Can Be Heard HERE
Four Division Program Closes Season
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...The 2016 season comes to a close this Saturday night with a four division racing program on the 3/10 mile clay oval track. Hays Oil Championship Night at the races will feature the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars, Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks, Mini Stocks and Super 4's. All season long, the Pro Stocks and Mini Stocks have been two of the best supported divisions by the racers.
In the Sprint Car division, Jake Wheeler appears to be headed for his first track championship on the strength of one win and three second place finishes. Jake's father, Vern Wheeler Jr., opened the season with two wins before announcing his retirement from driving. Jake has led the battle since then. After collecting his second third place finish in the most recent point race, rookie Jeffrey Hudson is the only driver with a chance to overtake Wheeler in the championship battle.
Hudson won the Outlaw Pro Stock championship at 15 years old last year and has looked good in his first season in a Sprint car. The second generation racer won his first heat race this year. Another second generation racer is ten points behind Hudson in the battle for second. Wayne Kniffin has finished as high as second this year and is hoping to win his first Sprint Car race this week. As the third and fourth place finishers last time, Hudson and Kniffen will share the front row of this week's Trophy Dash.
Yet another second generation racer, Aaron Miller, won his first Main Event last time out in a rather emotional moment that he got to share with his father in front of his home crowd. Other drivers anticipated this week include past Wingless Sprint champion Rowdy McClennon, past Cottage Grove champion Raquel Ivie and Todd Whipple. Ivie had a second place finish a couple weeks ago in the Extreme Sprint Car Main Event
In his ten year career in Mini Stocks, Bob Burkett has won many races and finished as high as second in the standings four times. As a three time winner who has not finished outside the Top 3 in ten races this year, Burkett has already clinched the track championship. In fact, 2014 champion Gary Anderson has used his two wins to help him lock up second in the standings. The battle is for third as Andrew Hall leads the tied Merissa Henson and five time winner David Steele by just four points. Hall chased Steele last time out with a career best second, while Henson won her second Trophy Dash earlier in the evening.
Steve Borror has won seven Outlaw Pro Stock features this year, including the $2500 to win Billy Geyer Memorial and the $1000 to win Roger Haudenshild Honors race. At this point, he is headed for the championship. With seven Top 3 finishes and an impressive Trophy Dash win last time out, Scott Flowers seems headed for his third consecutive runnerup point season. Up for grabs now is third place as Scott's son James Flowers and Matt Harlow have a good battle going.
James Flowers finished a strong second last time behind the flying Miles Deubert. The win was Deubert's second of the year. Fifth ranked rookie Julia Flowers will fight to hold off one time winner Rocky Nash for fifth in the standings as a field of over a dozen competitors is anticipated, including two time champion Ken Iving, Roy Bain, Scott Bennett and Rick Lukens.
Lee Doty finally overtook John Barger for the Super 4's point lead after his dominant performance last week. Doty now has four wins. Barring any major mechanical issues, Doty may be headed for the championship. As the 2013 champion, Barger will give it a good effort this week. Behind the lead duo, Charlie Eaton and Bill Spencer battle closely for third with Eaton holding a one point advantage. Eaton scored an impressive Trophy Dash win last week. The husband and wife team of Terry and Krista Hadley were back last week and finished second and third, respectively.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday with the Trophy Dashes starting the program at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $12.00 with Seniors and Juniors $6.00 and children 5 and under free. This will be the last chance this year to check out racing at the 20 year old racing facility. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Point Standings
Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars
Jake Wheeler 140
Jeffrey Hudson 108
Wayne Kniffen 98
Bill Hopper 77
Vern Wheeler Jr. 74
Aaron Miller 60
Camden Robustelli 57
Todd Whipple 46
Rowdy McClennon 37
David Hibbard 34
Mini Stock
Bob Burkett 350
Gary Anderson 300
Andrew Hall 250
Merissa Henson 246
David Steele 246
Kristopher Mix 210
Eric Hanson 159
Dillen Lausen 153
Ethan Killingsworth 139
Mike Cloud 124
Outlaw Pro Stocks
Steve Borror 496
Scott Flowers 449
Matt Harlow 371
James Flowers 362
Julia Flowers 340
Rocky Nash 311
Roy Bain 272
Ken Irving 267
Scott Bennett 262
Rick Lukens 252
Super 4's
Lee Doty 181
John Barger 167
Charlie Eaton 150
Bill Spencer 149
Dan Prewitt 123
Terry Hadley 90
Krista Hadley 89
Eric Oahs 72
Steve Thompson 40
Joby Shields 15
$3000 To Win Rod Restad Memorial Race Closes Season
At Siskiyou Motor Speedway
Yreka, CA...Saturday night's race at Siskiyou Motor Speedway is an event that some of the best IMCA Modified racers mark on their calender. This is the annual Rod Restad Memorial Race, paying tribute to the well known and respected Yreka racing promoter. It's also a race that will pay $3000 to win, $2000 for second and $1000 for third. Joining the IMCA Modifieds for this program will be the O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modifieds and McDonald's Mini Stocks.
