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Champions Honored At Southern Oregon Speedway
Awards Banquet
Kendall Oil Sprint Car champion "Dirty" Dave Hibbard spoke about his season and his thoughts on the division in general. Photo by Sheila Super
Medford, Oregon...There was a good turnout of racers and family for the annual potluck awards banquet for Southern Oregon Speedway Saturday night. The gathering took place at Los Arcos Restaurant, where the Top 10 drivers in the track's seven core classes received trophies, and "Rookie Of The Year" awards were also handed out.
On hand to receive their championship trophies were David Hibbard (Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars), John Dees (Late Models), David Marble (IMCA Sport Modifieds), Charlie Eaton (Valley Store All Late Model Lites), David Steele (Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks) and Bree Tritchler (JOAT Labs Hornets). IMCA Modified champion Albert Gill was unable to attend due to prior commitments. The Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars competed 11 times during the season, and they had their own association banquet where they honored Josh King as champion last year.
David Satterfield displays his IMCA Modified "Rookie Of The Year" award and third place points trophy. Photo by Sheila Super
On the track, Hibbard was a force to be reckoned with with five wins and two seconds in the first seven races. Off the track, he was a driving force in helping grow the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Car class and also took an active role in promoting the track's Malicious Monster Truck event during the year. David noted that he was very proud to help grow the Sprint Car effort in Medford and has believed for the past several years that the limited rules package was the key to making it happen.
John Dees admitted that he was not expecting to win the Late Model championship and just came out there with the goal of doing better than the year before. With one win and five seconds, he was probably the most improved driver of the field. As to what the team is planning to do next year, John said that it was a secret.
Miles Deubert's dream come true Late Model effort resulted in top rookie honors.
One could also argue that Miles Deubert as the top rookie of the Late Model class was a surprise. In fact, he didn't even know he would be going racing in this division until a couple of months before the season. The deal to buy the car was just too good to pass up. Miles remarked that he's been wanting to go Late Model racing since he was a kid, so last season was a dream come true for him.
After winning the IMCA Sport Modified championship, David Marble will be going Sprint Car racing. Photo by Sheila Super
The IMCA Sport Modified championship was the second title in the career of David Marble, who won the Mini Stock crown back in 2015. David announced that he has a Sprint Car for next season. It was also announced that Top 10 ranked driver and two-time Sport Modified champion Mike Medel would be back full-time this year. Several drivers are building cars, and the Sport Modified count is expected to increase this season.
David Steele won nine Mini Stock Main Events and finished second twice in his 11 starts to win the title. He was one of the more respected drivers at the track for his willingness to help the young drivers. Like the Valley Store All Late Model Lites champion, Charlie Eaton, Steele will be back racing in the coming season. The Mini Stock division will get more crowded as Top 5 Hornet competitor Dylan Irving and another Hornet star, Ashtin Hedges, will be running Mini Stocks next season.
Bree Tritchler was impressive in her rookie season in the Hornet class. She won one Main Event and finished second five times to not only win the rookie title but championship honors as well. Other "Rookie Of The Year" winners included Blaine Cory (Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars), David Satterfield (IMCA Modifieds), Branden Wilson (IMCA Sport Modifieds), Mike McLeod (Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks) and Michael Johnson (Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars). Johnson received his award at the Dwarf Car banquet last year.
Promoter Mike McCann interviews top Sprint Car rookie Blaine Cory.
Promoter Mike McCann not only gave the state of the track address, he also interviewed several racers before the banquet began. McCann thanked all of the people behind the scenes, the great sponsors and the racers for their support in making this the best season the track has had in seven years. McCann indicated that the 2019 schedule would be available within the next couple of weeks. Look for most of the same attractions from last year along with some surprises.
People are getting more excited about the speedway, which is now in its 24th season of operation. Things have been improving rapidly during the past few years, and there is every indication that this will be the best season yet under the promotion of McCann. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Siskiyou Speedway Racers Meet New Promoter
At Special Meeting
Yreka, CA...Competitors at the newly renamed Siskiyou Golden Speedway in Yreka got to meet their new promoter on Sunday afternoon at a special meeting. He's Kevin Barba. Barba held the position of SCMA President last year. Prior to that, he has a background of being involved with the touring Pro 4 Modified group and also Petaluma and Lakeport Speedways in the past.
