If You Like Reading Our Articles
DCRR Racing Radio Racing Radio Show
Can Be Heard HERE
Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
Can Be Heard HERE
Holmes Outduels Winningham For Sprint Car Win
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...May 4...Tanner Holmes won a spirited duel with 2004 champion TJ Winningham to collect the victory in the 25 lap Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. The win was the third straight for Holmes going back to last year and it came after a thrilling side-by-side battle with Winningham for several laps.
There were 11 Sprinters for the show, and fans got a peek of what what was to come in the Main Event when David Marble made a similar outside groove effort to his uncle Winningham. Marble moved around Mike Wheeler to get the lead in their 10 lap heat race. For a few laps, the two would go into the turns side by side, but Marble would get the grip he needed coming out of the turns as he brought it home to a victory. Reigning champion David Hibbard won the other heat race and then picked up the victory in the six lap Scramble ahead of Winningham.
With the outside front row starting position, Winningham moved into the lead at the start of the Main Event ahead of Hibbard and Wheeler. Contact on the front stretch between Anissa Curtice and Bailey Hibbard saw Curtice spin with fellow rookie Jared Hood spinning in the first turn. Winningham continued to lead David Hibbard and Wheeler on the restart. Winningham seemed to have the right combination and led to the lap eight caution flag, which waived for Aaron Miller and Enrique Jaime in Turn 2. Winningham maintained the lead over Hibbard on the restart as Holmes moved past Wheeler for third. An inside move on the backstretch on lap 10 gained Holmes second from Hibbard, and things began to get interesting at the front of the pack. Winningham continued to make excellent use of the outside groove, but Holmes was running strong on the inside. They began a side-by-side battle through the turns, but Winningham continued to have the grip he needed to move ahead on exit. Just as Holmes was about to take the lead from Winningham working what would have been lap 22, a yellow flag fell for Bailey Hibbard. On the restart, Holmes made a strong move on the inside and drifted up on the exit of Turn 2 to make that pass stick. A final yellow flag fell on left 23. However, Holmes wouldn't let the lead get away from him as he led the final two laps for the victory. Winningham settled for second, followed by David Hibbard, Wheeler, Charlie Thompson, Enrique Jaime, Aaron Miller and Jared Hood.
The Kendell Oil Winged Sprint Cars return for their second appearance on May 18th. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars
Heat 1-David Hibbard, Tanner Holmes, Charlie Thompson, Anissa Curtice, Jared Hood.Heat 2-David Marble, Mike Wheeler, TJ Winningham, Bailey Hibbard, Enrique Jaime.
Scramble-David Hibbard, TJ Winningham, Tanner Holmes, Mike Wheeler, Charlie Thompson.
Main Event-Tanner Holmes, TJ Winningham, David Hibbard, Mike Wheeler, Charlie Thompson, Enrique Jaime, Aaron Miller, Jared Hood, Bailey Hibbard, Anissa Curtice, David Marble.
Hudson Takes Victory In IMCA Modified Season Opener
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...May 4...Jeffrey Hudson opened the 2019 season with a 20 lap IMCA Modified feature win Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. Hudson is the 2018 Sprint Car championship runner-up, but he's landed a full-time ride in an IMCA Modified for this season. He took the lead from rookie Justin Foux early on and would hold off the rapidly approaching Mark Wauge for the win.
There were 13 IMCA Modifieds for the show, and Wauge led reigning champion Albert Gill to win the first eight lap heat race. Preston Jones outran Hudson to win the other heat. Foux would draw the pole position for the feature as Hudson lined up back in seventh with Wauge ninth. 2017 champion Jesse Bailey paced the first three laps ahead of Foux before an inside pass in the fourth turn gained Foux the lead. Gill was running in third, but he encountered problems for a lap six caution flag. Foux led Hudson and Jones on the restart, but an inside pass in Turn 4 of the eighth lap gained Hudson the lead position. On lap nine, Duane Orsburn encountered the front wall and rolled four times in a spectacular crash. Fortunately, he was uninjured. Hudson led Foux and Jones on the restart, but Wauge slipped past Jones for third on lap ten. The remaining 16 laps went without a yellow flag, and Wauge went low in Turn 4 on lap 11 to take second from Foux. Hudson had a good lead, but Wauge slowly began to chip away at the advantage. Unfortunately, time ran out before Wauge could get close enough to attempt a pass. Hudson was the impressive winner, followed by Wauge, Foux, Jones, Zach Fettinger, Jeremy Ohlde, Bailey, Ray Kniffen Jr, David Satterfield and Bo Shields.
The IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds will be part of the May 25th program and also return for the Seventh Annual Roger Haudenshild Tribute race on June 1st. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
IMCA Modifieds
Heat 1-Mark Wauge, Albert Gill, Jesse Bailey, Duane Orsburn, Justin Foux, Jimmy Ohlde, Bo Shields.Heat 2-Preston Jones, Jeffrey Hudson, Nick Trenchard, Zach Fettinger, David Satterfield, Ray Kniffen Jr.
Main Event-Jeffrey Hudson, Mark Wauge, Justin Foux, Preston Jones, Zach Fettinger, Jeremy Ohlde, Jesse Bailey, Ray Kniffen Jr, David Satterfield, Bo Shields, Dwayne Orsburn, Albert Gill, Nick Trenchard.
Sanders Beats McCreadie In Photo Finish For
IMCA Sport Modified Win At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...May 4...Matt Sanders beat race long leader Justin McCreadie back to the line in a photo finish to win the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. McCreadie drew the outside front row starting position and led the rapidly run race all the way to just inches before the checkered flag.
There were 21 drivers on hand for the season-opening event, and McCreadie managed to hold off two-time champion Jorddon Braaten to win the first of three lap eight lap heat races. Two-time champion Dwayne Melvin outran Brian Knorr to win the second heat, and Matt Sanders won the final heat ahead of Branden Wilson.
McCreadie had the outside front row for the feature and raced into the lead at the start ahead of Sanders and Melvin. The lead three drivers had a good battle going at the front of the pack and reached slower traffic by the halfway point of the race. Melvin began to get a good run going on the outside as they worked lap 13 and appeared to have the momentum to move past both McCreadie and Sanders for the lead. Unfortunately, a slower car made it into the path of Melvin. There was contact, causing Melvin to get sideways. He got going very quickly, but a yellow flag flew. Melvin was forced to start at the back of the pack as McCreadie continued to lead Sanders and Rich McCoy on the restart. The final yellow flag waved on lap 16 for Austin Petrey. McCreadie led Sanders on the restart as Braaten raced past McCoy for third. Sanders got a run on McCreadie on the final lap, they exited the fourth turn side by side and it was too close to call at the checkered flag. Electronic scoring showed Sanders as the winner ahead of McCreadie. Braaten would finish third, followed by McCoy, Doug Coffman and Wilson.
The IMCA Sport Modifieds and IMCA Modifieds are back on May 25th, and they will also be a part of the Seventh Annual Roger Haudenshild Tribute on June 1st. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat 1-Justin McCreadie, Jorddon Braaten, Steve Lysinger, Wyatt Westfall, Joby Shields, Jesse Skidmore, Willie McFall.Heat 2-Dwayne Melvin, Brian Knorr, Mike Medel, Isaac Sanders, Jantzen Knips, Billy Ritchey, AJ Parker.
Heat 3-Matt Sanders, Branden Wilson, Doug Coffman, Rich McCoy, Brian Johnsen, Mike Wilcox, Austin Petrey.
Main Event-Matt Sanders, Justin McCreadie, Jorddon Braaten, Rich McCoy, Doug Coffman, Branden Wilson, Wyatt Westfall, Brian Johnsen, Isaac Sanders, Willie McFall, Steve Lysinger, Dwayne Melvin, Mike Wilcox, Brian Knorr, Austin Petrey, Mike Medel, Jantzen Knips, Jesse Skidmore, Joby Shields, AJ Parker, Billy Richey.
Steele Opens Southern Oregon Speedway Season With
30th Career Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stock Win
White City, Oregon...May 4...Leading the race from the start, reigning Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stock champion David Steele won the 20 lap Main event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. This was a milestone win for Steele as it was his 30th career win at his home track. He has one previous start earlier this year in Yreka, and that was another victory.
