Braaten, Steele, Borror, Augustine, Shields Southern Oregon Speedway Winners

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

Can Be Heard HERE

Win #4 For Braaten At Southern Oregon Speedway

Medel Charges To Second Place

White City, Oregon...July 30...Taking the lead early on from David Marble, point leader Jorddon Braaten went on to win his fourth 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event of the season Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Braaten continues to lead the IMCA State of Oregon and Northwest Sport Mod Challenge Series points as well.  After a mechanical issue forced him to scratch from the preliminaries, Mike Medel made a charge from 11th starting to collect his third second place finish of the season.

Rookie David Marble got his night started with a win ahead of Braaten in the four lap Trophy Dash.  He then held off Yreka visitor Jesse Morton to won his eight lap heat race.  Rookie Tony Bartell managed to hold off a last lap charge from Braaten to win his first heat race.  Marble raced into the lead at the start of the Main Event as Bartell settled into second.  Braaten made a low pass in Turn 4 of the second lap to take second from Bartell.  Yreka point leader  Jimmy Lipke took over third a lap later.  Braaten pursued Marble closely until making the pass in Turn 4 of the sixth lap to take the lead.  Lipke followed closely into second.  Medel made a low pass in Turn 4 of the tenth lap to take fifth from Doug Franklin.  However, the two made contact with Medel spinning into Turn 1 for a yellow flag.  A yellow flag flew a lap later for a Willie McFall spin in Turn 4.  Braaten continued to lead Lipke and Marble on the restart.  It wasn't long, however, before Medel rejoined Franklin and Morton in a close battle for fourth.  Franklin and Medel both passed Marble for third and fourth on lap 16, and Medel took third from Franklin on lap 18.  Medel continued his charge by passing Lipke for second at the white flag.  Lipke dropped back several spots on the final lap as Braaten scored the victory ahead of Medel, Franklin, Marble, Justin Foux, Morton, McFall, Lipke, Bartell, and Glen Severson.

Race Results

IMCA Sport Modified

Heat 1-Tony Bartell, Jorddon Braaten, Doug Franklin.  Heat 2-David Marble, Jesse Morton, Justin Foux.  Trophy Dash-Marble, Braaten, Bartell.  Main Event-Braaten, Mike Medel, Franklin, Marble, Foux, Morton, Willie McFall, Jimmy Lipke, Bartell, Glen Severson, A.J. Parker.

Steele Rolls To Fourth Mini Stock Victory 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 30...David Steele returned to Southern Oregon Speedway Saturday night and promptly drove to his fourth feature win in five starts.  The 2015 Yreka champion, Steele is closing in on fifth in the standings despite his late start.  He took the lead from point leader Bob Burkett and went on to victory from there.  Burkett maintained his point effort with his fourth second place finish of the season.

There were a season high 16 Mini Stocks in action.  From the preliminaries, it looked like 2014 champion Gary Anderson might be the driver to beat.  Anderson staked his claim on his first four lap Trophy Dash win of the season as Burkett settled for second.  He then came back to beat Steele to win his heat race.  Devon Weiser had his first heat race win in his sites until Burkett drove by and forced him to settle for second.  Anderson and Burkett shared the front row for the Main Event, and Burkett raced into the early lead ahead of Anderson.  Anderson surrendered second to the flying Steele on lap two.  A high move in Turn 4 of the fifth lap gained Steele the lead from Burkett.  Merissa Henson spun in Turn 2 for a lap six caution flag.  Steele maintained his lead on the restart ahead of Burkett and Anderson.  Weiser's strong run in fourth came to an abrupt end when steering issues sent him into an infield tractor tire off of Turn 4 on lap eight.  Steele led Burkett and Anderson to the green flag as Anderew Hall battled teammate Kristopher Mix for fourth.  Hunter Magnan's motor gave up on him on the front stretch for a lap 14 caution flag.  Steele held the point once again ahead of Burkett and Anderson on the next restart.  It wasn't long before Steele was into traffic.  Henson completed her charge through the pack by passing Mix for fifth at the white flag.  Steele drove a great race and earned the victory ahead of Burkett, Anderson, Hall, Henson, Mix, Dillen Lausen, Randy Simmons, Ethan Killingsworth and Mikey Johnson.

