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Kaeding, Ryland, Bower, Biscardi, Mitchell 

Share Ocean Speedway Spotlight

Watsonville, CA...June 25...Bud Kaeding won the 30 lap Ocean Sprint Car Presented by Taco Bravo 30 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. This was the third win of the season for Kaeding, and it once again came aboard the Brent Kaeding owned Kaeding Performance/Al's Roofing sponsored Sprinter.

The race was a bit rough at times. Jodie Robinson won the six lap Trophy Dash ahead of Tristan Guardino and Kaeding. Robinson sprinted into the early lead ahead of Guardino and Kaeding. A yellow flag waved on the fifth lap with IMCA Western RaceSaver State point leader Ryan DeLisle out of the race. Only one lap got in the books after that before another yellow flag wave for a tangle between Josh Chisum and Jason Chisum, eliminating Jason Chisum. Guardino had taken the lead on that restart, but he surrendered the point to Kaeding on the Lap 8 restart ahead of JJ Ringo and Robinson. Guardino recovered in fourth, and a Lap 11 yellow flag waved. The restart was botched for an incident that saw Jeremy Chisum eliminated. Kaeding led Robinson and Ringo on the next restart. After a final yellow flag on Lap 15, the rest of the race would go on interrupted. Kaeding led Robinson and JJ Ringo on the final restart, and both Ringo and Joey Ancona moved around Robinson on Lap 17. Tanner Carrick settled into fourth on Lap 24. In the final five laps, JJ Ringo was giving Kaeding all the pressure he could handle. However, Kaeding kept his cool and scored the well-earned victory ahead of Ringo, Ancona, Tanner Carrick, Robinson, Zane Blanchard, Placerville point leader Joel Myers Jr, Jake Andreotti, Koen Shaw and Nick Ringo.

There were 28 cars for the occasion, and Corey Day turned the tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval with a fast lap of 11.414. Kaeding was second quick at 11.495. They ran four eight lap heat races with the Top 4 drivers going directly into the Main Event. Wins in these races went to Robinson, reigning champion Mitchell Faccinto, Guardino and Bradley Dillard. Chris Nelson won the 12 lap B Main. The race had a couple of yellow flag slow downs, but Chris Nelson led until encountering problems on the final lap. Koen Shaw stole the victory ahead of a Nick Ringo, Connor Danell, Myers and Adam Kaeding.

Fred Ryland won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for Ryland as he stays in contention with point leader Randy Miller in the championship battle. Scott Foster led Adriane Frost and Ryland on the opening lap with Frost and Ryland getting by Foster on the second lap. Ryland slipped past Frost for the lead on Lap 3 with Kelly Campanile briefly gaining third. Mike Kofnovec Sr grabbed third on Lap 4 before a yellow flag waved. Ryland led Frost and Campanile on the restart, but a yellow flag waved once again after just one lap. It was State point leader Trevor Clymens grabbing third behind Ryland and Frost on the next restart. Clymens got around Frost for second on a Lap 9, but Ryland was starting to pull away when a yellow flag on Lap 15 bunched the pack. Andrew Pearce had taken the third position from Frost on Lap 11, and he started pressuring Clymens for second on the restart as Ryland led. Pearce put the moves on Clymens for second on Lap 17 with Randy Miller grabbing third on Lap 18 a lap later. Clymens went on to the satisfying win ahead of Pearce, Miller, Clymens, Campanile, Frost, Todd Gomez, Duane Bieser, Ted Hammer and Scott Foster. Gomez and Frost picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Blake Bower won the WMR Midgets 20 lap Main Event. He becomes the third different winner at Watsonville. Kala Keliinoi led the opening lap before both Bower and DJ Freitas got by for first and second. Randi Pankratz settled into fourth. The race was destined to go non-stop. Bower set a good pace with Freitas trying to keep up and doing a decent job of it until the final few laps as Bower pulled away. Bower was the happy winner ahead of Freitas, Keliinoi, Pankratz, Megan Moorehead, Darren Brent, Tyler Slay, Tyler Rodriguez and Kevin Woody Jr. David Prickett and Bower were eight lap heat race winners, but Prickett had mechanical issues in the process to end his night. Cameron Beard was also a feature scratch.

Mark Biscardi won the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Main Event. Biscardi is the 2019 champion. After both he and three-race winner Tommy Velasquez III picked up the respective eight lap heat races, it was Biscardi racing into the lead at the start ahead of Velasquez and reigning Delta Dwarf Car champion Travis Day. That was the order when the only yellow flag waved for Mack Aceves and Dan Zuger on Lap 9. Biscardi continued to lead the restart with Day slipping past Velasquez for third. There was a close battle at the front of the pack for a few laps. Velasquez finally regained second on Lap 16. Biscardi didn't get too far ahead of Velasquez, but he prevailed at the checkered flag. Day finished third, followed by Trafton Chandler, Eric Weisler, Barry Waddell, Eddy Claessen, Mike Aceves, Mack Aceves and Zuger.

Richard Mitchell won the 15 lap Four Banger Main Event. This was the second win of the season for Mitchell, and he bolted into the lead at the start ahead of two-time champion Kate Beardsley and Bill Beardsley. Kate Beardsley hung with Mitchell in the early laps, and the lead duo had a straightaway advantage over Bill Beardsley by the fourth lap. Point leader Tony Gullo took fourth from Nicole Beardsley on Lap 5 and grabbed third from Bill Beardsley a lap later. However, he was a half-lap behind Kate Beardsley at that point. Mitchell began to pull away from Kate Beardsley to a near straightaway advantage by the time the checkered flag flew. Gullo.settled for a distant third, followed by Bill Beardsley, Nicole Beardsley and Travis Van Gilder. Kate Beardsley was the six lap heat race winner.

After taking a week off, racing resumes on July 9th with the Taco Bravo Sprints back 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.

 

Sanders Wins Modified Gambler Race,

Fugate, Christian Other Coos Bay Winners

Coos Bay, Oregon...June 27...Matt Sanders won both the 25 lap Dirt Modified Gambler Main Event and the 25 lap Sport Modified feature Sunday afternoon at Coos Bay Speedway.

In the Dirt Modified Main Event, past Cottage Grove Speedway Limited Sprint champion Ricky Ashley had the pole and jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Tom Elam and Sanders. Ryan Baker started in the third row and was up to fourth on Lap 3. Baker took third from Sanders a lap later. Unfortunately, Baker brought out a yellow flag on Lap 8. Ashley continued to lead Elam and Sanders on the restart, and a yellow flag waved on Lap 12. Ashley continued to lead the restart with Sanders and reigning Cottage Grove champion Jake Mayden settling into second and third. Sanders stayed in contention and began pressuring Ashley, taking the lead on Lap 21. Mayden made a Lap 23 pass on Ashley for second, and Sanders went on to victory ahead of Mayden, Ashley, Elam, Travis Pruitt, Andy Freeman and Baker. Sanders won the eight lap heat race.

In the Sport Modified race, Daniel Ray started on the front row with Travis Pruitt and charged into the early lead ahead of Pruitt and Sanders. It was a close, three-car battle at the front, and Sanders briefly took second from Pruitt on Lap 3. Pruitt regained the position a lap later and briefly took the lead from Ray on the fifth lap. However, Ray came roaring back to regain first a lap later. Sanders moved into second on Lap 7 and overtook Pruitt for the lead on Lap 10. Sanders began to pull away to nearly a straightaway advantage over Ray by the time the race concluded. Pruitt was a close third, followed by Josh Kraliceck, Mike Lavery and Roger Bell. Sanders also won the eight lap heat race.

Braden Fugate won the 25 lap America's Mattress NASCAR Super Late Model Main Event. This was his fourth win of the season, and it moved him to within two points of leader Brody Montgomery in the championship battle. Fugate jumped into the lead at the start ahead Wayne Butler and Jason Johnson. The race ran rapidly without need of a yellow flag, and Fugate built a straightaway advantage over Butler by the time the checkered flag waved. Johnson held off the advances of Montgomery to finish third as Montgomery settled for fourth ahead of Mike Taylor, Richard Wallace, Garrett Smith and James Hall. Wallace picked up the eight lap heat race win.

Seth Christian turned in a stellar performance in winning the 20 lap Street Stock and 20 lap Mini Outlaw Main Events. It was the fifth win of the season for Christian in the Street Stocks and his second win in the Mini Outlaws. By virtue of his second place finish in the Hornet Main Event, Christian was able to take the point lead from Isaac Stere.

In the Street Stock race, current Cottage Grove point runnerup Taunton Swain set the early pace with Christian and reigning champion Ken Fox running close behind in second and third. Christian made what proved to be his winning pass on Swaim on Lap 6 with Fox following into second. Christian pulled away to over half a lap advantage over Fox by the end of the race with Taunton Swaim a distant third, followed by Mike Swain and Toby McIntyre.

In the Mini Outlaw race, point leader Scott Beaudoin jumped into the early lead ahead of Christian and Dan Beaudoin. However, Christian got past Scott Beaudoin for the lead on the second lap. Though Christian didn't pull too far ahead of Scott Beaudoin, he stayed smooth and picked up the win. Dan Beaudoin was a distant third, followed by Jamie Daniels and Nicole Emry. Scott Beaudoin claimed eight lap heat race honors.

Seth Christian nearly had a three Main Event win night, but he saw a potential 20 lap Hornet Main Event win snatched from him on the last lap by Kris Parker. This was the third win of the season for Parker, but the runner-up finish for Christian enabled him to take the point lead from Isaac Stere. 

Stere was on a long list of drivers who scratched prior to the Main Event, including Alyssa Johnson, Dan Beaudoin, Britney Scott, Kevin Rockwell and Dylan Boyer. Christian started on the pole and jumped into the early lead ahead of Parker and Lily Metzgus. However, Jayden Miller took third on a Lap 3 restart. That was the battle during the midpoint of the race with Metzgus reclaiming third on Lap 8, losing it a lap later and then regaining the spot for good on the 11th circuit. Christian seemed to have the race well in hand with a straightaway advantage five laps from the finish, but he started having problems in the closing laps, enabling Parker to make his winning move on Lap 20. Christian settled for second ahead of Metzgus, Miller and Lori Fuller. Dan Beaudoin and Parker claimed the eight lap heat races.

Tahlan Rogers won the 20 lap Sportsman Late Model Main Event. This was his second win of the season as he has pulled to within 22 points of Ryan Emry in the championship battle. Rogers started on the pole and had the lead when the green flag waved, followed by Josh Kraliceck and Mike Lavery. A yellow flag waved on the fourth lap. Rogers continued to lead Kraliceck on the restart as Ryan Emry moved into third. A lap later, Emry put the moves on Kraliceck to grab second. Kraliceck held third until being overtaken by Lavery on the 13th lap. With Emry providing the pressure, Rogers kept his cool and brought it home to a well-earned victory. Dustin Hitner made a Lap 18 maneuver around Lavery to claim the third position with Lavery settling for fourth ahead of Roger Bell and Kraliceck. Rogers also claimed the eight lap heat race win.

Griff Smith won the 15 lap Jr Stinger Main Event. This was his ninth win of the season as he continues to lead the championship battle. Tallon Dubisar led early from the pole ahead of Cameron Metzgus and Marilyn Hardy-Ashley. Smith took third from Ashley on the second lap and slipped past Metzgus for second on Lap 4. Smith put the moves on Tallon Dubisar for the lead on Lap 8 and pulled away from there. Smith beat Tallon Dubisar by a straightaway with Metzgus holding off Ashley in a good race for third. Alex Butler settled for fifth, followed by Tanner Dubisar, Haileigh Crosier and Tucker Dubisar. Butler and Smith picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Oval track racing takes a break for a week but returns for Eve of Destruction 12, featuring American Daredevil Mr Drzzy and a fireworks show on July 10th. The NASCAR America's Mattress Super Late Models are back along with the Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets and Junior Stingers. For further information, go to www.coosbayspideway.us.

Fugate, Ray, Christian, Beaudoin Win At Coos Bay Speedway

Coos Bay, Oregon...June 26...Braden Fugate won the the 30 lap NASCAR America's Mattress Super Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Coos Bay Speedway. Fugate is the 2019 Sportsman Late Model champion and is running a close second in Super Late Model points.

With a pole position start, Fugate led when the green flag waved, followed by Richard Wallace and point leader Brody Montgomery. Montgomery slipped past Wallace for second on Lap 2 with 2019 champion Preston Luckman settling into third a lap later. Luckman found his opening and raced past Montgomery for second on the 10th lap. Fugate was never really challenged as he brought it home to victory. Luckman held off Montgomery to finish second as Wayne Butler settled for fourth, followed by Wallace, Jason Johnson, Mike Taylor, Garrett Smith and Kyle Adams. Luckman and Fugate won the eight lap heat rates.

Daniel Ray won the 20 lap Sportsman Late Model Main Event. This was his first win of the year, and he led all the way from the pole. Mike Lavery was an early second ahead of Tahlan Rogers, but Mike DeSilva got around both of them on the second lap. Unfortunately, DeSilva saw his race come to an end at that point. Lavery regained second on the restart ahead of Rogers, but Rogers moved into second a lap later. Lavery surrendered third to fourth row starter Jacob Emry on Lap 6. Ray led all the way with Rogers a solid second ahead of Jacob Emry, Lavery, Roger Bell, Josh Kraliceck, DeSilva, point leader Ryan Emry and Dustin Hitner. DeSilva and Ray picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Seth Christian won the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for Christian as he continues to lead the Street Stock point battle. Late Model star Braden Fugate got behind the wheel of a Street Stock and led to lap before Christian went motoring by. Leroy Rockwell settled into an early third. Past champion Steve Dubisar was out before a lap was completed. Christian built a more than straightaway advantage over Fugate by the time the race ended. Loren McIntyre made a last lap pass on Rockwell to steal third with Rockwell settling for fourth ahead of Joseph Wilson and Dubisar. Christian also won the eight lap heat race.

Seth Christian also won the 20 lap Hornets Main Event. This was his fourth win of the season, and begin an impressive weekend that saw him emerge with the Hornet point lead. Christian started back in the fifth row as Kevin Rockwell led the opening lap ahead of Dylan Boyer. Christian took second from Boyer on Lap 2 and grabbed the lead from Rockwell a lap later. Christian began to pull away from the pack. Kris Parker held third until his race came to an end on Lap 6. This gave the position to Dan Beaudoin, but his race ended for a Lap 11 yellow flag. Kevin Hilgendorf started back in the sixth row and assumed third with Beaudoin out of the race. Hilgendorf began to threaten Rockwell for second and made the pass on Lap 19. However, Christian had already built more than a straightaway advantage over Hilgendorf for the comfortable win. Rockwell settled for third, followed by Boyer, Brittany Scott, Alexis Baker, Lily Metzgus, Jim Van Loon, Lori Fuller and Jayden Miller. Christian, Rockwell and Parker won their respective eight lap heat races.

Scott Beaudoin won the 20 lap Mini Outlaw Main Event. This was the third win of the season for the current point leader. Beaudoin led from the start ahead of Seth Christian and Matthew Emry. Beaudoin built nearly a half-straightaway advantage over Christian by the time the race ended. Matthew Emry settled for third ahead of Jamie Daniels, Nicole Emry, and Jeff Thurman. Thurman won the eight lap heat race.

Griff Smith won the 15 lap Junior Stinger Main Event. This was the eighth win of the season for the current point leader. Smith started in the second row and wasted little time racing into the lead ahead of Cameron Metzgus and Tallon Dubisar. That was the order until the eighth lap when Dubisar brought out a yellow flag. Smith continued to lead Metzgus and Drake Vincent on the restart, but Alex Butler settled into third on Lap 11. Smith built about a straightaway advantage over Metzgus by the time the checkered flag waved. Butler was a solid third, followed by Drake Vincent, Heather Burton, Tallon Dubisar, Jordan Wheeler, Tanner Dubisar, Eli Luckman and Taylor Fuller. Smith and Butler picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

For a further information about scheduling and other things, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.

Penalties Hand Aaron Bloom Win In The

Ralph Bloom Memorial At Cottage Grove Speedway

Cottage Grove, Oregon...June 26...Aaron Bloom won the 33 lap Royalty Core IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Cottage Grove Speedway. This was the Ralph Bloom Memorial and the fourth win of the year for Aaron Bloom and it earned him $2,500. Bloom actually crossed the finish line fourth, only to be elevated to the victory when the Top 3 finishers were penalized for various reasons. 

Reigning Southern Oregon Speedway champion Jorddon Braaten shared the front row with Dustin Comer and bolted into the lead at the start. Comer was an early second ahead of Kevin Williamson, but Williamson slipped past Comer for the runner-up spot on the eighth lap. Comer held third until bringing out a Lap 13 yellow flag. Dalton Bloom settled into third behind Braaten and Williamson on the restart. Isaac Sanders saw his fourth place run end on Lap 19, and Williamson's run in second ended on Lap 25. Braaten led Dalton Bloom and fifth row starter Matt Sanders on the restart. Braaten built a nearly straightaway advantage over the second place battle with Sanders getting by Dalton Bloom on the last lap to cross the line in second. Both Braaten and Dalton Bloom were docked two positions after post race tech, and Matt Sanders was completely disqualified. Aaron Bloom was running in sixth on Lap 21 and gained fifth from Ray Comer on Lap 25. He was elevated to fourth with the departure of Williamson on Lap 26, and that's where he crossed the finish line. With the penalties assessed to the three drivers in front of him, Aaron Bloom was elevated from fourth place to the victory ahead of Skyler Winebarger, Braaten, point leader Dustin Comer, Dalton Bloom, Ray Comer, Travis Pruitt, Timothy Allerdings, Chris Frisbee and Steven Sanders.

