Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
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Haudenshild Tribute Race On Tap For
Southern Oregon Speedway On Saturday
Rainy weather has won the last two races at Southern Oregon Speedway, but the forecast calls for racing this Saturday night. It's one of the biggest races on the track's schedule, the Roger Haudenshild Tribute Race. An extra $4,000 in purse money has been raised for the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds. SODCA Dwarf Cars and Super 4's are also on the card.
The racing community was saddened when Haudenshild passed away in the summer of 2012. Roger was one of those guys who sponsored many race cars, sometimes anonymously He was a lover of the sport and classic cars. He even raced occasionally in Stock Cars and competed in Destruction Derbies.
Haudenshild was a dear friend and sponsor of IMCA Modified racer Matt Duste, who has been gathering the sponsorship money for the big race. The Duste Racing Team was dealt another blow when crewman and Sport Mod racer Billy Hammond died in a motorcycle accident. "It was tough for us for a couple of years, " Matt Duste admitted. "We took a little time away from the sport and regrouped, but we're back."
As somebody who traveled to the Mid West to visit tracks every year, Roger saw a race called the "Crack The Whip Race" and brought the idea back to the track. You take the top two or three heat race finishers, invert the field and run one lap per car in a special race. Each lap, the last place car pulls off until you have the winner.
The IMCA Modifieds will run a $200 to win Crack The Whip Race and the IMCA Sport Modifieds will pay $100. "Roger thought that was the neatest thing, " Matt explained, "and his family thought running that race would be a great way to honor his memory."
Last season, Brian Poppa (Modifieds) and Bob Nelson (Sport Modifieds) pocketed the extra money in the special dashes, while Nick Trenchard (Modifieds) and Matt Duste (Sport Mods) won the extra money Main Events. "This is a special race that we want to use to honor all of the great drivers through the years who are no longer with us, " said Duste. "It's also an opportunity for the racers to compete for a little extra money. It will be a great night of racing."
With rain falling in the Medford area, six time champion Mark Wauge headed north to Cottage Grove and won his second IMCA Modified feature there, while Oregon State IMCA point leader Jorddon Braaten also made the trip and won his third Main Event there. These two drivers won the season opener at Southern Oregon Speedway. Not surprisingly, they are the favorites to win this week.
However, word is that there are drivers heading in from California to stake a claim on the prize money, and there are track regulars who should not be counted out. Two time defending IMCA Modified champion Albert Gill, Jesse Bailey, Matt Duste, Duane Orsburn and Nick Trenchard are just a few of the competitors to watch for in the Modified division.
Meanwhile, Braaten can expect some competition from defending IMCA State champion Mike Medel, Bob Nelson, Randy Fernandes and two time champion Dwayne Melvin, to name a few. It should be a great night for both Modified divisions.
As if that isn't enough, the SODCA Dwarf Cars make their second appearance. Young Kalvin Morton has been tearing up the scene this year. Morton won his second race at Yreka last week as he tries to stake a claim on the championship. Camden Robustelli is anticipated this week along with two time champion Josh King, Brock Peters, Rob Gergel, Kaycee Sheeler and Ryan Smith.
The Super 4's will take their first turn on the 3/10th mile clay oval this week. Who will be there is still a question. The event that was held for this division late last year was won by Lee Doty. Doty was joined by Steve Thompson, Charlie Eaton, John Barger and Bill Spencer, and these drivers are anticipated for their season opener.
Pit Stops
From the rumor mill comes reports that we may see at least one of the McDaniel team cars from the Marysville area. Third generation racer Ryan McDaniel is a champion in Limited Late Models and IMCA Modifieds, and he will be fast competition in the IMCA Modified race if he's there. Ryan's father Randy is also a multi time IMCA Modified champion at several tracks, and he would be a factor should he bring a car.
Kellen Chadwick is scheduled for another race this week, but the second generation racer has confirmed his intentions to compete in the upcoming Speedweek race on June 11th. Chadwick is a past Antioch Speedway champion, a winner of the big Modified race in Elma and a winner of last season's Lon Skinner Memorial Preliminary Main Event on Saturday.
The IMCA Sport Modifieds can expect stiff competition from the Cooper Racing Team Saturday night. Brian Cooper is the current point leader at both Chico Silver Dollar Speedway and Marysville Raceway. Todd Cooper is currently second at Chico and third at Marysvllle. Both are fast. No confirmation has been made of other drivers from the area coming, but there have been rumors.
Rumors abound of a big name in Sport Modified racing from California considering a visit this Saturday night, but this team has yet to officially decide. If they do show up, they will be a serious threat to win the race.
Next week, June 3rd, we finally get to see some Outlaw Kart Racing on Friday night. Two straight rain outs have pit a damper on things, but as the old saying goes, three's a charm. It's time to get those Karts ready and get this show on the road. Stay tuned for any scheduling information as there could be some good news in the future.
The Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars will make their third appearance on June 4th, and word is we will see another new car in the field. That would be 2009 champion Charlie Thompson. Charlie was set to go last week, but the rains put a damper on that. There is word of two more cars close to debuting as well as a visit from a racer from the north. This division will continue to gain cars, and Southern Oregon Speedway remains firmly committed to Sprint Car racing as well as the other classes.
The Open Stock class will have a mixture of cars from Late Models to Pro Stocks and Street Stocks when they race on June 4th. Veteran Mike Linder, who you may know from Sprint Car racing as well, should be here with his Late Model, and word is that Stock Car veteran Steve Lemley should have his Late Model at the track too. Several Pro Stock drivers have expressed interest in running this race.
Joining these two classes on June 4th will be IMCA Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Hornets and OTRO Hardtops. We anxiously await to see who will have Hornets at the track this year, but we know Derrel Nelson Jr. is planning to race. The always exciting Mini Stocks have been a two car battle for the win so far with Bob Burkett and Gary Anderson sharing the glory at one win each. Three divers looking like they can make a move on these two for a win are Andrew Hall, Marissa Henson and Kristopher Mix. It should be a good race.
