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Said Myrick brothers. It's Baronian Brothers. D'oh!
Wilkinson Wins, Dean Continues To Roll At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...July 14...Kelly Wilkinson won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. It was the first win of the season for Wilkinson. Cody Parker had the pole for the feature and raced into the lead at the green flag. Wilkinson settled into second ahead of Bruce Nelson. On the eighth lap, Wilkinson made a Turn 2 pass on Parker to gain the lead, and Nelson raced by Parker for second in Turn 4. Nelson was providing pressure for Wilkinson until the final caution flag waved on lap 20. On the restart, Wilkinson pulled ahead just a bit as Nelson was in a close three-car battle for second with Chris Falkenberg and Mark Odgers. Wilkinson took the checkered flag a few car lengths ahead of Nelson. Falkenberg was third, followed by Danny Roe, Nick Tucker, Jarrod Mounce, Austin Williams, Chase Thomas, Odgers and Tanner Thomas. Eight lap heat race wins went to Falkenberg, Wilkinson and Nelson.
Point leader Kodie Dean continues to roll as he won his sixth 25 lap Hobby Stock Main Event of the season. Dean had the pole for the Main Event and raced into the lead from the start, followed closely by championship rival Shannon Nelson. The lead duo ran closely throughout the race, leaving the battle for third. Donnie Shearer held the spot in the waning laps, but he pushed high in Turn 4 on lap 22, which allowed to Austin Van Hoff to race underneath for the third place finish. Donnie Shearer settled for fourth, followed by Michael Shearer, Kristie Shearer, Kalob Shelton, Brad Myers, John Hensley and Breanna Troen. Shannon Nelson, Michael Shearer and Kodie Dean each won eight lap heat races.
Chris Birdsong piloted the Jeff Bristow car to victory in the 15 lap Sportsman Main Event. This is the third win for the Bristow car as Chris Falkenberg has won with it twice. Birdsong charged into the lead at the start of the non-stop race and proceeded to pull away by half a lap, leaving the battle for second. Eric Seeley charged past Chris Delfs on lap two to gain second with point leader Jerry Cecil following closely into third. Birdsong went on to win his third Main Event of the season, followed by Seely, Cecil, Delfs, Mike Friesen, Rick Elliot and Jeff West. Delfs scored the victory in the eight lap heat race.
Jesse James Burks won his fifth California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event of the season. He charged into lead from the start and led the entire distance with point leader Timmy Crews in close pursuit in second. Carson Guthrie and Ian Shearer rounded out the field. Guthrie scored his first eight lap heat race win of the season. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
Furr, Burke Win At Ocean Speedway
Watsonville, CA...July 13...Brad Furr scored the victory in the 30 lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event Friday night at Ocean Speedway. Furr was trailing Koen Shaw by 4 points in the standings coming into the night, and his second win of the season may have gained him the lead. Reigning King Of The West Sprint Car champion Bud Kaeding led through two early yellow flags ahead of Cole Macedo. However, Macedo's run in second came to an end at a lap 18 caution flag. Furr led Sanders and Ryan Bernal into the Top 3 positions as Kaeding slipped back to fifth. Furr ran strong during the final 10 circuits and collected the satisfying victory ahead of Sanders. Kaeding made a late charge back into third as Jerry Bonnema, Tanner Boul, Jeremy Chisum, Kurt Nelson, Shaw, Blake Carrick and Jason Chisum completed the Top 10.
Macedo set the fast time in qualifying with his lap of 11.714 around the quarter-mile clay oval. Furr was second quick at 11.759. Bonnema won the first eight lap heat race ahead of Bernal. Macedo won his heat race in front of Mitchell Faccinto, and Zane Blanchard outran Sanders to win the final heat. Furr outran Kaeding in the six lap Trophy Dash to grab the pole for the Main Event.
IMCA Modified point leader Cody Burke maintained his lead with his second 25 lap Main Event win of the season. Danny Wagner set the pace for five laps before Burke made his move by to take over. Bobby Hogge IV was in third on a lap nine restart and raced past Wagner for second. During the final 15 laps, Burke led with Hogge right behind him waiting for just one mistake. However, Burke ran a smooth and flawless race for the well earned win. Hogge settled for second, followed by Brian Cass, Wagner, Austin Burke, DJ Shannon, Alex Wilson, Robert Miller, Tim Yeager Jr and Robert Dias. Hogge and Wilson each won eight lap heat races.
