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Close Hobby Stock Battle, Modified Classes Part Of
Four Division Show At Antioch Speedway
Antioch, CA...Only four point races remain on the Antioch Speedway schedule. The closest All Star Racing Series battle is taking place in the Hobby Stock division. As luck would have it, that division will be a part of all four events, setting the stage for what should be an exciting finish for them. Also competing this Saturday night will be the A Modifieds, B Modifieds and Limited Late Models.
Chris Sorensen has at times been practically unstoppable in the Hobby Stock division. The two-time reigning champion has won more Main Events in this division history than anybody else and would match Kimo Oreta as a three-time champion if he could finish what he started in the final weeks ahead. Sorensen has six wins and six second place finishes as his best efforts this season, but a disastrous month of August has allowed Breanna Troen to close to within 12 points of him. Troen has been the model of consistency with Top 5 finishes in all but one of the 16 races held so far. A further look inside of the numbers finds her with nine Top 3 finishes, including one win. Six of her Top 3 finishes has happened in the last seven races. Suddenly, this race has gotten much more interesting.
Josh Leach hit a slump with four-straight non finishes prior to winning the most recent two races. As a five-time winner, he is still within 30 for points of Troen and 46 points of Sorensen, making this a three-car battle that could still go either way.
Another battle that has gotten more interesting in recent weeks is the race for fourth in the standings and top rookie honors. Will Buirch has taken over the #7 car for Lindsay Buirch, and he's done an admirable job so far. However, Ken Johns has been on a bit of a roll lately with six-straight Top 5 finishes, including a pair of thirds and a second. Because of his recent success, Johns is now within eight points of Buirch in a battle that can go either way. This is making the Hobby Stocks an exciting division to watch as the track's 59th consecutive championship season winds down.
Recent races have seen some new drivers entering the winner's circle, and this includes sixth ranked Jacob Mallet Jr and James Thomson, who ranks 10th in the current standings. In the last event, Dalton Jewell had his sights set on a first win after some terrible luck in the four races prior to that. Jewel led for 17 laps before being over taken by Leach. He settled for second and will be out to get a victory this week. Other drivers to watch for include Jeff Bentancourt, Tyler Henrickson, Judy Arth, Lori Brown and Madison Motts.
The A Modified division will be at three of the last four races, and there is still the possibility of a change up in the title chase. However, Buddy Kniss has used some recent bad luck for Danny Wagner to stretch his advantage to 50 points. Kniss didn't have one of his better nights last time out as he ended up sixth after a heat race win, but Wagner didn't finish the race. Kniss knows that he needs to take it one race at a time, because Wagner is a veteran of point racing with three championships to show for it. Kniss is a three-time winner this season, while Wagner has a pair of victories. With some of the nearby tracks not running the class this week, car count could once again rise.
The Modified show has been a wide open race for the victory. With 15 races in the books, there have been nine different winners. The most recent two races have yielded victories for both Brian Pearce and Jeff Decker. With three wins to his credit, reigning champion Nick DeCarlo has third in the standings by 84 points over Sean O'Gara. DeCarlo picked up his third runner-up finish of the season last week behind the flying Decker. O'Gara leads past champion Bobby Motts Jr by just 14 points. Motts had one of his best finishes of the season last week with his second third place finish. Some of the racers to watch for this week include top rookie Frank Furtado, Sean Wilson and Raymond Lindeman.
Tommy Fraser is hoping to not hit any snags in the final three point races for the B Modifieds as he holds a 90 point lead over Kevin Brown in the championship chase. Fraser continues to pick off Top 3 finishes. His seventh win of the season last week was part of his division leading 12 Top 3 finishes. Though Fraser leads the division win list, there have been four different winners in the last six races. It was only luck that saw him get the win last week as Todd Gomez led much of the distance before blowing a motor with five laps remaining.
The battle is for second in the standings, and Kevin Brown leads top rookie Cameron Swank by just eight points. Brown and Swank have both only recently earned their first feature wins in this class. Despite the fact that Brown has earned six of his Top 5 finishes in the last eight races, Swank has managed to stay close in this battle. Meanwhile, the Clymens brothers are running neck and neck in the race for fourth. Two-time reigning champion Trevor Clymens has a 10 point advantage over brother Tommy Clymens Jr. Trevor earned his second-straight runner-up finish last week, while Tommy had one of his better runs in third. He has finished as high as second this year, but he's still hoping to get his first win before the season comes to an end.
The B Modified division has produced some interesting results all season long, and at times track officials have let them close the program. Some of the stars to watch for this week include Mark Garner, Haley Gomez, Jason Womack and Nick Caughman Jr.
Rounding out the card will be the Limited Late Model division. Kimo Oreta appears to be headed for his second championship in the last three seasons after Jim Freethy decided to bail on the chase at the last race. Up until that point, Freethy had managed to grab two wins and seven second place finishes, while Oreta leads the class with five victories. One might think the road to victory has been easy for Oreta and Freethy this year, but you need only look at the results from the last five events to see otherwise.
The last five races have yielded three first time winners in this division with Chris Long, Chad Hammer and Jimmy Robbins. It was a short field last time out, but Robbins led all the way for the win. He had his hands full with Oreta trying everything he could to get around in the waning laps. Hammer had some bad luck take him out of the field on that night, and this opened the door for Michael Burch to move into third in the standings by just seven points over Hammer. The steady John Evans, who seems to be a big quicker lately, is only 23 points out of 3rd. Should Freethy decide not to return, this could end up being a battle for second. Other drivers to watch for this week include two-time champion Mike Gustafson, Ryan Cherezian and Jeff Kendrick.
This weekend's four division offering has plenty of things to be excited about. There are also some big events left to go on the schedule, including the soon to be announced final October show. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Decker Dominant In Victory,
Smith Makes Late Pass For Antioch Speedway Win
Antioch, CA...August 31...Jeff Decker won the 20 lap All Star Racing Series A Modified Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Decker is a three-time Late Model champion at Antioch, but he has been running his Modified this season. Decker had a front row start in the Main Event and charged into the lead ahead of Sean O'Gara and reigning champion Nick DeCarlo. As Decker pulled away, O'Gara had his hands full fighting off DeCarlo. DeCarlo slipped past O'Gara for the second position on lap eight as Decker was negotiating slower traffic. A yellow flag waved on lap 14 for Frank Furtado. Decker continued to lead DeCarlo on this restart and one more restart three laps later as he scored the impressive victory. Bobby Motts Jr finished third, followed by Carl Berendsen II and Terry DeCarlo.
Richard Papenhausen won the 15 lap DIRTcar Late Model Main Event. This was the sixth win of the season for the current point leader. Past Santa Maria Speedway champion Rick Coffey raced into the early lead ahead of Papenhausen. Mike Hynes stalled out of the third position for a yellow flag after three laps. Papenhausen got a good run on the outside on the restart lap and charged past Coffey on the backstretch to take the lead. Shawn DeForest made a low pass in Turn 4 of the sixth lap to take over second, but Papenhausen already held a straightaway advantage by then. Previous feature winner Kimo Oreta spun on the front stretch for the final yellow flag on lap 13. Papenhausen held off the challenges of DeForest on the restart and led him the rest of the way for the victory. Coffey settled for third, followed by Oreta and Rod Oliver.
Marcus Smith won the 20 lap Wingless Spec Sprint Main Event. This was the first win of the season for Smith and only his second appearance. With his own car destroyed in his hard flip at the previous race, point leader Shannon Newton brought the Bob Newberry car to the speedway and charged into the lead at the start ahead of Keith Calvino. Calvino got into the Turn 4 wall for a lap two yellow flag. Newton continued to lead Smith and previous winner Alan Miranda on the restart. Smith ran closely behind Newberry, and heavy traffic with five laps to go made things interesting. As they took the white flag, Smith moved around Newton on the outside for the lead. Newton tried to make a move on the back stretch, but his progress was impeded by a slower car. Smith brought it home to the impressive victory, followed by Shannon Newton, Miranda, Mackenzie Newton and Peter Carlotto.
Tommy Fraser won the 20 lap B Modified Main Event. This was his seventh win of the season. Past Street Stock champion Todd Gomez returned to Antioch and set the early pace ahead of Chuck Golden and Fraser. They ran in that order throughout the first half of the race, but an inside pass on the front stretch on the 11th lap gained Fraser second from Golden. Working the 16th lap, Gomez slowed exiting Turn 2 and pulled into the infield. This put Fraser into the lead ahead of Trevor Clymens. Contact sent Golden spinning from third in Turn 2 of the 17th lap. The race hit the time limit at that point with Fraser declared the winner ahead of Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens Jr, Jason Womack and Golden.
Travis Dutra won the 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. This was the third win of the season for Dutra. He charged into the lead at the start ahead of reigning champion Mike Corsaro. Devan Kammermann got around Troy Stevenson Jr for the third position on a lap four restart. working the 12th lap, Kammermann made an inside pass in Turn 2 to gain second from Corsaro. Point leader Scott Dahlgren went inside Corsaro in Turn 4 of the 17th lap to take third. Kammermann gave it his best effort but Dutra forced him to settle for his fifth second place finish of the season. Dahlgren ended up third, followed by Corsaro and Mario Marques.
Racing returns next Saturday night with the A Modifieds, B Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Limited Late Models. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
All Star Series Antioch Speedway
A Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 laps)-Nick DeCarlo, Buddy Kniss. Main Event (20 laps)-Jeff Decker, Nick DeCarlo, Bobby Motts Jr, Carl Berendsen II, Terry DeCarlo, Buddy Kniss, Brian Pearce, Trevor Clymens, Ron Brown, Danny Wagner.
DIRTcar Late Models
Heat Winners (6 laps)-Shawn DeForest, Kimo Oreta. Main Event (15 laps)-Richard Papenhausen, Shawn DeForest, Rick Coffey, Kimo Oreta, Rod Oliver, Mike Hynes, Rob Norris.
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat Winners (6 laps)-Marcus Smith, Mackenzie Newton. Main Event (15 laps)-Marcus Smith, Shannon Newton, Alan Miranda, Mackenzie Newton, Peter Carlotto, Rick Panfili, Keith Calvino, Abigail Gonderman.
B Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 laps)-Nick Caughman Jr, Tommy Fraser. Main Event (20 laps)-Tommy Fraser, Trevor Clymens, Tommy Clymens Jr, Jason Womack, Chuck Golden, Cameron Swank, Kevin Brown, Nick Caughman Jr, Tyler Bickford, Todd Gomez.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (6 laps)-Devan Kammerman, Mike Corsaro. Main Event (20 laps)-Travis Dutra, Devan Kammermann, Scott Dahlgren, Mike Corsaro, Mario Marques, Travis Day, Troy Stevenson Jr, Chris Becker, Sean Catucci, David Rosa.
Championship Night #1 At Southern Oregon Speedway
This Saturday
White City, Oregon...Following last weekend's big R Charles Snyder Salute IMCA Modified Show, Southern Oregon Speedway prepares to wrap up what has been an exciting 2019 season. This is the first of two championship Saturday night events. This weekend will feature the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars, Late Models, Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and Valley Store All Late Model Lites. It is the final point event of the season for all but the Sprint Cars.
