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2nd Annual Larry Damitz Memorial Race On Tap
At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...Antioch Speedway roars back into action this Saturday night with an exciting six division All Star Series program honoring the late Larry Damitz. Featured divisions this weekend include the Wingless Spec Sprints, A Modified, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars.
In recent seasons, the division of choice for Damitz, who was racing well into his 80s, was the Limited Late Models. In his final seven seasons at Antioch, he won five championships and finished second in those other two seasons. He won over 50 Main Events in his illustrious career at Antioch Speedway alone, and he was also recently inducted into the Vallejo Sports Hall Of Fame.
For The Limited Late Model racers, this event is for them. They spent many years trying to beat the orange and blue #15 car, wheeled impressively by Damitz. Last season, it was Kimo Oreta taking the wheel and making sure the Sun Drop Racing team maintained their championship status. Though he was very consistent and won multiple races, he still had to fight off the challenges of 2013 champion Jim Freethy and Mark Garner.
Freethy and Garner are both expected to contend for this year's championship. Garner was doing double division duty last season, but he has put his B Modified up for sale in order to focus on his Limited Late Model effort. The man who has won more Main Events in this division at Antioch than anybody else, Mike Gustafson, will be another driver to watch out for. He was a two-time feature winner last season. Chris Long is anticipated in the John Keith car, and other drivers to watch for include John Evans, Lori Brown, Chad Hammer, Jeff Kendrick and Ryan Cherezian.
The A Modified division kicked off their 2018 season two weeks ago with Nick DeCarlo scoring the impressive victory. DeCarlo tends to bounce from track to track, but he has championships to his credit at Watsonville and Petaluma. A decision on Nick's behalf to compete for the Antioch crown would certainly make him a top threat. Reigning champion Bobby Motts Jr notched the second place finish at the opener as he attempts a title defense. Five time division champion Scott Busby has his eyes on a track record 73 career feature wins, and other drivers to watch for this week include Sean O'Gara, rookie Buddy Kniss, hard charger Trent Wentworth, Mike Salazar and Bobby Montalvo.
Fred Ryland might have been a surprise entrant at the opener as he was the 2017 Merced Speedway champion. However, he picked up right where he left off with another Antioch win. The 2015 Antioch champion, who also has a Hobby Stock championship to his credit, is rapidly approaching 50 career feature wins. Ryland's presence in the field makes things very interesting and helps make Antioch one of the most exciting B Modified programs in the state. Other drivers to watch for in the field include 2016 champion Trevor Clymens, 2017 champion KC Keller, past Street Stock champion Todd Gomez, past Hobby Stock champion Guy Ahlwardt and Tommy Fraser.
The Wingless Spec Sprint division enters its 20th season on the roster, and it appears as if 2004 champion Bob Newberry has his sights set on the championship. Newberry won more Main Events than anybody last season before settling for third in the standings. Another driver to keep an eye on is the only driver to have competed in all 20 seasons in this division, 2017 runnerup Rick Panfili. A competitive group of racers in this class includes Alan Miranda, Roy Fisher, Shannon Newton, Brandon Burd, Abigail Gonderman, Adam Teves, James East and Bryan Grier, who hasn't officially said if he's attempting a title defense this year.
The Hobby Stock division continues to have a strong presence at the speedway. In the opener, Michael Cooper looked very impressive in scoring the win, leaving the battle for second between reigning champion Cameron Swank and 2010 champion Chris Sorensen. Past Super Hobby Stock and Figure 8 champion Jim Robbins threw his hat into the ring this year and looked very fast in the opener. Likewise, Billy Garner also figures to be in line for his first career feature win. Other drivers to watch for this week include Jordan Swank, Travis Tabucchi, Ricky Foster, Josh Leach, Russell Shearer and Haley Gomez.
There was plenty of disappointment to go around in the Dwarf Car community after the rain out canceled what was sure to be a big event last week. Regardless, Mike Corsaro enters the season as the reigning champion. Corsaro may very well be the driver to beat this year as he has become very consistent in recent seasons. David Michael Rosa is knocking on the door to his first career feature win and may be another driver to watch in the championship hunt. Other drivers to watch for this week include last season's top rookie, Devan Kammermann, Brian Gray, David Rosa, Charlie Correia and 2016 champion Kevin Miraglio.
It looks as if the weather will open a window and allow this exciting six division program to unfold. For further information on this and other happenings, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Big Race Remembering Bill Egleston
At Merced Speedway Saturday Night
Merced, CA...So far, rain has claimed two of the three scheduled events at Merced Speedway. This Saturday night, Merced Speedway plans to make up the rained out event from March that was to honor fallen racer Bill Egleston. Weather permitting, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and South Bay Dwarf Cars will be on the card.
Bill Egleston was a popular racer among his peers at Merced Speedway. Last season, he finished fourth in the standings, and he was the 2012 IMCA Modified champion. Back in January, he was killed in a crash at Perris Auto Speedway. With an outpouring of affection from throughout the local community, funds were raised to make this Saturday night's IMCA Modified Main Event a $4,015 to win race. The IMCA Modifieds don't get all of the goodies, however. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will race for $1,815 to win, while the Hobby Stock feature winner will receive $1,200.