Steele won the eight lap heat race ahead of 2017 champion Kristopher Mix. Mix led the pack into the first turn in the Main Event, but Steele had the lead by the time they completed the lap. Michael McLeod made an inside pass on the front stretch to take second from Mix with Ashtin Hedges following into third. Hedges moved inside McLeod to take second in Turn 2 on the third lap, and rookie Brandyn Wonsyld spun for a lap four caution flag. Steele the the restart with McLeod back in second. The McLeod and Hedges battle continued with Hedges gaining second on a lap six restart. However McLeod made an inside pass in Turn 4 of the eighth lap to again take second from Hedges. They ran in that order until Hedges again passed McLeod for second on lap 17. Steele held a commanding lead at that point and won ahead of Hedges, McCloud, Dylan Irving, Mix and Wonsyld. Hunter Magnan was a Main Event scratch with motor issues.
The Mini Stocks will be back in action this Saturday night as part of a five division program. Also on the card will be the Late Models, Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars, Valley Store All Late Model Lites and JOAT Labs Hornets. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks
Heat-David Steele, Kristopher Mix, Michael McLeod, Ashtin Hedges, Dylan Irving, Brandon Wonsyld, Hunter Magnan.Main Event-David Steele, Ashtin Hedges, Michael McLeod, Dylan Irving, Kristopher Mix, Brandyn Wonsyld, Hunter Magnan DNS.
Sauer Scores First Career JOAT Labs Hornets Win
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...May 4...Dylan Sauer won his first career JOAT Labs Hornets 20 lap Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. Sauer made a move around Chris Boynton midway through the race and would bring it home to victory.
There were 12 Hornets in action, and Boynton won his eight lap heat race ahead of Johnny Hoult. Tim Hedges won a good battle with Ryan Nelson to win the other heat race, putting Boynton and Hedges on the front row for the feature. Hedges raced into the early lead ahead of Boynton and Ryan Nelson. However, Boynton put the moves on Hedges to take the lead on lap three. A lap four caution flag flew for Ryan Nelson. Hedges took the lead from Boynton on the restart with Dylan Sauer also getting by for second. However, Boynton made an inside pass in turn 4 on lap six to reclaim second and made a low pass in Turn 3 a lap later to take the lead from Hedges. Sauer made an inside pass on the front stretch to take second from Hedges on lap eight and began to move in on Boynton. Sauer made a Turn 4 pass on Boynton for the lead on lap nine. Moments later, a slower car made contact with Boynton, causing him to spin in Turn 2 for a yellow flag. Dylan Sauer continued to lead Tim Hedges and Derrel Nelson Jr on the restart. Boynton was the driver making the moves at that point. He managed to move past Jenna Hedges for fifth on lap 14. A Turn 4 pass on lap 16 gained Boynton third from Nelson. Boynton tried to close in on Tim Hedges for second, but he ran out of time. Sauer scored a convincing victory ahead of Tim Hedges, Boynton, Derrel Nelson Jr, Jenna Hedges, rookie Lacey Sauer, Quinton Tritchler and Hoult.
The JOAT Labs Hornets are back as part of the program this Saturday night. Also on the card will be the Late Models, Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars, Valley Store All Late Model Lites and Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
JOAT Labs Hornets
Heat 1-Chris Boynton, Johnny Hoult, Lacey Sauer, Jenna Hedges, Zach Nelson, Shawn Nelson.Heat 2-Tim Hedges, Ryan Nelson, Derrel Nelson Jr, Quinton Tritchler, Dylan Sauer, Bree Tritchler.
Main Event-Dylan Sauer, Tim Hedges, Chris Boynton, Derrel Nelson Jr, Jenna Hedges, Lacey Sauer, Quinton Tritchler, Johnny Hoult, Shawn Nelson, Zach Nelson, Ryan Nelson, Bree Tritchler DNS.
Late Models Headline Five Division Show Saturday
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...A good turnout of fans witnessed an entertaining program of racing last Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. There's excitement in the air as there is word of several drivers joining the ranks of the Late Model division this season. Saturday night, we'll get our first look at the Late Models along with the Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars and Valley Store All Late Model Lites. The Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and JOAT Labs Hornets will make it a five division program.
Last season, one of the closest battles for the championship took place in the Late Models where John Dees overtook 2017 champ Nathan Augustine on the final night to claim the title. Both drivers are anticipated for the season opener, though neither is making any official commitments to race for points as of yet. One driver looking to make a run at the championship is last season's top rookie, Miles Deubert. Deubert has a new car and was trying to work out issues with his fuel system with some practice laps last week.
One of the things drawing drivers to this division is that it was a mainstay at the old Medford Speedway for many years, and some drivers have always wanted to compete in this class. Top 5 ranked B Modified racer Tony Bartell has made a move up to the division this season. 2016 champion Bob Dees it is anticipated along with Dave Foote, who was a two-time winner last season.
Word from up in the La Pine area is that Trent Elliott will be returning for the opener, and there are several drivers, including 2013 Pro Stock champion Dave Everson, Eric Massey, Cliff Massey, Brian Bowman and Cory Biggs, who could be there this week as well. Hard charger Dustin Knight has revealed that he will be racing this season, though his car may not be ready for another month or so.
The Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars are coming off a very strong season last year that had the closest championship battle in the history of the group. Josh King laid claim to his third championship, but he beat the tied Brock Peters, Chad Cardoza and Camden Robustelli by just one point. All four drivers are anticipated for this show, and King won the season opener in Yreka ahead of Cardoza and Ryan Smith two weeks ago.
On multiple occasions, the Dwarf Cars fielded over 20 cars last season, and word is that there are several new drivers getting into the class this season. Some of the drivers anticipated this week include ageless veteran Fred Hay, Bret James, Jesse Lorentz, Joe Sanders and Kaycee Sheeler. The Dwarf Cars bring plenty of speed and excitement anytime they are in town.
Greg Arnold plans to do some Late Model racing this season, but he also wants to help support the Valley Store All Late Model Lites division. Arnold finished second in the standings last season and is anticipated for the opener. Reigning champion Charlie Eaton is excited about attempting a title defense, and the father-son duo of Eric and Dusty Aos are both expected for the opener. Jim Cunningham has a new car for this season, and Mike Cloud is excited about returning to action after a year off. Lee Doty will be taking a more active role behind the scenes with the group and will be putting Late Model racer Ross Payant behind the wheel of his car this year. Word is there are a few others we will be seeing this year as well, including the husband and wife team of Terry and Krista Hadley.. Though they run four cylinder motors, the Late Model Lites get around the speedway nearly as fast as the Late Models.
David Steele reminded everybody in the Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks who the champion was last year with an impressive feature victory last week. It was also the milestone 30th career win for him at his home track, which leads all drivers in this division's 24 year history. Ashtin Hedges is back, only this time he intends to make every race. He gave a strong performance last week by holding off top 2018 rookie Michael Mcleod for second. These three hard chargers will be there along with rookies Dylan Irving and Brandyn Wonsyld. 2017 champion Kristopher Mix and 2013 champion Steve Goetz are also anticipated for this week.
Some of the most exciting battles taking place on the track last week were in the entry-level JOAT Labs Hornets division. Drivers were slicing and dicing for position, and it was Dylan Sauer winning his first career Main Event after a good battle with Chris Boynton and 2016 champion Tim Hedges. These three drivers will be giving it a good run this week. After blowing a motor at the opener, reigning champion Bree Tritchler is anticipated along with her father Quentin Tritchler, Derrel Nelson Jr, Zach Nelson and Lacey Sauer.
In addition to Saturday night's five division offering, fans looking for just a little bit more racing can go to the Little Southern Oregon Speedway and watch the program of Outlaw Karts on Friday night. This will be their season opener. Gates open at 5 on both nights with racing starting at 7 on both nights. It's a $10 entry that gets you pit access on Friday. On Saturday, grandstand admittance is $13 for General Admission, $7 for Seniors, Veterans and Juniors 7 to 12 and children 6 and under are free. For further information, go www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Lenz Wins Billy Geyer Memorial at Siskiyou Golden Speedway
Yreka, CA...May 4...Dr Scott Lenz scored the victory in the 50 lap Billy Geyer Memorial Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Saturday night at Siskiyou Golden Speedway. The Fifth Annual event honoring Geyer, who was a Pro Stock competitor for several seasons, was sponsored by Calculated Comfort Heating And Air Conditioning of Medford. The win paid Lenz $2,000.
Lenz gave early indication that he would be tough to beat by winning both his eight lap heat race and the six lap Trophy Dash. He had a front row start for the Main Event and led from the outset. There was a good battle for second during the first half of the race as reigning race champion Mike Learn, Dave King and Scott Flowers held the position at various times. At the 25 lap break, Lenz led Learn, Derek Rauscher, Scott Flowers and Brent Lawrence.