Sprint Car point leader Mike Wheeler surprised the field when he didn't show up for the most recent event. It was a planned Hawaii vacation for the family, and he had such a point lead that he would not lose it in his absence. However, the points got a little bit closer when Bailey Hibbard finished fifth in the most recent race. The Wheeler advantage is now just 17 points. Last weekend, Hibbard went to Cottage Grove and scored his first feature win of the season. He will be hoping to earn similar results this Saturday night. As a three-time winner this season, Wheeler will be hoping to pick up where he left off.
The battle for second is even closer as Hibbard leads past champion Charlie Thompson by just five points and Enrique Jaime by eight. Thompson and Jaime are also looking for their first wins of the season. Last time out, 2016 champion Jake Wheeler drove the Ron Osborne car to an impressive victory. It was past champion TJ Winningham finishing a season best second as he moved into fifth in the standings, 15 points behind Jaime. All of these drivers are anticipated this weekend along with top rookie Anissa Curtice, reigning champion David Hibbard, Johnny Burke and David Marble. Having wrapped up the ISCS Sprint Car championship, it's possible that Tanner Holmes will be here as well.
The Late Model championship is already a foregone conclusion for Trent Elliott. Not only did he win three point earning feature races, he also bagged the $4,000 first prize in the Cottonwood Classic. Elliott will be out to extend his win total this week, while Dave Everson and Darren Coffell have a close battle going for second in the standings. Everson, who is the 2013 Pro Stock champion, leads two-time feature winner Coffell by just three points. Like Mark Wauge, Everson has finished as high as third in the Main Event this season. Wauge has three third place finishes and will be hoping to grab his first win in this division this weekend.
Dave Foote is fourth in the standings, 22 points ahead of last season's top rookie, Miles Deubert. Deubert challenged himself in the big Cottonwood Classic event and managed to earn a starting spot in the highly competitive field. He was a two-time winner last season and will be hoping to end things with a victory on Saturday. Other drivers to watch for this week include 2016 champion Bob Dees, Eric Massey, Chris Biggs and Kelly Justason.
In the Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stock class, reigning champion David Steele has scored six victories to carry a 22 point lead into the final race. Barring any bad luck in preliminaries, Steele will likely win another championship. Running second in the standings is Ashtin Hedges. Hedges has done a respectable job with five second place finishes and a win to his credit. The battle behind him finds 2017 champion Kristopher Mix leading top rookie Dylan Irving by 26 points. Mix will have to stumble to lose third. Other drivers to watch for this week include Hunter Magnan, Michael McLeod, Andrew Hall, Brandyn Wonsyld and 2013 champion Steve Goetz.
Greg Arnold decided to run his car with the Late Models last time out as Lee Doty allowed him to drive his fast Late Model Lite. Arnold responded with a feature win to extend his lead to 13 points ahead of reigning champion Charlie Eaton. Arnold has put himself in a good position to win his first championship since winning the Super Truck division title back in 2002. However, one-time winner Eaton could still do well enough to take the lead. Ross Payant should be back behind the wheel of the Doty car this week as he leads Eric Aos by just seven tallies in the race for third. Also battling for position are Dusty Aos and Krista Hadley, who are tied for fifth. Hadley has picked up back-to-back Top 3 finishes. Other drivers to watch for this week include Terry Hadley and Jim Cunningham.
There will only be one more opportunity after this Saturday night to check out a show at Southern Oregon Speedway. The Late Models and Sprint Cars are two of the faster classes the speedway offers, and the racing should be exciting. Gates will open at 5 pm With the first race starting at 7. General Admission Adult tickets 13+ are $13, Seniors 62+, Veterans and Juniors 7 to 12 are $7. Children 6 and under are free. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Chadwick Wins $5,000 In R Charles Snyder Salute
IMCA Modified Race
White City, Oregon...September 1-August 31...Taking the lead after Shane DeVolder had problems lapping slower traffic, Kellen Chadwick went on to win the 50 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Sunday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. The occasion was the Third Annual R Charles Snyder Salute, which pays tribute to the long time Medford area radio DJ and auto racing announcer. Chadwick had broken a rear end in heat race competition the night before and was only able to race after borrowing another rear end. He made it through the B Main and started in the last row of the Main Event before charging to the $5,000 victory. Nick Trenchard pocketed $2,500 for his second place finish, while Saturday night Invitational Feature winner Troy Foulger drove the Bowers Racing Modified to a $1,500 third place finish. Coupled with his $1,000 prize from the night earlier, Foulger left with $2,500. Jon DeBenedetti drove the Brian Bowman car to a $1,000 fourth place finish.
Reigning State of California IMCA Modified champion Shane DeVolder had a front row start for the race and led at the green flag and through four yellow flags in the first three laps. Foulger was an early second ahead of defending race champion Bobby Hogge IV. The preferred groove was on the bottom, and DeVolder led comfortably ahead of Foulger and Hogge through the first half of the race. When a yellow flag waved on lap 23 for John Campos in Turn 1, track officials called for the a mid race fuel break. At that point, last row starter Chadwick had already found his way up to fourth ahead of Trenchard. DeVolder continued to lead Foulger and Hogge on the restart. DeVolder again caught slower traffic around lap 35. Hoping to make a big move, Foulger moved to the outside line and was promptly freight trained back to fifth by Chadwick and Trenchard. Hogge was now in the second position. Working to put Andy Freeman a lap down, DeVolder made contact with him and the two tangled in Turn 4. Hogge made slight contact in the incident but kept going to the lap 42 yellow flag. Meanwhile, Trenchard did a complete 360, but he kept going and wasn't declared part of the yellow flag. Hogge headed to the pits for repairs, handing Chadwick the lead over Trenchard and Foulger. Chadwick led the pack on the restart and went on to score the victory. Trenchard settled for second, followed by DeVolder, DeBenedetti, Campos, Jeremy Ohlde, Dylan Schriner, Paul Rea, Chris Nieman in Derek Nance.
Trenchard and Chadwick were part of the 20 lap B Main, and Chadwick found himself starting in the back. Trenchard led from the waving of the green flag ahead of recent Yreka John Arnberg Memorial winner Jimmy Lipke and Preston Jones. They ran in that order all the way to the checkered flag in a race that ran with no yellow flag interruptions. Rea finished fourth ahead of Chadwick and final transfer Justin Foux.
Saturday action included two sets of 10 lap heat races. Based on finishing and passing points, this would determine the drivers who would automatically make the big show and who would make the redraw for the first four rows of Sunday's big feature. The first set of heat race wins went to the DeVolder, Todd Hermosillo, Nance, Duane Orsburn and Hogge. DeVolder also won his second heat race, as did Nance. Foulger, Campos and track point leader Zack Fettinger were the other heat race winners. After the weekend, Fettinger added a few more points to his lead as he managed to make the feature, while closest rival Jesse Bailey didn't make it out of the B Main.
The 25 lap Invitational Feature was a special money race that had no impact on Sunday's big money event, nor did it offer points for the track championship race. There was a $4,000 purse at stake, and DeVolder again looked like a sure winner as he shot out of the gate early. DeVolder held a big lead over Foulger at the halfway point of the race as Hogge ran third. As DeVolder got tentative in traffic around lap 17, Foulger quickly closed in on him. An inside pass on the back stretch of the 20th lap gained Foulger the lead, and he went on to post the $1,000 victory. DeVolder settled for a $700 second ahead of Hogge, Trenchard and Campos.
The IMCA Modified championship season will come to a close on September 14th. Also competing that night will be the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars and Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Henson Returns For $2,000 Victory In R Charles Snyder Salute IMCA Sport Modified Race At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...August 31-September 1...Merissa Henson scored the victory in the 30 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Sunday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. This was the Third Annual R Charles Snyder Salute, which pays tribute to the long time Medford area radio DJ and auto racing announcer. The win for Henson earned her $2,000. Hanson raced Mini Stocks and Sprint Cars at the speedway, but this year she has been driving a Sport Modified owned by past Yreka champion Donny Bottoms at Siskiyou Speedway. She drove a flawless race in holding off the challenges of both Chase Thomas and eventual second place finisher Jorddon Braaten. Braaten, who continues to lead the track championship race, earned $1,000 for his second place finish, while Craig Nieman picked up $700 for his third place finish.
Henson set the tone for things to come when she won the first heat race of the night on Saturday. She earned enough points to make it into the redraw and drew a front row start for the big feature race. She charged into lead at the drop of the green flag, and Chase Thomas took up pursuit on a lap two restart. Hanson and Thomas pulled ahead of the pack as Dwayne Melvin and Philip Shelby had a good battle going for third. Shelby made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the ninth lap to gain third. Braaten, who was forced to run the B Main after a disappointing heat race effort, made his first move into the Top 10 on lap nine. Nieman made a move past Melvin for the fourth position on lap 14. Henson continued to lead Thomas, but Braaten finally moved into fifth on a lap 17 restart. A yellow flag waved for Isaac Sanders in Turn 4 a lap later. The restart saw Braaten make a strong outside move to take second behind Henson. The battle was on at the front of the pack, but Henson was running smooth, fast and consistent laps. Braaten and Thomas ran closely behind in second and third. One final yellow flag waved on lap 28, but Henson again resumed command and would take it to the checkered flag ahead of Braaten. Nieman made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the 29th lap to gain third from Thomas, and Thomas fell back a few positions with a flat tire. Yreka star Ryder Boswell came all the way from the C Main to finish fourth, followed by Mike Medel, Branden Wilson, Thomas, Melvin, Doug Coffman and Austin Petray.
There was a 20 lap C Main to transfer four cars into the B Main. Petray charged into the lead at the start, and a yellow flag flew on lap two when Steven Sanders hit the front wall. Petray continued to lead Mike Merritt, and Ryder Boswell made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the fifth lap to take third from Brian Knorr. A lap six restart saw Sanders settle into the fourth position. Petray continued to lead through four yellow flag periods. Petray led Boswell and Knorr on a lap 14 restart, but Sanders gained the third position a lap later. Petray scored the win ahead of Boswell, Sanders, Joby Shields and Knorr.
There would be six transfers coming from the 20 lap B Main, and after a complete restart, Jimmy Ford set the pace ahead of Braaten and Billy Richey. Saturday night Invitational Feature winner Andrew Peckham gained third on a lap a three restart, and the lead three drivers pulled away from the pack. Following a lap 13 yellow flag, Ford continued to lead Braaten on the restart as Mark Garner made an inside pass in Turn 4 to take third from Peckham. The battle remained close at the front between Ford and Braaten, and Braaten finally made an inside pass in the final turn to score the thrilling victory. Peckham made a last lap pass on Garner for what would be second as Ford fell back a few spots. Garner finished third, followed by Ford, Ryder Boswell and Matt Sanders. Sanders was a Main Event scratch, allowing Billy Richey to move into a transfer spot. A miscommunication between the tower and the pits also enabled Petray to start 23rd in the Main Event before ending up 10th at the finish in that race.