The Rod Restad
Memorial is one of the biggest paying races of the year in California
for the IMCA Modifieds, and that draws some of the best drivers to make a
run for the money. It's anybody's guess who will win the big prize.
Only 2015 track champion Nick Trenchard has won this race twice in the
last seven years. It was Nevada leadfoot Jake Holland snapping
Trenchard's two race winning streak last year as he held off 2010 winner
Travis Peery and Monte Bischoff.
Other winners in
recent years include Roger Lorenzini in 2012 and Brian Poppa, who won a
thrilling battle with Kurt Lorenzini in 2011. 2009 and 2004 winner
Scott Lenz is reportedly going to take the wheel of the Ray Kniffen Jr.
car this week. Lenz drove the Kniffen car to a third place finish at
Medford last week. Kniffen had been planning to drive before breaking
his arm in the recent Lon Skinner Memorial race in Medford. Knowing
that he had a competitive car, Kniffen enlisted past Medford Pro Stock
champion Lenz to take the wheel.
Trenchard, Lorenzini,
Poppa, Lenz and Bischoff are only a few of the top drivers anticipated
this Saturday. Medford champion Mark Wauge will come to make a run at
the money along with two time Medford champion Albert Gill, Susanville
champion Chris Olexiewicz, Kyle Casson, Dan Thomas and Zach Fettinger. A
story within the story will take place as Duane Orsburn holds a slim
five point lead over Gill in the championship battle. The track has had eight different winners in eight races as Gill won the most recent race
to position himself for a shot at Orsburn.
When young
Kalvin Morton scored his first win in only his third start in an
O'Reilly Auto Parts IMCA Sport Modified last week, it made him the 13th
different winner of the season. Colton Cheffey seemed ready for a clean
sweep after winning his heat races and Trophy Dash, but he settled for
second. Though he is fifth in the points, Cheffey would have to be
considered a favorite to win on Saturday and a driver to watch in the
2017 championship battle. Despite a crash that left his car damaged,
Jimmy Lipke hopes to be back this week to finish out his 2016
championship season. He holds a good lead over Garrett Hamilton, who
will win the SCMA championship. Morton, Cheffey, Lipke and Hamilton
should be joined by such hard chargers as Doug Franklin, Jack Waldon
III, D.J. Bottoms, Randy Wright and reigning champion Colter Boswell.
Having
been a staunch supporter of the McDonald's Mini Stocks through the
years, "Big Mac" Marilyn Yawnick hopes to wrap up her first career
championship following her fourth feature win last week. Marilyn knew
she took a big step towards her goal with that victory
and emerged from her car quite jubilant. Following a disappointing Main
Event that ended early for him, past champion Terry Kendrick will
probably settle for third behind young Ethan Killingswoth in the battle
for second. The three drivers are at the top of the list of contenders
for this week's win along with 2014 champion "Magic" Mike Whitaker,
Mike Colson, Mike Frost, Dennis Jorgensen and last week's Trophy Dash
winner, Aaron Jorgensen.
All three divisions should
include some talented racers ready to do battle and put on a great show
for the fans. The big money is on the line for the IMCA Modifieds in
the Rod Restad Memorial Race. There is also a bike race on the night's schedule. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the fist
race starting at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $12.00 with
Seniors/Veterans $10.00 and children 6-12 $7.00. children 5 and under
are free. For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.