Dustin Comer was the quickest of 20 qualifiers with a lap of 15.170, beating the 15.238 of Matt Sanders. The eight lap heat race wins went to Braaten, Ray Bloom and Dustin Comer. Braaten also won the four lap Trophy Dash. Ray Comer won the 12 lap B Main with a flag to flag drive to victory. Timothy Allerdings took the second position from Steven Sanders on Lap 3 and finished there ahead of Sanders. Jordan Henry made a last lap pass on Ray Bloom to finish fourth.

Rob Campos won the 25 lap Late Model Main Event. This was his first win of the season, and he becomes the sixth different winner in as many races. Point leader Mike Peters sprinted into the lead at the start ahead of Rob Williams and Randy Barley. Barley slipped past Williams for second on Lap 3, and Campos settled into third on the fifth lap. On the 19th lap, Campos slipped past Barley for second, and he put the moves on Peters a lap later to take the lead. Campos went on to victory from there with Peters settling for second ahead of Barley, Chuck Christian, Williams and Willie Sutton. Barley set the fast time of 13.584, beating the 14.054 of Campos. Christian claimed four lap Trophy Dash honors with the eight lap heat race win going to Campos.

Josh King won the 25 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. This was a race that was co-supported by the Northwest Dwarf Cars and Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars, and King is a four-time champion of the SODCA. Devin LaHargue had the pole and led Tanner Curr for a lap before Curr took over ahead of Chris Kress. Kress had problems on the fourth lap for a yellow flag, and Anthony Pope got around Curr on the restart to take the lead. Unfortunately, Pope saw his race end on Lap 5 for a yellow flag, putting Brock Peters into the lead. Peters led Curr for two laps before Curr regained the point. King started in the third row and settled into second on Lap 9 before briefly taking the lead from Curr on Lap 11. However, Curr came back strong to regain first on Lap 12 with King running second ahead of LaHargue. The battle for the lead intensified in the closing laps with King taking first on Lap 22, surrendering the position back to Curr a lap later and then charging by on Lap 24 to regain the lead for good. Curr fell back a few positions at that point as King won ahead of LaHargue, Kress, Curr, Dave Brune, Danny Altom, Jason Fike, Ashleigh Strain, Erin Morgenstern and Jason Robustelli.

Peters set the fast time of 14.719, beating the 14.806 of Pope and the 14.963 of Kress. King won the four lap Trophy Dash with the eight lap heat race wins going to King, Pope and Kress.

Taunton Swaim won the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event. This was his second win of the season as he runs second in the current standings. Swaim started on the pole and jumped into the immediate lead ahead of point leader Graig Osborne and Troy Chamberlain. Eric Freeman moved past Chamberlain for third on the second lap, but he surrendered the position back to Chamberlain on Lap 5. Swaim had a close battle all the way to the end with Osborne. Swain barely beat Osborne back to the line for the win with Chamberlain settling for third ahead of Anthony Prather and Freeman. Andrew Langan set the fast time of 15.949, beating the 16.108 of Osborne. Osborne picked up the win in the four lap Trophy Dash and the eight lap heat race. Langan scratched after the heat race.

Friday through Sunday, it's the annual Freedom Cup Series, featuring the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Todd's Auto Body Limited Sprints. In addition to competing for regular purse money on each night, the drivers are also battling for weekend point fund money in all three divisions. For further information, go to www.cottagegrovespeedway.com. 

 

Wallace, Youngman, Law, Dennett Pick Up Wins 

At Marysville Raceway

Marysville, CA...June 26...Billy Wallace won the 25 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Marysville Raceway. Under hotter than normal temperatures, Wallace drove a flawless race and becomes the first repeat winner in eight point events as he continues to lead the standings. 

Wallace started on the pole and bolted into the lead ahead of Brian McGahan and William Fielding. A Lap 6 yellow flag waved for James Taylor in Turn 1, and another caution flag flew on Lap 10 for Drake Standley in Turn 2. On the restart, McGahan was involved in a Turn 2 tangle with Brent Bjork, causing a yellow flag a lap later. Wallace led Butler and Fielding on the next restart. Following a Lap 18 yellow flag for Taylor in Turn 1, Korey Lovell moved into third behind Wallace and Butler on the restart. There were two more yellow flags during the final five laps, but Wallace kept his cool and brought it home to victory ahead of Butler, Korey Lovell, Angelo Cornet, Fielding, Steel Powell, Kevin Lovell, Mike Monahan, John Clark and Standley.

Butler was the fastest of 17 qualifiers on the quarter-mile clay oval with a lap of 13.105, beating the 13.114 of Bjork and the 13.194 of Fielding. The eight lap heat race wins went to Wallace, Cornet and Brian McGahan.

Brent Youngman won the 20 lap Winged Crate Sprint Car Main Event. Youngman is the current point leader and reigning champion, and this was his third win in the three point races held so far at the track. Youngman bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Dusty Barton and Kelly Hicks. The first yellow flag waved on Lap 6 for Hicks and Turn 2. Youngman continued to lead Barton and recent Chico winner Cameron Haney Jr, and a Lap 8 yellow flag flew for Mike Hall in Turn 2. Youngman continued to lead Barton and Haney on the restart, and Haney slipped past Barton for second on Lap 10. A Lap 13 yellow flag waved for a Turn 1 tangle involving rookie Wyatt Van Lare and David Sims. Youngman maintained command on the restart ahead of Haney, and Barton saw his run in third end on Lap 15 as a yellow flag waved for Mike Ballantine. Youngman led Haney on the next restart. Spencer Slocum briefly gained third on Lap 16, but he surrendered the position to 10th starting Chad Thompson a lap later. Youngman went on to victory ahead of Haney and Thompson. However, Thompson was later disqualified, moving Van Lare up to third ahead of Sims, Mike Ballantine, Barton, Slocum, Hicks and Hall. The eight lap heat race wins went to Hall and Youngman.

Howard Law won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. This was the third win of the season for Law, and it keeps him in a tie with Jerry Bartlett for third in the standings, 19 points behind leader Jacob Johnson. Reigning champion Jesse Van Roekel had the pole and led the opening lap ahead of Law and Chris Van Roekel. Law took the lead from Jesse Van Roekel on a Lap 2 restart. The running order would remain the same in the Top 3 for the rest of the race. The final yellow flag flew for debris on the track in Turn 3 on Lap 14. Law motored ahead on the restart and built a straightaway advantage over Jesse Van Roekel by the time the checkered flag waved. Chris Van Roekle settled for third ahead of Zach Lindgren, Johnson, Bartlett, Devin Koranda, Toby Merrifield, Eddie Simmons and Mario Davis. They ran three eight lap heat races with the wins going to Law, Lindgren and Bartlett.

Greg Dennett won the 20 lap BCRA Lightning Sprint Main Event. This was the first win of the season for Dennett, who currently ranks third in the standings. He started on the pole and charged into the early lead ahead of Scott Kinney and Hunter Kinney. However, Hunter Kinney had issues on Lap 3 as Terry Bergstrom moved into third. A Lap 5 yellow flag waved for Jeff Griffen in Turn 2. Dennett continued to lead Scott Kinney and Bergstrom on the restart. Brandon Leady was running in the fourth position, but both he and Bergstrom were passed by point leader Dakota Albright for third on Lap 10. Albright put the moves on Scott Kinney to take second on Lap 16. However, Dennett stayed smooth down the stretch and won ahead of Albright, Scott Kinney, Bergstrom, Griffen, Leedy and Hunter Kinney. Bergstrom won the eight lap heat race.

This Friday night will be a special race that will also include a fireworks display. The Winged 360 Sprint Cars will be back in action along with the Winged Crate Sprint Cars, Pepsi IMCA Sport Modifieds and Limited Late Models. For further information, go to www.marysvilleraceway.com.

Hogge, Jinkerson Win Carnett Clash, 

Carrick Wins Sprint Car Race At Placerville Speedway

Placerville, CA...June 26...Bobby Hogge IV won the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event at Placerville Speedway Saturday night. This was the Carnett Clash, and the win paid Hogge $2,500 aboard the Paul Guglielmoni owned car.

Dan Brown Jr had the pole and set the early pace ahead of Dan Jinkerson and Jay Norton. Norton moved into second on Lap 2 with Hogge settling into third a lap later. Hogge took second from Norton on Lap 7 and put the moves on Brown a lap later to grab the lead. Norton briefly lost third to Jinkerson on Lap 8, but he regained the spot a lap later. Ray Trimble saw a Top 5 run end on Lap 10. Brown kept the pressure on Hogge the rest of the way, but Hogge kept his cool and scored the well-earned win. Norton settled for third, followed by Dan Jinkerson, Clark Guglielmoni, Tyler Lightfoot, Kiely Ricardo Tom Tilford, Rod Oliver and Kevin Jinkerson. There were 17 cars for the show with Hogge and Norton picking up the eight lap heat race wins.

Dan Jinkerson won the 20 lap Pure Stock Main Event. The third win of the season for Jinkerson in this class paid him $1,200. Point leader Nick Baldwin had the pole, but Kevin Jinkerson surprised him by charging into the lead ahead of Dan Jinkerson. Baldwin ran third for a lap before Jarred Hess went past him. Dan Jinkerson took the lead from Kevin Jinkerson on the third lap, and Hess saw his race come to an end on Lap 4. Baldwin was back in third at that point. Dan Jinkerson set a good pace and led the rest of the race with Kevin Jinkerson not far behind him in second. Baldwin settled for third, followed by Wayne Trimble, Ryan Peter, Chris McGinnis, David Silvia, Matt Tilford, Phil Wilkins and Travis Emery. Kevin Jinkerson, Baldwin and Dan Jinkerson were the eight lap heat race winners as 18 drivers came to compete.

Tanner Carrick won the 25 lap Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event. This was his first win of the season in this series, and he becomes the sixth different winner in eight races.

Jodie Robinson had the pole and jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Joel Myers Jr and Andy Gregg. Carrick took second from Myers on a Lap 2 restart. A yellow flag waved on Lap 9 for Andy Forsberg. Robinson continued to lead Carrick and Myers on the restart, but Myers took second from Carrick on Lap 11. A lap 22 yellow flag set the stage for an exciting finish. Carrick moved into second on the restart ahead of sixth row starter Michael Faccinto. Carrick began pressuring Robinson for the lead until making his winning move on the final lap to steal the victory away. Robinson settled for second ahead of Faccinto, Gregg, Blake Carrick, Myers, Kalib Henry, Kaleb Montgomery, Landon Brooks and Forsberg.

Montgomery was the quickest of 29 qualifiers on the quarter-mile clay oval with a lap of 10.721, beating the 10.763 of Henry and the 10.809 of Forsberg. They ran four eight lap heat races and transferred the Top 4 finishers directly into the Main Event. The winners were Jake Andreotti, Brooks, Myers and Gregg. Montgomery won the 12 lap B Main. He started he started on the pole and led every lap for the win. CJ Humphreys was an early second ahead of Colby Johnson. Brody Fuson took third from Johnson on Lap 5 and slipped past Humphreys for second on the eighth lap. Johnson battled with Justin Henry for the fourth and final transfer spot, losing the position on Lap 9 but regaining it a lap later. Montgomery won with Fuson not too far behind him, followed by Humphreys, Johnson and Henry.

Ben Wiesz won the 20 lap NorCal Dwarf Car Main Event. The race got off to a rough start with Shawn Whitney taking the early lead. Gage Myers held second for a lap before he had problems as Ryan Winter moved into the position ahead of Corey Eaton. A Lap 3 restart saw Ben Wiesz move into second behind Whitney. Winter was still running in third, and he slipped past Wiesz for second on Lap 10. A lap later, Winter put the moves on Whitney to grab the lead. Ben Wiesz took second from Whitney on the 13th lap and moved past Winter for the lead on Lap 15. Whitney held third until surrendering the position to Michael "Spanky" Grenert on the 18th lap. Ben Wiesz had Winter and Grenert in close pursuit for the final laps, but he prevailed at the checkered flag. Whitney settled for fourth, followed by Dylan Shrum, Josh Wiesz, Mike Reeder, Dan Geil, Gage Myers and Eaton. There were 21 Dwarf Cars in action with the eight lap heat race wins going to Grenert, Ben Wiesz and Shrum.

 

Ron Ruiz won the 15 lap California Hardtop Main Event. After making a charge from the back of the pack to grab the lead late in his victory in the eight lap heat race, Ruiz again came from the back in the Main Event. Joe Shenefield led early before being overtaken by the Sportsman of two-time Merced Speedway champion Mike Friesen. Ruiz quickly worked his way around Shenefield and began a side-by-side battle with Friesen and for the lead. Ruiz made the move late, but still battled to hold off Friesen for the win. Shenefield settled for third ahead of the Sportsman of Jeff West and Ken Clifford. Jason Clifford was a Main Event scratch.

Racing returns on Sunday night with a special fireworks show that will feature the Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars, Limited Late Models and Pure Stocks. For further information, go to www.placervillespeedway.com.

 

Mead wins McGowan Memorial At Bakersfield,

Childress, Spainhoward, Brown Other Winners

Bakersfield, CA...June 26...Don Mead won the 32 lap Hobby Stock Main Event Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway. This was the annual Richie McGowan Memorial race and the biggest win of Mead's Hobby Stock career as he collected $600 for the effort. 

Mead started on the pole and took the lead from the start. Tyler Marshant was an early second, but he surrendered the position to fourth row starter and point leader Ricky Childress Jr on the fifth lap. Karl Noland settled into third on Lap 6 and charged past Childress for second on Lap 9. Stephen Johnson followed Noland into third. Mead drove an inspired race and scored the well-earned victory. Noland held off Stephen Johnson and Dylan Wilson to claim the second spot. Jimmy Irwin settled for fifth, followed by Johnny Wood, Teena Johnson, Childress, Rick Henderson and Justin Tuey. There were 18 Hobby Stocks in action with the eight lap heat race wins going to Mead, Nick Johnson and Marshant.

Brad Pounds won the 30 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was the first win of the season for the past champion, and he collected $1,000 for his effort. He also became the seventh different winner in nine races. Ricky Childress Jr had the pole and moved into the lead at the start ahead of Pounds and Bryan Clark. Austin Kiefer ran an early fourth until surrendering the position to Robby Sawyer on Lap 14. Sawyer moved by Clark for third on Lap 19. The battle for the lead intensified in the later laps with Pounds making his winning maneuver around Childress on Lap 26. Pounds went on to victory ahead of Childress, Sawyer, Austin Kiefer, point leader Jerry Flippo, Clark, Darrell Hughes II, Rob Sanders, Randy Thornell and Michael Scruggs. Larry Wise and Sawyer were the eight lap heat race winners as 13 drivers competed.

Nick Spainhoward won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. This was his first win of the season, and the past State champion becomes the seventh different winner in nine races. Brian Baker had the pole and raced into the lead at the start ahead of Michael Black and Spainhoward. Spainhoward moved into second on Lap 5, and that's when Baker saw his race come to an early end. Spainhoward led Tyler Blankenship and Black on the restart, and Blankenship made a move past Spainhoward for the lead on Lap 9. Fifth row starter Tyler Bannister moved into third on Lap 9, and Spainhoward put the moves on Blankenship to take the lead on Lap 13. Markus Frazier briefly took third from Bannister on Lap 15, but Bannister regained the position a lap later. On the 18th lap, Tyler Bannister went motoring by Blankenship for second as Jason Bannister followed into third. It was a close race at the front of the pack, but Spainhoward managed to hold off Tyler Bannister for the victory. Jason Bannister was a close third, followed by John Piker, Billy Simkins, Blankenship, Matthew Mayo, Frazier, Black and Adam Baker. The eight lap heat race wins went to Blankenship, Jared Schweitzer, Baker and Daniel West as 22 drivers came to compete.

Dakota Brown won the 20 lap American Stock Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for Brown, who ranks 52 points out of the lead in fourth after missing one race. Brown started on the pole and led immediately ahead of Antony Sly and Chloie Jones. Jones slipped past Sly for second on Lap 3, and Marc McCaslin gained third on Lap 5. Two laps later, McCaslin put the moves on Jones to grab the second position. Brown went on to win with McCaslin not too far behind in second. Jones settled for third ahead of Kody Sly, Brandon Ratcliff, Colby Ward, point leader Josh Yadon, Antony Sly, James Williams and Craig Houk. Brown, Antony Sly and Ward won the eight lap heat races. 

Racing resumes on July 10th with IMCA Modifieds back in action along with the IMCA Sport Modified, IMCA Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and American Stocks. For further information, go to www.bakersfieldspeedway.com.

Thorn scores Fifth Southwest Tour Win,

Wise, Doss Other SRL Winners At Kern Raceway

Bakersfield, CA...June 26...Derek Thorn won the 75 lap SRL Spears Southwest Tour race Saturday night at Kern County Raceway. This was his fifth-straight win of the season, but he still came into this race trailing rookie Buddy Shepherd by two points in the championship battle. Shepherd is still looking for his first win in the series after claiming the Nut Up Pro Late Model Series championship at Madera last year. He would settle for third after giving it a valiant effort.

