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Henson, Jaime Part Of The Sprint Car Show At Southern Oregon Speedway
Merissa Henson #17m after her second Mini Stock Trophy Dash win last year.
White City, Oregon...It starts on the Outlaw Kart track for the young racers who dream of one day racing on the bigger track at Southern Oreon Speedway. They learn how to drive, they learn basic racing procedures, they learn how to work on their Karts and some of them even learn about getting sponsorship and making appearances at local business. Through the years, racers like Chadd Noland, Seth Nunes and C.J. Puttnam raced on the smaller track. All three have gone on to win championships on the bigger tracks.
With the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars now a part of the racing lineup at Southern Oregon Speedway, these young drivers have another goal to shoot for. One day, they could be racing Sprint Cars on the three-tenths mile clay oval. There are several young drivers preparing Sprint Cars, and three of them have already started competing. Third generation racer Bailey Hibbard recently finished second in a Main Event. Last year, the past 250 Kart champion won his first Main Event at his home track.
Enrique Jaime #48e was third in 250 Kart points last season.
Two young drivers now competing for "Rookie Of The Year" honors and maybe even a track championship are Merissa Henson and Enrique Jaime. Both have competed on the Kart track in recent seasons. Jaime just had a third place season in his 250 Kart last year. This young hard charger has been burning up the circuit both on dirt and on pavement. Last year, seven time IMCA Modified champion Mark Wauge let Enrique take the wheel of his car for some hot laps. He was hooked. The Jaime family knew that their son was ready for another move up, and they have put him in a Sprint Car this season.
Merissa Henson #17m won the 500 Open Kart dash and feature in last year's season finale.
Merissa Henson has had a love of racing basically since she was old enough to stand. She started in the Box Stocks and worked her way up from there to 250's and then the faster 500 Open class. On each level this talened teen racer demonstrated her ability as a Top 3 point competitor and race winner. Last year, she notched her first 500 Open Kart Trophy Dash and Main Event wins. In 2015, Shannon and Mitch Henson put their daughter into a Mini Stock, and she finished tenth in points. She was only 14 years old.
Last year was a breakthrough year for Merissa. She finished fifth in points. In a very competitive field, she notched a pair of third place finishes and also won two Trophy Dashes. Her parents presented her with an opportunity in August of last year. She could continue racing Mini Stocks, or she could move up to Sprint Cars. It just so happened that the former Phil Del Rosa car was available. Henson didn't hesitate. She wanted to move up. The Mini Stock went up for sale, she finished out a strong season and the car went to Michael Johnson. Work began on the Sprint Car during the offseason.
Merissa Henson #17 had a Top 5 finish in her first Sprint Car start.
Henson has a champion in her corner. 2009 Sprint Car titlist Charlie Thompson is working as crew chief and providing his knowledge on car setup and driving technique. Armed with that and her already proven ability, Merissa opened the season with a Top 5 Main Event finish. She also finished second in her heat race. Her most recent start didn't go so well as she broke her steering and didn't finish. However, it was a learning experience, and she's ready to get back behind the wheel again.
Enrique Jaime #48e looked good in his third place finish last time.
Merissa Henson and Enrique Jaime are two of the young guns of the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars, and both are ready for racing to resume this Saturday night. It's because of drivers like these two that the Sprint Car effort at Southern Oregon Speedway has a bright future ahead. Saturday's program will also include Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks and OTRO Hardtops. Gates open at 5 PM with the first race at 7 PM. General Admission is $12, Seniors and Juniors are $6 and Children 5 and under are free. For more information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Stacked Six Division Show At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...The June storm that passed through Oregon didn't spare any of the racing programs as the tracks all canceled one by one. So far, Southern Oregon Speedway has managed to hold four of the seven races this year. Forecasts are calling for a nice day on Saturday as IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars, Late Models, Mini Stocks and OTRO Hardtops are all on the schedule.
