Kyle Grissom out of the race at that point. Nielson led Debem and Brown on the restart. On the 19th lap, Debem put the moves on Nielson to grab the lead, but Nielson came back strong to reclaim the lead and victory on the final lap. Debem settled for second ahead of Brown, past champion Jim Beck, Sam Borland, Victor Guerra, Jeromie Charon, Kyle Grissom, Brian Slubik and Carroll Mendenhall.  Debem and Brown won the eight lap heat races.

Racing continues this Saturday night with the Hagemann Ranch Winged 360 Sprint Cars back in action along with the Jay's Mobile Welding Service Super Stocks, Redwood Dwarf Cars and Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.

Matthias, Miraglio, Preast 

Win Antioch Speedway Dwarf Car Nationals 

Antioch, CA...July 17...Chad Mathias won the 30 lap Pro Dwarf Car Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the first running of the Antioch Speedway WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals, hosted by the Delta Dwarf Car group. Matthias is the current Redwood Dwarf Car point leader and a two-time champion with his group.

The Top 10 finishers from Friday's Preliminary Feature ran a 10 lap Fast Dash to set the first five rows of the Main Event. Darren Brown won that race. Matthias led Vuki Wilson Jr at the start with Brown moving into second on Lap 4 and taking the lead from Matthias two laps later. Brown won that race ahead of Matthias and Wilson, setting him up with the pole for the Main Event. 

However, Matthias bolted into the lead on the opening lap ahead of Brown and Michael "Spanky" Grenert. A yellow flag waved after just two laps, and Matthias continued to lead Brown on the restart as Adam Teves was running third. Teves briefly got by Brown for second on Lap 7 with a yellow flag waving a lap later. Brown moved back into second behind Matthias on the restart. Teves was running third and again took second from Brown on a Lap 10 restart. With Teves providing the pressure, Matthias was driving a flawless race up front, and both Brown and Ryan Winter got past Teves for second and third on Lap 24. Teves slipped past Winter for third on Lap 25 and briefly gained second two laps later. However, Brown reclaimed second for good on Lap 28. Nobody was getting by Matthias as he scored the impressive win ahead of Brown, Teves, Grenert, Danny Wagner, Winter, Anthony Pope, Nick Velasquez, Devan Kammermann and Tommy Velasquez III. Chance Russell and Nick Velasquez won the eight races.

Kevin Miraglio continued his domination of the Veterans division with the 20 lap Main Event win. He leads the Veterans portion of the Nationals point standings and is also leading the Delta Dwarf Car battle this year. Following his win in the Preliminary Feature on Friday, Miraglio scored a flag to flag win in the 10 lap Fast Dash with Stacy Woods a race-long second ahead of Steve Kapaun. 

When the green flag waved on the Main Event, Miraglio bolted into the lead ahead of Woods and Kapaun. Following a Lap 1 yellow flag, Miraglio resumed command ahead of Woods and Eric Weisler. That was the order through the Lap 13 and lap 18 yellow flags. On the Lap 19 restart, however, Scott Dahlgren got past the both Woods and Weisler for second behind Miraglio. A yellow flag waved a lap later, setting up a one lap shootout to the finish. As Miraglio again motored ahead on the restart, Weisler was able to move into second ahead Brian Quilty. Miraglio won ahead of Weisler, Brian Quilty, Tom Van Tuyl, Chuck Conover,  Dahlgren, Dan Geil, Austin Quilty, Tony Margott and Woods. Dahlgren won the eight lap heat race.

Scotty Preast won the 20 lap Sportsman Dwarf Car Main Event. Preast was able to wrestle the lead away from Friday night Preliminary Feature winner Will Dykeman early on and led most of the way in victory. Dykeman used his 10 lap Fast Dash win to grab the pole for the Main Event. He managed to find his way into third behind Preast and Jameson Sole when a yellow flag waved on Lap 8. Dykeman led Sole past Preast on the restart, and that was the Top 3 at the finish.

Dykeman set the early pace in the Main Event ahead of Preast and John Tardiff. Following a Lap 1 yellow flag, Preast took the lead from Dykeman on the restart. A Lap 5 yellow flag bunched the field, and Orey Woods settled into third behind Preast and Dykeman on the restart. Woods overtook Dykeman for second on a Lap 10 restart as Preast maintained the lead, and Sole took third on Lap 11. Sole surrendered third to Jace Badeker on Lap 14, and a yellow flag again waved. Preast led the restart with Ellie Russo taking second from Woods. One last yellow flag waved on Lap 18. Preast resumed command on the restart and brought it home to victory ahead of Russo, Woods, Dykeman, Badeker, Mack Aceves, Sole, Isaak Geil, Joe LeDuc and Tardiff. Russo and Joe Bohard picked up eight lap heat race wins.

Racing resumes this Saturday night with the Wingless Spec Sprints back in action along with the Jay's Mobile Welding Service Hobby Stocks, Delta Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Gregg, Jones Sprint Car Winners At Placerville, 

Kevin Jinkerson Pure Stock Winner

Placerville, CA...July 17...Andy Gregg won the 25 lap Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Placerville Speedway. This was the first win of the year for Gregg, and he drove a brilliant race with many time champion Andy Forsberg pressuring him most of the way. He is now the seventh different winner in the 10 races held so far.

Gregg had the pole for the feature race and bolted into the early lead ahead of Forsberg and Steven Ingraham. A yellow flag waved on Lap 4 for Landon Brooks. Gregg continued to lead Forsberg on the restart as Ryan Robinson moved into third. However, Robinson ended up on his side for a Lap 9 red flag. He was able to rejoin for the restart as Gregg continued to lead Forsberg and Colby Johnson. They ran that way until point leader Joel Myers Jr moved by Johnson for third on Lap 19. Two laps later, CJ Humphreys flipped for a red flag. He was okay but out of the event. Gregg led the restart ahead of Forsberg and Myers. As Gregg managed to hold off Forsberg to the checkered flag, Johnson made a last lap pass on Myers to steal third. Myers settled for fourth, followed by Steven Tiner, Ingraham, Shane Hopkins, Ryan Robinson, Jimmy Trulli and Michael Ing. 

There were 21 Winged 360 Sprint Cars in action, and Johnson set the fast time on the quarter-mile clay oval at 11.099, beating the 11.108 of Tiner and the 11.117 of both Isaiah Vasquez and Ingraham. Myers, Trulli and Ryan Robinson won the eight lap heat races.

Shawn Jones won the 25 lap Hunt Wingless Sprint Car Series Main Event. This was the third win of the season for Jones, who is a one-time champion and the current point leader. He collected $1,500 for his winning effort aboard the Pries-Jones owned Sprinter. 

Daniel Whitley is a close second to Jones in the standings, and he had the pole for the Main Event. He bolted into the early lead ahead of Cody Fendley and Tim Sherman Jr. Jones settled into fourth early on, and a yellow flag waved on Lap 2. Jones moved into third behind Whitley and Sherman on the restart, and he slipped past Sherman for second on Lap 7. A red flag waved for a Braidon Moniz flip. Whitley continued to lead Jones and Sherman on the restart, and a close battle began. Following a Lap 15 yellow flag that saw the end of the race for Jake Morgan, Jones took the lead from Whitley on the restart. Jones would lead the rest of the way for the win with Whitley settling for second ahead of Sherman, Dylan Bloomfield, Shawn Arriaga, Heath Holdsclaw, Fendley, Shane Hopkins, Marcus Hardina and Nathan Schank.

There were 33 Wingless Sprint Cars for the occasion, and Jones set the fast time of 12.423, beating the 12.597 of Hardina and the 12.622 of Arriaga. They had four eight lap heat races that would transfer the Top 4 in each directly into the Main Event. Morgan, Fendley, Whitley and Kevin Box won those races. Everybody else had to run the 12 Lap B Main that would transfer four into the feature. Hardina would pick up the win in that race as he led every lap from the pole with Bloomfield a race long second ahead of Jarrett Soares. Dylan Newberry Grasen Tenora.

Kevin Jinkerson won the 20 lap Pure Stock Main Event. It was the third win of the season for Jinkerson as he continues to pursue Nick Baldwin in the championship battle. Ryan Peter jumped into the early lead from his outside front row starting position, followed by Jinkerson and Michael Murphy. Baldwin settled into third on Lap 3, and Jinkerson put the moves on Peter to grab the lead on Lap 8. The yellow flag flew on Lap 9 with Blake Disomma out of the race. Jinkerson continued to lead the restart with Baldwin moving by Peter for second. Baldwin provided plenty of pressure to Jinkerson in the closing laps, but Jinkerson would prevail at the checkered flag. Peter settled for third, followed by Jason Poppert, Kenneth Robles, Tyler Lightfoot, Jonny Walsh, John Evans, Kenny Bernstein and Mel Byers. Murphy and Peter won the eight lap heat races.

Austin Struthers won the 20 lap Mini Truck Main Event. This was his second win of the season. Point leader Mike Miller set the early pace ahead of Thomas Jensen, but Jensen brought out a Lap 4 yellow flag. Miller continued to lead the restart with Wyatt Lakin moving into second. Lakin had just taken the lead on Lap 7 when his race ended abruptly. Miller was back in front with Ted Ahart claiming second on Lap 9. One final yellow flag waved on Lap 11 with Miller leading Struthers on the restart. However, Struthers made a move around Miller for the lead on lap 14. Mike Miller kept it very close to the end, but Struthers would claim the victory. Ahart finished third, followed by Eric Jorgensen, Howard Miller, Jensen and Lakin. Mike Miller won the eight lap heat race, and Britt McMains was a Main Event scratch.

Racing continues this Saturday night with the Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars back in action along with the Pure Stock, Limited Late Models and NorCal Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.placervillespeedway.com.

Collins, Mucci, Arreguin, Ruzbarsky 

Share Lakeport Speedway Winner's Circle

Lakeport, CA...July 17...Charlie Collins won the 30 lap Limited Modified Main Event Saturday night at Lakeport Speedway. He becomes the fourth different winner in five races at Lakeport. Collins bolted into the lead at the start ahead of TJ Buzzard Jr and point leader Sierra Furia. Furia took second from Buzzard on Lap 17 before a yellow flag waved. However, Buzzard came back strong and grabbed the lead on the restart with Collins battling him hard. On Lap 21, Collins made the move back to the front. Collins went on to lead the rest of the race with Buzzard settling for second ahead of Furia, JR Lane, Roy Ingalls Jr, Brandon Powers, Bo Robertson and Tyler Manning. Furia set the fast time of 12.992, beating the 13.088 of Collins. Ingalls won the 10 lap heat race.

Trystan Mucci won the 30 lap Bomber Main Event. This was his third win at the track as he has won in every appearance this season. Raymond Taylor Jr started on the front row and took the early lead ahead of Jimmy Sorrels and Ed Rasmussen. Mucci took third from Rasmussen on Lap 3. Two laps later, Mucci moved into second, and he put the moves on Taylor to grab the lead on Lap 8. Loren Powers Jr moved into the third on Lap 22 and begin pressuring Taylor for second. With two laps to go, Powers bolted past Taylor for second, but Taylor rebounded with a last lap pass to reclaim second at the finish. Mucci built nearly a straightaway advantage over Taylor by the time the race ended. Powers settled for third ahead of Forrest Kuecker, Roy Ingalls Jr, Shelby Helm, Sorrels, Kasey Horat and Rasmussen. They ran the B Bombers with the Bombers and Seth Chew led that group with a 10th place overall finish, followed by Klinton Waite and William Byrne.

Kuecker was the quickest Bomber at 13.862, beating the 13.907 of Powers. Ingalls and Powers picked up the 10 lap heat race wins. Byrne was the fast timer with the B Bombers at 15.045, beating the 15.064 of Waite, who won the 10 lap heat race.

Brenden Ruzbarsky won the 30 lap Legend Car Main Event. Aiden Phillips set the early pace ahead of Robert Byers and Brian Park. Ruzbarsky quickly moved into third on the second lap as Byers took the lead from Phillips. The lead trio ran closely with Ruzbarsky passing Phillips for second on Lap 6. A lap later, Ruzbarsky motored ahead of Byers. A yellow flag slowed the pace on Lap 8, and Josh Fleming settled into third behind Ruzbarsky and Byers. Fleming moved into second on Lap 12 with Justin Johnson quickly moving into third. Johnson grabbed second from Fleming on the 22nd lap. However, Ruzbarsky had a huge lead by then and would take the checkered flag nearly 2/3 of a lap in front of Johnson. Fleming settled for third, followed by Byers, Phillips, Mark Burch, Tom Summers, Dustin Meier and Park. Ruzbarsky set the fast time of 14.130, beating the 14.489 of Fleming. Ruzbarsky and Fleming were the 10 lap heat race winners.

Donovan Arreguin won the 25 lap Jammers Main Event. With four wins in the Pro division, he is holding a comfortable lead in the standings. They run the Pro and Junior classes together, and Charles French topped Junior group with a second place overall finish. It was his first win within the class.

The Junior of TJ Sorrels jumped into the early lead ahead of new Junior Jammer point leader Hailey Glass and the Pro of Isaiah Rojas. Glass took the lead from Sorrels on Lap 3 with Arreguin moving into third. Arreguin took second from Sorrels on Lap 4 and slipped past Glass for the lead a lap later. A yellow flag waved on Lap 14 with Sorrels out at that point. Arreguin continued to lead Glass and Rojas on the restart, but a yellow flag waved a lap later as Rojas was done. Arreguin led Glass and French on the restart. As Arreguin started to pull away a little bit, the battle was for second and top Junior finisher. French made the pass on the final lap, and Arreguin won by half a straightaway ahead of French, Hailey Glass, the Pro of Mike Glass, the Pro of Billy Hammond, the Junior of Leland Cervelli, the Pro of Christopher Fischer, Rojas and Sorrels.

Arreguin was the quickest Pro qualifier at 14.684, beating the 15.559 of Rojas. Both Sorhna Li and Christian Sanchez scratched before qualifying, and Arreguin won the 10 lap heat race. Hailey Glass set the fastest Junior time at 15.656, beating the 15.756 of Tucker Murray and the 15.786 of French. Glass won the 10 lap heat race, and Murray suffered mechanical issues in the heat to end his night prematurely.

Point leader Travis Powers won the 15 lap Bandolero Main Event. This was his third win as he continues to have a close battle with Kai Lovell for the championship. Lovell set the early pace ahead of Powers and Jordan McLean. Following a Lap 7 yellow flag, Powers took the lead from Lovell. Lovell motored back in front on the ninth lap, but Lovell slipped up on Lap 12 as both Powers and McLean got by. Lovell regained second on Lap 13, but Powers had a good lead at that point. Powers won ahead of Lovell, McLean and Sorrels. Powers set the fast time of 15.018, beating the 15.508 of Lovell. Powers also won the 10 lap heat race, and Courtney Portlock was a Main Event scratch.

The night concluded with the 30 lap Jalopy Main Event on the special infield track. There were eight competitors, and Brandon Small and Kenny Golding shared the fourth row. Point leader Chris Hunt jumped into the early lead as Small and Golding worked their way through the carnage on the challenging little track. Small was able to take the lead from Hunt and went on to victory. Hunt settled for second with Golding third, followed by Robert Portlock Jr, Richard Bruhn, Nicky Skidmore, Cameron Graham and David Aceves.

Next up for the Lakeport-Ukiah Challenge will be Ukiah Speedway on Saturday, July 31st. The Limited Modifieds, Bombers, Jammers, Jalopies, Bandoleros and BCRA Vintage Midgets will all be in action. For further information, go to www.lakeportspeedway.com.

Coonfield Unlikely Winner At Madera Speedway, 

Martin, Kawahata, Schemerhorn, Lea Other Winners

Madera, CA...July 17... Adam Coonfield emerged with the unlikely win in the 40 lap Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Madera Speedway. Coonfield was there to support the 602 Crate Modified effort, but they ran the Modifieds with the Late Models as just two drivers showed up. When the leaders tangled on the last lap, Coonfield was in the right place at the right time to get the victory. 

