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Just A Kid From The Grandstands: My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
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Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
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Available via print on demand at Lulu in Hard Cover or Paperback
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Chadwick, Newton, Oreta Win Antioch Speedway Main Events
Antioch, CA...May 5...Kellen Chadwick scored the victory in the 20 lap All Star series A Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Chadwick was fast all night and also won his 8 lap heat race. After starting third in the feature, Chadwick managed to move into the lead early on. Once he got in front, there was no stopping him in posting the impressive victory. Scott Busby and rookie Buddy Kniss had a spirited dual for second late in the race, but Kniss spun and fell back as Busby finished second ahead of reigning champion Bobby Motts Jr, Jeffrey Faulkner and Sean O'Gara.
Shannon Newton won his first 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. Rick Panfili continued his hard-luck season as he spun in Turn 4 and collected previous winner Alan Miranda for a complete restart. With both drivers out of the event, Newton bolted past Roy Fisher for the lead at the green flag. Newton was fast and pulled away after two yellow flags during the first half of the race. On a lap 10 restart, Bob Newberry took second from Fisher. However, Newberry was no match for the flying Newton, who took the checkered flag in first. Fisher won a good battle with Brandon Burd to finish third as Kevin Box rounded out the Top 5.
Kimo Oreta scored his first win of the season in the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. The reigning champion drove the Sundrop Racing #15 car into the lead early on and set a blistering pace. Mark Garner spun early but managed to get up to second. Unfortunately, he stalled in Turn 4 with five laps to go, and Ryan Cherezian took up pursuit of Oreta. There was no stopping Oreta as he won ahead of Cherezian, Mike Walko, Chad Hammer and John Evans.
Michael Cooper won his third 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event of the season. Travis Rangel paced the first five laps before spinning in Turn 4, putting Cooper into the lead over Cameron Swank. Cooper and Swank had a good battle for most of the race, but Cooper began to pull away. Even a lap 18 caution flag couldn't stop Cooper from winning ahead of Swank, John Wacht, Chris Sorensen and Sid Smith Jr.
Mike Corsaro won an eventful 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. This was his third win of the year. The race had difficulty getting started as heat race winner Miranda Chappa and Charlie Correia each spun after leading a lap. Corsaro started back in 10th, but he took the lead on the lap three restart. David Rosa quickly moved up to second, but he was no match for Corsaro, who led the rest of the way in victory. Correia came back to finish third ahead of Mario Marquez and 2010 champion Jerry Doty.
All Star Series racing continues next Saturday night with A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Limited Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars all scheduled. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Antioch Speedway Race Results
All Star Series
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Bobby Motts Jr, Shawn DeForest, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps)-Chadwick, Scott Busby, Motts, Jeffrey Faulkner, Sean O'Gara, Raymond Lindeman, DeForest, Chris Sewieke, Buddy Kniss, Bobby Montalvo.
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat winners (8 Laps)-Bob Newberry, Shannon Newton. Main Event (20 laps)-Newton, Newberry, Roy Fisher, Brandon Burd, Kevin Box, McKenzie Newton, Rick Panfili, Alan Miranda.
Limited Late Models
Heat Winner (8 Laps)-Mark Garner. Main Event (20 laps)-Kimo Oreta, Ryan Chrezian, Mike Walko, Chad Hammer, John Evans, Mark Garner, Mike Gustafson.
Hobby Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Sid Smith Jr, Joe Ridgeway Sr, Anthony Vigna. Main Event (20 Laps)-Michael Cooper, Cameron Swank, John Wacht, Chris Sorensen, Smith, Vigna, Billy Garner, Don Phillips, Russell Shearer, Breanna Troen.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 laps)-Miranda Chappa, Josh Miller. Main Event (20 Laps)-Mike Corsaro, David Rosa, Charlie Correia, Mario Marquez, Jerry Doty, Chappa, Chris Becker, Troy Stevenson, Roberto Monroy, Mike Silva.
Stone, Thomas, Dean Win Ted Stofle Classic Main Events At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...May 5...Paul Stone protected his point lead by winning the IMCA Modified portion of the Ted Stofle Classic Saturday night at Merced Speedway. Ryan Porter led the early laps of the 25 lap race with reigning champion Randy Brown moving past Darrell Hughes II for second on lap nine. The battle up front got heated as the leaders exchanged paint through every corner. Working lap 21, contact from Porter sent Brown spinning. Porter was penalized at that point, giving Paul Stone the lead. Stone led the rest of the race for the victory. Hughes settled for second ahead of Brian Pearce, Ramie Stone, Justin Villanueva, Jeff Streeter, Ricky Thatcher, Troy Stone, Harley Turner and Tim Cecil. Eight lap heat race wins went to Brown, Troy Stone and Hughes.