When Kevin learned that the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds Board of Directors would be looking for a potential new promoter for the speedway, he began to draft his own proposal. Because the announcement wouldn't come until late January, he took a risk. He started reaching out to various racing promoters and attending promoters meetings to get up to date on the current racing trends. He also looked to see what touring groups might be interested in making special visits to the speedway during the coming season.
Once he was informed that he would receive a one-year contract to run the track with the possibility of an extension at season's end, Barba wasted little time putting together a team of officials, which will include a new head tech official, new flagman and new track prep man. All three were introduced at the meeting. Concerns over track conditions were addressed at this meeting as the intent is to make it safer and racier for the competitors.
Should Barba be successful in his maiden season as promoter and get a renewal, he has made an agreement with the fairgrounds to put money aside each year that would be used towards making improvements to the facility. Among the potential things being talked about for the future are fencing improvements, new lighting and more race track improvements. He made a big point in talking about creating a safer racing environment and a level playing field for the racers.
Barba went over many of the things that competitors have been concerned about in recent seasons with the assurance that he is not running the track merely to make money. He intends to give back to the racers who support the speedway. He also intends to have several different fan-friendly events in addition to the popular Fan Appreciation Night that has been established on the schedule. There will be bike giveaways for the kids, little league night and other new community minded events as well.
The local classes that have been featured in recent seasons, which includes the IMCA Sport Modified and Mini Stocks, will be back for several appearances. The schedule will be finalized and released soon on the new web page, but you can expect dates for the IMCA Modifieds, Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks, Jefferson State Jalopies and some big races from divisions not seen at the speedway for a while.
Because he wants to highlight who the people are who are being memorialized with their special events, Kevin will hold the Bo Hittson Memorial and John Arnberg Memorial on separate nights, and the Rod Restad Memorial race will also continue. The track will see a visit from the Iron Giant Street Stock Series. The Billy Geyer Memorial race will now be even bigger as it will be supported by the Tri State Pro Stock Series and there will be some appearances by the Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets. The popular Northern Sprint Tour Speedweek race will also return, as will the Wild West IMCA Modified Speedweek event.
The main thing that Barba wanted to reassure everybody was that he will be listening to his racers and making his best effort to address some important issues that have been on the minds of the racers in recent seasons. Though things have been on a downturn recently, he is optimistic that he can begin the long process of turning things around and making the speedway as great as it once was.
The new schedule and rules are being finalized and will be on the new www.siskiyougoldenspeedway.com website soon. Or you can look up Siskiyou Golden Speedway on Facebook for the latest updates.
Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks Gear Up
For Exciting Eighth Season
Klamath Falls, Oregon...Eight years after the Pro Stock drivers formed their touring association, they have just released their exciting 2019 schedule. The schedule will see the group compete at three different tracks for series points, and the group will also have off nights so that the drivers will be able to support the newly-formed Tri State Pro Stock Challenge Series.
The season gets started with their first of nine races at Siskiyou Motor Speedway on April 13th. They also race on April 27th at the Yreka track before the Fifth Annual Billy Geyer Memorial race at Yreka on May 4th. This will be a Tri State Series point race, but non points for the association. On May 18th, they return to Yreka before making their first of three scheduled appearances at Southern Oregon Speedway.
The June 1st appearance at the Medford track is the Seventh Annual Roger Haudenshild Tribute race. They return to Yreka on June 15th before heading to Cedarville for a non point race for the association. This will be the Third Annual Gordon Russell Memorial race, which is the second Tri State Series event. On July 13th, the association will be headlining their second Southern Oregon Speedway appearance. They then return to Siskiyou Speedway on July 20th.
Because their appearance at Coos Bay Speedway went so well last season, they will make their lone appearance there again this season on August 3rd for a head-to-head showdown with the local NASCAR Sportsman Late Model competitors. August 17th will be another non point race as part of the Tri State Series at Fernley 95a Speedway in Nevada. They then return to Southern Oregon Speedway to be a part of the third annual R Charles Snyder Salute on September 1st. On September 14th, they will be a part of the final Tri State Series event at the Stockton CA dirt track. This will be the Al Miller Memorial race, and though it's not an association point race, the $5,000 prize being offered to the winner should entice many of the competitors to tow down south.