With that kind of money on the line, drivers are anticipated from outside the Merced area as well as strong support from the locals. Randy Brown is the two-time reigning IMCA Modified champion, and he has his sights set on what could be the biggest win of his career. To get that win, Randy knows he may be facing stiff competition from the likes of racers such as Paul Stone, Ramie Stone, Alex Stanford and Troy Foulger, all of whom have won IMCA Modified championships at various venues.
Merced Speedway has a group of top notch competitors amongst its roster, including Bruce 'Bubba" Nelson, fourth generation racer Ryan Porter, Mike Villanueva, Troy Stone, Darrell Hughes II and Chris Shannon. All of their eyes will be on the big Main Event prize.
The IMCA Sport Modified season opener two weeks ago was won by Tanner Thomas. It was the first career win for the talented teen. The division is seeing an increase in competitors, including some talented young racers such as Tanner's brother Chase Thomas and Cody Parker. Danny Roe finished second in the opener and will be gunning for the big win. Other drivers to keep an eye on include Chris Falkenberg, Jeremy Hoff, Tim Elias, Paul Espino and Josh Hensley. With the money on the line, it's possible that two time champion Rick Diaz will be in action this week along with some top competitors from outside the Merced area.
It's not often that the Hobby Stock division gets to compete for $1,200 to win, and this is sure to draw a good field of racers as the division kicks off their 2018 season. Both reigning champion Kodie Dean and runner-up Garrett Corn each won four Main Events last season, and either may be the best bet for the win. 2016 champion Michael Shearer and 2015 champion Kevin Joaquin are sure to make their presence known. The talent filled field of drivers should include Kristie Shearer, Shannon Nelson, Mike Stockton, Austin Van Hoff, Robbie Loquaci and John Hensley.
Chris Corder kicked off his attempt at a fourth Merced Mini Stock championship by winning the season opener two weeks ago. In that race, he had to pass Destiny Carter, who earned her career-best finish in second. While Chris and his sister Jennifer Corder are both Main Event winners, there is a host of hungry new competitors looking for their taste of victory. Lucy's Falkenberg is knocking on the door to her first career win and had multiple second-place finishes last season. Wayne DePriest, Devan Belton, Joe Terry, Robert Jackson and Lee Ragsdale are other drivers to watch.
In June, the Dwarf Cars will have a two-day Western States Dwarf Car Nationals event. Saturday night is the lone opportunity for the South Bay Dwarf Car competitors to get a tune up. They kick off their season with Cameron Diatte as the reigning champion. Other drivers to watch for this week include past champions Mark Biscardi and Gene "Punky" Pires, Ryan Amlen, Bill Belfield and Kyle Jones.
We might be looking at a little rain during the week, but it looks like the weather on Friday and Saturday should be good. If the pits get a little bit wet, promoter Ed Parker has the back up plan to park the racers out in the parking lot in order to see that the show goes on. You can find out the latest status of this race and other information at www.racemerced.com.
Golobic, Stanford Win Kern Raceway Features
Bakersfield, CA...April 8th...Shane Golobic scored the victory in the 30 lap NARC/King Of The West Winged Sprint Car Main Event at Kern County Raceway Sunday evening. The race was moved back one day due to the rain during the week. Golobic grabbed the lead from the outset and made all the right moves In traffic late in the race when it counted to score the win. During the first half of the race, Willie Croft and Dominic Scelzi exchanged the second position multiple times before Croft grabbed the position for good at the halfwaya point of the race. After the race's final yellow flag on lap 15, Golobic bolted ahead at the green flag and led the rest of the way to win ahead of Croft and Dominic Scelzi. Kyle Hirst made a move into fourth by lap 22 to finish there as Tanner Thorson, Mitchell Faccinto, Bud Kaeding, Giovanni Scelzi, Chase Johnson and Jason Statler rounded out the Top 10 in the 22 car field. 2016 Series champion Hirst set the fast time with a lap of 12.406, beating the 12.474 effort of Golobic. They ran three ten lap heat races with Croft comfortably winning the first race ahead of Hirst. Giovanni Scelzi held off Kaeding to win the second heat and
Johnson scored of the victory in the third heat ahead of Dominic Scelzi. The six lap Trophy Dash was won by Croft with Hirst not too close behind in second.
Alex Stanford won the 30 lap A Modified Main Event. After taking the lead from Robby Sawyer on a lap 12 restart, Brad Pounds looked like he might win the race. Stanford followed him quickly into second and briefly took the lead on that 20, only to relinquish the spot a lap later. Pounds was moving along in front when he got a flat tire and pitted on lap 27. Stanford gained the lead from there and brought it home to a satisfying victory. Sawyer was a strong second ahead of Brett Bennett, Cody Laney, Shane DeVolder, Rob Sanders, Steve Noland, Brylon Holder, Austin Manzella and Dave Phillips. The 20 car field was split into three qualifying heat races with Dylan Thornton winning the first eight lapper ahead of division rookie DeVolder. It was two time reigning Merced Speedway champion Randy Brown holding off Sawyer in a good battle to win the second heat and Roger Holder beating Manzella by a comfortable margin to win the final heat.