Brandon Farrington had the pole and led four laps before misfortune struck. Jacob Gomes led the fifth lap ahead of Shepherd, but Shepherd moved by to take over a lap later. Thorn followed closely into second as Gomes settled into third. The battle was close at the front of the pack with Shepherd surrendering the lead to Thorn on the 21st lap before regaining it a lap later. Kole Raz also took the third position from Gomes on Lap 21 with Gomes still running with him in fourth. On Lap 39, Gomes again got by Raz to reclaim to third. The battle heated up as they hit the 60th lap. On Lap 64, Thorn and Gomes both shuffled Shepherd back to third. Derek Thorn led the rest of the way for the win ahead of Gomes, Shepherd, Raz, Carlos Vieira, Cale Kanke, Cole Moore, Austin Thorn, Farrington and Bob Lyon.

 

Another solid turnout of 24 drivers were on hand for the Southwest Tour event. Gomes was the quickest in qualifying with a lap of 17.478, beating the 17.555 of Raz and the 17.617 of Christian McGhee. They ran three 10 lap heat races with wins going to Farrington, Kyle Neveau and Dylan Lupton.

Seth Wise won the 50 lap Spears SRL Pro Late Model Main Event. It was his first win of the season. Irwindale Speedway star Trevor Huddleston had the pole and raced into the early lead over point leader Jeremy Doss, who was looking for his fifth-straight win. The battle was close between the lead duo for most of the first half of the race as Kyle Meyer ran third. Wise gained third on Lap 21. On the 28th lap, the battle up front got a little too close as Huddleston and Doss tangled. Wise took the lead on the restart ahead of Meyer and Mike Lovell. Logan Zampa took fourth from Jake Bollman on Lap 33 and moved past Lovell for third on Lap 40. Doss had worked his way into fifth by then and took fourth from Lovell on Lap 43. On the final lap, Doss snatched third from Logan Zampa. Wise had pulled away to nearly a straightaway advantage over Meyer by the time the checkered flag waved. Doss was third, followed by Logan Zampa, Dylan Zampa, Lovell, Bollman, Grant Thompson, Cassidy Hinds and Mike Beeler. Huddleston bested the 18 car field in qualifying with a lap of 19.447, beating the 19.508 of Doss and the 19.774 of Logan Zampa.

Jeremy Doss won the 50 lap Spears SRL Modified Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the current point leader. Doss jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Sam Jacks, but Travis Thirkettle took second from Jacks on Lap 3. Thirkettle moved in to battle Doss for first and grabbed the position on Lap 9. Doss came roaring back to grab the lead a lap later, and the nip and tuck battle found Thirkettle leading the 12th lap. However, Doss regained the lead for good a lap later. Travis McCullough had settled into third, but Eddie Secord grabbed the position on Lap 14. McCullough again got by on Lap 17, but Secord regained third for good on Lap 19. Doss would lead Thirkettle back to the checkered flag for the win. Secord settled for third with William Guevara making a last lap pass on McCullough to finish fourth. Andrew Anderson finished sixth, followed by Nathan Byrd, Jim Coffey, Jacks and Ed Coffey. Thirkettle was the fastest of 16 drivers in qualifying with a lap of 19.312, beating the 19.402 of McCullough and the 19.423 of Byrd.

The next SRL Southwest Tour race will be at Irwindale Speedway on July 17th. The SRL Pro Late Models will also be there. For further information, go to www.srlsouthwestour.com. The SRL Modified series will also be at Irwindale Speedway that night, and you can find out more information about them at www.spearsmodifiedseries.com.

Herzog, Armtrout Are Winners At Madera Speedway

Madera, CA...June 26...Tyler Herzog won the 80 lap Nut Up Pro Late Model Series Main Event Saturday night at Madera Speedway. This was the fifth MavTV Series race, and Herzog becomes the fifth different winner in as many races. Tyler Herzog was also able to use his win to move into second in the standings, 23 points behind cousin Austin Herzog and seven ahead of Matt Erickson.

Jason Aguirre raced into the lead at the start, followed by Matt Erickson and Eric Nascimento. Jaden Walbridge slipped past Nascimento for third on Lap 3, and a low move in Turn 4 on Lap 6 gained Walbridge second from Erickson. Tyler Herzog went low in Turn 2 on Lap 12 to take third. A battle developed between Aguirre and Walbridge with Aguirre on the outside in Walbridge on the inside, and Walbridge went low in Turn 3 on Lap 18 to take the lead. Tyler Herzog soon moved in to battle Aguirre for second and made a low pass and Turn 3 on Lap 24 to claim the position. Austin Herzog made an inside pass in Turn 2 on Lap 49 to grab third from Aguirre, and the Lap 50 break found Walbridge leading Tyler Herzog in a close battle. A straightaway behind them was Austin Herzog as Aguirre and Matt Erickson made up the balance of the Top 5. 

Tyler Herzog wasted little time taking the lead on the restart. Austin Herzog made an outside pass on the frontstretch to grab second from Walbridge. Matt Erickson slowed on the backstretch with a flat tire for a Lap 54 yellow flag. Tyler Herzog led Austin Herzog and Aguirre on the restart. Aguirre slipped past Austin Herzog for second on Lap 58 and started pressuring Tyler Herzog for the lead. However, Herzog was up to the challenge as he brought it home to the satisfying win. Aguirre settled for second ahead of Austin Herzog, Walbridge, Kyle Keller, Nascimento, Bradley Erickson, Howard Holden, Matt Erickson and Jay Juleson. Walbridge was the quickest of 17 qualifiers with a lap of 14.897 on the 1/3 mile paved oval, beating the 14.950 of Keller and the 14.958 of Austin Herzog

Brody Armtrout won the 70 lap 51fifty Energy Drink Junior Late Model Main Event. This was the second-straight win for Armtrout, who is currently third in the standings, one point behind runner-up Barrett Polhemus and 26 tallies arrears of Jacob Smith.

Holly Clark had the pole and settled into the early lead ahead of Ethan Nascimento and Armtrout. A low pass in Turn 3 on Lap 13 gained Nascimento the lead with Armtrout using an inside pass in Turn 1 a lap later to grab second. Smith followed Armtrout closely into third, and Armtrout stayed low to make a Turn 1 pass on Nascimento on Lap 29. Smith again followed Armtrout closely on the bottom in Turn 2 to grab second on Lap 30. At the lap 40 break, Armtrout led Smith, Nascimento, Polhemus and Kasey Kleyn.

Armtrout continued to lead the restart with Nascimento taking second from Smith. As Armtrout began to pull away, Nascimento and Smith battled closely for second. Kleyn was holding fourth until he spun after contact in Turn 2 on Lap 66. Armtrout led the restart was Smith making an inside pass on Nascimento to grab a second, but a yellow flag waved a lap later for a tangle between Kleyn and Polhemus in Turn 2. Armtrout led Smith and Nascimento on this restart, but a tangle between Kylie Ith and Polhemus brought out yet another yellow flag one lap later. Armtrout led the final restart with Nascimento making a low pass in Turn 3 to steal second away from Smith. Armtrout went on to score the satisfying win ahead of Nascimento, Smith, Kenna Mitchell, Jeffrey Erickson, Clark, Polhemus, Ith, Kleyn and Kercie Jung. Smith was the quickest of 13 qualifiers with a lap of 15.075, beating the 15.104 of Nascimento and the 15.245 of Brody Moore.

Logan Chambers won the 20 lap Mini Cup/Bandoleros Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for Chambers, who holds a 23 point lead over Joey Kennealy in the Bandolero championship battle. Kennealy was looking for his second win and jumped into the lead on the opening lap, only to be overtaken by Chambers a lap later. The tenacious Kennealy slipped past Chambers to regain the lead on the third lap. Konnor Karsten settled into third with Caden Cordova right behind him. Sam Wedehase is the Mini Cup point leader and led Kyle Keller in that battle until Keller got by on the fourth lap. The battle at the front of the pack remained close with Chambers making a an inside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 10 to grab the lead. Chambers and Kennealy kept it close as they pulled away from the third place battle of Karsten and Cordova. A low pass in Turn 4 on the final lap gained Karsten third, and Chambers won ahead of Kennealy, Cordova, Karsten, Keller and Wedehase. Chambers was the fastest overall qualifier at 17.564 with Wedehase the fastest Mini Cup at 18.132. The eight lap heat race win went to Chambers.

Racing resumes on Saturday night with a Club Race that will feature the Madera Late Models, Pro Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Super Toyotas, Mini Stocks and a Junior Late Model exhibition. For further information, go to www.racemadera.com.

Rutherford Wins USAC 360 Sprint Race,

Prickett, Horton, Fitzgibbon, Whistler Other Ventura Winners

Ventura, CA...June 26...Troy Rutherford won the 30 lap USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Ventura Raceway. The win paid Rutherford $1,500 aboard his Trench Shoring/Grimes Rock sponsored Maxim Sprinter.

Rutherford started on the front row and bolted into the lead when the green flag waved, followed by Trent Carter and Austin Liggett. A low pass in Turn 4 on the fourth lap gained Liggett second, and point leader DJ Johnson made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 6 to take third from Carter. A yellow flag waved on Lap 7 after Jacob Tuttle spun in Turn 2. Rutherford continued to lead Liggett and Johnson on the restart. Rutherford and Liggett pulled away from Johnson a little bit in a very close battle for the lead with Liggett making an inside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 14 to take over. However, Rutherford returned the favor with a Turn 4 pass on Lap 17 regaining him first. James Herrera spun in Turn 2 for the final yellow flag on Lap 19. Rutherford led Liggett and Johnson on the restart. Once again, Rutherford and Liggett pulled away in an intense battle for the lead. Liggett kept taking looks to the inside of Rutherford, but Rutherford did a good job of protecting his line and brought it home to victory. Liggett settled for second, followed by Johnson, Trent Williams, Brody Roa, Ryan Timmons, Tristan Guardino, Carter, Jake Hodges and Nathan Schank. 

There were 24 drivers on hand to do battle, and Tuttle was the quickest in Woodland Auto Display qualifying on the 1/5 mile clay oval with a lap of 12.350. Liggett was second quick at 12.435, beating the 12.687 of Williams. The Extreme Mufflers first 10 lap heat featured an intense, three-car battle at the front with Johnson winning ahead of Roa and Rutherford. Hannah Mayhew got her first win in the Sway-A-Way Torsion Bars second heat race with Guardino winning the Competition Suspension Incorporated/Ultra Shield Race Products third heat. The USAC West Coast 360 Sprints will be in action on July 9th at Merced Speedway. For further information, go to www.usacracing.com.

David Prickett won the 20 lap WMR Midgets Main Event. Prickett jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Ricky Lewis and Friday night Watsonville winter Blake Bower. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 3 put Bower into second. The lead three competitors put on a close battle for several laps. A low pass in Turn 4 on Lap 6 gained Bower the lead. Bower used traffic to pull away briefly from Prickett and Lewis, but Prickett caught him in traffic on Lap 12 and made the pass in Turn 2 to regain the lead. Lewis made a big move in traffic to nearly grab the lead on Lap 13, but he bobbled and fell back a bit. A red flag waved on Lap 14 for a crash in Turn 2 that saw Megan Moorehead roll. Prickett led Bower and Lewis on the restart. Despite Bower keeping it close, Prickett went on to score the win. Lewis settled for third ahead of Cory Brown Trent Morley, Kala Keliinoi, Kyle Hawse, Kevin Woody, Joey Bishop and Kyle Klein.

Prickett was the quickest of 18 qualifiers with a lap of 13.504, beating the 13.945 of Lewis. Eight lap heat race wins went to Bower, Lewis and Prickett. For information on the group, go to www.westernmidgetracing.com.

Trevor Fitzgibbon collected his third-straight win in the IMCA Modified Main Event. Dave Phipps jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Jared Domingos and reigning champion Jack Parker. Fitzgibbon slipped into third on Lap 2 and began looking for a way around Domingos for second. That battle continued until Fitzgibbon made an inside pass on the backstretch on the ninth lap to take over second. However, a yellow flag waved moments later for a Mike Stanford spin in Turn 3, which negated the pass. Phipps continued to lead Domingos and Fitzgibbon on the restart, and the lead three competitors ran close. Fitzgibbon made a Turn 2 pass on Lap 13 to take second, and he set his sights on Phipps. Phipps was doing a good job of protecting the low line, but Fitzgibbon finally decided to go up on the outside as they went through the final turn. Fitzgibbon got the traction and made the pass, beating Phipps back to the checkered flag for the thrilling win. Domingos settle for third, followed by Parker, Danny Lauer, Austin Rodarte, Scott Olsen, Stanford and Sam Garvin. Fitzgibbon and Lauer won the eight lap heat races.

Jason Horton won the 20 lap VRA Dwarf Car Main Event. This was the third-straight win for the current point leader. Mike Lewis raced into the early lead ahead of Shane Linenburger and Kobe Kerns. A low pass in Turn 2 on the second lap gained to Kerns second as Gage Cheek settled into fourth. An inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 5 regained Linenburger second, and Horton made an inside pass on the backstretch to take fourth from Cheek. Horton went low in Turn 2 on Lap 6 to take third from Kerns and set his sights on Linenburger. An outside pass on the backstretch on Lap 13 put Horton into second, but Lewis held nearly a straightaway advantage by then. Unfortunately for Lewis, he caught slower traffic, and Horton reeled him in rapidly. An outside pass on the frontstretch on Lap 18 gained Horton the lead, and he brought it home to the thrilling victory. Lewis settled for second ahead of Linenburger, Jeff Brink, Cheek, Dominic Maldonado, Evan Jonker, John Alonso, Kerns and Tim Morse. Cheek and Tom Stephens Sr picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Phoenix, Arizona's AJ Whistler won the 20 lap IMCA Mod Lites Main Event. Whistler jumped into the lead when the green flag waved with Colby Lewis an early second ahead of the Sean Conyers. A yellow flag waved on Lap 2 for a Parker Cherry spin. Whistler continued to lead Lewis and Conyers on the restart, but a Lap 4 yellow flag again slow the pace. Whistler resumed command over Lewis on the restart with Phil Barrow making a high pass in Turn 2 to settle into third. However, Barrow made contact with Mike Neal exiting Turn 4, resulting in a multi car tangle that eliminated Barrow, Neal and Cade Lewis. Whistler continued to lead Colby Lewis and Conyers on the restart. JD Brown settled into fourth, and Conyers slipped past Colby Lewis for second on Lap 14. Brown made a frontstretch pass on Lap 15 to take third from Lewis with Roy Maynard Jr following into fourth. Whistler brought it home to the impressive win ahead of Conyers, Brown, Maynard, Colby Lewis, Kathy Fitz, Candi Varney, Dave Dotson, Cherry and Tim Varney. There were 15 drivers in action, and Cade Lewis, Barrow and Whistler picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Kevin Kale won the 20 lap Super Clean NMRA TQ Midgets Main Event. Kevin Kale jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Ace Kale. Bruce Hiroshima settled into third on Lap 3 and made a high pass in Turn 3 a lap later to take second from Ace Kale with Chris Thomas following into third. West Evans made a Turn 4 pass on Thomas to grab third with Chuck West following him into fourth. The lead four drivers ran closely with West Evans making an inside pass on the backstretch on lap 10 to take second from Hiroshima. West followed Evans into third. Hiroshima again made a rally back into fourth on Lap 15, and he took third from West on Lap 18. As Hiroshima was making a big move on the outside to try to get by both Kevin Kale and West Evans, there was contact that dropped him back again. Kevin Kale went on to win the race ahead of Evans, Thomas,  West, Hiroshima, Scott Niven, Don Brashier and Ace Kale.

West was the quickest qualifier at 14.370, beating the 14.601 of Evans. Evans and Hiroshima were the eight lap heat race winners. The Super Clean NMRA TQ Midget Series, presented by Moonshine Methanol, will return to action this Saturday night at Santa Maria Raceway. For further information on the group, go to www.nmra.us.

After a week off, racing returns on July 10th with the VRA Sprints back an action along with the VRA Senior Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, VRA Dwarf Cars and VRA Hobby Stocks. For further information, go to www.venturaraceway.com.

Peery, Steele, Natale, Smith 

Score Siskiyou Golden Speedway Wins

Yreka, CA...June 26...Travis Peery won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Siskiyou Golden Speedway. This was the second win of the season for the reigning IMCA Modified champion. 2018 champion Trevor Tiffee jumped into the lead at the start ahead of point leader Ryan Peery. Travis Peery settled into third on Lap 2 and raced past Ryan Peery for second on Lap 8. Travis. Peery was giving Tiffee all the pressure he could handle before moving low in Turns 1 and 2 as they worked the 15th lap. Tiffee changed lines to the outside and ended up running off the track for a yellow flag. Travis Peery had the lead at that point and led the rest of the way to win ahead of Ryan Peery, Colt Boswell, Ryder Boswell, Jesse Morton, Jace Wright and Tiffee. Travis Perry won the eight lap heat race with Ryan Perry picking up four lap Trophy Dash honors.

David Steele won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This was the fourth win in five starts for the two-time reigning division champion. Steele wasted little time getting into the lead. A yellow flag waved on Lap 3, and Steele led Ashtin Hedges and Steve Goetz on the restart. Goetz saw his race come to an end as a yellow flag waved on Lap 7. Steele continued to lead Hedges on the restart with Darek Alford running in third. Steele would pull away from Hedges for the impressive win. Alford settled for third ahead of point leader Michael Knuckles, Logan McKnight, Garrett Fredrickson, Goetz, Marilyn Yawnick and Connor Franklin. With a win in his eight lap heat race and the four lap Trophy Dash, this was a clean sweep performance for Steele. Hedges was the other heat race winner. 