They run their final three races of the season at Siskiyou Speedway on September 21st, October 5th and October 19th. Sponsorship is still being landed for the series with announcements to be forthcoming. However, Arlen Heath, who was a big player in the establishing of the association back in 2012, will be sponsoring the Billy Geyer Memorial race with his Calculated Comfort Heating And Air Conditioning company of Medford and Brookings.
The association had a banner year last season with seven appearances at Siskiyou Speedway, three at Southern Oregon Speedway, one at Coos Bay Speedway and their support of the Gordon Russell Memorial at Cedarville. The familiar theme of 2018 was the dominance of Dr Scott Lenz. Lenz would repeat as association champion with eight victories. Five of those wins came in Yreka, two in Medford and one at Coos Bay. Lenz was furthermore crowned as the champion of Siskiyou Speedway by the SCMA with club president Scott Flowers of Klamath Falls finishing second in Yreka points and Matt Harlow finishing third.
Flowers was very consistent all season long. Though he didn't get a feature win, he finished second in three Main Events and third four times. After the throwaway rule was factored in, however, 2016 champion Steve Borror of Klamath Falls would end up second in the standings with Flowers settling for third. Borror got a feature win in the season opener in Yreka, finished second four times during the season end finished third once. He was also the only other driver to win a Trophy Dash once as Lenz won six Trophy Dashes.
One of the stars of Medford Pro Stock racing through the years, John David Duffie, finished fourth in the standings. John had one season-high second place finish. Matt Harlow was very consistent at Yreka with six Top 5 finishes in his seven starts there, and he counted one third place finish as his season-high effort. The balance of the Top 10 in the standings was made up of James Flowers, Bryan Hammond, Johnny Cobb, Ginny Flowers and Jeff Haudenshild, all of Klamath Falls.
Haudenshild had a season-high third place finish in the Yreka opener, Cobb and James Flowers also finished as high as third in the Main Event once each. It was Dave Quick getting the win in the R Charles Snyder Salute in Medford, while Nevada Outlaw Pro Stock star Mike Learn won the Billy Geyer Memorial in Yreka ahead of Lenz and Scott Flowers.
Car count went up for the Pro Stock Tour in 2018, and frequently the group saved the show in Yreka. Unfortunately, twice during the night, Yreka events were rained out after the group brought two of their biggest turnouts of the year there. Enthusiasm is high as the group continues to keep Pro Stock racing alive in Southern Oregon.
The Pro Stock racing heritage stretches back to the later years of Medford Raceway in the 1980's, and the association has been crowning champions since 2012. Drivers on the champion's list include Lenz, Borror, Ken Irving, Jeffrey Hudson and Dave Everson. When the Pro Stocks are on the schedule wherever they are at, it will be a show that you won't want to miss. You can look up the Outlaw Pro Stock Association on Facebook for more information.
Exciting Season Announced For Coos Bay Speedway
Coos Bay, Oregon...Coos Bay Speedway continues to be a place for fans to check out all kinds of different racing action. The speedway is also home of an NHRA sanctioned drag strip and mud drags, in addition to the popular oval track. In 2017, Drake Nelson purchased the speedway from Chuck Prather and brought NASCAR Whelen All American Series sanctioning to the oval dirt track.
The sanctioning body has been offering extra point fund prizes for the track's top four divisions. With the Super Late Model division, not only do the Top 5 competitors get money, but there is an additional prize for the top rookie in the field as well as the Top 3 drivers in the state. Drivers in the Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets also get point fund money for the Top 5 drivers. In addition to these four classes, Coos Bay Speedway offers its own regular Mini Outlaw, Jr Stinger and Winged Sprint Car divisions. The Jr Stinger division offers drivers 11 to 14 years old an opportunity to drive Hornets and gain valuable seat time.
The Winged Sprint Car division will again offer five regular point shows for the locals, beginning with the April 13th season opener. In addition to that, the speedway hosts three big Interstate Sprint Car Series events on May 18th, August 12th and September 28th. The August event is the first race of the Week Of Speed Limited Sprint Series and will also include Dwarf Cars and the local Hornet class. The NST 360 Sprint Car Speedweek Tour will come to Coos Bay on July 9th, and the track will hold their annual Wingless Sprint Series Ironman race on August 31st. This gives the fans ten opportunities to check out some exciting Sprint Car racing.