Point leader Matt Kile won his fourth 20 lap American Stock Main Event of the season. Kile led at the start ahead of JC Elrod. Elrod kept it close throughout the race, and reigning champion Rob Gallaher settled into third on lap six to make it a close three-car battle during the final 15 laps. However, Kile was not to be denied as he scored the victory, followed by Elrod, Rob Gallaher, Terry Campion, Nick Lawrence, Tony Oliveira, Jerry Skeleton, Joe Gallaher, John Farrell and DJ Keldsen. Rob Gallaher and Campion each scored wins in their eight lap heat races.
Zach Price won the 20 lap South Bay Dwarf Car Main Event. Ryan Amlen led the way for nine laps. Gene "Punky" Pires settled into second, but his run came to an end for a lap eight yellow flag. Amlen led just one more lap before surrendering the lead to Price. Price led the rest of the way for the victory. Amlen lost the second position briefly to Mark Biscardi on lap 11 but made his way back into second on a lap 17 restart to claim the position for good. Biscardi settled for third, followed by Marty Weisler, Trafton Chandler, Mac Aceves, Cameron Diatte, Brady Beck, Andy Claeson and Pires. Cameron Diatte and Price won the eight lap heat races.
Nate Teramo led all 15 laps to win the Mini Stock Main Event. He became the first two-time winner of the season as there have been eight different winners in nine races. Heat race winner Ray Bunn settled into second at the start and followed Teramo all the way to the checkered flag. Previous winner Tom Summers made a move from fifth to third on a lap three restart to finish there. Nicole Beardsley finished fourth, followed by Kate Beardsley, point leader Abigail Kennedy, Chuck Kessinger, Bill Beardsley, Dakota Keldsen and Ryan Muller. Abigail Kennedy won the other eight lap heat race.
Next weekend is the Eighth Annual Howard Kaeding Classic. This two day event will feature the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds, American Stocks And South Bay Dwarf Cars on Friday night. On Saturday night, the King Of The West/NARC Sprint Cars will be there along with IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Golobic Rolls To Third King Of The West Sprint Car Win
At Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...July 14...Shane Golobic scored the victory in the 30 lap King Of The West/NARC Fujitsu Sprint Car Series Main Event Saturday night at Petaluma Speedway. This was his third win of the season aboard the Tarlton Motorsports entry, and the win paid $3,000. Golobic is currently second in series points. He charged out into the lead at the start, and the race had a red flag immediately when Marcus Dumesey and Colby Copeland ended up flipping on the back straightaway.
Golobic again grabbed the lead, followed by point leader Kyle Hirst. A low pass in Turn 3 of the ninth lap gained Bud Kaeding second, and he set his sights on leader Golobic. Tanner Thorson made the inside pass in Turn 2 on lap 12 to steal third from Hirst. In the waning laps, Kaeding began to pressure Golobic, but Golobic made a good pass on the outside of a slower car as they raced to the white flag. Golobic went on to score the satisfying victory ahead of Kaeding, Thorson, Hirst, Chase Johnson, Copeland, Jason Statler, Willie Croft, Sean Watts and Richard Brace Jr.
Kaeding set the quick lap of 12.779, beating the 12.826 effort of Hirst. The 19 car field ran three 10 lap heat races, and Golobic, Watts and Copeland picked up the wins. Golobic grabbed the pole for the Main Event by holding off Hirst to win the six lap Trophy Dash.
Mitch Machado continued his strong bid for The Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock championship by winning his 4th straight 25 lap Main Event and sixth of the season. Machado won by about six car lengths ahead of reigning champion Matt While. Manny Avilla was a distant third with Shawn McCoy the final lead lap finisher. Steve Studebaker, Tim O'Hara, Snazzy Duckworth, Sean Cook, Austin Ohlinger and Sid Hess rounded out the Top 10. Eight lap heat race wins were recorded by Machado and Studebaker.