J.D. Brown won the 25 lap Mod Lite Main Event. Brown shared the front row with Cheyenne Flippo and managed to motor ahead of her. Flippo would lose second to Danny Valdez, but Brown won by about a straightaway ahead of Valdez. Valdez was disqualified in post race tech with Flippo elevated to second. Kenny Cochran was the final lead lap finisher in third as Roy Maynard Jr, Jacob Diamond, Colby Lewis, Kaden Cochran, Tim Varney and Anthony Balcazar completed the finishing order. Lewis won the first eight lap heat race ahead of Varney, while Maynard outran Balcazar in the second heat.
James Bradburn dominated the Bakersfield Hardtop action with an impressive victory in the 25 lap Main Event. Bradburn came from the third row to get the lead, and once he had it, he pulled away to a comfortable margin of nearly half a lap ahead of second place finisher Richard Souza. Tom Dugan was a solid third head of final lead lap finisher Marc McCaslin. Jason Stanphill finished fifth ahead of Jeff Geddes, Brandon Stanphill, Matt McCaslin, Jennee Dugan and Josh Yadon. Marc McCaslin won a good battle with James Bradburn to win the first eight lap heat race with Souza holding off Tom Dugan to win the second heat.
Racing comes back to the Kern County dirt track on April 20th with A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Mini Stocks and Bakersfield Hardtops. For further information, go to www.kernraceway.com.
Roa, Robertson Win Keller Auto Speedway Openers
Hanford, California...April 7...Brody Roa scored the victory in the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Main Event as Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford opened their season. With the rain during the week, this event was under threat, but the crew had the track in shape and ready to go. Other feature winners on the night included Blake Robertson in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, Chad Johnson in the IMCA Stock Cars and Jason Cook in Mini Stocks.
Brody Roa collected the win in the 30 lap USAC West Coast Sprint Car Main Event. Steve Hix paced three laps before losing the lead to Jake Swanson on the restart. Swanson set the pace from there until a lap 23 red flag flew when David Faria Jr flipped. Roa made his move past Swanson on the restart to take the lead with Richard Vanderweerd following into second. Roa paced the remaining seven laps for the victory ahead of Vanderweerd, Swanson, Jace Vanderweerd, Ryan Timmons, Hix, Tristan Gaurdino, Shannon McQueen, Koen Shaw and Britton Bock. There were 19 competitors, and Richard Vanderweerd set the fast time at 16.352, besting the 16.474 lap of Austin Liggett. They ran three ten lap heat races with Richard Vanderweerd winning the first one ahead of Brody Roa. Swanson won the second heat ahead of Liggett and the final heat race win went to Hix ahead of Brandon Wiley.
Blake Robertson scored the victory by nearly a straightaway in the 25 lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car Main Event. Despite the yellow flags, Robertson won comfortably ahead of Zane Blanchard. Grant Duinkerken finished third ahead of Vaugh Schott, Cole Danell, Brooklyn Holland, George Tistao, Mauro Simone, Michael Pombo and Brandon Warmerdam. There were three eight lap heat races with Mike Schott winning the first heat ahead of Blanchard. The second heat race win went to Tristao in front of Duinkerken, and Robertson won the final heat in front of Mike Schott.
Hanford was the first California track to get an IMCA Stock Car division over ten years ago, and there were 11 competitors for their season opener. Chad Johnson won a close battle to the line to beat Preston Martin in the 25 lap Main Event. Brock Hamilton was a solid third ahead of James Elliott, Steve Streeter, Chett Reeves, Ren Bane, Pat Biggs, Josh Nichols and Alan Mendes. In his division debut, Shawn Schwartzenberger was eliminated in an opening lap crash. Johnson won the first eight lap heat race ahead of Martin, while the second heat race win went to Hamilton in front of Mendes.
The Mini Stock division rounded out the program with a 20 lap Main Event. It was Jason Cook prevailing by a comfortable margin ahead of Paul Schwartzenberger and Andy Boydstun. Clinton Massey was a solid fourth ahead of Matt Herod. Shawn DePriest rounded out the lead lap finishers in sixth. Darren Estermann, Gene Glover and Red Beard Rutledge completed the finishing order. Paul Schwartzenberger won the first heat ahead of Herod, and Boydstun won his six lap heat race ahead of Massey. Steve Porter scratched prior to the heat races.
Racing continues on April 28th with the King Of Kings Winged 360 Sprint Cars, joined by the IMCA Stock Cars, Mini Stocks and Mod Lites. For further information, go to www.racekingsspeedway.com.
Orland Raceway Holds Successful Playday
Orland, CA...With all of the rain falling during the week leading up to the scheduled playday at Orland Raceway, promoter Rich Hood made a decision on Friday to move the playday to Sunday afternoon. The result was a turnout of roughly 30 racers to get laps on the 1/5 mile dirt oval.
Drivers encompassing all of the track's regular divisions, Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, Micro Sprints and Wingless Gas Sprints, made laps. Also taking advantage of the opportunity to practice were several racers from the California Hardtop Association and the B Modified division. The latter two divisions have each been booked for two special visits.
It's been about eight years since Orland Raceway had Modifieds on the track. About a half a dozen drivers came for the special race back in 2010. On Sunday, 2016 Yreka champion Jimmy Lipke and Justin Faux made their very first laps on the track. Both remarked that they enjoyed the practice and look forward to coming back later this season. Faux was testing his brand new race car. Also making practice laps was another Yreka area competitor, Trevor Tiffee.