Tanner Thomas bested the 23 car field to win his second 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Thomas started on the pole, but he still had to contend with Jeremy Hoff's constant pressure throughout the race. Thomas was just a little quicker as he took the checkered flag ahead of Hoff. Ryan Bledsaw finished third ahead of Jarrod Mounce, TJ Etchison III, Chase Thomas, Mark Odgers, Kelly Wilkinson, Danny Roe and Chris Falkenberg. Chase Thomas, Hoff, Mounce and Bledsaw each won eight lap heat races.
Reigning champion Kodie Dean won the 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Robbie Loquaci led the first six laps before Dean made a Turn 4 pass to take the lead. Reigning Watsonville champion Rob Gallaher quickly moved into second. Dean ran smooth down the stretch for a well-earned victory. Gallaher had a good battle with point leader Shannon Nelson before finishing second as Nelson placed third. Loquaci settled for fourth ahead of Austin Van Hoff, Michael Shearer, Thomas Suarez, Kristie Shearer, Joe Gallaher and Cody Smiley. Dean, Van Hoff and Shearer each won eight lap heat races.
Eight vintage race cars from the California Hardtop Association made an appearance and ran a 15 lap Main Event. Wet conditions from the freshly watered track resulted in mayhem at the start. Dave Reed spun and was hit hard by Ken Clifford in Turn 1, doing severe damage to the Clifford mount. Jason Armstrong joined Clifford and Reed in the pits, and Dave Mackey jumped out to the lead on the restart. After starting back in the fourth row, Ron Ruiz raced past Joe Shenefield for second. Mackey pitted from the lead on lap eight, putting Ruiz in front. Ruiz led the rest of the way to win ahead of Roger MacShain, Shenefield and Dennis Armstrong.
Jesse Burks use his pole position start to collect the victory in the 14 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. Burks won the race ahead of previous winner Tim Crews. Riley Jeppesen settled for third ahead of Ian Shearer and Carson Guthrie. Burks also won the eight lap heat race.
Racing resumes next Saturday night with BCRA Midget Lites making an appearance along with Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and California Sharp Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
Baronian Wins Central Valley Mini Stock feature At Lemoore Raceway
Lemoore, CA...May 6...Making only his second start with the Central Valley Mini Stocks, Greg Baronian drove a flawless race to win the 25 lap Main Event Sunday afternoon at Lemoore Raceway. In his debut two weeks ago, Greg led several laps of the Main Event before finishing second. This time around, he took the lead at the start and led all the way for the win. His closest rival early on was his brother, Rod Baronian. Rod won the season opener and ran second in this race for six laps before mechanical issues sent him to the infield.
Rod Baronian's departure put Randy Brown Jr into second. Brown was soon being challenged by reigning champion Danny Myrick. The race went 17 laps before the only incident brought out a red flag. Struggling with a loose condition, Ryan Doglione got together with Danny Myrick down the front straightaway, hit the turn one wall and rolled his car. Fortunately, Doglione was not injured.
Greg Baronian resumed command on the restart and led the remaining 13 tours of the one-fifth mile dirt oval for the victory. Danny Myrick managed to take second from Brown on the restart and would finish there as Brown settled for third. Dan Myrick finished fourth and Jeff Durant was fifth.
Greg Baronian topped the 15 car field in qualifying with a fast lap of 15.519. Danny Myrick was his closest challenger at 16.014. Ron Brown won his eight lap heat race with other heat wins recorded by Greg Baronian and Dan Myrick.
The Central Valley Mini Stocks would like to thank House of JuJu for sponsoring Sunday's event. They return for a double header weekend in June. On June 9th, they race at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford and they return to Lemoore Raceway on June 10th. For further information, go to www.centralvalleyministocks.com or check out their Facebook page.
The following articles are written based on live scoring and are therefore subject to computer glitches and official calls. The finishes are unofficial
Furr, Burke, Aguiar Win Ocean Speedway Features
Watsonville, CA...May 4...Brad Furr led all the way to grab the win in the 30 lap Ocean Sprint Car, presented by Taco Bravo, Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. A past champion at the speedway, Furr jumped into the lead at the start ahead of Lucas Ashe. A lap four red flag flew when Eric Humphreys flipped out of 6th place. Furr continued to lead with Kyle Offill settling into second. Furr led through a series of yellow flags from lap nine through 12 with Jake Haulot and Jeremy Chisum charging into second and third. Furr set a good pace down the stretch and won by over a straightaway ahead of Haulot. Koen Shaw made a late charge into third as Kurt Nelson, Jeremy Chisum, Jason Chisum, Ashe, Chris Nelson, Richard Fajardo and Offill rounded out the Top 10.
The field was a bit light with several competitors in Chico for the big 410 Sprint Car race, and Furr set the fast time with an 11.980 lap, beating the 11.985 of Haulot. Furr was the last driver to qualify. Jason Chisum won his eight lap heat race in front of Furr, while Ashe grabbed the win in his heat in front of Haulot. Furr outran Haulot to win the six lap Trophy Dash.