After a rough start, reigning General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Car champion Dave Mosier seems to have hit his stride. Mosier won a good battle with Adam Teves and Chad Mathias to collect his third straight 25 Main Event victory. Scooter Gomes outran Zack Albers in another good battle for fourth as Mark Hanson, John Peters, Carol Mendenhall, Miranda Chappa and Brandon Gentry completed the Top 10 at the checkered flag. Teves, Hanson and Mosier each won their respective eight lap heat races.
Jeremy Tjensvold became the fourth straight different winner in the Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stock 20 lap Main Event. It was also his first start and he collected his win with Danny Manzoni close behind in second. Samone Chrisman was about a straightaway behind the leaders in third as Roberta Broze, Roy Dearing, Sean Hale, Trevor Rodriguez, Tom Brown, Dave Spindell and Sophie Shelley made up the remainder of the Top 10. Spindell and Brown each won six lap heat races.
Next Saturday night is another special Open Wheel themed show with the PitStopUSA.com Winged 360 Sprint Cars, a shootout race between the BCRA and USAC Western States Midgets and the Santa Rosa Auto Body 600 Micros. The Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks will also be back for the four division program. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
Langenderfer, Martin, Webster Are Orland Raceway Winners
Orland, CA...July 14...Jeremy Langenderfer kept the pressure on in the Pure Stock championship battle with the 20 lap Pure Stock Main Event win Saturday night at Orland Raceway. This was his fourth win of the season. Despite having won three races prior to the night, he still found himself trailing Paul Stevens by 19 points going into the evening. The race had an eventful first 10 laps. Nick Vidovich lost a tire while running in second on the opening lap. Ben Matlock led the early laps with Stevens in pursuit. On lap six, two-time champion Steve Martin made the move underneath Matlock in Turn 2 for the lead. Stephens followed closely into second. The caution flag flew on lap nine, and Martin's run up front came to an end as his car died in Turn 2. Stevens suddenly had the lead over rival Langenderfer. However, Langenderfer kept his foot to the floor and made his move to bring home his fourth win of the season.
BJ Martin scored his first 600 Micro feature win since opening day. Martin has won multiple championships in various 4 Cylinder classes at the track. He led this race from the outset with Jessica McManus and Rowdy McLennon in pursuit all the way to the checkered flag. He gained some points on leader Jake Fernandez, who ended up fifth at the finish.
Dan Webster scored his second Mini Truck 20 lap Main Event win of the season. The 2016 champion started in the back with incoming point leader Keith Ross as William Fogle charged into the lead. Webster made his move into second by lap five and attempted an inside pass in Turn 3, only to make contact with a tractor tire for a yellow flag. However, Webster found his way back to the front and would gain the lead. Justin Vance and Ross kept it close down the stretch as they finished second and third, respectively.
Jackie Whitson returned and won the 250 Micro Sprint Main Event. The night also included a 50/50 raffle fundraiser for the Pasero family. The winner of the drawing decided to donate that money back to the Pesaro family. The entirety of the donation was $382.
Racing returns on July 28th with the second appearance of the B Modified division. Also competing will be the Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks and the 250 Micro Sprints. For further information, find the Orland Raceway page on Facebook.
Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 14, 2018
Ocean Sprints presented by Taco Bravo
Brad Furr
Justin Sanders
Bud Kaeding
Jerry Bonnema
Tanner Boul
Jeremy Chisum
Kurt Nelson
Koen Shaw
Blake Carrick
Jason Chisum
Gary Nelson Jr
Bryan Grier
Ryan Bernal
Cole Macedo
Zane Blanchard
Mitchell Faccinto
Richard Fajardo
Glenn Bryan
IMCA Modifieds
Cody Burke
Bobby Hogge IV
Brian Cass
Danny Wagner
Austin Burke
D.J. Shannon
Alex Wilson
Robert Miller
Tim Yaeger
Robert Dias
Jeff McCoun
Nick Decarlo
Raymond Keldsen Jr
Troy Foulger
American Stocks
Matt Kile
JC Elrod
Rob Gallaher
Terry Campion
Nick Lawrence
Tony Oliveira
Jerry Skelton
Joe Gallaher
John Farrell
DJ Keldsen
Terry Traub
Four Bangers
Nate Teramo
Ray Bunn
Tom Summers
Nicole Beardsley
Kate Beardsley
Abigail Kennedy
Chuck Kessinger
Bill Beardsley
Ryan Muller
Dakota Keldsen
Mateo Banuelos
Kevin Counterman DNS
South Bay Dwarf Cars
Zach Price
Ryan Amlen
Mark Biscardi
Eric Weisler
Trafton Chandler
Mack Aceves
Camron Diatte
Brady Beck
Eddy Claessen
Punky Pires
Greg McKenna DNS
Irwindale Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 14, 2018
"SPEARS SWT" 100 by Pinnacle Peak SPEARS SWT
Derek Thorn
Jeremy Doss
Eric Schmidt
Trevor Huddleston
Ryan Partridge
Carlos Vieira
Dan Holtz
Jeff Bischofberger
Gracin Raz
Kyle Neveau
Cole Moore
Jacob Gomes
Blaine Rocha
Ricky Schlick
Craig Raudman
Cale Kanke
Donny St. Ours
Keith Spangler
Bob Lyon
Jason Gilbert
Jack Wood
Chris Clyne
Scott Sanchez
Michael Hite
Linny White
John Moore
Tyler Fabozzi
Stockton 99 Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 14, 2018
Gunslinger Sprint Cars
Aj Russell
Chad Nichols
Jerry Kobza
Austin Carter
Gordon Rodgers
Audra Sasselli
Alan Beck
Bob Beck
Andy Gleason
Justin Kawatiata
NCMA Sprint Cars
Rob Huumond
David Burchet
Denny Burrell
Andy Gleason
Don Emery
BCRA Midgets
Chad Nichols
Mark Maliepaard
Jesse Love IV
Frankie Guerrini
Floyd Alvis
JR Williams
Cody Jessop
Madera Raceway Unofficial Race Results July 14, 2018
Late Models
Matt Erickson
Dillion Tucker
Del McIntosh
Howard Holden
Tyler Herzog
Henk Gaalswyk Jr
Eloy Bazan
Mike Shapiro
Kent Cam
Joseph Reichmuth
Zachary Cook
Toyota Sedans
Jillaun Holden
Mike Marley
Kyle Labrie
Manny Gonzales Jr
Kurt Davison
Jason Kerns
J.J Brandsen
Thomas Magray
MST's
Ryan Reynolds
Shaun Reynolds
Bert Stephens
Dave Lander
John Benedict
Dennis Brannon
Patrick Geiger
Hobby Stocks
Steve Schermerhorn
Jesus Hernandez
Thomas Suarez
Ventura Raceway Unofficial Results July 14, 2018
VRA Battle at the Beach
USAC WEST COAST SPRINT CAR SERIES
1. Ryan Bernal
2. Jake Swanson
3. Ryan Timmons
4. Tyler Edwards
5. Matt Stewart
6. Koen Shaw
7. Slater Helt
8. Rick Hendrix
9. Danny Faria Jr
10. Austin Liggett
11. Kyle Smith
12. Jeremy Ellertson
13. Brandon Wiley
14. Charlie Butcher
15. Kaleb Montgomery
16. Tristan Guardino
17. Shannon McQueen
18. Troy Rutherford
19. Britton Bock
20. Cody Majors
21. Tony Everhart
22. Guy Woodward
IMCA MODIFIEDS
1 28 Trevor Fitzgibbon
2 08 Dave Phipps
3 55jr Jack Parker
4 61 Donald Houghton
5 21 Austin Rodarte
6 3r John Romero
7 48 Chuck Costabile
8 11 Andrew Greiman
9 23JP Jake Pike
10 38 Dennis Eckert
11 09 Luis Espinoza
12 7 Chris Crompe
13 34 Scott Olsen
14 75 Brad Prows
VRA HOBBY STOCKS
1 5x Mike Lewis
2 51 Mike Keebler
3 7 Tom Smith
4 16 Tom Stephens Jr
5 31 Alyssa Smith
6 43 Sam Garvin
7 6 Heath Morton
8 45 Christina Garvin
VRA SENIOR SPRINTS
1 2 Wally Pankratz
2 5k Eddie Williams
3 16 Tom Stephens Sr
4 66 Chris Meredith
5 45 Joey Bishop
6 27 Tyler Hatzikian
Petaluma Speedway Unofficial Race Results
Fujitsu King Of The West/NARC Sprint Cars
Results are not official
1 #21x Shane Golobic
2 #0 Bud Kaeding
3 #3c Tanner Thorson
4 #83 Kyle Hirst
5 #68 Chase Johnson