The IMCA Modifieds and Sport Modifieds will be running two weeks in a row, and this is a tuneup race for the big Wild West Speedweek race on June 24th. The locals know that the best the state of Oregon has to offer will be there on the 24th, as well of stars from California and Washington, so getting their cars dialed in will be important. It's also a crucial time in the IMCA Modified point battle. After this week's race, the regulars have the pressure of just making the Main Event the following week. That in itself will be a challenge.
Point leader Monte Bischoff #F1 won the IMCA Modified Season Opener.
Two drivers you know are up to the challenge are Monte Bischoff and Mark Wauge. Bischoff earned Top 5 finishes in both the Roger Haudenshild Tribute and the John Arnberg Memorial this year in Yreka. It's no secret to the success of racers like these two. You'll find their cars up on jacks between races as their crews make adjustments. "The track can change during the night, " said Monte. "You have to make adjustments to loosen or tighten the setup. It can make the difference between having a chance to win or being an also ran that night."
Bischoff leads Jesse Bailey and past champions Wauge and Albert Gill in a close four car battle at the top of the standings. This Saturday will still be an important night of racing for the division, but the 24th will be the big test. The drop in points from making the Main Event to not getting out of the B Main can be pretty steep, so these drivers are hoping to end June on a positive note.
Reigning champion Mike Medel #30 is looking for his first win of the season.
The Sport Modifieds will get to race at most of the tracks during Speedweek after this week's race. Jorddon Braaten and Mike Medel are doing what you'd expect these two champions to do so far. They are running at the head of the pack. They've had 1-2 finishes in the first two races, but Medel is hoping to take a step up to a feature victory. "The new car is running pretty well, " Medel admitted. "I've had some good finishes. but I've also been caught up in a few crashes. I think we're pretty close on things, and I feel that win will be coming soon."
With Willie McFall and Rich McCoy running as well as they are now, and other tough competitors like A.J. Parker, Tony Bartell, David Marble and Jason Zimmerman in the field, it should be another good night of racing this week.
The Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars are doing better this year. It is a work in progress establishing this class at the speedway. Prior to last season, 2010 was the last time a champion was crowned, and car count had been going down during the previous two years. However, Promoter Mike McCann is committed to building this class, and car count is up from last year.
Bailey Hibbard #1 finished a strong second in the recent race.
When Hibbard speaks of young drivers, he's not only talking about his son Bailey, who finished a strong second last time. He's also talking about teen leadfoots like Merissa Henson, Enrique Jaime, Jeffrey Hudson and the soon to be season debut of Outlaw Kart star Tanner Holmes. Because of the sensible rules the class offers, word out of California is that David Johnson and Jeff Crossman will be racing this week as well. They all will have their work cut out for the when it comes to battling the most recent winner, Kyler Barraza. Kyler is a two time Southern Oregon Sprint Car Tour champion.
Nathan Augustine #24 has won his two Late Model Starts at the track.
If you aren't getting enough speed with these three divisions, there's also the Late Model division. With three races getting rained out, the competitors are chomping at the bit to get some more seat time. Last week's rainout was actually a make up race for one of the other rainouts. Word is that our most recent two winners, Nathan Augustine and Dustin Knight, will be back to renew their battle. Krity Grout and Dave Foot plan on being there, and Dees Racing, Mike Linder and Steve Lemley are others to watch for this week.
David Steele #67 is the early Mini Stock point leader.
With the experience advantage that he carries, David Steele leads the way in the Mini Stock class. He's already won both races here and three in Yreka. Not surprisingly, he leads the standings. He knows the young talent in the division will present a challenge for him as the season moves along. "A lot of these drivers have only been racing for a few years, " said David. "They just need a bit more seat time. I don't take it for granted that I'm going to win, because I know one of these drivers could win on any give week."