Siskiyou Motor Speedway Points
McDonalds's Mini Stocks
Marilyn Yawnick 708
Ethan Killingsworth 678
Terry Kendrick 650
David Steele 640
Mike Whitaker 626
O'Reilly Auto Parts
IMCA Sport ModifiedMarilyn Yawnick 708
Ethan Killingsworth 678
Terry Kendrick 650
David Steele 640
Mike Whitaker 626
O'Reilly Auto Parts
James Lipke 443
Garrett Hamilton 423
Doug Franklin 358
Jack III Waldon 350
Colton Cheffey 320
SCMA Sport Modified
Garrett Hamilton 457
Doug Franklin 396
Jack Waldon III 383
Colton Cheffey 359
Coltder Boswell 312
IMCA Modified
Duane Orsburn 132
Albert Gill 127
Nick Trenchard 97
James Welshonse 68
Mark Wauge 67
Pit Stops - Jefferson Edition
The end of September signals the end of racing season in the Northern Jefferson area as the rainy season is fast approaching. In fact, there has been some rain in Southern Oregon and Yreka. It won't be enough to stop the races from happening at either track, but it is the warning that there's not much racing left. While Southern Oregon Speedway will hold a four division show, headlined by the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars, Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks, Mini Stocks and Super 4's, Siskiyou Motor Speedway will hold the annual Rod Restad Memorial race for IMCA Modifieds with the support of IMCA Sport Modifieds and McDonald's Mini Stocks. Fans wanting one more race will have that opportunity a week later with the Lucas Oil Late Model Open at Coos Bay Speedway.
As for Yreka, the real concern this year has been the fading of the IMCA Modified car count. Numbers were declining last year, but this year was even more of a reason to be concerned. There were a pair of three car shows, a night when only Duane Orsburn showed and nights when nobody came to race. However, the support for the Speedweek race and the Arnberg Memorial Race shows that there are racers willing to race in Yreka. With $3000 on the line to win, $2000 for second and $1000 for third, there's no reason to believe there won't be support this week as well. Will the car count reach the 32 car mark as it did last year? That remains to be seen.
The bigger question remains whether or not there will be a class next year and what drivers will support it. Two drivers in the area are point leader Duane Orsburn and Kyle Casson. Orsburn is the point leader, but Casson has only run a limited schedule anywhere. The Lorenzini team had fielded two cars in the past, but Kurt Lorenzini is racing Sport Modifieds when he races. Roger Lorenzini Jr. has raced and won this year. Stan Gunderson has also supported, and past champion John "Pudge' Toolanen showed for the Speedweek race. Recent season competors Jim Berry, Pablo Duran and teammates Josh and Chris Cullen have not been seen this season.
The concern over car count led to the O'Reilly Auto Parts sponsorship being shifted to the Sport Modifieds. The fact that the numbers have been where they are has caused some concern. What is the future of the division in Yreka? Drivers supported the two specials, but support for the regular shows is needed to keep the show going. If it doesn't happen, the division may not be able to continue. The Sport Modifieds and Mini Stocks will continue, but other divisions are needed to round out the program.
There hasn't been much chatter on social media regarding support for this weekend's race, despite the fact that it is only beat by Watsonville as the highest paying race by $3 more to win. Medford support has always been a key factor in making any division pop in Yreka, and you can count on seeing some of these drivers come race. This will include Mark Wauge, Monte Bischoff, Scott Lenz in the Ray Kniffen Jr. car, James Welshonse and possibly Brian Poppa. Nick Trenchard, Zach Fettinger and Dan Thomas are anticipated from Klamath Falls and some Susanville support may come from the likes of Chris Olexiewicz and Riley Simmons.
The drivers who do show are sure to put on a good show for the fans, and good support is also anticipated for the Sport Modifieds and Mini Stocks. A few drivers will leave with some good prize money. A win in a race like this is what people sometimes refer to as a season maker as there aren't many tracks paying $3000 to win or even $2000 all season, and point funds don't even go that high at most places. So, a $3000 winner's prize is a nice way to end the season. While Trenchard, Wauge, Bischoff and Lenz may go to the top of the list of favorites to win, there will likely be some drivers coming up from the south or elsewhere to stake a claim on that prize. Last year, that included the man who won. Nevada's Jake Holland won the $4000 first prize in last year's race and snapped Trenchard's win streak at two in a row.
