Wild West IMCA Modified Series Comes
To Southern Oregon Speedway On Saturday
The first race of an intense seven race in eight day series kicks off at Southern Oregon Speedway on Saturday night. It's the opening round of the Sixth Annual Wild West Speedweek IMCA Modified Series. Some of the best drivers on the West Coast will compete in the eight day event that spans seven races at six different tracks.
The drivers who compete in all seven events will be vying for a piece of the $3500 point fund and racing for $1000 to win and $600 for second in each event. That kind of money brings out the best competitors, including Eugene, Oregon leadfoot Jesse Williamson. Williamson won the race at Southern Oregon Speedway last year on his way to his third series championship.
If not for Chowchilla, California visitor Alex Stanford, who won the 2014 championship, it could very well be four championships in a row. Stanford gave it a good run last year before settling for second. Since the series started back in 2011, the top two winners are Williamson and Stanford. Williamson has nine wins to six for Stanford, making them the drivers to beat going into Saturday.
However, Mark Wauge of Medford may have something to say about that following his $1500 win in the Haudenshild Tribute race two weeks ago. Mark broke a rear end in his heat race that night. After working hard right up until B Main time, he went out and won that race to earn a 19th starting position for the feature. In 20 laps and with just one yellow flag to help him, Wauge went flying past Manteca, CA visitor Darrell Hughes II to win that race.
Mark loves the competition and was seen in Willamette last Saturday finishing third in a 22 car field. "I just enjoy racing against a lot of cars, " said Wauge. "I would rather finish fifth in a field of 20 cars than beat a field of eight. I want to race where the competition is."
The competition will be at Southern Oregon Speedway Saturday night. This includes Wauge's long time rival, Brian Poppa of Medford. Poppa made his season debut two weeks ago in fourth. A multi time champion and winner of the prestigious Lon Skinner Memorial Race, Poppa kicked off the Wild West Series in style back in 2011 with four wins and a championship.
Wauge and Poppa know that the competition level will be high on Saturday. Fresh off of his Late Model win last week at his home track, defending Willamette champion Collin Winebarger is anticipated this week along with Madras champion B.J. Wild of Redmond and Yreka champion Nick Trenchard of Klamath Falls. California will likely send a few of its champions up, including past Antioch champions Kellen Chadwick of Knightsen and Troy Foulger of Martinez as well as Merced and Hanford champion Paul Stone of Winton.
Defending the local honor will be current point leader Duane Orsburn of Hombrook, CA, Matt Duste of Central Point, Jesse Bailey of Medford, two time reigning champion Albert Gill of Central Point and rookie James Welshonse of Medford. A car count reaching into the 30's is anticipated for this race.
The IMCA Sport Modifieds and Outlaw Pro Stocks are support classes for this event, and some of the Sport Modified drivers are trying to make a case for being added as a companion class for the week long event in 2017. Leading the charge at the moment is Medford and Cottage Grove point leader Jorddon Braaten of Central Point. With six wins on the circuit so far, Braaten also leads the Oregon State and NW Sport Mod Challenge Series standings.
Even with his early season success, Braaten isn't taking anything for granted. He knows that things can change quickly. "There is a lot of season left, " said the two time defending track champion. "Anything can happen on any given weekend."
Two drivers hoping to make things difficult for him this week are Bob Nelson of Central Point and two time champion Dwayne Melvin of Medford. Melvin finished second in the opener. Defending State champion Mike Medel of Medford, Glen Severson of Central Point, Randy Fernandes of Medford and "Rookie Of The Year" hopeful David Marble of Eagle Point are others to watch for.
Steve Borror is the name at the top of the list of Outlaw Pro Stock racers. The Klamath Falls resident dominated the last race at the speedway and added two more wins at Yreka. The real question is can anybody stop him? Two at the top of the list are past Pro Stock champion Scott Flowers and his son James Flowers. The Klamath Falls residents are joined by Scott's daughter Julia, who is in her rookie season.