There were 48 Sport Modifieds in the pits, and wins in the first set of 10 lap heat races were earned by Henson, Alan Furuta, Jason Ferguson, Peckham, Medel and Chase Thomas. The second set of heat race wins went to Nieman, Jesse Merriman, Shelby, Melvin, Timothy Allerdings and Chase Thomas. Passing points and finishing points determined the 16 drivers who would be locked into the big Sunday Main Event and the Top 8 drivers who would be in the redraw.
The Saturday evening show concluded with the Pro Service Center 20 lap Invitational Feature, which was won by Peckham. Peckham picked up a $500 paycheck for his victory. Peckham led at the start ahead of Hanson, but Chase Thomas gained second on a lap five restart as Henson continued to run in third. The race only had a pair of yellow flag slow downs, and Peckham was the happy winner ahead of Thomas, Henson, Melvin and Matt Sanders.
The IMCA Sport Modifieds will run their final point race on September 14th. Other competing divisions that night will include the IMCA Modifieds, Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars and Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Robustelli A Double Winner In SODCA Dwarf Cars
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...August 31-September 1...Camden Robustelli kept his championship effort on track by winning the SODCA Dwarf Car 25 lap Main Event on Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. The association also ran a non point event on Sunday, and Robustelli picked up the win in that race as well. This gives him three wins on the year at his home track.
The Saturday race saw championship contender Chad Cardoza lead a lap before an inside pass in Turn 4 gained Robustelli first. Three-time reigning champion and title contender Josh King settled into second, but he pitted off of the back stretch during a lap five yellow flag. After a failed restart attempt, King managed to return for the next restart as Robustelli led Cardoza and Joseph Sanders. King made a serious charge back towards the front of the pack. Steve Walker made a front stretch pass on lap 12 to take third from Sanders, and King went charging past Sanders for the fourth position on the front stretch on lap 14. An outside pass on the front stretch a lap later gained King third from Walker, and King set his sights on Cardoza. By lap 21, he caught him, and King made a pass on the outside down the back stretch to take the second position on lap 22. However, Robustelli was not about to let this race get away as he scored the impressive victory ahead of King, Cordoza, Walker, Fred Hay, Sanders, Doug McVae, Ashleigh Strain, Shane Hines and Reggie Ayers.
The Saturday show had 21 competitors, and eight lap heat race wins went to Cody Peters, Robustelli and Jesse Lorentz. Peters outran Robustelli to win the A Dash, while King won the B Dash ahead of Ryan Smith. Brock Peters joined Michael Johnson and Dane Halbert on the sidelines after the heat races.
The Sunday event was a non point affair, and Hay had the pole for the 20 lap race. Hay led three laps before a back stretch pass gained Robustelli the lead. Hay had King and Brock Peters running closely behind him as Robustelli pulled away to a straightaway advantage. A yellow flag for Don Gifford in Turn 4 negated the Robustelli lead on lap eight, but he continued to lead through this restart and a lap 10 restart with Hay in pursuit. A high pass in Turn 2 of the 11th lap gained King second from Hay, and Cardoza passed Hay on the outside down the back stretch for the third position a lap later. Even a late yellow flag on lap 17 did nothing to stop Robustelli. He resumed command when the green flag waved and brought it home to a satisfying victory ahead of King, Cardoza, Hay, Brock Peters, Michael Johnson, Shane Hines, Ashleigh Strain, Gifford and Trevor Davis.
The eight lap heat race wins went to Robustelli and King. King held off Robustelli to win the A Dash, and Strain outran Davis to win the B Dash. This was the first Dwarf Car win for Strain.
The Dwarf Cars will be a part of the final championship night on September 14th. Also competing will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com or the Dwarf Car Association page at www.sodca.net.
Haudenshild Wins Pro Stock Main Event
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...September 1...Jeff Haudenshild won the Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Sunday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. This was the first win of the season for Haudenshild, who was chased across the finish line by point leader Scott Lenz. Lenz made a pit stop during the first caution. Before a lap had been completed, the race had an unsuccessful restart attempt and a lengthy red flag period before Lenz rejoined the field. According to association bylaws, because Lenz didn't make the next restart, he lost a lap.
The rocky start to the race included a tangle between Ryan Smith and Jeffrey Hudson in Turn 3. Lenz headed for the pits. Another yellow flag waved when Colby Hammond spun in Turn 2. Track officials decided to throw a red flag to get the cars lined up for the next restart, and the lengthy red flag period enabled Lenz to return after making repairs. Johnny Cobb led the opening lap before being passed by Dave Quick in Turn 4. Jeff Haudenshild settled into third on a lap three restart, but Colby Hammond spun in Turn 4 for another yellow flag. On the restart, Haudenshild charged by Quick to take the lead. Lenz was into the fourth position on lap five before a yellow flag waved for Quick in Turn 4. On the restart, Lenz settled into second behind Haudenshild, while Hudson completed his charge from the back into the third position on lap seven. Track officials were debating time limit when a yellow flag waved on lap 10 for a tangle between Ginny Flowers and James Flowers. Haudenshild led Lenz on the restart, and Lenz searched for a way by. However, he ran out of time as the checkered flag flew on lap 12 with Haudenshild winning ahead of Lenz. Association bylaws dropped Lenz down a lap, giving Hudson second ahead of Matt Harlow, Ken Irving, Dan Randall, Roy Bain, Bryan Hammond, Johnny Cobb, Chris Ellis and Quick.
Lenz picked up an eight lap heat race win ahead of Cobb. Hudson outran Harlow to win the other heat race. For the latest Pro Stock information, go to the Outlaw Pro Stock Facebook page.
PitStopUSA.com Shootout On Tap
For Petaluma Speedway This Saturday Night
Petaluma, CA...The championship season is winding down at Petaluma Speedway with just a pair of point earning events remaining before the special shows happen. Saturday night is a special night. The Sprint Car sponsor, PitStopUSA.com, is putting more money on the line for the Winged 360 Sprint Car class. The Wingless Spec Sprint are also there along with the Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks and General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars.
After finishing fourth in the previous race, John Clark was able to clinch the Winged 360 Sprint Car championship. However, second place is still on the line, and there's the matter of the big $3,000 first prize. Given the fact that both Marysville and Placerville will not be running the class this week, there are likely to be a few big names on hand to try to secure the money. Last time out, for instance, Chico champion Sean Becker took the wheel of the Worden Family Sprint Car and promptly put it in the winner's circle. Another driver who has been known to come to town when the big money is on the line and leave with the victory is highly decorated Sprint Car champion Andy Forsberg. It's expected that there will be some big names for this race, but who those might be, we haven't heard.
We can say that behind Clark, two-time winner Colby Johnson has a 10 point lead over Joel Myers in the race for second. In addition to his two victories, Colby impressed by finishing second last Monday in the CRA Sprint Car show. One-time winner Brent Bjork and Shawn Arriaga make up the balance of the Top 5 in the standings going into this final point event. Arriaga has driven the Lathrop Family Sprinter to a pair of runner-up finishes in his last three starts, and he also impressed by coming from 18th to fourth in the recent CRA Sprint Car show. Should Arriaga be a part of this event, he shouldn't be counted out in the race for the win.
The Sprint Car count is expected to increase a little bit for this show, and some of the top regular competitors to watch for include Nathan Schank, 2018 champion Jake Haulot, Brett Rollag, Brett Barney Angelo Cornet and Chase Johnson. Johnson has won two Main Events in this class so far this year.
Meanwhile, the Wingless Spec Sprint division continues to enjoy a good season. Angelique Bell clings a 20 point advantage over past division champion Sparky Howard after eight events. With two races left to go, it's still anybody's guess who will earn the honors. Bell got the win two races ago as she seeks to add a Petaluma crown to her Chico championship of a few seasons ago. Though Howard looks for his first win, he does have a second and a third so far. Only 15 points behind him is Scott Chapeta. The points are a bit close here as Boy Moniz is 22 points behind Chapeta, while Cody Fendley is 32 points back. Fendley was the winner of the Johnny Soares Classic last time out, giving him two wins on the season.
There should be some good competitors in the field this week, and others to watch for include Bob Davis, Dennis Furia Jr, Tony Bernard, past champion Ryon Siverling and reigning champion Shayna Sylvia.
With two point races remaining on the schedule it's looking more and more like Mitch Machado will successfully defend his championship in the Super Stock division. The bigger question is can Machado win every Main Event this season in the Baker Motorsports entry? Machado won again last time out, giving him nine victories on the season. If Machado were to win every Main Event, he'd be the only driver in division history to accomplish that goal. He leads past champion Steve Studebaker by roughly 70 points as Studebaker was able to get his eighth Top 5 finish in fourth last time out.
Studebaker is still in a close race with two-time champion Matt While and Manny Avila for the second point position. While has three third place finishes and a second to his credit so far, and Avila has finished as high as second once. Sid Hess enjoyed his best finish of the season in second last time out, and he'll be hoping to do a little better this week. Others to watch for include past champion Shawn McCoy, Gary Adams, Tim O'Hara and Austin Ohlinger.
Rounding out the program will be the Redwood Dwarf Cars. We haven't seen the current point list for the group, but we know that Mark Hanson, Chad Matthias and Marcus Hardina are among contenders mixing it up at the front of the pack. Hanson scored his second feature win of the season last time out, while Hardina was earning his fifth runner-up finish. Hardina is still looking for his first win. Matthias won the season opener and picked up his third third place finish last time out. These three drivers are among those to watch in the race for victory this week. Meanwhile, Kevin Miraglio is the only two-time winner in the group. Reigning champion Scooter Gomes, Matt Hagermann, past champion John Peters and Mike Affonso are among the other stars to watch for as the Dwarf Cars have been bringing big fields and putting on some great races all season long.
The money on the line should produce an increased car count in the Winged Sprint Cars, while the Wingless Sprints and Dwarf Cars have been fielding some of the biggest car counts all season long. This means that Saturday should be another great night of racing all the way around at Petaluma Speedway. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
Johnson Brothers Go 1-2 In CRA Sprint Car Race
At Petaluma Speedway
Petaluma, CA...September 2...Chase Johnson won the USAC/CRA Wingless 410 Sprint Car Main Event Monday night at Petaluma Speedway. Johnson had won a King of the West Winged 410 Sprint Car show earlier this season at Petaluma. He made a late move into the lead and was followed across the finish line by his brother Colby Johnson.
Championship contender Brody Roa had the outside front row starting position for the Main Event. He jumped into the early lead, and the race saw a red flag on lap three as Matt McCarthy flipped. Roa continued to lead the race with Danny Faria Jr working his way up from the fifth row to present a challenge for the lead just past the halfway point of the race. On the 23rd lap, Faria put the moves on Roa to gain the lead. However, Chase Johnson soon found his way into second. Johnson was able to take the lead from Faria on lap 28, and he led the rest of the way for the victory. Colby Johnson also got by to finish second as Faria fell back a few positions. Austin Williams finished third. Shawn Arriaga earned hard charger honors for coming from 18th starting to finish fourth at the checkered flag. Roa settled for fifth, followed by Faria, Eddie Tafoya Jr, Charles Davis Jr, Steve Hix and Chris Gansen.