During the second half of the race and when things finally started to settle down, Lenz began to stretch his advantage. He held a half-lap lead by the time the checkered flag waved, leaving Rauscher and Learn to battle closely for second. Rauscher would claim the spot, not too far ahead of Learn. King settled for fourth, followed by Lawrence, Dustin Knight, Scott Flowers, Richard Workman, Bryan Hammond and Donny Richardson.
The 20 Pro Stock competitors, representing three states, qualified on the clock. Scott Flowers set the quick time of 15.559, beating the 15.769 of Lenz. Joining Lenz as eight lap heat race winners were Learn and King. Bill Pearson won the first four lap Scramble race, and Rauscher won the other Scramble.
Yreka got another Yuba City invasion for the IMCA Sport Modified 20 lap Main Event, and it turned out to be a podium sweep. Jason Ferguson outran Scott Savell and Jimmy Ford to claim the victory as they finished in that order. Championship contender Colt Boswell finished fourth, followed by Randy Wright, Ryder Boswell, Sean Hulsey, Dennis Jorgensen and Ethan Killingsworth. Savell outran Ferguson to win the first eight lap heat race. Ryder Boswell won the other heat ahead of Wright. Wright picked up his second four lap Trophy Dash of the season ahead of Savell.
Terry Kendrick won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. This was the first win in over a year for the past division champion. Kendrick got the lead and won by about half a lap ahead of Dan Borror. Terry Alford Sr had a solid third place showing, followed by Michael Kendrick, Darek Alford, reigning champion Marlyn Yawnick, Zak McMurry, Tiffany Cobb, Terry Alford and Mike Whitaker. The first of two eight lap heats went to Terry Kendrick in front of McMurry. Yawnick held off Darek Alfred in a photo finish to win the other heat. McMurry prevented the Kendrick clean sweep with his first-ever four lap Trophy Dash win.
The track will go dark for Mother's Day weekend, but racing resumes on May 18th with the annual 32 lap Mike Cavaye Mini Stock Blowout race. It will be Shop Local Night, and the Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks and IMCA Sport Modifieds will be part of the three division program. For further information, go to www.siskiyougoldenspeedway.com.
Luckman, Hulsey, Dubisar Win Coos Bay Features
Coos Bay, Oregon...May 4...Preston Luckman firmly established himself as a player in the America's Mattress Super Late Model championship battle with his victory in the 30 lap Main Event. Luckman has decided to join the NASCAR Whelen All American Series after winning the 2018 Cottage Grove championship. His win, which occurred on Pepsi Night, came ahead of a career-best second place finish for Deven Brown. 2015 champion Toby McIntyre again picked up a third place finish, not too far ahead of reigning champion Brody Montgomery, who was the final lead lap finisher. Wayne Butler held off 2018 point runner-up Thor Kristensen to finish fifth as Chris Kristensen, Chris Ray, Chuck Bracelin and Tom Elam made up the remainder of the Top 10. Luckman sent a strong message to his fellow competitors by making this a clean sweep. He held off McIntyre to win both their 10 lap heat race and the five lap Trophy Dash. Montgomery outran Bracelin to win the other heat race.
Last season, Brett Hulsey went winless in winning the Winged Sprint Car championship. He ended his victory drought with a 20 lap feature win. The win came not too far ahead of Donovan Prather, who settled for a career-best second ahead of the division debut of Austin Sause. Seth Christensen, Tyrrell Mead and Ricky Hulsey completed the finishing order. Brett Hulsey outran Prather to win the 10 lap heat race, but Prather grabbed the hardware with a five lap Trophy Dash win ahead of Sause.
Steve Dubisar won a close battle with Late Model star Tom Elam to pick up his second straight 25 lap Street Stock feature victory. David Smith was a solid third with Peyton Reigard the final lead lap finisher in fourth. Leroy Rockwell, Sam Talon and reigning champion Ken Fox rounded out the finishing order. Dubisar also won the five lap Trophy Dash ahead of Fox, and Fox won the first 10 lap heat by a wide margin ahead of Elam. The second heat race win went to Dubisar ahead of Leroy Rockwell.
Braden Fugate earned his second-straight Sportsman Late Model Main Event win. Fugate won the 20 lap event by nearly a lap ahead of Mike Taylor as Josh Kralicik and Tom Williams completed the finishing order. Taylor did win the five lap Trophy Dash ahead of Fugate, but Fugate easily won the 10 lap heat race ahead of Kralicik.
Car count rebounded to six Mini Outlaws for their show, but the results were the same as they often were last season. Two-time reigning champion Sam Talon won the 20 lap feature by a straightaway in front of Jason Kellam, Dan Daniels and Hunter Berrier. Ken Fox and Jason Berrier were feature scratches. Talon managed a clean sweep as he also held off Kellam to win both the 10 lap heat race and five lap Trophy Dash.
After missing the heat races, "Hurricane" Hannah Robison was forced to start last in the 13 car Hornet Main Event. By the time the checkered flag waved on the 25 lap event, she had nearly a straightaway advantage over reigning champion Tyler Tullos. Tullos had a good battle with Gabrielle Boles, but he managed to just beat her back to the line for second. Chris Parker finished fourth, followed by Ray Marshall, Charity Hinkel and final lead lap finisher William Hitner. Alyssa Johnson, Jesse McIntyre and Steven Parker rounded out the Top 10. Tullos managed to grab the five lap Trophy Dash win just ahead of Marshall, but he beat Marshall by nearly a straightaway to win their heat race. Wayne Smith won a close battle with Jeff Thurman to win the other heat.
In Junior Stingers competition, Chris Smith won the 12 lap Main Event by a comfortable margin ahead of James Shingleton. Smith also outran Shingleton to win the five lap Trophy Dash, and he outran season-opening winner Alex Butler to win the 10 lap heat race. Butler scratched from the Main Event after mechanical problems in the Trophy Dash.
Racing resumes on the dirt oval on May 18th with the second round of the Interstate Sprint Car Series. Joining the Sprint Cars on a night that will be offering bike giveaways for the kids will be the NASCAR Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws and Hornets. It should be a great night of racing. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.
Douglas County Speedway Opens,
Community Mourns Passing Of Roy Harvey
Roseburg, Oregon...May 4...The Rumble On The River season-opening event at Douglas County Speedway was set to kick off the 2019 season. While the racing went on as scheduled, the community has been hit by the news of the tragic passing of Roseburg racing legend Roy Harvey. Harvey died from injuries sustained after a fall while running in the pits during Saturday's race.
For over 50 years, Roy has competed in several different classes. He was known statewide as one of the more respected racers in the community. He was also an active member of the PRA, and the bowling tournament used to raise funds for the organization every year is named after him.
The Sport Modified division has been added to the PRA roster this year, and track officials decided to up the ante in making the division debut a $1,000 to win affair. The race was sponsored by Winchester Pub, and 2016 Modified champion Tom Ford picked up the win ahead of Hardtop star Mike Batman, Tom Durant, Kalob Watson, Pete Tyrell, reigning Street Stock champion Jeff Solberg, reigning Modified champion John Harvey and Riley Watson.
In the PRA Hardtop division, Kyran Greene managed to hold off reigning champion Harlon Cox to pick up the feature win. Steve Smith finish third, followed by 2016 champion Greg Hickman, Troy Gasner, Donni Fain and Bryson Lillard
John Dumire opened up the Street Stock season by holding off Mini Stock champion Dale Roth for the feature victory. Monique Scevers finished third, followed by Larry Means and April Hillyard. Roth did win the Mini Stock Main Event ahead of Kieri Smith and Ed Pratt.
Rich Dickenson picked up the win in the Hornet feature, followed by Ron Johnson, Bruce McMasters, Chris Lemon and Michael Kennedy.
Racing will resume next Saturday night with the Addcox Outlaws 100. The Outlaw Series will be joined by the PRA Hardtops, Mini Stocks and the J Class. The event is being presented by Addcox Heating Center. For further information, go to www.douglascountyspeedway.com.
California Hardtops Return To Placerville Saturday Night
Placerville, CA...The California Hardtop Association makes their second of four scheduled appearances at Placerville Speedway this Saturday night. Back in the day, they refered to the place as Hangtown Speedway, and the Hardtops will certainly cause old time racing fans to harken back to those good old days of Ford and Chevy Coup and Sedan race cars.
The group is in the midst of a nine race dirt season this year, and they have two races in the books so far. Last time they were in Placerville, it was Ken Retzloff picking up the win. Recent Orland Raceway winner Ron Ruiz finished third. Ruiz has his #12 Coup running strong, but there was just no way he could keep up with Retzloff on this occasion.