Joe Natalie won the 20 lap Hornets Main Event. During the week, some of the Eureka Roadrunner competitors expressed an interest in racing on the dirt, and management accommodated them. After winning both the four lap Trophy Dash and eight lap heat race, reigning Eureka champion Bryan Brandt appeared to be on his way to a clean sweep before encountering an infield tire to end his race. Natale had finished second to Brandt in both preliminary races, and he won the Main Event ahead of Ryan David, JR Brandt, John Wall Jr, John Wall Sr, Ty Rose and Bryan Brandt.

JJ Smith won the 15 lap Jefferson State Jalopies Main Event. This was the third-straight win for the current point leader and reigning champion. Smith started things off by winning the eight lap heat race ahead of Kade Bernstein. Unfortunately, Bernstein had mechanical issues and scratched from the four lap Trophy Dash, which was won by 2019 champion Marilyn Yawnick. Karl Bernstein suffered mechanical issues in the dash and scratched, leaving just three drivers for the feature race. Smith won that event ahead of Tim Accord and Yawnick.

Due to the fires in the area, the double header 4th of July weekend action has been canceled. The next scheduled race will be on July 10th as the track is once again visited by the SODCA Dwarf Cars and Outlaw Pro Stocks, along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds in Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.siskyougoldenspeedway.com.

Foulger, Shrader Win Hetrick Memorial Race 

At Antioch Speedway

Antioch, CA...June 26...Troy Foulger won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the annual Hetrick Memorial race, and the first win of the season for Foulger aboard the Bowers Motorsports Modified paid $1,500. Two-time champion Carl Berendsen II jumped into the early lead ahead of championship contender Kellen Chadwick and Foulger. Following a yellow flag on Lap 3, Foulger moved past Chadwick for second, and Foulger put the moves on Berendsen to grab the lead on Lap 6. A yellow flag waved after six laps. Foulger led Jim Pettit II on this restart with Buddy Kniss settling into third on a Lap 8 restart. However, Chadwick regained third on Lap 15. The battle was close at the front of the pack, but Foulger held off Pettit for the big win. Chadwick settled for third ahead of Kniss, Bobby Motts Jr, Berendsen, John Pierce, Frank Furtado and Gary Hetrick. Motts and Chadwick picked up the eight lap heat race wins.

Kenny Shrader won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The win was worth $750 for Shrader. With a pole position start, Shrader set the early pace ahead of KC Keller and three-time reigning champion and current State point leader Trevor Clymens. Keller took the lead on Lap 3 before a yellow flag waved. Clymens took the lead from Keller on the restart and led through a couple of yellow flags. Shrader had moved into the second on a Lap 5 restart and put the moves on Clymens for the lead on Lap 13. Point leader Guy Ahlwardt dropped Clymens back the third on Lap 20, and Shrader was a happy winner ahead of Ahlwardt, Clymens, Keller, Fred Ryland, Jacob Haas, Nick Caughman Jr, Kevin Brown, Tanner Thomas and Tom Fraser. Eight lap heat wins went to Ahlwardt, Tyler Browne and Caughman as 20 drivers came to compete.

Kenneth Robles got his first 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event win of the season. Brad Coelho had the pole and raced into the early lead ahead of Jake Bentancourt and incoming point leader Larry McKinzie Jr. Jeff Bentancourt settled into third on Lap 2, and Mckinzie led Jeff Bentancourt past Coelho for the Top 2 positions on Lap 8. Following a Lap 10 yellow flag Robles led Jeff Bentancourt and Misty Welborn on the restart. Coelho regained third on Lap 23. However nobody was stopping Robles as he won ahead of Jeff Bentancourt, Coelho and Welborn. McKinzie crossed the line in fifth, only to be disqualified, elevating Aiden Ponciano into the position ahead of Gavin Griffiths, Michaela Taylor, Colton Haney, Jewell Crandell and Jess Paladino. Because of the disqualification, McKenzie saw his point lead over Jeff Bentancourt shrink to just two points after 11 races.

The Hobby Stocks brought 23 competitors, and the four eight lap heat race wins went to Coelho, Jake Bentancourt, McKinzie and Griffiths. Charlie Bryant won the 14 lap B Main ahead of Logan Fernandez, Colton Haney, Paladino and Judy Arth.

Joel Hannagan won the 15 lap Bay Area Hardtops Main Event. This was the second Antioch win of the year for Hannagan aboard the Junkyard Dog, owned by Doug Braudrick. Hannagan also won the six lap heat race. In the Main Event, Hannagan held off reigning Merced Speedway Sportsman champion Rick Elliott to get the win. Ken Retzloff finished third ahead of Watsonville Speedway Hall of Famer Jerry Cecil.

After a one week break for the holiday weekend and an opportunity to add new clay to the racing surface, the action returns on July 10th with IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and IMCA Stock Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.

Nowlin, Kuecker, Glass, Elf Win At Lakeport Speedway

Lakeport, CA...June 26...Jeremy Nowlin won the 25 lap Limited Modified Main Event Saturday night at Lakeport Speedway. Nowlin started on the second row behind Raymond Taylor Jr, and Taylor jumped into the lead at the start ahead of TJ Buzzard and Nowlin. Nowlin moved by Buzzard for second on the third lap with Sierra Furia quickly following into third. Nowlin got around Taylor for the lead on lap 11 with Furia charging into second on Lap 15. Furia kept it close, but Nowlin went on to score the victory. Taylor crossed the line in third, only to be disqualified as Buzzard got third in front of Bo Robertson, Gary Lowblad, Brandon Powers and Tyler Manning. Furia set the fast time of 12.984, beating the 13.053 of Nowlin. Nowlin won the 10 lap heat race.

Trystan Mucci won the 25 lap Bomber Main Event. Ed Rasmussen charged into the lead at the start ahead of Roy Ingalls Sr and Shelby Helm. Both Helm and Tristan Mucci got past Ingalls on Lap 3, and Helm took the lead from Rasmussen a lap later. A yellow flag flew at that point, and Mucci took the lead on the restart with Loren Powers Jr following into second. Mucci led Powers in a close battle the rest of the way for the hard front win. Helm settled for third, followed by Forrest Kuecker, Ingalls, the B Bomber of Seth Chew Jimmy Sorrels, the B Bombers of Audrey Portlock and William Byrne and Rasmussen. Powers was the quickest Bomber in qualifying at 13.901 with Chew the quickest B Bomber at 14.993. Chew also won the 10 lap B Bomber heat with Kuecker the 10 lap Bomber heat winner.

Jason Elf won the 20 lap Legend Car Main Event. William Cummings jumped into the early lead ahead of Justin Johnson and Elf. Elf made the big move around both Johnson and Cummings to take the lead on the fourth lap with Johnson following into second. Tom Summers took second from Johnson on Lap 15. Elf led the rest of the way to win with Summers and Johnson close behind him in second and third, respectively. Mark Burch, Robert Byers and Cummings completed the finishing order. Elf was the fastest qualifier at 14.058, beating the 14.507 Burch. Summers picked up to 10 lap heat race win.

Hailey Glass won the 20 lap Jammer Main Event. They run the Pro Jammers with the Junior Jammers, and Glass is a Junior competitor. The Pro of Isaiah Rojas led the opening lap ahead of Glass and the Pro of Christopher Fischer. However, a yellow flag waved at that point for a crash that eliminated Pro competitor Christian Sanchez and Junior competitors Charles French and Leland Cervelli. Fischer led Glass and Rojas on the restart, but Glass put the moves on Fischer to take the lead on Lap 3. Rojas retired after six laps, and Glass built about a straightaway advantage over Fischer by the time the checkered flag flew. Rojas was still scored third ahead of Sanchez, French and Cervelli. Sanchez was the fastest Pro Jammer at 16.293, while French was the quickest Junior at 15.232. Tucker Murray won the 10 lap Junior Jammere heat race, but he sugffered meechanical issues in the process to scratch along with incoming point leader TJ Sorrels. The Pro Jammer 10 lap heat race win went to Sanchez, and Raymond Taylor Jr was also a Main Event scratch.

Kai Lovell won the Bandolero Main Event. Lovell led from the start with Alyssa Sorrels an early second. However, Travis Powers grabbed the runner-up spot with a Lap 9 pass and trailed Lovell by just over a straightaway by the time the race concluded. Powers was the fast qualifier at 15.668, beating the 15.942 of Lovell. Lovell was the 10 lap heat race winner.

Racing returns this Saturday night with a program that will include Limited Modifieds, Bombers, Jammers, Bandoleros, Pro 4 Modifieds and Vintage Midgets. With the exception of the Pro 4 Modifieds, the same divisions compete at Ukiah Speedway a night later. For further information, go to www.lakeportspeedway.com.

 

Graham, Panella, Key, Rubia Delta Speedway Winners

Stockton, CA...June 25...Broedy Graham won the 30 lap Wingless 600 Micro Sprint Main Event Friday night at Delta Speedway. Graham took the lead at the start and led all the way in victory. Graham had the pole and bolted into the lead at the start ahead of recent Dixon winner Brandon Riveira and point leader Caden Sarale. Following a Lap 3 slow down, Graham led Sarale and Austin Torgerson on the restart. As Graham pulled away just a little bit, Sarale had his hands full with Torgerson in the battle for second. A Lap 17 red flag signaled the end of the race for Ashton Torgerson, Colton Jones and Adam Elbert. Graham continued to lead Sarale and Austin Torgerson on the restart. In the last few laps, Graham felt the pressure of both Sarale and Torgerson. However he was up to the challenge. Graham brought it home to victory ahead of Sarale, Austin Torgerson, Dixon point leader Dan Mognaga, Riveira, Robbie Lewis, Cody Gray, Cameron Paul, Sage Bordenave and TJ Smith.

Riveira was the quickest of 42 qualifiers on the 1/6 mile dirt oval with a lap 10.334, beating the 10.343 of Sarale and the 10.379 of Graham. The four 10 lap heat race wins went to Ashton Torgerson, Gray, Tyler Chamorro and Paul. They needed two 12 lap B Mains to fill up the remainder of the field for the feature race. Smith started on the pole of the first one and let all the way in victory ahead of Cameron La Rose. James Andrichuk gained third on Lap 3 and would finish there. Colin Kirby won the second race in flag to flag fashion ahead of Travis Sullivan and Dominic Gorden.

Alex Panella won an eventful 30 lap Super 600 micro Sprint Main Event. The race had numerous yellow flags and even red flag slow downs. Panella started on the pole and bolted into the lead over Caeden Steele and Jarrett Rogers. The first red flag happened on Lap 3 as Jade Avedisian crashed. Panella continued to lead the restart head of Steele. Jake Hagopian settled into third, but his race ended on a Lap 10 yellow flag. Panella led KJ Snow and Steele on the restart. Nikko Panella moved up to battle Steele for third. The race had yellow flags on Lap 11 and 12 with Eric Bookout and Mattix Salmon out of the action. Alex Panella was leading Snow on Lap 14 as Nikko Panella settled into third. One final yellow flag bunched the field on Lap 29. The race was over for James Andrichuk and Gauge Garcia. Snow had one final shot at overtaking Alex Panella. However, Panella resumed command on the restart and brought it home to victory over Snow. Steele regained third on the final restart with Nikko Panella settling for fourth ahead of reigning champion Caden Sarale, Austin Torgerson, Rogers, Jeffrey Pahule, Dominic Carter and Colton Huelsmann.

The Super 600s produced a strong turnout of 27 competitors, and Nikko Panella set the fast time of 9.456, beating the 9.524 of Hagopian and the 9.566 of Snow. The 10 lap heat race wins went to Sarale, Pahule and Gorden. Carter collected the win in the 12 lap B Main. He started on the pole and led all the way with Huelsmann a race long second ahead of Andrichuk.

Colton Key got the win in the 25 lap Restricted 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. This was his second win of the season. Key started on the pole and proceeded to lead the entire distance. Point leader Austin Wood was second at the start ahead of Elijah Gile, but Gile's race came to an end for a Lap 4 yellow flag. Key led Wood and Isabel Barnes on the restart. The battle began to heat up for the lead between Key and Wood when Barnes saw her race come to an end for the final yellow flag on Lap 19. Key led wood and Teagan Moles on the restart. Key went on to victory ahead of Wood. Fifth row starter Taylor Mayhew made a last lap pass on Moles to snitch third. Moles settled for fourth, followed by Jett Barnes, Triton O'Brien, Cash Lovenburg, Andrew Smith, Lucas Mauldin and Quinn Thurein.

The Restricted 600s had a solid turnout of 25 competitors with Key setting the fast time of 10.190, beaying 10.206 of Gile and the 10.219 of Wood. They had three 10 lap heat races with with winds going to Madelyn Gjerness, Lovenburg and Mauldin. Kennzie Brown won the 12 lap B Main. Otto Perreira led at the start a head of Jayden Huppert and Caden Gotelli. Brown gained third on Lap 3 and took second from Huppert on a Lap 7 restart. A lap later, Brown grabbed the lead, and Perreira surrendered second to Huppert on Lap 11. Brown won ahead of Huppert and Perreira.

Brody Rubio won the 20 lap Jr Sprint Main Event. This was the third win of the season for the current point leader.  Nathan Ward had the pole and set the early pace ahead of Braxon Vasconcellos and Bradley Anderson. Rubio started in the fourth row and settled in the third on Lap 6. A yellow flag waved on Lap 9, and Ward continued to lead Vasconcellos and Rubio on the restart. The lead trio started battling for the lead with Rubio taking second from Vasconcellos on Lap 16. Rubio was tenacious, making what proved to be his winning pass on Ward on Lap 18. Rubio brought it home to victory ahead of Ward, Vasconcellos, Vito Cancilla, Anderson, Blayden Graham, Levi Osborne, Brycen Roush, Jace Thurein and Jackson Tardiff. There were 23 cars in action, and the 10 lap heat race wins went to Graham, Osborne and Josiah Vega.

There was another race scheduled for the four featured classes the following evening. Then, the four classes return to action on July 10th. For further information, go to www.deltaspeedwaystockton.com.

 

 

Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 25
Ocean Sprints Presnted By Taco Bravo
A Main
Bud Kaeding
J.J. Ringo
Joey Ancona
Tanner Carrick
Jodie Robinson
Zane Blanchard
Joel Myers Jr
Jake Andreotti
Koen Shaw
Nick Ringo
Kurt Nelson
Bradley Dillard
Josh Chisum
Conner Danell
Mitchell Faccinto
Tristan Guardino
Blake Carrick
Jeremy Chisum
Adam Kaeding
Jason Chisum
Ryan Delisle
Keith Day Jr

B Main
Koen Shaw
Nick Ringo
Connor Danell
Joel Myers Jr
Adam Kaeding
Jeremy Chisum
Josh Chisum
Mark Chaves Jr
Richard Fajardo
Glenn Bryan
Chris Nelson
Jimmy Christian
Michael Pombo DNS

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Fred Ryland
Andrew Pearce
Randy Miller
Trevor Clymens
Kelly Campanile
Adriane Frost
Todd Gomez
Duane Bieser
Ted Hammer
Scott Foster
Max Baggett
Cody Bryan
Mike Kofnovec Sr
Jonathan Hagio

Four Bangers
Richard Mitchell
Kate Beardsley
Tony Gullo
Bill Beardsley
Nicole Beardsley
Travis VanGilder

South Bay Dwarf Cars
Mark Biscardi
Tommy Velasquez III
Travis Day
Trafton Chandler
Eric Weisler
Barry Waddell
Eddy Claessen
Mike Aceves
Mack Aceves
Dan Zuger

WMR Midgets
Blake Bower
D.J. Freitas
Kala Keliinoi
Randi Pankratz
Megan Moorehead
Darren Brent
Tyler Slay
Tyler Rodriguez
Kevin Woody Jr
Cameron Beard
David Prickett


Antioch Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
IMCA Modified
Troy Foulger
Jim Pettit II
Kellen Chadwick
Buddy Kniss
Bobby Motts Jr
Carl Berendsen II
John Pierce
Frank Furtado
Gary Hetrick

IMCA Sport Modifie
Kenny Shrader
Guy Ahlwardt
Trevor Clymens
KC Keller
Fred Ryland
Jacob Haas
Nick Caughman
Kevin Brown
Tanner Thomas
Tom Fraser
Hunter Merritt
Joseph Pato
Emali VanHoff
Matt Pitts
Andrew Pearce
Tyler Browne
Joe Salvi
Scott Foster
Chuck Golden
Jason Ryan Jr

Hobby Stocks
Kenneth Robles
Jeff Bentancourt
Brad Coelho
Misty Welborn
Aiden Ponciano
Gavin Griffiths
Michaela Taylor
Colton Haney
Jewell Crandall
Jess Paladino
Jared Baugh
Charlie Bryant
Grayson Baca
Gene Haney
Jake Bentancourt
Logan Fernandez
Travis Tabucchi
James Graessle
Ken Johns
Larry McKinzie Jr DQ

B Main
Charlie Bryant
Logan Fernandez
Colton Haney
Jess Paladino
Judy Arth
Vigna Anthony
Steve Torres

Hardtops
Joel Hannagan
Rick Elliott
Ken Retzloff
Jerry Cecil


Siskiyou Golden Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Travis Peery
Ryan Peery
Colt Boswell
Ryder Boswell
Jesse Morton
Jace Wright
Trevor Tiffee

Mini Stocks
David Steele
Ashtin Hedges
Darek Alford
Michael Knuckles
Logan McKnight
Garrett Fredrichson
Steve Goetz
Marilyn Yawnick
Connor Franklin