Johnson was the quickest qualifier on the 3/8 mile adobe oval with a lap of 14.471. Jake Swanson was second quick at 14.660. There were three 10 lap heat races, and wins were earned by Mike Martin, Roa and local racer Norm Johns.
Tim Yaeger won the 25 lap McLee's Tire Service IMCA Modified Main Event. This was his first win of the season. Yeager had the pole for the race and led the entire distance, leaving the battle for second. Mitch Machado ran second for five laps before his race ended. At that point, Jake Dewsbury held the runner-up spot with new champion Oreste Gonella running in the third position. Gonella slipped past Dewsbury for second on lap 15. Dewsbury held the third position until being passed on the final lap by previous winner Michael Paul Jr. Dewsbury settled for fourth, followed by Ray Trimble, Justin Yeager, Jeffrey Faulkner, David Spriggs, Jeff Thomas and Trevor Brady. The eight lap heat race wins went to Dewsbury and Paul.
Mitch Machado won the 25 lap Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stock Main Event. This was his ninth win of the season as he has won every feature race held so far aboard the Baker Motorsports owned car. Machado had the pole position and led from the start, leaving the battle for second. Matt While held second for the first four laps before being passed by Steve Studebaker. A crash on lap 23 involving Studebaker, Ryan Cherezian and Tim O'Hara shook up the finishing order. Machado led the rest of the way with Sid Hess scoring a season best second place finish ahead of Gary Adams. Studebaker settled for fourth, followed by O'Hara, Ryan Cherezian, Dave Spindell, While, Manny Avila and Shawn McCoy. Machado and While won the eight lap heat races.
Racing resumes next Saturday night with another four division lineup. This is the second PitStopUSA.com Shootout Series race for the Winged 360 Sprint Cars and the Wingless Spec Sprint divisions. The 360 Sprint Car feature will pay $3,000 to win. Also competing will be the Lumberjacks Restaurant Super Stocks and General Hydroponics Redwood Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.petaluma-speedway.com.
CRA/USAC Sprint Cars Make First Visit To Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...One of the changes that has come to Merced Speedway this year with S&S Motorsports and General Manager Doug Lockwood has been a little bit more emphasis on visiting Sprint Car and Open Wheel groups coming to town. This Friday night, Merced has a special event planned for the fans. Since IMCA has the Nationals going on in Boone, Iowa and does not allow point racing anywhere that week, this is the perfect opportunity for Merced Speedway to welcome the CRA/USAC Wingless Sprint Cars for their first ever appearance. Joining them on the quarter-mile clay oval will be the Hobby Stocks, Mini Stock and California Sharp Mini Late Models.
This week is also California Sprint Week for the CRA Sprint Cars. They've made a pair of visit to Calistoga Speedway and one appearance at Petaluma Speedway. This is the fourth race of the five race series that will wrap up at Santa Maria Raceway on Saturday night. The first event at Calistoga was won by Austin Williams, while Jake Swanson won the next night. Local star Chase Johnson picked up the home track victory at Petaluma Speedway on Monday night. However, consistency has been leading the points so far. Danny Faria Jr has a pair of sixth place finishes and one fourth. This gives him a seven point advantage over Austin Williams and an eight point lead over Damion Gardner.
After 14 races, there have been nine different winners. Nobody has won more than two features, and that list includes point leader Damion Gardner, Brody Roa, Richard Vanderweerd and Swanson. Roa led much of the race at Petaluma Speedway before falling back to an eventual fifth place finish. He trails Gardner by 30 points, 920-890 with several races still yet to go in the hotly contested battle. Williams, meanwhile, is creeping up on Roa as he trails by 26 points in third. Swanson and Chris Gansen make up the balance of the Top 5. There should be a field of anywhere from 16-20 competitors, and Merced Speedway fans are in for a treat. This is the premiere Wingless Sprint organization on the West Coast, and they always deliver the excitement.
The Hobby Stock division will be at the final three point races of the season, and the championship is still very much in the air. Shannon Nelson carries a three point advantage over teammate Michael Shearer into this race. Nelson, the wife of two-time champion Bubba Nelson, hopes to make their family the first husband-wife team to both win championships in the Hobby Stock class. Nelson has a pair of wins and five Top 5 efforts in her eight starts. 2016 champion Shearer has been a bit more consistent with seven Top 5 finishes, including one win. Unless something wild happens during the next few weeks, the title will come down between these two drivers.
Meanwhile, there is an equally close battle going on for the third point position. After winning the Mini Stock championship last year, Allen Neal is having an impressive rookie season. He is in third, two points ahead of Austin Van Hoff and 13 in front of Donnie Shearer. All three drivers have six Top 10 finishes with a Top 5 finish as their best effort. Van Hoff has a pair of Top 5s, but the bad luck that he has endured this year insured that he wouldn't be in the championship hunt. He's hoping to salvage something out of the season and get a feature win as things wind down. Other stars to watch for this week include Kristie Shearer, rookie Timmy Crews, Race Shelton, multi time champion Raul Rodriguez Sr and Domissie Scoggins.
After last week's event, Lee Ragsdale took a step closer to the Mini Stock championship. Much like the Mini Late Model class, there is just this race and one more left on the schedule. With a win and nine Top 5 finishes in his nine starts, Ragsdale holds a 35 point advantage over one-time winner are Lucy Falkenberg. Falkenberg is just 10 points ahead of one-time winner Jennifer Rodgers in a closer battle for second. After posting his fourth feature win of the season last time out, Shawn DePriest has moved to within 21 points of Rodgers for third. DePriest has eight Top 5 finishes and missed one race this season, making his climb up the point ladder that much more impressive. Just 15 points behind him in fifth is rookie Tyler Post. Post has a battle on his hands as Jerry Tubbs is only five points behind him in the race for 5th. The Mini Stocks always bring the excitement, and others to watch for this week include Shayla Gould, Austin Sprague, three-time champion Chris Corder and Gene Glover.
With five victories in his nine starts, Timmy Crews is hoping he can wrap up a successful title defense in the California Sharp Mini Late Model class. Logan Clay has done a good job of being consistent, and the most recent race saw him score his first win of the season. As a result, Clay has moved 15 points ahead of two-time winner Riley Jeppesen in the battle for second. He is 31 points behind Crews and still in the hunt should Crews falter down the stretch. Others to watch for this week include one-time winner Carson Guthrie, Kaylin Lopez and Ian Shearer.
It's a rare Friday night racing opportunity at Merced Speedway that also offers some exciting Wingless Sprint Car racing. When you include the close Hobby Stock battle, this will be another night of great racing at Merced Speedway. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.
Ahlwardt Wins $2,000 Prize In Labor Day Weekend Special
At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...August 31... Guy Ahlwardt won the 30 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Merced Speedway. Ahlwardt is the runaway IMCA State point leader and is currently third in points at Merced. This was his second win here, and it paid $2,000 as the track was offering an increased purse.
The money helped draw a 28 car field for the show. Ahlwardt made the redraw and drew the pole for the race. He battled Les Friend early, but Bakersfield Speedway stars Michael Johnson and Ricky Childress Jr came from further back to make a challenge. Ahlwardt wasn't about to let the rich victory get away as he took the checkered flag ahead of Johnson, Childress, KC Keller and Friend. Kelly Wilkinson finished sixth, followed by point leader Fred Ryland, Chuck Weir, Chris Falkenberg and Jeremy Hoff.
The Sport Modifieds ran four eight lap heat races with wins going to Johnson, Doff Cooksey, Kyle Wood and Wilkinson. Keller also picked up four lap Trophy Dash honors. They ran a pair of 12 lap B Mains to determine the remainder of the field. Nick Tucker won the first one ahead of Jack Aguiar and Jeremy Hoff. Fred Ryland snapped his wife Patti's two-race B Main win streak by holding her off to win the other B Main as Falkenberg finished third.
Shawn DePriest won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for DePriest. Point leader Lee Ragsdale had the pole and led some early laps before DePriest went charging by. Hanford star Gene Glover started in the third row and presented the bigger challenge for DePriest. However, DePriest prevailed ahead of Glover, Matthew Herod, Ragsdale, Dan McCabe, Jennifer Rodgers, Austin Sprague, Jerry Tubbs, James McGranahan and DJ Keldsen. Dakota Keldsen and his brother DJ Keldsen were the eight lap heat race winners, and the four lap Trophy Dash went to Dakota Keldsen.
Logan Clay won the 12 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. This was his first win of the season. Eight lap heat race winner and current point leader Timmy Crews started fourth, and Clay saw his biggest challenge from Carson Guthrie. However, Clay held off Guthrie for his milestone victory. Riley Jeppesen and Crews completed the finishing order.
Point leader Rick Elliott scored his third 12 lap Valley Sportsman Main Event win of the season ahead of Dwayne Short and reigning champion Jerry Cecil. Elliott also won the eight lap heat race.
Merced Speedway will be hosting a big CRA/USAC Wingless Sprint Car Speedweek race on Friday. Also on the card will be the Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks and California Sharp Mini Late Models. For further information, go to www.mercedspeedway.net.
Ladies Night, NASCAR Racing
At Coos Bay Speedway This Saturday
Coos Bay, Oregon...NASCAR Whelen All American Series Racing action continues at Coos Bay Speedway. This is Ladies Night, which means women 18 years and older will get in for free to watch an exciting night of racing. The America's Mattress Super Late Models are back along with the Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets and Junior Stingers.
There are only two point races left to go in the Late Model championship season, but it's looking more and more like Preston Luckman will be the champion. On the heels of his successful title run at Cottage Grove last season, Luckman has been consistent with 12 Top 5 finishes in his 12 starts, including a division leading five wins. Reigning champion Brody Montgomery has given it his best effort with four wins of his own, but he still trails Luckman by 38 points. Montgomery will need a little bit of luck on his side to overtake Luckman in this battle, but he is certainly a driver to beat in the race for victory this week.
Meanwhile, Wayne Butler is running comfortably in the third position, 60 points ahead of 2015 champion Toby McIntyre. Butler has finished as high as third in the Main Event, and he's one of the leading candidates to beat the two leaders for a feature win. McIntyre has certainly been there and done that, but it's been a couple of seasons since his last victory. Thor Kristensen has been a name near the top of the point list these past few seasons, but a win for him would be the first of his career. He currently holds fifth in the standings, 40 points behind McIntyre. Among the others to watch for this week are Chris Kristensen, Chris Ray, Richard Wallace and Deven Brown.