Missing in action last time was the man who has had a hand in keeping several of these race cars going through the years with his help on repairs, Jason Armstrong. Armstrong had motor issues take him out of the feature at Orland, so the family was represented at the most recent Placerville event by his father Dennis Armstrong. Both drivers are also competing in the local Pure Stock division, but it is hoped that Jason will join his father this Saturday night. Both have won Main Events in the Hardtops at Placerville in the past.
The man responsible for the GoPro footage people enjoy on social media during the week after each race is "The Rocketman" Ken Clifford. Ken dearly enjoys getting behind the wheel of his #27 car and making laps, but he enjoys editing the videos and sharing the good times with everybody as well. Like his son Jason Clifford, Ken is a winner on the Hardtop Tour in the past, and both father and son were in action at the most recent race. Jason gave a good accounting of himself with a second place finish last time.
Joe Shenefield has been making some good laps so far this year, and he and Ken Clifford have been enjoying some great side by side racing on the track in the first two races of the season. Another driver who has finally been able to join the fun this year is Larry Wells in the #51 Dream Machine.
It's all about having fun and showing off these beautiful race cars to a whole new generation of fans, but don't let that fool you. These guys are still racing hard and respectfully against each other any time they are on the track. Another driver to watch for this week will be Joe Hopp, who has run well in both races and finished third in Orland earlier this year. Also on the list of potential competitors are Roger MacShain, Tom Grady, Rhett Lange and Dave Reed. Whoever shows up, you know you are in for an entertaining show with the California Hardtops.
Sanders wins Bill Brownell Memorial
At Silver Dollar Speedway
Chico, CA...May 3...Justin Sanders scored the victory in the 30 lap Bill Brownell Memorial race for the Winged 410 Sprint Cars Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway. Sanders led every lap in the Joe Von Schriltz owned entry. At the waving of the green flag, Sanders led ahead of recent Petaluma Sprint Car Challenge Tour winner Shane Golobic and Mitchell Faccinto. A yellow flag waved on lap seven for Richard Brace Jr, and a red flag for Jason Statler stopped the action on lap 11. On the ensuing restart, Tim Kaeding slipped into third behind Sanders and Golobic. Golobic started to make a run in the final few laps, but it was too little too late. Sanders was the happy winner, followed by Golobic, Tim Kaeding, Faccinto, Bud Kaeding, DJ Netto, Sean Becker, Dominic Scelzi, Willie Croft and Cole Macedo.
There were 32 drivers for the big show, and Golobic set the quickest lap of 11.593, beating the 11.678 of Netto. The first of four eight lap heat race wins went to Faccinto ahead of Colby Copeland. Sean Watts outran Dominic Scelzi to win the next heat, and the third heat race victory went to Tim Kaeding over his brother Bud Kaeding. Geoff Ensign won the final heat ahead of Sanders. Statler won the 12 lap B Main, followed by Marysville point leader Michael Ing, Kyle Offill, Brace and Blake Carrick.
Brian Cooper won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Cooper trailed Keith Brown Jr throughout the first half of the race before a lap 10 caution flag opened the door. Cooper took the lead from Brown on the restart with Placerville Limited Late Model champion Matt Micheli settling into third. A lap 18 yellow flag provided Brown one more shot at Cooper, but Brown surrendered the second position to Micheli on the restart. Cooper brought it home to victory ahead of Micheli, Brown, Tyler Rodgers, Andrew Peckham, Jimmy Ford, Jason Ferguson, Sean Hulsey, Mike Ficklin and Jim Waller. There were two eight lap heat races, and Brown won his ahead of Cooper. Waller outran Hulsey to win the other heat.
Kyle Allen won his second straight 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. The 2017 champion, Allen started deep in the field as reigning champion Jeremy Langenderfer set the early pace ahead of Tim McHenry. On a lap four restart, James West slipped past McHenry for second, and David Allen was third a lap later. The lead three drivers ran that way until Kyle Allen passed David Allen for third on lap 10. Moments later, a yellow flag flew. West took the lead from Langenderfer on the restart, and Kyle Allen moved into second a lap later. Allen made a pass on West for the lead, only to have it negated by a yellow flag. Undaunted, Kyle Allen again gained the lead on the lap 13 restart and led the rest of the way for the victory. West settled for second, followed by Mel Beyers, Devin Ryan, Shannon Collins, Travis Moore, David Allan, Mike Chase, Zach Lindgren and Jacob Johnson. Kyle Allen won his eight lap heat race ahead of Collins, Ryan outran Jeremiah Creedon to win their heat race, and Orland Raceway point leader Keith Ross held off Chase to win their heat.
Racing returns next Friday night with a special Mother's Day weekend event. The Winged 360 Sprint Cars are back in action along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. Mothers will get in for $10 admission. For further information, go to www.silverdollarspeedway.com.
Fogle, Newman, Smith Repeat At Mountain Valley Raceway
Hayfork, CA...May 4...Saturday night was First Responders Night at the races at Mountain Valley Raceway. The fans got to see racing from the Mini Stocks, Hobby Stocks, B Modifieds and the popular Enduro class.
Orland racer William Fogle returned with his Mini Truck and won his second straight Mini Stock Main Event. He was chased across the line by Freddy Leeper and Richard Stewart. Larry Richardson's Main Event didn't go well this time, but he did win the Trophy Dash earlier in the evening.
Russ Newman won multiple races in the Hobby Stocks. He won the Main Event ahead of Jose Quiñonez and also won the Trophy Dash. This was his second straight feature win.
Tressen Smith made it three repeat feature winners on the night. Smith won the Main Event ahead of Joe Short and was also the winner of the Trophy Dash. The evening concluded with Joe Young winning the wild Enduro event.
Racing will resume on May 18th. The Hobby Stocks will be back along with the Mini Stocks, B Modifieds and Enduro cars. For further information, go to the Mountain Valley Raceway Facebook page.
Pit Stops
There's always a bit of excitement in the air when a racing season begins. It's the newness of it all. The grass around the racing facility is still green. Several new cars are out there with no dents on their bodies yet. It's a clean slate. All of the accomplishments or failures of the previous season are forgotten. It's what matters now that's important.
Southern Oregon Speedway opened their 24th season of racing last Saturday night. This was also the fourth season under the promotion of Mike McCann of KJE Enterprises. Little steps have been made each year to improve upon the situation that was left in 2015. Though the speedway hasn't returned to those glory days once known in the early years, last season showed a few glimpses of what could be. People were talking. There was an excitement in the air as the 2018 seasons concluded.
This season opened with the popular IMCA Modifieds, the ever growing IMCA Sport Modifieds, the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars, the Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and the JOAT Labs Hornets. Everybody wanted to be there to see how things would go and who would be running in what division. The fans left knowing that they had seen a great racing program from start to finish.
The Sprint Cars opened their season with David Hibbard looking early on like he might be picking up from where he left off the previous season. The reigning champion set a blistering pace in winning his heat race and then picked up the win in the Scramble, which would put him on the pole for the feature. However, this is where things got interesting.
Making his first start in a Sprint Car, reigining IMCA Sport Modified as well as past Mini Stock champion David Marble made a big statement. Marble won his first heat race after running some good side-by-side laps with Mike Wheeler. He had his car setup on the outside groove, and he was getting some good bite coming out of the turns each time Wheeler tried to move underneath him. It's possible that his uncle, 2004 champion TJ Winningham, learned a little bit from what Marble was doing.
Winningham had finished second in the Scramble, which gave him the outside line. He surprised Hibbard by charging into the lead at the start and looked like a sure winner during the first half of the 25 lap race. One thing he may not have been counting on is rising young star Tanner Holmes. If people in the Sprint Car world didn't know Tanner, they certainly got a nice introduction when he won the final two races of the 2018 season.
Winningham was doing as Marble had done in the heat race and working the outside line beautifully. Holmes was tenacious on the inside. He managed to make his move into the lead on lap 22, and Holmes would go on to the victory ahead of Winningham and Hibbard. The real question may come down to who is actually running for the championship this year. Will Holmes make a run for it? Word is that Hibbard may miss the next race and another race later in the season.
As always, you never know what to believe until the drivers either show up at the next race or don't. One thing that can be said is Winningham looked impressive on Saturday night. Though the win didn't materialize for the longtime open-wheel racer, he may be difficult to keep out of the Winner's Circle if he keeps driving as he did on Saturday. TJ was a frontrunner at tracks like Baylands and San Jose in California before moving up to Oregon.