Race Results

Mini Stocks

Heat 1-Bob Burkett, Devon Weiser, Merissa Henson.  Heat 2-Gary Anderson, David Steele, Randy Simmons.  Trophy Dash-Anderson, Burkett, Ethan Killingsworth.  Main Event-Steele, Burkett, Anderson, Andrew Hall, Henson, Kristopher Mix, Dillen Lausen, Simmons, Killingsworth, Mikey Johnson, Mike Cloud, Dan Borror, Garrett Fredrickson, Weiser, Hunter Magnan, Eric Hanson.

Borror Back in Winner's Circle At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 30...Steve Borror made his return to the winner's circle at Southern Oregon Speedway as he scored the victory in the 20 lap Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Saturday night.  Borror won the season opener at the track back in May, but he didn't even get near the podium in his next two visits.  Coming off of his big $2500 win in the Billy Geyer Memorial race at Yreka a week earlier, Borror battled Matt Harlow throughout the first half of the race before scoring what would be his sixth victory on the circuit this season.  NASCAR West veteran Rocky Nash made a last lap pass on Harlow to claim second.

Nash started the evening off with a victory over Harlow in the four lap Trophy Dash.  Scott Flowers won his eight lap heat race ahead of Harlow, while Borror won his heat race ahead of Roy Bain.  Bain led two laps of the Main Event from his outside front row start before Borror made a low pass in Turn 3 to grab the lead.  As Borror and Harlow pulled away in their battle, Bain had his hands full holding off Nash and S. Flowers.  A lap ten caution flag flew for Johnny Cobb in turn 4.  The Borror-Harlow battle continued up front as Bain fought valiantly to hold off Nash and S. Flowers.  A low move in Turn 2 of the 15th lap gained Nash third from Bain.  An infield excursion off of Turn 4 a lap later cost S. Flowers fifth to son James Flowers.   Bain was fighting hard to regain third when he spun for the second and final caution flag on lap 18.  Bain retired from the race as Borror continued to lead Harlow and Nash.  A low pass in Turn 2 of the final lap gained Nash second from Harlow, while S. Flowers made an outside pass in the final turn to take fourth from James Flowers.  Borror kept his cool under pressure and drove to victory ahead of Nash, Harlow, S. Flowers, J. Flowers, Cobb, Julia Flowers, Rick Lukens, Bain and Scott Bennett.

Race Results

Outlaw Pro Stock

Heat 1-Scott Flowers, Matt Harlow, Scott Bennett.  Heat 2-Steve Borror, Roy Bain, Rocky Nash.  Trophy Dash-Nash, Harlow, Bennett.  Main Event-Borror, Nash, Harlow, S. Flowers, James Flowers, Johnny Cobb, Julia Flowers, Rick Lukens, Bain, Bennett.

Augustine Makes Southern Oregon Speedway Open Stock Debut With Clean Sweep

White City, Oregon...June 30...Taking advantage of an off week at his regular track, Nathan Augustine impressed with a 20 lap Main Event victory in the Open Stock division at Southern Oregon Speedway Saturday night.  Augustine is the current Late Model point leader at Coos Bay Speedway, and he won the heat race and Trophy Dash as well to make it a clean sweep. Rising young star Jeffrey Hudson jumped behind the wheel of the Rocky Nash Pro Stock without hot laps and made a late charge for a second place finish.

