Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
Pit Stop's - Jefferson Edition
Two Nights Of Racing At Southern Oregon Speedway
As the weather heats up and signals the beginning of summer, the racing will be heating up at Southern Oregon Speedway as well. There will be two nights of racing this week, and it starts on Friday night with another night of Outlaw Kart racing on the fast one-eighth mile dirt oval. On Saturday, it will be six divisions of racing on the big track.
The Kart track is creating our next generation of stars, and Tanner Holmes was the star who shined the brightest last time out. The reigning 250 Kart champ won that division's Main Event and then made his first start in the 500 Karts a winning performance. The skill in which he handled his Karts would suggest that this young man could be a future Sprint Car star in the making.
Another youngster by the name of Trevor Grimes got his Box Stock title defense started off right with an impressive feature win of his own. The Box Stock division is a class filled with some talented girls in the field, including 2014 champion Carley Holmes, Natalie Richard and Emma Rodgers. Isabella Jaime also impressed with her heat race victory on opening night.
A field of about three dozen Karts is anticipated Friday night, which will include the youngsters of the Beginners Box Stocks. These are the kids ages 5-8 who are just getting started. The show will get started at 7:00 p.m. Gates will open 5:00 with a general admission of $10. Children six and under are $5.
On Saturday night, the three-tenths mile clay oval will play host to a six division program that will include Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks, OTRO Hardtops, Super 4's and Hornets. The Hornets were added to the program this week in part because of the light schedule they have. Also, the six car field produced last time was the highest car count in the three seasons the class has been running.
Promoter Mike McCann has sent as message to the racers that the four cylinder divisions are just as important to the track as the other classes, and the Hornets play a vital role in the growth of the program. They bring new racers to the speedway with an affordable set of rules. Last week, Heather Menzel and Joby Shields made their first starts of the year, and Shields won the Main Event.
Tim Hedges won a heat race a week earlier. His Main Event didn't go so well. "I went the wrong way on tire pressure, " Tim explained. "I added when I should have subtracted. That made a big difference."
There aren't too many setup secrets in the Hornet class, but tire pressure does have an impact on the speed and handling of these cars. Hedges won the Trophy Dash last week before placing third in the Main Event. Only a few points separate the Top 3 of Hedges, John Hoult and Darrel Nelson Jr. in a close point battle.
Also in the field last week in her season debut was Heather Menzel. Heather had one start last season, and she was in a different car for what would be a fourth place finish. "This is his (Devon Weiser's) car from last year, " said Heather. "This is a neat class. It's easy, and it's fun. It's not like you're done if you wreck it."
One selling point for this class is the affordability as most of the racers have gotten into it for less than $1000. The Hornets just graduated their fourth driver into the Mini Stocks, Garrett Fredrickson. Unfortunately, Garrett crashed in hot laps last week, ending the night for both he and title contender Gary Anderson. Gary was trying to rebound from a bad night a week earlier. Handling was a bit of an issue after he spun early in that race before charging back to fourth. "The car was a bit loose, " Anderson admitted. "I didn't want to sit there and draw a yellow after I spun. I don't do that unless the car dies. I was just a bit upset after that, so I didn't help myself."
The door was open for Andrew Hall to move into second in the standings, and he made it happen with a fourth place finish. Hall was coming off of a career best second place finish in his Pinto Wagon a week earlier. He finished behind point leader Bob Burkett that night. "The car was good, " He admitted. "I was watching him (Burkett). We weren't gaining on him, but he wasn't pulling away either. We're getting things fixed on the car and we're getting closer."
Hall had to do some rear end repair and had some help from sponsor Medford Radiator in fixing his radiator for this race. Burkett snatched a Trophy dash win from Hall last week with a last turn pass, but his bid for a third feature win was thwarted by David Steele. Steel has been racing Mini Stocks for nearly as long as Burkett and is a past top 5 competitor at the speedway. He won the championship at Yreka last season.
Steele's title defense took a hit earlier this season as he scratched one night after hot lap's. The issues were starting a week before that. "The motor was laying down pretty badly the week before that, " Steele explained. "That was why I didn't come here on the week off. We didn't run that night because I didn't see any sense in tearing the motor up worse."
David has built a few competitive cars through the years, including the John Derby championship car and the car driven by Gary Anderson. The #67 car that he wheels is the first car he built, and he's proud of that car. Kris Mix is in the car he bought after crashing his other car at Yreka's playday. In fact, that old car will be back eventually with a new driver.
