Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
Can Be Heard HERE
White City, Oregon...On the heels of last week's IMCA Modified excitement at Southern Oregon Speedway, the third round of the Extreme Sprint Car Triple Crown Series comes to town this Saturday night. Also joining the program will be the Sport Modifieds, SODCA Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks and the Hornets.
At a couple of other tracks in Oregon, the Extreme Sprint Car division has taken hold. The idea behind this Winged Sprint Car class is to make the division more affordable to racers on a budget. There's another interesting phenomenon taking taking place. In the Medford Area, there are several racers putting race cars together for this class. Recently, Top 5 Mini Stock point runner Merissa Henson got a car. Merissa has raced Outlaw Karts for several years. There are a couple of other Outlaw Kart teams putting cars together for next season as well.
Several teams from the Medford area have expressed an interest in starting the Extreme Sprint Car division at the track, and that includes David Hibbard. Hibbard has won the Extreme Sprint Car Championship at Cottage Grove Speedway, and he was on his way to doing so again this season when he turned the wheel of his car over to his young son Bailey, who was without a ride after blowing his motor the week before.
Establishing this class in Medford is the more important goal to the older Hibbard. "I think it's needed here, " Hibbard explained. "There are a lot of drivers who want to go Sprint Car racing, but they can't afford to build a competitive car. It's gotten pretty expensive. The motor rules in this class are a little more reasonable. It's allowed us to field a second car."
Earlier this season, David made an appearance in a Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car race and made a surprise pass on Jake Wheeler late for an exciting win. The realty is, he wants to get back to racing in front of his home crowd again. Because he wants to see the Extreme Sprint Car class get dates on the schedule in 2017, Hibbard put together an end of the season three race series.
The Cottage Grove Speedway season came to a close two weeks ago, and it doubled as the Triple Crown Series opener Ricky Ashley won that race ahead of D. Hibbard and Kinzer Cox. Coos Bay Speedway hosted Round #2 last week, and Hibbard won a photo finish with Cox for the thrilling victory. The race this week is for all the marbles. Thanks to some generous sponsorship, the series has a $1,000 championship. Hibbard leads Cox by 15 points with another past Cottage Grove champion, Raquel Ivie, third in the standings.
Not only is David hoping this race will open the door for the division to race more often at Southern Oregon Speedway, he is also hoping this mini series will become an annual tradition. "I think that there is enough interest in what we're doing here that this class can be successful at this track, " Hibbard predicted. "The racing is close and competitive. I think the fans see that every time we're on the track. Most of the drivers have a real shot at winning on any given night, and that can happen here too."
Joining David and his son Bailey Hibbard for this race will be some of the top drivers in the movement, including two time reigning champion Patrick Dills and Kinzer Cox. Another Extreme Sprint Car champion, Raquel Ivie will be coming. Two of the young guns of the division, Camden Robustelli and Jeffrey Hudson, are also among those expected for this race. Robustelli won a race at Cottage Grove this year, and Hudson is currently second in the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car point race in his rookie season. Cooper Desbiens, Don Waddell and newcomer Steve Smith are others anticipated for this race.
The Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association has been very busy this year racing all over Oregon and even into parts of Washington and California. At this point in the season, the two stars in the championship battle have been Brock Peters and Kalvin Morton. Unofficially, Peters leads as he has won four races at Southern Oregon Speedway. Morton has three wins in Yreka and picked up another win at Coos Bay Speedway recently.
Fans are generally treated to some close action on the race track with Morton, B. Peters, two time champion Josh King, Chad Cardoza, Ryan Smith and young Cody Peters among the drivers doing battle. Another driver who makes things exciting is double division racer Camden Robustelli, who is currently one of the Top 3 drivers in the standings this year after finishing second in points last year. Robustelli won last Sunday's race and will be out to make it two in a row.
The Sport Modified division is running what will be considered a non point race with IMCA rules. Due to the IMCA rules restricting any tracks from running a point race while the IMCA has their Boone, Iowa Nationals event this weekend, a point race was not possible. Also, two of the top stars of the division, Jorddon Braaten and new point leader Mike Medel, are at the big race. Braaten is making his first start there while Medel volunteered to be part of his pit crew. These two drivers are close competitors on the track and good friends off the track.
Though there are no points on the line, there is still the bragging rights of winning the race.. Drivers we could be seeing this week include impressive rookie David Mable, A.J. Parker, Tony Bartell, Willie McFall, Mike Johnson, Jon Rouden and Rich McCoy.