Point leader Jason Aguirre shared the front row with championship rival Kyle Keller, and the duo raced into the 1-2 positions at the start. Matt Erickson ran third, and the leaders ran closely before a Lap 9 yellow flag bunched the pack. Aguirre resumed command ahead of Keller and Erickson on the restart as Coonfield settled into fourth. The yellow flag waved on Lap 37 for Erickson. Aguirre led Keller on the restart with Coonfield third. The battle intensified between Keller and Aguirre, and there was contact on the final lap with Aguirre spinning as Keller sped to the checkered flag. Track officials called a rough driving penalty and placed Keller behind Aguirre in the finishing order. Coonfield had crossed the line in second but got the win ahead of Erickson, Aguirre, Keller, the Modified of Calvin Hegje, Mike Shapiro, Haley Liles and Joey Brasil.

Keller set the fast time of 10 qualifiers on the 1/3 mile paved oval with a lap of 15.158, beating the 15.225 of Aguirre and the 15.393 of Liles. The eight lap heat race wins went to Keller and Aguirre. MST stars Shaun Reynolds and Ryan Reynolds made their Late Model debuts, but both scratched prior to the Main Event along with Zachary Cook and Rick Thompson. Just two Crate 602 Modifieds were on hand for this occasion, and Hegje set the fast time of 15.677 and also won the 10 lap heat race.

Thomas Martin won the 50 lap Challenge Cup Main Event. The race was originally scheduled for 75 laps, but it was cut to 50 as only three of the original seven starters were still running on the last restart. Kyle Keller jumped into the early lead ahead of Martin and Vince Little. Robbie Kennealy brought out a yellow flag on Lap 1 as his race came to an end. Keller continued to lead Martin and Little on the restart. Keller and Martin had begun to pull away from Little when a yellow flag waved on Lap 11. Rich Innis fell out on the restart as Keller led Martin and Little. Justin Funkhouser was running fourth. Keller and Martin again pulled away from the pack, and a Lap 37 yellow flag flew for Funkhouser as his race ended. On the restart, Martin moved into the lead ahead of Little. Keller was back in third but he took second on Lap 42. Unfortunately, his race ended moments later for a yellow flag. At that point, just three drivers were left. The race was shortened from 75 laps to 50 and Martin led the rest of the way ahead of Little and final lead lap finisher Thomas Suarez. Keller, Funkhouser, Innis and Kennealy completed the finishing order. Keller set the fast time of 15.133, beating the 15.214 of Martin and the 15.231 of Little.

Justin Kawahata won the 30 lap NCMA Sprint Car Main Event. Kawahata was one of the top drivers of the group before moving up to the Gunslinger Sprint Car Series in recent years. He jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Danny Burrell and Pat Goodwill. Mark Amador retired on the first lap, and Goodwill saw his run in third end when he retired on Lap 9, moving David Burchett into the position. By the 15th lap, Kawahata held a straightaway advantage over Burrell as Robb Hammond pitted. Kawahata went on to win comfortably ahead of Burrell and Burchett with Hammond, Goodwill and Amador completing the finishing order. Keith Calvino made it seven cars for this occasion, but he retired after hot laps. Kawahata set the fast time of 14.836, beating the 15.171 of Hammond and the 15.210 of Amador.

Ray Lawson won the 15 lap Legends of Kearney Bowl Classic Super Modified Exhibition Main Event. Lawson was piloting the car owned by Wayne Kalustian, and he jumped into the lead at the start. However, a yellow flag waved on Lap 2 for a front straightaway tangle between Tony Pereira and John Shanoian. Lawson continued to lead the way ahead of Duane Gerhardt. The lead duo pulled away from third place Mike James. Pereira was making his way from the back of the pack and soon found himself battling Carey Christian and Jim Helms for position. When James headed pitward on Lap 7, that three-car battle was for third. Christian held the spot ahead of Helms and Pereira, but Pereira managed to get past both of them on Lap 13. Lawson had pulled away from Gerhardt at that point and lapped fourth place Helms and fifth place Christian on the final circuit. Lawson won ahead of Gerhardt, Pereira, Helms and Christian.

There were 13 of these beautiful vintage race cars, and the two eight lap heat race wins went to Perreira and Gerhardt. Among the other drivers competing were Frank Guthmiller, Joe Kirk, Wayne Brabant Jr, Bobby Hutton, Kyle Bell and Ricky Rialto. The Legends of Kearney Bowl will be at Santa Maria Raceway this Saturday night. To keep up to date with them, check out the official Legends of Kearney Bowl Facebook page or the unofficial Friends of Kearney Bowl page.

Steve Schermerhorn won the 30 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the second-straight win for the past division champion. Reigning champion and current point leader Manny Gonzales Jr set the early pace ahead of Donnie Large Jr and Schemerhorn. On the fourth lap, Schemerhorn made a big move around both Gonzalez and Large to take the lead. Large took second from Gonzalez a lap later. Schemerhorn began to pull away from Large and would take the checkered flag a straightaway ahead. Gonzales and Harley Kennealy were both a lap down in third and fourth, respectively, as Drew Ries completed the finishing order. Schemerhorn set the fast time of 16.240, beating the 16.861 of Large. Schemerhorn also won the eight lap heat race.

Rick Lea won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This was his first win of the season. West Coast Sport Compact competitor Shawn DePriest led a pair of laps before Lea got by. The lead trio ran closely throughout the first half of the race. As they went down the stretch, however, point leader Johnny Williams had problems and retired on Lap 15. Lea won ahead of DePriest, Leo Lotz and Williams. Lea set the fast time of 18.638, beating the 19.258 of Williams and the 19.262 of 

DePriest. Lea also won the eight lap heat race. 

Racing resumes on Saturday, July 31st with a MavTV Summer Speed Fest $5,000 to win race for the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series. This will be a 100 lap event. The 51fifty Energy Drink Junior Late Models will be there for a 70 lap race, and the Mini Cup/Bandolero Series will also be on hand. For further information, go to www.racemadera.com.

 

Montgomery Prevails At Ocean Speedway, 

Miller, Nelson, Bower Other Winners

Watsonville, CA...July 16...Kaleb Montgomery won the 30 lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. This was only his second appearance at the track this year. This was the first night of the 11th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic, and a strong turnout of 31 Winged 360 Sprint Cars filled the pits for the occasion.

Corey Day had been in Oregon for the WST Speedweek Series and picked up a win at Coos Bay before heading back to Watsonville to drive the Tarlton Motorsports entry. He raced into the lead at the start of the Main Event, followed by Montgomery and Joey Ancona. A yellow flag waved after just one lap, and the order remained the same on the restart. Recent NARC Salute to Baylands winner at Petaluma, Tim Kaeding, moved into third on Lap 3. Day saw his run in front end for a Lap 9 yellow flag. Montgomery now led Tim Kaeding and point leader Justin Sanders. During the final five laps, the lead trio ran closely, but Montgomery kept his cool under pressure. He went on to the well-earned victory ahead of Tim Kaeding. Sanders stumbled just a bit on the final lap with Ancona and Bud Kaeding moving by for third and fourth, respectively. Sanders settled for fifth, followed by Koen Shaw, Tanner Carrick, DJ Netto, Keith Day Jr and Sean Becker.

The 31 Winged 360 Sprint Car competitors qualified on the Tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval, and Keith Day Jr was the first sub 11 second time in division history at 10.979. Montgomery was second quick at 11.112, beating the 11.114 of Ancona. They transferred the Top 4 finishers out of the four eight lap heat races, and the wins went to Sanders, JJ Ringo, Becker and Tanner Carrick. Keith Day Jr won the six lap Trophy Dash ahead of Ancona and Montgomery. Burt Foland Jr won the 12 lap B Main. Foland raced into the lead at the start and head of Shaw and Ryan Rocha, and they ran in that order for the entire distance. Ryon Nelson finished fourth ahead of Jimmy Christian.

Randy Miller won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was the second win of the season for the current point leader. Scott Foster set the early pace ahead of Jonathan Hagio and Fred Ryland. Ryland took second from Hagio on Lap 2 and grabbed the lead from Foster a lap later before a yellow flag waved. Ryland continued to lead the restart with Hagio and Miller moving into second and third. Miller took second from Hagio on Lap 6 before the yellow flag waved. Ryland continued to lead Miller and Jarrod Mounce on the restart. Ryland started pulling away over the next few laps, but then his race came to a disappointing end for a Lap 11 yellow flag. State point leader Trevor Clymens found his way into third, and Miller led the restart over Mounce and Clymens. Clymens grabbed second from Mounce on Lap 14 and that was the order when a Lap 16 yellow flag slowed the pace for the final time. Mounce took second from Clymens on the restart as Miller continued to lead the way. Miller went on to score the satisfying victory ahead of Mounce, Clymens, reigning champion Adriane Frost, Jim DiGiovanni, Markus Frazier, Diane Bieser, Hagio, Charlie Hunter and Max Baggett. Richard Ragsdale and Ryland picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Three-time Hobby Stock champion Billy Nelson made a rare appearance and ended up winning the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Adriane Frost had the pole in her double division effort and raced into the early lead ahead of two-time champion Terry Campion and point leader Joe Gallaher. Nelson swooped into third on Lap 2 before a yellow flag waved. Nelson moved into second behind Frost on the restart as Campion continued to run third. Steve Remde took third on Lap 4, only to surrender the position to three-time champion Rob Gallaher on the ninth lap. Following a lap 10 yellow flag, Nelson took the lead from Frost on the restart with Joe Willoughby moving into third. Willoughby took second from Frost on the 12th lap with Rob Gallaher grabbing third two laps later. A final yellow flag waved on Lap 18, and Rob Gallaher took second from Willoughby on the restart. However, Nelson was not to be denied as he went on to score the victory ahead of Rob Gallaher. Willoughby fell back a few spots as 13th starter Chad Ragsdale ended up third, followed by DJ Keldsen, Frost, Willoughby, Joe Gallaher, Norm Ayers, JP Gallaher and Remde. Joe Gallaher and Campion won the eight lap heat races. Wally Kennedy suffered mechanical issues while leading his heat race to scratch for the night along with Ken Winland and Thomas Summers.

Blake Bower won the 20 lap WMR Midgets Main Event. This was the third Watsonville win for Bower as he's in a close battle with David Prickett for the track point lead. He's also doing quite well in the USAC Western States Midgets class as he drives for Boscacci Racing. Megan Moorehead led the opening lap ahead of Keoni Texeira and Bower, but a yellow flag waved. On the restart, Moorehead continued to lead Texeira and Shawn Arriaga, but Texeira motored past Moorehead for the lead on Lap 3. Arriaga settled into the second on Lap 6, and Moorehead surrendered third to Bower on the ninth lap. Texeira seemed to have things well in hand, but a yellow flag on Lap 16 saw the end of the race for Texeira. Bower had just taken second from Arriaga and assumed the lead on the restart ahead of Arriaga and David Prickett. They finished in that order as Moorehead settled for fourth, followed by Kyle Hawse, Texeira, Antonia Boscacci and Tyler Dolacki. DJ Freitas was a Main Event scratch, and Arriaga won the eight lap heat race.

The track was hosting the 11th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic the following night, and they return to action on July 23rd with the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars in action along with the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, South Bay Dwarf Cars and Four Bangers. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.

Teves Opens Dwarf Car Nationals With Thrilling Win 

At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...July 16...Adam Teves won the 20 lap Pro Dwarf Car Main Event Friday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the opening night of the WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals, hosted by the local Delta Dwarf Car Association. Teves had a dismal heat race effort, forcing him to start at the back of the 22 car Main Event to earn his win. 

Darren Brown jumped into the early lead ahead of NorCal star Ryan Winter and Delta star Danny Wagner. The first yellow flag waved on the seventh lap, and Brown continued to lead the way as Wagner and recent Petaluma winner Dennis Gilcrease moved into second and third. Recent Watsonville winner Tommy Velasquez III was up to fourth, and a Lap 10 yellow flag once again slowed the pace. On the restart, both Gilcrease and Velasquez got around Wagner in a close battle for second as Brown continued to lead. Anthony Pope took third from Velasquez on Lap 12, and both he and Wagner got around Gilcrease on the 15th lap. Teves had just made his first appearance in the Top 5 by then. Wagner got second from Pope on Lap 16, but Brown had a big lead at that point. However, a yellow flag slowed the pace and bunched the field. Brown led Wagner with Teves moving into third on the restart, and the final yellow flag flew on Lap 18. On this restart, Teves slipped past Wagner for second as Brown led the way. A lap later, Teves put the moves on Brown to grab the lead, and he would bring it home to the checkered flag. Brown settled for second, followed by Wagner, Velasquez, Dylan Shrum, Gilcrease, Michael "Spanky" Grenert, Chad Matthias, Vuki Wilson Jr and Jimmy Damron. All 10 drivers automatically qualified for the show on Saturday. There were 23 Pro Dwarf Cars, and the eight lap heat race wins went to Brown, Wagner and Winter.

Kevin Miraglio won the 20 lap Veterans Dwarf Car Main Event. Miraglio is the Delta Dwarf Car point leader and also leads the Dwarf Car Nationals standings in the Veterans class. Past Antioch champion Scott Dahlgren had the pole and led Miraglio and Steve Kapaun on the opening lap before a yellow flag slowed things down. Dahlgren continued to lead Miraglio and Dan Geil on the restart with Miraglio taking the lead from Dahlgren on Lap 3. Mark Biscardi settled into third on Lap 4 before a yellow flag waved again. Miraglio led the restart with Biscardi and Jack Haverty settling into second and third. Dahlgren took third from Haverty in a close battle on Lap 7 before another yellow flag flew. Miraglio led Biscardi and Dahlgren on this restart, and Miraglio started pulling away from the rest of the pack when a yellow flag again waved on Lap 16. Dahlgren took second from Biscardi on the restart, but a yellow flag waved on Lap 17. On the restart, they couldn't quite get a lap in before a crash involving Dahlgren, Geil and Glen Sciarani brought out a red flag. Miraglio led Stacy Woods on the restart, but Brian Quilty got by for second a lap later. Miraglio went on to pick up the win ahead of Quilty, Tony Margott, Woods, Eric Weisler, Tommy Velasquez II, Jack Haverty, Kapaun, Mario Marques and Tom Van Tuyl. These 10 drivers automatically qualified for the Saturday show. The eight lap heat race wins went to Dahlgren, Kapaun and Margott as 19 drivers signed in to race. 

Will Dykeman won a rough and time-shortened nine lap Sportsman Dwarf Car Main Event. The drivers were on the track for over 35 minutes before the race was called complete. Joe Bohard led the opening lap before a yellow flag waved with Mack Aceves out of the race at that point. Dykeman took the lead from Bohard on the restart with Jace Badeker and Jameson Sole moving into second and third on Lap 4. Sole slipped past Badeker for second on Lap 5, but a Lap 6 yellow flag waved for Bohard and Dan Varner with both out of the race at that point. Dykeman led Sole and Scotty Preast on the next restart. Preast slipped past Sole for second on Lap 8. A yellow flag waved on Lap 9 with for a crash involving Ellie Russo and Mike Aceves. Due to the lengthy cleanup time for these crashes, they had reached 35 minutes. The race was called complete at that point with Dykeman getting the win ahead of Preast, Sole, Badeker, Isaac Geil, Wesley Dykeman, John Tardiff, Kelly Woods, Dewey Myers and Antonio Miramontez. Those 10 drivers automatically qualified for the show on Saturday. There were 22 Sportsman Dwarf Cars with the eight lap heat race wins going to Bohard, Varner and Preast.

For news on what's happening at the track, go to www.antochspeedway.com.

Copeland Wins Fourth Round Of WST Speedweek Series 

At Cottage Grove Speedway

Cottage Grove, Oregon...July 16...Colby Copeland won the 30 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Cottage Grove Speedway. This was the fourth round of the WST Speedweek Series, and it was Copeland's second win as he won at Willamette Speedway on Tuesday. Copeland is a regular with the NARC/King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series in California. 