Kris ran better in fifth this week, but things weren't quite right with the #89 car a week earlier. "We ran a bad clutch last week just to get through the night, " said Mix, who is fifth in the standings. "It had about three-quarters throttle. The car handled way better than last time. I could drive it and point it where I wanted it to go. The problem was the clutch was slipping."
While Bob Burkett has been beat, the Wheeler family remains undefeated in Winged Sprint Cars going into this race. It may fall on Wayne Kniffen to do something about it, and he's ready to give it his best. "I think we're getting the car figured out, " said Kniffen. "We were hooked up out there last time, and I think we can beat him."
Who will show up for a shot at victory is still unclear, but Todd Whipple and Bill Hopper are both anticipated from California. Reports out of Creswell are that 2015 Cottage Grove Limited Sprint champion Patrick Dills has marked this race on his schedule as night to visit. Another report from earlier this week has past Cottage Grove Limited Sprint Car champion David Hibbard and a couple other drivers planning to visit. David is from the area, is a past Top 5 ranked driver and has three wins in the last 28 races.
Jorddon Braaten is now a two time winner in IMCA Sport Modifieds following his win last week over Mike Medel. The two drivers seem to do battle wherever they race. Medel won the Trophy Dash earlier in the evening. Mike had a good showing the week prior with a fourth place finish. A night later at Yreka, he won his heat race before his night took a turn in the wrong direction, "The car handled great, " Medel admitted. "I adjusted the car too much. "I look some drive out. I didn't expect the track to get better. They were passing me left and right."
Meanwhile, rookie A.J. Parker is climbing the point ladder and sits fourth in the standings. He is just excited to be racing. "This is my first car, " he explained. I've raced Go Karts before this. My wife and I built this car, and I love it. We are considering putting another car together for next year."
Another rookie, David Marble, sits third in the standings. His night was a mixed bag last week. David won his heat race. He ran second in the feature until breaking a ball joint to end his race. He'll be back to try again this week as the 2015 Mini Stock champion continues to learn in his new car.
The Old Time Racers of Oregon will be there with their Hardtops. The drivers started out on the pavement of Roseburg, but some of the racers wanted branch out to the dirt. The group has not set a tire rule, and all of the racers ran slick tires on the dirt track last time. That made for some interesting moments as the cars struggled for grip at times early in the evening. Chris Mehrer gave the other drives something to look at in the pits. After winning the Trophy Dash, he put his car into the front wall and knocked the front end out from underneath it.
The Main Event and heat race wins went to Trevor Thomason ahead of Bill Trotter. The Trotter family fielded three of the cars that competed last time. These Coupe and Sedan bodied race cars give fans a glimpse of the division that headlined at many race tracks in the 1950's and 1960's. Word from OTRO leadership is that everybody is ready to come back, including the #16 machine owned by Bill Trotter and driven by Mehrer. Furthermore, there was word of the possibility of a new car or two coming to play this time.
The Super 4's will be back to try again. Steve Thompson won the season opener ahead of 2013 champion John Barger. Lee Doty was a Main Event scratch last time, but he should have things situated this week. He won the lone Main Event for the group last year. This group of drivers is not as worried about rules as they are about getting cars back to the track. "We're just coming out here to race and have fun, " Barger explained. "It's kind of an open rules thing. We just want to get the cars back out here again."
The SODCA Dwarf Cars aren't racing this week, but they are a part of the Monday, July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza show and along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds and Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks. The star of the this last week was Brock Peters, who bounced back from his terrible luck in a big way with a flag to flag romp for victory. He was never seriously challenged as he won his heat and the and A Dash for a clean sweep.
Brock might have won the Main Event the time before if not for some bad luck taking him out. To the spectator's eye, it might have looked like two time reigning champion Josh King took him out, but that simply was not the case. "I blew a fuse and lost power to the car, " explained Peters, who was Top 5 ranked in points last season. "The car died, and Josh had nowhere to go. He never would have hit me. He had nowhere to go. I've never had a problem racing with him. We race each other clean. What happened was I hit a bump; and it sparked and blew a fuse. The car was running great. For it to die liked it did was just a tough deal."
The battle behind Brock went to the checkered flag as Ryan Smith won a spirited duel with King to grab the second place finish. Camden Robustelli and point leader Kalvin Morton rounded out the Top 5. The Dwarf Cars welcomed Don Gifford back to the field. Don has been racing for many years and is a past Claimer Car champion in the 1980's. A health scare took Don out of the action last season . "I had heart surgery in September, " Gifford explained. "I didn't race last year. The year before, I kept racing and getting tired and I couldn't figure out why. The doctor told me it was a good thing I didn't race last year or I may not have made it. So, this is my trial run. We'll see if I can make it."