The Super Late Models remain a highlight on the schedule with several appearances, including the season opener on April 13th. Among the highlights for Late Model racers will be the third annual Tidal Wave Weekend on July 20th and 21st. The Sunday event will have a 50 lap feature with extra prize money up for grabs. The annual season finale will be the Prather Family Lucas Oil Open Show on October 5th. The Sportsman Late Models will again be heavily featured on the schedule, including a special head-to-head show with the touring Outlaw Pro Stock Association on August 3rd.
The speedway will again be visited by The Iron Giant Street Stock Series for the Third Annual Battle At The Beach on August 24th. The fans will get to see all of the special attractions offered last season, including the Malicious Monster Truck Tour on June 14th and 15th, the Eve Of Destruction/American Daredevil Mr Dizzy Thrill Show and Fireworks Spectacular on July 6th and the Beast Jett Car Burn Down on June 1st.
The family-friendly atmosphere at the speedway will continue with several events, including the annual Kids Penny Gold Rush Night on May 25th, multiple Kids Ride Along nights, Ladies Night on September 7th and Sponsorship Appreciation/NASCAR Championship Night on September 14th. In short, there's always something exciting happening at Coos Bay Speedway throughout the season, and you won't want to miss out.
Fans will get a chance to see some race cars up close at the annual Car Show at Pony Village Mall on March 15th through the 17th. The NASCAR season opener happens on April 13th, featuring
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets and Jr Stingers. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.
2019 Coos Bay Speedway Schedule
3/9/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
3/15/2019
Car Show Pony Village Mall
3/16/2019
Car Show Pony Village Mall
3/17/2019
Car Show Pony Village Mall
3/23/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
3/30/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
3/31/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
4/5/2019
Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour & Tuff Trucks (Douglas County Fairgrounds Roseburg, OR)
Monster Trucks
4/6/2019
Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour & Tuff Trucks (Douglas County Fairgrounds Roseburg, OR)
Monster Trucks
4/13/2019
NASCAR Season Opener
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
4/14/2019
ET Summit Series Sunday Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
4/20/2019
South Coast Shopper Carload Night "Lucky Rides For The Kids"
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
4/21/2019
ET Summit Series Sunday Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
4/26/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
4/27/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
4/28/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "Land Of The Leader Challenge"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
5/4/2019
Pepsi Night
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
5/5/2019
Mud Drags Oregon State Championships
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
5/10/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
5/11/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
5/12/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "Land Of The Leader Challenge"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
5/18/2019
Mega Bike Giveaway Night ISCS Sprint Cars
Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets
5/25/2019
Kids Night Penny Gold Rush
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
6/1/2019
Beast Jett Car Burndown
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
6/2/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
6/7/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
6/8/2019
Battle Of The Bay II Heads Up Shoot Out
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle
6/9/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "Land Of The Leader Challenge"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
6/14/2019
McDonalds Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour & Tuff Trucks
Monster Trucks
6/15/2019
McDonalds Malicious Monster Truck Insanity Tour & Tuff Trucks
Monster Trucks
6/21/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
6/22/2019
Ladies Night
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets
6/23/2019
IMCA Modified Speedweek Sunday Gambler
Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, Modifieds
6/29/2019
Dwarf Cars "Lucky Rides For The Kids"
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, Dwarf Cars Pro
7/6/2019
Eve of Destruction X American Dare Devil Mr. Dizzy & Oregon Coast's Best FIREWORKS
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
7/9/2019
Western Sprint Tour 360 Speedweek
Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, 360 Sprints - Winged
7/12/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
7/13/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "Wally Weekend"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
7/14/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "Wally Weekend"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
7/20/2019
Tidal Wave Weekend
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
7/21/2019
Super Late Model Tidal Wave 50
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
7/26/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
7/27/2019
Whelen Night Lucky Rides For The Kids