When both of the California Hardtop racing events were rained out at Chico and Marysville last weekend, several of their competitors decided to come to Orland to practice for their two upcoming events. Leading the charge were Ken Clifford, Joe Shenefield, Joe Hopp, Roger MacShain and Larry Wells. Wells purchased his car during the offseason and was making his first laps. The California Hardtop drivers remarked after their visit last season about how much they enjoyed racing at Orland.
Several Pure Stock competitors took advantage of the opportunity to give their cars shakedown runs, including 2017 champion Jeremy Langenderfer and runner-up Shannon Collins. A field of about ten drivers from this division were making their practice in anticipation of the season opener on April 28th.
Reigning Mini Stock champion Tom Davis and reigning Mini Truck champion Keith Ross we're both in attendance among a group of roughly a dozen competitors combined in the two groups. Several Micro Sprint and Wingless Gas Sprint racers made laps, including multi-time Wingless Sprint Car champion Josh Jacobo.
The racers can hardly wait for the season to begin. If weather permits, there will be another practice on April 21st before the season opener, which will feature Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, Wingless Gas Sprints and Micro Sprints. For further information, go to www.orlandraceway.org or look the track up on Facebook.
The Editor's Viewpoint
You can never predict how the weather is going to be. In two of the last three weeks, almost everything has been rained out. Last weekend, a few tracks got creative and moved what they had planned for Saturday to Sunday. Two racing events, one at Madera and one at Kern County, were moved to Sunday. Two playdays, one at Orland and one at Stockton, were also moved to Sunday.
We shouldn't be all shocked and surprised that we will get some rain outs in Spring. The arrival of Spring doesn't mean that automatically the rain is going to stop. Some years we get luckier than others, but I can remember a time when we weren't even getting started with our racing season until about mid April. Weather patterns being what they are over the last 20 years, now we start our racing seasons in March and go all the way until October.
I had the lion's share of my articles completed and could have went ahead with the post. Even the audio show has been recorded as I type this, but I thought maybe I would add a little something else. The natives are certainly getting restless up here as we have our fingers crossed for the playday in Medford. Actually, I wouldn't count on it happening.
As the Publicity Director, I sit here in a holding pattern. I don't want to get everybody all hyped up for the playday, only to pull the rug out from under them. It's on the schedule. Before the internet, you just looked at your schedule. If you had a doubt going into race day, you called the track. These days, we have web pages. We try to find new and creative ways to use the internet to generate interest.
The thing that frustrates me about here is I feel like we've been fighting a battle to win people over. We've done more to chip away at some of the old negativity than some of our critics may realize, but then again, how would they know? All the fan or racer is expected to know is the who, what, where, when and why about race night. They don't need to know the struggles you're going through.
Mike seems pretty cool about all of this, because he's been through it before. Me, I'm out of my element. I mean, I'm familiar with these types of things having worked at Antioch and Chowchilla behind the scenes, but up until a couple of years ago, I had only been to Oregon twice in my life. I don't know everybody so well. I do my best, but it sometimes feels like an exercise in futility. So I sit here trying to figure out how to be positive and get people excited.
Playday was looming large, and when I walked the track a week ago, I started thinking everything looked to be on schedule. The pits looked okay too. I was picking loose dirt up off the top of the track. All we need to do is get this sucker cut, but what do I know? Mike looked at it and said it's a week away. So, what do I say? It's on the schedule, but I don't want to add a nice little decorative, rah rah rah, type of thing.
When I get the hype started, I want it to lead towards the gate being open and things happening. I've never used the Facebook Events feature until this year for our season opener. I've seen people do that at other places, and I'm just trying to get people excited about coming out and racing. Who knows if what you're doing will resonate with the people? All's I know is we've done a lot and work hard. Could we do more? Probably. Are we cleaning up the mess that was left behind for us? Absolutely.
As I put something up letting everybody know about playday, I am hit with a string of comments from the Pro Stock competitors. We need Pro Stocks. Why aren't there more Pro Stock races? I don't know what to tell you all. This is the schedule Mike booked. Am I 100% behind the decision regarding Pro Stocks? No. I am not. But, it's not up to me to like it. It's up to me to sell it. They'll be racing 10 times at Yreka, so Yreka got a deal where they know there's going to be 10-12 cars on race night. We averaged a few more when we had them, but there are people who don't like going down there for whatever reason.
I'm anxious to get things going, but I'm going over everything. Did I get everything done? The stress level gets higher every day, and I might add that I really didn't suspect that I would be back here doing this again this year. I can only say that even though there are a lot of people I like up here, my experience up here has taken a lot out of me. I do my best, but I'm losing more and more of myself while I do this. I don't know what the answer is other than to just make the best of it.
What amazes me is how I can still have an impact at Antioch Speedway, and I haven't been there for a race since 2015. I made a post on Facebook last year about why the Limited Late Models should have the big race on Larry Damitz Memorial Night. It made sense to me, considering this was Larry's division of choice for the past eight or nine years. Pete Paulsen seized upon that to offer a big trophy for the winner of that Main Event.