Trenchard is also the 2015 track champion, but after winning the $1000 prize in the opener, Nick bowed out of the point race. At the moment, Orsburn leads two time Medford champion Albert Gill by just five points, and Gill is reportedly going for this championship.
Jimmy Lipke has had a great season as one of the Top 3 drivers in the Northwest Sport Mod Challenge Series and is the Yreka IMCA Sport Modified point leader. He damaged his car a bit in a race ending crash last week, but he wll be ready to finish off his championship season this week. Because Lipke did not choose to join the SCMA, Garrett Hamilton is set to win their championship in addition to his second place ranking. These two drivers are part of an amazing 13 driver win list in this class that has only seen Oregon State point leader Jorddon Braaten and young gun Colton Cheffey win more than once. Braaten and rival Mike Medel might have been in town for this race, but they have an IMCA State point race on their agenda in Banks, Oregon this Saturday night
This Sport Modified race is basically for a regular purse, but Medford's Mike Johnson and Kalvin Morton have formed a group called Random Acts of Kindness Enterprises to help promote the sport. They have added more money into the purse. Morton made only his third start in the class last week and won his first Main Event. Johnson's 14 year old son Michael Johnson won his first ever Mini Stock heat race. Both drivers are expected this Saturday night, but young Johnson may have a ways to go to challenge point leader Marilyn Yawnick for the victory.
Yawnick won her fourth Main Event of the season last week ahead of reigning champion David Steele. Interestingly enough, Steele finished second to Yawnick in all four of her wins. Yawnick has been a fixture in this division and a big booster of the track with her McDonald's franchises in Yreka and Weed. Though she has won Main Events in the past, this would be her first career championship. Marilyn has driven well all season and earned it, but she will be out to make sure she doesn't stumble this week. A big enough issue for her would open the door for another talented teen, Ethan Killingsworth, to walk through the door and steal a championship. As it is, Killingsworth has finished second three times and won one Main Event. Killingsworth isn't too far ahead of Terry Kendrick in the race for third. As with the other divisions, the Mini Stocks always put on a good show at Yreka.
Southern Oregon Speedway held their point finale for both the IMCA Modifieds and Sport Modifieds last week with some interesting storylines playing out in both divisions. At the top of the list was the IMCA Modified division, where James Welshonse came into the night trailing Mark Wauge by nine points. Car count didn't pop as was hoped, but ten drivers still showed. This meant it was still possible for Welshonse to tie or beat Wauge for the championship in the unlikelihood that he could win his first Main Event and Wauge either didn't start the Main Event or finished last. It nearly happened.
Welshonse has developed a knack for winning Trophy Dashes as he started the night off with his third win. He continued a breakout night by winning his heat race. After breaking his arm on preliminary night of the Lon Skinner Memorial, Ray Kniffen Jr. put past Skinner Memorial winner and Pro Stock champion Scott Lenz behind the wheel for the Sunday show. Kniffen figured Lenz would give the team a shot at a win last Saturday, and he most certainly did. Lenz raced into the lead ahead of Wauge. Meanwhile, Welshonse discovered the outside groove to his liking and started passing people on his way up to third.
Newcomer Chris Silva had been running along at the back of the pack before retiring just before the incident that shook up the race. Had he continued, it may have had a major impact on things. When Wauge and Lenz got together in Turn 2 on lap 21, it changed the complexion of the race. Wauge had to make a pit stop as he had suffered damage to his car. Though he ran the rest of the race, he was no longer competitive with anybody. Silva's exit meant Wauge would stlll finish ninth. This turned out to be a good thing as Welshonse took the lead on the restart and scored his first career feature win. He lost by a point in the end, but he still won "Rookie Of The Year" honors. Jesse Bailey finished second in the race to grab fifth from Nick Trenchard in the standings. A disappointed Lenz settled for third.