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
7/28/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
8/3/2019
K&N Engineering Fan Appreciation Night Outlaw Prostock Challenge
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
8/9/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
8/10/2019
Bikes, Bugs & Imports Show & Shine with ET Summit Series NHRA Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
8/11/2019
Bikes, Bugs & Import Challenge with ET Summit Series NHRA Drags
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
8/12/2019
Week Of Speed ISCS Winged Sprint Cars
Hornets, Dwarf Cars Pro
8/17/2019
Ken Ware Chevrolet Night
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets
8/23/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
8/24/2019
Street Stock Battle At The Beach "Lucky Rides For The Kids"
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
8/31/2019
Wingless Sprint Series Ironman
Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
9/1/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
9/7/2019
Ladies Night
Winged Sprints, Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
9/14/2019
Sponsor Appreciation/NASCAR Championship Night
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, JR Stingers
9/20/2019
Midnight Street Drags With NHRA Test & Tune 8pm-Midnight
9/21/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "King Of The Track"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
9/22/2019
ET Summit Series NHRA Drags "King Of The Track"
Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle, Jr Dragster
9/28/2019
Winged Sprint Car Battle At The Bay
Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets, Dwarf Cars Pro
10/5/2019
Prather Family Lucas Oil Open Show
Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets
10/12/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
10/19/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
10/26/2019
Mud Drags
Mud Drags, Mud Trucks
Schedule Set For 2019 Season At Douglas County Speedway
Roseburg, Oregon...The 2019 schedule has been released for the Douglas County Speedway paved oval, and there is much to be excited about. The PRA will offer their usual featured divisions, which includes the Hardtops, Street Stocks, Modifieds, Mini Stocks and Hornets. The Outlaw Series and J Class will also be part of the schedule. Along the way, there will be several special events that are sure to excite the fans.
As was the case last year, the season will open and close with special Enduro races. On March 23rd, it will be the annual Chili Cook Off/Enduro. On October 26th, it will be the Track N Treat Enduro. Between those special shows will be several nights of action-packed entertainment. Following successive playdays on April 20th and April 27th, the PRA season opener will be for double points, featuring the Hardtops, Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Hornets and J Class. Being that this is May 4th, this will also be a Star Wars themed show. As in, "May the 4th be with you."
After a Mother's Day show on May 11th, the annual Rick Brown Super Shoe NSRA Sprint Car race will happen on May 18th. Joining the Sprint Cars will be the Hardtops, Hornets and Modifieds. On June 1st, the six-race Northwest Mini Stock Tour comes to town. This tour takes place at six different tracks and should attract some of the top drivers from the Pacific Northwest. Joining the Mini Stocks on the card will be the Street Stocks, Hornets and Tuff Trucks. Following another PRA show on June 15th, the American Big Rigs will be in town on June 22nd along with Hornets, Modifieds and Mini Stocks. June ends in a big way with the NASCAR K&N West Series on the 29th.
On July 12th it's time for the annual Graffiti Night Can-Am Hardtop Challenge, pitting Roseburg's best drivers against some top drivers coming in from Canada. Also racing that night will be the Hornets, Street Stocks, Modifieds and Tuff Trucks. The Hornets get their big show on July 20th with the Hornet's Nest 50. Joining them will be the Hardtops, Outlaw Series and J Class. Another big show comes to town with the third annual Street Stock Iron Giant Series visit on July 27th. Some of the best dirt track Street Stock drivers in the state will try their luck on the pavement. Also competing will be the Hornets, Mini Stocks and Modifieds.
The speedway will be dark for nearly a month before the North State Modified Shootout race brings some of the top drivers to town along with Hornets, Hardtops, Street Stocks and Tuff Trucks. It will also be School Supply Giveaway Night for the students who are getting ready to go back to school. It will be Family Fun Night with a bicycle giveaway on September 7th. The Northwest Pro 4 Alliance will be in town for the annual Kitty Potter Race For The Cure. Also in action will be the Hardtops, Street Stocks and Hornets.
After a regular PRA show on the 14th, the season ends with double points on September 21st. Championship/Eve of Destruction Night at the races will include the Modifieds Rumble On The River Race along with Hardtops, Mini Stocks, Hornets, Street Stocks and J Class.
Fans will be treated to a nice variety of different special events throughout the season as the great tradition of Roseburg racing that spans back many decades continues. You won't want to miss all of the great action that will be heating up the paved oval throughout the spring and summer months. For further information, go to www.douglascountyspeedway.com.