Copeland shared the front row with Tyler Thompson and jumped into the lead over Thompson at the start. Joel Myers Jr and Logan Forler went back and forth for the third position several times before Forler grabbed the spot on Lap 5. A lap later, Forler slipped past Thompson for second, and Thompson had problems to bring out a Lap 8 yellow flag. Copeland led Forler and Tanner Holmes on the restart. When Forler had problems on Lap 25, Holmes gained the position. However, Copeland beat Holmes by over half a straight away at the checkered. Chase Goetz ran fourth for several laps, but he surrendered that spot to past Speedweek Series champion Trey Starks on Lap 17. Starks ran fourth until Forler suffered his misfortune on Lap 25. Starks ended up finishing third, followed by Jodie Robinson, Thompson, Cottage Grove point leader Garen Linder, Kinzer Cox, Goetz, Speedweek Series point leader Justyn Cox and John Clark.

As anticipated, the car count swelled to 29 as drivers came in from Washington and Oregon. Brenton Marvel was the fastest qualifier on the quarter-mile clay oval at 10.803, beating the 10.960 of Copeland and the 11.062 of Forler. The eight lap heat races took four drivers each into the Main Event, and wins went to Holmes, Justyn Cox, Max Mittry and Goetz. Copeland won the six lap Trophy Dash ahead of Thompson. Kinzer Cox won the 12 lap B Main in a flag to flag romp from the pole. Drake Stanley ran second until mechanical issues sidelined him on Lap 6. Brian Boswell was running third when Stanley had his misfortune, but fifth row starter Mitch Hoffses moved into second on the restart, and John Clark dropped Boswell back to fourth on Lap 9 as Kinzer Cox won ahead of Hoffses, Clark, Boswell and Steven Snawder.

Curtis Towns rebounded from his recent bout of bad luck to win the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was only his second win of the season as he runs in close contention with Jake Mayden for the championship. Paul Rea had the pole and led four laps before his race came to an unfortunate end. Jeffrey Hudson was second at that point, but it was Towns taking the lead on the restart as Hudson maintained second ahead of Ryan Baker. Baker lost third to fifth row starter Eston Whistler on Lap 10. Whistler was able to overtake Hudson for second on Lap 19. However, he couldn't quite make the move around eventual winner Towns. Hudson had problems on the last lap, allowing Baker, Steven Sturdevant and Paul Culp to move by for third through fifth. Hudson settled for sixth ahead of Craig Hanson, Matthew Drager, Aaron Sheelar and Rea. Culp was the quickest of 11 qualifiers with a lap of 14.360, beating the 14.454 of Rea and the 14.467 of Sheelar. Rea and Towns won the eight lap heat races with the four lap Trophy Dash going to Mayden, who was unfortunately out of the Main Event early.

Burnie Bryant won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Compact Main Event. He currently leads the division with six wins to his credit, but he still trails Brad Martin in the championship race. Madelyn Ashley had the pole and raced into the lead ahead of Jack Vicari and Bryant. Bryant moved by Vicari for second on Lap 8 and slipped past Ashley for the lead on Lap 10. Bryant pulled away to nearly a straightaway advantage over Ashley by the time the race ended. Vicari held off Michael Kennerly for the third place finish with Martin fifth ahead of Kerry Cooper, Jim Simmons, Tiffany Towns, Andrew Langan and Bruce Miller. Bryant set the fast time of 18.155, beating the 18.480 of Ashley. Ashley and Vicari won their eight lap heat races with Bryant claiming four lap Trophy Dash honors.

The next night was to feature the WST Sprint Car Speedweek finale, and July 24th will be the Loggers Cup and Historical Night where some more legends from the track's past will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Late Models take center stage on the occasion with a $2,000 to win race as Todd's Auto Body Limited Sprints and IMCA Sport Compacts will also be in action. For further information, go to www.cottagegrovespeedway.com.

 

 

Sanders, Smith, Hedges Return To Winner's Circle 

At Siskiyou Golden Speedway

Yreka, CA...July 17...Matt Sanders won the 30 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Siskiyou Golden Speedway. This was the third win for the Southern Oregon Speedway point leader in five appearances. The division saw its car count finally get back into double digits with 15 competitors coming to town. 

Oftentimes this year, Sanders has been battling with Jorddon Braaten for the glory, and Braaten was back in town as well. Coming off of his win last week in Medford and a Freedom Cup Series title at Cottage Grove the weekend prior, Braaten was gunning for the Yreka glory. However, he met his match in Matt Sanders. Sanders charged from the fourth row to beat Braaten for the feature triumph. Reigning IMCA Modified champion Travis Peery finished third, followed by point leader Ryan Peery, Steven Sanders, State point leader Trevor Clymens, Ryder Boswell, Isaac Sanders, Jesse Morton and Colt Boswell. After Ryan Peery, Braaten and Matt Sanders took turns winning the eight lap heat races, Travis Peery picked up the win in the six lap Trophy Dash.

JJ Smith notched the victory in the 15 lap Jefferson State Jalopy Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the reigning champion and point leader. This was also the first occasion in which all five of the Jefferson State Jalopies were able to start the Main Event. The glory was spread around in the preliminaries as Kade Bernstein won the eight lap heat race, while Marilyn Yawnick picked up her second-straight four lap Trophy Dash win. Kade Bernstein and Smith shared the front row for the feature race, and Smith was just a bit quicker than Bernstein, who settled for second. Taylor Buckley finished third ahead of Karl Bernstein and Yawnick.

Ashtin Hedges won the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This was his sixth win of the season as he sets his sights on Michael Knuckles in the championship battle. Hedges served noticed by winning the eight lap heat race and four lap Trophy Dash before lining up on the pole for the feature race. He would pick up the win ahead of Quintyn Ericks, Knuckles, Logan McKnight and Yawnick. 

Four of the Roadrunner competitors from Eureka made their second appearance in Yreka, and JR Brandt won the 20 lap Main Event. Brandt also won the eight lap heat race, while Doug Williams picked up the four lap Trophy Dash win. Reigning Eureka champion Bryan Brandt was a Main Event scratch, and polesitter JR Brandt won the race ahead of Williams and Trey Wall.

Racing takes a break for about a month for the Siskiyou Golden Fair. It returns on August 28th for the annual John Arnberg Memorial IMCA Modified race. The action-packed evening will also include the IMCA Sport Modifieds, SODCA Dwarf Cars and Outlaw Pro Stocks. For further information, go to www.sisliyougoldenspeedway.com.

Cox, Watson, Dickerson, Klass Win 

At Douglas County Speedway

Roseburg, Oregon...July 17...Harlon Cox won the 25 lap Johnny's Drive-In PRA Hardtop Main Event. Cox is the 2018 division champion. Cox and reigning champion Kyran Greene had a close battle in the waning laps. Greene was looking to repeat his winning effort of a week ago. However, Cox would manage to hold him off at the checkered flag. Brian Smith was a close third, followed by Troy Gasner, Donnie Fain, Steve Smith and 2016 champion Greg Hickman. Cox was the fast qualifier at 17.180, beating the 17.191 of Greene and the 17.274 of Brian Smith. Fain and Troy Gasner won the eight lap heat races. Greene picked up the four lap Trophy Dash win. Brian Lenihan scratched after qualifying.

Riley Watson won the 28 lap Winchester Pub PRA Sport Modified Main Event. He was the winner a week earlier. Kalob Watson made it a good battle at the front of the pack but settled for a close second. Reigning Outlaw champion Dale Roth finished a solid third, followed by 2018 champion John Harvey, Blake Harvey and Monte Cox. Roth set the fast time of 15.946, beating the 16.215 of Kalob Watson and the 16.230 of Cox. Cox won the four lap Trophy Dash and Riley Watson was the eight lap heat race winner.

Rich Dickinson won the 20 lap Pro Motors PRA Hornets Main Event. Rich Dickenson is the reigning champion, and he battled Ryan Dickenson for the win. 2018 champion Pete Lemon was a solid third ahead of previous winner Zachary Asumendi, Skyler Whelchel, Brandon Belt, Gage Sharp, Haven Smith, Timothy Smith and Lexi Grichar. Asumendi was the fastest qualifier at 19.837, beating the 19.861 of Ryan Dickenson. Belt picked up the four lap Trophy Dash win with Bart Pulse and Ryan Dickenson claiming the eight lap heat race wins. Unfortunately for Pulse, he would scratch after his win.

Matt Klass got the win in the 30 lap Street Stock Shakedown race. This is usually a special occasion event for the class, but only four drivers were on hand with John Doyle and Dylan Grichar a lap down in second and third, respectively. Mini Stock and Outlaws star Dale Roth set the fast time of 16.669, beating the 16.779 of Klass. Roth figured to be the main complication for Klass in the Main Event, though Klass held him off to win both the four lap Trophy Dash and eight lap heat race. Unfortunately, Roth scratched prior to the feature.

August 14th will see the Outlaw cars come back for an Outlaw 100 lap event. The Johnny's Drive-In PRA Hardtops return along with the Mini Stocks and a Mini Figure 8. For further information, go to www.douglascountyspeedway.com.

Cottage Grove Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 16
WST Winged 360 Sprints
A Main  
Colby Copeland
Tanner Holmes
Trey Starks
Jodie Robinson
Tyler Thompson
Garen Linder
Kinzer Cox
Chase Goetz
Justyn Cox
John Clark
Brad Bumgarner
James Setters
Logan Forler
Brian Boswell
Joel Myers Jr
Chase Majdic
Max Mittry
Brinton Marvel
Mitch Hoffses
Gregory Hamilton

B Main
Kinzer Cox
Mitch Hoffses
John Clark
Brian Boswell
Steven Snawder
Jared Hood
Matt Hein
Chelsea Blevins
Donny Waddell
Brandon Mansfield
Pat Desbiens
Drake Standley

IMCA Modifieds
Curtis Towns
Eston Whisler
Ryan Baker
Steven Sturdevant
Paul Culp
Jeffrey Hudson
Craig Hanson
Matthew Drager
Aaron Sheelar
Paul Rea
Jake Mayden

IMCA Sport Compacts
Burnie Bryant
Madilyn Ashley
Jack Vicari
Michael Kennerly
Brad Martin
Kerry Cooper
Jim Simmons
Tiffany Towns
Andrew Langan
Bruce Miller
Rex Eckley


Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 16
Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo
A Main
Kaleb Montgomery
Tim Kaeding
Joey Ancona
Bud Kaeding
Justin Sanders
Koen Shaw
Tanner Carrick
D.J. Netto
Keith Day Jr
Sean Becker
Blake Carrick
Jason Chisum
Tristan Guardino
Ryan Rocha
Jeremy Chisum
Burt Foland Jr
Jake Haulot
Bradley Dillard
Corey Day
J.J. Ringo
Kurt Nelson
Ryon Nelson
Jerry Bonnema
Kalib Henry

B Main
Burt Foland Jr
Koen Shaw
Ryan Rocha
Ryon Nelson
Jimmy Christian
Richard Fajardo
Logan Calderwood
Alex Pettas
Tuesday Calderwood

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Randy Miller
Jarrod Mounce
Trevor Clymens
Adriane Frost
Jim DiGiovanni
Markus Frazier
Duane Bieser
Jonathan Hagio
Charlie Hunter
Max Baggett
Justin Parr
Cody Bryan
Fred Ryland
Scott Foster
Richard Ragsdale DNS

Hobby Stocks
Billy Nelson
Rob Gallaher
Chad Ragsdale
DJ Keldsen
Adriane Frost
Joe Willoughby
Joe Gallaher
Norm Ayers
J.P. Gallaher
Steve Remde
Devin Belton
Terry Campion
Wally Kennedy DNS
Ken Winland DNS
Thomas Summers DNS

WMR Midgets
Blake Bower
Shawn Arriaga
David Prickett
Megan Moorehead
Kyle Hawse
Keoni Texeira
Antonia Boscacci
Tyler Dolacki
D.J. Freitas DNS


Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 16
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals Night #1
Sportsman Division
Will Dykeman
Scotty Preast
Jameson Sole
Jace Badeker
Isaak Geil
Wesley Dykeman
John Tarrdiff
Kelly Woods
Dewey Myers
Antonio Miramontez
Tyler Applebaum
Larry Bell
Joe Leduc
Ellie Russo
Mike Aceve
Joe Bohard
Orey Woods
Dan Varner
Cody Shrum
Mack Aceves
Kenny Kendall DNS
Tyler Quilty DNS

Pro Division
Adam Teves
Darren Brown
Danny Wagner
Tommy Velasquez III
Dylan Shrum
Dennis Gilcrease
Michael Grenert
Chad Matthias
Vuki Wilson Jr
Jimmy Damron
Shawn Whitney
Chris Trimino
Travis Day
David Michael Rosa
Anthony Pope
Devan Kammermann
Roberto Monroy
Chance Russell
Bobby Johnson
Ryan Winter
Nick Velasquez
Patrick Weger
Corey Eaton DNS

Veteran Division
Kevin Miraglio
Brian Quilty
Tony Margott
Stacy Woods
Eric Weisler
Tommy Velasquez II
Jack Haverty
Steve Kapaun
Mario Marques
Tom VanTuyl
Mark Biscardi
Austin Quilty
Eddy Claessen
Scott Dahlgren
Dan Geil
Glenn Sciarani
David Rosa
Charlie Corriea DNS


Deming Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 16
IBEW/NECA Clay Cup Nationals Night #2
1200 Mini Sprints
A Main
Results are not official
1     #10L Brock Lemley     
2     #17 Derek Holmwood
3     #17F Scott Kinney
4     #6H Haylee Bloodgood
5     #71 Dustin O'Brien
6     #30 Terry Lewis
7     #10J Tyson Lemley
8     #10D Dakota Drake
9     #83c Chance Crum
10     #10S Tanner Holm
11     #92 Seth Hespe
12     #5 Alex Lewis
13     #13 Steven Hendrickson
14     #7 Dick Williams
15     #3F Shane Sexton
16     #76e Austin Edson
17     #12 Tanner Schoonover     
18     #6 Jared Gundersen         
19     #9 Clennon Holloway

Super 600s
A Main
Results are not official
1     #10J Dominic Gorden         
2     #22R Ryley Mayer
3     #88c Dominic Carter
4     #21x Gauge Carcia
5     #22 Jesse Schlotfeldt
6     #14j Jade Avedisian
7     #23R Dylan Resch
8     #15 Cody Key
9     #67 JJ Loss
10     #48T Tanner Holm
11     #12 Cody Christensen
12     #11c Colin Mackey
13     #39K Kaitlyn Hammer
14     #34 Devon Courtnier
15     #51F Chance Crum
16     #9t Tristin Thomas
17     #28B Blaine Granberg
18     #5 Mattix Salmon
19     #K9 Kaden Holm
20     #51 Dalton Parreira     
21     #20 James Andrihuk     
22     #21H Jeremy Holz

B Main
Results are not official
1     #39K Kaitlyn Hammer     
2     #5 Mattix Salmon
3     #34 Devon Courtnier
4     #28B Blaine Granberg
5     #20 James Andrihuk
6     #K9 Kaden Holm
7     #78P Jake Andreotti
8     #8R Rachel Westmoreland
9     #88 Austin Torgerson
10     #30 Isabel Barnes
11     #78 Haley Constance
12     #16c Cody Parmley
13     #88w Jayden Whitney
14     #13c Tyler Conley
15     #61b Wyatt Bookout
16     #22D Dakota Drake
17     #2 Ryan Holz
18     #67v Tim Vaught
19     #11J Derek Torkelson     
20     #121 Caeden Steele         
21     #13 Mitchel Moles
22     #11h Parker Hadlock     