Jalopies
JJ Smith
Tim Acord
Marilyn Yawnick
Karl Bernstein DNS
Kade Bernstein DNS

FWD Sports Compacts
Joe Natale
Ryan David
JR Brandt
Jon Wall Jr
Jon Wall Sr
Ty Rose
Bryan Brandt


Bakersfield Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Richie McGowan Memorial
Hobby Stocks
Don Mead
Karl Noland
Stephen Johnson
Dylan Wilson
Jimmy Irwin
Nicholas Johnson
Johnny Wood
Teena Johnson
Ricky Childress Jr
Rick Henderson
Justin Tuey
Brooke Cimental
Taylor Marchant
Jacob Hughes
John Flippen
Breck Smith
Nick Coffman
shannon Duncan

IMCA Modifieds
Brad Pounds

Ricky Childress Jr
Robby Sawyer
Austin Kiefer
Jerry Flippo
Bryan Clark
Darrell Hughes II
Rob Sanders
Randy Thornell
Michael Scruggs
Troy Morris III
Larry Wise
Blake Thornell

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Nick Spainhoward
Tyler Banniste
Jason Bannister
John Piker
Billy Simkins
Tyler Blankenship
Matthew Mayo
Markus Frazier
Michael Black
Adam Baker
Tina Pounds
Jared Schweitzer
Dylan Potter
Jim Reed
Brock Crawford
Randy Schweitzer
Jason Nation
Austin Manzella
Daniel West
Brian Baker
Levi Keifer
Joe Baker DNS

American Stocks
Dakota Brown
Mark McCaslin
Cholie Jones
Kody Sly
Brandon Ratcliff
Colby Ward
Josh Yadon
Antony Sly
James Williams
Clay Water
Craig Houk
Steven Lawler
Ronald Lookadoo
Brody Schweitzer
Mason Conway
Ryan Little
Troy Thomas Jr DNS


Lakeport Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Bandoleros
Kai Lovell
Travis Powers
Alyssa Sorrels
Jordan Ray

Bombers (A)
Trystan Mucci
Loren Powers Jr
Shelby Helm
Forrest Kuecker
Roy Ingalls
Jimmy Sorrels
Ed Rasmussen

Bombers (B)
Seth Chew
Audrey Portlock
William Byrne

Jammers (Pro)
Christopher Fischer
Isaiah Rojas
Christian Sanchez

Jammers (Jr)
Hailey Glass
Charles French
Leland Cervelli

Limited Modifieds
Jeremy Nowlin
Sierra Furia
TJ Buzzard
Bo Robertson
Gary Lowblad
Brandon Powers
Tyler Manning
Raymond Taylor Jr DQ

Legends
Jayson Elf
Tom Summers
Justin Johnson
Mark Burch
Robert Byers
William Cummings


Cottage Grove Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Royalty Core IMCA Sportmods
Ralph Bloom Memorial 

Main Event
Aaron Bloom
Skyler Winebarger
Jorddon Braaten (Tech failure -2 positions)
Dustin Comer
Dalton Bloom (Tech failure -2 positions)
Ray Comer
Travis Pruitt
Timothy Allerdings
Chris Frisbie
Steven Sanders
Ray Bloom
Chuck Carson
Kevin Williamson
Jordan Henry
Isaac Sanders
Jantzen Knips
Shawn Hand
Matt Sanders DQ

B Main
Ray Comer
Timothy Allerdings
Steven Sanders
Jordan Henry
Ray Bloom
Chris Frisbie
Shawn Hand
KC Scott
Trevor Points
Theran Trissell

Dwarf Cars
Josh King
Devin LaHargue
Chris Kress
Tanner Kurr
Dave Bruhn
Danny Altom
Jason Fike
Ashleigh Strain
Erin Morganstern
Jason Robustelli
Fred Hay
Brock Peters
Reggie Ayres
Anthony Pope
Cody Peters
Bryson Smith
Colby Bergquist
Chad Cardoza

Late Models
Rob Campos
Mike Peters
Randy Barley
Chuck Christian
Rob Williams
Willie Sutton

Street Stocks
Taunton Swaim
Graig Osborne
Troy Chamberlain
Anthony Prather
Eric Freeman


Placerville Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars
A Main
Tanner Carrick
Jodie Robinson
Michael Faccinto
Andy Gregg
Blake Carrick
Joel Myers Jr
Kalib Henry
Kaleb Montgomery
Landon Brooks
Andy Forsberg
Jake Andreotti
C.J. Humphreys
Shane Hopkins
Greg Decaires V
Michael Ing
Colby Johnson
Jimmy Trulli
Brody Fuson
Justyn Cox
Justin Bradway

B Main
Kaleb Montgomery
Brody Fuson
C.J. Humphreys
Colby Johnson
Justin Henry
Cody Spencer
Ben Worth
Josh Wiesz
Ryan Rocha
Chris Masters
John Sullivan
Lonny Alton
Michael Sellers

Limited Late Models
Bobby Hogge IV
Dan Brown Jr
Jay Norton
Dan Jinkerson
Clark Gougliomani
Tyler Lightfoot
Kiely Ricardo
Tom Tilford
Rod Oliver
Kevin Jinkerson
Wayne Trimble
Paul Gugliomoni
Mike Lightfoot
Max Mcafee
Eddie Gardner
Ray Trimble
Ted Ahart

Pure Stocks
Dan Jinkerson
Kevin Jinkerson
Nick Baldwin
Wayne Trimble
Ryan Peter
Chris Mcginnis
David Silvia
Matt Tilford
Phil Wilkins
Travis Emery
Michael Murphy
Stephanie Hanson
Cody Rickard
Jarred Hess
Mel Byers
Jonny Walsh
Bill O'Neal

NorCal Dwarf Cars
Ben Wiesz
Ryan Winter
Mike Grenert
Shawn Whitney
Dylan Shrum
Hailey Wiesz
Mike Reeder
Dan Geil
gage meyers
Corey Eaton
Jameson Sole
John Williams
Zach Armstrong
Isaak Geil
Robert Kozinski
Gene Herndon
Austin Struthers
Jace Badecker
Larry Bell
Brandon Shaw
Patrick Weger

California Hardtops
Ron Ruiz
Mike Friesen
Joe Shenefield
Jeff West
Ken Clifford
Jason Clifford DNS


Madera Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Nut Up Pro Late Models
Tyler Herzog
Jason Aguirre
Austin Herzog
Jadan Walbridge
Kyle Keller
Eric Nascimento
Bradley Erickson
Howard Holden
Matt Erickson
Jay Juleson
Glen Cook
Peter Soto
Carl Pearce
Kabe McClenny
Rick Thompson
Loren Kutz
Holly Clark DNS

51fifty Jr Late Models
Brody Armtrout
Ethan Nascimento
Jacob Smith
Kenna Mitchell
Jeffrey Erickson
Holly Clark
Barrett Polhemus
Kylie Ith
Kasey Kleyn
Kercie Jung
Brody Moore
Kale McClenny
Robbie Kennealy
 
Mini Cup/Bandoleros
Logan Chambers
Joey Kennealy
Caden Cordova
Konner Karsten
Kellen Keller
Sam Wedehase


Ventura Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 26
USAC West Coast Sprint Cars
Troy Rutherford
Austin Liggett
D.J. Johnson
Trent Williams
Brody Roa
Ryan Timmons
Tristan Guardino
Trent Carter
Jake Hodges
Nate Schank
Bruce Douglas
Travis Buckley
Rick Hendrix
Hannah Mayhew
Christopher Muraokoa
James Herrera
Jacob Tuttle
Tanner Boul
Jarrett Soares
Kyle Edwards
Tom Hendricks

WMR Midgets
David Prickett
Blake Bower
Ricky Lewis
29 Cory Brown
Trent Morley
Kala Keliinoi
Kyle Hawse
Brent Curran
Joey Bishop
Kyle Klein
Tyler Rodriguez
Greg Jewett
Tim Foy
Joel Rayborne
Darren Brent
Megan Moorhead
Randi Pankratz
Wally Pankratz

IMCA Mod Lites
AJ Whistler
Sean Conyers
J.D. Brown
Roy Maynard Jr
Colby Lewis
Kathy Fitz
Candi Varney
Dave Dotson
Parker Cherry
Tim Varney
Shane Balser
Phil Barrow
Mike Neal
Cade Lewis
Mathias Kollasch

IMCA Modifieds
Trevor Fittzgibbon
Dave Phipps
Jared Domingos
Jack Parker
Danny Lauer
Austin Rodarte
Scott Olsen
Mike Stanford
Sam Garvin

VRA Dwarf Cars
Jason Horton
Mike Lewis
Shawn Linenburger
Jeff Brink
Gage Cheek
Dominic Maldonado
Evan Jonker
John Alonso
Kobe Kerns
Tim Morse
Tom Stephens Sr
David Cheek

NMRA TQ Midgets
Kevin Kale
West Evens
Chris Thomas
Chuck West
Bruce Hirsohima
Scott Niven
Don Brashier
Ace Kale


Marysville Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Winged 360 Sprints
Billy Wallace
Bobby Butler
Korey Lovell
Angelo Cornet
William Fielding
Steel Powell
Kevin Lovell
Mike Monahan
John Clark
Drake Standley
Brian McGahan
Pat Harvey Jr
Malorie Mcgahan
Mike Wasina
Jack Phillips
Brent Bjork
James Taylor
Dawson Hammes

Crate Sprints
Brett Youngman
Cameron Haney Jr
Wyatt Vanlare
David Sims
Mike Ballantine
Dusty Barton
Spencer Slocum
Kelly Hicks
Mike Hall
Chad Thompson DQ

Hobby Stocks
Howard Law
Jesse Van Roekel
Chris Van Roekel
Zach Lindgren
Jacob Johnson
Jerry Bartlett
Devin Koranda
Toby Merrifield
Eddie Simmons
Mario Davis
Joe Gillock
Bill Clark
Trevor Deadmond
Timm Williams
Trevor Abella
John Johnson
James Wooddell
Niles Strever
Kyle Cheney

BCRA Lightning Sprints
Greg Dennett
Dakota Albright
Scott Kinney
Terry Bergstrom
Jeff Griffen
Brandon Leady
Hunter Kinney  


Coos Bay Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
America's Mattress Super Late Models
Braden Fugate
Preston Luckman
Brody Montgomery
Wayne Butler
Richard Wallace
Jason Johnson
Mike Taylor
Garret Smith

Sportsman Late Models
Daniel Ray
Tahlan Rogers
Jacob Emery
Mike Lavery
Roger Bell
Josh Kralicek
Mike Desilva
Dustin Hitner DNS
Ryan Emry DNS

Street Stocks
Seth Christian
Braden Fugate
Loren McIntyre
Leroy Rockwell
Joseph Wilson
Steve Dubisar DNS

Mini Outlaws
Scott Beaudoin
Seth Christian
Matthew Emry
Jamie Daniels
Nicole Emry
Jeff Thurman DNS

Hornets
Seth Christian
Kevin Hilgendorf
Kevin Rockwell
Dylan Boyer
Brittany Scott
alexis baker
Lily Metzgus
Jim Van Loon
Lori Fuller
Jayden Miller
Dan Beaudoin
Dan Briesacher
Kris Parker
Mike Reynolds
Isaac Stere

JR Stingers
Griff Smith
Cameron Metzgus
Alex Butler
Drake Vincent
Heather Burton
Tallon Dubisar
Jordan Wheeler
Tanner dubisar
Eli Luckman
Taylor Fuller
Haileigh Crosier
Tucker dubisar


Coos Bay Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 27
America's Mattress Super Late Models

Braden Fugate
Jason Johnson
Brody Montgomery
Mike Taylor
Richard Wallace
Garret Smith
James Hall

Sportsman Late Models
Tahlan Rogers
Ryan Emry
Dustin Hitner
Mike Lavery
Roger Bell
Josh Kralicek

Street Stocks
Seth Christian
Ken Fox
Taunton Swaim
Mike Swaim

Mini Outlaws
Seth Christian
Scott Beaudoin
Dan Beaudoin
Jamie Daniels

Hornets
Kris Parker
Seth Christian
Lily Metzgus
Jayden Miller
Lori Fuller
Alyssa Johnson DNS
Dan Beaudoin DNS
Brittany Scott DNS
Kevin Rockwell DNS
Isaac Stere DNS
Dylan Boyer DNS

JR Stingers
Griff Smith
Tallon Dubisar
Cameron Metzgus
Madilynn Hardy-Ashley
Alex Butler
Tanner dubisar
Haileigh Crosier
Tucker dubisar

Sport Modifieds
Matt Sanders
Daniel Ray
Travis Pruitt
Josh Kralicek
Mike Lavery
Roger Bell

Dirt Modified
Matt Sanders
Jake Mayden
Ricky Ashley
Tom Elam
Travis Pruitt
Andy Freeman
Ryan Baker


Kern County Raceway Unofficial Race Results June 26
JM Environmental Wildwest Shootout
SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series
Derek Thorn
Jacob Gomes
Buddy Shepherd
Kole Raz
Carlos Vieira
Cale Kanke
Cole Moore
Austin Thom
Brandon Farrington
Bob Lyon
Tracy Bolin
Corey Neveau
Andy Allen
John Dillon
Dean Thompson
Scott Sanchez
Andre Prescott
Christian McGhee
Ross Strmiska
Dylan Garner
Dylan Lupton
Blaine Rocha
Kyle Neveau
John Moore

SPEARS Pro Late Models
Seth Wise
Kyle Meyer
Jeremy Doss
Logan Zampa
Dylan Zampa
Mike Lovell
Jake Bollman
Grant Thompson
Cassidy Hinds
Mike Beeler
Henk Gaalswky Jr
Andy Allen
Nathan Byrd
Trevor Huddleston
Christian Bazen
Ron Cross
Tanner Reif
Kevin Furden

SPEARS Modifieds
Jeremy Doss
Travis Thirkettle
Eddie Secord
William Guevara
Travis McCullough
Andrew Anderson
Nathan Byrd
Jim Coffey
Sam Jacks
Ed Coffey
Brock Melo
Jerry Toporek
Brady Melo
Mark Allen DNS

BMR Acadamy Race 2
Cole Moore
JoJo Wilkinson
Amber Balcaen

BMR Race 1
Cole Moore
JoJo Wilkinson
Amber Balcaen


Delta Speedway Stockton Unofficial Race Results June 25
2021 Summer Sizzler Night 2
Wingless 600s
A Main
Broedy Graham
Caden Sarale
Austin Torgerson
Dan Mognaga
Brandon Riveira
Robbie Lewis
Cody Gray
Cameron Paul
Sage Bordenave
TJ Smith
Brandt Twitty
Tyler Chamorro
Cameron La Rose
Dominic Gorden
Tim Vaught
Travis Sullivan
Colin Kirby
James Andrichuk
Brian Gilbert
Ashton Torgerson
Colton Jones
Adam Elbert

B Main 1
TJ Smith
Cameron La Rose
James Andrichuk
Nick Vanatta
Caleb Debem
Drew Laeber
Cody Parmley
Matthew Santana
Tucker LaCaze
Zacary Brooks
Reilee Phillips DNS
Jayden Bartlett DNS
Katey Syra DNS

B Main 2
Colin Kirby
Travis Sullivan
Dominic Gorden
Garrett Twitty
Travis Labat
Kevin Carter
Brody Petrie
JJ Loss
Edward Avila

Super 600
A Main
Alex Panella
KJ Snow
Caeden Steele
Nikko Panella
Caden Sarale
Austin Torgerson
Jarrett Rogers
Jeffery Pahule
Dominic Carter
Colton Huelsmann
Nate Matherly
Dominic Gorden
James Andrichuk
Gauge Garcia
JJ Loss
Mattix Salmon
Eli Bookout
Jake Hagopian
Travis Labat
Jade Avedisian

B Main
Dominic Carter
Colton Huelsmann
James Andrichuk
Nate Matherly
JJ Loss
Brett McColloch
Hailey Wood
Izaak Sharp
Ron Singh
Caleb Ingle
Dalton Parreira
Colby Greig

Restricted
A Main
Colton Key
Austin Wood
Taylor Mayhew
Teagan Moles
Jett Barnes
Triton OBrien
Cash Lovenburg
Andrew Smith
Lucas Mauldin
Quinn Thurein
Madelyn Gjerness
Savannah Brown
Otto Perreira
Isabel Barnes
Elijah Gile
Kyle Fernandez
Kennzzie Brown
Drake Carter
Jayden Huppert
Caden Gotelli DNS

B Main
Kennzzie Brown
Jayden Huppert
Otto Perreira
Caden Gotelli
Savannah Brown
Nicholas Leonard Jr
Cierra Wullenwaber
Jordan Mast
Adrianna DeMartini DNS
Lucas Johnson DNS

Jr Sprints
Brody Rubio
Nathan Ward
Braxon Vasconcellos
Vito Cancilla
Bradley Anderson
Blayden Graham
Levi Osborne
Brycen Roush
Jace Thurein
Jackson Tardiff
Josiah Vega
Hayden Stepps
Mavrick Pedroni
Dean Skrifvars
Clay Mibach
Maya Mauldin
Briggs Davis
Kyle Klagenberg
Reed Wait
Porter Zachary
Heston Stepps DNS
Nathan Fernandez DNS


