Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Oregon Searches For #10, Coos Bay Speedway News, More


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Oregon Searches For Number 10

This is the 25th anniversary of a big moment for a group of racers in Oregon. We lost the race track in Klamath Falls 25 years ago. What's amazing is how many racers still call Klamath Falls home. This stretches beyond one division. Frankly, there are enough racers there with race cars to support a race track in the Klamath Falls area. It's a sad state of affairs that they have no race track. These racers load up and head to Yreka and Medford when they want to race, and sometimes they tow further than that.
Clipping from 1993.

Klamath Falls had more than one race track in it's past. They raced in that area for decades. Then, the earthquake hit in September of 1993. The grandstands were damaged beyond repair. Money was offered to replace the grandstands, but the owners opted instead to leave. The race track itself still sits there. Just like that, racing ended. In a cruel twist of irony, a new track popped up within close range to the Klamath Falls racers.

Clippings from Worden Speedway.
  
It was built in Warden, Oregon. The owner at the time was promising big things to come. It opened to a limited schedule in 2001. Champions we're crowned in 2002 and 2003. The track didn't last much longer than that. Sadly, the race track still sits there with the grandstands, unused for over 15 years. The current owner, longtime Motorcycle and Sprint Car competitor Carl Tresser, has no intentions of reopening the place or allowing somebody else to do so.

You wouldn't think the state of Oregon had a rich history of racing. It sometimes feels like a racing waste land in Oregon. To those who have grown up in the state, you might be used to it. Coming from a state such as California, where there is an abundance of race tracks, it can be difficult. Currently, Oregon has nine race tracks offering oval track racing during the spring and summer months. This is the lowest point for the state in many years.

The Holy Grail of race tracks is Cottage Grove Speedway, formerly known as Riverside Speedway. At one of its darker times, in the early 1980s, the track was on the endangered list. Though the track has been around since the 1950s, at that time Medford Raceway and Willamette Speedway were probably the most popular tracks in the state. Klamath Falls was still going strong, as was another track that has long since been closed in Portland. Portland itself has a long history of racing, though oval track racing hasn't happened there in years.

 A clipping from Eugene Speedway.

The man who helped put Cottage Grove Speedway back on the map was promoter Mike McCann, who currently runs Southern Oregon Speedway. McCann has promoted several other venues. Here's a brief sampling of the McCann history. When a group of Destruction Derby and Street Stock racers wanted to get things going in Banks, Oregon, it was Mike McCann who helped put Sunset Speedway on the map with some of the most successful seasons in that track's history. McCann also went to a little place called Madras Speedway and helped the racers put a race track together that has been running weekly shows ever since the mid-1980s. McCann also helped establish the Roseburg Indoor Kart show.

Here's a little bit of history people may have forgotten, and it's not that old. Back in the 1990's, McCann had a rather interesting proposal. Roseburg Speedway was still doing okay, and Mike inquired about putting dirt on the race track. Another hopeful promoter, Darrell Cooper, had the same idea and a slightly more appealing offer. The Douglas County Fair Board went with Cooper. Sadly, it lasted one year. Douglas County Speedway continues it's racing tradition as a pavement track promoted by the PRA. The history stretches back many decades to another track in Roseburg that also had a rather interesting history. You can still see the remnants of that track. Sadly, though they raced there for years, it's remembered for the car crashing into the grandstands and killing some spectators.

Medford Raceway had a lengthy history, and there were actually multiple tracks in the area through the years. Before that, there was a track in Ashland that ran for over a decade from the 1940s into the early 1960s. At the end, the Medford track was just struggling to stay alive for the last couple of seasons. Medford Raceway didn't quite make it to the scheduled end of the 1989 season.

Racing in Medford appeared to be dead. What is interesting is that the sometimes bad guy of promoting, Dennis Huth, looked at building a track near where Southern Oregon Speedway sits. The county rejected his plan, and the Medford area went without a race track for seven years.

From 1995 as Southern Oregon Speedway was being built.
   
The man who was on the fast track to building Southern Oregon Speedway, Darrell Cooper, saw greener pastures in Roseburg and went to put dirt on that track. The hero of Medford was John Skinner. The Skinner family had sponsored big races at the old track, and Southern Oregon Speedway in White City was open for business in 1996. Those first ten years were golden with huge car counts and big attendance. Racing continues to this day with McCann as promoter.

In addition to Southern Oregon Speedway, Cottage Grove Speedway, Douglas County Speedway, Willamette Speedway, Sunset Speedway and Madras Speedway, you have three other venues still running oval track racing during the spring and summer months. River City Speedway in St Helens, Hermiston Speedway and Coos Bay Speedway are still alive and well. Coos Bay Speedway was purchased by Chuck Prather over a decade ago, and Prather put dirt on the longtime pavement track. Currently, Drake Nelson is promoting and has secured the NASCAR sanctioning. They are the only NASCAR sanctioned dirt track on the West Coast.

Jerry Schram is the man in Oregon. At one time, he had one track in Washington in addition to Cottage Grove, Willamette and Sunset Speedways. He was very close to getting the deal at Southern Oregon Speedway before Chuck Prather came in at the 11th hour and secured a two year run at the place. Schram has put the tracks up for sale, but the price for these venues is well over the cost that any sensible investor would be willing to pony up. There are some concerns about the state of Cottage Grove Speedway and how long it will last. There are also concerns about Sunset Speedway and the encroaching properties that surround it.

So, the magic number in Oregon right now is 9. Who will be Number 10? Will there be a Number 10? Of course, the most likely Number 10, or at least the one that has the best potential to get started quicker, is Worden Speedway. You already have a built-in car count in neighboring Klamath Falls, and this is a loyal group of racers that has already demonstrated their ability to support other tracks. Because of the current state of the ownership, opening Worden is unlikely to happen at this time.

Who was the last Number 10? We can take a look at the tracks as they began to fall by the wayside in the 1990s. Klamath Falls was done by 1993. It was only 3 years later when another pavement track, Eugene Speedway, ended. This venue had been around for 40 years, and in fact, there was another oval track in Eugene during that time. When McCann and Prather teamed up, it was decided to put a dirt track in the center of the three-eighth mile paved oval. It was operational until it was bulldozed prior to McCann and Prather walking away. That was in 1996.

A newspaper article online about the closing out Elgin Speedway is HERE 
    
La Grande Speedway is probably the most obscure. The fact is, Eastern Oregon has had a somewhat interesting and lengthy racing history. Businesses were built on the site of La Grand Speedway, but a new track popped up at the Elgin Stampede Rodeo Grounds. It was Elgin Outlaw Speedway.
  

A couple of clipping from Clatsop Speedway

In Northwest Oregon, there was Clatsop Speedway, which was operational for 15 years before closing its gates in 1997. Portland Speedway was still hanging in there at the time, but early in the next decade, they ran their final season in 2001. At the time, there was still a Number 10, and a Number 11 was fighting to come into existence. Elgin Outlaw Speedway continued to run on perhaps the smallest configuration, a tight one-fifth mile, a little smaller than Sunset Speedway. Baker City had racing on and off for many years, and Pleasant Valley Speedway ran a few seasons in the early 2000s.

There were high hopes in Baker City of making something happen, and there was a grand design in the works for a Motorsports Complex. Sadly, it was closed by the time Elgin Outlaw Speedway came to an end. There was a man with a ranch not far from Elgin Speedway who won the rights to build an oval track on his property. However, nothing ever came of that. A small but dedicated group of racers had their own association, and things seemed okay between them and the rodeo people. 
  
Unfortunately, when the rodeo people wanted to claim the property on which the race track sat, Elgin Outlaw Speedway ran its final season in 2007. Nothing has been built on the property since. This also ended the Eastern Oregon dirt racing effort, at least for now.

 The closing of Portland Speedway made the cover of Racing Wheels.

This begs the question, when and where will the 10th race track of Oregon come into being? Will there be a tenth track? Because of the concern of the closure of Sunset Speedway one day, people might be wise to begin seeking out a new location in that area. There may be one right underneath their noses. A few Fairgrounds locations are very willing to entertain putting an oval track on the facility. Fairgrounds are not taking in a bunch of money these days, and race tracks have long been one of the best ways for them to bring in new revenue.

The last new outdoor oval track came in an unlikely location and for an obscure form of racing. In the mountain town of Oakridge, there was an old mill. The town is approaching 4,000 people. It's not a bad place, and they have a lake resort and a little concert venue there. Tourists do go there during the spring and summer months. After the second of two Lawn Mower racing tracks was closed, the fireworks organization lobbied to cut the Lawn Mower track in at the old mill in 2014. In 2015, they began racing.