C Main
Results are not official
1     #13 Mitchel Moles         
2     #67v Tim Vaught
3     #2 Ryan Holz
4     #61b Wyatt Bookout
5     #13c Tyler Conley
6     #88 Austin Torgerson
7     #22D Dakota Drake
8     #4 Tony Alosi
9     #61c Travis Labat
10     #27 Ron Singh
11     #70 Macie Logsdon
12     #55 Brandon Carey
13     #61x Eli Bookout
14     #02T Tyler McLeod
15     #23x Xan Miller
16     #21 Raio Salmon
17     #02 Ashton Torgerson
18     #81t Baby Boo Chamorro
19     #6b Blake Parmley
20     #3c Alex Gouy
21     #2w Hailey Wood     
22     #61 Nick Van Atta

Restricted 600s
A Main
Results are not official
1     #55j Jayden Huppert     
2     #33 Andrew Smith
3     #55 Jett Barnes
4     #63 Colton Key
5     #71 Kane VanSickle
6     #14g Maddie Gjerness
7     #24L Levi Hillier
8     #21 Cash Lovenburg
9     #13 Elijah Gile
10     #21z Keira Zylstra
11     #22 Peyton Drake
12     #29 Levi Kuntz
13     #4 Teagen Moles
14     #3D Destry Miller
15     #28 Mickey Gile
16     #7o Axel Oudman
17     #40J Rylee Kentch
18     #77k Kyle Fernandez     
19     #7j Lucas Johnson         
20     #48z Zoey Tupper         

B Main
Results are not official
1     #13 Elijah Gile
2     #22 Peyton Drake
3     #48z Zoey Tupper
4     #14c Carson Guffie
5     #40J Rylee Kentch
6     #28 Mickey Gile
7     #77k Kyle Fernandez
8     #3b Brody Ferguson
9     #00 TJ Stark
10     #115 Karma Fagerlie
11     #66 Fairah Lee     
12     #29x Jaydon Barnes
13     #40s Samantha
14     #91 Grace Matier
15     #12 Orn Biggs
16     #54 Ryan Bright

Jr Sprints
A Main
Results are not official
1     #78 Brooklyn Constance     
2     #v5 Vito Cancilla
3     #30b Braeden Wager
4     #96 Briggs Davis
5     #9j Levi Osborne
6     #23 Jayce Medcalf
7     #3 Avery Askvig
8     #20d Dustin Ramsey
9     #54 Ryan Bright
10     #67 Cooper Anderson
11     #5W Chase Whitney
12     #21c Clayton Jalakas
13     #10d Dean Skrifvars
14     #27P Piper Bliven
15     #68 McKenna Morgan     
16     #77 Brody Cooley     

B Main
Results are not official
1     #5W Chase Whitney         
2     #30b Braeden Wager
3     #21c Clayton Jalakas
4     #77 Brody Cooley
5     #27P Piper Bliven
6     #17 Hayden Cook
7     #24n Nathan Fernandez     


Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
11th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic
A Main
Sean Becker
Tanner Carrick
Mitchell Faccinto
Blake Carrick
Ryan Bernal
Billy Aton
Keith Day Jr
Kyle Hirst
Shane Golobic
Kalib Henry
Dominic Scelzi
Kurt Nelson
D.J. Netto
Corey Day
Sean Watts
Kenny Allen
Jessie Attard
Bud Kaeding
Joey Ancona
Justin Sanders
J.J. Ringo
Tim Kaeding
Willie Croft
Jeremy Chisum

B Main
Sean Watts
Kurt Nelson
Jeremy Chisum
Kenny Allen
Geoffrey Strole
Chris Nelson
Mark Barroso
Jason Chisum

IMCA Modifieds
Rick Diaz
Matthew Hagio
Troy Foulger
Nick DeCarlo
Cody Burke
Steve Pemberton
Austin Burke
Carl Berendsen II
Raymond Keldsen Jr
Terry Decarlo Sr
Justin Yaeger
JC Elrod
Justin Hart
Gary Marsh
Shawn DeForest
Fred Lind
Andy Obertello
Aaron Crowell
Todd Hermosillo
Jim Pettit II
Robert Montalvo
Mitch Machado
Kyle Bryan DNS

Hobby Stocks
Austin VanHoff
Adriane Frost
Joe Gallaher
Rob Gallaher
Wally Kennedy
Steve Remde
Norm Ayers
Scott Freeman
Sam Kennedy
J.P. Gallaher
Ryan Hart
Joe Willoughby DQ
Devin Belton DNS

Police n Pursuit
A.J. Waltrip     Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office
Nate Graham     Santa Cruz
Jackie Yeung     Capitola Police Department
John Hohmann     Scotts Valley Police Department
Pat Sullivan     Gilroy Police Department
Fernando Tellez     Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Tony Weir     San Benito County SO
Eric Perez     Scotts Valley Police Department
Ryan Luke     Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Roy Iler     San Benito SO, CA DNS


Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals, Hosted by the Delta Dwarf Car Aosssociation Night 2
Sportsman Division
Scotty Preast
Ellie Russo
Orey Woods
Will Dykeman
Jace Badeker
Mack Aceves
Jameson Sole
Isaak Geil
Joe Leduc
John Tarrdiff
Tyler Quilty
Cody Shrum
Wesley Dykeman
Dan Varner
Tyler Applebaum
Larry Bell
Joe Bohard
Mike Aceves
Kelly Woods
Antonio Miramontez
Dewey Myers DNS

Veteran Division
Kevin Miraglio
Eric Weisler
Brian Quilty
Tom VanTuyl
Chuck Conover
Scott Dahlgren
Dan Geil
Austin Quilty
Tony Margott
Stacy Woods
Eddy Claessen
Steve Kapaun
Glenn Sciarani
Mario Marques
David Rosa
Tommy Velasquez
Jack Haverty
Mark Biscardi DNS

Pro Division
Chad Matthias
Darren Brown
Adam Teves
Michael Grenert
Danny Wagner
Ryan Winter
Anthony Pope
Nick Velasquez
Devan Kammermann
Tommy Velasquez III
Dylan Shrum
Vuki Wilson Jr
Dennis Gilcrease
David Michael Rossa
Jimmy Damron
Travis Day
Patrick Weger
Roberto Monroy
Shawn Whitney
Corey Eaton DNS
Bobby Johnson DNS
Chance Russell DNS
Chris Trimino DNS


Siskiyou Golden Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Matt Sanders
Jorddon Braaten
Travis Peery
Ryan Peery
Steven Sanders
Trevor Clymens
Ryder Boswell
Isaac Sanders
Jesse Morton
Colt Boswell
Curt Ballard
Gary Foster
Scott Lenz
Jace Wright
Chad Wormington

Mini Stocks
Ashtin Hedges
Quintyn Ericks
Michael Knuckles
Logan McKnight
Marilyn Yawnick

Jalopies
JJ Smith
Kade Bernstein
Taylor Buckley
Karl Bernstein
Marilyn Yawnick

Hornets
JR Brandt
Doug Williams
Trey Wal
Bryan Brandt


Placerville Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Andy Gregg
Andy Forsberg
Colby Johnson
Joel Myers Jr
Steven Tiner
Stephen Ingraham
Shane Hopkins
Ryan Robinson
Jimmy Trulli
Michael Ing
Landon Brooks
Cody Spencer
Jake Haulot
Justin Bradway
Logan Calderwood
Isaiah Vasquez
Justin Johnson
Tuesday Calderwood
Alex Pettas
Jimmy Christian
C.J. Humphreys

Pure Stocks
Kevin Jinkerson
Nick Baldwin
Ryan Peter
Jason Poppert
Kenneth Robles
Tyler Lightfoot
Jonny Walsh
John Evans
Kenny Bernstein
Mel Byers
Michael Murphy
James West
Blake Disomma
Ryan Murphy DNS

Mini Trucks
Austin Struthers
Mike Miller
Ted Ahart
Eric Jorgensen
Howard Miller
Thomas Jensen
Wyatt Lakin
Britt McMainss DNS

Hunt Wingless Sprints
Shawn Jones
Daniel Whitley
Tim Sherman Jr
Dylan Bloomfield
Shawn Arriaga
Heath Holdsclaw
Cody Fendley
Shane Hopkins
Marcus Hardina
Nathan Schank
Kevin Box
Cameron Martin
Brent Steck
Dylan Newberry
Bob Newberry
Jarrett Soares
Scott Clough
Bradley Terrell
Jake Morgan
Braidon Moniz

B Feature
Marcus Hardina
Dylan Bloomfield
Jarrett Soares
Dylan Newberry
Grasen Ternora
Jacob WIlliams
Jacob Tuttle
Tony Bernard
Shannon Newton
MacKenzie Newton
Josh Gillis
Jeff Scotto
Trey Walters
David Lindt Jr
Rory McLaughlin


Petaluma Speedway Race Results July 18
Hagemann Farms 360 Sprint Cars
Colby Johnson
Andy Forsberg
Bradley Terrell
Bret Barney
Brinton Marvel
DayDay Lindt
Logan Calderwood
Jake Haulot
Justin Henry
Tuesday Calderwood
Alex Pettas

Butler Auto Glass IMCA Modifieds
Tim Balding
Michelle Paul
Michael Paul Jr
Jim Pettit II
Josh Combs
Freddie Plourde III
Jeff Faulkner
Jim Weiler
Anthony Slaney
Tim Yaeger
Jeff Thomas
Gary Zwicker
Frank Furtado
Mitch Machado
Terry Kaiser
Shawn DeForest
Ron Palombino
Justin Yaeger

Jay's Mobile Welding Service Super Stocks
Mike Learn
Dave Spindell
Matt Hagemann
Randy Miramontez
Mike Walko
Duane Croft
Justin Zwicker
Dean Devolder
Sid Hess
Roger Miller
Shawn McCoy

Sparky's Collision Center 600 Micro Sprint
George Nielson
Caleb Debem
Rob Brown
Jim Beck
Sam Borland
Victor Guerra
Jeromie Charon
Kyle Grissom
Brian Slubik
Carroll Mendenhall
Jack Clark
Trevor Mendenhall
Shiloh Borland
Amber Fields


Lakeport Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
Bandoleros
Travis Powers
Kai Lovell
Jordan McLean
Alyssa Sorrels
Courtney Portlock DNS-     

Bombers (A)
Trystan Mucci
Raymond Taylor Jr
Loren Powers Jr
Forrest Kuecker
Roy Ingalls Jr
Shelby Helm
Jimmy Sorrels
Kasey Horat
Ed Rasmussen
TJ Buzzard DNS
Jerry Miller DNS

Bombers (B)
Seth Chew
Klinton Waite
William Byrne

Jammers (Pro)
Donovan Arreguin
Mike Glass
Billy Hammond
Christopher Fischer
Isaiah Rojas
Sorhna Li DNS
Christian Sanchez DNS

Jammers (Jr)
Charles French
Hailey Glass
Leland Cervelli
TJ Sorrels
Tucker Murray DNS

Limited Modifieds
Charlie Collins
TJ Buzzard
Sierra Furia
J.R. Lane
Roy Ingalls Jr
Brandon Powers
Bo Robertson
Tyler Manning

Legend Cars
Brenden Ruzbarsky
Justin Johnson
Josh Fleming
Robert Byers
Aiden Phillips
Mark Burch
Tom Summers
Dustin Meier
Brian Park

Jalopies (Dirt)
Brandon Small
Chris Hunt
Kenny Golding
Robert Portlock Jr
Richard Bruhn
Nicky Skidmore
Cameron Graham
David Aceves


Bakersfield Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
IMCA RaceSaver Sprints
Kyle Rasmussen
Phil Heynen
Sean Quinn
Connor Danell
Chris Ennis

Mini Stocks
Gene Glover
Clint Duncan
Brandon Wolford
Joe Rogers Jr
Taylor Brard
Destiny Wolford
Josie Robinson
Trent Lone
Jason Cook Jr
Skylar Corellla
Liam Meyers
Clem Lessi
Jose Rosales
Jeff Durant
Arthur Gann
Ayden Price DNS

Western Pro Stocks
Chris Smith
Jerry Stewart
Ricky Childress Jr
Dakota Schweitzer
Frank Nyback
Ryan Smith
Paul Miller

IMCA Mod Lites
Zack Foster
Phil Barrow
J.D. Brown
Candi Varney
Tim Varney
parker cherry
Shane Balser

Hardtops
Jason Denman
Rich Souza
Marc McCaslin
Tom Sommerfeld
Tyler Weeks


Cottage Grove Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
WST Winged 360 Sprint Cars
A Main
Colby Copeland
Justyn Cox
Tyler Thompson
Chase Goetz
Garen Linder
Tanner Holmes
Max Mittry
Jodie Robinson
Brad Bumgarner
John Clark
Chelsea Blevins
Brian Boswell
Jared Hood
Matt Hein
James Setters
Don Trent
Trey Starks
Mitch Hoffses
Logan Forler
Gregory Hamilton

B Main
James Setters
Matt Hein
Brian Boswell
Don Trent
Donny Waddell
Brandon Mansfield
Chase Majdic
Steven Snawder

IMCA Modifieds
Jeffrey Hudson
Matthew Drager
Paul Culp
Curtis Towns
Jake Mayden
Steven Sturdevant
Aaron Sheelar
Paul Rea
Ryan Baker
Dave Duste
Todd Shandy
Roy Kirk Jr
Gene Powell

Street Stocks
Graig Osborne
Anthony Prather
Taunton Swaim
Larry Owens
Troy Chamberlain
Michael Hollingsworth
Eric Freeman


Marysville Raceway Unofficial Race Results July 17
Winged 360 Sprints
Steel Powell
Korey Lovell
Kevin Lovell
Billy Wallace
Josh Wiesz
William Fielding
Brian McGahan
Koa Crane
R.J. Baker
Pat Harvey Jr
Jack Phillips
Mike Monahan
Carson Hall
Wyatt Brown
Dennis Scherer
John Sullivan
James Taylor
Colby Wiesz
Dawson Hammes

Crate Sprints
Cameron Haney Jr
Brett Youngman
Mike Ballantine
David Sims
Jason Ballantine
Chad Thompson
Spencer Slocum
Dusty Barton

Limited Late Models
Dan Brown Jr
Rod Oliver
Ray Trimble
Jay Norton
Matt Davis
Eddie Gardner


Madera Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
Late Models
Adam Coonfield (Mod)
Matt Erickson
Jason Aguirre
Kyle Keller
Calvin Hegje (Dns)
Mike Shapiro
Hailey Liles
Joey Brasil
Shaun Reynolds DNS
Rick Thompson DNS
Zachary Cook DNS
Ryan Reynolds DNS

Challenge Cup
Results are not official
1     #9 Thomas Martin     
2     #15 Vince Little
3     #17 Thomas Suarez
4     #12 Kyle Keller
5    #5 Justin Funhouser
6     #29 Rich Innis
7     #91 Robbie Kennealy

NCMA Sprint Cars
Justin Kawahata
Denny Burell
David Burchett
Robb Hammond
Pat Goodwill
Mark Amador
Keith Calvino DNS

Madera Hobby Stocks
Steve Schermerhorn
Donny Large Jr
Manny Gonzales Jr
Harley Kennealy
Drew Ries

Madera Mini Stocks
Rick Lea
Shawn DePriest
Leo Lotz
Johnny Williams


Deming Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
IBEW/NECA Clay Cup Nationals Night 3
Super 600
A Main
Mitchel Moles
Jared Peterson
Cody Christensen
Caden Sarale
Jade Avedisian
Chance Crum
Jesse Schlotfeldt
Ryan Holz
Ryley Mayer
Dylan Resch
Cameron Paul
Devon Courtnier
Tanner Holm
Gauge Carcia
Colin Mackey
TJ Smith
Dominic Gorden
Dalton Parreira
JJ Loss
Mattix Salmon
Dominic Carter
Cody Key