In the Sport Modified division, Jorddon Braaten's departure to Boone, Iowa for the Nationals handed the point lead to Mike Medel and second to "Rookie Of The Year" David Marble. However, Braaten's success in Cottage Grove had him so far in front that he still had a 13 point lead in the Oregon State race going into the second to last weekend. Despite suffering a broken wrist in Boone, Braaten made the decision to come back out and take a green flag in the Main Event. Basically, he made it known that if his friend and rival Medel was going to win the State again, he would have to take it from him. Braaten finished fifth, while Medel was a strong third behind Dwayne Melvin and Marble. The final state point race is in Banks on Saturday, and Braaten leads Medel by 11 points. Both drivers are planning to compete.
Persistent rumors abound that Southern Oregon Speedway is dropping its affiliation with IMCA. However, these rumors have no basis in fact. Management has not made any such declaration. Both divisions figure into the plans for the 2017 season, despite the fact that driver support was a bit sluggish at times. However, the buzz about the Hornet class going IMCA is very unlikely to happen. The track already has a sensible set of rules and has gone so far as to pay this division a purse for every race despite car count never rising above the two year old record of six cars.
There was a championship battle between Tim Hedges and Derrel Nelson Jr. Hedges has been slightly more consistent all season long and scored a season high second the week before the finale. Nelson had two wins this year, but he had timing issues with his motor that went unresolved leading into the race on September 10th. The motor didn't seem to be any better last week, and Hedges used the occasion to win his second Trophy Dash. Going into the Main Event, Tim knew he could win if he stayed behind Nelson and let no more than one car come between them. He finished fifth to Nelson's fourth, and Hedges is the new champion. Word from both teams is that they will field new cars in 2017, and Hedges plans to have three cars as part of his team.
Joby Shields became so dominant in this division that he managed to overtake John Hoult for third in the standings despite missing the first race. A longer season would surely have favored the driver of the #555 car. As it was, he won the finale, which was his fourth win of the season. He also had two Trophy Dash wins this year. What his 2017 plans are at the moment are unclear, but it's interesting that he ran with the Super 4's last week, raising some eye brows in the process. Behind Shields in the Main Event was Milt Carter in the Jesse Merriman car and Hayfork Speedway competitor Andy Blackburn. The Merriman car is up for sale for $1300. Blackburn recently won the Trophy Dash and Main Event at Hayfork Speedway.
The Super 4's had a season high ten car field last week, and word is that this division will be seeing some new drivers next year. Everybody who has competed in this class deserves a pat on the back for making it happen. Last week saw the return of Mike Cloud in a pickup truck. Charlie Eaton won the Trophy Dash and emerged from the evening with a one point lead over Bill Spencer in the battle for third in the standings. Eaton finished fourth in the Main Event ahead of one time winner Dan Prewitt and Spencer.
The battle for the championship may not be a battle after all. Lee Doty was only two points behind John Barger going into the night, but a heat race win and dominant fourth Main Event win of the season moved him into a 14 point lead over Barger. With four wins now, only a mechanical issue could stop Doty from achieving his championship goal. If he wins it, he will surely have his hands full trying to defend it next year. The Husband and wife team of Terry and Krista Hadley returned and finished a lead lap second and third last week. Terry also won his heat race. This is no surprise as he is a two time point runnerup in this class. Even Krista has shined through the years as a past Top 5 point racer.
The Open Stock division was poised for a big show when Coos Bay chimed in with an added date on the night that would prevent Nathan Augustine, Kristy Grout and Tom Parry from coming. The word was they were trying to get second ranked Thor Kristenson to skip the Coos Bay race and come to Southern Oregon Speedway for the bigger purse money, but Kristenson refused. Nobody ended up racing at Coos Bay as the race was rained out and canceled late enough that nobody could load up and head for Medford.
Seven drivers did come to race, which included David Schmidt, Dustin Knight and Dustin Comer with sideboards on his car. Unfortunately, Comer scratched early with motor problems. Knight was the class of the field with dominant performances in winning his heat race and the Main Event. This is no surprise as he has been a force in recent years in Super 4's competition. Word is that there could be some other new cars coming from the shop of Rapp Racing next year.
While Knight was winning, the storyline was Bob Dees, his sons and his championship battle with Mike Linder. Bob was joined by his son Garrett Dees, who was making his debut with his Street Stock motor under the hood just to get him out there. John Dees was making his second Medford start. Mike Linder had suffered a crash at Cottage Grove and was still struggling just a bit. Ultimately, that cost him the point lead as B. Dees won his heat race and the Trophy Dash before finishing second in the Main Event. Bob is the Open Stock champion. Garrett, meanwhile, had a respectable debut in third.