Just how badly did they want this track? Put it this way, the rent was $10 a month, and the tourism group came up with $10,000 to help get the venue started. It's a tight one-eighth mile oval, a paperclip in width. Unfortunately, they made it two seasons before the track went belly-up. They had put in bleachers, and there was certainly space to expand the track to a nice one-fifth mile oval. Lawn Mower racing alone was not enough to keep Old Mill Speedway alive. Interestingly enough, there were persistent rumors at the end of 2016 that suggested a Hornet division would be added in 2017.

The state of Oregon racing is not something to brag about these days. Things haven't been going so well since the 1990s, and the 1980s were an even better decade. At the moment, you have the owner of three tracks entertaining the possibility of selling them all and walking away. Two of those tracks face threats to their very existence, though it has been established in recent years that the strongest racing program in Oregon happens at Cottage Grove Speedway with Willamette Speedway a close second.

Car counts can be a bit tough to build up. Half of the car base in Coos Bay is in the ocean, meaning they are happy to get what they get. Medford racing is not as strong as it once was, and certainly we are a good 10 years removed from the glory days of Southern Oregon Speedway. Roseburg and St Helens are both association run and have their good moments and bad moments. Sunset Speedway is a shadow of what it once was, while Madras also takes what they can get and keeps things alive. Hermiston Speedway seems to be on a year-to-year basis, though there is a desire to keep that racing tradition alive.

Given the state of Oregon racing, you might ask why entertain adding a tenth track now? Car count has certainly seen its better days. On the other hand, the bar is set low. Racing fans aren't as demanding for the huge fields as they once were, and somebody with the right plan and enough cars could step right in. But where would that location be? The two prime locations are in the north east and the south east. It's a bit surprising that the Elgin Outlaws were unable to find a place to continue given the fact that for over 20 years between that location and the La Grande location, they had kept racing alive. Surely someplace could have been found?

The obvious choice is the Klamath Falls area. There are over 20 race cars known and still active in the area, not counting cars that are probably still parked in yards with tarps thrown over them. It seems a bit unfair that these loyal racers don't have a venue closer to home on which to entertain the fans. It's not like Klamath Falls hasn't had a great tradition of racing through the years.

At one time, their top stars were known to come down to California and leave with the winner's trophy from time to time. A shrewd investor might seize on the opportunity to bring racing back to the area, knowing they've already got a good base of drivers from which to draw from.

At first glance, you might look at the state of Oregon racing and think there's not much there. But it only takes a little bit of digging to find otherwise. From the days when legendary Willamette promoter Clair Arnold was proudly boasting the best Stock Car program in a state that had strong offerings coming from Medford and Cottage Grove. To the NASCAR program taking place in Portland. To the amazing show happening at Sunset Speedway in the late 1990s and into the next decade. To the forgotten but still meaningful shows that took place at venues such as Claudio Speedway and old Roseburg Speedway

 A clipping from the bad crash at the old Roseburg Speedway.

The Salem area has had a few outdoor racing efforts. Currently they are known for a rather successful Indoor Racing program during the winter months, but they had a paved race track at the fairgrounds that lasted for over 25 years from the 1940s into the 1970s. There was also another track called Hollywood Bowl that ran from 1946 to 1953. A little further south in Albany, they had a track there for nearly a decade from the mid-1960s into the 1970s.

A few other areas have had brief runs with racing. There was the old Siletz Valley Speedway that ran from 1975 to 1977. There was a track in Pilot Rock called Rocket Speedway that ran for a few years in the 1950s. Another track in Foley Lake ran for a few years in the 1950s. Unlike Rocket Speedway, it was a dirt track. There was also a track that ran in the 1950s call Norway Speedway. Legend has it that there was a steep fall off of one of the turns and a few of those old Hardtops crashed down there and still remain there to this day. When you look into the history, you realize that there is a proud tradition of Oregon racing.

It also serves as a reminder to those who still love racing. Support what you've got. You're really lucky to have the choices that are still there. If you can race or go spectate, you should do it while you have a chance. You never know if you might lose another choice. And if, by chance, a new option emerges one day, don't let the opportunity pass you by. It's been said that some of the best memories we have to look back upon were made at the race track.


May Wins Interstate Sprint Cat Finale
At Coos Bay Speedway

Coos Bay, Oregon...September 29...Dave May scored the victory in the 25 lap Interstate Sprint Car Series season finale at Coos Bay Speedway Saturday night. May is a two-time Coos Bay Speedway champion, and he started his evening off by winning his heat race. He drew the pole position for the Main Event. However, he had to contend with pressure late in the race by Kinzer Cox, who finished a very close second. Shane Forte finished third, but Tyler Thompson wrapped up the series championship with a fourth place finish. Camden Robustelli rounded out the Top 5, followed by Cooper Desbiens, Brett McGhie, Tyrrell Mead, Scott Fox and Ian Bandy. There were four 10 lap heat races, and wins went to Kyler Barraza, RC Levin, Donovan Prather and May. Truman Winningham scored the win in the 12 lap B Main, followed by Hedge Carter, Bandy and Brett Hulsey.

Tom Williams won his first NASCAR Sportsman Late Model 20 lap Main Event of the season. Williams started in the third row and moved up to battle polesitter Wayne Butler and Doug Coffman for the victory. Butler settled for second, followed by Coffman, Eric Lindquist, Trophy Dash winner Braden Fugate and Toby McIntyre. Butler won the eight lap heat race.

Steve Dubisar won his eighth 20 lap Street Stock Main Event of the season. Dubisar swept the action with wins in the eight lap heat race and five lap Trophy Dash. In the Main Event, Dubisar won ahead of track champion Ken Fox and Daniel Land.

Sam Talon won the 20 Mini Outlaw Main Event. This was the 12th victory of the season for the track champion. He was followed by Tom Siewell and John Henry. Henry won both the five lap Trophy Dash and ten lap heat race. Carl Johnson was a Main Event scratch after running the Trophy Dash.

Late Model star Tom Elam won the 20 lap Hornets Main Event. Elam took the wheel of the #0 car normally driven by Jeremy Mayfield and outran Casey Scott in good battle for the victory. Chuck Peck finish third, followed by Hannah Robison, Leroy Rockwell, Dusty Shingleton, Dyllan Siewell, Kris Parker, Mayfield and Alyssa Johnson. Robison won the five lap Trophy Dash, and heat race wins were recorded by Siewell, Elam and Peyton Reigard.

The season on the oval track comes to a close next Saturday night with the annual Lucas Oil Open Show, presented by the Prather family. The Super Late Models will pay $2,000 to win thanks to increased sponsorship. Also on the card will be a $500 to win Street Stock show, Sportsman Late Models, Hornets and Mini Outlaws. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.



Lucas Oil Open Show Wraps Up Coos Bay Speedway Season


Coos Bay, Oregon...The 2018 season at Coos Bay Speedway will come to a close with a special event planned for the oval track. It's the annual Lucas Oil Open Show, presented by the Prather family. The Super Late Models will take center stage with a $2,000 to win race. Also on the card will be the Street Stocks, Sportsman Late Models, Mini Outlaws and Hornets.

Coos Bay Speedway this Saturday night will be the final opportunity for Oregon's Late Model stars to do battle for supremacy. The $2,000 prize money would seem to be a nice enticement to get some top drivers to come to town. Last season, Rob Mayea won the big money ahead of Jim Whistler and Joey Tanner. Tanner scored a feature win earlier this year at the Tidal Wave 50 and is anticipated for the big show.

Last season, Brody Montgomery began running some Super Late Model shows while still making his successful run for the Sportsman Late Model Championship. He ran the Lucas Oil Open Show and finished a respectable fifth behind Trent Elliott. Tom Elam has been enjoying his time running Late Models at Coos Bay this year and figures to be another track regular to challenge for the win. Other local area competitors to keep an eye on include Thor Kristensen, Wayne Butler and Deven Brown.

The $500 prize being offered for the Street Stock winner should entice a few drivers to come in from out of town. In fact, there's rumors that sponsorship could push the winner's totals even higher by the time race day comes around. Last season, Kyle Yeack scored the win in a close battle with Kevin Roberts. Local competitors Daniel Land, Steve Dubisar and Ken Fox rounded out the Top 5 in that show, and all three drivers are anticipated for this race. Fox won nine Main Events this year to wrap up the championship, and Dubisar is a seven-time winner and perhaps the hottest driver going into this race.

Wayne Butler was the winner of the Sportsman Late Model portion of this program last season and this year's division point runner-up. His win last year came ahead of Willamette Speedway competitor Tom Yeack and this year's champion, Dyllan Siewell. Other drivers to keep an eye on in the quest for the winner's prize include Tom Williams, Charlie Withers and Braden Fugate.