Augustine won both the four lap Trophy Dash and eight lap heat race ahead of point leader Mike Linder.  The duo shared the front row of the Main Event with Augustine charging out to the lead from the start.  Bob Dees settled into third.  John Dees was making his first ever Late Model start and spun in Turn 2 for a lap five caution flag.  Hudson made a low pass in Turn 4 of the seventh lap to take third from Bob Dees, but Dees regained the spot with a similar move a lap later.  J. Dees spun for another caution flag on lap nine.  As Augustine led the way, a late battle developed for second.  An inside pass in Turn 4 of the 16th lap put B. Dees into second, and Hudson made a low move in Turn 4 on lap 18 to take third from Linder.  By then, Augustine held a staightaway advantage over B Dees.  Coming out of the final turn to take the checkered flag, Hudson made a strong inside move to take the second position from B. Dees.  Augustine was the happy winner ahead of Hudson, B. Dees, Linder, Kristy Grout and John Dees.

Race Results

Open Stock

Heat-Nathan Augustine, Mike Linder, Bob Dees.  Trophy Dash-Augustine, Linder, B. Dees.  Main Event-Augustine, Jeffrey Hudson, B. Dees, Linder, Kristy Grout, John Dees.

Shields Snags Second Hornet Feature Win 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 30...Taking the lead from incoming point leader Tim Hedges halfway through the race, Joby Shields won the 20 lap Hornet Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  It was the second win of the season for Shields in the "Triple Nickle" Hornet.  Darrel Nelson Jr. used his second place finish to take over the point lead.

Hoult became the third different four lap Trophy Dash winner with his win ahead of Shields.  Nelson held off Hedges to win the eight lap heat race.  Hedges and Nelson shared the front row of the Main Event, and Hedges raced into the lead at the green flag.  Hoult hit the wall for a yellow flag on lap five.  An inside move on the front stretch of the eighth lap gained Shields second from Nelson, and he quickly moved in to battle Hedges for the lead.  Shields made an inside pass on the front stretch of the 11th lap to grab the lead.  As Shields pulled away, Nelson and Hedges began a fierce duel for second.  Nelson made the pass on lap 18.  Hedges attempted a pass in Turn 2 on lap 19, but there was contact.  He backed off to allow Nelson to gather it back up.  Shields won by a half-lap ahead of Nelson, Hedges, Hoult and Heather Menzel.

Race  Results

Hornet

Heat 1-Darrel Nelson Jr., Tim Hedges, Joby Shields.  Trophy Dash-John Hoult, Shields, Nelson.  Main Event-Shields, Nelson, Hedges, Hoult, Heather Menzel.

Mike Wheeler Wins Vern Wheeler Memorial Race At Southern Oregon Speedway

Mike Wheeler Wins Vern Wheeler Memorial Race 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...Mike Wheeler led all the way in collecting the $2100 victory in the 500 Outlaw Kart 50 lap Main Event at Southern Oregon Speedway Friday night.  The event was billed as the Vern Wheeler Sr. Memorial Race.  It was an emotional win for Mike as his family was all in attendance to pay tribute to his father in this race.  Jesse Caldwell made a challenge in traffic during the first half of the race, but mechanical issues saw him surrender second to Jake Park down the stretch.

Reigning champion Tanner Holmes returned to 250 Kart action and impressed with his heat race and 25 lap Main Event sweep ahead of previous Main Event winner Bodee Weiser.

Carley Holmes held off point leader Trevor Grimes and snapped his two race win streak with an impressive 20 lap Box Stock feature win. 

Taylor Fuller set a rapid pace in winning the 15 lap Beginner Box Stock Main Event, while Daisy Gargurevich was second.  Both drivers won two heat races as well.


Mike Wheeler won the 50 lap Vern Wheeler Sr. Memorial Race for the 500 Outlaw Karts.  There was a strong 23 car field, and Wheeler gave indication early on that he came to win the race with two heat race victories.  The event was held in memory of Mike's father, and his two heat wins earned him the pole for $2100 to win race.  Jesse Caldwell won one of his heat races and shared the front row of the feature with M. Wheeler.  Wheeler got off to a strong start and was lapping slower cars by lap eight, which allowed Caldwell to close in on him.  A lap 10 yellow flag for a spin in Turn 1 bunched the field.  Wheeler continued to lead the way.  There were a pair of quick yellow flags, and Wheeler continued to hold the point.  Wheeler caught traffic again by lap 22 as Caldwell challenged him one more time.  Caldwell was trying to make a move when a pair of two car tangles in Turns 3 and 4 nearly claimed the two leaders.  Wheeler led Caldwell, Jake Park, Johnny Burke and Tyler Seavey at the mid point of the race.