Cody Burke held off Bobby Hogge IV to pick up a win in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. Todd Hermosillo paced the first seven tours of the Tom Sagmiller prepared quarter-mile clay oval with Burke in close pursuit. After a lap seven caution flag, Burke motored by Hermosillo for the lead on the restart. Hogge moved into second on lap ten and began his close pursuit of Burke. A lap 21 caution flag allowed Kyle Wilson and Ron Obertello to race by Hermosillo for the third and fourth positions on the restart. It also gave Hogge another shot at Cody Burke, but Burke was not to be denied as he took the checkered flag ahead of Hogge, Kyle Wilson, Obertello, Hermosillo, Austin Burke, Robert Marsh, Steven Hopf, Robert Dias and Raymond Keldsen Jr. Keldsen won his eight lap heat race ahead of Cody Burke, and Kyle Wilson won the other heat in front of Austin Burke.
Jack Aguiar scored the victory in the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Aguiar took the lead from the start ahead of heat race winner Mike Kofnovec. However, Austin Williams and 2015 champion Jim DiGiovanni raced into second and third on lap two. Only two yellow flags slowed the pace, but each time Aguilar motored ahead. On the lap 14 restart, Anthony Giuliani slipped past DiGiovanni for third, and he put the moves on Williams for second on lap 16. However, there was no stopping Aguiar as he went on to score the win ahead of Giuliani, Williams, DiGiovanni, Adrian Frost, Duane Bieser, Kenny Shrader and Kofnovec. Charlie Hunter scratched from the Main Event.
Central Valley Mini Stock star Logan Doglione scored the victory in the 15 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Doglione raced into the early lead ahead of Dakota Keldsen. Kelly Campanile settled into third on lap three and took second from Keldsen on lap seven before contact sent her spinning on the backstretch for a yellow flag. Campanile's race was over at that point. Doglione maintained the lead on the restart ahead of Justin Williams and James Gardner. Gardner took second from Williams on lap 11 and gave Doglione a good run down the stretch. However, Doglione was not to be denied as he picked up the victory ahead of Gardner. Kate Beardsley finished third ahead of Dakota Keldsen, Nicole Beardsley, Bill Beardsley, Abigail Kennedy, Williams, Campanelle and Tom Summers. DJ Keldsen had finished third, but he was disqualified in post-race tech. Eight lap heat race wins went to Doglione ahead of Gardner and Williams ahead of Bill Beardsley.
Next Friday, the Ocean Sprints, presented by Taco Bravo, return to headline a show along with
IMCA Sport Modifieds, American Stocks and Four Bangers. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com
Noland, Johnson Win At Kern County Raceway
Bakersfield, CA...May 4...Steve Noland won the 30 lap A Modified Main Event Friday night at Kern County Raceway. Rookie Shane DeVolder led early ahead of S Noland and previous winner Brad Pounds. Pounds took second from Noland on Lap 19 and slipped past DeVolder for the lead on Lap 22. The rapidly run race saw it's first yellow flag on Lap 23. Pounds continued to lead on the restart with Noland and Rob Sanders in second and third a lap later. Pounds appeared headed for a win until last lap issues dropped him further back in the pack. S Noland found himself leading and was the happy winner ahead of Sanders, DeVolder, Robby Sawyer, Levi Kiefer, Karl Noland, Pounds, Tim Balding, Dylan Thornton and Bret Bennett. Pounds won the first of two eight lap heat races ahead of S Noland, and two time Merced champion Randy Brown beat Sawyer in the second heat.
Michael Johnson went flag to flag in winning the 25 lap B Modified Main Event. Johnson led from the outset ahead of Garrett Jernagen. Recent Antioch Speedway winner Nick Spainhoward started further back in the 25 car field and was up to fifth at the lap three caution flag. Spainhoward took fourth from Tina Pounds on the restart and passed Kevin Johnson for third on a lap 14 restart. M Johnson continued to lead Jernagen, and Spainhoward finally passed Jernagen for second on the final restart on lap 23. However, M Johnson was not to be denied as he picked up the impressive victory ahead of Spainhoward, Gary Dutton made a last lap pass on Jernagen for third as Fred Ryland came from deep in the pack for fifth. Austin Kiefer finished sixth, followed by K Johnson, Wayne Dotson, Austin Manzella and Billy Simkins. Dutton won the first of four eight lap heat races ahead of Jernagen. M Johnson won his heat race ahead of Tina Pounds, Spainhoward outran Brylon Holder in their race and Mod Lite star Zach Forster won the final heat in front of Kyle Wood.
Young Tyler Blankenship dominated the Mini Mod action. After winning the eight lap heat race ahead of Cade Lewis, Blankenship won the 20 lap Main Event ahead of Lewis, Cole Forster and Nathaniel Edwards.