Points are on the line in the Mini Stock division, and three time winner Bob Burkett can clinch his first career championship with a good finish this week. Bob has finished second four times in the point battle through the years, and he has won many races during that time. Likewise, 2014 champion Gary Anderson can lock up second in points with a good finish. Anderson was on fire last time as he swept the heat race, Trophy Dash and his second Main Event of the year.
Relieved to be out of the championship battle after winning the Yreka title last year, David Steele is nonetheless climbing rapidly in points after a late start. With four feature wins, at times Steele seems unbeatable. He has a shot at third, which is currently held by Andrew Hall by just two points over Merissa Henson. Steele is just nine points out of third. There is a whole field of hungry racers vying to become the first driver not named Burkett, Anderson or Steele to win a Main Event at Southern Oregon Speedway this year. Last year, Anderson, Burkett and David Marble were the only winners at the track.
It's still a work in progress in the Hornets division, but the numbers show the class is having its best average in its three year existence. The racing has been close between the drivers who have shown up. Joby Shields and Derrel Nelson Jr. each have two wins, and Nelson leads a close point battle with Tim Hedges and John Hoult. All four of these competitors are anticipated this week along with Heather Menzel newcomer Jordan Hull.. The Hornets are the economical entry point into racing at Southern Oregon Speedway as they can cost less than $1,000 to go racing.
It will be an exciting night of racing at Southern Oregon Speedway with Sprint Cars in action. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the first race starting at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $12 with Juniors and Seniors $6. Children 5 and under are free. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Point Standings
Extreme Sprint Car Triple Crown!
David Hibbard 292
Kinser Cox 277
Raquel Ive 254
Copper Desbiens 238
Patrick Dills 233
Eric Bowers 220
Rickey Ashley 150
Tyler Thompson 130
Dave May 130
John Black 125
IMCA Sport Mod
Mike Medel 336
David Marble 322
Jorddon Braaten 304
A.J. Parker 278
Jimmy Lipke 250
Willie McFall 249
Tony Bartell 206
Bob Nelsen 204
Rich McCoy 181
Dwayne Melvin 177
Mini Stock
Bob Burkett 317
Gary Anderson 269
Andrew Hall 219
Merissa Henson 217
David Steele 210
Kristopher Mix 188
Eric Hanson 147
Ethan Killingsworth 139
Dillen Lausen 131
Mike Cloud 124
Hornets
Derrel Nelson Jr. 134
Tim Hedges 131
John Hoult 123
Joby Shields 103
Heather Menzel 76
Luck On Hogge's Side In Fifth Lon Skinner Memorial Win
White City, Oregon...Bobby Hogge led the final eight laps to score a $5,000 victory in the Lon Skinner Memorial 100 Sunday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. Darrell Hughes II led early, surrendered the lead to Jeff Olschowka on lap 38 and regained the on lap 61 when problems sidelined Olschowka. Hughes led Hogge from then until trouble lapping a slower car ended his race on lap 92. Hogge led two late restarts for his fifth career victory in the big IMCA Modified race. Reno, Nevada's Jake Holland was a $2,500 second and Cottage Grove Speedway star Eric Ashley was a $1,500 third.
Howard Law won a caution flag filled 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The 2015 champion at his home track in Marysville held off two time Medford champion Dwayne Melvin for the victory in a close battle.
Camden Robustelli started on the front row and led all the way for his second 25 lap Dwarf Car Main Event win. Point leader Brock Peters made a move into second on lap 14 and would chase Robustelli the rest of the way.
It was patience that paid off for Bobby Hogge IV in his big 100 lap IMCA Modified victory. Hogge drew a fourth row starting spot for the race as Darrell Hughes II and Saturday night winner Jeremy Richey shared the front row. Hughes led Richey through a pair of early caution periods. Richey faded on lap 25 as Quincy, CA racer Jeff Olschowka and Jake Mayden emerged as contenders. A lap 38 restart allowed Olschowka the opportunity to take the lead as Hughes and Mayden were second and third at the mid race fuel break. Hogge was fifth at that point.
Olschowka continued to lead when racing resumed, but his race ended in disappointment on lap 61. Hogge made a move into third moments before Olschowka's misfortune, and Hughes led Hogge and Mayden on the next restart. Hogge stayed close behind Hughes, who seemed unphased by the pressure. Hughes led until trouble lapping a slower car ended his race on lap 92. This opened the door for Hogge to take over. Mayden was caught up in the Hughes caution flag. Hogge led Jake Holland and Eric Ashley on the restart, and they ran in that order to the checkered flag. Shawn Natenstedt and Jesse Williamson rounded out the Top 5 in the marathon race.