Now, I was hesitant at first to do this, because I know how John can get very possessive. John works very hard at what he does, but if it's perceived that somebody else is getting the promotional glory, he doesn't get too happy. Between that attitude and certain people in the middle fanning the flames back in 2000, my time at the track ended. So, I tentatively did what I did and communicated with Pete via messaging. He made the offer, and I thought, why not? I'm already fired anyway, I can't get more fired. Actually, was I ever really hired at Antioch in the last few years?
Anyways, Pete stepped up to offer a trophy again. This was very last minute, because he didn't see my post on my Facebook page until Tuesday morning. He's already communicated with his trophy guy, and it looks like this could happen. I've always had a lot of respect for Pete. He's done a lot to help promote auto racing and automotive enthusiasm in general.
As of this writing, I have no idea who is getting the glory at Antioch Speedway. Last season, the Late Models were the headliner for Larry's night. Paul Gulielmoni and others stepped up and helped John with the purse. Paul was even on the motor sports show that they do up in the Willamette area promoting this thing and talking about the future. What exactly happened to the future of the Late Models involvement in this race, I can't say.
What ended up being booked on the schedule was Wingless Spec Sprints, A Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, Dwarf Cars and Limited Late Models. John added the B Modifieds last week, though I'm not sure who was aware of this. Guys were already talking about going to Merced and Stockton for races there. I'm assuming the A Modifieds are going to get the glory as they are the go to class when it comes to extra money purses. My opinion is the Limited Late Models should get it.
It's an interesting thing to look at the Limited Late Model division. They call them Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks at Petaluma, they have wings on the Super Stocks at Marysville, they call them Pro Stocks in Bakersfield and they call them Calculated Comfort Pro Stocks in Yreka. I'm wondering why there couldn't have been some effort to book a date where the Petaluma drivers, at least, could come support this race. Larry had quite the history at that track as well. Not meant as an attack, just an observational question.
The other thing about the Limited Late Models is we are still sort of in a Late Model wasteland in California. Antioch has the best full Late Model class, and Placerville has a pretty solid Limited Late Model class that is definitely a step above what Antioch calls Limited Late Models. People love the Late Model style, but California really doesn't have something on the dirt that is big. They haven't for quite some time, which is a surprise. Maybe something will happen as these Pro Stock, Super Stock and Limited Late Models evolve? In Oregon, it seems like the Late Model class is coming back around again.
Merced Speedway is taking another swipe at the Bill Egleston Remembrance. This is a special event to honor 2012 IMCA Modified champion Bill Egleston. Bill died in a crash at Perris Auto Speedway. He's been a fixture at Merced Speedway for the past several seasons and was Top 5 in the points last year. The season opener was rained out, but it was rescheduled for this week. The money still stands. $4,015 to win for IMCA Modifieds, $1,815 to win for IMCA Sport Modifieds and $1,200 to win for Hobby Stocks. Plus, they have Mini Stocks and South Bay Dwarf Cars. Looks like the weather will allow this to happen, I hope.
I look at the IMCA sanctioning with wonder. IMCA has pretty much taken over the Modified and Sport Modified market in California and Oregon. There are a few tracks without the sanctioning. They don't really suffer, but they're not part of the IMCA family. IMCA is very protective of their IP. So protective, in fact, that they dropped the hammer on the really nice IMCA Sport Modified Series that Brian Cooper and Jerry Bartlett put together.
I can't adequately describe how disappointed I am with Brett Root and IMCA's short-sightedness on the matter. This would benefit IMCA and California racing, but Brett wouldn't hear of it. I can't get into all the details that I heard out of respect for certain people, but I can say I have very little respect for how this was handled. Seems to me that Mr. Root could have picked up the phone and squared things up with Cooper. If he didn't like everything that Cooper was doing, he could have explained how things need to go from here on out and given him a mulligan, while keeping a close eye on things in the future. But instead he said, I want nothing instead of something. This division isn't supposed to have anything big, so they can have nothing and like it.
IMCA is it again making a foray into Sprint Car racing. It was generally a failure when they attempted this some 15 years ago. I mean, come on. Motor claiming in Sprint Cars? Sprint Cars are where the big boys play, and if you can't afford to be in it... IMCA is attempting to create its own brand here now with RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars, but with injected 305 engines. Who else is doing this? They're going over pretty well at Hanford and when that group visits Bakersfield and Tulare.
Marysville Raceway, on the other hand, jumped into this class for whatever reason. I don't think it was needed. Dennis Gage has enough on his plate trying to maintain a rapidly eroding racing program. He already has a pretty good Winged 360 Sprint Car class. His foolish decision to begin the Winged Economy Sprints while still trying to have Wingless Spec Sprints has basically killed the Spec Sprints up there and stunted any growth for the Economy Sprints, now named Crate Sprints. But how many Sprint Car divisions do they need there?
If you go back in history, prior to when Mike McCann had his stint as promoter at Marysville, this was a Stock Car track. Right now, they have the Winged Super Stock division on the chopping block, a Hobby Stock division that still hasn't really performed that well and a budding IMCA Sport Modified show. Seems to me that this is where the attention needs to be given while nurturing the Winged 360 Sprints. But, IMCA will gladly put their label on divisions out in California to say, see, we sanction this too.