Delta Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
Wingless
Caden Sarale
Cameron Paul
Ashton Torgerson
Austin Torgerson
Robbie Lewis
Broedy Graham
Cameron La Rose
Brody Petrie
Katey Syra
TJ Smith
Cody Gray
Reilee Phillips
Brian Gilbert
Brandon Riveira
Brandt Twitty
Randy Sims
Jeffery Pahule
Adam Elbert
Shawn Laeber
Colin Kirby
Tim Vaught
Travis Sullivan

B Main 1
Brandt Twitty
Brody Petrie
Travis Sullivan
Garrett Twitty
Dominic Gorden
Colton Jones
Zacary Brooks
Don McLeister
Sage Bordenave DNS
Dominic Carter DNS
Lenny Haines DNS

B Main 2
Randy Sims
Cameron La Rose
Katey Syra
JJ Loss
James Andrichuk
Cody Parmley
Blake Parmley
Matthew Santana
Caleb Ingle
Dennis Gile DNS
Dan Mognaga DNS

Super 600s
Caden Sarale
Austin Torgerson
Caeden Steele
Jeffery Pahule
Gauge Garcia
Nate Matherly
Mattix Salmon
Travis Labat
Hailey Wood
Dominic Gorden
Colton Huelsmann
Dalton Parreira
Jarrett Rogers
Izaak Sharp
Alex Panella
Jake Hagopian
KJ Snow
Dominic Carter
Jade Avedisian
Nikko Panella

B Main
Travis Labat
Dominic Gorden
Colton Huelsmann
Hailey Wood
Jarrett Rogers
Ron Singh
Brett McColloch
Logan Trevino
Eli Bookout DNS
Nick Vanatta DNS
JJ Loss DNS

Restricted
Jett Barnes
Taylor Mayhew
Austin Wood
Colton Key
Lucas Johnson
Drake Carter
Quinn Thurein
Andrew Smith
Lucas Mauldin
Isabel Barnes
Kyle Fernandez
Otto Perreira
Teagan Moles
Elijah Gile
Cierra Wullenwaber
Madelyn Gjerness
Jordan Mast
Triton OBrien
Kennzzie Brown
Savannah Brown
Adrianna DeMartini
Caden Gotelli
Cash Lovenburg DNS

Jr Sprints
Brody Rubio
Braxon Vasconcellos
Hayden Stepps
Blayden Graham
Briggs Davis
Levi Osborne
Heston Stepps
Clay Mibach
Josiah Vega
Jace Thurein
Mavrick Pedroni
Jackson Tardiff
Vito Cancilla
Brycen Roush
Maya Mauldin
Kyle Klagenberg
Bradley Anderson
Charlie Haines
Nathan Ward
Porter Zachary
Nathan Fernandez DNS


Barona Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 26
IMCA Modified
Eric Evans
William Miller
Steven Daffern
P.J. Dyke
Billy Hackett
Cole Dick
Marvin Mueller
Kyle Morris DQ
Rod Robison DQ
Michael Thing DQ

IMCA Sport Modified
Ty Rogers
Brian Brown
Steven Luecht
Bill Hackett
Gary Rodriguez

IMCA Sport Compact
Andrew Schmitz
Chris Niemi
Zachary Conyers
David Hunt
Benjamin Pendleton
Wynona Ragland
Enzo Deckers
Phil Vent

Street Stocks
Kyle Bethel
dale erwin
Paul Dyke
Denis Taylor
Sunny Trent
Steve Porter
Scott Duffy
Jayson Aldridge
Dan Burakowski
Chris Laff

Pony Stock
Denis Taylor
Lucas Vanderstaay
Robert Minnick
Daniel Rossi
wraymond Schott
Ariana Brown
jayden medina
Jlynne Gil

Pure Stock
Rick Chavez
Rick Schnereger
David Hunt
Jayson Aldridge
Mike Rebello
Dave Evangelou
Rusty Staley
Tiffany Crow
Greg Perry
Michael Rumbaugh
Mike Wolfe
Thomas Soper

Dwarf Car
Darren Brown
Mike Tobiason
Mikey Hall
Robert Peters
Devin Kelly
Ron Dunlap
Dan Varner
Britney Sandoval
Dewey Myers
John Isabella
CJ Marin DNS

Junior Sprints
Landon Dalton
Gage Baldwin
Noah Dalton San
Logan Perkins
Taylin Baldwin
Caleb Perkins
Caleb Scholl
Cody Benker

Masters Mini Dwarfs
Danielle Friel
Kelly Weitzel
Jacob Novak
Grace Escalante
Harmony Painter
Jacob Manalo
Kellen O'Connor
Declan Sypolt
Oliver Schenk
Jason Painter
Nathan Manalo
Tyler Warner

Sportsman Mini Dwarfs
Cody Isabella
Melanie Ross
Cam Baldwin
Shelton Scott
Shelby Deckers
Kaiden Johnson
Zach Dalton
Jackson Reiter
Brysen Byford


Stockton 99 Speedway Unofficial Race Results June 12
Stockton Late Model
Gary Shafer Jr
Colby Potts
Jo Jo Streans
Sam Solari
Ty Carlson
Larry Tankersley
Justin Philpott
Chad Hollman
Aaron Shankle
Greg Uffins
Rodney Tripp
Dominic Lopez
Hanna Powell
Steven Gabral
Roy Luft
Chad Pais
Steven Fraizer
Matt Jones

Bombers
Joe Reichmuth
Brandon Jones
Justin Scantlin
Brandon Diede
Harrison Stone
Jeana Ramos
Kayci Phillips
Jerry Crawford
Allen Rider
Rob Arndt
Brian Enis
Robert Slalle
Dylan Powell DNS

B4
Josh Cross
Joe Flowers
Dave Keller
Andrew Rumsey
Ethan Rumsey
Rod Previtalli
Nick Hall
Andrea Rumsey
Mack Hunt
Lukas Castro
Jeff Harris
Mike Hill
Barrett Sugden
Matt Bossana
Katy Hunt

B4 JR.
Jordan Lovelace
Dustin Souza
Chase Lopez
Dustin King
Natalie Harper
Jayden Cross
AJ Shakel
Dominic Apadocka 

 

The Editor's Viewpoint 

After managing to get the writing effort back on a better schedule, last week went a little bit better for me personally. I have to admit it's been a struggle over the last month as I've moved into this trailer and tried to maintain the blog effort. Though I don't think I've missed any of the races for the tracks I have been trying to cover this year, I did get behind there for a while. Considering I needed to focus on getting things organized around here and figuring some stuff out, I probably should have pulled the plug on the media effort for a while.

For whatever reason, I've tried to keep this thing going. This year, I'm not being paid by any track. We don't charge for subscription or any of that, and there has been zero support coming my way since January via The Tip Jar. Considering the hours put into what we do around here, I know most people would say I'm crazy to keep doing this. However, I see the end of the big media effort not too far away. I figure I'll try to get to the end of the point season, because there is no plan of doing the media effort the same way in 2022. I'm still figuring all of that out but I need to lessen the load significantly.

It's interesting that the unusually hot weather that saw so many Central Valley race tracks in California cancel last week came up to Oregon and saw four races get canceled there. It's certainly been a challenging year. Sure, we're pulling through the pandemic in most states, and life is somewhat returning to normal. Oregon is lagging behind on that. However, I don't think all of the tracks are doing so well right now in terms of either fan support or driver support. There's a reason we warned about that being the case in this column multiple times during the last year or so. It's part of the process. First, you couldn't have fans in the stands, and then you could have fans in the stands with whatever restrictions. However, some people are reluctant to come back, and still others don't have the entertainment budget they once had.

Tracks had to decide how much they wanted to open with restrictions, and then they were looking at lower numbers when they didn't have restrictions. As promoters try to figure out what to put on the track next and whether it's going to be effective, now they are dealing with whether they want to run in the heat. How hot is too hot? We might look at this and find it ridiculous that tracks are now canceling because of heat, but promoters are looking at the bottom line. Hardcore fans will go out there and deal with it, but the casual fans that help boost your numbers on any given week will stay home if they aren't comfortable.

I could point out that track promoters need to start making sure the racing surfaces are prepared properly. I know there are racers who love the dry slick tracks, but they aren't taking into consideration fan comfort. Another thing that's going to keep the fans away is dust blowing in their faces in the grandstands. They simply don't want to deal with that. I know the argument of horsepower on hooked up tracks versus finesse and more equal complication on dry tracks. That's fine, but dust in the air doesn't make the casual fan happy. Furthermore, as it carries over away from the track, people in the neighborhood wake up to dust all over their cars. Yes, some tracks are starting to get complaints.

Another thing to consider is the pandemic forced tracks to start putting content online if they wanted to open. When you can't have anybody in the grandstands, where are you going to get your spectator dollars? Even with the spectator dollars, they weren't selling food or drinks to anybody sitting at home, so it was a compromise at best. I have long advocated the use of video and pay-per-view as a way to get more money coming into the coffers, but I know the long time promoters bristle at that idea. They want everybody to come to the track and watch, because then they can sell them food, drink and souvenirs. It's how they stay in business.

When I began pitching this idea around the time I discovered Ventura Raceway giving away a broadcast for free in 2010, it was with the idea of creating fans of your product who couldn't be there in person anyway. Whether that be an older fans who just don't get to the track anymore but wants to keep up, people who were a part of the track that moved or just people who don't live anywhere nearby, you can get some money. How much money and how many people would pay was the big question in my mind, and I didn't have an answer to that. I do know that building up that fan base will take time. Promoters legitimately have concerns over internet pay-per-view making fans who would be there in person stay at home.

Have you looked at the quality of the camera phone and the videos being streamed by fans in the grandstands these days? It's quite good. I was watching a video from Yreka the other day that wasn't quite pay-per-view quality, but it was very good. The person using the camera phone knew what they were doing, and I got to watch an entire Main Event for free. Weather promoters are doing the pay-per-view or not, their product is getting out on the internet by people streaming it for free. It's a sign of the times, and motorsports isn't the only place this is happening. You can see full concerts online for free and even movies playing in the theater.

Promoters were going to have to take a look at this technology anyway. Whether that was going to be streaming the regular product or just special shows would be up to the individual track. Some tracks, such as Madera and Eureka, are giving away the show for free on YouTube as it happens. You can also invest in the camera equipment as a way to market your track, but also to entice people to come out and watch. This is done with good camera work before the races that shows who is there and gets people jazzed up about coming out. You can do it with highlight packages advertising the next show or even special driver interviews. Even if you don't want to do the pay-per-view, this stuff can be useful in marketing the track and getting more people to come watch.

The biggest problem is what sort of negative impact is this going to have on getting people to come watch. Nothing replaces a night at the races, the sites, sounds and smells. The camaraderie. You don't get that by watching it on TV at home. Promoters are going to have to take a good look at making it as comfortable an experience as possible, and that means controlling the things they can. You can't control how the weather is going to be, for example, but you can control how much dust flies in the air in the people's faces. You can control the quality of the presentation with your announcers and how well the show is run. Do these things right, and you will have casual fans wanting to come watch along with the hardcore fans.

The bottom line is technology is forcing tracks to adapt. The technology is there for you to market it, and if you do it right, you can gain at the ticket booth. However, it's not going to come easy. You're going to have to work at this and not assume it's just going to be that way. It's a weekly process that takes dedication. You also have fans who just like to know what's going on at different venues and plan to come out only on special occasions. Because of all the streaming happening, pay-per-view and fans giving it away, they don't have to go to the track. Some don't even have to pay at all. The fact that you have scoring apps giving you a live peak is another thing to think about.

When you have a scoring app going live, whether it's My Race Pass or Race Monitor, somebody can simply open it up and watch where the cars are on any given lap. They may not see the car physically pass the other car, but they see the driver's name move up another position in real time. They get to find out what's happening. Though these are unofficial statistics, they are fairly accurate and getting better. Plus, you can see the full finishes officially posted later on. This is another thing that has an effect on the sport.

That last bit could also tie into more monetization. With a company like My Race Pass getting in there and doing people's websites, hosting the scoring app stats, helping sell tickets and all of that, they could get to a point where you're not seeing statistics unless you pay to see them. That is a possibility, even if we're not hearing them discuss it now. With the internet, I'm not sure how effective an idea like that would be. People are going to get what they want on the internet, and there are people out there willing to give it to them. In any case, live scoring apps do have an impact on things. They can keep the fans of the tracking informed, but they can also give people an incentive to not be at the track.

As tracks seem to be wanting to continue to do the internet pay-per-view, we're going to learn what sort of effect this will have on ticket sales. Are people going to be okay with paying $20 or $25 to watch a race on any given week from the comfort of their own homes? I still hear people saying how expensive it is to do that, but we saw what Flo Racing did with the $150 subscription fee. Last year, they were showing everything, and a lot of people realized the bargain they were getting and bought in. Flo has been more selective of what they put up there and what they don't, but you're still getting a lot. Flo actually forced some tracks to find another way to do the streaming.

Might the yearly subscription be a way for tracks to rope people into paying them money? I don't know what a fair price would be for a track like Antioch Speedway, for example. They are investing heavily in camera equipment, computers and that sort of thing, and they have about 30 races every year. What would be a good deal for a yearly subscription? Is $200 fair? $300? Who would pay that? Tracks might start looking at that, because if they can get a couple hundred people to commit that way, that's money they have coming in. Furthermore, not every fairgrounds track has a deal in place where the fairgrounds gets it cut of internet generated revenue.

You're going to get lots of good discussion about the state of racing. Long time fans certainly look at the sport and compare it to the glory days. Some people are saying it's a different sport and we need to look at new ways. Well, yes and no. Some things have to change over time. Technology changes and we adapt. The technology of the race car changes and that has affected what classes we run. Some divisions are doing all right. Obviously, we don't have a shortage of Modifieds or Sport Modifieds, and Sprint Cars are doing quite well. Californians have watched the Dirt Late Model disappear, and they are watching the Pro Stocks/Super Stocks fight for survival. Good things are happening thanks to the Tri State Pro Stock Series and what Roy Bain is doing, but that's still going to be a battle.

One style of racing that has ruled speedways in California and across the country for many years is Midget racing. While it isn't doing so well in California with either BCRA or USAC, Midget racing is alive and well in other parts of the country. The BCRA recently had a lively debate about what's going on with this group. Car count has faded so badly that there's a question about how much longer Midget racing will continue under the BCRA banner. What's interesting is the most recent debate started because somebody wanted to know if they were having a Hall of Fame picnic in August at Merced. That's been a tradition going back to the 1980s for the group, but once again the Hall of Fame gathering has been canceled.

If you go back far enough, you'll learn that the BCRA was sanctioning races at several different venues. They not only had a thriving Midget class for many years, they also sanctioned Hardtop racing. At the point they walked away from Hardtops, it wasn't a question of that division being dead. The numbers still weren't so bad, but I think they saw where things might be headed. I also think they saw that the Midgets were strong and they needed to focus on them. There's a lesson to be learned here. BCRA should focus on the Midgets first and the Lightning Sprints second. I would go so far as to say that in order to save the Midgets, maybe the Lightning Sprint group should be ejected from BCRA next.

I can see Lightning Sprint enthusiasts being offended by that statement, and first of all I don't care. I'm not against Lightning Sprint racing, but they certainly don't need the BCRA to sanction them in order for them to exist. One of the reasons BCRA brought them under their umbrella was the hope that this group would be a feeder class to bring new drivers into the Midgets, and that idea has failed miserably. They aren't feeding new drivers into the class, and therefore they've got a problem. You need drivers if you're Midget class is going to survive. When I look around, I see the best possibility of a feeder class being Micro Sprint racing. I know many of the drivers in their ranks see Sprint Car racing as the place to go, but not everybody. There's an opportunity here.

I asked the question recently, can the BCRA Midget division be saved. I don't know if it can at this point. It was mentioned in the thread how many of the good people who cared about Midget racing have died, and that's true. There have been some young drivers with lots of potential who have come out and done well with BCRA for a year or two, but they all get out. Nobody is sticking around with the BCRA to be the next Floyd Elvis or Glenn Carson. That is to say, nobody looks at the BCRA Midgets as a group that they want to run for the next 10 years, and that is a problem.

There are so many issues with this group that I don't know where to start. Promotion sucks with the BCRA. You need to get the rules under control. Cars are out there and they are parked. Obviously, if the car owners felt they could be competitive under the current rules, they'd be out there running. They aren't. Therefore, you've got a rules problem. This could be engines, suspension, tires. I'm sure you can make some adjustments here and there as a way to get people back on board. I am no rules expert. I'm merely pointing out that you need to come up with good enough rules that make people want to get out there and race.

BCRA is failing on all cylinders when it comes to Midgets. I don't know if the rules are acceptable, and they certainly aren't bringing the racers to the track. I'm not sure what the pay structure is, but obviously it's not an incentive. There certainly no promotion as a way to make make it attractive to anybody. I've been saying for a while that running pavement and dirt and splitting the roster has harmed the group as some racers become pavement only and some become dirt only. That's not helping. It's time to go back to the basics and address all of this stuff before it's too late. Will it happen? I don't know. At this point I don't think they need a big schedule, but I do think they need to focus on the dirt and promote the hell out of whatever dates they get. They have to come up with a good game plan that's attractive enough to get people on board again.

The thread in question started throwing daggers at the Western Midget Racing group, and I think that's misplaced. All that Mike McCluney did was take a look around and see what was happening. California wasn't successful with the Focus Midgets when they came on the scene over a decade ago. I doubt they ever had more than eight cars, and this was mostly a pavement deal. It just didn't work. On the other hand, when the Northwest group broke away from USAC and came under the leadership of Carla and Galen, the Northwest Focus Midgets went like gangbusters.