B Main
Results are not official
1     #1J Cameron Paul     
2     #23R Dylan Resch
3     #2 Ryan Holz
4     #67 JJ Loss
5     #34 Devon Courtnier
6     #14 TJ Smith
7     #121 Caeden Steele
8     #20 James Andrihuk
9     #67v Tim Vaught
10     #21H Jeremy Holz
11     #88 Austin Torgerson
12     #K9 Kaden Holm
13     #78P Jake Andreotti
14     #8R Rachel Westmoreland
15     #13c Tyler Conley
16     #78 Haley Constance
17     #29 Levi Kuntz
18     #02 Ashton Torgerson         
19     #39K Kaitlyn Hammer     
20     #28B Blaine Granberg
21     #9t Tristin Thomas
22     #61c Travis Labat

C Main
Travis Labat
Rachel Westmoreland
Haley Constance
Ashton Torgerson
Levi Kuntz
Austin Torgerson
Derek Torkelson
Jayden Whitney
Tony Alosi
Brandon Carey
Eli Bookout
Macie Logsdon
Dakota Drake
Baby Boo Chamorro
Parker Hadlock
Cody Parmley
Tyler McLeod
Raio Salmon
Blake Parmley
Austin Taborski
Wyatt Bookout
Isabel Barnes      

D Main
Raio Salmon
Tyler McLeod
Eli Bookout
Blake Parmley
Baby Boo Chamorro
Austin Taborski
Barrett Polhemus
Nick Van Atta
Alex Gouy
Xan Miller
Hailey Wood
Ron Singh     


1200 Mini Sprints Unofficial Race Results July 17
Results are not official
1     #17 Derek Holmwood
2     #13 Steven Hendrickson
3     #83c Chance Crum
4     #10S Tanner Holm
5     #92 Seth Hespe
6     #71 Dustin O'Brien
7     #5 Alex Lewis
8     #10D Dakota Drake
9     #6 Jared Gundersen
10     #9 Clennon Holloway
11     #3F Shane Sexton
12     #10J Tyson Lemley
13     #6H Haylee Bloodgood
14     #30 Terry Lewis
15     #7 Dick Williams
16     #10L Brock Lemley     
17     #12 Tanner Schoonover
18     #76e Austin Edson
19     #17F Scott Kinney

Restricted 600
A Main
Results are not official
1     #55 Jett Barnes
2     #2a Austin Wood
3     #59M Mallory Fisher
4     #63 Colton Key   
5     #4 Teagen Moles
6     #24L Levi Hillier
7     #33 Andrew Smith
8     #7o Axel Oudman
9     #71 Kane VanSickle
10     #7j Lucas Johnson
11     #28 Mickey Gile
12     #14c Carson Guffie
13     #30 Isabel Barnes
14     #55j Jayden Huppert
15     #22 Peyton Drake     
16    #3d Destry Miller    
17     #21c Corbin Ramsey
18     #14g Maddie Gjerness
19     #21z Keira Zylstra
DQ     #13 Elijah Gile

B Main
Isabel Barnes
Mickey Gile
Maddie Gjerness
Lucas Johnson
Rylee Kentch
Brody Ferguson
Kyle Fernandez
Ryan Bright
Orn Biggs
Karma Fagerlie
Samantha Schwarz
Cash Lovenburg
Grace Matier
TJ Stark
Fairah Lee
Jaydon Barnes
Levi Kuntz
Zoey Tupper

Jr Sprints
A Main
Results are not official
1     #30b Braeden Wager
2     #3 Avery Askvig
3     #78 Brooklyn Constance
4     #96 Briggs Davis
5     #98 Hayden Stepps
6     #20d Dustin Ramsey
7     #v5 Vito Cancilla
8     #5W Chase Whitney
9     #23 Jayce Medcalf
10     #88 Sawyer Baxter
11     #21c Clayton Jalakas
12     #10d Dean Skrifvars
13     #54 Ryan Bright     
14     #9j Levi Osborne     
15     #68 McKenna Morgan     
16     #27P Piper Bliven
17     #77 Brody Cooley
18     #67 Cooper Anderson

B Main
Dean Skrifvars
Clayton Jalakas
Piper Bliven
Heston Stepps
Brody Cooley
Nathan Fernandez
Hayden Cook


Irwindale Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
SRL Spears Southwest Tour
Results are not official
1     #43 Derek Thorn
2     #98 Blaine Rocha
3     #57 Dylan Cappello
4     #33C Cale Kanke
5     #27M John Moore
6     #22S Buddy Shepherd
7     #51V Carlos Vieira
8     #16 Jacob Gomes
9     #37 Keith Spangler
10     #21R Kole Raz
11     #11B Tracy Bolin
12     #24 Scott Sanchez
13     #22A Andy Allen
14     #44 Bob Lyon
15     #25F Brandon Farrington
16     #23 Dan Holtz     
17     #51T Dean Thompson
18     #50 Trevor Huddleston
19     #97 Dylan Garner     

SRL Pro Late Models
Results are not official
1     #75 Jeremy Doss     
2     #92Z Dylan Zampa
3     #92 Logan Zampa
4     #43R Tanner Reif
5     #7 Tyler Reif
6     #71 Jake Bollman
7     #04 Cole Brown
8     #22A Andy Allen
9     #15L Mike Lovell
10     #43B Christian Bazen
11     #87 Seth Wise
12     #28 Tegan Harlan
13     #56 Kyle Meyer

SPEARS Modified Series
Results are not official
1     #75 Jeremy Doss     
2     #5T Travis Thirkettle
3     #36 Travis McCullough
4     #4 Andrew Anderson
5     #61 Stephen Brucker
6     #84 Eddie Secord
7     #41 Sam Jacks
8     #55 William Guevara
9     #11L Jeff Longman
10     #5A Brian Brown
11     #8 Jim Coffey
12     #29 Kyle Jacks
13     # 40T Jerry Toporek
14     #16 Dustin Patterson
15     #04 Ryley Massey
16     #92 Trenton Millard
 

Willamette Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
SUPER LATE MODELS
ROB CAMPOS
JORDAN WRIGHT
BJ DONIFRIO
JODY TANNER
MIKE TAYLOR
KENT EMRY

IMCA MODIFIED
DUSTIN CADY
MARK GAYLORD
TYSON BLOOD
DEVON REED
DAN PHILPOTT
BRIAN THOMPSON
TRAVIS LILLARD
SEAN SCOFIELD
BRIAN IZZY
CODY JONES

SPORTSMAN
RYAN EMRY
GREG SHELLHORN
CHAD SLOVER
M LAVERDY
ROGER BELL
ED ROLES
TAHLAN ROGERS
KENT EMRY

SUPER SPORTS
TERRY SANDERS
GREG HENRICH
RANDY BARLEY
BRAD LEHTO
CHAD SLOVER
TIM ARCHER
SHANE DAVIS

STREET STOCKS
JUSTIN EVANS
DOUG SCOTT
ERIC JOHNSTON

IMCA SPORT COMPACTS
BRAD MARTIN
CHRIS PARKER
18
TREVOR BURTON
LADD JEFFERS
JACK VICARI
BRUCE MILLER
KERRY COOPER


Sunset Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
IMCA Modifieds
Craig Cassell
Grey Ferrando
Greg Walters
Trevor LaBarge
Rick Graham
Ray Elwess
Kristi Somers

IMCA Stock Cars
Jeremy Brookshire
Jerry Schram
Don Schott
PJ Humphrey
Kersey Ferrando

Adventist Health Street Stocks
Arnie Case
Joey Tardio
Doug Pitsch
Frank Elwess
Jacob Myers
Tanner Bridges
Robert Summerhalder
Benny Sauter
Rod Lowe

IMCA Sport Mods
Chris Hallberg
Jordan Henry
Trevor Points
Zack Riehl

IMCA Sport Compacts
Brayden Brookshire
Victoria Chandler
Kimmy Cannon
Barry Cannon


Douglas County Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 17
Johnny's Drive In PRA Hardtops
Harlan Cox
Kyran Greene
Brian Smith
Troy Gasner
Donnie Fain
Steve Smith
Greg Hickman
Brian Lenihan DNS

Winchester Pub PRA Sport Mods
Riley Watson
Kalob Watson
Dale Roth
John Harvey
Blake Harvey
Monte Cox

Pro Motors PRA Hornets
Rich Dickenson
Ryan Dickenson
Pete Lemon
Zach Asumendi
Skyler Lemon
Brandon Belt
Gage Sharp
Haven Smith
Timothy Smith
Lexi Gricher
Bart Pulse DNS
Jose House DNS

PRA Super Stocks
Matt Klaas
John Doyle
Dylan Grichar
Dale Roth


Coos Bay Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 21
America's Mattress Super Late Models
Braden Fugate
Wayne Butler
Brody Montgomery
Hannah Robison
Thor Kristenson DNS
Bid Van Loon

Street Stocks
Toby McIntyre
Ken Fox
Steve Dubisar
Seth Christian
Jesse McIntyre
Sam Talon

JR Stingers
Griff Smith
Madilynn Hardy-Ashley
Tallon Dubisar
Eli Luckman
Alex Butler
DJ Nelson
Tanner dubisar
Max Haga
Tucker dubisar

 

The Editor's Viewpoint

Here we go again. I'm at the start of the racing weekend, and I am writing the column that has become the biggest pain in the rear to edit. I was going to give a state of things report for this blog, but it's pretty simple. If I can get to the end of the regular point season, I'm going to be toning it down from here on out when it comes to writing race reviews. I didn't realize I had written reviews for 15 races last week until I started editing everything. I'm proud of the work, but it is a bit much for what I get out of it..

As soon as I have a stretch of a few days to figure it out, I'm going to start putting together the plan for the DCRR Radio Show and how it's going to evolve. I think there's merit in doing shows that recap the action at various tracks. This is why I've tried to do the main show a bit differently lately where I'm not rambling on and on with my opinions and can get into the results a bit quicker. I'm going to be changing platforms for the show in a way that I hope will assist me in monetization and making it a little bit more worthwhile for my time.

I want to get back to doing special feature stories on the blog. You know, maybe I'll write an article that takes a week or two but has a little bit more life to it. The one problem with the posts I put up now is that if they're not being viewed during that week, they kind of fall down the memory hole. They are not evergreen. Some of the most successful posts I've had on the DCRR blog are ones that have dealt with certain topics. I might start writing articles on the blog that end up going into books eventually, or just write articles that you can find on the blog. This doesn't mean I won't write Pit Stops or The Editor's Viewpoint columns when I feel the need.

Another part of the plan is that I need to get working on books. My Apologies should be released by the end of the year, but it might be early next year. I don't know. I think I have all of the content written for it, so it's about editing everything and laying in out in a nice PDF file that people can order via print on demand at lulu.com. I like the work they do there, and I don't have to worry about printing so many copies or handling sales. For one thing, I don't have the money to publish my work any other way, and this way allows me to be the boss of what I do. I prefer it that way at this point in my life.

At some point I want to get into the history of the tracks, starting with Antioch Speedway, but definitely including Merced Speedway and Petaluma Speedway among other tracks. The first thought is the big book, but I know me. I want to put lots of details into what I do, so you may be seeing books that go decade by decade. That's likely to be the case for Antioch, and it also means I don't necessarily have to lead with the first decade. There's some research that's going to need to be done, but I have quite a bit of information when it comes to 1980 through 2000 for various tracks, and I think the books I have in mind will be good.

However, following My Apologies, I'm thinking of The West Coast Racing Almanac, and I won't get into any more details than that until I start moving further along with that project. There's another book idea in the works called Memorable Moments: A Look Back At Antioch Speedway In The 1980s. This is from the cover story articles I did in the magazine back in the 1980s, but they would be fleshed out a little bit more with what I have in mind. Not the complete history of the decade, but a darn good sampling. I'm still tossing around the idea of the book I almost started working on at the beginning of the year. The Best Of The DCRR: In The Year 2000, which will look back at all the tracks that we covered back then with some observations on what was going on in the sport.

The bottom line before moving on from this topic is I need to cut back on how much work I'm doing during the racing season. Putting the recap stuff onto an audio show is less intensive and could be more rewarding to me. A lot of people like listening to a podcast while they're on the road, rather than sitting in front of the computer screen reading 20 articles. When I free that time up, I can start working on book projects and do special feature articles on the blogs. At the moment, I think this is a good plan, but I need to start putting things in place soon.

The more I think about it, the more I am coming to the conclusion that the West Coast Dwarf Car Association National events are not very fan friendly. They are definitely driver friendly as they take on a party atmosphere. I was totally enamored with the concept when Frank Munroe started promoting it back in the 1990s, and they had huge fields. I like the idea of one division producing a car count of over 100 in the pits, and even getting 60 or 70 is nice. I don't particularly care for splitting it up into three different groups. Run them together and run the alphabet.

I know these guys have the party area set up in the pits for after the races, and one of the things they do is the banquet. They present the winners with awards and I think there might be a special award in there as well. Think about running the alphabet and presenting the award to the guy who won the E Main, D Main and so on. Want to encourage the rookies who are in the Sportsman division? Come up with a plan to do that without dividing it into three divisions. That's my opinion, which nobody asked for.

As a promoter, I'm not really sure I would want to book this. I've heard things that I don't want to put out here in public, but I know certain promoters aren't enamored with the idea of hosting one of these races. Honestly, I realize that a promoter could just as easily book a big Dwarf Car race during the year and get the cars without going through the WSDCA BS. Did that sound harsh? It wasn't meant that way. What I'm saying is you don't have to send a bag full of money out the gate to be divvied up by the association. You are the promoter, you've determined what the purse is and the drivers can get their winners at the pay window.

John Soares was a stubborn guy when it came to the Dwarf Cars. He pretty much put an end to the Pacific Coast Dwarf Car Association, and I know the NorCal bunch wasn't too unhappy about that. Yeah, the PCDCA tried to carry on for a few years, but without Dr Dirt Jim Soares in the group to open the doors for them at certain tracks via his track prep skills, the magic faded. The South Bay Dwarf Car group at Watsonville was built on the ashes of the group that was built on the ashes of the PCDCA, and John Soares began promoting his own Dwarf Car class at Antioch in 1998.

Here's a fun little history fact for the people who bash John. This division grew to have regular B Mains within a year or two, and that remained the case up until the point when his brother Jim got Petaluma Speedway and decided he would start his own class there. Antioch lost the regular B Mains they had in that class as well as the Spec Sprints, which Jim also started promoting. Despite that, Antioch could get 12-20 cars on any given week, and guys from the various WSDCA groups would still come run.

Not every division on the roster needs to be the big deal. It takes every division to make up a program, and they should all be appreciated. However, the Dwarf Cars aren't a headline caliber division that you put on the marquee to attract the people. That's not to say you don't get a good race out of these cars or that the cars aren't fast. That's not even to say that fans don't appreciate them.  

However, I've heard just as many people trash this division as praise it, probably more so. What John understood was that he was going to get the car count he wanted out of the class and it would be part of the overall car count equation he was looking for on any given week. The bonus was he didn't have to deal with any association trying to get their fingers in the pie or dictate how he was going to run the show. He also knew that when he booked the division, they would show up.

Chad Chadwick was approached by people who wanted to form the Delta Dwarf Cars at Antioch in record time. John had barely walked out the gate when it happened, and the selling point was that Antioch would be able to get a Nationals event and have big races. Has it happened? I suppose it has. I'm not privy to the dollar totals that Chad will be looking at, so I don't know beyond that. However, 63 cars on Friday night was not necessarily very impressive if you ask me. Not when every other Nationals has had much better numbers. It seems to me Antioch was in a central enough location to get a slew of drivers from Petaluma, Watsonville and other parts of California, but that really didn't happen to the level it probably should have.

I don't like the fact that these guys diddle around instead of keeping the show moving. Look, you can hang out and BS before the races and after the races. Once the first green flag waves, keep that damn show moving. Don't play around. As it is, these races get pretty ugly. You've got drivers who aren't used to running with each other, and lots of crashes happen. For example, the Sportsman Dwarf Car Main Event was on the track for 35 minutes and only got nine laps. I don't know about you, but I'm less than impressed by that. The 100 or 150 people in the stands probably didn't care much for it either. Can you sell tickets to a Dwarf Car Nationals without bringing in another class?