After Mike Taylor scratched from the most recent Main Event, Braden Fugate has basically clinched himself the Sportsman Late Model championship. In his 13 starts, Fugate has all Top 5 finishes and 11 victories. He has only been beat twice, once by Taylor. Taylor certainly gave it a good effort, and he'll be hoping to rebound from last week's disappointment to get another win before the season winds down. He is a virtual lock for second in the standings. Other drivers to watch for this week include Garrett Smith, Tom Williams and Jared Simmons.
With new Street Stock champion Steve Dubisar in Willamette competing at the Iron Giant race along with reigning track champion Ken Fox, Kelly McIntyre became the seventh different feature winner of the season last week. This was the first start of the season for McIntyre. While Dubisar may have the championship locked up, Fox holds just a 10 point lead over Leroy Rockwell in the race for second. Rockwell has six Top 5 finishes, which is second only to Dubisar. Other drivers to watch for this week include Sam Talon, Charlie Withers and Josh Bearden.
Talon is marching towards the Mini Outlaw championship, but he has been facing a nice challenge from Rob Lauver in the quest for victory in recent weeks. Driving a fast Volkswagen Beetle, Lauver picked up his second win of the season last time out ahead of Talon. Talon has won the other 10 Main Events to clinch the championship very early on. Jason Kellam is second in the standings and appears to be headed for that finish. Lauver, meanwhile, is 34 points behind Dan Daniels in a closer race for third. Other drivers to watch for this week include Jason Berrier and Kelly Rhealyn.
In the Hornet division, reigning champion Tyler Tullos picked up his fourth win out of his 11 Top 5 finishes last time out. He's given it a valiant effort, but Hannah Robison has been just a bit faster this year. Robison has notched 12 Top 5 finishes, including a division leading seven wins. She leads the list by 80 points. Tullos is just six points ahead of Steven Parker in a closer race for second. Parker is still looking for his first win, as is Gabrielle Boles. Boles was absent from last week's race to fall out of the battle for second in the standings. She has nine Top 5 finishes, including several second place finishes. She seems poised to to get her first win on any given week. Other racers to watch for this week include Ray Marshall, Jesse McIntyre, Kris Parker and Dusty Shingleton.
The Junior Stinger division rounds out the exciting program. The Hornet division for kids 11-14 years old has been growing by leaps and bounds this year. There were again eight different competitors last week, but the outcome was the same. With his experience advantage, reigning champion Griff Smith won for the 10th time in his 12 starts. Smith has a 40 point lead over one-time winner Alex Butler, who is the only driver with any shot at the championship besides Smith. Drake Vincent has been very consistent and holds third by just six points over James Shingleton in a close race for third. Shingleton is the only other driver in the group with a feature win so far. Others to watch for this week include Teagan Montgomery, Emery Johnson and Kelsee Workman.
This has been one of the more exciting seasons at the speedway in recent years, and the lineup being offered this week is another good one. With free admission for ladies 18 years and over, this will be a perfect opportunity to come have a fun night at the track. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.
Carter Wins Ironman Wingless Sprint Race
At Coos Bay Speedway
Coos Bay, Oregon...August 31...Trent Carter won the 40 lap Wingless Sprint Series Main Event Saturday night at Coos Bay Speedway. This was the Third Annual Iron Man race, which paid $1,500 to Carter. It was also the first ever win for the driver who hails from Huntington Beach, California. Point leader Rob Lindsey started on the pole and led early as he was looking for his third win of the season. Carter lined up in the third row, was third by lap four and gained second a lap later. Carter quickly caught Lindsey and made the pass for lead on lap 10. Once in front, Carter led the rest of the way for the big victory. Lindsey held second for just one more lap before being overtaken by Lindsay Barney. Barney has been dealing with motor issues this season, but things seemed to run well as she would finish second behind Carter. Lindsey settled for third, followed by Cooper Desbiens, Tim Alberding, Gene Cannon, Don Trent, Anthony Offutt, Chad Lindsey and Blaine Cory.
The 14 competitors ran time trails, and Rob Lindsey set the fast time of 13.593, beating the 13.683 of Ryan Stolz. There were two 10 lap heat races, and Barney outran Carter to win the first one. Cory won the second heat ahead of Chad Lindsey. Carter scored five lap Trophy Dash honors.
Braden Fugate won the 20 lap Sportsman Late Model Main Event. This was his 11th win of the season. Fugate led the entire distance with Jared Simmons finishing second ahead of Garrett Smith. Fugate also won the five lap Trophy Dash and 10 lap heat race, and championship contender Mike Taylor and Tom Williams we're both Main Event scratches.
Kelly McIntyre won the 20 lap Street Stock Main Event. This was his first win of the season. Troy Chamberlain led three laps before second row starter McIntyre moved by to get the lead. Josh Bearden settled into second as McIntyre won ahead of Bearden, Chamberlain and Leroy Rockwell. Bearden won both the five Trophy Dash and 10 lap heat race.
Tyler Tullos won the 25 lap Hornets Main Event. This was the fourth win of the season for the reigning division champion. Tullos led all the way to win by a straightaway. Alyssa Johnson held second for eight laps before being passed by eventual runner-up Jesse McIntyre. Point leader Hannah Robison finished third, followed by Trace Fugate, Dusty Shingleton, Steven Parker, Johnson and Kris Parker. Tullos won the 10 lap heat race, while Fugate picked up five lap Trophy Dash honors.
Griff Smith won the 15 lap Jr Stinger Main Event. This was the 10th win of the season for the current point leader. Smith had the pole and led the entire distance to win by a comfortable margin. James Shingleton held second for three laps before Drake Vincent gained the position. Vincent surrendered second to Teagan Montgomery on lap six as Vincent ran a close third. On lap 10, Vincent regained second and finished there ahead of Montgomery, Alex Butler, Emery Johnson, Cameron Metzgus, James Shingleton and Kelsee Workman. Smith won both his eight lap heat race and the five left Trophy Dash. Shingleton was the other heat race winner.
Rob Lauver won the 20 lap Mini Outlaw Main Event. This was the second win of the season for Lauver aboard his fast VW Beetle. Point leader Sam Talon led four laps before Lauver raced by for the lead. Lauver stretched his advantage to half a lap over Talon by the time the race concluded. Jason Kellam finished third. Lauver also won the five lap Trophy Dash and 10 lap heat race to make it a clean sweep
NASCAR Whelen all American Series racing continues next Saturday night with Ladies Night. The Winged Sprint Cars wrap up their championship season, and the America's Mattress Super Late Models are back in action as well. Also on the card will be the Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Hornets, Mini Outlaws and Junior Stingers. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.
Forsberg Wins Night #1 Of Platinum Cup
At Silver Dollar Speedway
Chico, CA...September 4... Andy Forsberg won the 30 lap Winged 360 Sprint Car Main Event Wednesday night at Silver Dollar Speedway. This was Night #1 of the Platinum Cup during Gold Cup Week at Silver Dollar Speedway. Forsberg is a past champion at both Chico and Placerville and a 10-time champion of the Civil War Sprint Series.
Rico Abreu led the first four laps before being passed by Forsberg. However, Forsberg had a battle on his hands as Abreu came charging back into lead on the ninth lap. Forsberg regained the lead a lap later, only to surrender first to Kalib Henry on lap 13. The battle continued as Forsberg moved back ahead on lap 15 with Henry still running strong. On lap 21, Henry regained the lead and held it until Forsberg made one more move. On the final lap, Forsberg put the moves on Henry to regain the lead and score the hard earned victory. Henry settled for second, followed by Shane Golobic, Dominic Scelzi, new track champion Sean Becker, Abreu, Watsonville point leader Bud Kaeding, Willie Croft, Marysville champion Michael Ing and Jonathan Allard.
There were 45 competitors for the special show, and Henry set the quickest time of 11.806. He was the only driver in the 11 second bracket as Mitchell Faccinto was second quick at 12.009. They ran four 10 lap heat races with wins going to Justin Sanders, Golobic, Henry and Faccinto. Abreu set himself up for a pole position start for the Main Event as he outran Golobic to win the eight lap Trophy Dash.
The full field ran a 12 lap C Main, and Michael Sellers led all the way to win comfortably ahead of Jayson Bright, Jimmy Trulli and Kyle Offill. They also ran a 15 lap B Main to determine the final rows of the Main Event. Billy Wallace led five laps before being overtaken by Justin Cox. Cox pulled away to a straightaway advantage as Chelsea Blevins settled for second, followed by JJ Hickle, Kyle Hirst and Sellers.
Find out the latest news and scheduling information at the speedway by going to www.silverdollarspeedway.com.
Dothage, Proctor, Fuller Win Yreka Outlaw Kart Main Events
Yreka, CA... August 30...Dryver Dothage won the 20 lap 250 Kart Main Event Friday night at the Yreka Outlaw Kart track at the fairgrounds. Dothage has made four appearances this year and has scored three victories. Dothage and championship contender Nicholas Perrin won their two eight lap heat races to give them front row starts for the Main Event. Dothage would score the victory with point leader Cale Cunial finishing second. Logan McKnight finished third, followed by last starter Dallin Dagata, Perrin, Jacob James, Taylor Fuller and Cole Cunial. Morgan Berry and Drew Berry were Main Event scratches.
Grant Proctor won the 20 lap Restricted Box Stock Main Event. This was his first win of the season. Point leader Chayce Smith and Shailene Horn were the eight lap heat race winners, and Smith had the pole for the feature race. However, the young driver from Hayfork fell back a few spots as Proctor won ahead of fifth starter Carson Henson. Horn settled for third, followed by Smith, Emma Hudman and Austin Bartholomew. With his second place finish, Henson kept within 16 points of Smith in the closest championship battle at the track.
Larry Fuller won the 15 lap UAS Speedway Kart Main Event. This was his third win of the season, and he also won an eight lap heat race, while past champion Ed Grubb was the other heat race winner. Fuller started on the pole and held off Grubb for the victory. Point leader Steve Rambo finished third ahead of Brionna Fuller.
Hunter Granger won the 15 lap Unrestricted Box Stock Main Event. This was the third win for Granger as he holds a commanding lead in the championship race. Granger picked up both eight lap heat race wins before out running Hunter Colson and Paige Boswell in the Main Event.
Talia Colley won the 15 lap Beginners Box Stock Main Event. Colley was the Rookie of the Year at the Medford track this year. She won both eight lap heat races and won the Main Event ahead of Caleb Ranney and Bhaltair Edwards.
Steve Rambo swept both eight lap heat races and the 12 lap Main Event ahead of Lori Fuller in the 4 Cycle division.
Racing continues on September 13th at the little track with all of the various Outlaw Kart divisions competing. For further information, go to the Yreka Outlaw Kart Facebook page.