While Marble won is heat race, he joined fellow rookies Jared Hood and Anissa Curtice on the sidelines before the Main Event checkered flag had waved. At least he knows what he is capable of in a Sprint Car, and it will be interesting to watch David as he gains more experience this season.
After his tow vehicle broke down on the way to the speedway, second generation competitor Aaron Miller arrived at the speedway after the heat races. Despite that, he managed to wheel his car to a respectable seventh place finish behind Enrique Jaime. Miller changed his number to #11 in honor of the late Jerry Casson. Casson, who was a competitor at the Yreka track among other places, passed away a couple of months ago.
Getting back to Jaime, he had a good battle going with past champion Charlie Thompson for the fifth position, but Thompson managed to get that spot by the time the checkered flag flew. Mike Wheeler, meanwhile, managed to have a solid effort in fourth. The Outlaw Kart star has looked good in recent starts and, much like Winningham, he is a driver it wouldn't be a surprise to see score a feature victory before the season concludes.
The future looks bright for Southern Oregon racing with young stars such as Holmes and Jeffrey Hudson in the field. Fans of the Outlaw Kart track next to the big track have watched both of these young drivers come from the ranks of Box Stock racing to one day become racers on the big track. Hudson, who is a second-generation competitor and son of past Pro Stock champion Jeff Hudson, himself became the 2015 Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stock champion. A year later he was the Winged Sprint Car Rookie of the Year and second in the standings. He was again second in 2018. It's interesting to watch him go from one type of race car to another and still be able to compete for wins.
When the opportunity came to pilot a first-class IMCA Modified, Hudson jumped at the chance. On Saturday night, he managed to wrestle the lead away from division rookie Justin Foux midway through the race. Hudson would lead the remainder of the race, but he had Mark Wauge closing in on him. Though we're not sure that Hudson will be a point regular, Wauge has declared his intent to try to win an unprecedented eighth career IMCA Modified championship at his home track. He's also looking for the milestone 50th career feature win in this class, which will come with his next victory.
Wauge was mired back in the fifth row after a disappointing pill draw, but that didn't stop him from slipping past each driver ahead of him until only Hudson was in his crosshairs. Hudson had a decent lead on Wauge, but Wauge had nearly closed in on him when the checkered flag put an end to his victory hopes. Still, when you're running for points, second place is useful in the overall scheme of things. Wauge will regroup and give it another shot on May 18th when the division returns.
Foux, meanwhile has been one of the frontrunners in IMCA Sport Modified competition in recent years. When the opportunity presented itself for him to move up in classes, he jumped at the chance. He's already competed down in California this year, but he was excited about the opportunity to make his first start in this class at Southern Oregon Speedway. Having led some of the early laps, Justin knows he's got something for his fellow competitors. The third place finish offers further proof that he will be a driver to reckon with the next time he's in town.
"Cowboy" Duane Orsburn was hoping he would get the chance to mix it up with the leaders, but what happened instead was a major disappointment. In Yreka this year, he's already won a Trophy Dash and finished second in the Main Event. In the Main Event on this occasion, he was mired in the pack when it happened. Orsburn contacted the front wall and rolled four times. He was fortunately able to walk away under his own power, but there was some question as to how much damage there was to his race car and whether he could get it back together. Hopefully, the damage the two-time Street Stock champion's car sustained won't be as bad as early indications suggested.
Preston Jones left things in a good place last season by winning the season finale in a good battle with CJ Putnam. He didn't get a chance to mix it up for the lead last week, but after winning his heat race, he still managed to hold off 2018 point runner-up Zach Fettinger to grab the fourth position. We all know that Jones is capable of getting a win, so you can expect him to be a factor as the season goes on.
Sporting a new black paint job on his #68 car, 2017 champion Jesse Bailey managed to lead some early laps before falling back to a seventh place finish behind Jeremy Ohlde. We don't know how often we'll see Bailey as he slipped back to a casual schedule in 2018, but we know he has been one of the most consistent racers at the speedway during the past few years.
David Satterfield was the top rookie of 2018, and he was certainly hoping to become more than just consistent this year when he purchased the James Welshonse car. Welshonse will be moving up to the Late Models this year, and Satterfield is hoping to start contending for wins. His first start in his new ride was not all that he had hoped for as he finished back in ninth behind Ray Niffen Jr. After finishing in the Top 5 in 2017, Niffen was absent last season. It's great to see the #64 car back on the track again.
The IMCA Sport Modified division made a major statement when the 2018 season ended. There were 24 cars that night as Doug Coffman came to town and left with the winner's trophy. The division also required a B Main that night. Coffman has decided to be a part of the show this year, and he was one of 21 competitors at the season opener. This made the IMCA Sport Modifieds the biggest draw in the pits once again.
Several drivers have upped their games as they hope to get wins, and it looks like this could be another year in which you never know who will win from week to week. Last season, the only driver winning more than once was two-time winner Tyler Rodgers. This time around, the win was in question all the way to the checkered flag, though Justin McCreadie led the pack. For 16 laps, the race needed no yellow flags, giving the fans some of the best Sport Modified racing they've seen at the speedway in recent years.
McCreadie, Matt Sanders and two-time champion Dwayne Melvin were mixing it up pretty intensely when they hit slower traffic. Melvin's bold outside move through Turns 3 and 4 was interrupted when he made contact with a slower car and got sideways. A quick yellow flag slowed the pace, and Melvin was attributed with being the cause. This left him out of the battle between Sanders and McCreadie, and Sanders shocked the house on the final lap.
Sanders had picked up a feature win earlier this year in Yreka, and he had the momentum exiting Turn 4 for the final time. The two drivers crossed the finish line in a dead heat. Most people who watched the two cars cross the line couldn't even determine which driver was ahead of the other. It came down to the electronic scoring system, which determined that Sanders won what had to be the closest finish in the history of Southern Oregon Speedway.
While Sanders was left smiling, McCreadie was disappointed to know that he led all the way until the end. However, it's obvious that he has something for the rest of the competition. He was a feature winner last season, and it won't be a surprise to see him get the job done again this year.
There are truly some great drivers in the field, and three of Southern Oregon Speedway's two-time champions were among them. In addition to Melvin, Jorddon Braaten and Mike Medel were both in the pack. Braaten may have been a surprise as he spent much of 2018 on the road winning championships at Cottage Grove, Willamette and the state of Oregon. He had a spirited battle with the #95 car of Rich McCoy, but Braaten managed to win that race for third. McCoy settled for fourth.
It's almost becoming an all star lineup of drivers in the field this year, and just making it into the Top 10 at the finish last Saturday was an accomplishment. Coffman managed to finish fifth ahead of last season's top rookie, Branden Wilson. Wilson has purchased a new car this year in the hopes of being more competitive, and he managed to get to the checkered flag ahead of two-time Late Model Lites champion and eighth place finisher Brian Johnsen. Johnsen had been trying to sell his Outlaw Pro Stock and managed to do that during the offseason. This helped open the door for his move into the growing Sport Modified class.
It was Matt's brother, Isaac Sanders, getting the ninth place finish ahead of Top 5 2017 and 2018 point competitor Willie McFall. Two drivers looking better than they have in the last year were Steve Lysinger and Brian Knorr. Lysinger managed to get a third place finish in his heat race and make it into the redraw for the Main Event, where he finished 11th. Knorr did even better in his heat as he finished second behind Melvin in their race, though his Main Event didn't end quite as well.
Some drivers have moved on from the Sport Modified division, including David Marble, Tony Bartell and Tony Duste. This opens the door for some new stars to emerge in the championship race. Two other new drivers in the field were Austin Petrey and Jesse Skidmore, and Top 5 2018 Modified racer Jantzen Knips has moved down in classes. Skidmore made a name for himself at tracks like Orland and Chico, California, where he he won several Hobby Stock Main Events. Sadly, Jesse lost his home in the Paradise fire last year, so he has relocated to Oregon.
David Steele has been doing the Mini Stock thing for several years, and he's built up a couple of reputations. One is the reputation of being a force on the race track. The other is the reputation of being a true sportsman and somebody willing to help out his fellow competitors. Hunter Magnan had motor issues and wasn't sure he would even be at the opener, but Steele agreed to show up early and spend the time trying to get Magnan's #33 car to run.