Dillen Lausen is the driver taking up pursuit of Steele at the moment. Last year's top rookie is second in the standings following his career best second place finish last time. Add in the Pinto Wagon of Andrew Hall, Kristopher Mix, Michael Johnson, Patrick Stringer-Stine and Eric Hanson, and you can expect a first time winner soon. Plus, past champions Gary Anderson and Steve Goetz will be at the front of the pack once they get their motor issues sorted out.
Mark Minter #33 won the OTRO Hardtop season opener.
The gates open for this six division show at 5 PM with the first race starting at 7 PM. General Admission prices are $12 with Seniors and Juniors $6 and Children 5 and under free. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Cascade Sprint Car Challenge Coming To
Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...Wingless 360 Sprint Car racing is coming to Southern Oregon Speedway on August 26th. The banked, three-tenth mile clay oval has had its share of big Sprint Car races since it opened in 1996, but there haven't been too many wingless races. In fact, it's been about a decade since the last one. Promoter Mike McCann wants to change all of that, and he had an idea for a big race.
Big promoting ideas are nothing new for McCann, who's been promoting races for over three decades and is a past recipient of the RPM Promoter Of The Year award. McCann had a hand in establishing the Wingless Sprint Car presence in Oregon as the founder of the Oregon Double Shot Series. After talking with Mark Herz of Herz Precision Parts, the race a sponsor. The Cascade Sprint Car Challenge, presented by Herz Precision Parts, will pay $3,000 to the winner.
There's a difference in driving styles from winged to wingless Sprint Car racing. Wingless racing challenges drivers in a whole different way, and some racers are reluctant to take the wing off and go racing. There's more finesse involved, and the racing tends to be much closer. In Oregon, there are some drivers who enjoy the best of both worlds. Racers like Kyle Miler and Cooper Desbiens have raced both styles and are winners in both.
The scheduling of this big race comes during an off week for the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series and the North West Wingless Tour, two groups with cars that would fit in with the rules for this Wingless 360 Sprint Car race. A shot at the big $3,000 prize is sure to entice some top notch talent to Southern Oregon. This is also an event that McCann hopes to include annually on the schedule. Fans will be in for a treat with the close racing action Wingless Sprint Cars provide.
Further details will be forthcoming in the days ahead. For further information, you can go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com or the official Southern Oregon Speedway Facebook page. Or, you can e-mail the track at contact@southernoregonspeedway.com.
R. Charles Snyder Salute
Comes To Southern Oregon Speedway This September
White City, Oregon...For many years at Southern Oregon Speedway and going back to the old Medford Speedway, there was a familiar voice coming through the speakers. He was considered the voice of Medford racing. He was also the voice you heard on the radio. He's R. Charles Snyder. When he died in 2015, the community mourned. Promoter Mike McCann reached out to the Snyder family about the possibility of honoring Charles with a special race, and they were not only in favor of the idea, but touched that the race was even being considered. However, there was never any doubt.
On Labor Day Weekend, September 2-3, Southern Oregon Speedway will proudly present The R. Charles Snyder Salute. It's more than just a big race for the competitors. It's a weekend to pay tribute to one of the more beloved members of the racing family and the Medford community in general. Snyder died at the age of 61, and people were shocked and saddened by the news when it broke.
Charles was one of the most popular DJ's on the radio and a musician. He was also a big James Bond fan who at one time boasted the third largest collection of Bond memorabilia in the United States. A curiosity about how racing announcers called the action for the fans led him to Medford Speedway back in 1976. He was just there to listen and take notes. Little did he know that the regular announcer would not show up. Charles was called upon to do the honors that night, and a love of auto racing grew from there. He announced at the old track from then until it closed in 1989.
Snyder was brought in to announce when Southern Oregon Speedway opened in 1996, and he called the action for many years. Bryce Burtner is the current announcer. He learned by working with him, and he was delighted to hear the news that the track would be honoring his racing mentor. "I was in awe of him when I started going to the races, " said Burtner, who is also a DJ. "He was the best. He was the voice of racing in Medford. I think it's great that we will have this special weekend at the track in his honor, and I look forward to being a part of it."