At Southern Oregon Speedway, Mike McCann inherited the Dwarf Car Nationals race that was there, and they had lots of little demands. It might interest people to know that Mike was told that the group did not want the IMCA Modifieds running in support. Imagine a group coming in there and telling you what you're going to run when you are the promoter? If you want to control things, pay the fee to rent the track, and then you can tell somebody what they're going to do. Otherwise, shut your pie hole and run your damn race. Is that harsh? I'm not trying to be.

The problem is we're trying to sell tickets. We want people to come out and watch what we're putting on the race track. That is what it's all about. Between the secrecy of these groups not sharing their point standings and not being very "promotion friendly", I had a hard time getting media stuff out there to hype up the races that we had. I managed to crack the code, but only because I'm the type of person who will get around and do my research so I can write something. A lot of people won't bother to go to the lengths that I did to get that information. They'll just say, "Hey, Dwarf Car Nationals. Lots of cars. Come out." They're met with a course of yawns.

What Mike figured out was he was going to have support divisions to help with the bottom line and get some of the local fans to come out. We ended up running our Sprint Car class on the second night that last year, and I know there were Dwarf Car people who didn't care for that. I also know that I didn't care that they didn't care. We're in the business of putting on a show for the fans, not just putting on a show for the drivers to entertain themselves. Guess what? Adding the Sprint Cars added to the crowd count and made the show a little bit more palatable. When you've got an association with their hands in the cookie jar cutting into your bottom line, these are the things you do.

I used to get frustrated with John when he said why he wouldn't run a Nationals event, but now that I've seen some of the things I've seen, I totally get it. I endorse the decision. I totally understand why a new promoter like Chadwick would embrace joining the association and getting a Nationals race. Maybe it's going to work out for him on paper. In fact, I hope it does, because this track has a high price tag when it comes to paying the rent. I will say that they saved the best for last on Friday when Adam Teves made a spectacular drive from the back of the pack to win the Pro Main Event.

I'm a bit surprised that the track didn't schedule something in support of the Dwarf Cars, but my guess is they weren't really sure what to do. The Hunt Series was it Placerville on Saturday, so the logical pick of the Wingless Spec Sprints wouldn't have been possible. I don't think the track gave it much thought. They decided the Dwarf Cars would take center stage on both nights without support classes, and it would be what it was. I don't have too much to add as far as Saturday thoughts go from what I said after the Friday portion was run.

I still don't get why these guys take so damn long. Like I said, once they drop a green flag on the first heat, they need to be all business and not goofing around. Once again, I think it was at least a half an hour between the heat races and the Main Event. I can't even blame this on them trying to stretch the program out because the car count was so low that they didn't need B Mains in any of the classes. This is what they normally do, so they would have wasted that much time even if they had B Mains on the schedule. It seems unnecessary to me, but what do I know? I'm not against the whole idea of an intermission between heats and Mains. You need to do that, but generally that should only take 10 or 15 minutes.

As far as racing goes, I think the Pro division delivered another exciting finish. Adam Teves might have been in line for a big win in front of his home crowd on Saturday, but Chad Matthias of the Redwood Dwarf Car group stole the show. I thought that was pretty cool as you don't hear too much about the Petaluma area drivers going to these National shows and winning Pro division races.

The talent in that field is still very strong. It seems to me the talent level has gone down slightly in the Veterans class, at least for this show. I don't know if it would have mattered, because Kevin Miraglio probably would have won anyway. He's that good. Scotty "The Beast" Preast seems to be taking to these Dwarf Cars pretty well as the former Santa Maria Hobby Stock racer picked up another Sportsman win.

To be honest with you, if I were inclined to go to a Dwarf Car Nationals as a spectator, I'd probably circle the September date in Marysville on the calendar. NorCal hosts the event, and they pull out all the stops. This is where the event began, and generally this is where they get their biggest car counts. Then again, I would go there knowing that it's very likely that at least one night will go past midnight. They don't have a curfew there, and Marysville generally will book support classes. Still, the competition level is pretty tough at those races. I've never said there weren't good racers in the Dwarf Cars, because there are. I've just been thinking a lot about these Nationals races and some of the inner workings.

Friday night offerings also included the opening night of the 11th Annual Howard Kaeding Classic, and the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars delivered the goods with 31 cars. Actually, it was a good night for the track with over 70 race cars across four divisions, and the good stuff hadn't started yet. Saturday was the race for Howard that would pay almost $7,000 to win and $1,000 minimum just to take the green flag for the NARC/King in the West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Cars. How cool is that? The other thing is they don't run a short line up in the Main Event. They start 24 cars, and some of the drivers didn't make it out of the B Main as there were 28 cars on hand.

When Dan Simpson took over the King of the West Series, it was definitely struggling. Car count was such that promoters didn't necessarily want to be involved. NARC never really went away, although they weren't promoting races at that point. They had the NARC Benevolent Fund, and it seems like they were biding their time to bring back the name. It's funny how USAC was trying to do something on pavement and were thinking they could use the NARC name to generate interest. I don't know what they were thinking, but that was a stupid idea.

Simpson sold to John Prentice, and at one time John seemed like he controlled pretty much everything important. He had kind of a spectacular fall, and the the King of the West Series went under new ownership. When they were able to marry the King of the West Series to NARC and get the NARC name back out there again, I know some of the nostalgia factor came in for the long time Winged 410 Sprint Cars. However, what I've seen is the numbers going up just a little bit as things are on the up turn for the NARC/KWS Series. Is it where it was in the 1990s? No, but it's getting better.

You need new names to get the people interested, and they've certainly built some names up in this group. That makes a big difference. You've still got the Kaeding name out there with Bud and his brother Tim, but you've got racers like DJ Netto and Dominic Scelzi as well. What I'm witnessing is a group that's becoming worth the ticket price they charge once again and showing that Winged 410 Sprint Car racing isn't quite dead yet. It makes me smile when they go to Watsonville for the Howard Kaeding Classic and deliver a 28 car field.

It seemed a bit rougher this time, but you're going to have nights like this. You hate for it to occur at such a big show, but it happens. The officials really got the show going and had the preliminaries done in rapid fashion on Saturday night. There were 23 IMCA Modifieds to go along with those 28 NARC/KWS Sprint Cars, 13 Hobby Stocks and 10 Police N Pursuit cars. The Modifieds were so rough that at 16 laps, and with over 25 minutes of track time, officials cut it short. Bear in mind it wasn't much after 8:00 pm when they made that decision, and I know some IMCA Modified fans weren't pleased with this decision.

Back in the day, I know the goal was always to have the Sprint Cars on the track with an hour to go before curfew, in case it was needed. State curfew might be 11:00 pm, but the track curfew from the fairgrounds is 10:00 pm. Then again, I think it would have been safe to go past that curfew if needed on this occasion. You just don't want to do it too often, or you face a big fine.

What's funny is after the mess that was the IMCA Modified race, the Hobby Stocks got out there and ran a quick race, followed by another quick race for the Police N Pursuit cars. The Keldsen team was back in action, and it was Austin Van Hoff piloting their car to the Hobby stock win. There was good Merced area representation on this occasion as Rick Diaz got the IMCA Modified win. As for the Sprint Cars, the show of the night, they were on the track for about 50 minutes. Sean Becker has won quite a bit in Winged 360 Sprint Car competition with many championships at Chico. However, he scored the biggest win of his career in Howard Kaeding Classic. He'll be on cloud nine for the week after that win.

As for the Friday Night show, it was nice to see 15 Hobby Stocks, which is one of the strongest numbers they've had this year. They matched the total for the IMCA Sport Modifieds, but the WMR Midgets were a bit down at nine cars. They are definitely getting some momentum in the WMR group, but it seems like the interest is even stronger down in the Ventura area if I'm reading this thing right. It does help when you've got people like David Prickett and Cameron Beard renting out cars and getting people out there. One thing I will say about Prickett is he's putting his money where his mouth is. Like WMR founder Mike McCluney, he believes in this as a way forward for the class.

I'm tempted to get into some Midget talk here, but I'm seguing over to the Hobby Stocks. Track prep guru Tom Sagmiller has floated the idea of trying to have a Hobby Stock series once again. This would entail bigger purses at these races and a point fund, but I'm sure he's going to require a minimum amount of people to sign up and buy membership into it.

When he tried this a few years ago, it was met with lukewarm response. Are the Hobby Stock drivers ready to step up and show how good things can really be? I hope so. We're hearing all kinds of ridiculous rumors about promoters killing the class and getting rid of Camaros, but I would classify those as unfounded. A promoter would have to be a complete nitwit to kill a division that's bringing 20 to 30 cars a race at some places.

Of course, people are already pushing for Antioch, Watsonville and Merced to be included. I like the idea of including tracks that actually have a Hobby Stock division. If you've got 16-20 drivers committed to the tour, it helps that they're going to tracks that have a class of their own. if you go to tracks that don't have the class, you might just be talking about people who are running the tour.

They have to include a northern track, in my opinion. Susanville might be too far north, although they've got a nice Hobby Stock effort going there. I'm thinking Marysville, because they are almost on the same level as Antioch with car count or maybe it's a match. That could be the fourth track, and I'd be surprised if Bakersfield doesn't get in. The most likely tracks that don't have a division that could be included are The Stockton Dirt Track and Petaluma Speedway, but I'm speculating here.

Since I am speculating, I made a pitch for Orland Raceway, and I pointed out that you could do a Friday at Chico and a Saturday at Orland as both tracks are relatively close to each other. It helps justify the longer trips for people if they know they have two races. The other thing is Orland hasn't had a lot of huge events through the years, but they've shined at shows like the Battle Of The Axles, the Harvest Cup and even hosted a Hunt Series race once upon a time. I think it would be a winner. I think it's more likely that you'll get Marysville than to have Orland and Chico included.

I was talking to a good friend via messenger, and he brought up Mountain Valley Raceway in Hayfork. Would I like to see that track host something big like this? Oh yeah. I have conversations with Mike McCann all the time about what could happen at this track. They're having the Clyde Cordell Memorial race on August 14th, and if they can get 10 Hobby Stocks, there's $1,000 more going into the purse. They don't have a lot of money, so that's a big deal.

I know there are probably a dozen or more Hobby Stocks just as there are a dozen or more Mini Stocks in that area, but they need to get the locals energized about supporting that place again. But yeah, I love the idea of bringing 30 Hobby Stocks up to that place. The question is, how energized could you get the fans in the area for coming out there to watch?

This wasn't something I was a originally going to comment on, but an old Stock Car racer went to the Howard Kaeding Classic on Saturday and walked away with a very negative opinion of the track. I was reading the comments section of his post on Facebook, and I think there were some uninformed remarks being made. Somebody was insinuating what the deal was that John Prentice had with the fairgrounds. When I read that, I thought John would have to be a complete moron to promote that track. Nobody in their right mind would take the deal described there, but I think the person who made that comment was engaged in speculation.

I'm not going to comment too much here. I know there is a mood down in Watsonville where people feel the promoter only cares about open wheel cars and not so much the stock car side. I've seen a few things that might support that theory, but I also think the promoter would have been a fool not to bring the Sprint Cars onto the roster when that became a possibility. It's basically keeping the place afloat. You have to remember a few things when you talk about Ocean Speedway, or Watsonville Speedway as the purists continue to call it.

First of all, we're damn lucky that the track is still there when you have neighbors who want to shut the gates. I don't just say this idly when I suggest that racing people should be looking around at potential other venues not too far away from that location, just in case it's needed. I think there might actually be a few possibilities. Secondly, there's a way to deal with the promoter if you don't like them. Fairgrounds tracks have RFP Proposals where somebody else can take a shot at running the track. If you think you can do better, find out when the next bid process happens and take your shot. However, last Saturday was one of the best promotions the track has had this year.

The WST Speedweek Series rolled into Cottage Grove Speedway and delivered the goods. Actually, they had some guys from Oregon who had skipped out on the races up until that point and several drivers from Washington. It's like they were waiting for the race at "Mecca" and weren't going to be bothered with going to Willamette, Sunset Speedway or Coos Bay. The Speedweek Series is a shadow of its former self, but Brian Crockett continues to fight to keep it alive. Heather Boyce is going to back him on this and use it to get the best car count she can in Cottage Grove. She is a Winged 360 Sprint Car believer, and she's basically propping this class up with some semblance of a point race for the year despite the fact that the roster isn't what it once was.

I do believe that the numbers can come around as drivers running the Limited Sprints decide they want a little bit more speed and the option of being able to go to other places and be competitive. There are some younger drivers already moving up into this class, so Cottage Grove could legitimately be a track with 15-20 cars in the Winged 360 Sprints within the next few years. Time will tell. It's kind of hard keeping the Speedweek Series together with only four tracks participating, and I wonder if they could get Southern Oregon Speedway back on board or maybe even Siskiyou Golden Speedway. If they could, would that improve the drivers support? Are there too many Speedweek Series in Oregon as it is?

In any case, nobody in Cottage Grove was complaining about 29 cars showing up for a Winged 360 Sprint Car race. It highlights the one thing about Cottage Grove Speedway. I know people are talking about the facility being kind of dumpy, but the surroundings are still quite nice. The race track is generally in good shape, and they consistently have better car counts than anywhere in Oregon. What's not to like about that? While Colby Copeland was winning his second race of the series ahead of an impressive second place finish for Tanner Holmes on Friday night, Curtis Towns was beating about a dozen IMCA Modifieds. There was a similar turnout in the IMCA Sport Compact race, won by Burnie Bryant.

I have to be real careful here, because this column is already getting long-winded, and there will surely be a few more thoughts added after tonight's races. I was a little bit dismayed to find out that the California Hardtop Association canceled the Marysville race because of heat. For one thing, it wasn't even 100°, so these guys are canceling for 96° temperatures at the moment, and that makes zero sense to me. I suppose Dennis Gage is used to this by now, because these guys are good for one cancellation at either Marysville or Chico every year, and it's usually because they claim it's too hot. I know he's more concerned with how things are going to go for his Winged 360 Sprint Cars and Winged Crate Sprint classes but a promoter books what they do and counts on the support.

I'm getting it through my head that the Hardtop movement in California is just floating along, and nobody with a car seems to care that it's not even achieving half the potential of what it could. They let an incompetent leader run the show, and I'm well aware that I'll probably piss somebody off by calling the leader incompetent if they happen to read this. I also don't care, because the guy has had a long enough time to do something with this thing and has failed miserably. When you have 20 Hardtops minimum in the Northern California area in various states of repair and can only get to double digits when you allow the Merced Valley Sportsman cars to run with you, there's a problem.

However, these guys are just grateful to get in the gates and play around with their toys, and that's all it is. It doesn't matter what I see when it comes to the potential of this class. I'm just somebody who observes and offers my support where I can, but I'm not in the position to lead. The people who are in a position to lead this movement are leading it where it is now. It's just a little novelty thing to put on the track, and they can't even agree whether they are running an exhibition race where you're allowed to pass only on the outside or if they are racing. That's just the way it is. I like the cars and I support them in that regard.

However, if I was a promoter approached by the current CHA President to book a race, I have two thoughts on the matter. The first is I wouldn't book them because I don't know if I can count on them to show up on the date that was booked. Is that a bit harsh? I'm sure I offended somebody with that. However, I'm also sure I don't care, because the truth sometimes hurts.

The other way of looking at it is that I would book the divisions I count on to get the car count I need for the night and toss these guys in as a novelty act. I might just throw a green on these guys the minute every car is on the track and have the announcer say, "Hey look, neato. Old cars. They're running an exhibition, aren't they?"

I was a little bit annoyed at Placerville Speedway because they book these guys and you never hear anything about results. The announcer kind of just says, "Hey look, old cars." Not really a lot to the presentation there, although they do pretend to run a race and all of that. When I think about it, I get why Placerville sometimes doesn't even include the Hardtops in the pre-race PR and doesn't mention much about them after the race is done. They are already treating them like the novelty act that they appear to want to be treated, and Placerville puts themselves in a position where they aren't hurt if these guys decide it's too hot and don't come out and support the show.