Howard Law won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. Law won the A Dash to earn the pole for what would be a caution flag filled race. Law led second place finisher Dwayne Melvin through almost every restart for the $600 victory. Californian Anthony Giuliani ran third for the first half of the race before falling back. Marysville visitor Alan Furuta, Rich McCoy and Yreka point leader Jimmy Lipke made up the reminder of the Top 5 at the checkered flag.
Camden Robustelli won the 25 lap Dwarf Car Main Event. Robustelli had A Dash winner Cody Peters shadowing his every move for 10 laps until Cody's race ended for a lap 10 caution flag. Saturday winner Chad Cardoza took up the chase in second until Brock Peters raced by on lap 14. B. Peters gave it a good run, but the flying Robustelli was too much to overcome. Josh King made a late pass for third as Cardoza settled for fourth ahead of Randy Slater.
Racing returns next week with the final round of the Sprint Car Triple Crown Series, Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks, Sport Modifieds and Hornets. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Race Results
IMCA Modifieds
C
Main (20 Laps)-Jeff Olschowka, James Welshonse, Derek Young, Scott
Lenz, Tim Cecil. B Main (25 Laps)-Olschowka, Steve Sturdevant, Jesse
Bailey, Shawn Natenstedt, Tyler Smith. Last Chance Race (10
Laps)-Albert Gill, Welshonse, Todd Hermosillo. Main Event (100
Laps)-Bobby Hogge IV, Jake Holland, Eric Ashley, Natenstedt, Jesse
Williamson, Bailey, Chris Olexiewicz, S. Sturdevant, Derek Young, Jake
Mayden.IMCA Modifieds
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Round
1 Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Howard Law, Kalvin Morton, Dwayne Melvin.
Round 2 Heat Winners (8 Laps)-David Marble, Jimmy Lipke, Daniel Ray. A
Dash (6 Laps)-Law. B Dash (6 Laps)-Shane DeVolder. Main Event (20
laps)-Law, Melvin, Alan Furuta, Rich McCoy, Lipke, Anthony Giuliani,
Marble, DeVolder, Justin Foux, Keith Foux.
SODCA Dwarf Cars
Heat
Winners (8 Laps)-Josh King, Jerry Houck. A Dash (6 Laps)-Cody Peters.
Main Event (20 Laps)-Camden Robustelli, Brock Peters, King, Chad
Cardoza, Randy Slater.
Collins, Davis, Ross Share Orland Raceway Winner's Circle
Orland, CA...September 3...There was plenty of excitement on tap at Orland Raceway with all of the regular divisions and kids bike races all on the card. Kids in three age groups got to race on the track, and there were also more bikes given away. In regular racing action, Shannon Collins returned to the winner's circle in the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. Reigning Mini Truck champion Keith Ross won that division's Main Event, while Tom Davis won the 20 lap Mini Stock race. The Micro Sprint classes also ran races with Kenny Wanderstadt (600's) and Jackie Whitson Jr. (250's) scoring the wins.
The Hobby Stocks had their best turnout of the season and ran two heat races. A winner of several Main Events at Orland in the past, three time reigning Chico champion Ryan Compton held off Shannon Collins to win the first heat race. Though the feature didn't go well for either of them, Todd Hemman held off Leonard Burrows to win their heat race. Despite a late start, Collins is very much in the hunt for second in the standings. He was back to go for his third win of the season, but he would have to contend with Compton, who was also running strong. However, Collins prevailed at the checkered flag, forcing Compton to settle for second. Two time winner Jeremy Langenderfer finished a solid third to hold onto a four point lead over Collins in the battle for second. Steve Martin clinched another track championship with his fourth place finish. Jared Flower finished fifth ahead of Shawn Smith, Earl Adams, Amanda Koop, Burrows and Hemman.
Dan Webster has pretty much wrapped up the Mini Truck championship as long as he starts the final race. He began this evening with a heat race win over Keith Ross. However, the Ross hot streak continued as he won his fourth Main Event in his last five starts. Past champion Ross Vige took a checkered flag in second ahead of Webster, Jeremy Callen and William Fogle. Two time winner Olin Crane suffered mechanical problems in his heat race and scratched from the Main Event.
Robert Hunt kept his Mini Stock championship hopes alive as he won the eight lap heat race ahead of Donovan Chilton. Chilton was hoping to grab his third Main Event win of the season, but past champion Tom Davis had other ideas. Davis hasn't made all of the races this season, but he's been a dominant factor when he's been there. On this night, Davis held off Chilton to score his fifth feature win of the season. Hunt held off point leader John Kirkpatrick for the third place finish. Eric Hammond and Steven Spears completed the finishing order.