Blankenship also won the 15 lap Sr Mini Dwarf Main Event, but he had to work harder for this one. Striker Conley won the six lap heat race ahead of Logan Miller. Conley set the early pace ahead of Blankenship. Blankenship put the moves on Conley for the lead on lap four as Trenton Eurto settled into third. Eurto gained second on lap six as Conley had problems. However, there was no stopping Blankenship as he brought it home to victory ahead of Eurto, Nathaniel Edwards, Miller, Conley and Preston Burrows.
Tristan Harrington went flag to flag to win the 12 lap Jr Mini Dwarf Main Event. Harrington was pursued by Adam Nohl and Wyatt Webb all race long. Seth Hansen finished fourth ahead of Hayden Joplin and Bransyn Speer. Webb won the six lap heat race ahead of Nohl.
Racing will resume on Friday May 18th with A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Mini Stocks and USAC Speed2 Midgets. For further information, go to www.kernraceway.com.
Ocean Sprints Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2018
Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo
Brad Furr
Jake Haulot
Koen Shaw
Kurt Nelson
Jeremy Chisum
Jason Chisum
Lucas Ashe
Chris Nelson
Richard Fajardo
Kyle Offill
Eric Humphries
Mathew Moles DNS
Jerry Bonnema DNS
IMCA Modifieds
Cody Burke
Bobby Hogge IV
Kyle Wilson
Andy Obertello
Todd Hermosillo
Austin Burke
Robert Marsh
Stephen Hopf
Robert Dias
Raymond Keldsen Jr
Alex Wilson DNS
IMCA Sport Modofieds
Jack Aguiar
Anthony Giuliani
Austin Williams
Jim DiGiovanni
Adriane Frost
Duane Bieser
Kenny Shrader
Mike Kofnovec Sr
Charlie Hunter DNS
Four Bangers
Logan Doglione
Jay Gardner
Kate Beardsley
Dakota Keldsen
Nicole Beardsley
Bill Beardsley
Abigail Kennedy
Justin Williams
Kelly Campanile
Tom Summers
DJ Keldsen DQ
Police n Pursuit
Cliff Sloma
Roy Iler
John Hohmann
Jesse Mueller
Chris Murphy
Mike Mount
Tori Dellicarpini
Kyle Dorris
Steven Fernandes
Alex Martin
Rob Buchanan
Nate Graham
Anthony Boler
Tony Weir
Kern Raceway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2018
A Modifieds
Steve Noland
Rob Sanders
Shane Devolder
Robby Sawyer
Levi Kiefer
Karl Noland
Brad Pounds
Tim Balding
Dylan Thornton
Brett Bennett
Randy Brown
B Modifieds
Michael Johnson
Nick Spainhoward
Gary Dutton
GARRETT JERNAGAN
Fred Ryland
Austin Kiefer
Kevin Johnson
Wayne Dotson
Austin Manzella
Billy Simkins
Zach Forester
KYLE WOOD
Chase Alves
Kollin Hibdon
Matt Hagio
Matt Mayo
Patti Ryland
Jeff Miller
Lloyd Wren
Jacob Pugh
Brylon Holder
Chris McKellar
Jeremy Hoff
Matthew Mayo
Tina Pounds
Mini Mod
Tyler Blankenship
Cade Lewis
Cole Forster
Nathaniel Edwards
Sr. Dwarfs
TYLER BLANKENSHIP
TRENTON EURTO
NATHAN EDWARDS
LOGAN MILLER
Stryker Conley
Preston Burrows
Jr. Dwarfs
Tristen Harrington
Adam Nohl
Wyatt Webb
Seth Hansen
Hayden Joplin
BRANSYN SPEER
Petaluma Speedway Unoffiial Race Results May 5, 2018
PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #25b Jake Haulot
2 #52 David Lindt II
3 #38 Colby Johnson
4 #12j John Clark
5 #11k Kenny Drew
6 #27 Brett Rollag
7 #6 Will Fatu
8 #88 Bret Barney
9 #1s Nathan Schank
10 #101 Klint Simpson
11 #43 Bradley Terrell
12 #73c Cody Fendley
PitStopUSA.com Wingless Spec Sprints
Results are not official
1 #98 Geoff Ensign
2 #9 Shayna Sylvia
3 #92z Scott Chapeta
4 #12 Adam Christian
5 #57n Dennis Furia Jr
6 #5b Angelique Bell
7 #3r Bob Davis
8 #77s Ryon Siverling
9 #32b Eden McCormick
10 #51L Chet Wilson
11 #17 Dan Younce
12 #6k Ryan Whitley
13 #83 Bradley Terrell
14 #6 Sparky Howard
Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks
Results are not official
1 #46 Steve Studebaker
2 #22m Mitch Machado
3 #22 Paul Hanley
4 #49 Woody Woodward
5 #76 Steve Hansen
6 #18 Snazzy Duckworth
7 #07 Manny Avila
8 #51d Sid Hess
9 #3 Matt While
Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros
Results are not official
1 #1j Jim Beck
2 #29 David Engstrom
3 #23 George Nielson
4 #4 Adam Johnson
5 #10 Carroll Mendenhall
6 #2j Jenna Perkins
7 #121 Brian Slubik
8 #7r Rick Alonso
9 #00 Scott McIntosh