The Mini Outlaw race champion last season was Ken Fox in a close battle with track champion Sam Talon. Talon likely enters this race as the driver to beat as he won the championship in rather dominant fashion. Other drivers to watch for this week include Thomas Siewell, Jason Kellam, Carl Johnson and Gene Gattenby.

When the Hornet division was offered an opportunity to run for the extra money last year, it was Braden Fugate scoring the win in the special race in a close battle with 2017 champion Ryan Siewell and Hannah Robison. Fugate has won several times this year, but he is also since moved up to the Sportsman Late Model division. The Hornet division has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent races, and other drivers to watch for in the race for the money include new champion Tyler Tullos, April Warmack, Dusty Shingleton, Chuck Peck, Peyton Reigard and Jeremy Mayfield.

The racing season is almost over at the Coos Bay oval, and this is the last chance to check out a show until next year. The money should draw some competitors from out of town as Coos Bay will be the only dirt oval operating in Oregon this weekend..For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.



The Editor's Viewpoint

As a race fan, there's one thing that annoys the hell out of me. I hate seeing a race track get closed and the property just sit there being unused for years afterwards. I've witnessed this in multiple locations back in California. I walked the famed Vallejo Speedway 15 years after its closure, and yes, it still could have been used then in 1993. Ironically, that was the year that Klamath Falls had their last race. Two other California venues, Pearsonville Speedway and Rocky Hill Speedway in Porterville, could both be having races today, though there would be a lot of work to get them up and running.

But this article is about Oregon race tracks. I sometimes get very fascinated with some of the obscure tracks. In Eastern Oregon, Elgin Outlaw Speedway is one of those tracks. I've been trying to find anything on the actual racing program they had, but only a couple of articles have been revealed so far about the struggles to keep the place open. I didn't know the name Baker City when I spoke to my friend Lance Cline in a visit to Antioch Speedway back in 2006, but Lance was moving up there. This was the track he was actually talking about, a place that was struggling with a small car count.

The other thing that has fascinated me is Klamath Falls. It really does bother me that there's no track there and that they are further taunted by the fact that Worden Speedway sits there unused. It just doesn't seem right to me. In my research to uncover history at Southern Oregon Speedway, I found some articles from Worden in 2002. I've had a more difficult time finding stuff from Klamath Falls Speedway during its last couple of years. I probably need to dig deeper into the 1980s to find stuff.

The Klamath Falls location sits there unused. No grandstands or any of that, but you can clearly see the race track. What a waste. Worden needs some elbow grease, but the stands and the track are there. About two months ago, Mike McCann and I walked Eugene Speedway. Again, the only thing remaining there is the track itself, but you can see the moss growing on the race track. The more I walked and looked around, the more it disappointed me that they could have racing there to this day.

The story is a disappointing one. By the time McCann came to Eugene Speedway, he had success turning around the racing program at Cottage Grove. He also helped get Madras Speedway opened. He was teaming with Chuck Prather for this location, and they had big plans. In short order, Mike cut is a really nice clay oval track in the infield of the big pavement track, and he also had a Kart track out there on the property. At one time, he ran dirt racing on one night and pavement on the other. The numbers supported the dirt effort.

By all accounts, this was a successful endeavor. Interest seemed to be waning just a little bit at the facility that was approaching 40 years old upon Mike's arrival. The dirt track was just the shot in the arm the place needed. What happened there was a tragedy. A local idiot was not happy that he couldn't be heard when he protested one of the businesses being built near his home. Feeling impotent in his complaining to the city, he made the race track his focus with BS arguments about it being too loud and whatnot. Ultimately, he got his wish. Mike could see that it was going to become more of a pain in the rear end to run that track and jump through the county's hoops, so he bulldozed the dirt track. He and Chuck took what was theirs and left. Nobody ever attempted to open that track after that, and now it's a wetlands. Sorry, but Oregon has plenty of places for the birds to land, and the birds would still hang around at that location during the winter anyway.

Really, many of the things that came to my attention in California regarding Oregon racing were centered around what Mike was doing. We knew down in Antioch about Cottage Grove Speedway, called Riverside Speedway at the time. We also knew about what he was doing at Sunset Speedway. I knew about Portland because they were part of the NASCAR family, and Medford was our sister track in the 1980s. It's been an educational process for everything else, but I like knowing the history of the places I write about.

In doing my research on past champions and all of that at Southern Oregon Speedway, I once had a guy tell me that nobody gives a damn that Frank Word the III won eight Pro Stock championships in nine years. My first answer was, well I do. Secondly, Frank, I'm sure, inspired others to go racing based on what he was doing on that race track. Just like Jimmy Walker, Bruce Rayburn, Dane Smith, Harold Hardesty... You get the picture. History matters!

Seems to me that the more stories I hear about Claire Arnold at Willamette Speedway, the more I'm very much fascinated by this guy. I put him in the same crop of old-school promoters such as California Legends like Bob Barkhimer, John Soares, Bert Moreland, Doug Fort, John Padjen JC Agajanian and so on. He was a very interesting character, but you can't argue the success of his Stock Car program. This may very well have been the best Stock Car program on the West Coast, bar none. Though news of how great that show was didn't hit my area back in the 1980's, the numbers don't lie. Into the 1990s, it was golden.

NASCAR at one time had a presence in Oregon. You had the track in Coos Bay, when it was paved. They even had some Winston West races there. Portland and Medford were a part of it. At one point, I believe Eugene was also part of the NASCAR family, and perhaps Roseburg. I may not be right about that. Gradually, NASCAR shifted its priorities to what you see on TV, and suddenly the Saturday night race tracks didn't matter anymore. What's interesting is they still have a nice little short track racing package, and Coos Bay Speedway is a part of it. They joined NASCAR last year.

Chuck Prather is an interesting character. He did get the Orville The Daredevil Clown Award at WARPA in 2016 for his body of work as a promoter. Chuck did a lot to turn around the racing program in Marysville, California. I didn't know the extent of that until recently after a conversation with Mike McCann. Chuck and Mike were partners at Eugene during a successful four year run, and he was also the man who bought Coos Bay.

Though some people have their opinions, I respect the man. Somebody has to go out there and risk the money, and even if Coos Bay isn't a prime location to get huge car counts, the show goes on in part because he never gave up on it in the decade-plus that he promoted it. He's still there as Drake Nelson is in the process of buying the place.

Eastern Oregon seems to be a bit of a wasteland for racing. You have Hermiston, which has been chugging along for years now. I am a little bit baffled why a racing program of some sort on the dirt hasn't survived. There were tracks in La Grande and neighboring Elgin, and the run for both of them combined a little over 20 years. Baker City gave it a go too.

Now, the Elgin Outlaws were an association run deal. I don't think that the racing program that they had at the Elgin Stampede was all that big, maybe 20 or 30 cars. I haven't found the numbers, but it was an association run deal. As long as the bills got paid, things went on. They had a nice little track cut out there that didn't interfere with the rodeo. Problem was, the rodeo people wanted the property. In the paper, it presented an amicable parting of the ways, but I have to wonder about that. The other thing was, the rodeo people wanted that property. To my knowledge, it hasn't been used since, over a decade later. Why do people have to be that way?

I have been told by Mike, who has always got his eyes on different tracks and things you wouldn't think he was looking at, that the fairgrounds at various places are interested in racing. In fact, he told me of locations in Oregon that would put a track in tomorrow if somebody came in there to be the promoter. The venue's names escape me, but they are out there.

Of course, opening a racing program in 2018 is problematic. Where are you going to get your cars? Oregon has some tracks doing better than others. You can look at the numbers at Roseburg, Coos Bay, St. Helens and Madras and understand that they are damn lucky to have racing at all. Cars aren't overflowing in Oregon. People look at Cottage Grove and hold it as the standard, which it is. But, not everybody has what they have.

In Cottage Grove, you've had a pretty solid situation there since Mike McCann ran the place and won Promoter Of The Year honors back in the 1980s. Mike introduced Sprint Car racing as a regular part of the program. He walked away on a high note, and though the promoting duties have changed hands a couple of times, it's still a solid show. The only concern I would have about the whole place is an attempt to shut it down. Believe It or not, despite strong car count and fan support, there is a threat over that place. All it will take is the right elected official with a grudge against the track, and we could be saying goodbye to a great venue. Don't believe it will happen? Don't kid yourself.