Gifford appears to have passed the test as he took checkered flags all night in his #87 Dwarf Car and had fun. The SODCA Dwarf Cars run with another group in Coos Bay this week and hit Yreka on July 3rd before coming back for the July 4th event. You always know you are in for a good show when the Dwarf Cars come to town.
The six division event this Saturday night will feature Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks, OTRO Hardtops, Hornets and Super 4's. The show should a good one with the variety of divisions being offered. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race to fire off at 7:00 p.m. General admission is $12 with seniors and juniors $6 . Children under five are free. For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Racing Continues At Siskiyou Motor Speedway Saturday Night
Yreka, CA...When the rain falls, there's nothing you can do but wait for the next race. That was the case at Siskiyou Motor Speedway last weekend when rain washed away the programs for both the big track and the Outlaw Kart track. However, racing returns in a big way on Saturday night with O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modifieds, McDonald's Mini Stocks, IMCA Modifieds and Outlaw Pro Stocks. Plus, there's Powder Puff Racing and Kid's Ride A Longs.
Garrett Hamilton continues to top the field in IMCA Sport Modified points, but he's not too comfortably ahead of Jimmy Lipke. Lipke has been just a bit faster lately and has a win and a second in his last three starts. The win was his first in the division and followed his second place finish in the Bo Hittson Memorial race. Lipke stepped up his program during the offseason and has made it known that he is here to win this season.
The consistent Hamilton will continue to be a force on the track as will reigning IMCA champion Colter Boswell. Boswell's second and third place finishes in the last two races show that he's not slowing down a bit. Colter may not be in the point race this year, but he will certainly be in the race for feature wins. The fact is, the IMCA Sport Mods are pretty evenly matched at the Yreka track. Colton Cheffey and Kurt Lorenzini have already claimed victories, and third ranked Chris Jorgensen, Doug Franklin and Jack Walden III are three others to keep an eye on this week.
The McDonald's Mini Stocks have turned into an interesting championship battle between past champion "The Holy Terror" Terry Kendrick and "Big Mac" Marilyn Yawnick. Only a few points separate the two. Consistent Top 3 finishes have put Kendrick into the lead over the three time winner Yawnick, who is in the midst of her best season yet. Yawnick had a blown motor on Memorial Day Weekend, and the off week has given her a chance to regroup.
Earlier this year, reigning champion David Steele was forced to park after hot laps due to motor issues. David had been struggling with motor problems in the week prior, but he had hoped he could get through another week with what he had. When the gauges didn't read the way he liked, he parked that night rather than do more damage. This has left him 34 points behind Yawnick in third, but with two wins in the last three races, he's gaining ground.
Steele used the off week to return to Southern Oregon Speedway and battle their point leader Bob Burkett for another victory. In fact, talented teen Ethan Killingsworth picked up another third place finish in his truck. Ethan is a point behind Steele in Yreka's point race. Steele has been racing these Mini Stocks for several seasons and has actually built some fast race cars for a few others in the division.
Like the Sport Modifieds, the McDonald's Mini Stocks are pretty evenly matched, and there are several drivers capable of winning on any given week. Brian Jorgensen is one of the drivers to keep an eye on. 2014 champion "Magic" Mike Whitaker has had his share of problems, but he's due for a break out night. The Mini Stocks are sure to put on a good show.
In the Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks, Steve Borror leads the way in the standings. However, his three race win streak was snapped in the recent Medford race by past NASCAR Winston West winner Rocky Nash. Nash seems to have a car every bit as fast as the one that Borror has, which is saying something. A check of the point list finds Scott Flowers running second. If that looks familiar, it may have something to do with the fact that the past Worden Speedway champion has ranked second in the group for two consecutive seasons.
Scott had to come back from a spin in the recent Medford race to finish third behind the impressive John David Duffie. The Flowers family will likely field three cars again as Scott's son James and daughter Julia have cars. Even his wife has gotten into the act as Ginny Flowers drove to a ninth place finish last time while daughter Julia was away at a friend's graduation.
The group is looking forward to the Annual Billy Geyer Memorial Race on July 22-23 as they compete for a $2500 first prize. A field of at least a dozen cars is anticipated this week. Joining the list of competitors should be Scott Bennett, Rick Lukens, Arlen Garrison, Johnny Cobb, Brad Zeitler and Roy Bain.