Steele was in Yreka a few weeks back when Mini Stock graduates Ethan Killingsworth, Colt Boswell and Ryder Boswell grabbed the podium sweep. He competed against all three of these young drivers in the Mini Stock ranks, and he said it's encouraging to see these drivers moving up and helping fill the IMCA Sport Modified roster. David doesn't know if he'll ever get the opportunity to drive something beyond a Mini Stock car, but he is still living the dream every time he gets behind the wheel to go racing.
As the champion of 2018, Steele had racked up an impressive nine feature victories and two season-worst second place finishes. His record is quite impressive over the past couple of seasons between Medford and Yreka. For the season opener, once he took the lead, he was never really threatened. It was another milestone for him as he stretched his division all time win lead record to 30 at Medford.
The real question is, who might be the first driver to beat him this year. Young Ashtin Hedges is now full time in the Mini Stock division, and he battled last season's top Mini Stock rookie, Michael McLeod. The two drivers exchanged second several times before Hedges grabbed the position for good. Ashtin looked good last season, and something big may be on the horizon for him. In fact, it won't be a surprise to see him get his first career feature win in this class soon. He picked up two victories in the Hornet division last season.
2017 champion Kristopher Mix was mixing it up at the front of the pack for a while before problems reared their ugly head and sent the #89m car into the pits and out of the event. Two new drivers in the field are teammates Dylan Irving and Brandyn Wonsyld. Both drivers were Top 5 ranked in the Hornet class with feature wins to their credit last season. Wonsyld actually finished third with four victories. When Irving made the move up in the former David Marble Mini Stock, Wonsyld found a car and joined the fun as well.
There's a big difference between driving a Hornet and a Mini Stock, but Irving said he's enjoying his time so far. He did manage to take his car to the checkered flag with a fourth place finish last week, which puts him into the Trophy Dash for Saturday night. Wonsyld was credited with a fifth place finish. Steve Goetz missed the season opener due to motor issues in Yreka a few weeks back, but he hopes to be back soon.
With Wonsyld and Irving out of the lineup for the Hornet division this year, there are some drivers hoping to make a move on the Top 5 in the standings. There are also two drivers hoping to become the first two-time champions in the class. Reigning champion Bree Tritchler is one of them, but her night ended in disappointment early in the evening as she blew a motor.
The Hedges team has built two new cars this year for 2016 champion Tim Hedges and 2017 point runner up Jenna Hedges. Tim won one of the most entertaining heat races of the night and then mixed it up with two-time 2018 feature winner Chris Boynton and Dylan Sauer at the front of the Main Event pack. All three drivers led laps, and it was Sauer making the biggest statement. Once he got the lead, he pulled away from everybody. He had back-to-back Top 3 finishes to end last season, but this was the first career win for Sauer.
Boynton made a statement of his own. While the leaders were in traffic, contact sent Boynton spinning. Stuck at the back of the pack, he made a rapid charge to the front of the pack in his brightly-painted #28 car and would end up third. However, he didn't have quite enough to reel in Tim Hedges, who brought it home second.
Though these three drivers look like the top contenders in this division, the Hornet division is so competitive that virtually anybody in that pack could rise to the occasion and claim the glory on any given night. This includes fourth place finisher Derrel Nelson Jr. It was great to see Nelson back in the field. He was a multi-time feature winner in 2016, when he finished second in the standings. Last season, his effort was cut short as he had to bow out of competition and get shoulder surgery.
Once Derrel knew he had a clean bill of health, he couldn't wait to get back behind the wheel. He managed to hold off Jenna Hedges to claim fourth in the feature, which had to give him some confidence that a Main Event win may just be on the horizon. The Nelson's were three cars strong with sons Zach Nelson and Ryan Nelson in the field. Ryan was making his first start in his own car, and he led several laps of his heat race before surrendering the lead and victory to Tim Hedges. Unfortunately for Ryan, he contacted the front wall and was out of the Main Event early on. Brother Zach didn't do much better. The Nelson family is just having fun getting to race with each other, and any one of them could be a threat to win the next race.
In the rookie department, Lacey Sauer did a good job of getting a sixth place finish in her first-ever start, followed by Quentin Tritchler. Quinton is now piloting the car driven by his daughter Bree to the championship last year, and he grabbed his finish ahead of Johnny Hoult. As this division was getting some momentum in 2016, Hoult was one of the drivers who got on board. He was a Trophy Dash winner that year as well. He's been racing Speedway Karts for the past couple of years for Rambo Motorsports. He did look good in finishing second to Boynton in their heat race.
The season is just getting started at Southern Oregon Speedway, and people are talking. Racers are wanting to come back and there are plenty of reasons for the fans to want to come watch as we go on this year. Late Models make their debut this week with some positive buzz around this class. There will be some new drivers on the roster this year. Coupled with the Valley Store All Late Model Lites, Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars, Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and JOAT Labs Hornets, it's going to be a good show on Saturday.
On Friday, the Little Southern Oregon Speedway track will open. Promoter Mike McCann has been working on a few things for the track. During the past few years, he's attempted to add different classes to help bolster the total of competitors, but he's met with some dead ends each time. However, an effort is being made to establish a Motorcycle racing program and a Quad racing program. There are some potentially big things on the horizon for that style of racing, and some announcements could be made that will surprise some people. In fact, it could be very interesting at the little track this Friday night. It's all about offering fans more variety in the types of motorsports entertainment they enjoy at the venue.
For 21 years now, the Outlaw Kart program has continued on at the little track. This Friday night, the 500 Open Karts, 250 Intermediates, Box Stocks and Beginners Box Stocks are all on the schedule. Last season, the Novice Beginners Box Stock class was added as a means to give some of the very new competitors who aren't quite going up to speed an opportunity to make their first laps in a less intimidating environment. Should that race be needed, it's likely to be offered on Friday..
The big question will be who might come out and race in the 500 Open class. When it comes to the Kart classes that have the potential to draw fans not associated with any driver to come out, we know that the 500 Open class is at the top of the list. These are the fastest Karts on the eighth-mile dirt oval, and there are some very competitive racers within its ranks. Some of the drivers we watched last season include champion Kenny Boardman, Kart legend Mike Wheeler, Reece Slyter, past champion Johnny Burke, Bailey Sucich, Josh Steinhoff, Merissa Henson, Colby Bergquist and Brendon Bartlett. Bartlett and Bergquist were both making the move up from the 250 ranks.
It's the question we ask every year with this class. We know the roster of cars in the Medford area is at least 15 or 16 in this division, but who might show up is the question. Management has put the word out that there needs to be four competitors in the field for the purse to be paid out. Standard purse is $100 to win, $60 for second and $40 for third. A half dozen of these racers put on a good show on the little track. This track isn't the only place that has seen the class hit hard times, however. The numbers are down at several venues.
Last season, Vinny DeBenedetti shocked the field to win the 250 Intermediate championship. DeBenedetti had moments during the year where he showed flashes of brilliance in winning two Main Events. He managed to dethrone incoming champion Trevor Grimes, who was forced to miss a race due to a blown motor. Grimes won the most Main Events, but his absence from a race forced him to settle for second. During the last three seasons, Grimes is the Ironman of the Kart field. He has only missed one scheduled event during that time.
Brionna Fuller was poised to have a good season in the 250 class, but an accident at home left her with a broken arm. Being the competitor that she is, she still strapped into a Speedway Kart and ran some races, but she was unable to get into the Cage Kart during the second half of the season. We're hoping to see her more often along with her brother, Taylor Fuller, who was making his first laps in this class last season and had his moments. Likewise, Cadyn Smith was another driver who had some good moments. Smith has risen from the ranks of the Beginners Box Stock class, where he is a past champion.
The Box Stock division had an intense battle throughout the season between Ryan Hirschbock and Keaton Augustine before Augustine picked up the honors last year. Both drivers picked up three feature wins, but Hirschbock's third win in the finale was unable to propel him to the title. He was still perhaps a most improved driver in the group. Taylor Fuller looked good early in the season before moving up in classes, and Jacob James, of the legendary Markey James family, was also a feature winner.
We are likely to see Malachi Johnson running in this class. The 2018 runner up and 2017 champion in the Beginners Box Stock class did make one appearance in this division last year, which likely cost him a shot at the Beginner's title. There's also past Beginners Box Stock champion Kiley Grimes, who did race some in this division last year and was Top 5 ranked.
Young Carson Henson has already accomplished so much in his Beginners Box Stock career. He won the Yreka Indoor Kart championship a couple years ago and was the Beginners Box Stock champion last year at Little Southern Oregon Speedway. He also got his first feature win in Medford. Jayme DeBenedetti did well as she finished third in the standings. Uriah Sanders had been in the hunt, but he decided to stop racing and pursue other things. Third generation racer Mike Wheeler Jr, Shailene Horn and Hunter Granger where other good supporters of the program. Wheeler and Horn had some good moments along the way We also saw the debut of Albert Gill Jr.