They don't race in Klamath Falls. They have racers in Klamath Falls, and lots of them, but they don't race there. This bothers me. I don't understand how you can have the state willing to grant you money to repair your grandstands after the earthquake, and you walk away instead. The place was doomed to extinction, and that never should have happened. The racers there are a hardy bunch. We don't have a track in our hometown? Fine, I guess we're going to Yreka, Medford or wherever we can find the races.

I suppose somebody could build a dirt track on that property. But, we're talking major expenses. There aren't any building blocks there now. You have to move the earth, you have to put in the fencing and the walls, the lighting, the grandstands, the concession stands, the press box... You get the picture.

Do you have a million dollars to spend on a race track, knowing you're probably not going to have the biggest car count or the biggest attendance, at least to start? Maybe a racing enthusiast with money to spend does, but how many people with that kind of money are big racing enthusiasts? Still, a person trying to build a race track on that location has my support. I would certainly offer what ever support I could give them within my ability.

The last part is just me thinking out loud, but this is my point of view. I am being sincere. We need to find a way to get Worden Speedway up and running again. When the guy came in and built the place, he talked of big plans for things that were going to be there. I think it was Uncle Rich who went out there when the place was being built, and the guy spoke of World of Outlaw races and "pie in the sky" dreams. Really not realistic when Oregon already had venues in Cottage Grove, Willamette and Medford that have hosted races. Get your feet wet first. Establish something.

I know they ran a regular Pro Stock show in 2002 and 2003. My records show Bobby Flowers holding off Scott Flowers for the 2002 championship. Jeff Skalinsky was the top Mini Stock racer. They also had Enduros that season, and I understand during the two-year run they did have visits from the Dwarf Cars and Modifieds. I don't believe they ran in 2004, though somebody could correct me on that.

Carl Tresser owns the place now. He's an interesting guy and was one of the leaders in the carbureted Sprint Car movement that was happening in Northern California and Southern Oregon back around 1993. In fact, I spoke with him multiple times on the phone and even helped him type up the Southern Oregon Sprint Car Association with a few articles. Carl is also a Motorcycle enthusiast, so he enjoys riding on the old track from time to time. I heard rumors that he would entertain selling the place. I've heard people say that he is not interested in letting somebody else run the track.

It's disappointing on several levels. For one, a race track sits dormant because of his stance against having any racing shows. There should be racing happening. Secondly, the place will continue to fall into decay while it sits there awaiting repairs. If one were to want to sell a race track, it stands to reason that if it was at least somewhat in racing shape, they could find a buyer. Signing a three or five year agreement with a group to run that track wouldn't hurt.

I don't say this to knock Carl, because I know he has things that he's going through in his life. He is a good man. What I would like to figure out is a way that something could happen at this venue again. If there's a way, I'd like to find it. I believe Worden Speedway could be the 10th track I speculate on in the above article. How can this happen? I think the real question becomes, what is it the racers want in the Klamath Falls area?

They have already formed a racing association to protect their interest when it comes to the Pro Stock division. They go through the process of electing board members and doing the things that need to happen to ensure that drivers are interested in racing with them each season. They are now in their seventh season and have demonstrated their ability to maintain a racing organization. What is it they want? Are they okay with traveling a couple hours down the road or whatever it is to go racing, rather than closer to home?

The other thing is, you don't just have Pro Stock drivers in Klamath Falls. There are several drivers in the IMCA Modified and the Mini Stock divisions with cars. There are probably a few Streets Stocks as well. You have the basis to begin a racing program right now. It would be my guess that you could have a dozen Pro Stock cars, a half a dozen Mini Stocks and at least four IMCA Modifieds ready for a race at Worden Speedway, and it could go from there.

The reason I look at the Pro Stock Association is because they are the ones who are organized. They are the ones who know they have so many cars anytime a race is booked for them. Plus, it was several of these drivers who were supporting Worden Speedway back in 2002 and 2003. A movement to secure a deal to open that race track begins with them, in my opinion. The trick is, what sort of proposal could be drafted that would interest Carl? That, I don't know, but I think something could be proposed.

What I do know is I am 100% in support of making something happen at Worden Speedway again. I am to the point where I would offer whatever skill set I have to help them out. Just my basic racing knowledge, my journalistic effort, my ability to help draft sponsorship proposals and all of that. I would love to see this happen. I think if there's a place a new racing program could get off the ground, it's Worden Speedway.

You can never really tell. I just know that Oregon has watched some tracks go away that were supported. No more Portland Speedway. No more Clatsop Speedway after its 15-year run. No racing in the La Grande area after probably 20-plus seasons. No racing in Eugene. No racing in Klamath Falls. When does it end, and when do we put another track back into existence? If not in Worden, where is the location?

I love engaging in speculative promoting. The hypothetical, what if we put a track here? I've spoken with Mike about the Old Mill race track in Oakridge that had Lawn Mower racing for two years. It's mentioned in the above column, but they had a really nice deal to get that thing going. The town was looking for something that could entertain tourists and visitors, and this should have been a hit. It's a nice little town.

Actually, the property is big enough for a one-fifth mile track to be cut there. You could still do Lawn Mowers, but you could add a Hornet division, Micro Sprints, Dwarf Cars and who knows what else. Would this town be receptive to something like this, or are they soured by what happened with the Lawn Mower racing?

Anyway, it's just frustrating sometimes. Coming from California, it just seems like there aren't enough people who are really into the sport and want to see it thrive in Oregon. And I heard all of this nonsense when I was in California about how Indiana and other places back east were so much better. But California isn't as shabby as some people are making it out to be. There are still many race tracks there that are doing okay. Oregon has room for a couple more tracks. Whether that will happen is anybody's guess.

This is just my 2 cents on this subject. You may see it differently. Above all, I continue to do what I can to support racing with my writing, and Coos Bay Speedway, Southern Oregon Speedway, Siskiyou Motor Speedway and The Outlaw Pro Stock Association will continue to be among the things featured on this blog. It's possible we may add another track this season. Until next time...


Silver Dollar Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 29, 2018
26th Fall Nationals Night #1
360 Sprints
A Main

Shane Golobic
Tanner Thorson
Dominic Scelzi
Sean Becker
Brad Furr
Mitchell Faccinto
Geoff Ensign
Kalib Henry
D.J. Netto
Michael Kofoid
Justin Sanders
Willie Croft
Scott Bogucki
Matt Peterson
Kyle Hirst
Ryan Robinson
Kyle Offill
Mason Moore
Lucas Ashe
Colby Johnson
D.J. Freitas
Tanner Carrick
Andy Forsberg
Michael Ing 


B Main

Kyle Offill
Geoff Ensign
Lucas Ashe
Scott Bogucki
Cody Lamar
Heath Hall
Eric Humphries
Dustin Freitas
Seth Nunes
Brent Bjork
Koen Shaw
Chris Schmelzle
Stephen Ingraham
Shawn Conde
Chase Johnson
Kyler Shaw

Northwest Focus Midgets
A Main

Chance Crum
Ross Rankine
Tristin Thomas
Jonathan Jorgenson
Nick Evans
Matt Loving
Shane Smith
Alden Ostrom
Hannah Lindquist
Evan Margenson
Nik Larson
Zach Keefe
Chris Bullock
Greg Thornhill
Sawyer Lind
AJ Fugitt
Guy Tow Sr
Keoni Texeira
Adam Teves
Colton Heath 

B Main
Nick Evans
Chris Bullock
Zach Keefe
Adam Teves
Jimmy May
Jesse Conway
Renee Angel
Breanna Brostrom
Ray Stebbins
Brian Hayes


Silver Dollar Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 29, 2018
26th Fall Nationals Night #2
360 Sprints
A Main

Kyle Hirst
Dominic Scelzi
Justyn Cox
Andy Forsberg
Tanner Thorson
Willie Croft
Michael Kofoid
Tony Gualda
Brad Furr
Ryan Robinson
Colby Johnson
Kyle Offill
Michael Ing
Shane Golobic
Sean Becker
D.J. Freitas
Geoff Ensign
Justin Sanders
D.J. Netto
Tanner Carrick
Matt Peterson
Cody Lamar
Lucas Ashe
Mitchell Faccinto

B Main
Dominic Scelzi
Michael Kofoid
Geoff Ensign
Matt Peterson
Mason Moore
Kalib Henry
Scott Bogucki
Casey McClain
Dustin Freitas
Shane Hopkins
Chris Schmelzle
Justin Henry
Kyler Shaw
Greg DeCaires V
Kevin Lovell
Tyler Brown
Stephen Ingraham
Ryan Souza