Douglas County Speedway 2019 Schedule
March 23rd – Chili Cook off Enduro
April 20th – Test N Tune
April 27th – Test N Tune
May 4th – Season Opener/Double Points – Hornets, Mini Stocks, Hard Tops, Modifieds, Super Stocks, J Class (May the 4th be with you theme)
May 11th – Mother’s Day! Hornets, Mini Stocks, Outlaw Series, Jclass
May 18th – NSRA - Rick Brown Super Shoe, Hornets, Hardtops, Modifieds
June 1st – NW Mini Stock Tour, Hornets, Super Stocks, Tough Trucks
June 15th – Hornets, Hard Tops, Outlaw Series, Jclass
June 22nd – NORTH AMERICAN BIG RIGS, Hornets, Mini Stocks, Modifieds
June 29th - NASCAR K&N West Series (not a PRA event!!)
July 12th – GRAFFITI/CAN-AM CHALLENGE HARDTOPS, Hornets, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Tough Trucks
July 13th – RAT ROD ROUND UP & STREET DRAGS 10a-5p
July 20th – HORNET’S NEST 50, Hard Tops, Outlaw Series, JClass
July 27th – STREET STOCK SMACKDOWN, Hornets, Mini Stocks, Modifieds
Aug 6-10 – DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIR WEEK
Aug 24th - School Supply Giveaway, NORTH STATE MODIFIED SHOOTOUT, Hornets, Hardtops, Super Stocks, Tough Trucks
Sept 7th – FAMILY FUN NIGHT & Bicycle Giveaway/NW PRO 4 ALLIANCE KITTY POTTER RACE FOR THE CURE, Hornets, Hardtops, Super Stocks
Sept 14 – Hornets, Outlaw Series, Mini Stocks, Jclass, Tough Trucks
Sept 21st – DOUBLE POINTS - CHAMPIONSHIP/EVE OF DESTRUCTION – Hornets, Mini Stocks, Hard Tops, Super Stocks, MODIFIEDS - RUMBLE ON THE RIVER, J Class
Saturday Oct 26th – TRACK N TREAT ENDURO
The Editor's Viewpoint
It really has been an amazing journey coming up here and doing the job of Publicity Director at Southern Oregon Speedway. I came up here in early March of 2016 and hit the ground running immediately. During this time, I've worn many hats to help Mike McCann keep the show going. I don't know very many people who would take somebody that they didn't know into their home and let them stay there all this time, but he did. It's meant a lot to me. Mike is more than just the guy I work for. He's more than just a friend. He's Family.
A banquet is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the previous season. Once again, I was asked to do the MC duties, which I was happy to do. We had a lot of things to talk about and acknowledge from the previous year. So many great supporters of the show. I told all of the racers what I believe to be true at any race track. It's the racers, the crew and fans that make it happen. It's true, but when you're in the middle of it and involved with all the people, it means more.
You can't really say it enough. The race track was in disarray when we got here. It didn't just happen suddenly that year. There had been a process of decline in that stretch that went back about a decade. It was pretty strong back in 2005, but it steadily got worse. How the gates remained open in 2015, I don't know. To show you one of their low points, one night they had 18 cars in three divisions and the show went on. I understand a brand new track doing that, but a track that had been around for 20 years?
We knew we had work to do, so we got down to it. Promoting 101 is what Mike would call it. Let the drivers know what they're going to have, and be consistent with it, guaranteed purse, starting time that you stick to, program format that remains the same, pay out at the end of the night and other things that remained consistent. For me, it went down to the fact that every driver matters. So I tried to cover everybody throughout the season at different times. Get the articles up, get the point standings out, work social media very hard, spread the word and get the excitement going.
We had a number and a goal set for where we wanted to get things. We have improved the numbers here each year since getting here, and I believe that last season was the best season the track has had in about seven years from all of my research. However, we're not where we projected ourselves to be by now. In other words, there's more work to do. The only way I know how to do these things is all out. You get in there and do the job. If you have a good night, you don't celebrate, you get back to work because there's another week to go. Same goes if you have a bad night. At the end of the season, you look at what you've done and evaluate everything.
When the season ended last year, we had people coming up to us and telling us what we knew to be true. They hadn't seen the track have that many cars or that many fans in a long time. It means a lot that people realize that. And that vibe was still very present at the banquet. When we started, we heard all the things that we were doing wrong. We heard all the things people would say about what we could do better and how we were going to ruin the track and all sorts of different things. You have to let that go and keep working.