Details are still being worked out on racing format and purse. The divisions originally scheduled for the weekend, the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and SODCA Dwarf Cars, will all be there. The track may include other divisions, but the details concerning all of that will be announced soon. However, there is one detail that McCann wanted to announce now.
Charles spent his race nights up in the Race Tower. He hadn't announced there or a few years prior to his passing, but one of the microphones still has his name on it. In honor of him, the tower that houses the announcers, scorers, media and special guests of the speedway will be dedicated to Snyder. It will be called The R. Charles Snyder Memorial Race Tower. The dedication will take place during the weekend of the race with his friends and family present.
Management wants this race to become a new tradition for the racers and fans to enjoy. The community has been buzzing with the rumors of this race for the last few weeks, and now it is official. The First Annual R. Charles Snyder Salute will happen on September 2-3 at Southern Oregon Speedway. More details will be released in the weeks ahead. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Pro Stocks Return To Siskiyou Motor Speedway
Yreka, CA...The next two weeks of racing at Siskiyou Motor Speedway are loaded with plenty of excitement. This Friday night, the Outlaw Kart track will again offer the younger racers a place to go racing. On Saturday night, the Outlaw Pro Stock Association returns for their fifth appearance along with IMCA Sport Modifieds, McDonald's Mini Stocks and IMCA Modifieds. Next Friday, June 23rd, the fans will be treated to the opening race of IMCA Modified Speedweek along with IMCA Sport Modifieds.
The OPSA Pro Stocks have had three point races and the special Billy Geyer Race. It was 2015 champion Jeffrey Hudson winning the big money offered in the Geyer Race. With points on the line, Dr. Scott Lenz has won all three races. Lenz recently added the Roger Haudenshild Tribute race to his list of conquests two weeks ago in Medford. Not surprisingly, Lenz is the point leader ahead of Scott Flowers and Johnny Cobb. Flowers is ranked second for the fourth straight season. He and Cobb both had Top 5 finishes in the recent Medford race, and Scott finished second the last time the Pro Stocks were in Yreka.
It was another Flowers, Scott's son James, who impressed with a heat win and second place finish in Medford. After a late start, he is within 21 points of Brian Hammond for fifth in the standings. These two drivers are anticipated this week as well. Other drivers to watch for this week include Matt Harlow, Roy Bain, Rick Lukens, Derrel Nelson Jr. and Ginny Flowers. The real question is, can anybody beat Lenz this week? He's been on a roll this year that would make even 2016 champion Steve Borror jealous.
The competitive trend of the IMCA Sport Modified division continues as there have been six different winners in eight races. D.J. Bottoms finds himself second in points behind two time winner Keith Foux. If you doubted how good this kid was, he showed how fast he is with his first career win last week. D.J. had to hold off Trevor Tiffee to get that win. Bottoms also had his hands full with Foux and third ranked Colton Cheffey, but he kept them all behind him. Colton is still looking for his first feature win of the season after notching four of them last year.
The beautiful thing about the Sport Mod division is that most of the drivers out there have a legitimate shot at a win. The Boswell brothers, Colter and Ryder, were both back in action last week. Colter is the 2015 champion, and 2016 champion Jimmy Lipke has also recently returned. Fourth ranked Randy Wright, Jack Waldon III and the flying Cory Biggs are other drivers to watch for this week. Biggs is also a feature winner this year and led several laps last week before Bottoms passed him.
Marilyn Yawnick leads the way in McDonald's Mini Stocks. Through consistency and three second place finishes, Marilyn has already built a pretty good lead. Terry Kendrick, Mike Whitaker and Ethan Killingsworth have been forced to play catch up after all have had bad nights where they missed the Main Event. However, those three are all in the winner's column. Could Yawnick finally get her first win of the season? Don't count her out. In addition to her three rivals, the truck of Mike Colson, Tyler Frost and Amber Waldon are other drivers to keep an eye on this week.