Northwest Focus Midgets
A Main

Jonathan Jorgenson
Chance Crum
Evan Margenson
Ross Rankine
Nick Evans
Nik Larson
Alden Ostrom
Colton Heath
Shane Smith
Tristin Thomas
Zach Keefe
Chris Bullock
Adam Teves
Keoni Texeira
Garrett Thomas
Hannah Lindquist
Matt Loving
Mallorie McGahan
Greg Thornhill
AJ Fugitt

B Main
Nick Evans
Garrett Thomas
Mallorie McGahan
Adam Teves
Jimmy May
Jesse Conway
Renee Angel
Sawyer Lind
Breanna Brostrom
Ray Stebbins
Brian Hayes
Guy Tow Sr
Katie Jackson



Lakeport Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 29, 2018
Bombers

Lauren Snider
Trevor Abella
Evan Smith
Bo Robertson
Andy Norton
Raymond Taylor Jr
Jimbo Kollenborn
Jubal Koss
Roy Ingalls Jr

Pro 4 Modifieds 
Chris Straka
Andy Leuzinger
Ron Portlock
Mike Peterson
Marty Lewis
Wade Eldredge

BCRA Midgets
Jesse Love IV
Chad Nicols
Mark Maliepaard
Maria Cofer
Mikey Snider

Jammers
Dennis Anderson
Brandi Robertson
Christian Sanchez
Kylei Keown
Gene Odell Sr

Bandoleros
Charles French
Landon Snider
TJ Sorrels

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Southern Oregon Speedway, Siskiyou Motor Speedway, Coos Bay Speedway, More


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Jones Wins First IMCA Modified Feature 
At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...September 22...Holding off some late pressure from CJ Putnam, Preston Jones scored the victory in the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. This was the first career win for Jones. Albert Gill won his third championship in five seasons just by taking the green flag for the Main Event.

Gill started the evening off with his fourth four lap Trophy Dash win of the season. 2017 champion Jesse Bailey outran his brother-in-law, Jon DeBenedetti, to win the first six lap heat race. Putnam won the second heat in front of Jones.

Jentzen Knips charged into the Main Event lead over seven-time champion Mark Wauge on the opening lap, and Bo Shields spun for a caution flag. Knips continued to lead the restart as Jones slipped past Wauge for second. Wauge came charging by Jones for second on lap four, but a Turn 3 pass on that seven regained Jones the position. A lap later, Jones made an outside pass on the backstretch to take the lead from Knips. Jones began to pull away, leaving the battle for second, but a lap 15 yellow flag waved for debris on the track. Jones led the restart with Putnam making an inside pass in Turn 2 to take second from Knips. After a lap 17 caution flag, Putnam made a serious bid to take the lead on the restart and grabbed the spot with an inside pass exiting the fourth turn. The lead was short-lived as Jones beat him back to the line to lead the 19th lap. The lead two cars ran closely as Zack Fettinger had settled into the third position. A tangle between Bailey, Gill and Dave Duste Jr brought out the final yellow flag on lap 21. Jones led the restart with Putnam giving him all the pressure he could handle. Putnam attempted to get by several times in the remaining four laps, but Jones held him off for the hard earned victory. Fettinger finished third, followed by DeBenedetti, Wauge, Jeremy Ohlde, Duane Orsburn, Duste, Bailey and Gill.

Race Results
IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1-CJ Putnam, Preston Jones, Albert Gill, Mark Wauge, Jantzen Knips, David Satterfield.

Heat 2-Jesse Bailey, Jon DeBenedetti, Zach Fettinger, Jeremy Ohlde, Dave Duste Jr, Bo Shields.

Trophy Dash-Albert Gill, Jesse Bailey, Dave Duste Jr, Zach Fettinger.

Main Event-Preston Jones, CJ Putnam, Zach Fettinger, Jon DeBenedettim Mark Wauge, Jeremy Ohlde, Duane Orsburn, Dave Duste Jr, Jesse Bailey, Albert Gill, David Satterfield, Jantzen Knips, Bo Shields.


Coffman Closes Season With IMCA Sport Modified Win 
At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...September 22...Leading all the way from the start, Roseburg's Doug Coffman won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. He became the ninth different winner of the season. David Marble took a checkered flag further back in the field to wrap up his championship winning season.

Rich McCoy started things off with a win in the four lap Trophy Dash. With 24 competitors on hand, the Sport Modifieds ran four six lap qualifying heat races, and wins were recorded by McCoy, Branden Wilson, Coffman and Willie McFall. Only the Top 4 finishers of each heat race made it into the Main Event with the remaining drivers forced to run a 12 lap B Main. Rookie Michael Rule won that race ahead of last starter Tony Duste, Gary Foster and final transfer Toby Judd.

Coffman had a front-row start for the Main Event and charged into the early lead ahead of McFall and two-time champion Dwayne Melvin. A yellow flag flew on lap two for Judd on the front straightaway. Coffman continued to lead the restart as McCoy passed McFall for second. Melvin was back up to third a lap later before a caution flag flew for AJ Parker. Coffman led McCoy and Melvin on the next restart, and a lap seven caution flag waved for Tony Bartell. Coffman continued to lead the way on the next restart ahead of McCoy as Braxton Possinger settled into third. However, Possinger surrendered that position to Justin McCreadie on lap 10. Coffman continued to set a good pace during the final 10 laps with McCoy running not too far behind for a second place finish. McCreadie settled for third, followed by Jimmy Lipke, Randy Wright, Wilson, two-time champion Mike Medel, Matt Sanders, McFall and Duste.

Race Results
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat 1-Rich McCoy, Randy Wright, Dwayne Melvin, Matt Sanders, Michael Rule, Steve Lysinger.

Heat 2-Branden Wilson, Jimmy Lipke, AJ Parker, Danny Rule, Gary Foster, Billy Richey.

Heat 3-Doug Coffman, Mike Medel, Tony Bartell, David Marble, Isaac Sanders, Austin Petrey.

Heat 4-Willie McFall, Braxton Possinger, Justin McCreadie, Brian Johnsen, Tony Duste, Toby Judd.

Trophy Dash-Rich McCoy, Matt Sanders, Randy Wright, Branden Wilson.

B Main-Michael Rule, Tony Duste, Gary Foster, Toby Judd, Isaac Sanders, Austin Petrey, Billy Richey, Steve Lysinger DNS.

Main Event-Doug Coffman, Rich McCoy, Justin McCreadie, Jimmy Lipke, Randy Wright, Branden Wilson, Mike Medel, Matt Sanders, Willie McFall, Tony Duste, Gary Foster, Danny Rule, David Marble, Michael Rule, Dwayne Melvin, Tony Bartell, Braxton Possinger, Brian Johnsen, AJ Parker, Toby Judd.


Holmes Thrills Crowd With Last Lap Pass For Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Car Victory At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...September 22...Tanner Holmes made an impressive late race charge to score his second straight 25 lap Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Car Main Event win Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. With eight laps to go, the 15 year old phenom was running fifth. He switched to the outside groove for the final eight laps and worked his way to the front, where he took the lead from Mike Wheeler with a last turn pass.

The Sprint Car count grew to a record 23 cars for this race, and the three eight lap heat race wins were recorded by Holmes, Wheeler and new track champion David Hibbard. Outlaw Kart superstar Wheeler outran top rookie Blaine Cory to win the 10 lap Scramble. The increase in car count forced a 12 lap B Main, won by Camden Robustelli ahead of Enrique Jaime and final transfer Cooper Desbians. Past Cottage Grove champion Hedge Carter saw his night end early with a flip in the B Main

With a pole position start, Wheeler raced into the early lead ahead of Cory and Bailey Hibbard. In his previous two starts, mechanical issues ended Wheeler's night early, but he was running strong on this occasion. Todd Whipple did a complete 360 in Turn 4 on lap five and kept going, but a yellow flag still waived. Wheeler continued to lead Cory and Bailey Hibbard on the restart with David Hibbard and Jeffrey Hudson filling out the top five at that moment. Robustelli brought out a caution flag when he broke in Turn 4 on lap eight. Wheeler continued to lead Cory and Bailey Hibbard on this restart. Aaron Miller and Kyler Barraza retired in the next few laps as Wheeler and Cory were having a close battle at the front of the pack. The final yellow flag waved on lap 18. Holmes was up to fifth by then, and he took fourth from David Hibbard on the restart as Wheeler continued to lead. Bailey Hibbard also slipped past Corey for the second position. Holmes was working the extreme high groove that no one else was touching, and he made a Turn 4 pass on to lap 21 to take third from Cory. He gathered the momentum exiting Turn 4 a lap later and made a frontstretch pass on Bailey Hibbard for second. Wheeler was still running the bottom line that had served him well to that point, and Holmes quickly reeled him in. As they exited the final turn, Holmes gathered the momentum for an outside pass down the front straightaway. Despite a slower car also running the high line, Holmes kept going and managed to beat Wheeler back to the checkered flag for the crowd thrilling victory. Wheeler settled for a disappointed second, followed by Bailey Hibbard, Cory, AJ Harbaugh, Jeffrey Hudson, David Hibbard, Desbiens, TJ Winningham and Bailey Sucich.