People are calling these cars lesser than. They are saying they are not true Midgets and other such nonsense. All I know is that when 20 Focus Midgets get on the track, people are seeing a good Midget race at any venue in Washington, or Oregon or wherever they go. Besides, I can remember when Don O'Keefe and I heard the same sort of stupid comments from people saying the Wingless SPEC Sprints were not real Sprint Cars. They were a bastard class and that sort of stuff. Fans want good racing, and SPEC Sprints were able to put full fields on the track. You do that, and you have a show.

Spare me the belittling of the Ecotec Midgets of the WMR. All McCluney did was see what was working in the Pacific Northwest and brought it to California. He made the pitch to John Prentice at Watsonville and Jim Naylor at Ventura. Obviously, good people like David Prickett got on board and it got started. Now, they generally aren't having fields of less than 10 cars, and they had 16 show up for the race in Ventura a couple of weeks ago. This thing has a legitimate chance of getting 20 cars on the track in California, and at that point nobody's going to care how an Ecotec Midget compares to a BCRA Midget.

You want to know what's going to matter to the fan? The WMR might bring 20 cars to the track, and the BCRA might struggle just to get 10 on a night that they aren't co-sanctioning with USAC. Don't blame the WMR for finding a different way to promote the class and get more people involved. Besides, they've noticed something I pointed out here in this column. Drivers in the 600 Micro Sprint ranks are looking for opportunities to go beyond those cars, and the WMR offers a more affordable way for them to do it. That's what really matters.

I can guarantee you that promoters like Prentice and Naylor simply want something that's going to put cars on the track. There's a reason BCRA isn't being booked at Watsonville, and it has a bit to do with the fact that they couldn't put a good car count on the track. In Prentice you have an open wheel minded promoter, and he's very receptive to doing something in that vein if it can get him cars. The Winged 360 Sprint Cars are king at Watsonville these days, and the WMR offers John an opportunity to do different things with his schedule. This class is growing, and any shots BCRA enthusiasts might take at the WMR are petty and pointless.

If the BCRA wants to get their house in order with the Midgets, then they have to decide what it is they want to be as an organization. Is BCRA about the Midgets? Well, it has been for some 80 years now. If they could kick a Hardtop division out when it had big car counts, they can certainly kick the Lightning Sprints out with the meager car counts that they produce. All resources in the BCRA could then be geared towards righting the ship with the Midgets, and you'd still have the Vintage Midget group to show the cars of yesterday. It will take a lot of work to save the BCRA. I don't think it's impossible, but I'm starting to become doubtful that there's enough resolve in the group to even begin to fix this deal.

Heading into last weekend, a few tracks were clarifying their 4th of July weekend plans. In Cottage Grove, they hatched this deal called the Freedom Cup a few years ago. It was centered around the IMCA Sport Modifieds, but it became an IMCA Sport Modified, IMCA Modified and Todd's Auto Body Limited Sprint show. It's a three-day weekend deal where all three classes pay their regular purse for the events themselves. However, there will be weekend point series money for all three, and it's pretty good money. The champion can pocket $1,000, the runner-up will get $700 and even 10th place gets $100 in all three classes. I think Heather Boyce had a plan when she sort of bucked the idea of getting the IMCA Sport Modifieds as part of the Wild West Speedweek Series a few years ago. She wanted to create something in house, and she's certainly done that.

Promoters will be forced to adjust schedules on the fly. That's becoming more the norm these days than it was a decade or so ago. It used to be the schedule was booked and it would have to be something big to get the promoter to change things. Now, it's unusual track if you haven't adjusted the schedule a few times during the season. A couple of weeks ago, Petaluma Speedway decided the add the Butler Auto Glass IMCA Modifieds at the very last minute and even made it a point race where none was originally scheduled. That annoyed some racers, but all the regulars still supported the race. Furthermore, people came on board and sponsored a rather nice purse, and they ended up with 13 cars that night. That wasn't a spectacular car count, but it was better than average for them.

With a little time on his side, Promoter Rick Faeth has upped the ante for July 3rd. His IMCA Modifieds will race for $1,000 to win, $750 for second, $600 for third and a minimum of $200 to take the green. With a little bit more time to promote this thing and the fact that there's not much else happening in the area for this class, I think Rick is hoping he might see the numbers get into the 20s this time. I have to say that I think this division has been somewhat neglected by management in recent years, so it's nice to see this sort of thing happening. I still feel Petaluma needs to begin to make a move into IMCA Sport Modifieds in 2022, even if just booking the minimum schedule of four dates for a little track championship.

The IMCA Modifieds were scheduled for July 3rd, so it's just the increased purse that is the adjustment here. However, the track had the Winged 360 Sprint Cars scheduled as well. Petaluma hasn't done spectacular numbers with their regular shows in this class in the last few years. I think they may have been hoping to get a decent number for this race, but they realized that they were booked on top of the Sprint Car Challenge Tour race that was scheduled at the Stockton Dirt Track that night, along with the Hunt Wingless Sprint Series.

There was no question what Rick was going to do as a big supporter of the Sprint Car Challenge Tour. He pulled his local class and put the Sparky's Collision Center 600 Micros in their place. There's plenty of notice for this deal, and there is more incentive for the drivers to get those cars ready. They've added an additional $500 to the purse that night. I do find it interesting that Petaluma is running something on 4th of July weekend. In recent years, they've been one of the tracks that's been dark for the holiday weekend, but they've decided to take a shot here.

Southern Oregon Speedway reaffirmed the Battle of the Border CDA Late Model race for July 3rd. It's paying $2,500 to win among a very nice purse. Willamette Speedway put it on their site that they were having a $1,500 to win and $150 minimum to start Late Model race on the same night. Considering Willamette drivers are more likely to come down to Medford than the Cottage Grove drivers have been in recent years, this could be seen as a slap in the face. You obviously want to put $2,500 up and get a big car count, and I'm curious what will happen. The division has all but died in California, and if the Cottage Grove drivers don't come and visit and the locals don't get their cars ready, where are the cars going to come from? Maybe a few cars come from Coos Bay, but I'm not sure who it will be.

This might be a case where the track could throw something in there to augment the car count, but what do you add? I don't think management is going to add IMCA Sport Modifieds, which would be the logical solution. They've got a big event at Cottage Grove, and the weekend is all about IMCA Sport Modifieds in Yreka. They could add IMCA Modifieds, but they have the big event in Cottage Grove and wouldn't deliver the count the Sport Modifieds would have. Medford would probably still get 15 or so Sport Modifieds even booked on top of Cottage Grove. Dwarf cars are off the table because they are booked in Yreka, so what exactly could be booked in Medford to put a decent number on the track? They will have Outlaw Pro Stocks and Late Model Lites in support. Even if they added Mini Stocks, which I don't think would be a bad idea, how many cars are we talking?

This is the trouble with putting the money up when you don't know what you're going to get. I hope it works out for Medford, and I see Sunset Speedway in Banks, Oregon taking a big risk. It's $5,000 to win on July 4th for IMCA Stock Cars. While this division might be ready for such a race in other parts of the country, is the West Coast ready for it, and that can they produce a number worthy of such a purse?

I hope Yreka Promoter Kevin Barba realizes how fortunate he is that Medford's new management is more willing to work with him. There isn't a lot that Medford can gain in terms of car count by working with the track not far south of them, but Yreka can certainly gain. One thing they are hoping for on the July 3rd and 4th weekend is that the drivers who don't want to go to Cottage Grove in the IMCA Sport Modified ranks might head down to Yreka for a shot at the $500 to win on Saturday or Sunday. However, I think they're really hoping to get a car count pop from the Southern Oregon Dwarf Car visit on Saturday night. They'll also have Mini Stocks and Jefferson State Jalopies. The Dwarf Cars won't be back on Sunday, but the three division show will also include a nice fireworks display.

Special weekend events will happen at Marysville on July 2nd and Silver Dollar Speedway July 4th, complete with fireworks shows. Marysville will have the Winged 360 Sprints, Winged Crate Sprints, Pepsi IMCA Sport Modifieds and Limited Late Models. Chico will have the Winged 360 Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hobby Stocks. It's interesting to note that Placerville Speedway will be doing a fireworks show and race on July 4th against Chico, featuring Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprints, Limited Late Models and Pure Stocks.

On the pavement of Lakeport, they are going to have Bombers, Limited Modifieds, Jammers, Bandoleros and Vintage Midgets on July 3rd, while those divisions head to Ukiah a night later. Looking at the tracks' social media sites, it looks like they will have fireworks shows on both nights. Merced Speedway is actually doing a July 3rd Race, featuring IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Mini Stocks, Mini Late Models and the Valley Sportsman class. There will be no fireworks show, but there will be concessions stands will he open for the fans this time.

The Sportsman division is a class that's unique to Merced Speedway, although the Hardtop groups have been welcoming them to the tracks they visit. Merced brought the old Sportsman class back beginning in 1999. Fans at any Antioch Speedway, Merced Speedway and Watsonville Speedway in the 1970s enjoyed this class back then. They have some very nice looking cars. It seems like Management's interest in this group has declined, but there seems to be a movement to get these cars ready to try and show that they still belong. It's possible they could hit a double digit turnout this weekend, and I hope that turns out to be the case. One thing I like is there seems to be some social media effort to try to rally these guys.

 

Negativity seems to be in full swing. We all have answers and opinions, even when they're not asked for. I'll include myself in that. Though I try to not be too negative or to at least offer solutions when I'm being critical, some would say I'm just being a jerk. I've heard quite a few things going on behind the scenes at Antioch Speedway. Considering how I feel about certain things, it might be tempting for me to elaborate and offer my opinion, but I'm not going to do that. From a racing program standpoint, I've been talking about things that need to be taken care of, and I think management has been made aware that they need to fix some of these issues.

There was a bit of grumpiness behind the scenes at Watsonville on Friday. Consider this part of entering the dog days of summer. As the temperatures change and heat up in some places, so did the tempers. Watsonville again had a good turnout of Winged 360 Sprint Cars, and I'm sure management had to be pleased with that. Tom Sagmiller is preparing a really nice racing surface, and the racing is good. Despite people being critical of the purse and that sort of thing in the IMCA Sport Modifieds, they delivered 14 cars and the WMR Midgets and South Bay Dwarf card again had double digit shows. Watsonville will be one of those tracks going dark during the holiday, and Friday was a good way to go into the break.

Since I noticed that Delta Speedway in Stockton had a race going on Friday night and were using Race Monitor, I decided to give them a little bit of coverage. It seems Dixon Speedway isn't the only track that goes into the early morning hours as it was pushing 1:00 am when Delta Speedway finally had the final checkered flag wave. The excuse may be the nearly 120 cars they had across four divisions, including three divisions that needed at least one B Main. One thing that seems to be happening more with the Micro Sprints and the four tracks that are big players in California is cooperation. With Dixon not running, this was an opportunity for Delta to shine. My only criticism is it can't be very fan friendly when you are taking that long to get the show done. Even with the big car count, you have to keep it moving.

It seemed like everything was going pretty well when I started working on this column, but then Saturday happened. The heat got pretty bad in this trailer, and then the internet was malfunctioning. I wasn't able to monitor a lot of stuff in real time, and eventually I just said screw it. I knew I was going to spend Sunday getting caught up with my notes for whatever articles, and that day was even hotter in here. Overall, it was a miserable weekend. I have to say I completely understand why promoters would pull the plug on races due to heat.

Orland Raceway made the decision not to run on Saturday. That one slipped under my radar. I was aware of the four tracks in Oregon that canceled. It hasn't been a particularly good year for Orland when it comes to car count as it is, so knowing they were facing 110° weather made it easy. Hardcore fans are the ones who will complain the most, but there simply isn't enough of them to pay the bills at the track. You need casual fans who will show up on Saturday night simply because it's entertaining to them. I can assure you, most casual fans have no interest in going to a race in 110° weather.

Obviously, you're going to have hero promoters who go for it. They want to win those points with the racers who expect the race to happen as well as the hardcore fans. However, that can be a mixed bag as well. Cottage Grove Speedway had the biggest car count of 22 cars for the IMCA Sport Modified Ralph Bloom Memorial. Looks like they had some disqualifications. Not sure what went down there as I write this. The Dwarf Car bonanza didn't really occur. I thought there would be a count in the 30s, but they hit 18. There were six Late Models and six Street Stocks. I'm sure the heat didn't help. I'll get back to Cottage Grove in a moment.

Marysville faced some hotter than normal temperatures, and they went for it. The promoter was allowing people to bring in water, but they still couldn't bring an ice chest. So basically, you could have hot water if you wanted, but you had to pay the track for cold water. Gotcha. They did get 18 Sprint Cars, 10 Crate Sprints, the usual 20 or so Hobby Stocks and less than 10 BCRA Lightning Sprints. They had about what cars they would have had regardless of the weather. I couldn't tell you how the grandstands looked for that one.

One of the happiest promoters in California for Saturday had to be Jim Naylor. He's definitely dealing with the initial effects that some tracks had the moment they could open the grandstands without restrictions. He had USAC West Coast 360 Sprints. The good news for the track and USAC is there were 23 of those cars. The stands looked pretty full. With five other open wheel classes, these guys delivered about 85 cars. It's the second open wheel show that performed well for Ventura this year, and I'm happy for Jim. He lost an entire year because of the covid BS. One thing I will say about Jim is he gets pretty excited on the microphone. I knew he'd been running that track for a long time, but I didn't realize he started back in 1978. Where does the time go?

The NMRA TQ Midgets had eight cars, and one thing I noticed was just how close of a race they had at the front. Most of those cars are very competitive, and there were no yellow flags. Lots of respect on the track between those drivers. The WMR Midgets had 18 cars. It was nice seeing an IMCA Mod Lites race and the local Dwarf Cars. The Mod Lites got a little bit rough, and the Dwarf Cars had one of the best finishes of the night. The WMR Midgets and the Sprint Cars had exciting Main Event racing. Plus, Trevor Fitzgibbon's high outside groove pass in the last turn to steal a win away from Dave Phipps in the IMCA Modifieds. The show of the week was in Ventura Saturday night.

The little Southern Oregon Speedway Outlaw Kart track opened on Friday night. I wasn't looking for results so I could write an article. There's so much on my plate that I'm not really looking to cover the Karts anywhere this year. However, I was curious how the new management would do. With all the changes and improvements at the track, what would happen? I can't find the results anywhere as I write this, but there was drone footage of 10 Open Outlaw 500 Karts. I'm always known they had the potential for that, but the drivers would rather keep their Karts parked than support what we were doing for the four years I was there. It was an adversarial attitude from the start, which will be covered a bit in my forthcoming book.

I knew they were going to see a pop in car count, so I suspect that the other divisions performed well. The fact that they were able to have an Open Kart race at all is already an improvement, let alone getting 10 of them. We'll see how things go over time. I don't wish them any animosity, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated with some of the attitudes. All I know is I did my best in the time I was there, and anybody who says otherwise, well, I'll be nice. One thing I've noticed is certain teams no longer supporting Yreka now that they have the keys to the gates in Medford. Funny how they wanted unity between the two tracks while we were running the place, and now it's every man for themselves.

I noticed on social media that Southern Oregon Speedway put up a post recommending all the IMCA Modifieds and Sport Modifieds go to Cottage Grove for the Freedom Cup. This big three-day event will also feature the Limited Sprints. How nice. The official Southern Oregon Speedway page was hyping up another track's race. What's cool is it was reciprocated with Cottage Grove Speedway letting everybody know that the big Late Model race is happening at Southern Oregon Speedway. I am aware of Willamette Speedway offering pretty good money on the same night for their Late Models, which was not a move I thought was very nice as Medford had the date first.

In any case, you'll get the Medford support you might normally get at Cottage Grove. Everybody loves mecca, so there will be guys from all three of Medford's divisions supporting Cottage Grove. What we don't generally see is any meaningful support coming from Cottage Grove racers to Medford. They just stay home. If the current management can change that trend, it would definitely be a good thing for Southern Oregon Speedway. Time will tell.

Siskiyou Golden Speedway in Yreka raced in over 100° temperatures last Saturday, and the car count showed it. I'm not sure how fan attendance was, but nothing on the roster produced a double-digit turnout. I could go negative here when I look at some of this stuff, but I'm going to compliment a positive aspect of Yreka that could actually help them in the long run. You see, they had an addition to the Saturday night roster fall into their laps during the week.

It turns out some of the Redwood Acres Raceway Roadrunner drivers actually live in Redding, so going to Yreka and running on the dirt is an option. Seven of these cars, which can be compared to Hornets or IMCA Sport Compacts, made the trip and added a little something to a show that needed it. From everything I've heard, the drivers had fun and want to come back. The track is now talking about starting an official division here, which should have been done years ago. I'm hearing the date July 17th being mentioned as the next visit for these drivers. The seven cars they had, in addition to the seven IMCA Sport Modifieds, nine Mini Stocks and five Jefferson State Jalopies, helped give the fans a better show. Yeah, I know the combined total car count here was less than 30 for four divisions, but still.

The idea I had in mind was for Yreka management to put it out there that any division that's not normally on their roster that can produce six commitments to come race could get a date added. The purse would be negotiable based on what division we are talking about, but this opens the door to possibilities for the track to have Crate Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks or what have you. All they need to know is there are six drivers committed, which gives them a heat, dash and Main Event. It's something more for the fans to look at.