The bottom line at any race track is you're never going to make everybody 100% happy. And some people understand that and don't snivel when they see 90% that they like. Other people will complain about the 10% or so that they don't like. That's just human nature and the way of the world. The fact that we have social media where you can put your opinion out there immediately has added to this attitude. But as somebody involved in helping make the show happen, if you dwell on that, it will be your undoing. The silent majority are usually not people that get up there and praise you. Their praise is the ticket they buy to come watch the races each weak or the fact that they bring their cars to every race possible.
While we were in the middle of this impressive start last year, there were so many things going wrong behind the scenes that people didn't realize. There were things that threatened to unravel the very night that we were racing. I'd love to tell some of the stories about that, and it may be that those stories will come out in a book I've been working on as the follow-up to Just A Kid From The Grandstands. For now, I'm just going to say that I take a lot of pride that when any of those situations arose, somebody stepped up behind the scenes and made sure that it didn't destroy the night. The fans saw a good show, the racers had a good race and the show went on.
Mike is working on the game plan for the future up here, and there are some big announcements in the works. It's going to be good for this race track. For me personally, I'm just going to get back to work. I have already made the commitment to myself that 2019 will be another year of writing on the blogs, and I'll work hard to do what I can up here while I'm here. That's always been my commitment. The show will go on.
People want to know some hints. What's going on here or what's going on there. What are you doing and other things. Well, like I said, I'm working on the blog efforts again this year and while I'm up here, I'll do what I can to help this race track. There are also other tracks that I will try to help where I can from afar. It's what I do, for another year at least. Other things I cannot comment on as I don't know the information.
There have been rumblings down in my old stomping grounds in Antioch, California. It's Tuesday morning as I write this, and I'm trying to put this together to put a blog post up by the end of the day. Last night saw the release of the All Star Series IMCA Modified schedule down in California. There is Calistoga, Watsonville, Marysville and Antioch on that schedule. And that has raised the speculation as to who gave the series the dates at Antioch. Was it John Soares or was it Jeremy Prince? And then people will speculate that John is not too fond of John Prentice at Watsonville, who promotes the series.
As I'm putting this up on Wednesday, I can add this to the Antioch Speedway thoughts. The word that I have received is that the protest filed by John and Oval Motorsports against the decision to award Jeremy Prince the track was successful. What does that mean? The report that I have been given suggests that the fair board will again put the track out for bid. This is what I've been told. I have a few thoughts on that, but I'll have to save those for another time. It's a little bit late in the game to be seeking a promoter when you already have one with the equipment at the speedway. Perhaps a one-year extension and then putting this thing out to bid again at the end of the year would be better?
Everybody found out a little bit more about Kevin Barba at the meeting in Yreka. He is all in as the promoter, and he's been challenged to turn around a show that's been in decline for the past few seasons. He got a one-year deal to run the track, and he doesn't get the keys to the gates until March 1st. He has to make a season happen. There are improvements to be made that he is aware of, and a few that he'll be able to start on this year. There are also some long-range goals that he has in the event that he should get the track for another five years.
I think the people who were in attendance and watched the live stream online can see that he's a guy who cares about doing a good job for the racers. He wants to get the fans back through the gates again and help bring some glory days back to that speedway. There will be many family-friendly types of shows, more attractions on the race track other than what people have been seeing. Safety concerns will be addressed, better understanding of the payout, accountability in the financial area. Really, he covered all of the bases, including starting a new website and Facebook page.
For our part, we will continue to support this race track with the Jefferson Racing News blog and offer our help in any way that we are able to. The important thing has always been that the show goes on at that race track. It is my belief that what gives it its best chance is the fact that you have a promoter trying to build a show, not just keep the gates open. When you're just trying to keep the gates open, you might be conservative and not do the kinds of things that make it bigger and better. When you're promoting, you take a few chances. That doesn't mean you take big risks, but you try different things and see how they work. I'm optimistic that Kevin will get this thing done this year and get his contract renewed. I'm looking forward to what is next there.
I have heard that Orland Raceway has a banquet set for this Saturday. Rich Hood was in a similar type of position, only the track probably would have been closed in 2016 as the promoter coming into the year left suddenly. Rich had a short turnaround time of about two months. Some of that time was allotted for the fair, meaning he couldn't even touch the race track. He started with the basics that they had, and each year he's added some touches to make it better. He enters his fourth season coming off of the best season he's had yet. No, it wasn't like it was back in the early 2000s, but it was still a good year. It's getting better there. Never take for granted that you have a race track. It can all go away instantly.