Race Results
Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars
Heat 1-Tanner Holmes, Jeffrey Hudson, Bailey Hibbard, Merissa Hensen, Melissa Solesbee, Camden Robustelli, RC Levin.

Heat 2-Mike Wheeler, Aaron Miller, Todd Whipple, Bailey Sucich, AJ Harbaugh, Cooper Desbiens, Steve Thompson, Justin Tracy.

Heat 3-David Hibbard, Blaine Cory, TJ Winningham, Kyler Barraza, Steven Snawder, Enrique Jaime, Hedge Carter, Morgan Bergs.

Scramble-Mike Wheeler, Blaine Cory, Bailey Hibbard, TJ Winningham, David Hibbard, Tanner Holmes, Jeffrey Hudson, Todd Whipple, Aaron Miller.

B Main-Camden Robustelli, Enrique Jaime, Cooper Desbiens, Morgan Bergs, RC Levin, Hedge Carter, Steve Thompson, Justin Tracy.

Main Event-Tanner Holmes, Mike Wheeler, Bailey Hibbard, Blaine Cory, AJ Harbaugh, Jeffrey Hudson, David Hibbard, Cooper Desbiens, TJ Winningham, Bailey Sucich, Merissa Henson, Steven Snawder, Enrique Jaime, Todd Whipple, Melissa Solesbee, Kyler Barraza, Aaron Miller, Camden Robustelli.


Lenz Wraps Up Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stock Championship With Win At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...September 22...Taking the lead from Steve Borror on the fourth lap, Dr Scott Lenz went on to win the 20 lap Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. This was his eighth series victory and ninth of the year as he wrapped up his second consecutive championship.

Lenz got his night started off with a four lap Trophy Dash win, but his quest for a clean sweep would end as John David Duffie held him off to win the first six lap heat race. James Flowers outran his father Scott Flowers for the second heat race win.

Steve Borror set the Main Event pace from the start ahead of Lenz and James Flowers. A Turn 2 pass on the fourth lap gained Lenz the lead, and a tangle involving James Flowers and Duffie left Duffie in Turn 2 and brought out a lap five caution flag. Duffie was done for the night, but Flowers returned after a pit stop. Lenz continued to lead Borror and Scott Flowers on the restart, but Matt Harlow made an inside pass on the front stretch on lap 8 to take third from Scott Flowers. A lap nine caution flag for debris was the final slow down of the race. Lenz continued to lead Borror on the restart as Scott Flowers regained third. A lap later, Dave Quick passed Flowers at the line to take over third. Lenz held a straightaway advantage over Borror by lap 15, leaving the battle for third. Scott Flowers slipped passed Quick for third on that 19, and Lenz was the happy winner, followed by Borror, Scott Flowers, Quick, James Flowers, Rick Lukens, Harlow, Ray Kniffin Jr, Ken Irving and Bryan Hammond.

Race Results
Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks
Heat 1-John David Duffie, Scott Lenz, Steve Borror, Rick Kukens, Bryan Hammond, Ray Kniffen, Dave Quick.

Heat 2-James Flowers, Scott Flowers, Matt Harlow, Ken Irving, Scott Bennett, Phil Pipgras.

Trophy Dash-Scott Lenz, Scott Flowers, Steve Borror, Dave Quick.

Main Event-Scott Lenz, Steve Borror, Scott Flowers, Dave Quick, James Flowers, Rick Lukens, Matt Harlow, Ray Kniffen Jr, Ken Irving, Bryan Hammond, Scott Bennett, Tom Hackworth, John David Duffie, Dave Sauer DNS.


Trotter Closes OTRO Hardtop Season With Second Win 
At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...September 22...Bill Trotter won the 15 lap OTRO Hardtop Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. Trotter battled Jay Smith through most of the race before scoring his second win of the season.

Chris Mehrer won the four lap Trophy Dash to get the show started, and Trotter won a good battle with Smith and Dean Cast for the eight lap heat race win. Trotter raced into the lead at the start of the Main Event ahead of Smith and Cast. The lead three drivers had their own battle as Mehrer mixed it up with three relative newcomers in the battle for fourth. Unfortunately for Matt Butler, he stalled with motor problems for the only caution flag of the race on lap three. Trotter continued to lead Smith and Cast on the restart. Gradually, Trotter and Smith began to pull away from Cast, while Dillion Rourk battled Mehrer for the fourth position. As Trotter went on to win, Smith lost a wheel in the final turn. Cast finished second. Rorke made an inside pass on the backstretch on lap 14 to take fourth from Mehrer. With Smith's misfortune, Roark ended up third at the checkered flag, followed by Mehrer, Mike Higby, Smith and Butler.

Race Results
OTRO Hardtops
Heat-Bill Trotter, Jay Smith, Dean Cast, Chris Mehrer, Mike Higby, Dillion Roark, Matt Butler.

Trophy Dash-Chris Mehrer, Matt Butler, Dillion Roark, Mike Higby.

Main Event-Bill Trotter, Dean Cast, Dillion Roark, Chris Mehrer, Mike Higby, Jay Smith, Matt Butler.


 McCoy Wins Restad Memorial Race At Siskiyou Speedway

Yreka, CA...September 22...Rich McCoy won the Rod Restad Memorial IMCA Sport Modified 30 Main Event Sunday night at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. McCoy was coming off of a strong second place finish in Medford the night before. He battled reigning race champion Keith Foux during the first half of the race before Oregon State champion Jorddon Braaten made his move into second. During the final half-dozen laps, McCoy had his hands full with Braaten taking looks to the outside, and Foux and Brian Cooper had a good battle going for third. Cooper moved ahead of Foux with four laps to go, but Braaten was unable to make the pass on McCoy. McCoy pocketed $1,000 for his win with Braaten a $500 second. Cooper finished third, followed by Foux, Ryder Boswell, Ethan Killingsworth, Randy Wright, Matt Micheli, Doug Franklin and Dwayne Melvin. Eight lap heat race wins where recorded by Melvin, Killingsworth and McCoy. Cooper won the four lap Trophy Dash.

Jon DeBenedetti swept the action in the IMCA Modified division and pocketed $1,200 in the process. DeBenedetti followed up on his eight lap heat race and four lap Trophy Dash wins with the 15 lap feature win. Jimmy Lipke was a $600 second, followed by Dan Thomas.

Mike Whitaker won his second 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Whitaker entered the night with a shot at the championship, but he needed some bad luck to happen to Marilyn Yanwick. Whitaker battled impressive rookie Darek Alford at the front of the pack before scoring his second feature win of the season. Alford was a strong second. However, Yawnick ran nearly a straightaway behind the lead duo in third, which helped her secure her third straight division championship. Zac McMurray had his best showing of the season in fourth, followed by Mike Kendrick, John Glidwell, Jason Frost, Nick Conway and Garrett Fredrickson. Yawnick won a good battle with Whitaker in the first heat race. Alford won the other eight lap heat and won the four lap Trophy Dash just ahead of Whitaker.

The Jefferson State Jalopies were invited back for another show. JJ Smith rebounded from last week's bad luck to win his first ever 15 lap Main Event. Smith also won the heat race, but Scott Billingsley Jr was the four lap Trophy Dash winner

For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.


Dubisar, Robison Win at Coos Bay Speedway

Coos Bay, Oregon...September 22...Steve Dubisar won both the Sportsman Late Model and Street Stock Main Events at Coos Bay Speedway Saturday night. Four of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions ran in support of the special Rolling Thunder Big Rig Show.

Dubisar won the eight lap Sportsman Late Model Main Event. Braden Fugate started things off with the heat race win, but he finished second to Josh Kralicek in the Trophy Dash. Unfortunately, Kralicek, Charlie Withers and Wayne Butler all scratched prior to the Main Event with mechanical issues. The race might have been called at that point, but Dubisar entered his Street Stock into the Main Event and won a close eight lap battle with Fugate.

Earlier, Dubisar won his sixth 15 lap Street Stock Main Event. Dubisar picked up a 10 lap heat race win, but Creswell's Garrett Barth held off Dubisar to win the five lap Trophy Dash. In the Main Event, Dubisar set a rapid pace in winning by several car lengths. Troy Chamberlain finished second in good battle with Barth. New champion Ken Fox rounded out the field.