As the leaders worked lap 30, Caldwell slowed on the back stretch for a yellow flag, ending his great run.  Wheeler continued to lead Park and Burke on he restart.  Chase Hill made a Turn 2 pass on Burke to take over third on lap 44 as Ryan Foster followed him into fourth.  Tanner Holmes had a Top 5 run going early before having to make a pit stop just before the fuel break for the race.  Holmes came back through the pack and made a Turn 2 pass on lap 45 to grab fifth from Burke.  M. Wheeler was unstoppable as he sped to an emotional victory.  Park was a strong second ahead of Hill, Foster, Holmes, Kenny Boardman, Christian Osborne, Burke, Vern Wheeler Jr. and Matt Moberley.

Earlier in the evening, reigning 250 Outlaw Kart champion Tanner Holmes won that division's 25 lap Main Event.  Holmes won both of his heat races to gain the pole of the feature race.  From the start, Holmes had the lead in the rapidly run race that had two brief yellows.  Colby Bergquist spun for the final yellow flag on lap 16, but previous feature winner Bodee Weiser could only chase the flying Holmes across the line for a second place finish.  It was the second win of the season for Holmes.  Maximus Mittry finished third ahead of Enrique Jaime, Braden Cory, Ashley Strain and final lead lap finisher Braden Weiser.  Tyler Lefler, Carley Holmes and Bergquist rounded out the Top 10.

2014 Box Stock champion Carley Holmes won a showdown with point leader Trevor Grimes for the win in their 20 lap Main Event.  The duo won the two eight lap heat races, and Holmes raced into the lead ahead of Grimes from the start of the feature race.  Try as he might, Grimes was unable to make a move on Holmes, who made a good move in traffic on lap 16 to prevail at the checkered flag.  Brionna Fuller finished a strong third ahead of Emma Rodgers, Natalie Richard, Natalie Hudson and Ryan Hirschbock.  Loveah Crice had good heat race going until she tangled with Rodgers with both rolling in Turn 2.  Crice's night was over at that point.

Taylor Fuller put on a dominant performance in winning the 15 lap Beginners Box Stock Main Event.  Fuller and Daisy Gargurevich each won two eight lap heat races.  Another rapidly run feature saw just one mid race yellow flag, and Fuller had already lapped third place Kiley Grimes by lap five.  Fuller became the third winner of the season as he beat second place D. Gargurevich by a half lap.  Point leader Grimes was third.  Malachi Johnson made his first ever start and finished fourth ahead of previous winner Shailene Horn, Adrian Richard, Thomas Whipple, Ellie Gargurevich, Nicholas Davis Jr. and Roger Whipple.  Whipple's race ended before the opening lap as another Kart swerved into his path, leaving him nowhere to go.

Race Results
Beginner Box Stock
Heat 1 (8 Laps)-Daisy Gargurevich.  Heat 2 (8 Laps)-Taylor Fuller.  Heat 3 (8 Laps)-D. Gargurevich.  Heat 4 (8 Laps)-T. Fuller.  Main Event (15 Laps)-Fuller, D. Gargurevich, Kiley Grimes, Malachi Johnson, Shailene Horn, Thomas Whipple, Ellie Gargurevich, Nicholas Davis Jr., Roger Whipple

Box Stock
Heat 1 (8 Laps)-Trevor Grimes.  Heat 2 (8 Laps)-Carley Holmes.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Holmes, Grimes, Brionna Fuller, Emma Rodgers, Natalie Richard, Natalie Hudson, Ryan Hirschbock, Loveah Crice (DNS).