The 600's and 250's both had enough cars to run their own races. Kenny Wanderstadt won the 600's heat race ahead of Skyler Richter. Wanderstadt carried that momentum into the Main Event by holding off point leader Jeromie Crismon for the impressive victory. Previous winner Kyra Michelet finished third ahead of Christine Root and Richter. Jackie Whitson Jr. picked up the win in the 250's heat race ahead of Ronnie Heyer. Dave McKinnon Jr. sat out the heat race making repairs and came back to run second in the Main Event as Whitson was a double winner on the night. Heyer settled for third ahead of point leader Andrew Love and reigning champion Jess Garland.
September 17th is the tenth and final scheduled race of the season. Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, Mini Trucks, and 600 and 250 Micro Sprints are all part of the action. For further information, go to www.orlandraceway.org.
Hibbard, McIntyre, Butler Score Coos Bay Wins
Coos Bay, Oregon...September 3...David Hibbard won the 25 lap Extreme Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Coos Bay Speedway. Hibbard won a late race dual with Kinzer Cox as he beat him back to the line by inches for the victory. The race was Round #2 of the three race Triple Crown Series, which concludes at Southern Oregon Speedway on September 10th. Raquel Ivie finished third as Cottage Grove competitors swept the podium. Track regular Day May, who is the current Coos Bay point leader, finished fourth ahead up John Black, Cooper Desbiens, Scott Fox, Ken Fox, Duke Johnson and Steve Smith. Hibbard kicked off an impressive night with the fast time of 13.276 to beat the 13.564 lap of Ivey. All four Trophy Dash starters were Cottage Grove regulars as Patrick Dills won the race ahead of Desbiens. Hibbard also won his heat race with Cox chasing him in second. Johnson won the other 8 lap race ahead of May.
The Late Models also provided some excitement as reigning champion Toby McIntyre won the Main Event by a straightaway ahead of point leader Nathan Augustine. Veteran Tom Perry was the only other lead lap finisher in third. Championship hopeful Thor Kristensen finished fourth ahead of Medford point leader Mike Linder, Dave Foote, Kristy Grout, Bob Dees, Trina Post and early season Main Event winner Josh Sim. McIntyre started the night off with an impressive fast time of 15.024, beating the 15.436 of Linder. McIntyre continued to roll has he won the Trophy Dash ahead of Sim, but Augustine prevented the clean sweep as he managed to hold McIntyre to win the race. Linder won the other heat race ahead of Perry.
Point leader Wayne Butler was back to his usual dominant self in the 20 lap Sportsman Main Event. Butler won the Main Event by half a lap ahead of Troy Chamberlain. Rookie Dylan Siewell was a lap down in third ahead of the Street Stock truck of Michael Land, Tim Young, Josh Kralicek, Brody Montgomery and Justin Ryker. Montgomery was the only driver in the 15 second bracket as he turned in a fast lap of 15.978. Siewell was second quick at 16.183. Ryker scored the four lap Trophy Dash victory just ahead of Butler. Butler won his heat race ahead of Montgomery, while Ryker continued his strong preliminary effort with an eight lap heat win ahead of Siewell.
Rob Lauver returned with his potent VW Beetle and promptly won the Mini Outlaw 25 lap Main Event just ahead of runner up Ken Fox. Point leader Ryder Johnson finished third ahead of Samuel Talon, Mike Smith, Mick Kirby and Jamie Daniels. Lauver dominated time trials with a lap of 16.772, beating the 17.795 of Fox. Lauver continued his dominance with a Trophy Dash win ahead of Johnson and followed that up with a half straightaway victory ahead of Smith in his heat race. Johnson won the other heat race after a good battle with Fox.
Ryan Siewell interrupted point leader Jeremiah Reiber's dominance in the Hornets division with his 25 lap Main Event win. Reiber chased the impressive Siewell across the line for a second place finish. Current second ranked point racer Jeremy Beard was a solid third ahead of Sam Taylor and Jake Siewell, who was the final lead lap finisher. Tom Williams placed sixth ahead of Matt Butler, Hannah Robinson, Adam Barber and Jason Greer. R. Siewell set the quick time of 18.445, just ahead of Reiber's 18.569. The Reiber-Siewell battle continued as Rieber held off Siewell to win the four lap Trophy Dash. Reiber dominated his heat race ahead of Barber, while R. Siewell won the other heat race ahead of Brian Barklow.