John Carpenter outran new champion Sam Talon to win the 15 lap Mini Outlaw Main Event. Gene Gattenby finished third. Gattenby also won the five lap Trophy Dash, while Talon won the 10 lap heat race.

Hannah Robison returned to action and battled new champion Tyler Tullos to win her fourth 20 lap Hornets Main Event of the season. While Robison was winning her battle for the victory, Roseburg's Jeremy Mayfield was not quite a straightaway behind in third. Gabrielle Bolles finished fourth, followed by Riley Hayes, William Hitner, Dusty Shingleton, Ray Marshall, Roy Pugh and Dylan Grichar. Leroy Rockwell won the five lap Trophy Dash, and ten lap heat race wins went to Peyton Reigard and Pugh.

Next Saturday night will be the final point race for the ISCS Winged Sprint Car Series. The Sportsman Late Models are back along with the Street Stocks and Hornets. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.


Interstate Sprint Car Series Comes To Coos Bay Speedway

Coos Bay, Oregon...The Interstate Sprint Car Series will crown its champion at Coos Bay Speedway this Saturday night in their season finale. This is the third visit for the group this year, and speedway officials are anticipating a car count into the twenties once again. Joining the popular Sprint Car division on the card will be the NASCAR Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws and Hornets.

The Interstate Sprint Car Series has been around in one form or another off and on during the past half a dozen years, but nothing had happened with it last season. It was Medford racer David Hibbard who started the talk that got the ball rolling to bring this series back. The idea was to do something special with the Sprint Cars running the limited rules package. This would include the cars at Coos Bay Speedway, the Limited Sprint division at Cottage Grove Speedway and the Winged Sprint Car class at Southern Oregon Speedway.

When Week Of Speed ran at Coos Bay to kick that series off, 29 Sprint Cars were in the pits. This shows just how powerful this idea was. Fans coming out to watch Sprint Car racing on Saturday night will see a good show as top Oregon drivers such as Tyler Thompson, David Hibbard, Shane Forte, Kinzer Cox, Camden Robustelli, Kyler Barraza and rising young star Tanner Holmes are expected to be among the field. Barraza and Forte have ISCS wins at Coos Bay, and visitors Ian Bandy and Aaron Miller have also picked up wins. Coos Bay Speedway should be represented by its own stars, including track point leader Brett Hulsey, reigning champion Lawrence Van Hoof, two-time champion Dave May, Kayla Green and Donovan Prather.

The Sportsman Late Models ran their first postseason race last week, and attrition took an ugly toll as two-time champion Wayne Butler, Trophy Dash winner Jeff Krossman and the steady Charlie Withers all loaded up with mechanical issues before the Main Event. Coming off of his win in the point season finale, Braden Fugate found himself matched up with Street Stock star Steve Dubisar, but it was Dubisar coming out on top in the Main Event. The drivers will have their cars fixed and ready to go once again this week.

Dubisar is probably the hottest driver in the Street Stocks during these past two months. He won again last week, which was his sixth of the year. His win came ahead of Troy Chamberlain and surprise Cottage Grove Speedway visitor Garrett Barth, who won his first Trophy Dash earlier in the evening. It didn't go all that well for Ken Fox, but he still has his championship and nine wins to his credit as he comes back this week. Other drivers to look for include season point runner-up David Smith, Daniel Land and Josh Bearden.

Sam Talon has been very dominant in the Mini Outlaws this season on his way to his second straight division championship and third in four years. However, Talon played second fiddle to John Henry in the most recent race. This was the second win of the season for Henry, who finished second in the standings. These two should be back this week, and others to watch for include Jason Kellam, Tom Siewell and Gene Gattenby.

"Hurricane" Hannah Robison was back behind the wheel of her #23h car and holding off new champion Tyler Tullos for her fourth win of the season. Hannah had a really impressive showing this season as she finished third in the standings behind April Warmack. It's all about bragging rights, and this will be a tune-up before the extra money race as part of the Prather Family Lucas Oil Open Show on October 6th. Other drivers to watch for this week include Gabrielle Bolles, Kris Parker, Dusty Shingleton, Leroy Rockwell and Chuck Peck.

For Sprint Car fans, Saturday night will be a can't miss show. Car count is supposed to be strong for this race. For Late Model fans, you'll need to mark October 6th on your calendar. The annual Prather Family Lucas Oil Open will be featuring a $1,200 to win Super Late Model show. New Super Late Model champion Brody Montgomery, division runner-up Thor Kristensen, Tom Elam and Deven Brown will be among those trying to pick up the big money, but some top drivers are anticipated from out of town, including Joey Tanner. There's just two races left to go on the schedule, and both are worthy of being attended. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.


Diatte Wins Opening Night Of Dwarf Car Nationals 
At Marysville Raceway

Marysville, CA...September 21...Ryan Diatte won the opening night of the Western States Dwarf Car Association Dwarf Car Nationals at Marysville Raceway. The event is hosted by the Northern California Dwarf Car Association and is the original and longest running Nationals race on the schedule. Diatte also won the recent Nationals event at Southern Oregon Speedway.

The 75 entries were split into three different groups, and the Pro Division boasted the biggest turnout of 39 competitors. The 20 lap feature saw nine yellow flags slow the pace among the 24 car field. Diatte was followed closely by reigning NorCal Dwarf Car champion Danny Wagner. Nevada's Joe Frock was third, just ahead of Michael "Spanky" Grenert. Oregon's Anthony Pope finished a solid fifth, followed by Zach Albers, Adam Teves, South Bay Dwarf Car champion Gene "Punky" Pires, Brandon Ross and Matt Hagermann. All 10 competitors earned starting spots in the Fast Dash that will determine the first five rows of Saturday's Main Event.

The Pros ran four 10 lap heat races, and Dustin Washburn won his heat race in a close battle with Darren Brent. Thomas Lieby made a rare Dwarf Car start and won his heat race by a comfortable margin ahead of Tony Steffenmeir. Past NorCal and South Bay champion Shawn Jones outran Ryan Diatte to win the third heat, and the fourth heat race win went to Jeremy Blackshere ahead of Pires. The field was big enough for a six lap C Main, and Ryan Amlen won that race ahead of Brandon Gentry. The 15 lap B Main went to Darren Brown, followed by Grenert, Mark Hanson, Ross and two-time Southern Oregon Dwarf Car champion Brock Peters.

Brian Quilty won the 20 lap Veterans Main Event. All 23 competitors started the rapidly run event, and there were only three caution flags to slow the field. Quilty scored his victory ahead of 2016 Antioch champion Kevin Maraglio and reigning Antioch champion Mike Corsaro. Jeff Fitch finished fourth, followed by Carroll Mendenhall, Mike Reeder, Dan Geil, Scott Dahlgren, Buddy Olschowka and Southern Oregon Nationals winner Tim Fitzpatrick. They ran four eight lap heat races with wins going to Corsaro, Reeder, Fitch and Miraglio.

Southern Oregon racer Joe Sanders won the 20 lap Sportsman Main Event. Sanders was coming off of his best finish with his group in fourth last week in Medford, and he ran second to Shawn Whitney during the first half of the race before making his move in the race that only had two yellow flag slowdowns. Whitney settled for second, followed by Sam Borland, Robert Johnson, Troy Stevenson Jr, Jimmy Damron, Adam Freitas, Robert Kozinski, Mack Aceves and Mike Dahle. Whitney won the first eight lap heat race with Sanders in close pursuit, and the second heat race win went to Johnson ahead of Kozinski.