250 Kart
Heat 1 (8 Laps)-Bodee Weiser.  Heat 2 (8 Laps)-Tanner Holmes.  Heat 3 (8 Laps)-Braden Cory.  Heat 4 (8 Laps)-T. Holmes.   Main Event (25 Laps)-T. Holmes, Weiser, Maximus Mittry, Enrique Jaime, Cory, Ashley Strain, Braden Weiser.  Tyler Lefler, Carley Holmes, Colby Bergquist.

500 Kart
Heat 1 (8 Laps)-Mike Wheeler.  Heat 2 (8 Laps)-Jesse Caldwell.  Heat 3 (8 Laps)-Jeffrey Hudson.  Heat 4 (8 Laps)-M. Wheeler.   Heat 5 (8 Laps)-Tyler Seavey.  Heat 6 (8 Laps)-Chase Hill.    Main Event (50 laps)-M. Wheeler, Jake Park, Chase Hill, Ryan Foster, Tanner Holmes, Kenny Boardman, Christian Osborne, Johnny Burke, Vern Wheeler Jr., Matt Moberley.

Augustine, Braaten, Borror Win At Southern Oregon Speedway

Augustine, Braaten, Borror Win 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 30...Coos Bay point leader Nathan Augustine made his first visit to Southern Oregon Speedway and swept the heat, dash and 20 lap Open Stock Main Event Saturday night.  Jeffrey Hudson hopped into the Rocky Nash Pro Stock and made two late passes to finish second despite the fact that he had no practice laps all night.

Point leader Jorddon Braaten won his fourth 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event of the season.  Braaten led from lap 3 to the checkered flag.  Mike Medel made a charge from 12th starting to finish second after scratching from the preliminaries with a mechanical issue.

Steve Borror followed Roy Bain for just two laps before racing by for the lead and his second 20 lap Pro Stock Main  Event win at the track this year.  Trophy Dash winner Rocky Nash made a last lap pass on Matt Harlow for second.

David Steele won his fourth 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event of the season.  Point leader Bob Burkett led the first 5 laps before settling for second.

Joby Shields won his second 20 lap Hornet Main Event after passing Tim Hedges on lap ten.  Darrel Nelsen Jr. made a late move past Hedges for second.

Nathan Augustine got very familiar with the track in his first start and won the 20 lap Open Stock Main Event.  Augustine's heat win put him on the pole for the feature and he led from the start.  Point leader Mike Linder held second until being passed by Bob Dees on lap 16.  Dees was headed for second until 2015 Pro Stock champion Jeffrey Hudson made a low pass in Turn 3 to take the spot.  Augustine won by a wide margin ahead of Hudson.  Dees finished third, followed by Linder and Kristy Grout.

Jorddon Braaten won his fourth 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  The point leader Braaten took the lead from Trophy Dash winner David Marble on lap 3 and led the rest of the way.  Yreka point leader Jimmy Lipke quickly moved into second, but he spun late in Turns 3 and 4.  This allowed last starter Mike Medel to take over second.  Despite a yellow flag with two laps to go, Braaten would not let this win slip away.  Braaten prevailed ahead of Medel, Doug Franklin, David Marble, and Justin Foux.

Steve Borror won the the 20 lap Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event.  Borror chased Roy Bain for two laps before passing him for the lead.  Matt Harlow quickly settled into second.  Borror was threatened only briefly by Harlow.  Harlow held second until Rocky Nash made a Turn 2 pass on the last lap to take the position.  At the checkered flag, it was Borror winning his second feature at the Speedway and sixth of the year on the circuit ahead of Nash, Harlow, Scott Flowers and James Flowers.

David Steele drove another flawless race in winning his fourth 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  Point leader Bob Burkett led five laps before a high move in Turn 4 gained Steele the lead.  Despite a few yellow flags, Steele managed to catch slower cars quickly as he sped to a well earned victory.  Burkett settled for second ahead of Gary Anderson, Andrew Hall and Merissa Henson.