Because there were drivers going at their own pace and learning, it was decided to give them their own race. The class, called Novice Beginners Box Stocks, involved Bhaltair Edwards, Isaac Grimes and Caleb Ranney. These three young racers spent most of their time in that class once it was started. Edwards won the championship award.
The one thing about the young drivers is that sometimes they get a bit intimidated. Ranney was definitely very nervous about racing and was encouraged by his mother when he would panic just a little bit. In his first night of actually racing in this class, he received loud cheers from the spectators in the bleachers each time he passed the start-finish line. It's about family, fun and just doing your best at Little Southern Oregon Speedway.
Speed City has established a presence in the Medford area as the parts dealer for Outlaw Kart racing. They are also strong supporters of UAS Speedway Karts and 4 Cycle Karts. They bring several of these open cockpit Karts to the Speedway every week and have been responsible for establishing the Flat Kart effort. Lori Fuller was the inaugural champion last season.
What's interesting about Lori is she chose to run one of the slower 4 Cycle Karts for most of the season, and yet she emerged with two feature wins and managed to bump Steve Rambo from the top of the point list after Rambo didn't show up for the final race. Rambo and Larry Fuller were perhaps the fastest drivers in the field, both were feature winners and they finished second and third, respectively.
Past Yreka champion Ed Grubb was also a good supporter and managed to finish fourth in the standings ahead of Johnny Hoult and Brionna Fuller. A broken arm didn't seem to slow Fuller down as she ran well in her late season starts.
The little track has eight races scheduled, and for a change, the weather in May has been so good that not only will Friday night's show happen, it looks like next Friday night's race should happen as well. There's been some skepticism and doubt in the Kart community at large, but there's one thing to consider. Everybody has an opportunity to help make this little track grow and become better by supporting the show. If they do so, things will only get better and things they might not have thought would happen at the little facility could occur.
The Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stock Association hosted the first round of the five-race Tri State Challenge Pro Stock Series last Saturday night at Siskiyou Golden Speedway, and it was a big event. It was the Fifth Annual Billy Geyer Memorial race, and it paid $2,000 to win thanks to the sponsorship of Arlen Heath of Calculated Comfort Heating And Air Conditioning of Medford.
During the offseason, Roy Bain and Gordon Russell Jr we're discussing the possibility of bringing the different groups together for bigger races. The biggest challenge is that they have slightly different rules from each other, but they still managed to make something happen. Drivers from Nevada, Oregon and as far as down in California as San Luis Obispo made it to Yreka for a 20 car field.
This was also a good thing for Yreka as they seldom get 20 of any individual division to show up outside of the big special races. The 20 Pro Stocks on hand put on a good show for the fans. Though two-time reigning Outlaw Pro Stock champion Dr Scott Lenz led most of the way for the satisfying win, there was a good battle for second between defending race champion Mike Learn, Derrick Rauscher and Dave King Jr. Rauscher ended up winning that battle over Learn. The Top 3 finishers in that field highlight the idea. One driver was from Oregon, one driver was from Nevada and the other driver was from California. Next up for the Tri State Challenge Series is the Gordon Russell Sr Memorial at Cedarville on June 29th.
It was also the first of the big events Promoter Kevin Barba has lined up for Yreka. The IMCA Sport Modifieds and Mini Stocks brought double-digit support in each class, and "The Holy Terror" Terry Kendrick managed to end a year-long victory drought with his Mini Stock win. Kendrick and the Alford team accounted for five of the cars there Saturday, and Terry Alford Sr had a good run in third behind Klamath Falls visitor Dan Borror. Something good seems to be happening with the Mini Stocks in Yreka.
As mentioned before, the IMCA Sport Modified battle seems to be shaping up to be a race between Colt Boswell, brother Ryder Boswell and Ethan Killingsworth. However, all three drivers were shut out of the podium as Jason Ferguson picked up the win on Saturday ahead of Scott Savell and Jimmy Ford. It was a Yuba City podium sweep.
The Sport Modifieds will get to take center stage on May 25th with the annual Bo Hittson Memorial event, which will pay a better purse. A night later, the IMCA Modifieds get the John Arnberg Memorial and The Iron Giant Street Stocks will be coming with a field expected to reach into the 20s. Mini Stock fans won't be left out with the Mike Cavaye Mini Stock Blowout race on May 18th. Lots of good things are happening in Yreka, and there's optimism in the air.
The same can be said for Coos Bay Speedway, where the NASCAR Whelen All American Series enters its third season. The America's Mattress Super Late Models fielded 10 cars last week, and it's far from predictable as to who is going to win on any given week. Willamette's Joey Tanner headed back home after winning the season opener, but 2018 Cottage Grove champion Preston Luckman is home. The Coos Bay resident has decided to stick around and make a run for his local track championship. He finished second in the opener and picked up the win last Saturday night ahead of a career-best second for Deven Brown.
2015 champion Toby McIntyre is making a run for points this year, and he earned his second-straight third place finish ahead of reigning champion Brody Montgomery. Montgomery has back-to-back fourth place finishes, but he will need to step up his game and get back to the Winner's Circle if he hopes to repeat as the champion. Drivers such as two-time Sportsman Late Model champion Wayne Butler, two-time point runner up Thor Kristenson and Tom Elam are making Late Model racing exciting at Coos Bay Speedway.
The Street Stocks have certainly been a show as Steve Dubisar picked up his second-straight win after a good battle with Tom Elam. Dubisar has been ignoring the point race in recent years, but he's won more than anybody during the past two seasons. Reigning champion Ken Fox has stumbled out of the gate. David Smith and rookie Peyton Reigard are among the drivers giving the Street Stocks a good start so far. The duo finished third and fourth, respectively, last week.
When Hannah Robison missed her heat race and had to start at the back of the pack in the Hornet feature last week, she didn't worry. She simply made a charge to the front of the pack, passed reigning champion Tyler Tullos and took her second-straight checkered flag, this time by a straightaway advantage. It looks like it's a Robison/Tullos battle at this stage, but it's too early in the season to say for sure. The Hornet division is producing the biggest counts at the speedway with Gabrielle Boles, Kris Parker and William Hitner among the other front-runners in the class.
it's unheard of for a track to debut a brand new class and pay them $1,000 to win. However, that's exactly what Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg did with the Rumble On The River Sport Modified race. Winchester Pub put up the money, and 2016 Modified champion Tom Ford was all too happy to collect it as he bested the eight car field. Hardtop star Mike Batman ended up second. The division also pulled reigning Street Stock champion Jeff Solberg into its ranks and reigning Modified champion John Harvey as well.
The news wasn't so good for the Harvey family as Roseburg racing icon Roy Harvey passed away on Monday. Harvey, who was 89 years old, has competed in several different divisions in his 50 year plus racing career and is basically a founding member of the PRA. He was running in the pits and fell, sustaining a head injury. Though he was alert when they transported him from the speedway, he later passed away due to complications from the injuries he had sustained.
It still continues to be a challenge to get information from certain Jefferson area tracks, including Shasta Speedway and Diamond Mountain Speedway in Susanville. However, we did get results from Susanville and can tell you the IMCA Modifieds are off to a strong start with 19 and 17 car fields in their first two shows. The winner on both occasions was Riley Simmons. The IMCA Sport Modified division continues to grow stronger there and the Mini Stock program is doing okay. The best news is the racing surface is looking good and people are excited about coming to race for new promoter Jeff Olschowka.
Shasta Speedway has run a couple of races, but who has won is a mystery. They are on electronic scoring, but they don't appear to be posting the results anywhere. They have a program coming up this Friday and Saturday that will include several different Stock Car classes along with the touring BCRA/POWRi Midgets, Northern California Modified Association Sprint Cars and the Pro 4 Modifieds. We'll be looking for information and passing the results along if we manage to get any.
The Upstate Bomber Series kicks off this Saturday at Redwood Acres Speedway in Eureka among what should be a loaded program. Drivers from Ukiah, Shasta and Eureka are anticipated for the first race of this seven race series that will pay $2,000 to the champion and $1,000 to the runner-up. Everybody throughout the Top 10 will receive point fund money provided they start at least five of the races and join the series, which only costs $25.