6 #16a Colby Copeland
7 #00 Jason Statler
8 #29 Willie Croft
9 #98 Sean Watts
10 #2r Richard Brace Jr
11 #25 Bobby McMahan
12 #57 Dustin Golobic
13 #12 Jarrett Soares
14 #18 Jenna Frazier
15 #9n Geoff Ensign
16 #24 Colby Johnson
17 #28 Nathan Rolfe
18 #83sa Matt Dumesny
19 #14 Marcus Dumesny
Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks
Results are not official
1 #22m Mitch Machado
2 #3 Matt While
3 #07 Manny Avila
4 #60 Shawn McCoy
5 #46 Steve Studebaker
6 #27 Tim O'Hara
7 #18 Snazzy Duckworth
8 #11c Sean Cook
9 #85 Austin Ohlinger
10 #51d Sid Hess
General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars
1 #23r Dave Mosier
2 #42r Adam Teves
3 #9r Chad Matthias
4 #66r Scooter Gomes
5 #22r Zack Albers
6 #79r Mark Hanson
7 #71r John Peters
8 #11r Carroll Mendenhall
9 #81 Miranda Chappa
10 #31r Brandon Gentry
11 #03r Mike Affonso
12 #13r Trevor Mendenhall
13 #34r Sam Borland
14 #43r Michael Williams
15 #21r Marcus Hardina
16 #08r Adam Freitas
17 #59r Matt Hagemann
Jake's Performance Hobbies Mini Stocks
Results are not official
1 #3xr Jeremy Tjensvold
2 #m1a Danny Manzoni
3 #7c Samone Chrisman
4 #25c Roberta Broze
5 #c4 Roy Dearing
6 #32 Sean Hale
7 #7 Trevor Rodriguez
8 #3r Tom Brown
9 #13 Dave Spindell
10 #22z Sophie Shelley
11 #8 Adin Avila
Merced Speedway Unofficial Race Results
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Kelly Wilkinson
Bruce Nelson
Chris Falkenberg
Danny Roe
Nick Tucker
Jarrod Mounce
Austin Williams
Chase Thomas
Mark Odgers
Tanner Thomas
Chuck Weir
Jeremy Hoff
Tony Peffer
Richard Ragsdale
Mark Squadrit
Cody Parker
Travis Slayter
Hobby Stocks
Kodie Dean
Shannon Nelson
Austin VanHoff
Donnie Shearer Jr
Michael Shearer
Kristie Shearer
Kalob Shelton
Brad Myers
John Hensley
Breanna Troen
Nick Lawrence
Billy Garner
Race Shelton
Valley Sportsman
Chris Birdsong
Eric Seely
Jerry Cecil
Chris Delfs
Mike Freisen
Rick Elliot
Jeff West
Mini Late Models
Jesse Burks
Tim Crews
Carson Guthrie
Ian Shearer
The Editor's Viewpoint
We're In the heat of summer now. There's no getting around it. When you come out to the race track, you're going to be baking in the sun. We're also coming up on a one-week break up here pretty soon, and I had given thought to making a visit to Orland Raceway that week. I happen to have family in the area, and this would have been a perfect opportunity to go see a race at the 1/5 mile dirt oval. I've been hearing good things, and of course this is a track that we cover in our media effort.
One of my big concerns when I was thinking about this trip was the cost. It's not cheap getting down there, and that put the trip in doubt. The other problem is I've been running myself pretty ragged here and I'm already feeling the effects. We still have half a season left to go, and I'm looking for the checkered flag. Regretfully, I had to go ahead and scrap plans to make the trip. For the week off, I'm probably going to be trying to catch up on some rest while still maintaining the media effort from the desk. The other thing is we have some big events coming up in August that need some preparation.
I made the comment about my financial situation affecting my decision not to go to Orland Raceway to a couple of friends, and I was surprised by their reactions. They both have made donations to get me a train ticket for a trip further down to Antioch in October. This one has been on my radar for a couple of reasons. I'm concerned about how things are going down there, I have many friends there that I miss and our season will be done by then. It lines up perfectly. I have another idea that's been bouncing around in my mind, and perhaps I will express that at a later time. I'll be doing it privately with a few people until then.