The IMCA Modified division has been a bit of a mystery as drivers haven't been showing up in the numbers that management would like to see. Reigning champion Nick Trenchard won the big money opener and leads the point standings. There are a few big names from the past, such as Lenny Toolanen, Roger Lorenzini and Stan Gunderson with cars. When it comes to who might race this Saturday night, it's very much a wait and see scenario.
It should be a great night of racing at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race firing off at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $9.00, Seniors and Veterans are $7.00, Juniors are $5.00 and kids 5 and under are free. Also, make a note of the 40 lap IMCA Sport Mod race for $550 to win, Mini Stock special and Dwarf Car event on July 3rd. Also on tap that night will be a Fireworks Display for the fans. For further information, check out www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.
Marysville, Lakeport and Roseville News
Out at Marysville Raceway, they hosted both BCRA groups as well as Wingless Spec Sprints and Limited Late Models. It was Stock Car and Spec Sprint graduate Taylor Simas winning the BCRA Midget Main Event ahead of Cory Elliott and Maria Cofer. The red hot Kyle Offill won the BCRA Midget Lites feature ahead of Chris Hanson and defending champion Craig Dillard. Chico point leader Terry Schank Jr, came to town and won the Spec Sprint feature ahead of Jake Morgan, Josh Vierra, Tony Richards and Misty Castleberry. Matt Micheli grabbed the Limited Late Model Main Event win ahead of Courtney Dozier and Ray Trimble.
On the pavement of All American Speedway in Roseville, the NCMA Sprint Cars had their best showing of the season as Cody Jessup won the Main Event ahead of Denny Burrell, Pat Ariaz and past champion Audra Sasselli. Rich Lavallee won the Street Stock Main Event ahead of Mark Gardiner and Dan Farrington. The Bomber Main Event win went to Chris Paulsen ahead of Blake Disomma and Gary Eisenhower. Mel Wilson Jr. emerged with the F4 feature win ahead of Keith Hopkinson Jr. and Travis Lewis.
Furia Motorsports and the NCRA continue to keep the train rolling at Lakeport Speedway as they held another show on the paved quarter-mile oval last week. They had a good field for the Modified Main Event with Darrin Knight winning as Mike Collins, Clay Caturegli, David Lyndall and Darin Sullivan were all on the lead lap in order. The companion Pro 4 Modified race went to Codi Barba ahead of Sami Nuno and Neo Nuno. Bob Mook grabbed the Bomber Main Event win over Rick Tomilla and Bradley Brackett. Rounding out the program were the Jammers, and Justin Moran won the feature ahead of Danny Helm Sr. and Gene Odell Sr.
Racing Continues Saturday Night At Orland Raceway
Orland, CA...The gates will open for Round #3 of racing at Orland Raceway this Saturday night at the Glenn County Fairgrounds. Divisions offered on the schedule include the Pure Stocks, Mini Trucks, Mini Stocks and 600 and 250 Micro Sprints. Track management is also offering up a bike and helmet raffle for the kids thanks to Penner's Auto Center and Mini Stock racer Robert Hunt.
Due to the short amount of time that Promoter Rich Hood and his crew had to get the one-fifth mile clay oval ready before opening day, they've been working hard trying to make things even better. During the off week, they added more new clay to the track in preparation for Saturday's race.
Two races into the season, past champion Steve Martin is doing his best to stake a claim on the Pure Stock championship. Martin opened the season with a win and finished second to Placerville visitor Jason Armstrong in the next race. Cody Bundy, Top 5 Chico competitor Jeremy Langenderfer and Earl Adams are among the others anticipated as car count continues to improve in the popular division.
The Mini Trucks continue to be a featured attraction at the track, and the first two wins of the season have gone to division mainstays "Rollin" Olin Crane and Dan Webster. Webster had his work cut out for him as he battled past champion Ross Vige to win his race. With other hard chargers such as reigning champion Keith Ross, William Fogle and Nate Skaggs in the field, Saturday's race should be good.
2014 champion Tom Davis has been the man to beat in Mini Stocks. When the division takes to the track on Saturday, he will be going for his third straight victory. With a pair of Top 3 finishes so far, Jeff Bennett seeks to grab his first win as past champion John Kirkpatrick, Eric Hammond and Robert Hunt are others to watch for.
The 600 and 250 Micro Sprints will both be racing, and they've been running together as car count gets established. It also makes for a bigger field as Jackie Whitson Jr. and Rob Baker count themselves as 250 Micro winners and reigning champion Jeromie Crisman and Robert Baker have the 600 wins. Sprint Car ace Rowdy McLennon, Ronnie Heyer, Marty Plumb and Reigning 250's champion Jess Garland are others to watch for this week
The management is working on other giveaways for the night. Orland Raceway also has one of the lowest ticket prices in the state at $7.00 for general admission, $5.00 for kids 7-12 and children 6 and under free. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race starting at 7:00 p.m. sharp. For Further Information, check out www.orlandraceway.org.