Though there may still be a question as to what the future of Sprint Car racing will be at Southern Oregon Speedway, it is likely that you will continue to see it. An effort was made to put the word out and get some support for the Hays Oil Championship night, and five drivers have committed with the possibility of two more. Jake Wheeler has a 32 point lead over Jeffrey Hudson, but there's been no word if Jake will be there this week. Hudson can take the point lead if Wheeler isn't there. He could also lose second to Wayne Kniffen, who is planning to be there. Kniffen is gunning for his first Trophy Dash win and will share the front row in the four lap race with Hudson this week. Past Cottage Grove champion Raquel Ivie, Todd Whipple, Rowdy McClennon and possibly Jeremy Lowe could there.
There might be concern over the future of the Outlaw Pro Stock group, but there's interest in having the division at the track next season. It may just be that a change is needed in the group, and the opening is there as Arlen Heath will be stepping down after the season and the banquet are done. Steve Borror has won just about everything this year and has been unstoppable at times. He will be going for another win to wrap up his championship, but second ranked Scott Flowers may have other ideas. Flowers has had three straight second place seasons, and he wants that feature win. Scott's son James Flowers has a battle on his hands with Matt Harlow for third, while his daughter Julia Flowers is battling NASCAR veteran Rocky Nash for fifth. Nash is a feature winner, as is two time winner Miles Deubert. Other drivers to watch for this week include two time champion Ken Irving, Scott Bennett, Roy Bain, Rick Lukens and Johnny Cobb.
With ten Top 3 finishes and three wins, Bob Burkett is the Mini Stock champion. With two wins, 2014 champion Gary Anderson is second. Up for gabs is the third point position. Andrew Hall used his second runnerup finish of the season last time to cling to a four point lead over five time winner David Steele and two time Trophy Dash winner Merissa Henson. Looking as good as he did last time, Hall has positioned himself as the driver with maybe the best chance of breaking the Steele-Burkett-Anderson strangle hold on the Main Event winner's circle. There are some talented drivers in this group, including Kristopher Mix, Eric Hanson and Dan Borror and up and coming young talent like Devon Weiser, Dillen Lausen and Garrett Fredrickson.
After the season finale at Coos Bay Speedway this week for the track's regular Late Model, Sprint Car, Sportsman Stock Car and Hornet divisions, there will be money on the line on September 30-October 1 as part of the Lucas Oil Open Show. The Top 3 in Late Models will win $2000, $1500 and $1000, while the Top 3 in the Sportsman/Street Stock class gets $750, $500 and $350. It's also the last race of the season on any of the big tracks in the State of Oregon.
Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car Season Concludes
Night At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...Southern Oregon Speedway brings the curtain down on the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car season this Saturday night. It will be the eighth Sprint Car race at the track this year. When Mike McCann came in as promoter of the three-tenth mile clay oval, be assessed the situation and decided that a Winged Sprint Car division should be rebuilt there. For over a decade there was a regular division there until the end of the 2010 season. Open engine rules were used in the division reboot, though the 360 and Limited engine cars were the ones that supported.
Sprint Car enthusiasts will know McCann's reputation for promoting Sprint Car racing at his race tracks. He established a Sprint Car division at Riverside Speedway in Cottage Grove, Oregon, began the Winged 360 Sprint Car effort in Marysville, California and founded the Double Shot Series in Northern and Central Oregon, to name a few of his endeavors. It was almost a given that it would happen at the Medford area track.
The season opened with second and third generation racers Vern Wheeler Jr. and his son Jake Wheeler running 1-2 in the first two Main Events. Vern was the point leader before making a bombshell announcement that he was retiring to crew chief on son Jake's Reser's Fine Foods sponsored entry. Jake responded by winning the next race ahead of a career best second place finish for low buck racer Wayne Kniffen.
Kniffen might have been in the title hunt this week, but the fourth event did not go well for him. After a heat race crash did front end damage to his car, the second generation racer loaded up for the night. Had he accepted the help offered by his fellow racers, Kniffen would be second in the standings with a shot at the championship going into Saturday. As it is, he is third with a shot at second.