Marysville Raceway Unofficial Race Results September 22, 2018
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals Night #2
Dwarf Cars Pro
A Main

Ryan Diatte
Danny Wagner
Joe Frock
Adam Teves
Gene Pires
Chad Matthias
Jessica Clark
Jeremy Blackshere
Mike Grenert
Thomas Leiby
Ryan Amelin
Tony Steffenmeier
Darren Brent
Josh Wiesz
Dustin Washburn
Zack Albers
Anthony Pope
Matt Hagemann
Jake Van Ortwick
Alan Heeney
Brock Peters
Brandon Ross
Mark Hanson
Shawn Jones

B Main
Shawn Jones
Jeremy Blackshere
Tony Steffenmeier
Chad Matthias
Jake Van Ortwick
Jessica Clark
Mark Hanson
Ryan Amelin
Brock Peters
Thomas Leiby
Josh Wiesz
Alan Heeney
Darren Brent
Dustin Washburn
Brandon Gentry
Toby Brown
Mac Marmon
Darren Brown
Michael Curry
David Michael Rosa

C Main

Mac Marmon
Jeremy Blackshere
Darren Brent
Mark Hanson
Toby Brown
Brandon Gentry
David Michael Rosa
Michael Curry
Sam Wren
Mario Marquez
Brady Beck
Ryan Winter
Justin Winter

Dwarf Cars Veterans
Kevin Bender
Brian Quilty
Dan Geil
Tommy Brown
Eric Weisler
Wade Ehrlich
David Rosa
Bryan Bender
Dan Zuger
Tim Fitzpatrick
Austin Quilty
Eddy Claessen
Dennis Hively
Kevin Miraglio
Steve Kapaun
Mike Reeder
Chuck Conover
Buddy Olschowka
Bobby Freiheit
Carroll Mendenhall
Jeff Fitch
Glenn Sciarani

Dwarf Cars Sportsman

Joe Sanders
Robert Johnson
Sam Borland
Adam Freitas
Shawn Whitney
Troy Stevenson Jr
Mack Aceves
Giovanni Bortoli
Mike Dahle
Clark Droivold
Robert Kozinski

Super Stocks

Brent Lawrence
Chris Warner
Richard Vander Ploeg
James Castleberry
Bill Hall


Placerville Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 22, 2018 
Nor-Cal Posse Shootout Night #2
SCCT Sprint Cars
A Main

Sean Becker
Tanner Thorson
Justyn Cox
Kyle Hirst
Willie Croft
Andy Gregg
Andy Forsberg
Greg Decairies
Mitchell Faccinto
DJ Netto
Joey Saldana
Justin Sanders
Shane Hopkins
Kalib Henry
Jodie Robinson
Colby Copeland
Chase Johnson
Kyle Offill
Cody Hodgson
Kaleb Montgomery
Shane Golobic
Blake Carrick
Cody Lamar
Steven Tiner

B Main
Joey Saldana
Cody Hodgson
Steven Tiner
Jodie Robinson
Shane Hopkins
Tony Gualda
Colby Johnson
Adam Walters
Chris Schmelzle
Lucas Ashe
Mason Moore
Mike Cook
Ryan Bernal
CJ Humphries

C Main

Steven Tiner
Tony Gualda
Chase Majdic
Jake Morgan
Carl Droivold
Justin Henry
Jared Van Bebber
Travis Coelho
Zach Lynskey
Ryan Souza

BCRA Midget Lites
Main Event

Doug Nunes
Jared Gunderson
Bobby Michnowicz
Scott Kinney
Cody Nigh
Jarrett Kramer
Seth Hespe
Brent Sexton
Dakota Albright
Terry Lewis
Eric Greco
Dominic Del Monte
Steve Hendricksen
Aiden Lange
Grant Sexton
Terry Bergstrom
Alex Lewis
Dalton Sexton
Danika Parker
Brandon Leedy
Hunter Kinney
Dean Alexander 

B Main
Seth Hespe
Terry Lewis
Dean Alexander
Steve Hendricksen
Kyle Dodd
Pat Kelly
Jeff Dyer
Josef Ferolito
Aiden Lange
Dalton Sexton
Terry Bergstrom
Jeff Griffin
Dale Gamer
Gus Carcione
Frank Ditmar
Steve Brown


Marysville Raceway Unofficial Race Results September 21, 2018
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals Night #1
Dwarf Cars Pro
A Main

Ryan Diatte
Danny Wagner
Joe Frock
Mike Grenert
Anthony Pope
Zack Albers
Adam Teves
Gene Pires
Brandon Ross
Matt Hagermann
Thomas Leiby
Josh Wiesz
Mark Hanson
Sam Wren
Shawn Jones
Jeremy Blackshere
Mac Marmon
Tony Steffenmeier
David Rosa
Darren Brent
Dustin Washburn
Brock Peters
Chad Matthias
Darren Brown

B Main

Darren Brown
Mike Grenert
Mark Hanson
Brandon Ross
Brock Peters
Matt Hagemann
David Rosa
Sam Wren
Mario Marquez
Jake Van Ortwick
Jessica Clark
Brandon Gentry
David Michael Rosa
Leo Ward
John Chrisman
Alan Heeney
Ryan Amelin

Dwarf Cars Pro
C Main

Ryan Amelin
Brandon Gentry
David Michael Rosa
Mario Marquez
Sam Wren

Dwarf Cars Veterans

Brian Quilty
Kevin Miraglio
Mike Corsaro
Jeff Fitch
Carroll Mendenhall
Mike Reeder
Dan Geil
Scott Dahlgren
Buddy Olschowka
Tim Fitzpatrick
Chuck Conover
Kevin Bender
Eric Weisler
Glenn Sciarani
Tommy Brown
Dan Zuger
Austin Quilty
Dennis Hively
Wade Ehrlich
Steve Kapaun
Eddy Claessen
Bryan Bender
Bobby Freiheit

Dwarf Cars Sportsman

Joe Sanders
Shawn Whitney
Sam Borland
Robert Johnson
Troy Stevenson Jr
Jimmy Damron
Adam Freitas
Robert Kozinski
Mack Aceves
Mike Dahle
Roberto Monroy
Clark Droivold


Placerville Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 21, 2018
Nor-Cal Posse Shootout Night #1
SCCT Sprint Cars

Kyle Hirst
Justyn Cox
Mitchell Faccinto
Shane Golobic
Tanner Thorson
Andy Forsberg
Steven Tiner
Greg Decairies
Joey Saldana
Justin Sanders
Andy Gregg
DJ Netto
Tony Gualda
Sean Becker
0Willie Croft
Colby Copeland
Shane Hopkins
Chase Johnson
Jodie Robinson
Zach Lynskey
Lucas Ashe
Ryan Bernal
Mason Moore
Carl Droivold

B Main
Ryan Bernal
DJ Netto
Shane Hopkins
Sean Becker
Kaleb Montgomery
Blake Carrick
Cody Hodgson
Jimmy Trulli
Chris Schmelzle
Mike Benson
Chris Masters
Colby Johnson
John Clark
Cody Lamar

C Main
Cody Hodgson
Chris Schmelzle
Ryan Souza
Justin Johnson
Jared Van Bebber
Mike Cook
Kyle Offill

BCRA Midget Lites
Main Event

Seth Hespe
Dean Alexander
Jared Gunderson
Cody Nigh
Dakota Albright
Jarrett Kramer
Steve Hendricksen
Doug Nunes
Kyle Dodd
Terry Bergstrom
Terry Lewis
Jeff Dyer
Alex Lewis
Danika Parker
Eric Greco
Dominic Del Monte
Brandon Leedy
Brent Sexton
Scott Kinney
Bobby Michnowicz
Steve Brown
Hunter Kinney
Brad Dillard

B Main

Jarrett Kramer
Kyle Dodd
Brandon Leedy
Danika Parker
Terry Lewis
Brad Dillard
Dominic Del Monte
Pat Kelly
Gus Carcione
Grant Sexton
Rex Jorn
Aiden Lange
Frank Ditmar
Jeff Griffin
Dale Gamer
Dan Foster
Wink Schweitzer
Brad Hannum


Ukiah Speedway Unofficial Race Results September 22, 2018
Anderson Logging Armed Forces Night

Results are not official
1     #75 Jeremy Doss
2     #96 RJ Randall
3     #98 Dustin Kuhl
4     #69 Charlie Collins
5     #88 Bob Mook
6     #35 Charlie Tour
7     #4 Raymond Taylor Jr
8     #27B Jesse Frey
9     #75B Audrey Portlock
10     #5 Jeff French
11     #51 Trevor Abella    
12     #8 Bo Robertson
13     #29 Dan Munier
14     #1 Robert Brackett    
15     #17 Robert Byers
16     #55 Jubal Koss

Limited Modifieds
Results are not official
1     #37 Sierra Furia    
2     #19 Shelby Helm
3     #62 Roy Ingalls Jr
4     #17 Tyler Shipley
5     #57K Kylei Keown
6     #88B Kyler Berry
7     #88 Gene O'Dell Jr
8     #55 Tyler Caturegli
9     #44 Charile Collins        
10     #04 Cole Brown    

PCS Late Models
Results are not official
1     #19 Brandon White    
2     #24 Derek Copeland
3     #88 Kolby Berry
4     #37 Sierra Furia
5     #23 Shawn Andrews

Pro 4 Modifieds
Results are not official
1     #15 Chris Straka
2     #87 Marty Lewis
3     #8 Andy Leuzinger
4     #29 Mike Peterson
5     #14T Timber Haskins
6     #01 Ron Portlock
7     #4 Wade Eldredge