You look at your schedule and you have high hopes for every date that you have booked. Nobody books a schedule with the intent to have nights that are going to fail. You know that that will happen, but you put a schedule together with the intent that every race will be a winner. My role up here is to try and sell each race date to the fans to get interest in coming out to watch a race. Basically, that's what this racing media effort is all about and why I do the articles I do for certain tracks that have no Publicity Director.
Saturday didn't look good going into last weekend. I've had this uneasy feeling about July in Medford and how things could fall off. Given the struggles that we've had in the turnaround effort up here, I've been bracing for impact since day one. The only thing I can do is look at what we've got on the schedule and do my best to present it to the people. I do my best to try and give them a reason to want to come out and watch.
We had a pair of things that were obstacles to overcome. First of all, we were booked on the night of the County Fair. Though it's allowed, this isn't something that has been done traditionally at the speedway. The second obstacle was the 100-plus degree weather we were dealing with. We're fighting an uphill battle here. There was Jeff Foxworthy doing his routine at the County Fair, which many people wanted to see. Plus, the County Fair only comes along once a year. And like I said, we had 100-plus degree weather.
To be honest, I didn't want to be out in that weather, and it pretty much got to me by the time we were ready to start racing. I will work social media and do whatever I can to the last minute, but we had what we had. It wasn't getting any better. We had our weakest night of the season, and this was a reminder that even if things are going good, it can go bad very quickly. Like I've been saying, you might be proud of the success you have on any given week, but you don't assume you're going to have that next week. You get back to work and do what you can. Now, it's time to make plans for the next weekend and chalk up the lessons learned this time.
I have a few observations on the subject. First of all, when you know there are certain weekends that might be a bit iffy on the schedule and you still want to race, you need to take that into consideration when booking divisions. Perhaps the higher end divisions with the bigger purses should have nights off on those occasions? The Sprint Car division is doing well up here, but it comes with a hefty price tag. The Late Models don't come cheap either. When you have a race where the grandstands underperform and you have those two divisions to pay, it's not good.
What I would suggest is going with the lower end divisions and letting them have their night to shine. You want to get as many fans as you can at the track, and you're showcasing these classes, but at the end of the evening, you're not paying a big purse. You have to balance a lot of things when you're running a racing program. People will complain about the ticket prices, but when they come to the race track, they want to see cars and they want to see certain divisions. It takes money to make that happen. So, it can be a real challenge booking a schedule. The lesson learned here could be stay off of the fair week? Perhaps it's always meant to be a month where two Saturdays will have no races?
I keep looking at the one division staring me back in the face and wondering if they could be showcased as the headline class on a night like this. I speak of the Pro Stocks. This is an uphill battle for me as somebody who would be an advocate for the class. There are reasons I push for this. It's Stock Car racing, it's a division that has been around the speedway since it opened and they can deliver car count. It's win-win. All I can do is speak up for the cause, but the ultimate decision of yes-or-no falls into the hands of the promoter.
There's an area at Southern Oregon Speedway that to me is lacking. I've been used to watching something like a Limited Late Model or Street Stock or Hobby Stock class and this place has none of that. They never started a Hobby Stock class. The Street Stocks weren't started until 2010 and only had a 5-year run, and the Pro Stocks were the class they had. I do find it interesting that the Pro Stocks at the old Posse Grounds track, then called Sportsman, had evolved from the Street Stocks. The Pro Stocks were there from day one at Southern Oregon Speedway, and a few years into the track's run, there was talk about splitting the class and starting a
Street Stock division then. Why didn't it happen? There were over 30 Pro Stocks. Perhaps management decided not to split the numbers? Can't argue with that, but a Street Stock division would have been nice.
You have to factor in a few things as a promoter when you're booking a schedule. One of the things is other race track dates. I was reading the comments from people saying the promoters aren't working together. And that's somewhat true up here. However, promoters will generally try to stay off of each other's big dates when possible. And if you wanted that division and are keeping it dark because of a race at another place, you have to put something else in its place. It's challenging.