You see, when you don't have a big car count in any class, you might go ahead and take five of these cars and six of those. When Mike McCann first took over Southern Oregon Speedway, he had a total car count he wanted in the pits. If that meant he had to book six or seven divisions to get it in that first year, that's what he did. Yreka ought to look at that way of doing things. The idea would still be to grow your classes to the point where you don't have to run as many. However, if the numbers aren't up in those classes, book whatever you need to give the fans a decent show. I'm glad the Roadrunner class went over so well, but then again, I knew it would. Hopefully some Medford area racers show up to support it next time.

Speaking of Medford racers, I have one final pitch for Yreka. This doesn't have anything to do with it, but I do hope the Medford Hornet drivers go to Yreka if any more of these Roadrunner races happen. It might be in those drivers best interest to establish that as an option. In any case, the Medford drivers are the reason the Mini Stock division is getting any traction in Yreka. That class is in transition as established names like Terry Kendrick and Mike Whitaker have moved on, replaced by newcomers like Logan McKnight, Michael Knuckles and Connor Franklin. I like that the young drivers are getting in there and the Medford drivers are willing to support, but the Mini Stocks should be given one reward race for hanging with this track through thick and thin.

I don't have the history in front of me, but the Mini Stocks had the blowout race for several years, and it was renamed after Mike Caveye Jr a few years ago. This division only runs with half the field getting a purse and the other half getting nothing, which I greatly dislike. One of the things we did in Medford was make sure every division paid every spot that started in the Main Event in the four years that Mike ran the place, and that even included the Hornets. Maybe it was just $10 or $20 to take the green, but the drivers appreciated it. Why can't the Mini Stocks get $20 minimum to take the green in Yreka? I can think of no good reason.

I believe the Mini Stocks should have a blowout race. Put the Mike Caveye Jr Memorial race on the schedule, and they could even book it at the final point event on September 25th. This would give them time to put it out there and maybe even attract a driver or two from outside of Yreka or Medford. We wanted to put a big race on in Medford, and Claudia Linker was the one trying to find the sponsorship to help us out. Sadly, we never pursued that to conclusion as the covid-19 shut down kept Medford from opening. We wanted to do it.

If they can do races for $800 to win in the Sport Modifieds and even more for other classes, I'm thinking a $500 to win race might be in order for this blowout that could hypothetically happen on September 25th. What I posted on Twitter was $500 to win, $300 for second, $150 for third, and $50 minimum to start. One race for these guys, and if you hype it early enough, I'm thinking that somewhere in the 10-16 car range is possible just between Yreka and Medford. Maybe even guys like Tom Davis come to town from further south? In any case, the Mini Stocks have been the MVP the last two weeks, and Kevin Barba should be looking into rewarding them if at all possible.

I hate being critical of a promoter who's paying the money he advertises no matter what the car count is, but I have to say something about Tony Noceti and the date he booked at Stockton Dirt Track for last Saturday. I already knew he wasn't going to get much of a car count, but I was trying to put the word out and be optimistic. The date he canceled a couple of weeks ago for whatever reason was the one that would have seen the car count. He wasn't booked against anything significant that would have taken the cars from him. Alas, that one had to be canceled, but he was dead set on running this one.

We already know that Tony was going up against Placerville's Carnett Clash and the Hetrick Memorial race at Antioch. I think he might have drawn a couple of cars out of Antioch, but even the numbers there weren't as good as I'm sure management would have hoped. They had about 20 Sport Modifieds and a little bit more in the Hobby Stocks. That's the good news. I think there were nine IMCA Modifieds, and Bakersfield didn't do much better with a big purse getting them 13 Modifieds. Interesting. Dog days of summer or something more? Antioch had bigger issues as they dumped new clay on the track during the week, and it was still dusty. They will be doing more work during the break to fix that, and I hope they fix it right.

Placerville's Carnett Clash was more about the stock car portion of their roster. $2,500 to win the Limited Late Models delivered them 17 cars and a win for Bobby Hogge IV. He only shows up for the money, and I think he was driving a Guglielmoni car on this occasion. There were 16 Pure Stocks for $1,250 to win, so the numbers did go up a little bit. Add the full field of Thompson's Auto Group Winged 360 Sprints and NorCal Dwarf Cars, and they did pretty well. The weather wasn't as hot as it was at other places, and I think the races were attended pretty well this time.

The bottom line is Stockton had drivers who might have supported them otherwise competing at Placerville, Antioch and Marysville, and I think Tony was probably well aware of that. I like that he is putting up a guaranteed purse and honoring it no matter what the car count is. This is an effective tactic when you're trying to establish something. However, if you don't do a sufficient enough job of putting the word out about what you're doing, it doesn't matter. In other words, how many racers knew what the payout was going to be? Don't tell me that it's always been that way with Tony, because you still have to drill it into people's heads with a continued media effort.

The track's social media effort was non existent, and I don't know what sort of articles or other hype went out there. I'm guessing none as I don't think that Tony has hired anybody for media relations. With all of the stuff he's doing at the Stockton Dirt Track and Stockton 99 Speedway, this is an important component. You want to do everything you can to get as many people to show up, drivers and fans. As I said on Twitter, it boggles my mind how so many promoters don't put any value on media. Then, they wonder why they have five divisions that can't produce a sufficient car count or don't get the fans. I'm still looking for more details on this race as I write this on Monday.

Doug Lockwood sent me a message on Saturday showing off the brand new scoreboard they put in at Merced Speedway. I like it. There's even a space for a premium sponsor to have their billboard posted. They've had the same old scoreboard for 30 years, and it's been a chore keeping that functional. The elements eventually get to your scoreboards and then you constantly have to have an electrician come out and fix them. A new one was needed, and Lockwood and S and S Promotions has been dedicated to making these sorts of improvements. I like it.

They will be taking a shot at a July 3rd race. I think Merced has stayed away from these weekends in recent years, but they are taking a low risk approach. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will headline this along with IMCA Stock Cars, Mini Stocks, Mini Late Models and the Valley Sportsman division. The purse isn't going to be too high for an event like this, so they figure maybe it's a low enough risk. The good news is they can sell concessions to the fans this time. I don't know how the IMCA Stock Cars are going to do with the big $5,000 to win affair happening at Sunset Speedway in Oregon on Sunday.

I've voiced my disappointment that the Valley Sportsman division isn't on the schedule six or seven times as they usually are. This will be the second of four events for the group, but the track is still keeping a point list for them. I think the drivers finally realized that they better organize and try to get as many cars as they can. So far, they have been using a Facebook page to get drivers to go to the various Hardtop races, and there were four drivers split amongst the two events this last week, which I'll get to in a moment.

The drivers like racing at this quarter-mile bullring, and they wouldn't even have a class if it wasn't for the late Chuck Griffin and Luis Miranda doing what they did to put the rule book out and restart the division back in 1999. I've had a debate with Luis about how many cars are out there, and he says 16. I think it's in the low 20s, though I'm still figuring that all out. We know we've had at least a dozen different cars compete in the last few years, and I have no problem finding the 16 cars that Luis claims. There have been nine cars to compete so far this year and Mark Odgers plans to be ready with the 10th car this Saturday. This means they could reach double digits, and the Hardtops are welcome from what I've heard.

My hope is that Doug will find another place to put these guys on the schedule before the year is up. We're not talking about more than two heats and a Main Event, so it's not like they are a drain on the time. Actually, I'd like Doug to reestablish Legends Night, which is something that Doug Williams introduced to the schedule not quite 10 years ago. It was a night for the old timers to come out there and get recognition. My hope when speaking with the late Ed Parker was that we could turn that into a Hall of Fame night, but that never materialized. I think it's good to have a night that honors the track's heritage. We'll see if that is something Lockwood might consider in the future.

Madera Speedway Promoter Kenny Shepherd had his fifth MavTV Series taping last Saturday, and once again the race was given away for free on the track's YouTube page. They have the Super Chat function, but I think they may have been lucky to get $10 out of it on this occasion. I thought they'd do better than that. It won't surprise me if this is something that goes away at the end of the year unless Kenny is making so much money from sponsorship through his TV deal that he decides to keep it around as a way to interact with people all over the world. In any case, the show was given away for free, and they had a good group of Nut Up Pro Late Models and 51fifty Energy Drink Junior Late Models.

The one thing Kenny has done to rehabilitate the program at Madera is build up a thriving Late Model show that people want to watch. Families with kids who are rising up the ranks in their careers know that Madera is the place for them to get Late Model laps. There's a program in place to make sure the kids have what it takes, and though I'm not a big fan of kids that young racing Late Models, I feel Madera does it the right way. What's interesting is the other promoters looking around at what Kenny is doing and trying the same thing. I'm aware that it's happening across the country, but when it starts happening closer to home, I'm sure Shepherd might be just a little bit nervous.

Since being dropped by NASCAR, the Southwest Tour found a new home under the SRL banner, and they continue to bring car counts in the 20s. A few years ago, they added a Modifieds Series, which I'd also classify as a good move. I was a bit surprised when I heard that they added a Pro Late Model class this year, which is basically using the Madera rules. There are plenty of pavement Late Model drivers to draw from in California and surrounding states. However, I can't help but notice that there are drivers in that group who would have otherwise supported Madera. When you're a promoter running a successful program, you notice things like this.

Kenny might be aware of that, and I'm sure he's also aware that Bill MacAnally is trying to do a big Junior Late Model race on August 14th that will pay $1,000 to win. Bill is big with the ARCA West Series as a car owner and promoter, and he has something going on there where he's training the next young driver to get an opportunity in that series. He's been dabbling in Junior Late Models for a few years, but I don't think he is getting more than four cars on any given night. Obviously, he's looking for more drivers this time around. As he doesn't have them in his ranks, this will depend on the Madera drivers showing some support. Promoters are going to copy each other when they see something working, so I'm not surprised by this.

As I've been saying, it's all about Late Models at Madera. If they didn't have something good happening with that division, the track would be in a lot of trouble. When he's not hosting a MavTV Series race for the Nut Up Series, the Madera Late Model show can generally bring a double-digit car count. I know Kenny has to look around and keep an eye on what other tracks are doing with this class and stay ahead of the game. The other thing I don't think I've remarked on too much concerns Club Races. 

This latest MavTV Series race was enjoyable. I think that the kids in the Junior Late Model class can benefit from every lap they can get, and it just surprises me that so few of them come to do the exhibition race that Kenny offers them on certain Club Race nights. You're telling me your kid already has the skills without more practice? I'm not buying that, and just as the Madera Late Model show is low pressure for those drivers, an exhibition Junior Late Model race would also be low pressure. Rebecca Dubie is the only driver doing it, and she'll benefit from those laps in the long run.

Allow me to skate past Antioch Speedway way by acknowledging the Hetrick race. As I said, I'm not sure what's going on with the Modifieds, but I can almost hear John Soares laughing in the background. It's not because he wants to see Chad Chadwick fail, but because of all the talk that the IMCA sanctioning was going to get all of the cars. The Modifieds had nine cars, and that would have probably been the same regardless of sanctioning. Don't get me wrong, I'm still on board with sanctioning the track, but you have to point these things out. The Hobby Stock and Sport Modified car counts saved the show, because once again the Bay Area Hardtops laid an egg.

I was so confident that the Bay Area Hardtops would not produce a car count that I refused to get any hope up that things would be different. I said to myself that they'd show me on race day what they have, and what they showed was two Hardtops and two Sportsman cars. If not for them allowing the Sportsman class, two Hardtops would have shown up. Up the road in Placerville, they had six cars, four of them Hardtops and two of them Sportsman cars. They were a bit lighter than I thought they might be.

The Bay Area Hardtop group sprang from the notion that the people who founded it did not like the leadership of John Philbert. Fair enough. I've always said if you don't want to do it that way, start your own thing. It's the same premise with the people who don't like the Legends of Kearney Bowl Super Modifieds or in some cases think they should race them. You're going to get what you get out of the LOKB. They produce the car count and do some really cool things in the community, and I want them to keep doing it the way they feel good about. The ones that want to race these cars or do it differently need to get a half-dozen people on board and start it themselves. That hasn't happened yet, and I doubt it will.

With the Hardtops, you have enough people in the Bay Area to make something happen with Tommy Thomson, Dave Mackey and Ken Retzloff founding the group in 2016 around the revived Chet Thomson Memorial race, which started at Vallejo Speedway. What I never heard after that was any sort of plan. Are they going to run for points? Are they racing or just exhibition? Do they want to run for a purse? What defines a Hardtop? There were no answers coming from these guys, just the occasional criticism of John Philbert. Hey, I enjoy that pastime as well as I've gone on record as not being a big fan of John's.

What I noticed was after the Junkyard Dog of Doug Braudrick was driven to victory at Antioch by Joel Hannagan again, Doug did the sportsman thing and congratulated Ron Ruiz on his win at Placerville. Somebody had to get in there and take a shot at the way the CHA runs things. Was he only allowed to pass on the outside? You know what? The CHA as a group can do things as they see fit, and the drivers will either support them or not. The Bay Area group needs to get their priorities straight, get their house in order and show us if they think they can do it better. Right now, all they are is a bunch of complainers in the Bay Area who aren't really advancing the product in a meaningful way compared to what they should be doing by now.

I was aware of the fact that there were people in the CHA who felt that some of the driving was rough by people who were passing on the inside at the previous race in Placerville. I'm not going to say I'm an advocate of the rule they put in about only passing on the outside. I have to say sometimes the blame can come from a guy driving down on a guy who is passing on inside. Then again, these guys are doing exhibition racing and don't want any contact. I can respect that, and I know they want to keep these beautiful cars looking good. The only other thing I can point out is after watching the footage of Placerville, it very much looked like an exhibition and not a race. Maybe casual fans can't tell the difference.

If I can bring it back to the Sportsman division for a minute, I will say I endorse these guys getting their own house in order, reestablishing their spot on the roster at Merced Speedway and making it pop. Merced has been willing to pay these guys a purse, points and all of that. Why would you want to walk away from that? Maybe Doug has gotten a little disillusioned because the numbers haven't been what he hoped, but the Sportsman drivers are already doing something about it by organizing a bit on Facebook to put the word out. I'm looking at July 3rd with optimism, and I hope that they can hit double digits. Everything seems to be telling me that they can.

As I mentioned above, there's something to be said about booking multiple classes to get the cars in your pits. This became a trend back in the 1990s, and I admit I wasn't fond of it. Petaluma Speedway created the All Pro Series out of necessity, or the displaced Baylands racers wouldn't have had a home. Yeah, they had 150 cars in the pits and it was an amazing show. However, you had tracks that were already getting 60 or 70 cars for a full program, and they were adding a new division here or there. I call it divisionitis. All that was doing was splitting up the car counts as drivers realized they couldn't compete in this class and built a car for the other class. There is good and bad that comes from that.

When you're struggling to even get 10 cars in any class, however, you do what you've got to do. I mentioned this about Yreka, but I'll bring it over to Coos Bay Speedway. They've been running six classes on any given night for as long as I can remember, but that's so that they give people a taste of this and that. They might only have six Street Stocks or eight Late Models, but for the people in that area of the world, at least it's racing. Even with cooler temperatures and other Oregon tracks canceling, they didn't really get a pop last weekend. Saturday's numbers seemed a bit bigger than what they had on Sunday. Still, racing went on, and this remains a NASCAR sanctioned dirt track.

Drake Nelson insists on trying to get some Modified and Sport Modified races, but IMCA insists on not sanctioning them. I can't emphasize enough how much I don't like that IMCA won't let them in. I don't think Coos Bay is looking to run these classes nearly as much as their regular stuff, but Drake would like to have them four or five times a year when he can fit them in. Generally, he likes to do this when most of the other tracks are doing nothing. This way, he gives the IMCA members an opportunity to go racing some place else for what would be State, Regional and National points if IMCA would let them in. Furthermore, four races at Coos Bay would make it an official track championship.

Drake created the Gambler Modified race because he couldn't get into the Wild West Speedweek Series, but he's kept it going. Without the sanctioning, unfortunately, he only had about a half-dozen cars in each Modified class. He was advertising $1,000 to win the Modifieds and $500 to win the Sport Modifieds, but he wanted 12 cars for that to be the case. I'm sure the payout went down, but Drake could have made a big statement by paying the bigger purse and then letting everybody know on social media what he had done. Then again, pay out doesn't matter to a lot of the Oregonians when it comes to their Modified classes. If it ain't sanctioned, they ain't coming.

The plan this week will be to cover what we can, but we need a functioning internet to do it. I'm not going to put up with weekends like the one we just had too much before I pull the plug. It's one thing when it's stressful to do the stuff. I have at times thrived on the stress when doing the media effort. When it becomes no fun and just aggravating, I need to take a good hard look at what's going on. I'll look into ways I can fix the internet signal here, but I don't know what I can really do about it. I guess we'll have to see.

Tracks are doubling down on the action this weekend with three races at Cottage Grove, two at at Sunset Speedway and Diamond Mountain Speedway and a weekend where there's a race at Lakeport and then another race at Ukiah. Santa Maria has the USAC/CRA Sprint Cars for the Doug Fort Memorial. There's plenty to keep an eye on, and we'll do our best. It's already starting to get warm here as I am writing my first thoughts on Monday. There is lots of work to be done if I'm going to keep some semblance of a schedule.

I'm doing my best to stay on top of things and try to get stuff done in a timely manner. I'm keeping this week to week, but if I get to the end of the point season, that's fine. I'm really wanting to get the book out there to the public, so I'm anxious to not burn out and get started on the editing process as soon as possible. It helps me when I get this media effort done as quickly as possible, so I'm going to end this column here. Until next time...