10 #5 Kyle Grissom
11 #17r Justin Wade
12 #53 Justin Adiego
13 #33 Jason McIntosh
14 #04 Cody Gray
15 #11a Amber Fields
16 #11s Tony Soper
17 #154 Jared Morrison
Merced Speedway Unofffficial Race Results May 5, 2018
A Modifieds
Paul Stone
Darrell Hughes
Brian Pearce
Ramie Stone
Justin Villaneuva
Jeff Streeter
Ricky Thatcher
Troy Stone
Harley Turner
Tim Cecil
Jarod Fast
Vincent DePalma
John Osgood III
Ryan Porter
Randy Brown
Karl Rose
Derek Nance
B Modifieds
Tanner Thomas
Jeremy Hoff
Ryan Bledsaw
Jarrod Mounce
T.J. Etchinson III
Chase Thomas
Mark Odgers
Kelly Wilkinson
Danny Roe
Chris Falkenberg
Bruce Nelson
Preston Martin
KC Keller
Cody Parker
Tim Elias
Tim Ragsdale
Todd Carlock
Chuck Weir
Courtney Burk
Jason Womack
Paul Espino
Mark Condell
Dale Grissom
Joe Salvi
Hobby Stocks
Kodie Dean
Robert Gallaher
Shannon Nelson
Robbie Loquaci
Austin VanHoff
Michael Shearer
Thomas Suarez
Kristie Shearer
Joe Gallaher
Cody Smiley
Steven Torres
James Stockton
Mike Germait
Race Shelton
Kevin Joaquin DNS
Mini Wedge
Jesse Burks
Tim Crews
Riley Jeppesen
Ian Shearer
Carson Guthrie
Madera Speedway Unofficial Racce Results May 5, 2018
360 Super Modfied
Donnie Large
Lance Jackson
Eric Humphries
AJ Russell
Ed Rodriguez
Western US Midgets
Adam Lemke
Joey Iest
Cody Jessop
Blake Brannon
Elvis Rankin
Legends
Pete Pierce
Michael Ray
Braden Rogers
Chad Nascimento
Eddie Garone
Keith Clement
Matt Winfrey
Jim Weiler
Kevin Travels
Jadon Fisher
Paul Dorrity
Heather Hadley
Mike Marley
Rob Nascimento
Pete Soto
NCMA Sprints
Denny Burell
David Burcett
Robb Hammond
Ventura Raceway Unofficial Results May 5, 2018
AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
Brody Roa
Damion Gardner
Ryan Bernal
Jake Swanson
Cody Williams
Troy Rutherford
R.J. Johnson
Max Adams
Tommy Malcolm
A.J. Bender
Verne Sweeney
Brent Owens
Trent Williams
Kyle Edwards
Jeff Dyer
Joel Rayborne
Austin Williams
Rick Hendrix
Austin Ervine
Chris Gansen
Logan Williams
California Lightning Sprints
Aiden Lange
Brent Sexton
Pat Kelly
Jarrett Kramer
Cody Nigh
Jeffrey Dyer
Kiwi Alexanmder
Robb Pelmear
Dominic Del Monte
Dalton Sexton
Eric Greco
Grant Sexton
Doug Nunes
Dale Gamer
Frank Ditmar
Wink Schweitzer
Donny Martin
Bobby Michnowicz
James Turnbull II
Jon Robertson
VRA Dwarf Cars
Johnnie Conley
Jason Horton
Tom Morley
Gage Cheek
Korey Cowan
Trent Morley
Brad Curnel
Jeff Brink
April Banuelos
Kody Cowan
Tommy Velasquez II
Zach Curnel
Tony Pelligrino
Tim Morse
Tommy Velasquez III
Shane Linenberger
Tim Conley
Tulare Thunderbowl Unofficial Race Results
Civil War Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #7K Steven Kent
2 #9S Landon Hurst
3 #10 Mathew Moles
4 #11E Cory Elliott
5 #12 Jarrett Soares
6 #4 Burt Forland Jr
7 #9 Dustin Freitas
8 #99T Tanner Boul
9 #33 Tucker Worth
10 #21X Cole Macedo
11 #7Z Zane Blanchard
12 #2 Gary Nelson Jr
IMCA Modifieds
Results are not official
1 #2 Bobby Hogge IV
2 #222 Cody Laney
3 #198 Robby Sawyer
4 #49 Troy Foulger
5 #44S Shane Devolder
6 #15B Brad Pounds
7 #C9 Clint Reichenbach
8 #55 Karl Noland Jr
9 #17N Steven Noland
10 #1b Tim Balding
11 #20 Cody Burke
12 #10R Ryan McDaniel
13 #25 Austin Burke
14 #71 Bill Wilker
15 #2C Duane Cleveland
IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #67G Grant Duinkerken
2 #23T George Tristao
3 #45 Monty Ferriera
4 #35 Albert Pombo
5 #38 Kyle Rasmussen
6 #95 Charlie Graham
7 #5S Mauro Simone
8 #9S Rick Bray
9 #95X Rob Solomon
10 #75 Brendan Warmerdam
11 #2 Brooklyn Holland
12 #10F Jared Faria
13 #53 Michael Pombo
14 #9 Steve Davis
15 #31H Phil Heynen
The Editor's Viewpoint
You can line everything up perfectly as you're getting ready to begin a racing season, but there is a myriad of things that can go wrong. To say the two or three weeks leading up to the season opener at Southern Oregon Speedway have been stressful would be an understatement. I'll be honest, I've had the whole retirement thought in my head for the past several months. That really hasn't changed, but there's one thing I know.