IMCA Modifieds are on the schedule. Though we aren't sure what the car count will be for them, we do know that there will be a big car count on June 23rd for the Speedweek race. Some of the top drivers from Oregon, Washington and California will be there for a shot at the $1,000 and the point fund money offered up during the week long series. This is an opportunity for drivers to get one last tuneup race in before the big money show.
This Friday night is Round #2 of Outlaw Kart racing on the one-eighth mile track. By all accounts, the opener was a a success as drivers competed on all levels from the Beginners Box Stocks to the Speedway Karts and 500 Open Karts. If you want to get a look at potential future stars of the big track, the Outlaw Kart track on Friday night will be the place to be.
It's an exciting time at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. Saturday's show of Outlaw Pro Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks and IMCA Modifieds should be good. For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.
Bottoms Scores First Career Win At Siskiyou Motor Speedway
Yreka, CA...June 10...D.J. Bottoms won his first career 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Saturday night at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. Bottoms, who is currently second in points, raced past Randy Wright on the back stretch to take over second on the ninth lap. He and Colton Cheffey quickly closed in on race long leader Cory Biggs. Bottoms ducked underneath Biggs in Turn 4 on the 13th lap and emerged with the lead. Cheffey did a solo spin for a lap 14 yellow flag. Bottoms has a serious challenge from point leader Justin Foux. A lap 17 yellow flag negated a Foux pass for the lead as there is no racing to the yellow. As Bottoms led the way, Trevor Tiffee moved around Foux for second. Bottoms stayed cool under pressure and earned the win ahead of Tiffee, Foux, Cheffey and Jimmy Lipke. Lipke won both the four lap Trophy Dash and his eight lap heat race. Cheffey was the other heat winner.
Ethan Killingsworth scored a clean sweep of his heat race, the Trophy Dash and the 20 lap McDonald's Mini Stock Main Event. At press time, the Main Event finish was under review and was unofficial. Medford racer Kristopher Mix raced into the lead on the second lap with Killingsworth and Terry Kendrick in pursuit. While Mix and Killingsworth had a close battle up front, Kendrick and point leader Marilyn Yawnick had a good race going for third. An inside move in Turn 1 on lap 11 gained Killingsworth the lead. Killingsworth slowly pulled away from there and took the checkered flag in first. Mix crossed the line in second. Yawnick finally passed Kendrick for third on lap 18, and Mike Whitaker took the flag in fifth. David Steele won his eight lap heat race, but he and fellow Medford racer Andrew Hall were both Main Event scratches.
Racing continues next week with IMCA Sport Modifieds and McDonald's Mini Stocks back in action along with Outlaw Pro Stocks and IMCA Modifieds. Also, the big IMCA Modified Speedweek series opener is set for Friday, June 23rd. IMCA Sport Modifieds will run as a support class that night. For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.
Sprint Cars Return, Late Model Battle Continues
At Coos Bay Speedway
Coos Bay, Oregon...Racing returns to Coos Bay Speedway this Saturday night. It is also Bike Night And Free Kids Ride Night At The Races. This means that in addition to having a chance to win free bikes, kids will have a chance to take a ride with one of the drivers. Winged Sprint Cars are back in action for their fourth race of the season. The NASCAR Whelen All American Racing Series program will also feature Super Late Models, Sportsman Late Models, Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Hornets and Humboldt Motorsports Side By Sides. It will be a great night of family entertainment at the speedway.
Three different drivers have notched feature wins this season in the Sprint Car division, and none of them are reigning champion Dave May. Shane Forte, Kyler Barraza and point leader Lawrence Van Hoof have all scored victories. As with Van Hoof, Casey Sabin and Ryan Kingrey have all Top 5 finishes. Van Hoof's lead is just 12 points over the tied May and Sabin. May has two second place finishes, and it seems like it's just a matter of time before he's back in the winner's circle. Other drivers to watch for this week include fourth ranked Brett Hulsey, Christon Beaird and Michael Colby Jr.