This brings me to IMCA Stock Cars. For whatever reason, Jerry Schram at the Willamette Speedway has added the division to his roster along with IMCA Sport Modifieds. Why? Claire Arnold built quite the empire up there throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Willamette had the top Stock Car racing program in Oregon, and honestly, they may have been better than anything in California back then too.
What happens at Willamette these days is the remnants of those glory days, but still one of Oregon's better dirt track offerings. You've got Late Models, Sportsmans, Super Sports, Street Stocks. It's a fender car paradise, with IMCA Modifieds thrown in for good measure. Jerry didn't really need to do anything else with IMCA at that point, although he had people lobbying for IMCA Sport Modifieds. Seems to me, you're going to be affecting the Sportsman or Super Sport division with this class. I'm not familiar with the rules to see which one is closest to the Sport Modifieds.
I will say that for the record, I love the look of the IMCA Stock Car. These cars are pretty neat, and they have a distinct image. Hanford has been doing this thing for the better part of 15 years, but it's never popped above 12 cars. I'm not sure why, other than the fact that the Hobby Stocks are still thriving at places like Bakersfield and Merced. Why get an IMCA Stock Car when there are so many places running Hobby Stocks still?
Oregon, unlike California, still has a legitimate Street Stock division. They haven't evolved the way they did in California, and I think that is a good thing. Several tracks have the class, unlike Southern Oregon Speedway, much to my disappointment. In fact, Sunset Speedway has both Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. Now, Willamette has the Iron Giant Race, which attracts 40 to 50 cars for the big money purse. The Street Stocks are healthy there.
Why would you even want to throw the IMCA Stock Cars into this mix? What possible reason could you have? There's one other thing that has happened here in Oregon this year that is a WTF moment for me, and even if it does top the list, IMCA Stock Cars at Willamette while you still have a Street Stock class is a very close second. The only thing that this can do is have a false start and fail or eventually put the Street Stocks out of business. Not sure what Jerry's thinking is on this.
Now, as we started to give attention to the Hornet division at Southern Oregon Speedway in 2016, I did start to hear people say, put IMCA sanctioning on the Hornets. No. Make that, hell no. Why do we need a banner on a class like this? Nobody in California is doing what would be called an IMCA Sport Compact class, not since Merced had the class back in the 1990's. Why? Because it's not needed.
I will say that a track that has no more healthy Hobby Stock or Street Stock show might not be hurting itself giving IMCA Stock Cars a try. While Cottage Grove, Willamette or Sunset might not really need IMCA Stock Cars, there might be a market for them at Southern Oregon Speedway or Siskiyou Motor Speedway. You'd be starting from the ground up, but there's a lot of people enamoured with those four letters.
Now, I know some people will say I'm IMCA bashing again. I'm not going to pretend I'm a big fan. Sorry if that offends. However, enough racers buy into their line that you're foolish to not give them a look. Some tracks will definitely suffer if they drop the sanctioning. To me, sanctioning bodies have another function, besides rules.
A promoter who knows how to say no to the racers when they ask to do more can create their own set of rules and be effective. To me, sanctioning bodies are probably best when they offer something at the end of the season for the racers. A nice point fund. IMCA almost needs a laugh track when they start talking about what the drivers get for winning their track championships or even the state championships. Give me a break.
Almost forgot to mention what happened at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. I'm still not clear on all the details, but they just released a clarification on their rules for what they're calling the Outlaw Open Comp class. Originally, this was an Outlaw Modified class, but IMCA apparently didn't take too kindly to them using the word Modified. Didn't think IMCA actually owned the name Modified, but since they run IMCA sanctioned Modified races there, they didn't want to confuse the issue.
So, Siskiyou Motor Speedway clarified the rules. Regardless of what they want to call them, it's still essentially an unsanctioned Modified class, mainly because a few Modified racers don't conform with the rules of IMCA and wanted to give the track a try. Will this work? I don't know, but Siskiyou Motor Speedway needs to do something to stimulate interest in the headline class before it's too late. Some may say it already is, but I'm hoping for the best.
I don't really want to beat a dead horse here, but Siskiyou Motor Speedway management needs to do a better job of preparing for the future. Given the behind-the-scenes scandal the association had that nearly ended their run at the track, I can see where they had other things to worry about. They have this Jalopy thing down there that's sort of the big version of a Dwarf Car or a cross between a Hardtop and a Modified. But is that the answer? Probably not. However, if the four cars I know of are actually ready, maybe they can get a couple of exhibition races to start with?
Because they only have the two divisions offering any kind of car count, IMCA Sport Modifieds and McDonald's Mini Stocks, they need all the help they can get. Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars will only be there twice in April. Yreka was very lucky that the Outlaw Pro Stock Association became available for 10 dates, and they should bring them at least 10 cars and probably more. The association very much wanted to be at Southern Oregon Speedway more often, but that didn't work out. Don't want to get sidetracked with my observation here, but the track still needs to think about the future.
There were some rumblings about the Sportsman or Street Stock class being revived, and I don't know why that didn't happen. I guess nobody had cars left? They could have easily tried to start a Hobby Stock class, or maybe even invited the guys up from Orland for a race. All you need to do is to take a look at the schedule and make something happen. But, you still need locals building cars.