If I'm there, I have to give 100% and do my best. It's the way I'm hard-wired. What do I do when I need to take a break from all of this and have a life? Pile more on top of it and forget my life. Wrong way to do it, but darned if I'm not somewhat effective applying that method to my effort. It's always been that way. So, it's with that in mind that I've jumped in and done whatever it was that needed to be done to keep things going. I don't know how many different hats I've worn aside from simple Publicity Director, but things had to be done. I didn't come up here to fail. I came up here to help make Southern Oregon Speedway better than it's been in recent years.
The details on all of this I'll keep somewhat to myself for the moment, but there will probably be a few more passages written in my upcoming book when it's all said and done. Suffice it to say, we got the job done. It has been stressful, but I don't have time to stress out. There's work to be done. I'm writing this on Monday, though I should probably just abandon the idea of doing this column and get the blog posts up. I've been informed that we're heading to the track very early on Tuesday morning, so I'm trying to cram as much work as I can get into my writing and other paperwork before my brain is toast for the night.
One thing I already told you was that I got on the lawn mower and went over the pits prior to what ended up being a rained out season opener. I'm still recovering from the sunburn and I'm not completely rested. There's no time. My mind was racing around in circles over what to do to help hype up this race and generate the excitement. The articles went out on schedule and Mike authorized using the Facebook Boost to help spread the word on social media a little bit wider.
I mentioned sending articles to TV stations, but I had abandoned sending any video clips due to the fact that I knew the original opener was rained out. I did send clips to two TV stations prior to last week's season opener. Though I haven't seen the evidence, I was informed by one of our competitors that the clip and the little bit of information I gave them aired on KOBI Channel 5 NBC. Made my Saturday morning when I heard that. We put the word out.
You can line everything up as best you can, but one thing I've learned is you just don't know how it's going to go. I think that as we've gone on from the first year to the second year to the year, things have gotten harder. That's just the impression I get. We've worked very hard to make this thing happen, but we just didn't know how everything would work out.
Suffice it to say, we had our most successful night yet. I've also learned another lesson that was applied early on in 2016, a week after what should have been a successful Roger Haudenshild Tribute Race. We had the cars, and we had a great turnout, but in many ways, we dropped the ball in the delivery of that race. We all knew we had to do better than that. So, after having good numbers, we were all angry that night. We couldn't even enjoy the success. To further illustrate that, a week later, we had our worst night yet. Lesson learned, don't get cocky and don't assume anything. Get back in there and do the work that needs to be done.
This is the part that I won't necessarily get into a bunch of details on, but anything can go wrong during the night. You'd be amazed at the little fires that need to be put out. I was doing everything I could on my end, and Mike was certainly doing the same. A couple of moments there made us think that we were letting the whole thing slip away from us, but we brought it all together and actually got the races done before 11 p.m. That's the goal.
In the history of this track, I understand that there were many times when the races went later than that. You simply don't want to do that. In 2018, people want to get in there, have their fun and go about their lives. A two and a half to three hour show is perfect. Think about it. When you go to a movie, how long are you there? You go there, get entertained and go home. In sports, things can happen to make things go longer, but you're striving to keep things moving. We never took our eyes off of the ball, even when things seemed to be slipping away, and we got it done. That's all I'll say about that.
Really, I have to give it up for the racers of Southern Oregon Speedway. They put on a great show. As the Main Events went on, it just got better. From the time the IMCA Sport Modifieds took to the track, followed by the IMCA Modifieds and the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars, it just got better and better and better. The fans left having seen a good show. I have to salute the racers, and I can just add one thing. If they continue to get behind this racing program, Southern Oregon Speedway is going to be rocking in a way that it hasn't for years. It comes down to the racers.