Two time champion Ken Irving and Roy Bain, both of Medford, looked fast in the opener as top 5 finishers, and they may be in line to end the Borror winning streak. Other drivers to watch for include Klamath Falls residents Rick Lukens and Johnny Cobb, Medford's Tyler Lockwood and Brian Johnsen of Central Point.
This three division program will be one that you won't want to miss. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $15 with Seniors and Juniors $10. Children 5 and under are free. For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Wild West Shoot Out 2015 Points
1. Jesse Williamson- Eugene, OR 635
2. Alex Stanford- Chowchilla, CA 587
3. Travis Peery- Williston, ND 522
4. Ryan Scott Gaylord- Golden, CO 521
5. Collen Winebarger- Corbett, OR 514
6. Nick Trenchard- Klamath Falls, OR 503
7. Mark Wauge- Jacksonville, OR 493
8. Bj Wild- Redmond, OR Madras 489
9. Danny Lauer- Nipoma, CA 466
10. Troy Heupel- Williston, ND 458
Southern Oregon Speedway Points
IMCA Modifieds
Duane Orsburn 95
Mark Wauge 80
James Welshonse 78
Jesse Bailey 76
Nick Trenchard 70
Albert Gill 68
Kyle Casson 59
Daniel Herrera 59
Zach Fettinger 55
Matt Duste 54
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Jorddon Braaten 78
Bob Nelson 73
Dwayne Melvin 72
Jimmy Lipke 69
David Marble 63
A.J. Parker 62
Mike Medel 62
Tony Bartell 58
Randy Fernandes 58
Todd Cooper 40
Richardson, Kasper, Vige Hayfork Speedway Winners
Hayfork, CA...June 4...Hayfork Speedway held a pair of races on June 4th and May 21st with several drivers sharing the glory. In Hobby Stock action, season opening winner Burl Ricahardson returned to the winner's circle with a victory ahead of "The Newmanator" Russ Newman and Kevin Kasper last week. Richardson also grabbed the Trophy Dash victory. Richardson took a break from the May race, and it was reigning champion Bill Kasper winning the feature ahead of his son, Kevin Kasper, and Newman. B. Kasper also won the dash. Not to be left out of the family fun, William Young won the Beginner's Pure Stock race on both nights.
Past Orland Raceway Mini Truck champion Ross Vige skipped his home track's opener and won the Hayfork Mini Stock race on June 4th ahead of Andy Blackburn. Vige also captured the Trophy Dash. Vige won the May 21st race ahead of 2015 Enduro champion William Young and Trophy Dash winner Bryan Stankey.
The Enduro Cars also competed in both events, and the June 4h win went to Bryan Gummerus ahead of Tim Kasper. That win made it three in a row for Gummerus as he won the May 21st race ahead of T. Kasper and 2015 Mini Stock champion Jack Turner.
The new Outlaw Pro Stock division was in action on May 21st, and Josh Smith won that race ahead of Tressan Smith. One of the track's first Hobby Stock stars when it opened, J. Smith is a big booster for the Pro Stock class. Smith has been making an effort to recruit other Pro Stock drivers to visit Hayfork, which is offering a big $1000 to win race on July 9th if they can garner some support.
In the meantime, June 18th is the next race with the Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Enduros, Outlaw Pro Stocks and Beginners Pure Stocks all in action. For further information, check www.hayforkspeedway.com.
Racing, Bike Giveaway On Tap For
Orland Raceway On Sunday
Orland, CA...The new promoters of Orland Raceway made good on their plans to open the gates and begin a new season of racing last Saturday night. A field of roughly two dozen cars and Micro Sprints were there to do battle on the 1/5th mile dirt oval. The program consisted of Pure Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks and 600 and 250 Micro Sprints.
When racing resumes on Sunday afternoon, the same divisions will again be a part of the action packed program. Not only that, but there will be a bike and helmet giveaway to a lucky young fan, courtesy of Jason and Jerry Richardson of Penner's Auto Service.
In addition to the wheel to wheel racing that was taking place last Saturday night, the current management took it upon themselves to honor most of last year's champions before the races. With that matter settled, the track is setting its sights on crowning new champions for the 2016 season. Results for the season opener are pending.