Due to the uncertainty of the future of Lakeport Speedway, the Memorial Day Weekend event for the Bomber Series that was set to take place there has been moved to Ukiah, making it a two-race weekend at the fast, banked Ukiah race track. All of the NCRA Board Members in Lakeport have resigned, including the man who's been running the show, David Furia. However, Furia, whose family has been involved in the sport for many years, continues to be involved with the growing program in Ukiah.
Nadine Strauss, a longtime promoter of Lakeport Speedway, recently commented that new board members are being elected in the NCRA and the intent will be to honor as much of the 2018 schedule there as possible. The main thing is that the gates continue to open and the show goes on. Lakeport has been on hard times in recent years, but there's no reason things can't get better.
Silver Dollar Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 3, 2019
Bill Brownell Memorial
410 Sprints
A Main
Justin Sanders
Shane Golobic
Tim Kaeding
Mitchell Faccinto
Bud Kaeding
D.J. Netto
Sean Becker
Dominic Scelzi
Willie Croft
Cole Macedo
Ryan Bernal
Andy Forsberg
Geoff Ensign
Kyle Offill
Blake Carrick
Colby Copeland
Stephen Ingraham
Jason Statler
Sean Watts
Richard Brace Jr
B Main
Jason Statler
Michael Ing
Richard Brace Jr
Blake Carrick
Kyle Offill
Nathan Rolfe
Tim Estenson
Casey McClain
Gary Paulson
Mike Monahan
Ron Laplant
Jenna Frazier
Matt DeMartini
Ryan Souza
Pat Harvey Jr
Wyatt Brown
Sport Modifieds
Brian Cooper
Matt Micheli
Keith Brown
Tyler Rodgers
Andrew Peckham
Jimmy Ford
Jason Ferguson
Sean Hulsey
Mike Ficklin
Jim Waller
Scott Savell
Phill Marino
Todd Cooper
Richard Vander Ploeg
Jeremy Phillips
Alex Garcia
Hobby Stocks
Kyle Allen
James West
Mel Byers
Devin Ryan
Shannon Collins
Travis Moore
David Allen
Mike Chase
Zach Lindgren
Jacob Johnson
Toby Merrifield
Nick Vidovich
Jeremiah Creedon
Jeremy Langenderfer
Tim McHenry
Danny Labonte
Keith Ross
Coos Bay Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2019
Pepsi Night - NASCAR Whelen All American Series
America's Mattress Super Late Models
Preston Luckman
Deven Brown
Toby McIntyre
Brody Montgomery
Wayne Butler
Thor Kristensen
Chris Kristensen
Chris Ray
Chuck Bracelin
Tom Elam
Winged Sprint Cars
Brett Hulsey
Donovan Prather
Austin Sause
Seth Christensen
Tyrell Mead
Ricky Hulsey
Seth Christensen
Sportsman Late Models
Braden Fugate
Mike Taylor
Josh Kralicek
Tom Williams
Street Stocks
Steve Dubisar
Tom Elam
David Smith
Payton Reigard
Leroy Rockwell
Sam Talon
Ken Fox
Mini Outlaws
Sam Talon
Jason Kellan
Dan Daniels
Hunter Berrier
Ken Fox
Jason Berrier
Hornets
Hannah Robison
Tyler Tullos
Gabrielle Boles
Kris Parker
Ray Marshall
CHARITY HINKEL
William Hitner
Alyssa Johnson
Jesse McIntyre
Steven Parker
KELSEY NELSON
Jeff Thurman
Wayne Smith
Jr Stingers
Chris Smith
James Shingleton
Alex Butler
Siskiyou Golden Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2019
Billy Geyer Memorial
Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks - Tri State Challenge
Scott Lenz
Derrick Rauscher
Mike Learn
Dave King
Brent Lawrence
Dustin Knight
Scott Flowers
Richard Workman
Bryan Hammond
Donny Richardson
James Flowers
Jerry Bartlett
Bill Pearson
Blaine Hill
Steve Borror
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Jason Fergusen
Scott Savell
Jimmy Ford
Colter Boswell
Randy Wright
Ryder Boswell
Sean Hulsey
Dennis Jorgensen
Ethan Killingsworth
Chris Jorgensen
Jack Waldon III
Donovan Rogers
Mini Stocks
Terry Kendrick
Dan Borror
Terry Alford Sr
Michael Kendrick
Darek Alford
Marilyn Yawnick
Zak McMurry
Tiffany Cobb
terry alford
Mike Whitaker
Silver Dollar Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2019
Dave Bradway Jr Memorial
NARC/King Of The West Fujitsu Winged 410 Sprint Cars
Justin Sanders
Shane Golobic
Tim Kaeding
D.J. Netto
Bud Kaeding
Geoff Ensign
Mitchell Faccinto
Colby Copeland
Ryan Bernal
Nathan Rolfe
Blake Carrick
Chase Johnson
Willie Croft
Stephen Ingraham
Kenny Allen
Gary Paulson
Tim Estenson
Justyn Cox
Kyle Offill
Dominic Scelzi
Sean Becker
Richard Brace Jr
Cole Macedo
Sean Watts
B Main
Stephen Ingraham
Tim Estenson
Gary Paulson
Kyle Offill
Chelsea Blevins
Matt DeMartini
Pat Harvey Jr
Mike Monahan
Wyatt Brown
Ron Laplant
Jenna Frazier
Crate Sprints
Brett Youngman
Nick Larson
Jeff Macedo
Mike Sayre
Darren Johnson
Kiely Ricardo
Cameron Haney Jr.
Kevin Dozier
Chad Thompson
Mike Ballantine
Placerville Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2019
Big Trophy Night
Thompson Auto Group Winged 360 Sprint Cars
Andy Forsberg
Tony Gualda
Kalib Henry
Bobby McMahan
Jimmy Trulli
Mike Benson
Jodie Robinson
Billy Butler
Cody Hodgson
Shane Hopkins
Greg DeCaires
Chris Masters
Jarrett Soares
Kenny Wanderstadt
Brad Dillard
Mike Cook
Jared Van Bebber
CJ Humphries
Justin Johnson
Jacob Tuttle
Jay's Mobile Welding Pure Stock
Dan Jinkerson
Kevin Jinkerson
Nick Baldwin
Ryan Peter
Ronnie Richards
John Ewing
Lonnie Lennard
Mel Byers
Jesse Bryant
Stephanie Hanson
Chase Grigsby
Scott Grunert
Matthew Chacon
Jason Palmer
Jason Leonard
Limited Late Models
Ryan McDaniel
Jay Norton
Ray Trimble
Dan Brown Jr
Tyler Lightfoot
Bobby Hogge IV
Michael Helton
Eddie Gardner
BCRA Midget Lites
Dakota Albright
Hunter Kinney
Scott Kinney
Terry Bergstom
Danika Jo Parker
Jim Riddell
Jacob Williams
Gus Carcione
Brandon Leedy
Josef Ferolito
American Valley Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2019
WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals
Pro Main Event
Joe Frock
Ryan Winter
Jonathan Henry
Gene Pires
Shawn Jones
Dustin Loughton
Ryan Plexico
Brandon Wiley
Chad Matthias
John Levitt
Justin Winter
Bobby Johnson
Shawn Whitney
Tyler Rodriguez
Sam Wren
Dustin Washburn
Mike Grenert
Mac Marmon
Brad Ernst
Ryan Amlen
Darren Brown
Ben Haney
Camden Robustelli
Veterans Main Event
Mark Biscardi
Tim Fitzpatrick
Kevin Bender
Mike Reeder
Glen Sciarani
Kevin Miraglio
Eric Weisler
Wade Ehrlich
Eddy Claessen
Jason Pike
Buddy Olschowka
Brittany Sandival
Sportsman Main Event
Steve Nester
Michael Williams
Michael Reed
Mac Aceves
Jimmy Damron
Mike Affonso
Tom Van Tuyl
Troy Stevenson
Roger Haney
Douglas County Speedway Unofficial Race Results May 4, 2019
Winchester Pub Rumble Of The River
Mini Stocks
Dale Roth
Kieri Smith
Ed Pratt
Super Stocks
John Dumire
Dale Roth
Monique Scevers
Larry Means
April Hillyard
Hornets
Rich Dickenson
Ron Johnson
Bruce McMasters
Chris Lemon
Michael Kennedy
Hardtops
Kyran Greene
Harlan Cox
Steve Smith
Greg Hickman
Troy Gasner
Donni Fain
Bryson Lillard
Modifieds
Tom Ford
Mike Batman
Tom Durrant
Kalob Watson
Pete Tyrell
Jeff Solberg
John Harvey
Riley Watson