This brings on the obvious question, what about Hornets? The track was speaking about that very possibility last year. After inviting the Southern Oregon cars for a couple of early-season races, the division died. You're telling me you can't get anybody to build cages for these cars? The Hornet division would have to be the easiest division to start. Point is, they need to start thinking about the future and strengthen their program.
As I have been researching Southern Oregon Speedway's history for my win totals, I've been looking at some of the numbers at Siskiyou Speedway from the 1990s and into the early 2000s. They didn't do too badly. The track has had some good years, but the association needs to keep their eyes on the prize. It's probably more of a challenge to do that given the fact that you are electing new officials every year. Somebody starts working on something, only to be voted out next year.
Siskiyou Motor Speedway will get by just fine this year. It's not a bad schedule, and maybe this Open Outlaw deal will turn into something. Pro Stocks are a nice car count boost, and they're a great bunch of racers. Saturday night, if the weather allows, they've got a five division show that should be one of the best car counts of the year.
Anyway, I hope the tracks do well, whatever their sanctioning. Petaluma is getting back in action with a four division offering, and Ocean Speedway has a loaded program on Friday night. It's kind of funny that the rain wiped out last weekend, and this weekend has no racing happening at Silver Dollar Speedway, Marysville Raceway or Placerville Speedway. There's a Monster Truck show at Silver Dollar Speedway.
What the weekend is really about at Antioch Speedway and Merced Speedway is remembering a couple of special racers. For Merced Speedway, everybody knew Bill Egleston. He was one of the most loyal supporters at Merced Speedway in recent seasons. Ed Parker is endeavoring to make this a special event, possibly even an annual show. My advice to the racers down there is support this one. It's going to be one hell of a show.
As for the people complaining about this and that, I still come back to the comment that you should put up or shut up. If you think you can do better, make the offer. And as for the people wondering why certain divisions weren't getting purses, people who donated the extra money to the other divisions did so because those were the divisions they wanted to support. If you feel your division should be included in this or any other night, You need to go out there and help drum up the support.
I can tell you this from my experience, it's not always easy to get businesses to throw in money for your special night or to sponsor your track in general. You get a lot of doors shut in your face before you get favorable responses. So, don't take it for granted the money is flowing just because a division gets a bigger purse from time to time. It isn't. And when you do hear the sponsors names on these cars or at the race track in general, support the people who support the races.
As for Larry Damitz, I can only say the man was an inspiration to so many of us. To be in his mid-eighties and still at the top of his game winning races and championships is something very rare. He didn't do his racing for any kind of glory. He did it because this is what he had been doing for the last 60 or so years of his life. Win, lose or draw, he was in his happy place when he was at the race track.
He deserves the honor of having a race in his memory. He deserves to be inducted into the Vallejo Sports Hall Of Fame. And Lord willing, if Antioch Speedway or Petaluma Speedway ever decides to start a Hall Of Fame, he deserves the honor of being inducted there. For any racer who appreciated Larry, or any fan for that matter, Antioch Speedway will be the place to be on Saturday night.
As for whether there will be extra purse money or any of that, I don't know. I've heard nothing from John on the matter. In the last year or so, John hasn't put the numbers out there, but on special nights, he has paid better. Take that for what it is. And, if things go according to plan, Pete Paulsen of Wheels by Pete Paulsen may be offering a trophy for the Main Event winner in the Limited Late Models again this year.
I also feel the need to give a tip of the hat to Rich Hood at Orland Raceway. You know, people in Orland don't really expect big things from that little race track. It's kind of stood there in the shadow of Silver Dollar Speedway all these years. They do their thing. But, anybody who's watched the place over the last 10 years knows the tough times it has gone through. Rich Hood was a Pure Stock racer turned promoter, and he stepped up only because that place might have ended up closed down if he hadn't.
Now, Orland Raceway is not some place that holds these big Sprint Car or A Modified shows. It's been known as a Pure Stock and 4 Cylinder division track for many years, and they have had some good moments doing that. Rich is sticking with the basics, and it's been working for him if you can judge his progress from 2016 to 2017. He's brought the Wingless Sprints back into the equation and still has the Micro Sprints.
I like the fact that he's giving a look at the B Modified division, and he can cultivate something there. I'd be willing to bet they could get six to eight drivers out there supporting a somewhat regular type of show, say seven or eight races in the 2019 season. He's starting with two races this year, and I think it'll go well. The drivers who were making laps at practice had nothing but praise for the track and are looking forward to coming back.
My friends at the California Hardtop Association lost two races due to rain, but the decision to move the playday to Sunday gave them an opportunity to try again. I can't say enough about those Hardtops. Beautiful looking race cars, and just a great bunch of guys who are out there having fun. There were five of them making laps on Sunday, and they're all looking forward to coming back later this season.
Hood had a decision to make. He could have thrown in the towel like so many others did. After all, it's just a playday. Instead, he saw that the forecast called for a sunny day on Sunday. It would not have been ready on Saturday, but the extra day gave him that opportunity. Playdays are important for drivers to test their equipment, but they can also be helpful to promoters as they build just a little bit of revenue towards the season. It's not a lot, and if it did make any money, it would be spent maintaining that racing program, I guarantee you. He has another playday booked on the 21st before going live with racing season a week later.