Video footage showed Jackie Whitson Jr. leading Jackie Whitson Sr. and six others in a Micro Sprint race. Past Hobby Stock champion Steve Martin led Jeremy Langenderfer and Cody Bundy in a Hobby Stock race. Defending champion Keith Ross led double division racer "Rollin" Olin Crane and Nate Skaggs in a Mini Truck race. Eric Hammond was back in Mini Stocks after being absent for a couple seasons as he led a race ahead of Tom Davis and Crane.
As for the Sunday race, it was just announced that alcohol sales will be a part of the concessions starting Sunday, courtesy of East Coast Foods. Pit gates will open at 9:00 a.m., the grandstands at 11:00 a.m. and the first race at 12:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $7.00, children 7-12 are $5.00 and children 6 and under are free. For further information, check out www.orlandraceway.org.
May, Augustine, Butler Lead The Way At Coos Bay
Coos Bay, Oregon...June 4...Beautiful weather made for a great night of racing Saturday night at Coos Bay Speedway. There was an action packed six division Les Schwab Racing Series program. When the checkered flag flew on the feature races, wins were recorded by Dave May (Sprint Cars), Nathan Augustine (Late Models), Wayne Butler (Sportsman), Rob Lauver (Mini Outlaws), Jeremiah Reiber (Hornets) and Daniel Land (Street Stocks).
Defending track champion Dave May had a battle on his hands with Lawrence Van Hoof in the 25 lap Sprint Car feature. However, when the checkered flag waved, May managed to finish just ahead of Van Hoof by inches for the victory. The win kept May in the point lead by 26 over Van Hoof. About a half lap behind the lead duo was 2015 point runnerup John Black. Black outgunned Ryan Kingery for the third place finish as fifth place Erin Lyons was the final lead lap finisher. Ken Fox finished six ahead of Duke Johnson, Nick Kyukendall and Scott Fox. K. Fox held off Lyons to win his heat race while Black won his ahead of May. Van Hoof claimed Trophy Dash honors ahead of K. Fox.
Point leader Nathan Augustine rebounded from a disappointing finish in last week's $1500 to win Late Model race by scoring the victory in the 25 lap Main Event. It was his second win of the season and came ahead of a season best second for "The Mighty' Thor Kristenson, Kelly McIntyre and Kristy Grout, the final lead lap finisher. Tom Parry was sixth ahead of Josh Bearden. It was a clean sweep performance for Augustine as he beat Kristenson to win in his heat race and beat McIntyre for the Trophy Dash victory.
Continuing the trend of point leaders winning, Wayne Butler scored his second straight 25 lap Sportsman Main Event victory by a comfortable margin ahead of rookie Dylan Siewell and Russ Blean. Brody Montgomery managed to get a lead lap fourth place finish ahead of Charlie Withers, Kevin Nelson and Jeff Thurman. Butler also won the heat race ahead of Siewell, while Montgomery beat Butler in the Trophy Dash to prevent the clean sweep.
The Mini Outlaws were back and putting on a show with their suped up four cylinder motors. Rob Lauver was in another time zone and clocking in with laps in the high 16's as he won the 25 lap Main Event by a straightaway ahead of Ryder Johnson. Reigning champion and current point leader Samuel Talon finished third ahead of Hornet point leader Jeremiah Reiber. John Henry was a lap down in fifth ahead of 2015 point runnerup Carl Johnson and Jamie Daniels. Lauver won the heat race over R. Johnson and held off Talon to win the Trophy Dash.
Hornet point leader Jeremiah Reiber continues to dominate the action. He once again won the 25 lap Main Event by a comfortable margin. Jeremy Beard is closing in on second in the standings following his season best second place finish ahead of Wesley Wilkinson and final lead lap finisher Ryan Siewell. Robert Vandre, Sam Taylor and William Hitner completed the finishing order. Wilkinson won the heat race by a half lap ahead of Hitner and also beat Beard to win the Trophy Dash.
Car count was down in Street Stocks as point leader Daniel Land rebounded from last week's DNF to win the 15 lap Main Event and the heat race. Dustin Hitner was second in the Main Event ahead of Tim Young.