The fans want to come and be entertained. The season opener typically is that night where curious fans want to see what's going on. We definitely put the word out, and there were fans. There were more fans than we've seen in our time here, and I'd like to think we can do even better than that. It's been a long, hard struggle. Damn it, I think we worked hard to earn the success. We couldn't do it without the fans, so we strive to give them the best experience possible.
Before moving on from this topic, I want to say that I feel I have done just about everything in racing that I can do short of actually wearing the promoter's hat or driving a race car. Promoting is not a goal that I have in life anymore. At one time, I did. I've grown to realize that it takes a lot of money to do all that. I don't think I have it in me to fight that battle, and I don't have the money. Perhaps, if I were going someplace where we were establishing a racing program, I might be tempted. However, I kind of doubt that. I see me slowly exiting the sport once again and taking a background role as I work on books chronicling the history. Unless a few things change regarding things that come back my way for the energy I put out, I don't really have the desire to continue. But as I said, I will give a 100% until I walk away.
Speaking of people I feel are giving 100%, I have to acknowledge Drake Nelson at Coos Bay Speedway. No, they're not seeing huge numbers in the car count department. As I've heard Mike point out, half of the base for this race track is in the ocean. That makes it harder to draw. Nelson happens to love the Coos Bay area, so he jumped in to see what he could do. I understand they do pretty well in the fan department, probably because they're working on every little fan friendly attraction that they can come up with.
Drake has endeavored to bring in NASCAR sanctioning as a way to generate interest from the racers. Now understand, they are getting a pretty good pot of gold at the end of the rainbow compared to other places. The racers pay a $100 or $200 fee for that NASCAR license, but the drivers are competing for something. I don't think that license fee compares that differently to IMCA other than the fact that the local champions are certainly making out better. Honestly, even the #5 division at that track is winning more for their championship than the IMCA Modified track champions are. Tell me why NASCAR is not a good idea if you must sanction weekly racing?
I haven't investigated this story, but I'm noticing on social media that there's a report that indicates the majority owners may be looking to sell NASCAR. First of all, a change is needed at the top of NASCAR. They need to get that thing back to its roots before it's too late. Secondly, and this is just my opinion, one thing that can assist NASCAR in bringing things back as much as they can in this day and age is aligning with the short tracks across America once again. In other words, bring back the Weekly Racing Series. It will be interesting to see what plays out there.
Now, I'm not really suggesting that local tracks need any sanctioning body. It takes money out of the promoter's pocket to do this, and what I'm seeing from sanctioning bodies right now isn't much return as far as what racers compete for in point fund money at season's end. That's what I like about what NASCAR is doing for Coos Bay Speedway. But short of having that nice pot of gold at the end of the season's rainbow, why do you need a sanctioning body? If the money is not there for the drivers at the end of the season, we're talking about a reliable rulebook. If a promoter can resist messing with the rules, they don't need a sanctioning body.
A thought occurs to me as I look at what's going on at Kern Raceway. They have their established pavement track, but I'm also looking at the dirt track show with great interest. It's there folks. Drivers are willing to go race on that track, and their continued support shows that the track is ready. There were 25 B Modifieds last week. Could there come a point where they decide to sanction the dirt track on Friday nights? If so, what will they sanction it with? Would they go IMCA because neighboring Bakersfield Speedway is sanctioned by IMCA? Is it possible that they might use that same NASCAR banner that they use on Saturday nights for the dirt track on Friday nights? Perhaps I'm crazy, but I'm wondering if Kern Raceway could be the next dirt track to do the NASCAR experiment.
I noticed the Dwarf Cars had another Western States Dwarf Car Nationals event last weekend, this time at American Valley Speedway in Quincy, California. Turnout wasn't so great. I'm wondering if this is the right location for this event. It is beautiful in Quincy, don't get me wrong. But, it might be far enough to the east that the Oregon drivers aren't really interested in supporting it. Frank Munroe has certainly lined up good events at Marysville, Medford and Merced. I know there's an interest in doing something out of state. In absence of that, if you must have a fourth event, I'm wondering if maybe Santa Maria or Ventura would be a better choice. Of course, do the promoters there went to play ball with the Western States Dwarf Car Association? The important thing is that these big events continue as they do offer great weekends of racing for the fans.
The head to head results are in with the IMCA Modifieds last weekend. They pretty much split the cars between Merced and Tulare. I believe Merced was paying $1,000 to win the Ted Stofle Classic, which is a traditional event there. Tulare paid $1,500 for an IMCA Modified race and got some of the heavy hitters, since this was an All Star Series event. For whatever reason, the All Star Series only has four events scheduled this year. This conflict should never have happened, in my opinion. Anybody who wants to blame Ed Parker on this can take their opinion and put it somewhere dark. Ed works very hard to stay off of big dates, and certainly John Prentice at Watsonville and the head honcho of the All Star Series is somebody Ed endeavors to work with.