By this time, local Extreme Sprint Car star David Hibbard and his son Bailey Hibbard had expressed an interest in establishing a regular class at Southern Oregon Speedway for 2017. Hibbard made an appearance that night. After J. Wheeler won a heat race and his second Trophy Dash, he had a win snatched from him late in the Main Event thanks to a thrilling pass by D. Hibbard. B. Hibbard was fourth. In a rare move, the Hibbard team declined the purse money that night and further offered to put together a race date for their group later in the season.
That night, 15 year old hard charger Jeffery Hudson had an impressive showing with another third place feature finish and a heat race win. These results moved him into second in the standings and helped give him a shot at the championship on Saturday. This talented second generation racer won the Outlaw Pro Stock championship last season at 14 years old.
The group has also been supported early on by two-time Orland Wingless Sprint Car champion Bill Hopper, Yreka IMCA Modified star Todd Whipple, Dwarf Car ace Camden Robustelli and Jeremy Lowe. Unfortunately, Hopper's efforts have been largely frustrating as he blew a tire on the way up to the first race and couldn't get the race car to start when he got there. Whipple is still basically a rookie and improves with each start. Robustelli had a third place finish and a win at Cottage Grove. Lowe has been fighting engine issues.
The ill fated fifth race highlighted the struggle to get this class started as some of the top local teams have not gotten on board with the program. Only J. Wheeler and Lowe showed for that race. The next event turned out to be a good night for Aaron Miller. Miller scored an emotional first career victory ahead of Trophy Dash winner Rowdy McClennon and Kniffen. McClennon, who is a past Wingless Spec Sprint champion and won a 410 Sprint Car feature at Marysville last season, was driving for Mark Michelet.
During the season, the track hosted the seventh and final race of the Sprint Car Speed Week. Washington Sprint Car veteran Trey Starks used the occasion to win his first Speedweek Main Event and series championship ahead. Mitchell Faccinto scored a second place finish, and many time champion Roger Crockett impressed with some late moves for third.
The most recent event was seen as a possible audition for the Extreme Sprint Cars, and ten competitors showed up. Hibbard put together the three race Triple Crown Series with an extra $1000 for the Series champion thanks to sponsorship from some great businesses, including Dave's Carpet and Vinyl Liquidators. The consistent Kinzer Cox claimed that prize money, but the Main Event produced lots of excitement.
With a second to Rickey Ashley at Cottage Grove and a photo finish win over Cox at Coos Bay, David Hibbard figured to be the driver to beat. His heat and Trophy Dash wins did nothing to change that perception. He was surprised, however, when heat winner Raquel Ivie beat him on the start for the early Main Event lead. Hibbard was making a run at Ivie when his motor gave up on him on lap 12. Ivie was running along in the lead when she got slowed by traffic.
This is where David watched proudly as son Bailey Hibbard made an impressive pass on the outside on the back stretch on lap 20 for his first career victory. It was especially sweet as Bailey was beginning to have doubts about his ability. Those doubts were removed as the young charger won with a season best second for Ivie and a third for Cooper Desbiens.
Could Extreme Sprint Cars be the future of the effot at Southern Oregon Speedway? Nothing has been announced as of yet. McCann always maintained that he would assess how things went this year before deciding on what to do next season. Saturday night is the final round of the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car championship battle, and Jake Wheeler leads Jeffrey Hudson by 32 points.
Hudson can't get too comfortable with Wayne Kniffen only ten points behind him. As Top 4 finishers last time, Kniffen and Hudson will start the evening in the Trophy Dash. Other competitors anticipated this week include McClennon, Whipple and Ivie. It could be that we get yet another new winner Saturday night. For further information on this and other happenings at the track, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Southern Oregon Speedway
Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars
Jake Wheeler 140
Jeffrey Hudson 108
Wayne Kniffen 98
Bill Hopper 77
Vern Wheeler Jr. 74
Aaron Miller 60
Camden Robustelli 57
Todd Whipple 46
Rowdy McClennon 37
David Hibbard 34
Charlie Thompson 31
Bailey Hibbard 26
Jeremy Lowe 26