Up here, we have eight regular divisions on the roster. Divisionitis at its best. You sort of have to do that to try and keep the numbers up. If you only had three divisions and ran them 20 times a year, I can assure you that in 2018 you're going to see numbers drop to where you might have 30 or less cars in the pits for the three division show. Our neighbors in Yreka understand this all too well. They only have two regular classes these days and depend on the car count they get from the Pro Stocks on nights in which they are booked. So, to keep your numbers up, you have more divisions. Not my ideal situation, but I understand it is the way it is now.
I've been somewhat encouraged by the IMCA Modifieds and the slight resurgence we've seen in numbers. I'm not saying the numbers are huge, but they're better than last year. I've been waiting for the drop off. Remember that comment about bracing for impact? The Medford area has some really good IMCA Modified drivers, and if they were showing up in the numbers they are capable of, I don't think there's a track in the state of Oregon that would have a better show. Maybe I'm biased? Sport Modifieds are really growing, but the influx of new drivers for the class presents a challenge when it comes to a smooth running Main Event. In other words, we're seeing quite a few yellows here and torn up equipment.
That's always the interesting discussion to me. It always comes down to the track did this to the racers. You will see them pass the buck. "It was a crappy race track that made me wreck my car. Couldn't possibly be me." Truthfully, you have nights at the track where the division is constantly delivering caution filled races, and I'm not naming a division in particular here. Drivers have to take some of the blame.
What has generally happened with the schedule here is we have paired both Modified classes up on certain nights and the Sprint Cars are usually headlining the other nights. Sometimes there's Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars. The Sport Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Hornets and Sprint Cars are performing well so far in car count. Everything else is a work in progress. This is where I go back and look at the division that's been staring me in the face the whole time.
Pro Stocks would fit in nicely here. That's my opinion as the editor of this site, not to be taken as an official statement for any track. Fact is, I don't know the path to get Pro Stocks more dates here. I would just advise the association that if they want to continue running, they need to get their dates where the getting's good, wherever that may be. In other words, if a track wants you there and the racers don't object, book it. It's what you do when you're an association trying to stay afloat.
So, we came off of a night that was definitely less than desired. We learned some lessons. But the good thing about it was that this was Kids Night. Kids got in for free. Between Uncle Rich donating 125 Hot Wheels to the first kids through the gates, Claudia Linker landing bike sponsors that got us nine bikes and some candy that I handed out to the kids, I think that aspect went pretty well. You can sometimes take positives out of nights that don't pencil in so well otherwise. There's not a lot of time to stop and think. You just get ready for the next race and move ahead.
I know it's not the best of seasons right now in Yreka. They've gotten a couple of rainouts this year where we actually got our races in. But, car count numbers aren't up as well as they were last year. Now, it's fire season and it's taking a toll down there. They lost a weekend due to the Hornbrook fire, and more fires are putting this weekend at risk as well. The track will be dark for another month during the fair unless something changes and they allow them a race at some point.
I still say it's regrouping time there. I think that it might be in the best interest of the association to really map out a game plan for how to grow the racing program there. You have to put pieces in place to build a program. It can't simply be an association managing to keep the race track open from year to year. Obviously, that business model isn't quite working out so well. Sure, they might say it is because racing continues on, but you need to build up the base. What might be the best course of action? Perhaps hiring a promoter to run the track for the association? Seems to me that this model worked pretty well for the NCRA at Lakeport under Bob and Nadine Strauss.
When associations go bad, you can lose race tracks. Hayfork nearly learned that lesson this year when the schedule booked for the season was canceled before it ever started. If not for some quick thinking and efforts behind the scenes, it may have been a dark year. With a new name, Mountain Valley Raceway, they held their first race last weekend. Much like Orland Raceway, we struggle to get results from there, but from pictures I've seen it looks like numbers came in about the way they usually do there. Another good thing about the racing program there is the fairgrounds appears to be supportive of racing. They even chip money into the purse on occasion, such as last week.
I look at the four tracks that served as the center of my racing universe for years with great interest. I was happy when Watsonville management distanced themselves from the San Jose Speedway Hall of Fame. The reason was the so-called leader of that effort has become a bit unstable with some of his political and transphobic rants that don't serve to represent the best interest of racing at all. When he pulled his Hall of Fame ceremony a month or so ago in protest, he didn't do that effort any favors. What I would advise John Prentice at Watsonville to do is to get the Watsonville Racing Hall of Fame back up and running again. I know a few families that would be glad to help.