Southern Oregon Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 11, 2019
R Charles Snyder Salute Night #2IMCA Modifieds
A Main
83 Kellen Chadwick
54N Nick Trenchard
49 Troy Foulger
222 Jon DeBenedetti
36 John Campos
21 Jeremy Ohlde
92 Dylan Schriner
33 Paul Rea
3N Chris Nieman
5n Derek Nance
44RX Shane Devolder
6J Justin Foux
2H Bobby Hogge IV
5j Preston Jones
0 Duane Orsburn
4Y James Lipke
33E Hunter Bloom
30F Andy Freeman
88 Zach Fettinger
45S Aaron Scheeler
82m James Anderson
3H Todd Hermosillo
B Main
54N Nick Trenchard
4Y James Lipke
5j Preston Jones
33 Paul Rea
83 Kellen Chadwick
6J Justin Foux
12y Derek Young
211 David Satterfield
B40 Steve Borror
64 Ray Kniffen Jr
007 Jesse Bailey
6M Matt Jenner DNS
8 Daniel Herrera DNS
31 Manny Freeman DNS
IMCA Sport Modifieds
A Main
17m Merrissa Henson
84 Jordan Braaten
7Z Craig Nieman
08 Ryder Boswell
30m Mike Medel
12w Branden Wilson
21T Chase Thomas
69 Dwayne Melvin
99 Doug Coffman
p11 Austin Petray
12I Isaac Sanders
612 Jimmy Ford
112 Alan Furuta
56 Brian Hubert
14 Billy Richey
19 Jason Ferguson
76 Mark Garner
75 Andrew Peckham
27s Sean Hulsey
86 Phillip Shelby
27 Timothy Allerdings
13B Donald Bandfield
95 Rich McCoy
B Main
84 Jorddon Braaten
75 Andrew Peckham
76 Mark Garner
612 Jimmy Ford
08 Ryder Boswell
2M Matt Sanders
14 Billy Richey
p11 Austin Petray
555 Joby Shields
28L Steve Lysinger
12C Colt Boswell
11j Jesse Merriman
11B Aaron Bloom
9 Justin Ryker
7M Willie McFall
28 Randy Wright
22t Tanner Thomas
7S Steven Sanders
43 Travis Pruitt
37 Jesse Skidmore
C Main
p11 Austin Petray
08 Ryder Boswell
7S Steven Sanders
555 Joby Shields
58m Mike Merritt
401K Brian Knorr
74R Danny Rule
4B Bartley Foster
203 Chris Silva
17r Michael Rule
26 Zach Nelson
98w Mike Wilcox
Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks
Heat 1
51L Scott Lenz
00 Johnny Cobb
42 John David Duffie
57 Ryan Smith
7 Colby Hammond
1 Ken Irving
21 Scott Flowers
22 Ginny Flowers
2d Darek Alford
Heat 2
15 Jeffrey Hudson
0m Matt Harlow
05 Jeff Haudenshild
04 James Flowers
20 Dave Quick
55 Bryan Hammond
21d Chris Ellis
19 Roy Bain
104 Ken LePlant Jr
33 Dan Randall
Main Event
05 Jeff Haudenshild
15 Jefferey Hudson
0m Matt Harlow
1 Ken Irving
33 Dan Randall
19 Roy Bain
55 Bryan Hammond
00 Johnny Cobb
21d Chris Ellis
20 Dave Quick
34 Dean Hackworth
104 Ken LePlant Jr
21 Scott Flowers
51L Scott Lenz
2D Darek Alford
22 Ginny Flowers
04 James Flowers
42 John David Duffie
7 Colby Hammond
57 Ryan Smith
SODCA Dwarf Cars
Heat 1
25s Camden Robustelli
2s Brock Peters
4S Joe Sanders
77S Reggie Ayers
8S Trevor Davis
87S Don Gifford
777S Michael Johnson
Heat 2
09s Josh King
10S Fred Hay
76S Shane Hines
32S Ashleigh Strain
58S Bill Winter
71s Chad Cardoza
86k Doug McVeigh
A Dash
09s Josh King
25s Camden Robustelli
2s Brock Peters
4S Joe Sanders
10S Fred Hay
76S Shane Hines
B Dash
32S Ashleigh Strain
8S Trevor Davis
77S Reggie Ayers
87S Don Gifford
A Main
25s Camden Robustelli
09s Josh King
71s Chad Cardoza
10S Fred Hay
2s Brock Peters
777S Michael Johnson
76S Shane Hines
32S Ashleigh Strain
87S Don Gifford
8S Trevor Davis
77S Reggie Ayers
58S Bill Winter
4S Joe Sanders
30 Cody Peters DNS
Southern Oregon Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
R Charles Snyder Salute Night #1
IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1A
44RX Shane DeVolder
21 Jeremy Ohlde
54N Nick Trenchard
3N Chris Nieman
6J Justin Foux
6M Matt Jenner
Heat 2A
3H Todd Hermosillo
49 Troy Folger
45S Aaron Scheeler
222 Jon DeBenedetti
211 David Satterfield
8 Daniel Herrera
Heat 3A
5n Derek Nance
92 Dylan Schriner
33E Hunter Bloom
82m James Anderson
64 Ray Kniffen Jr
31 Manny Freeman
Heat 4A
0 Duane Orsburn
36 John Campos
007 Jesse Bailey
30F Andy Freeman
33 Paul Rea
4Y James Lipke
Heat 5A
2H Bobby Hogge IV
83 Kellen Chadwick
88 Zach Fettinger
5j Preston Jones
12y Derek Young
B40 Steve Borror
Heat 1B
44RX Shane DeVolder
21 Jeremy Ohlde
3N Chris Nieman
54N Nick Trenchard
6J Justin Faux
6M Matt Jenner DNS
Heat 2B
49 Troy Foulger
222 Jon DeBenedetti
45S Aaron Scheeler
3H Todd Hermosillo
211 David Satterfield
8 Daniel Herrera DNS
Heat 3B
5n Derek Nance
92 Dylan Schriner
82m James Anderson
33E Hunter Bloom
64 Ray Kniffen Jr
31 Manny Freeman DNS
Heat 4B
36 John Campos
30F Andy Freeman
0 Duane Orsburn
4Y James Lipke
33 Paul Rea
007 Jesse Bailey
Heat 5B
88 Zach Fettinger
12y Derek Young
2H Bobby Hogge IV
5j Preston Jones
B40 Steve Borror
83 Kellen Chadwick DNS
Invitational Feature
49 Troy Foulger
44RX Shane DeVolder
2H Bobby Hogge IV
54N Nick Trenchard
36 John Campos
0 Duane Orsburn
007 Jesse Bailey
45S Aaron Scheeler
92 Dylan Schriner
3H Todd Hermosillo
33E Hunter Bloom
5n Derek Nance
88 Zach Fettinger
21 Jeremy Ohlde
83 Kellen Chadwick DNS
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat 1A
17m Merrissa Henson
13B Donald Bandfield
9 Justin Ryker
7z Craig Nieman
2M Matt Sanders
4b Bartley Foster
7S Steven Sanders
10xx Lloyd Speer
Heat 2A
112 Alan Furuta
99c Doug Coffman
12w Branden Wilson
7m Willie McFall
7w Wyatt Westfall
17r Michael Rule
74r Danny Rule
11j Jesse Merriman
Heat 3A
19 Jason Ferguson
84 Jordan Braaten
86 Phillip Shelby
95 Rich McCoy
7 Jantzen Knips
401K Brian Knorr
43 Travis Pruitt
p11 Austin Petray
Heat 4A
75 Andrew Peckham
69 Dwayne Melvin
612 Jimmy Ford
11B Aaron Bloom
14 Billy Richey
37 Jesse Skidmore
26 Zach Nelson
Heat 5A
30m Mike Medel
56 Brian Hubert
12I Isaac Sanders
27 Timothy Allerdings
12C Colt Boswell
98 Mike Wilcox
19T Trevor Tiffee
Heat 6A
21T Chase Thomas
27s Sean Hulsey
22t Tanner Thomas
58m Mike Merritt
28L Steve Lysinger
28 Randy Wright
203 Chris Silva
Heat 1B
7z Craig Nieman
17m Merissa Henson
13b Donald Bandfield
9 Justin Ryker
4b Bartley Foster
10xx Lloyd Speer
2m Matt Sanders
7s Steven Sanders
Heat 2B
11j Jesse Merriman
12w Branden Wilson
99 Doug Coffman
112 Alan Furuta
7M Willie McFall
17r Michael Rule
74R Danny Rule
7W Wyatt Westfall
Heat 3B
86 Phillip Shelby
95 Rich McCoy
43 Travis Pruitt
p11 Austin Petray
401K Brian Knorr
19 Jason Ferguson
84 Jordan Braaten
7 Jantzen Knips
Heat 4B
69 Dwayne Melvin
14 Billy Richey
76 Mark Garner
612 Jimmy Ford
37 Jesse Skidmore
75 Andrew Peckham
26 Zach Nelson
11B Aaron Bloom
Heat 5B
27 Timothy Allerdings
555 Joby Shields
56 Brian Hubert
12I Isaac Sanders
12C Colt Boswell
30m Mike Medel
98 Mike Wilcox
19T Trevor Tiffee
Heat 6B
21T Chase Thomas
28 Randy Wright
27s Sean Hulsey
28L Steve Lysinger
22t Tanner Thomas
203 Chris Silva
08 Ryder Bosswell
58m Mike Merritt
Invitational Feature
75 Andrew Peckham
21T Chase Thomas
17m Merrissa Henson
69 Dwayne Melvin
2M Matt Sanders
13B Donald Bandfield
22t Tanner Thomas
99 Doug Coffman
86 Phillip Shelby
12w Branden Wilson
56 Brian Hubert
95 Rich McCoy
612 Jimmy Ford
12I Isaac Sanders
19 Jason Ferguson
27s Sean Hulsey
30m Mike Medel
112 Alan Furuta DNS
SODCA Dwarf Cars
Heat 1
30S Cody Peters
2s Brock Peters
09s Josh King
26S Ryan Smith
86k Doug McVeigh
4S Joe Sanders
32S Ashleigh Strain
Heat 2
25s Camden Robustelli
71s Chad Cardoza
14 Jerry Hauck
777S Michael Johnson
7s Paul Haslow
77S Reggie Ayers
46S Sean Trujillo
Heat 3
96 Jesse Lorentz
10S Fred Hay
13s Steve Walker
76S Shane Hines
8S Trevor Davis
15S Dane Halbert
87 Don Gifford
A Dash
30S Cody Peters
25s Camden Robustelli
10S Fred Hay
71s Chad Cardoza
2s Brock Peters
96 Jesse Lorentz
B Dash
09s Josh King
26S Ryan Smith
13s Steve Walker
14 Jerry Hauck
76S Shane Hines
777S Michael Johnson DNS
A Main
25s Camden Robustelli
09s Josh King
71s Chad Cardoza
13s Steve Walker
10S Fred Hay
4S Joe Sanders
86k Doug McVeigh
32S Ashley Strain
76S Shane Hines
77S Reggie Ayers
7s Paul Haslow
87S Don Gifford
8S Trevor Davis
30S Cody Peters
26S Ryan Smith
14 Jerry Hauck
96 Jesse Lorentz
46S Sean Trujillo
2s Brock Peters DNS
15S Dane Halbert DNS
777S Michael Johnson DNS
Santa Maria Raceway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
Dan Simkins Memorial
Pro Stocks
Dave King Jr
Tim Randolph
Clay Daly
Jerry Stewart
Justin Crockett
Paul Miller
Billy Simkins
Frank Nyback
Wayne Coffman
Chris Clinton
Ryan Smith
IMCA Modifieds
Robby Sawyer
Clay Daly
Jim Pettit II
Austin Burke
Jerry Flippo
Dylan Thornton
Ryan Daves
Cody Burke
Brad Prows
Jeff Elrod