With a total of $6,000 potentially on the line for the Super Late Model championship, three drivers have come to do battle. Mike George is a four time winner, and this has him 20 points ahead of one time winner Toby McIntyre. McIntrye is the 2015 champion, and he is definitely a threat for the prize. Chris Ray has three Top 5 finishes to rank 56 points out of the lead in third. Though he's still in contention, he needs a big night soon. After a late start, 2016 runnerup Thor Kristensen is climbing up the point ladder in fifth. Other drivers to watch for include Jared Bemetz, one time winner Trent Elliott and Loren McIntyre.
The Sportsman Late Model division is a three car race for the championship, and all three have at least one win. Four time winner Brody Montgomery and two time winner Wayne Butler are tied for the lead, while one time winner Dyllan Siewell is 22 points back in third. Butler is the two time reigning champion, but his two rivals are not making it easy on him. Charlie Withers is still in contention, 46 points back in fourth. Charlie has five Top 5 finishes, but he's in a need of a win to keep pace. Other drivers to watch for include Jeff Crossman and Troy Chamberlain.
Justin Crossman is doing what he needs to do to win the Street Stock title. With five feature wins, Justin leads Ken Fox by 82 points. Fox is still looking for his first win as two time winner Steve Dubisar is the only other winner in the field. Other drivers to watch for include reigning champion Daniel Land, Jeff Thurman and Dustin Hitner.
The Mini Outlaws have perhaps the fastest driver of recent years, Rob Lauver, leading 2015 champion Sam Talon by just six points. In his fast VW Beetle, Lauver leads the win column 4-2 over Talon. The steady Dan Daniels is 42 points out of the lead in third, and Ken Fox is 60 points back. Fox is also a Main Event winner this year. One time winner and reining champion Ryder Johnson, Jason Kellam, Jamie Daniels and Jason Berrier are other drivers to watch for.
Ryan Siewell continues to roll in the Hornets division. The four time feature winner with seven Top 5 finishes in seven starts holds a 56 point lead over the tied Hannah Robison and Sam Taylor. Robison has five Top 3 finishes, but her luck has nose dived in the past two races. A rough start has hurt reigning champion Jeremiah Reiber this year. With two feature wins, he's 92 points out of the lead in fourth, 36 points out of second. The Hornets are bringing the biggest car count so far this season, and other drivers to watch for this week include Tim Young, Jeremy Beard, recent winner Tom Williams, Matt Butler, Robert Vandre and April Warmack.
With a loaded night of racing along with Kids Bike Night and Free Rides, this is the perfect night to come watch a race. For further information, go to www.coosbayspeedway.us.
All American Speedway Race Results June 10, 2017
Limited Modifieds
Nick Lyons
Josh Blackwood
Mike Gorhman
Erick Ray
Tyler Wentworth
Rick Andersen
Austin Wentworth
Bradley Brackett
Street Stocks
Mark Gardiner
Andrew Peeler
Jill Schmidt
Dan Farrington
Kenny Jastrumske
Earl Lee
Bombers
Blake Disomma
Erick Ray
Tim Walters
Daryl Fitzgerald
Tony Latimer
Nathan Hickok
Chris Paulson
Eric Martinez
Terry Thomas, Jr.
Wayne Hickok
Mario Davis
Travis Henry
Bill Clark
David Caluya
F4's
Rick Enable
Ray Molina
Brian Bishop
Matthew Fuhs
Anthony Vino
Geof Sargent
Legend Cars
Cody Winchel
Rob Nascimento
Chad Nascimento
Michael Ray
Jack Wood
Daniel Whitley
Jose Hernandez
Jim Mrozinski
John Bowman
RJ Kahler
Bob Kuebler
RJ Godett
David Tooker
Wayne Olhiser
Heather Hadley
Dylan Zampa
Keith Clement