I thought I heard Kevin say something about Redwood Acres Speedway in Eureka closing down this year. I haven't followed up on that, but this would be bad news if true. I believe they were having issues with the previous management, so it might be that they don't get a season this year. Hopefully, somebody will step in and try to save things as that track has a nice little history to it as both a dirt track and a pavement track.
Likewise, Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville doesn't appear to be planning to have a season this year from what I can tell. I've been investigating the situation. I believe the fairgrounds itself promoted the races in recent seasons, and last year didn't go so well. They ended up canceling the last few races of the season. I think the fairgrounds probably ended up promoting the place because there was no promoter who was willing to step up and run the track at that time. I don't know what the future is for Susanville, but this isn't the first time the track has closed, if this is the case. Hopefully it will be back again. Should I hear any other information on that, we'll be putting it out on the blog or on one of the audio shows.
People in Klamath Falls know what it's like to lose a race track. When the earthquake hit in 1993, the grandstands were deemed unusable at the old Klamath Falls race track. The pavement track had been around for a number of years and had a nice little tradition to it that even stretched back to a track before that. The racers were left scrambling for some place to race, which led them to places like Yreka and Medford. It was about seven years later when Worden Speedway opened up. This was a dirt track. It ran for three years.
Several Klamath Falls competitors brought their Pro Stocks and their Mini Stocks there to go racing, with the occasional Dwarf Car or Modified races. Unfortunately, when the place changed ownership, the show was discontinued. I happen to know that the president of the Pro Stock association lives across the street. That would be Scott Flowers. Scott has again carved out a nice schedule for the Pro Stock Association, which I believe will again be sponsored by Calculated Comfort. They will race most of their dates in Yreka, along with dates at Southern Oregon Speedway, Coos Bay Speedway and some support of Tri State Challenge races at other tracks. The show will go on for the Pro Stocks.
During the offseason, we heard reports that the owner of Worden Speedway was looking to sell. This news came after we speculated that it could be possible in a News And Rumors column, which we were asked to modify and did. As we've heard here in recent weeks, the owner may have had a change of heart. This is unfortunate. There's enough interest in the racing community in the Klamath Falls area that that track could roar to life again. I really wish the man would consider doing something. I do know that since it has sat there being unused for the last 15 or so years, there's work to be done. I would bet there are people within the community who would help with that effort if given a chance.
Community led to the return of racing
In Hayfork, California. Though they had a change in who is promoting the track going into last year, they got it back up and running. I would be interested in helping put the word out on this race track, but I simply cannot play games hunting for clues on what happens there. I made an effort to get them media coverage last year and was successful, but nit picking from certain people led me to reevaluate that. After making a request for information and being ignored, I decided that it wasn't worth it. Information wasn't provided, and I didn't want to do harm to the race track.
For many of these tracks that I'm writing about, I'm only doing so because nobody else is. So understand that what would be better in my opinion would be somebody from Hayfork giving a damn. They're not the only track that lacks when it comes to putting out information on who wins the races and all that stuff. Given the fact that you're not talking about a huge car count, I don't think there should be much difficulty simply putting out the names of the drivers and where they finished. Point standings shouldn't be that hard to do either. I know people have lives and jobs, but we're not talking about a show with 100 competitors, are we? So a better effort needs to be shown in getting results out to the people, point standings and it wouldn't hurt to have a website. I know everybody goes to Facebook, but a website is still good to have where you can get the information.
The track is now called Mountain Valley Speedway, and they have a nice schedule set up this year. It looks like they'll be doing the usual things, including their Hobby Stock, Mini Stock and Enduro classes. Their fourth of July celebration night will continue along with the race during the county fair, which I think will be the Clyde Cordell Memorial race, though this has not been specified yet. Because of the lack of information, I have decided not to do a schedule story for Hayfork, but I make a mention of it here in this column. I wish them luck, and should information be forthcoming and they have nobody writing articles, I might include them here in the future. I'm not going to beg people to give me information for articles that I usually write for free.
I could go on and on here, but I need to close this column and get it ready for posting. So, until next time...