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Kevin Johnson
Austin Manzella
Jason Nation
Brian Baker
Dylan Potter
Mike Dean
Markus Frazier
Parker Maccianti
Theo Vandensandy
Aaron Farrell
Austin Ruskauff
Orion Messina
Robbie Claborn
Adam Baker
Paul Harris
Hobby Stocks
Tom Grzincic
Scotty Preast
Eric Cimental
Nicholas Johnson
Matt McEwan
Aaron Bruce
Austin Manzella
Pat Fausel
Cody Johnson
David Schuyler
Gregg Baker
Zack Martin
Hailey Wyand
Mike Keebler
Eddie Williams
Kevin Pritchard DNS
Mini Stocks
Ally Thornton
Levi Burgett
Bill Barnhill
Arturo Carmona
Zach Chavez
Butch Headrick
Megan Burgett
David Kavanagh
All American Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
NASCAR Whelen All American Series
Late Model Feature Twin 1
Jason Romero
John Moore
Michael Mitchell
Jeremy Doss
Jason Aguirre
Matt Wendt
Cole Moore
Chris Scribner
Randy Hedrick
Rick Scribner
Kolby Juarez
Aiden Daniels
Shannon Mansch
Late Model Feature Twin 2
Jeremy Doss
John Moore
Michael Mitchell
Cole Moore
Randy Hedrick
Jason Romero
Chris Scribner
Shannon Mansch
Aiden Daniels
Rick Scribner
Kolby Juarez
Matt Wendt
Jason Aguirre
Jr. Late Model
Aiden Daniels
Kylei Daniels
Lane Anderson
Brody Armtrout
Limited Modified
Corey Englehart
Nick Lyons
Kris Price
Eric Price Jr
Sammy Nuno
Matt Manolis
Tyler Mullican
Derrick Doering
Josh Blackwood
Don Shalla
Austin Wentworh
Niles Strever
Ralph Bailey
Bud Gilmore
Super Stock
Byron Gonzales
Chris Paulson
Tim Walters
Garry Eisenhour
Andrew Peeler
Chris Lambert
Tony Latimer
Billy Ray
Nathan Hickok
Ericka Ray
Blake Disomma
Jess Yendes
F4
Ray Molina
Mathew Fuhs
Vic Theberg
Timm Williams
Rich Ennis
Tony Vino
Marshel Meadous
Bill Clark
Jerry Nunes
Legends
Nick Halen
Jeremy Doss
Sheldon Crouse
Alex Pacheco
Rob Nasamanto
Pete Soto
Scott Sabol
Kevin Travels
Keith Clement
Dylan Washburn
James Mrozinski
JK Kinney
Wayne Olhiser
David Rank
Mini Cup/Bandolero Feature
Trey Daniels
Wyatt Sansom
Colton Nelson
Kenna Mitchell
Bella Thomsen
Sadie Krug
Hannah Ray
Dillion Krug
Stockton 99 Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
Gunslingers
Austin Carter
Justin Kawahata
Justin Segura
Mark Pyle
Allen Beck
AJ Russell
NCMA Sprint Cars
Justin Kawahata
justin segura
allen Beck
Rob Hammond
Dave Burchett
Denny Burell
Bombers
Joey Stearns
Rodney Tripp
Mikayla Stearns
Robert Oliver
Harrison Stone
Allen Rider
Barrett Sugden
Justin Scantlin
Jeana Ramos
Jerry Crawford
Troy Walz
Perry Reeder
Brandon Diede
Basically 4 Cylinders
Josh Cross
Joe Flowers
Ethan Rumsey
Matt Richardson
David Locke
Byron Bishop
Danney Helm
Joe Martin
Zack Williams
Dave Kong
Josh Brown
Mark Hunt
Jeff Harris
Coos Bay Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
Wingless Sprint Series Ironman Race
Trent Carter
Lindsay Barney
Rob Lindsey
Cooper Desbiens
Tim Alberding
Gene Cannon
Don Trent
anthony offutt
Chad Lindsey
Blaine Cory
Lance Hallmark
Brad Rhodes
Sportsman Late Models
Braden Fugate
Garret Smith
Jared Simmons
Street Stocks
Kelly McIntyre
Josh Bearden
Troy Chamberlain
Leroy Rockwell
Hornets
Tyler Tullos
Jesse McIntyre
Hannah Robison
Trace Fugate
Dusty Shingleton
Steven Parker
Alyssa Johnson
Mini Outlaws
Rob Lauver
Sam Talon
Jason Kellam
Jr Stingers
Griff Smith
drake vincent
Teagan Montgomery
Alex Butler
emery johnson
Cameron Metzgus
James Shingleton
kelsee workmann
Ventura Raceway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
Western Midget Racing
Brody Fuson
Theron Smith
Tim Foy
Randi Pankratz
Keoni Texeira
Jackson Dukes
Tyler Slay
David Prickett
David Raquenio
VRA Sprint Cars
Rick Hendrix
Trent Williams
Tanner Boul
Chris Meredith
Wally Pankratz
Tyler Hatzikian
Mark Sheppard
IMCA Modifieds
Kevin Hocking
Trevor Fitzgibbon
Jack Parker
Terry Hershberger
Austin Grabowski
Donald Houghton
Dave Phipps
Andrew Greiman
Scott Olsen
Dennis Eckert
Chuck Costabile
Sam Garvin
VRA Senior Sprints
Wally Pankratz
Chris Meredith
Tyler Hatzikian
Mark Sheppard
Dwarf Cars
Johnny Conley
Brad Curnel
Tim Conley
Jeff Brink
Tommy Velasquez III
Nick Velasquez
Trent Morley
Jason Horton
Bill Vint Jr
Tommy Velasquez
Tom Morley
Tim Morse
Jeff Hinz
Tony Margott
VRA Hobby Stocks
Alyssa Smith
Jeff Houghton
Ricky Lewis
Mike Stanford
Gary Garvin
Madera Raceway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
Hampton Inn Club Race
Late Models
Buddy Shepherd
Matt Erickson
Austin Herzog
Tyler Herzog
Jay Juleson
Jarret Gilmer
Trevor Schlundt
Elliott Stjerne
Joey Brasil
Henk Gaalswyk Jr
Loren Kutz
Del McIntosh
Lily Mead
Zachary Cook
Jeff Mead
Nathan Casillas
Aaron Mullins
Matt Kutz
Eloy Bazan
Hobby Stocks
Eloy Bazan
Triston Hansen
Manny Gonzales Jr
Dennis Saunders Jr.
MSTs
Ryan Reynolds
Shaun Reynolds
Bert Stephens
Kyle Labrie
Dennis Brannon
Patrick Geiger
Toyota Sedans
Jason Lawton
Thomas Magray
Marysville Raceway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Cole Macedo
Bradley Terrell
Jake Haulot
Colby Wiesz
Korey Lovell
Peter Paulson
Wyatt Brown
Kenny Wanderstadt
Raquel Hall
Mike Monahan
Pat Harvey Jr
Michael Sellers
Jimmy Steward
Kyle Standley
Alec Justeson
Sean Becker
Michael Ing
Scott Chapeta
Bobby Butler
Brad Dillard
Steel Powell
NCDCA Dwarf Cars
Ryan Winter
Shawn Whitney
Ben Wiesz
Mike Reeder
Dan Geil
Josh Wiesz
Ryan Plexico
Jeremy Blackshere
Jeff Fitch
Colby Wiesz
Robert Johnson
Kevin Bender
Michael Williams
Ron Jones
Kenny Cucuk
Mike Grenert
Gene Herndon
Pepsi Sport Modifieds
Todd Cooper
Rusty McMillan
Jeff Tuttle
Scott Savell
Jim Waller
Michael Helwig
Bryce Campbell
Shawn Smith
David Larabee
Merced Speedway Unofficial Race Results August 31, 2019
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Guy Ahlwardt
Michael Johnson
Ricky Childress Jr
KC Keller
Les Friend
Kelly Wilkinson
Fred Ryland
Chuck Weir
Chris Falkenberg
Jeremy Hoff
Brent Curran
Patti Ryland
Richard Ragsdale
Bruce Nelson
Kyle Wood
Nick Tucker
Doff Cooksey
Jack Aguiar
B Main 2
Nick Tucker
Jack Aguiar
Jeremy Hoff
Kodie Dean
Adam Coonfield
Cody Parker
Jakob Ebersole
Tim Rolan DNS
B Main 1
Fred Ryland
Patti Ryland
Chris Falkenberg
Matthew Mayo
Frank Cefaliello Jr
Jason Pugh
Stanton French
Mini Late Models
Logan Clay
Carson Guthrie
Riley Jeppesen
Timmy Crews
Ian Shearer DNS
Mini Stocks
Shawn DePriest
Gene Glover
Matthew Herod
Lee Ragsdale
Dan McCabe
Jennifer Rodgers
Austin Sprague
Jerry Tubbs
James McGranahan
DJ Keldsen
Dakota Keldsen
Tyler Post
Cliton Masey
Lucy Falkenberg
Wally Kennedy DNS
Eddie Humphrey III DNS
Valley Sportsman
Rick Elliott
Dwayne Short
Jerry Cecil
The Editor's Viewpoint
I wrote this column a couple of days ago, and I was definitely in a cranky mood when I did it. I decided that it might be better to rewrite it for a couple of reasons. Obviously, I went to see if I can come at it with a different perspective and be a little less critical about things. Secondly, the two race weekend has left me far behind schedule again. I do better on Friday-Saturday racing weekends than Saturday-Sunday. I won't be caught up until sometime next week.
We had a golden opportunity at Southern Oregon Speedway to give the fans a really great show. Though car count wasn't as big as last year, am I really going to complain about having 120 total cars come through those pits during the weekend? Can I really complain that we were done just a little bit after 11 on Saturday, given all the racing that we gave the fans to enjoy? I will answer no on both counts. However, I feel that we let one get away from us on Sunday, when all the money was on the line.
The problem is, Mike laid out a blueprint for how the show should run, and it was changed up a little bit, much to our chagrin. Those changes added significantly to the delay of the program. I feel like we wasted over an hour doing some unnecessary things that only prolonged it. On paper, the idea to do a redraw the way it was proposed was a pretty cool idea. I get the idea of putting the chips in envelopes and allowing the drivers to trade after they've drawn envelopes. Again, on paper this is pretty cool. The biggest problem is it took away over half an hour of our time, knowing that these Labor Day Weekend events go long as it is. I would say this was reminiscent of a John Skinner production, which is something we have endeavored to get away from. We blew this one.