I'm sitting here as I write this and thinking, do I really want to say that? Am I going to piss somebody off? Do I really care at this point? If people decide they don't want to talk to me within the group, is it going to hurt my feelings? I see a lot of those guys talk about snowflakes and all of that on their personal Facebook pages, so I'm guessing they can handle the criticism here. It's fine that they want to be a novelty act and risk pissing off a promoter to the point where they don't want to book them by canceling because it's a little bit too hot, even if they're saying 96° is too hot now.

I still like the cars, but I can't help but turn my attention to the Valley Sportsman division at Merced. These guys do want to race, the track takes care of them and keeps points for them. They've been doing championship racing since the division was revived in 1999, and they have a roster of at least 16 cars that are in a state of repair that could see them at the track without too much effort. I believe there's even a few more cars beyond that, and they are booked for July 24th.

This division is the one I watched when I was younger, and I was happy when Chad Chadwick opened the gates at Antioch Speedway to allow these guys to support the Hardtop races. Actually, I'd like Chad to entertain booking a Sportsman only race if at least a half a dozen of these guys were willing to come run. I'm not saying get rid of the Hardtops, but I'd like to see these guys do their own thing too.

With this column, I write a little bit now and a little bit later. I added a bit to what was composed above and continue on after Saturday night racing is in the books. I hesitate to write too much, but I think that ship has sailed. I see the big winners for the weekend being Watsonville, Cottage Grove and Placerville. All had solid turnouts. I find it fascinating that they had such a good Winged 360 Sprint Car turnout at Cottage Grove for the finale of the WST Speedweek Series.

You'd normally see Colby Copeland running the NARC/KWS race, but they had good purse money at Cottage Grove. He picked up the $5,000 win on Saturday, and I believe that was good enough to get him the series championship. I'm happy for Colby. He's one of those guys that races hard every week, and you don't see him getting a lot of glory. He beat some good drivers in Cottage Grove.

Placerville Speedway did have the Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars, but the numbers were down. They might be getting a B Main on any normal occasion, but they had 21 cars this time. Sprint Cars did produce a 33 car field on this occasion. That happened in the Hunt Wingless Sprint Series portion of the show. They've had a couple of really nice turnouts at Placerville, and they've been on a roll lately with the wingless stuff after the previous week's 24 car show with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars. Fendered fans saw about 20 Pure Stocks and eight Mini Trucks. It was nice to see Andy Gregg and get the Winged Sprint Car win, and Shawn Jones got the glory in the Wingless Sprints as he's battling for his second Hunt Series championship. The Dwarf Car guys in Antioch were probably happy he went to Placerville as he's very tough to beat in the Dwarf Car Nationals Pro division and wins quite a bit.

Marysville went on as scheduled. It wasn't too hot this week, despite what certain Hardtop racers might think. Actually, some of those drivers were wrenching on Sprint Cars. There were 19 Winged 360 Sprints, and Steel Powell was the latest driver to get a win. It's interesting that nobody is dominating Sprint Car racing at this track. It's so evenly competitive that you don't know who will win on any given week. As a fan of that type of racing, I am liking what I see. You almost wonder if old Pat Harvey Jr could get a win if he started on the front row under certain conditions there, and I wouldn't rule it out.

The big problem at Marysville is other than the Sprint Cars, Hobby Stocks and IMCA Sport Modifieds, you have trouble getting the double digits with your regular classes. I gave the Crate Sprints praise for keeping it over 10 this year, but they dropped to eight this time. It was still a good race for what it was, but I hope they can keep the momentum going. My hope is that they will take the average from 10 cars a race to 15 or 16. If they can't make that kind of progress, I don't really know what to say. Limited Late Models accounted for a half-dozen competitors on this occasion.

When I say Limited Late Models at Marysville, I'm not talking about the division we knew at Antioch Speedway. These are pretty much Crate Late Models, and the Marysville guys are pretty much doing it with Placerville rules. Actually, it's Placerville competitors supporting this show. I just noticed that Mikey Slaney made the purchase of the two Late Models that Chris Biggs had for sale in Medford. I'm baffled why the Slaney team would want to get into this when the future of Late Model racing in California is so uncertain, but I'm hearing rumblings that there's something on the horizon.

I hesitate to say what it is I've heard already as nothing is in place just yet. We have the movement to keep the Pro Stocks going, but Late Model racing in California on the dirt is falling by the wayside. I hate that it's going the way of crate motors as I was never really on the bandwagon with that. However, if that's what it's going to take to put Late Models back in play in California and get us to double digits, then I guess that's what it's going to have to be. Placerville can deliver 10-12 cars, which isn't huge. However, it is a start. So, exactly what is going on here with the Crate Late Models? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I had a thought as I was watching the live scoring at Madera Speedway. Kenny Shepherd announced a day earlier that the live stream that he gives away on YouTube would be unavailable for the race. Evidently, some of the equipment they use for the broadcast is being serviced. I hated that this happened on the week that the Legends of Kearney Bowl Super Modifieds were on the card. Imagine that. Warm weather in Madera, old drivers in old race cars and they had a dozen of them. It looks like Judie Moradian was filming and put it up on Facebook, so I'll take a peek at what was going on when I'm done writing this.

Anyway, my thought centers around open wheel racing. Mike McCann and I have some stimulating conversations in regards to many topics in racing, and the topic came up concerning the old Super Modifieds that they had at Madera that became the SRL before the SRL became a Late Model deal. Over the last half a dozen or so years, I've watched Madera and even Stockton 99 struggle to have an open wheel themed program on the pavement. There's just nothing getting traction. I really think if somebody sat down and approached it properly, they could revive the 360 Super Modifieds with decent enough numbers if scheduled right. I mean, they could get a dozen or 14 cars.

With a thing like that, however, I'm not sure what it is that Kenny Shepherd or Tony Noceti can actually do. I think both promoters would book a division that was organized properly and pay them well enough, but you'd really need somebody with the know-how to lead such an organization. Is there anybody out there who wants to do this? I don't know. I do believe the cars are out there, and this would be a key ingredient in Madera and Stockton having their bi-monthly open wheel themed programs. That is to say every other month Stockton has a race and every other month Madera has a race, which is about right. That would mean an open wheel race a month between the two tracks.

You see, the Tom Manning Memorial race for the BCRA Midgets has already been canceled. It was scheduled for this coming Saturday at Stockton 99 Speedway. Apparently, nobody from the group was committed to running the race, just as none of them committed to the Shasta race they were scheduled for a few weeks back. There are big problems in BCRA, and the bigger problem is there is nobody in a leadership role willing to roll up their sleeves and do something about it. By default, the WMR Midgets are going to take over Midget racing in Northern California at this race rate, but I've already spoken about this in recent articles. I'm sure I'll say more in the future.

The problem with these open wheel themed nights is you only get five or six cars here and five or six cars there. None of the divisions you book are bringing double digits unless it's a Legends of the Pacific race or you're lucky enough to get the North State Modifieds. They were hoping to get some momentum with the Gunslinger Sprint Car Series, and it did reach double digits. However, in California that thing seemed to fade away quickly. Once that happened, what they were doing at Stockton with the monthly open wheel races pretty much got decimated.

I was thinking as I saw that there were seven NCMA Sprint Cars at Madera. Yeah, these guys have completely abandoned their Spec Sprint roots at this point, and I'm sure that didn't help the effort to grow this class. I heard the code red that they had when they were actually willing to entertain going back to the dirt again. My belief is that they could go back to the dirt, but they need somebody coordinating it and getting some people committed to a set of Spec Sprint rules. The real problem is the guys that are committed to the pavement probably wouldn't run the dirt and vice versa, so you'd have to schedule where the two things don't step on each other. However, that's not what this is about.

My thought is that if the NCMA could just get a bit more organized and find the combination to get about a half-dozen more people to commit regularly, that would give them 12 or 13 cars showing up. At that point, they become even more attractive to the pavement tracks. A dozen NCMA Sprint Cars probably gets the dates that they want at Madera, Stockton, Shasta and even Ukiah and Roseville if they'd like to be there. It's also a piece of the puzzle for these open wheel nights that Madera and Stockton book. You can want an open wheel night at these tracks, but if the cars aren't there, it makes no business sense for the promoter to book them.

The Club Races at Madera Speedway are just that, Club Races. They don't have huge car counts, and it's not the high pressure situation of a MavTV Series race. They did reach double digits in the Late Models on Saturday, but the track is still struggling to start a 602 Crate Modified program. Only two drivers showed up, and it was decided to run them with the Late Models. An interesting thing happened when the leaders tangled late in the race and the Modified of Adam Coonfield got the overall win. I bet nobody saw that one coming. The NCMA Sprint Cars had Justin Kawahata return and pick up the win. Maybe they can get Audra Saselli back out there again.

The Challenge Cup Series was there. I thought I heard them say these were cars similar in rules to the ARCA West Series before, but I'm not sure that's the case. I've also heard them referred to as old tour cars. Maybe Winston West tour cars from a few years back? I'll have to get more clarification here, but they did have seven of them. It's something different for the track to do, and when you're piecing a program together with a half-dozen cars here and so on, you take what you can get. The Mini Stock division is still a work in progress, but they had four cars this time. I'm hoping it will continue to grow as it would be a good entry level class. With the five Hobby Stocks they had, that was pretty much it.

It was a bummer that they didn't have the broadcast going, because in addition to wanting to get a look at the NCMA, I always like watching the beautiful vintage Super Modifieds of the Legends of Kearney Bowl. Thankfully, Judie Moradian was there to give us a window into what was happening via her videos. What can I say? I don't think there's a better vintage racing group on the West Coast than the Legends of Kearney Bowl. These guys are paying tribute to a beloved track, but more than that, the type of race cars that ruled the speedways in the 1960s and 1970s.

In some cases, you have replica race cars, and in others you have cars that are actually restored from the good old days. These guys are exhibition racing. I believe the winner gets a plaque. They line them up like it's a race and turn them loose. I call it respectful racing. They don't want hot dogs out there that they feel are being a danger to the group, and they're not listening to anybody who says they should actually race these cars. I 100% endorse that stance coming from the Legends of Kearney Bowl, although I would endorse somebody trying to start a group separate from them that does race. The people who have tried just aren't the kind of people you need leading such an effort.

I don't want these guys to change the way they do things, because it's been working. I think the roster is at over 30 cars and could be in the 40s. There were 13 cars in Madera. These guys will put the cars on the dirt and they'll put them on the asphalt, but they have just as much fun going to special off track events. Maybe it's a car show, maybe it's the Jim Perry Second Time Around party. These guys have formed a brotherhood with what they do, and I can totally respect that. Did you know these guys will take their cars to the retirement home to give those old people an opportunity to come out and remember a time from the past? It's a really good thing they do for the elderly.

I think it was at the Craig Yockey funeral that these guys actually brought their cars out there as sort of a funeral procession. Again, very cool, and I bet Yockey would have appreciated that. There's still a few of the guys from the old days, but sadly time catches up with us all. We lost the voice of The Legends of Kearney Bowl and of San Jose Speedway and other venues back in the day, Kenny Takeuchi. They will run a race remembering him later in the year. I just like what they do and feel like this is the way you organize a vintage group. There's plenty of communication, and the people know what's going on. Nobody is really kept in the dark as far as I can tell.

The Hardtop groups can certainly learn something from this. They don't use their social media page, and there are surely drivers with cars that aren't being told where the next race is. True, people park their cars for various reasons. However, if you find a way to remind them that there's a race some place, you might eventually motivate some of those guys to come back. It's just common sense. Of course, in this group you have a leader who cancels races if they think it's too hot. They canceled Marysville. What I find interesting is that the Legends of Kearney Bowl went on as scheduled at Madera in 103° temperature. I guess it wasn't too hot for those old guys.

I don't know what a promoter can do when they don't have a huge car count. You just run the show as scheduled, demonstrate that you're committed to it and hope it's going to improve. Like I said, the MavTV Series is successful at Madera Speedway, but that's about a race a month or so. You still have to fill the other dates. Kenny Shepherd is certainly working on things with the 602 Crate Modified project, new rules to try to build a Mini Stock class and the Challenge Cup Series. That's all you can do is tinker with it and do the best you can.

Take Lakeport Speedway and Ukiah Speedway. Furia Motorsports is just trying to rebuild the Lakeport program, and you use the pieces to the puzzle you have, which includes Limited Modifieds, Bombers, Legend Cars, Jammers and this Jalopy division they run on the infield track. I do like that idea a lot, and I've been thinking that maybe they ought to try a little Figure 8 some time. Wet that track good, and it's not too big. It should be safe enough and offer some contact and excitement for the fans.

In any case, Lakeport had a combined turnout of about 60 cars. The Bombers are really a neat division. Even though they aren't as fast as the Limited Modifieds, they are running these guys as the last race on the pavement track, for good reason. You never know who will win. It was Trystan Mucci on this occasion. As the Jammer car count is going up, I have to wonder about something. They designate the Junior class for the younger drivers and the Pro class for the older ones, but they are running them together. This has been done in part because that's how you get the car count up. Running them together sometimes doesn't equal 10 cars.

I've said the same thing about the Bandolero and Mini Cup classes at Madera. If they had enough cars in each class, could they get a separate race? What is the number that's acceptable for that? They have a couple of Pro division drivers that are going to pretty much whoop everybody else. They had seven of them on this occasion and five Juniors. I imagine it looked pretty good to have 12 cars lined up, but I'm curious at what point you can consider running them separately. If each division has at least six cars, is that the time?

The other thing Lakeport and Ukiah are doing is running the Bombers and B Bombers together. I don't know what the rules differences are here, but obviously the regular Bombers have more to work with. It seems to be that when they get four cars in the B Bombers, there's a chance that they are going to run by themselves, although that doesn't always seem to happen either. I'm not knocking it, but I am curious where the cutoff point is for running them separately. I know as a promoter you take what you can get. Looking at the numbers that Lakeport had on Saturday, I'd have to say it was a success. It's certainly one of the better turnouts they've had in the last couple of years.

Siskiyou Golden Speedway saw a rebound in car count for the IMCA Sport Modifieds as they broke double digits at 15 cars. When you think about it, this would have been the week for them to offer the bonus to the first place money, rather than the previous week. Then again, I think they might have known the car count wasn't going to be so good that week with Southern Oregon Speedway running, and they were looking to try to tempt people. As it stands now, they aren't going to win that battle with the Medford track. The drivers will head there. Like I said, there's work to be done to really take the racing program in Yreka where it needs to be, and I want to elaborate on that more in another column.

As it was, they had five Mini Stocks and five Jefferson State Jalopies to go with those 15 IMCA Sport Modifieds. There were no Pro Stocks, as I thought there wouldn't be. They only had four Roadrunners come in for this one, and none of the Hornet drivers from the Medford area came down to play. This means 29 total cars for the show, which was the go home race for Yreka before the County Fair break. Noteworthy for me were a few things. This was the first night that all five of the Jalopies were in running order for the Main Event, so I'm sure car builder JJ Smith, who won the race, had to be happy.

Secondly, Ashtin Hedges managed to score a clean sweep in the Mini Stocks. Considering Medford still hasn't run a race for this division yet, I'm thinking that Ashtin might be happy that he's put himself in a position to possibly win the championship. I thought there might be a couple more Medford cars, but the drivers might have been thinking about the short week as they run on Friday at Southern Oregon Speedway as part of the two-day PSM IMCA Sport Modified Challenge race. That race for the Sport Modifieds will pay $2,500 to win on Saturday and could have a turnout in the 40s.

I know it might have been disappointing to see just four Roadrunners show up in Yreka, but if those guys are still talking about racing, I'd book them again before the season is up. The only way you truly get your message across that you want Hornets out fhere is to keep booking them when you can. In any case, Kevin Barba will have an opportunity to think about things before they get ready for the stretch run. It's time for The Siskiyou Golden Fair. They will come back with the big John Arnberg Memorial 38 lap IMCA Modified show, which pays $1,538 to the winner on August 28th. Modifieds have an opportunity to make a big statement as to why they should be put on the schedule more often in 2022.