I would still call that somewhat optimistic because Watsonville still rolls along with their Sprint Car class and the Sport Modifieds doing better numbers. Judging from the car count numbers, things are up there. I'm also excited to see that Rick Faeth and Glad Enterprises has signed another extension to keep Petaluma Speedway going through 2022. You know what I say. As long as the gates continue to open, there's a chance for good things to happen. This track has an amazing if sometimes forgotten history, and it's worth fighting for.
I know how much the Merced Speedway family is grieving right now with the sudden loss of Ed Parker. But I see a community rallying behind that race track. You can't give up. The reason Ed Parker ever stepped up to begin with was because he saw something worth fighting for, and the numbers he put out there on the track show that he was right. There might be some questions about the future, but I see good things going on. You have a Fairgrounds that is committed to that track, which means that it's worth it for somebody to continue to invest in racing at Merced Speedway. The show will go on.
That leads me to Antioch Speedway. I will admit I'm nervous about things. First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go out to John and Donna Soares during this difficult time for Donna. I'm amazed that John even bothers to worry about racing at a time like this, but I know he also worries about where that track will be if he gives up. Believe it or not, the man cares about the sport. I've never doubted that. Now, if he can just take out some of the trash in regards to certain people there who aren't doing the track any favors, it could be better.
That would lead me into a few other directions on what I think could help. Could I be of help in 2019? Would I be willing to? Would John be willing to have me down there, if he is still the man calling the shots there and doesn't walk away or sell the place? There's a lot of questions I don't know the answers to, and it's added to my desire to go back down there before the season is done and see a few things for myself. Plus, the aforementioned idea that I have. But I don't want to get ahead of myself.
I saw one of those memes on Facebook talking about how it's up to the racers more so than the promoters to promote the race track. Yes and no. I think if you're a racer who cares about the future of your race track, then you step forward when you can. The biggest problems come when the track gives off the impression that they don't want your help or they don't want you. If a racer has tried and been given that feeling, what are they supposed to do? But, is bad-mouthing the track the way to go?
I just remember the days when racers might have the bumper sticker on their street car that advertised their race track. Or they might hang a poster in their place of business advertising the dates. Or they might take the time to talk to people about the race track. Or they would just do something to help the track if it was in their power to do so. They felt like they were a part of that racing community and that the community needed them. I think in some areas, community is lacking when it comes to certain race tracks. So, when we're looking at those particular tracks, it might be in the best interest of the promoter to recreate that community feeling.
Of course, the concerns of some promoters are real. "What if this person who has done whatever for us now feels like I owe them a favor?" Believe it or not, that comes up sometimes. "I sponsored you $2,000 or I loaned you this or I did that, and now I want this." It doesn't work, my friends. It leads to hard feelings and the ugly specter of favoritism. If you happen to be somebody who can do something for the track, cut the strings and do it for the sake of doing it. Eventually, you're going to feel screwed over if you go in there with certain expectations.
A promoter might have to make a call against you. They may not really like you, but they'll take your money. Whatever the case. I'm not saying don't help at times where you can. Just don't go in there expecting you're doing anything but maybe helping the track a little bit in it's time of need.
I've watched a few racers leave with fingers in the air at certain race tracks. I watched that up here. I've been flipped off myself, and all I was doing was trying to interview a racer when some fan walked over and asked me a few questions. It happens. So, the disgruntled racer will get up on Facebook and will start saying bad words about the track or doing whatever damage they think they can get away with.
Going back to my own stomping grounds, I had occasion to visit with some racers who came up here for our big show last season. To a person, they weren't saying very nice things about the track or the promoter. One of them was almost poetic in the negativity that they spewed. Even when they were having their good moment, they couldn't just enjoy that without taking another dig at the promoter. Very interesting to me. I'm leaving names out of this, but one person I admired in the group didn't have a lot of positive stuff to say. They tried to help and did help. When they felt like they weren't wanted there, they left. No scene, no negative comments, but they moved on elsewhere.
You see, we all have options. There's a message in there somewhere. I think I've said enough. Until next time...