I am going to rephrase this, simply because I don't think I should omit my opinion on the subject completely. There were certain people on the staff Saturday who do not like the Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stock division, and their bias, at least in my opinion, sabotaged that part of the program. We sat around needlessly, for at least 15-20 minutes, putting those cars under red flag conditions to line them up. The man in charge for the evening was having a difficult time communicating with the drivers, but not just the ones in this class. I have to wonder whether it was their Raceiver radios or his own. Regardless, the drivers were prepared to line up and go for the restart, but he insisted on stopping them to get every car in the exact spot. Had I been the one making the call, given the rough start the class was having, I would have just thrown the damn green flag and let this thing continue. It added to the delay and eventually forced the early finish for that race.
I had a rather opinionated discussion with Mike on why I believe the Pro Stocks are an important peace of the puzzle at the speedway. I get that sometimes the races aren't the cleanest, but we're not throwing the Sport Modifieds out because they have multiple rough races, are we? We shouldn't. The Pro Stocks fill a necessary void at this track as there are no Street Stocks or Hobby Stocks, and in my estimation, this division is needed. I know it's a moot point, because it's not my decision to make, but I told Mike flat out that I would book them 8 to 10 times a year. Here's a fact that exists, whether certain people like the fact or not. This track was built, in part, on the back of a Pro Stock division that was providing the biggest fields at the speedway in those early years. I have said other comments in the past, so I'll leave it at that. My book will offer further opinions on this and many other topics.
Here's the deal. It hasn't been easy turning this program around. The 10 years prior to Mike coming in as promoter were a gradual decline. The last three years before Mike got here were almost like the track was being beat to death by stupidity. One night in 2015 had a total of 18 cars across the three core divisions, and you simply cannot keep the gates open when you're doing that. We've had to work very hard to turn this program around, and it hasn't been easy. It's taken a toll on all of us.
I feel a lot older than I did when I got here. I question whether I'm just tired of being involved in the sport, or is it just my experiences here? It's probably a little bit of both, but I can admit something quite honestly. The day I walk away from Southern Oregon Speedway, I'm going to be very sad. I put a lot of myself into this, and in my mind, the job is only part way done so far. I just wonder whether I have it in me to finish things as I feel like I'm going above and beyond as it is to help get it where we need to go, and my media effort suffers a little bit because of it. The other thing is it gets very stressful at times, but you can't dwell on it. You just keep going.
Southern Oregon Speedway is a neat race track. When you come into the place, you realize it's one of the nicest facilities around. However, appearances can be deceiving. There are flaws. There are people that make it a challenge to run that place, but there are many people there that make it fun to be there. My biggest frustration is that because there are other things I need to be doing to help keep things going, I'm not engaged in the one activity I've always enjoyed. I'm not being a reporter and media person. That hat is taken off several times during the night to do other things, and my time with the racers isn't nearly as long as I'd like it to be. People will tell me I'm doing a good job these past four years in covering this track, but I don't believe I'm doing as good as I can. I'm just doing good enough, maybe?
I don't talk to the racers as much as I'd like to, and last Sunday we lost a racer at the track. Shortly after the Pro Stock Main Event ended, Bryan Hammond had a heart attack and passed away. Hammond got involved in the sport later in life as a rookie in this group in 2017. He was so enthusiastic about things that he immediately began sponsoring the association to help things out. He was living the dream. Often times I'll be walking through the pits and all I can do is wave to people or simply say hi as I walk by, rather than stopping to have a good conversation with each and every racer during the course of the season the way I would like to. I'd like to say that by the end of a season, I have been able to talk to everybody, and that's just not the case these days. Hammond was one of those guys that would wave, and I might have had a little bit of chit chat with him during these past few years. Sunday was one of those days where we did get to talk a little bit, and he seemed excited to be there. Living the dream.
It sort of hit me as I stood by while the paramedics did all they could for him. All I could think as I walked by his empty race car was, come back to us Bryan. I asked God to not take him yet. I did those things. It's a helpless feeling to stand not far from the scene and watch as a man loses his life. It hurt, and I shed quite a few tears in that moment. I suppose all I can do at a time like this is take comfort in the fact that he died doing what it he loved to do. It still hurts.
I was informed a couple of days ago that Antioch Speedway has dropped the Winged 360 Sprint Car division from the last scheduled date this Saturday night. Management felt that there simply wouldn't be enough support to justify the purse. They happened to be booking on top of a big money Winged 360 Sprint Car show at Petaluma, so seeing more than six or eight cars wasn't very likely. I know there are some people with hurt feelings, and to the racers who were somewhat loyal in their support, I totally understand. Their support is what gave it a fighting chance at all.
Here's the deal. John gave this division five seasons to grow and prosper. I'm sure people will look at him as the bad guy, but how many people look at him as the guy who was paying a good purse to establish this class? I've been writing for sometime that what the Antioch Winged 360 Sprint Car effort was better known for was being a class for young drivers to come out to get their first win, collect the money and then we don't see them again. You can't sustain a division on that. In 5 years, Antioch should have had a base of eight to a dozen racers who would show up at any given race, and that wasn't the case. Eventually, you look at the resources spent and make the decision on what is best for business. You are likely to see a few more decisions of this nature made at Antioch in the weeks ahead. What that means, I can't say at this time. All I can say is stay tuned.
You will also notice that Antioch Speedway has removed the October 11th and 12th race that was announced to be paying $12,000 to win for the A Modifieds. I had been told by John himself that the Donna Soares Memorial race that was put on October 5th would be moved to that weekend, and then suddenly the date was removed. We will be remembering Donna with the special race for her on October 5th, as was originally scheduled. As for the extra money race, I'm told that plans are still being made and an announcement will be forthcoming. A new date will be set. This is what I'm hearing. I can't tell you anything more as I don't know. The only thing I can tell you is racers need to know what the schedule is so they can make plans. If something isn't said very soon, will it even matter? All I can do is let everybody know the minute that I know and go from there.
I talk about the turnaround process that a track on the rebound has. I know that Southern Oregon Speedway is further along as we've come close to tripling the numbers that were there the year before we got there. When I say that, I still don't feel the track is anywhere close to where it should be, but it's a damn site better off than it was when we got here. I can further add that we've somehow managed to establish a Late Model and Winged Sprint Car class on the roster in these past four years.
I consider it remarkable that we've done this here as I look back at Antioch, a track that features both classes, and speculation is that neither class could be there in 2020. Having divisions like this is a costly endeavor. This means the promoter is taking a bigger risk. It also means a promoter has more divisions to shuffle around, and therefore you don't have to make the IMCA Modifieds run every week or the Sprint Cars or whatever. Divisions need weeks off, because this isn't the 1980s anymore. Drivers might say they'd like to see more races, but much more than a dozen races and car count suffers.
I've looked over at Orland Raceway and remarked that Rich Hood and his staff have done a good job of turning things around. The Mini Trucks are producing respectable numbers, car count is up in the Pure Stock class, and even the Wingless Spec Sprint division is getting double digits. Orland is not your high end race track with big purse money to spend, and Hood has worked within those parameters to put together a much better show than was there the year before he got there. It's called progress, and I guarantee you that Hood and his team are working hard every week to keep that going. They've also managed to put some nice events on the schedule, which will include the upcoming Fan Appreciation Night. Orland was a track left for dead, very much in the shadow of Silver Dollar Speedway, and yet they continue to get better. There is much potential when you talk about the 2020 season and beyond at the 1/5 mile dirt oval.
I struggle to get results from Orland, although eventually they seem to come across my desk. Another track that isn't swift with results, though there's lots of great video footage on YouTube, is Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville. I can tell you that the numbers were getting worse and worse prior to this year. I can also tell you that it didn't seem likely that this race track was even going to have a season until past Modified champion Jeff Olschowka stepped in during the month of March and inked a deal with the Lassen County Fairgrounds. A lot of people don't realize what's going on at the far Northern California Fairgrounds track, but the numbers were up this year.
In his first year as promoter, Jeff even booked a big two-day extravaganza that's coming up this weekend. Point racing is done, and we can report that the numbers are up in all four divisions. The IMCA Modifieds, in particular, had some really good car counts. The Sport Modifieds showed great progress in their third season at the track. I don't know that even Jeff expected to see things come along as far as they have so fast this year, but it opens the door for possibilities next year. He took the risk to become a promoter to save a race track, and in this case it's been paying off. Again, he didn't just wave a magic wand. There's been hard work to make this a reality.
Changes are needed at certain venues. You talk about management, facility improvements and those kinds of things. Bringing in some new people with fresh ideas certainly helps, but there has to be some thought put behind each move. Sometimes, ideas need to stay in the mind for a while and get fleshed out before being implemented. Other times, money needs to be invested for something to happen. Always, when you're running a race track, it's a week by week process. The times have changed that much, and you're not guaranteed the support of the fans or the racers on any given week. You have to give them a reason to want to come. Putting the word out is part of it, but making them feel welcome when they get there goes a long way.
What I notice these days is certain racing venues that used to get big numbers in the pits and in the grandstands, and they barely scrape by. They are in areas that are pretty well populated, meaning you've got a good base of people to draw from. I know some people look at management at these venues and point the finger of blame at them. Honestly, they deserve some of the blame, but the picture is bigger than that. Economy plays a factor in this. Other options for things to do on any given Saturday night. The fact that money doesn't go as far as it used to, and the need to be there isn't as big as it once was. You have to convince people to invest their money in supporting your show, and you need to be engaged in the process. Just because you had a good week this week doesn't mean you're guaranteed a good week next week.
The other thing is you will be tested in ways you never thought possible. You're going to hear a lot of negative from people, and many of the people that feel positive about you don't express those feelings. It's often times the loudest, most vocal opponents are the ones you are hearing. If you're not doing this for the love of the sport and with a belief that you're doing the right thing, you're simply not going to last. You'll be investing money, losing money and even if you make a little bit of money, you'll be working harder than you might have expected to.
When I say that, I believe that we should be more appreciative of the people who are promoting these various menus. Some of them have taken a heavy dose of negativity from people, and they've been doing what they do for many years. They've been the ones risking the money and paying the bills to keep the gates open. If we don't have them, do we have a race track anymore? As I said, this isn't the 1980s, and keeping the gates open at any venue in this country isn't as easy as it once was. This is why you find tracks are closing at a more alarming rate and more tracks are for sale. California lives a charmed life with so many racing opportunities, but we can watch as several of them go away in the not too distant future.
In any case, I think I probably covered what I needed to cover, and maybe I've been a bit more restrained this time. I'd like to say I will try to be quicker next time, but I am running out of gas. I'll get to the finish line this year, but as I am feeling more tired these days, deadlines are going out the window. Let me just say I'll be done within a day or two of normal. This week, I've decided to combine the two racing blogs into one post in the name of time. Because I do have a trip to Antioch coming up, there may be further adjustments on that particular week, but we will still post something.
In the interest of getting this posted sometime soon, I'll end this column. Until next time...