Orland Raceway is not without its charm. It's not the glory track that you might think of, but it is a track that has offered racers and fans a place to go for several years. Rich is in tune with the community and the racers there, and that's a positive. He knows to not swing for the bleachers with what he does. He knows to stick with the basics there and run a couple specials here or there or where it's possible. I think Orland Raceway is in good hands with him, and I certainly look forward to getting an opportunity to visit there in the future.
I'll be trying to get the last minute things that need to be done so I can be ready for the season opener In Medford on April 28th. If we do have a playday this weekend, I'll be ready for that. Otherwise, I'll be at the desk monitoring what's going on at various tracks. Still a few more things to do, but somehow I'll be ready to rock and roll.
Thank you for reading and thank you to those who have contributed to The Tip Jar. It means a lot, and it is going to good use to help keep me going. Until next time...
Kern County Race Park Unofficial Race Results April 8, 2018
NARC/KWS Sprint Cars
SHANE GOLOBIC
WILLIE CROFT
DOMINIC SCELZI
KYLE HIRST
TANNER THORSON
MITCHELL FACCINTO
BUD KAEDING
GIO SCELZI
CHASE JOHNSON
JASON STATLER
DJ NETTO
DUSTIN GOLOBIC
TOMMY TARLTON
KOLBY COPELAND
JERMY CHISUM
JARRETT SOARES
MATTHEW MOLES
NATHAN ROLFE
JENNA FRAIZER
CRAIG STIDHAM
SEAN WATTS
MARK BRARROSO
A Mod
Alex Stanford
Robby Sawyer
Brett Bennett
Cody Laney
Shane DeVolder
Rob Sanders
Steve Noland
Brylon Holder
Austin Manzella
Dave Phipps
Dex Morris
Randy Brown
Karl Noland
Brad Pounds
Jerry Flippo
Troy Morris Jr.
Roger Holder
Clint Reichenbach
Dylan Thornton
Danny Lauer
Hardtops
James Bradburn
Richard Souza
Tom Dugan
Marc McCaslin
Jason Stanphill
Jeff Geddes
Brandon Stanphill
Matt McCaslin
Jenee Dugan
Josh Yadon
Darren Dadey
Kelly Mason DNS
Mod Lite
JD Brown
Cheyenne Flippo
Kenny Cochrun
Roy Manyard Jr
Jacob Diamond
Colby Lewis
Kaden Cochrun
Tim Varney
Anthony Balcazar
Danny Valdez DQ
Kings Speedway Unofficial Race Rsults April 7, 2018
USAC NW 360 Sprints
Brody Roa
Richard Vanderweerd
Jake Swanson
Jace Vanderweerd
Ryan Timmons
Steve Hix
Tristan Guardino
Shannon McQueen
Koen Shaw
Briton Brock
Austin Liggett
Brandon Wiley
Trent Carter
HOBIE CONWAY
Kevin Barnes
Kyle Edwards
Danny Faria
Brent Owens
Austin Ervine
Ryan Stolz
IMCA RaceSaver Sprints
Blake Robertson
Zane Blanchard
Grant Duinkerken
Vaughn Schott
Cole Danell
Brooklyn Holland
George Tristao
Mauro Simone
Michael Pombo
Brendan Warmerdam
Jacob Tuttle
Blaine Fagundes
Jesse Mack
Landon Davis
Jared Faria
mike schott
Phil Heynen
Albert Pombo
Lance Jackson DNS
IMCA Stocks
Chad Johnson
Preston Martin
Brock Hamilton
James Elliott
Steve Streeter
Chett Reeves
Renn Bane
Pat Biggs
Josh Nichols
Alan Mendes
Shawn Schwartzenberger
Mini Stocks
Jason Cook
Paul Schwartzenberger
andrew boydstun
Clinton Massey
Matt Herod
Shawn DePriest
Darren Estermann
Gene Glover
Redbeard Rutledge
Madera Speedway Unofficial Race Results April 8, 2018
RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Open
Matt Erickson
Ryan Hart
Rick Thompson
Henk Gaalswyk Jr
Jack Wood
Garland Tyler
Glen Cook
Austin Herzog
Kevin Thompson
Quintin Harris
Kolby Berry
Racin Vernon
Erik Woods
Howard Holden
Adam Lemke
Dillon Tucker
Del McIntosh
Nick Grossi
Christian Roche
Will Martyn
Tyler Herzog
Ross Strmiska
Zachary Cook
Shelden Cooper
David Lewellen
JR Late Model
Jesse Love
Tanner Reif
Kayla Eshleman
Kabe McClenny
Anthony Guaimano
Tyler Reif
Lilly Mead
Austin Edwards
Kyler Berry
Olivia Manke
Dylan Zampa
Toyota Sedans
Jason Lawton
Jillaun Holden
Greg Tyler
John Tevis Jr
Thomas Magray
Manny Gonzales Jr
Kyle Labre
Tim Curtis
Shayla Gould
Mike Marley
MST
Patrick Geiger
Bert Stephens
Dave Lander
Ryan Reynolds
Dennis Brannon
Shaun Reynolds
Tim Pilcher
Tim Kammerer
WSRA Mini Cups
Kercie Jung
Riley Massey
Kale McClenny
Aaron Thomas
Joseph Holiday
Aiden Phillips
Trenton Eurto
Avery Vivian
Jayce McCarthey
Seth Wise
Zachary Ginn