Scott Fox Scores Sprint Car Win At Coos Bay,
Butler And Reiber Dominance Continues
Coos Bay, Oregon...June 18...The competitive Sprint Car division saw Scott Fox become the latest winner at Coos Bay Speedway Saturday night. Fox beat point leader Dave May by just under a straightaway at the checkered flag of the 25 lap race. Lawrence Van Hoof was right behind May as John Black and Erin Lyons made up the remainder of the lead lap finishers. Ryan Kingrey was sixth ahead of Ken Fox. Black beat Van Hoof by a straightaway to win his heat race while Lyons beat May in a good battle to win their heat race. Duke Johnson and Nick Kyukendall were Main Event scratches. May beat Van Hoof back to the line in a close race for the Trophy Dash victory, and Scott Fox beat Ken Fox in time trails in a battle of the Fox's. Scott turned a 13.905 lap to Ken's 14.005.
Defending Sportsman champion Wayne Butler continues to roll. Butler scored yet another 25 lap Main Event victory ahead of hard charging rookie Dylan Siewell and Tom Williams. Jeff Thurman and John Kralichek rounded out the field. Butler beat Williams for the heat race win, but Williams held off Siewell to win the Trophy Dash. Williams also set the fast time of 16.304, and Kevin Nelson scratched after hot laps.
In the Hornet division, Jeremiah Reiber continues to dominate things. Reiber won the 25 lap Main Event by a half lap ahead of Hannah Robinson. Sam Taylor just beat second ranked Jason Greer back to the line for third as John Henry was fifth, Darren Fuller grabbed the sixth place finish ahead of Michael Greenway, Ryan Siewell, William Hitner and Jeremy Beard as the Top 9 finishers were all on the lead lap. Reiber won his heat race impressively ahead of Taylor, while Jake Siewell won his heat ahead of Robinson. Beard won the Trophy Dash ahead of Darren Fuller. Beard surprised Reiber by beating his 18.896 with a quicker lap of 18.873.
John Henry won the eight lap Mini Outlaw heat race ahead of Micheal Greenway, Ryder Johnson and point leader Samuel Talon. Johnson was listed as fast qualifier with a lap of 18.046. Daniel Land won the ten lap Street Stock Main Event ahead of Jeff Thurman. Land also won the heat race, but Thurman surprised by posting the faster qualifying lap of 21.743.
Smith, Kasper, Vige Win At Hayfork Speedway
Hayfork, CA...Five classifications of race cars took their turns on the Hayfork Speedway oval last Saturday night. There is much anticipation over the big July 9th race and fireworks show coming up, but there was plenty of excitement to be had in the latest race.
The new Outlaw Pro Stock division was another opportunity for Tressan Smith to shine. T. Smith was chased across the line by a new driver, Josh Michaels, in the Main Event. Josh Smith, who has been the one spearheading the division, collected the third place finish. The division was added to be a somewhat affordable option for the Hobby Stock drivers looking to do a bit more.
The Hobby Stocks have been competitive this season with multiple winners. "The Newmanator" Russ Newman was looking to add his name to the list, but it was one of the Kasper clan standing in his way. In this case, it was Kevin Kasper, son of Bill Kasper, grabbing the victory in the Main Event and Trophy Dash. Newman settled for another second place finish with Bill Kasper placing third. The Beginner's Pure Stock class for the younger drivers saw D.J. Case get another Main Event win, this time over Ricky Berry. Case also won the Trophy Dash.
Ross Vige is enjoying racing in Hayfork, so he once again made the trip from Orland with his Mini Truck. The past Orland Mini Truck champion has been a force at Hayfork this year. He won his third Main Event after winning the Trophy Dash. 2015 Enduro champion William Young finished second ahead of Andy Blackburn.
Bryan Gummerus has been the dominant force in the Enduro class, but he had his win streak snapped by Tim Kasper in the most recent race. Joe Young Jr, finished second with Andy Blackburn grabbing his second third place finish of the night. They also ran the Enduros in reverse with Donny Case getting the win.
The next race is a big one on July 9th. The Outlaw Pro Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Beginner's Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks and Enduro racers will all be back, along with a Fireworks display. The track is advertising $1000 to win in each class, provided they have a minimum ten car field in the Main Even. For further information, go to www.hayforkspeedway.com.