The Billy Geyer Memorial race took place at Siskiyou Motor Speedway last weekend. When Medford decided to go another way and not book the Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks too many times this year, Yreka came out with a much needed boost to their show. They are featuring Pro Stocks just about every other week. Yreka took a major hit last weekend with Medford opening and some of their drivers actually going to Cottage Grove and Chico instead of the home track. The IMCA Sport Modified class did not have a good showing, and for whatever reason, the Mini Stocks were a little bit light as well. I hate seeing that.
I have been saying this for the past couple of years, and I'll repeat it again here. Yreka management needs to prepare for the future and begin building other classes now. I know they are an association and therefore elect new board members every year. It might behoove them to hire a track manager with an eye towards building a stronger program. It won't last long without other classes. Whether it's a Hornet division, a Hobby Stock division or whatever, the time is now.
What I find interesting is two drivers who you would expect to be in their IMCA Modified show didn't run their opener for that class a few weeks back. They were both in Medford on Saturday night. It would suggest that there is a problem of some sort with the Modified drivers that they have left in the area. Why no effort to resolve this? The sliding scale purse they put them on last year was almost like a stake through the heart of the division.
Understand, I support Siskiyou Motor Speedway and do my best to put out the word. They have some good people supporting this cause. However, they need to plan and build for the future. Without doing that, things aren't going to improve too much. Their big nights will be the specials during the course of the year when people come to town for the guaranteed extra money, but their regular shows will languish without the support of a solid third division such as the Pro Stocks or the Dwarf Cars. The Pro Stock division bailed out the show this last weekend.
Antioch Speedway had a Drone Race last week. I sort of shake my head and roll my eyes at the thought that this was something used to try and get fan interest. Is this what this sport is coming to? But, I looked at the demographics from Facebook after we boosted the post, and it's not a young crowd folks. This is pretty obvious when you look at who is attending, but the numbers for the views I saw show that. Is the Drone Race concept something that can get fans to come out? I just have to say that if this is the type of thing that we need to do to get people to come watch a race, I've definitely overstayed my welcome in the sport.
But I have to give you an honest opinion here. When I watched the footage from a fan in the grandstands, you can hear the crowd reacting in an entertained way from what they were witnessing. The oos and ahs suggest they liked what they saw. The show also didn't drag out too long. John M Soares is another promoter who believes in the two and a half to three hour concept. Bring them in, entertain them and send them home at a reasonable hour. Maybe this is just what Antioch Speedway is looking for.
I did notice the latest flyer that Jay Banks put together. Jay, of course, is the mind behind the Drone Race idea and the Sharp Shooter Series for the B Modified class. The July 7th show is scheduled to be a topless event for the B Modifieds that will pay $500 to win. Unfortunately, there just so happens to be a race paying $1,500 to win at the Stockton 99 Dirt Track that night. That one has been on the schedule.
These B Modified races that have been put on the schedule at Stockton, Orland and Placerville were negotiated by West Coast Sport Mod Tour organizer Brian Cooper prior to IMCA dropping the hammer on him and forcing him to give up what was a very nicely promoted thing. The dates remained on these unsanctioned tracks' schedules, though Cooper is not running any particular point series. He is supporting all of these races and trying to get drivers to compete, because he's a man of his word. I'm almost tempted to throw together a fun little point series just for the heck of it as I'm sure there will be a half a dozen or so competitors who will support all of these races by the time they're done.
Dan Myrick reports to me that the Central Valley Mini Stock Association is doing okay in its second year. A lot of money was invested to get this thing started, but it's on the right track. Running Mini Stocks on the short one-fifth mile clay oval in Lemoore, California, was a great concept, in my opinion. Mini Stocks have run on smaller tracks, most notably Delta Speedway in Stockton. They are building a nice little fan base, and DCRR Racing Media is proud to include them among the things that we cover. It's something unique. My hat goes off to Dan on what he's done so far, and I would urge the group to continue running most of their races with Lemoore Raceway as the home track. If they want to try something else (other than Hanford) outside of the home track, maybe Plaza Park would be another place to look, if the track would give the Mini Stocks a chance. Just a thought.
I'll close this column at Southern Oregon Speedway by talking about Little Southern Oregon Speedway. Some of the things I had hoped that we would do on our schedule have come to pass, and there's another one in my target. I want to see a Hornet race on Little Southern Oregon Speedway, the one-fifth mile oval next to the big track.
We've discussed this, and Mike even had a thought about running a Figure 8 on the little track. The idea is you're trying to get fans to come spectate and get more vehicles in the pits. While I think we're going to do much better with our Outlaw Kart program this year overall, which has me feeling pretty good about things there, I'd still like to see something happen with the Hornets. I just think it would be fun to see what would happen. Another possibility could be to even run a big 50 lap Hornet race to close the season on the little track in September. Who knows? It's a thought right now, but that's how things happen in the future.
That's all for now. Until next time...