If I'm able to get out of the funk I'm in lately and edit something, I'll have a post for the Jefferson State Racing News blog soon. Rough drafts are already done for a couple of articles, and one of them is for Siskiyou Golden Speedway. It looks at what can be done to turn this program around. I mentioned the break they are taking for the County Fair. Work begins immediately on tearing down the track so that they can make the preparations they need to make. That's one of the challenges of running the track. A lot of fairgrounds tracks don't even have rodeos and that sort of thing on the track anymore. It's become a relic of the past in California. Some fairgrounds even built rodeo arenas specifically for that, and some of those arenas aren't even being used anymore. Side issue.

When I'm talking about what can be done, I had a thought that I wasn't really fond of. I'm not a big backer when it comes to IMCA, but I readily admit that they have the racers on their side. A lot of times, they don't even support a track that has their class if it's not sanctioned. Coos Bay is struggling with this as they try to run a handful of Modified and Sport Modified races, while IMCA refuses to sanction them. However, Yreka has that sanctioning. They are an IMCA Sport Modified track and had sanctioned the Modifieds before pulling them from the schedule this year. If they're brought back next year, chances are good they will continue to be IMCA sanctioned.

When I talk about adding divisions, I know the Hornet division fits in nicely. I still believe it would work in Yreka, but maybe they need the helping hand that making it an IMCA Sport Compact class would provide? I don't think there's some special magic bullet with IMCA rules that makes people want to come. It's just about being part of that sanctioning body.

Back in the days when NASCAR was sanctioning these tracks, you would have Street Stock drivers walking around with a sense of pride because they were part of the same organization that they watched on Sunday morning with the Winston Cup. I think in some ways the feeling is similar when it comes to people who love their IMCA. That card means they can go to whatever track and know they are legal and get all of the perks, such as they are.

What I'm thinking is that when Yreka makes an announcement that they will be running this Hornet class in 2022, maybe it would be in their best interest to go ahead and sanction it as IMCA Sport Compacts. Some of the people in the Medford area might take notice of that, and the locals might gravitate towards it. The guys who have the Roadrunners and want to make the trip from Redding might be interested in that. You're sending a message to the racers that you want this class, and you're willing to pay the fees to IMCA to sanction it. Might that be the way to really get some traction with this?

I can see Yreka looking at IMCA Stock Cars at some point, although I'd like to see them explore the Hobby Stock possibility. One thing you don't hear on the West Coast, however is IMCA Hobby Stocks. Yes, there's a difference. They have this class in Arizona and maybe even Nevada, not to mention at several venues across the country. It's not on the same level of the Stock Cars, meaning maybe it's not going to be quite as expensive. You have to remember that the IMCA Stock Cars are actually a tier above the IMCA Sport Modifieds in the hierarchy of the sanctioning body.

IMCA Hobby Stocks would be a tier below that, and I think that might be something to consider. In starting new classes, you want things that people with budget in mind might take a look at. It would be nice to have a fendered stock car class with more than four cylinders on the track's roster of divisions, not counting the traveling stuff that comes in. If you want faster cars, work on bringing in things like Sprint Cars of whatever variation and keep the Dwarf Cars and Pro Stocks coming when you can. For building your own rosters, you need to work with what you have. I don't know, it was just a thought that came to my mind as I'm wrapping things up here for the week.

Do I want to go there? To be honest, this column is long enough this week, but I'll try to be brief in my Sunday night Petaluma Speedway observations. If I continue the pace I am on, I might actually have things posted on time for a change. Imagine that. I think it was interesting booking a Sunday race, but one of the up shots is you might be able to get some visitors to come support the Winged 360 Sprint Car show. In fact, Promoter Rick Faeth was offering $300 minimum to take the green flag. I'll give him some kudos for what he has been doing there trying to get support in some of his divisions lately.

It was probably five or six years ago that the Winged 360 Sprint Car show at Petaluma was doing okay. This is when I came back into the picture at Antioch Speedway in 2015. I was noticing some good things happening at Petaluma. However, the trend has been a bit downward in recent years, and it doesn't seem like anybody even wants to win the Petaluma Speedway championship in this class. I'm not sure why that is. They did get visitors on Sunday, which probably doubled the car count they would have had. That's the good news. The bad news is they had 11 total cars in a race that was won by local star Colby Johnson. All you can do is keep plugging away and trying to get some momentum here again.

Speaking of momentum, I noticed they got a dozen Jay's Mobile Welding Service Super Stocks, which is good news. The numbers in this class have gone down. More good news is the fact that there were some key players who weren't even part of this field, so the numbers could get even bigger. There's a Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series race that Roy Bain negotiated with Faeth for August 14th, and I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do there. Dean DeVolder suffered a little bit of heartbreak on Sunday as he was leading until he had problems, giving the win to Mike Learn.

I'm very pleased with the effort management is making to try to get people to come out and support the Butler Auto Glass IMCA Modifieds. They've been increasing the purse for their last few races, and this one paid $1,000 to win and $150 minimum to start. That's better than your average payout, and they attracted 18 drivers for this one. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of a race at the front of the pack as Tim Balding put a whooping on the field. Jim Pettit II had to come back from the back of the pack when he had been holding on to a Top 3 spot, and I get the feeling he's happy to put this lousy weekend behind him as he goes for the IMCA State championship.

Bear in mind that I'm not getting a visual. I don't have the budget to pay for streaming services other than the Flo Racing subscription that's about ready to run out. That was sponsored me to me via Doug Lockwood, which is definitely appreciated. Even if I did have the money to do things like this, my internet connection is so lousy that I need what I have to be able to run the scoring apps in real time. I like being able to keep track of the tracks and jot down notes that I can go back over with the final data. When I do this, I'm trying to check one source with the other and don't just take Race Monitor as the gospel. I know it gets glitchy, even though eight times out of 10 what you see up there is what it actually is.

This brings me to the Sparky's Collision Center 600 Micros, which had a respectable turnout of 14 competitors. Seems like Caleb Debem has been on a roll lately, but George Nielson is a driver capable of winning on any given week. What I found curious was I was jotting down the notes and writing down the laps from Race Monitor, and lap 20 came with Debem in the lead. I was jotting down the Top 5 when something curious happened. They ran two more laps and Nielson made the pass for the lead on Lap 21. This is curious to me. It's uploaded on Speedhive as a 20 lap race, but I can see the little data they put up on the My Race Pass live scoring app, which said it went 22 laps and Debem was leaning at Lap 20.

I much prefer Speedhive when I go over the information, but I'll save that for another day. You can get some of that information on My Race Pass, and in this case you click on the driver and it shows what position they were in on any given lap. Sure enough, I wasn't seeing things. Debem was leading on Lap 20 and is shown as second on Lap 21 and 22. The data appears to have been cleaned up on the upload to Speedhive to eliminate the two extra laps. What am I saying here? It looks curious to me. That's all I'm prepared to say at the moment.  What usually happens when you get yellow flags or whatnot is the scorer will adjust that and go back a lap on the scoring app. None of that happened here. A glitch? A mistake? Again, I don't know.

I'm still of the opinion that the track needs to have somebody who's entire focus is the scoring situation. Many things happen during the night, and having the announcer be the one in charge of the electronic scoring is a recipe for disaster, in my opinion. I think Ron Lingron is a good announcer, but I still question putting him in charge of this. I understand he's a team player wanting to do more. I can relate, because that was my experience in the four years I was involved at Southern Oregon Speedway. I can only attest that I worked my ass off and by the end of the fourth year was pretty much burnt out. I think I made a difference, and I know that's what Ron is trying to do here.

The thing is, Petaluma Speedway is paying the fee for My Race Pass, and I appreciate the fact that they still use Race Monitor when some tracks are abandoning it. It's a better app to watch in real time. I also appreciate that they upload the data to Speedhive, since that's something you have access to when you use the company's transponder unit. Some tracks aren't uploading there anymore and letting My Race Pass intercept all of the data you would otherwise have access to. What I'm not seeing get done is timely updates with respect to full finishes being posted at My Race Pass so that the points can be calculated and posted. We're left to guess about this.

It's not really a new development. I started doing my media effort for the tracks in 2015. I kept adding tracks and eventually found my way to Petaluma. I was doing coverage for them for a couple of years, and there were many times when the data was not put up in a timely manner or you only had half the information you needed. I was left to cobble things together through videos and other sources so that I could make the deadline and give the track some free publicity. Again, this is such an easy fix for somebody who knows what they're doing, and I highly recommend the track get somebody to run the computers who has the main focus of keeping that information updated. This way, the announcer can focus on doing that job to the best of his ability.

Lord knows I probably don't need to add anything else to the column at this point, but I noticed somebody made a post showing a request for proposal for 110 acres at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. They're looking to turn it into affordable housing. What's interesting is the land they have outlined conveniently includes the race track. Evidently, they are taking proposals through September 17th. Yeah, this makes me think of the talk we were hearing a year ago that they downplayed later in the media and said were just rumors. I'll believe it when I see it, but you know me. I have a few thoughts.

First of all, it was pointed out that they are taking proposals through September 17th, and they may not hear anything by then. I can only tell you what I would say to anybody currently promoting that race track, which means Tony Noceti. Is this true? Are they actually entertaining ideas of doing something else with that parcel of land? That's the first thing I want to know before I would make a move based on the facts at hand. What I'm about to say I will say regardless of whether somebody actually makes a proposal or not. It doesn't matter.  

If the San Joaquin County Fair Board is looking at other options for what to do with that race track, then it's obvious they don't value anything currently coming from it. I know this is going to sound like a contradiction compared to my stance regarding the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose. With regards to that location, I felt there was history to fight for there. Not just the history of that track for a little over 20 years, but the fact that it was something that was linked to the heritage of the older Tully Road pavement track that people knew and loved.

In my opinion, San Jose Speedway was worth fighting for. Much like what Jim Soares was doing at Petaluma when they were talking about doing all sorts of things with that location, Rick Farren or whomever else should have fought harder. The plan at the San Jose location for an amphitheater never really had a chance. It never really had the backing and that would have been exposed had the race track continued some manner of operation during the year or two immediately after it was closed. It's my contention that had they fought for it, the track would still be here to this day. They couldn't wait to bulldoze those grandstands without really having a plan for the location, and that killed it.

I'm not number one in the Jim Soares fan club. I think the world of his brother John and his father John, but I respect all three. Jim was a track prep guru and he saved Petaluma Speedway. I think he was living his dream at the time, so he was pretty committed. If they had a real plan and were going to try to kick him out, fine. Do your worst. If not, racing had been going on in that location going back to the 1950s, and he was fighting for it. Rather than fold up his tent when they started threatening to do something else, Jim kept it going, and Rick Faeth keeps it going now. That's why it still has any sort of chance, but this isn't about Petaluma Speedway. I'm just qualifying what I'm about to say.

The San Joaquin County Fairgrounds is damn lucky they have a race track on that location. Horse racing fell by the wayside. What Tony did may not have been perfect, but he has promoted some good shows through the years. There have been some huge Sprint Car events, and he's been committed to trying to do even more. When you're trying to do more, it means you're paying rent and giving the fairgrounds some much needed revenue. Clearly, if it's true that they are taking proposals to do something else with this location, they don't appreciate or value what it is Tony is doing.

So not to belabor the point, but I would advise him to start pulling up his equipment and get the hell out of there. This isn't a long tradition worth fighting for. It's nice racing, don't get me wrong. It wouldn't be there without him, but this is stabbing a guy in the back. If Tony really wants to promote dirt track racing, he's already proven he can get a track built. There are other locations to choose from that I am aware of. He could put a track in somewhere else, and people would be grateful for what he did. Why beat yourself up fighting for something that isn't appreciated?

They can explore building houses on the property until their hearts content without somebody running the track. Sure, some ambitious racing promoter could come in there and try to do something else, but they'd be dealing with the same issues. Whether it's somewhere in Stockton or a nearby town or maybe even the Byron location that is interested in having a race track, Tony could easily get the job done. I've been hearing a lot of rumors about what could be possible with him, and I'll leave it at that.

I don't think much of this proposed idea, and I don't know that much will come of it. I'm only saying that if this is a legitimate thing that's happening, it shows that Tony is doing business with people he can't trust. I feel bad for him being in this situation, because I know the Fair Board has made it tough for him to open the gates there and even cost him the ability to promote some events in recent years that he wanted to promote.

I feel just as bad for the Delta Speedway community and all the many things they've done on that little track. It's been around for over 30 years. However, I also think it wouldn't be as hard to find a location not too far away for Micro Sprint racing. They are affected by this scenario too, so I'd start looking. What's that big track next to Kingdon? Could they make something bigger happen at Hills Ferry with the resources they have? As I said, they should explore their options.

Since I was willing to give Willamette Speedway criticism for booking on top of the Beads Shipwreck Nationals at Grays Harbor Speedway this weekend, I'm going to give them credit. They saw the mistake they made and moved the 100 lap $1,500 to win IMCA Modified race to August 21st. Maybe it was an honest mistake this time, although I still find it pretty classless what they did booking against the date Southern Oregon Speedway had already booked for the Late Models. I know these things happen, but that one didn't have to happen. At least they're correcting this mistake.

A thought arises. Maybe they should get in touch with the Street Stock people and make the Labor Day weekend The Iron Giant race again. It's not like they didn't have big races for the Street Stocks in recent years and didn't get any cars on those occasion. One time they had 55 cars show up, so there's an interest. The Iron Giant Series is on the hiatus, and I don't know if Chris Sine or James Whitehouse has any intentions of trying to put some sort of tour back together in 2022.

I hope they do, because there are certain promoters who are going ahead with the IMCA Stock Cars and maybe aren't as worried about whether the Street Stocks live or die. I used the term "worth fighting for" above and I'll use it here. This division, which has kept its lineage intact from the 1980s to the present and hasn't changed the cars that much, is worth fighting for.

The Iron Giant team did recently point out the Jim's Thriftway 100 lap $1,000 to win Street Stock race at Sunset Speedway is coming up. This is a race that was established under former Promoter Mike McCann. He used to have a ton of Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks when he was in charge, not to mention his other classes. They killed Hobby Stocks in favor of establishing the IMCA Stock Cars, and they don't have a lot of Street Stocks. I wonder what happened to all those cars at Sunset Speedway?

In any event, they hyped up drivers supporting this race and a potential two-day show that could be for Street Stocks only at River City Speedway in St Helens in August. If they get enough cars, they aren't running with the Sportsman class. I didn't hear him mention the Battle at the Beach Street Stock race at Coos Bay Speedway, but the track has been doing good things for the class lately. I'm sure it was an oversight and they will be pointing drivers in that direction soon.

Finally, there happens to be a fire not far from Silver Dollar Speedway, and that means the fairgrounds is going to be used as a location for the firefighting crews. They had a race booked for Friday, and I think it was a special occasion for the IMCA Sport Modifieds. The Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks  were also scheduled to appear. I've heard nothing about rescheduling, but it would be nice if they did.

I don't know how much people get into this column, and maybe I'm just expressing my thoughts out loud for the heck of it. This column goes back to my old magazines, and I always give my honest opinion on what I like, what I don't like and things I think could make the sport even better. It's a long column most of the time, so I'm sure some of the people who look at the reviews and the results get to this point and go, "I'm out." So be it. I like the column, and this is one of those weeks where I feel pretty good about the opinions I expressed. It was nothing personal, even if I offended anybody. As with anything that might offend somebody online, all you have to do is click a button and it's gone.

I'm sure I have a few other thoughts, but I'm also sure that this column has gone on long enough. Lord willing, I won't hear anything in the next few days that makes me want to add something here. It's early Monday morning as I write this, so I want to get into editing mode. On that note, I'll end this column. Until next time...