Joby Shields won the 20 lap Hornet Main Event.  Tim Hedges led the first ten laps before Shields raced by on the back stretch to grab the lead.  As Shields pulled away, Hedges and Darrel Nelson Jr. dueled fiercely for second.  Nelson made the late pass, but Shields won by a half lap ahead of Nelson, Hedges, John Hoult and Heather Menzel.

Next Friday and Saturday is the Dwarf Car Western Regional event.  For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Race Results, July 30

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Tony Bartell, David Marble.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Marble.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Jorddon Braaten, Mike Medel, Doug Franklin, Marble, Justin Foux.

Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Scott Flowers, Steve Borror.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Rocky Nash.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Borror, Nash, Matt Harlow, S. Flowers, James Flowers.

Mini Stocks
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Bob Burkett, Gary Anderson.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Anderson.  Main Event (20 Laps)-David Steele, Bob Burkett, Anderson, Andrew Hall, Merissa Henson.

Open Stock Cars
Heat Winner (6 Laps)-Nathan Augustine.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Augustine.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Augustine, Jeffrey Hudson, Bob Dees, Mike Linder, Kristy Grout.

Hornets
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Darrel Nelson Jr.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-John Hoult.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Joby Shields, Nelsen, Tom Hedges, Hoult, Heather Menzel.

Two Nights Of Racing On Tap For This Weekend At Southern Oregon Speedway

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
 Can Be Heard HERE

Two Nights Of Racing On Tap For This Weekend 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...Racing returns to the Outlaw Kart track at Southern Oregon Speedway on Friday night, and the big track on Saturday night.  Friday night will be a special event honoring the late Vern Wheeler Sr.  Vern's sons, Mike and Vern Jr., are slated to be in competition in the Open 500 Kart class, and his grandson Jake will be out to protect his point lead in the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car class on the big track a night later.

Three generations of the Wheeler family have competed at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Vern Sr. was a popular member of the community, and people were saddened at the news of his passing.  Wanting to keep his father's name in people's minds, Mike Wheeler has organized this event by bringing in big sponsorship.  Mike has contacted several of the teams from the tracks in Red Bluff and Chico, California, and a big turnout is anticipated for the 500 Open Kart class.

It is likely that some of these teams will travel with other Karts, which would include the Beginners Box Stock, Box Stock, 250 Karts and 500 Kart classes that are featured regularly on the fast, one-eighth mile clay oval.  Among the teams anticipated this week include Chase Hill, Brody Sim, Johnny Burke and young phenom, Tanner Holmes.  Tanner won the opener this season in both 250 and 500 Karts, and he recently won the Wild West Shootout in Missoula Montana.  In fact, younger sister Carley Holmes won the Box Stock race that same night.

Carley is a past division champion, but the last two Box Stock races have been won impressively by reigning champion Trevor Grimes.  Not to be forgotten in the mix are the 250 Karts of the Weiser boys, Bodee and Braden.  It was Bodee picking up a win last time ahead of Brenden Bartlett.   Much like the Box Stock class, the regular 250 Kart division puts on a great show.

Over on the big track, the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars will be joined by the Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Hornets and the Open Stock division on Saturday night.  The Pro Stocks are coming off of the Billy Geyer Memorial Race last week at Yreka, which is the biggest event for this division anywhere on the West Coast.  The race paid $2500 to win, and it probably came as no surprise to anybody that point leader Steve Borror won for the fifth time this season.  It was the biggest win of his career, and not even reigning champion Jeffrey Hudson could stop him.  Hudson was piloting the car Rocky Nash drove to a win earlier this season at Southern Oregon Speedway, and he finished an $800 second.

Though Borror may have the fastest car in the group, he's won just one of the three races held so far at the Medford track.  Other wins have gone to Nash and recent winner Miles Deubert.  The 2014 Street Stock champion, Deubert had his hands full holding off Scott Flowers for his win.  Flowers is currently holding down second in the standings behind Borror and still looking for his first win of the year.  There's been lots of speculation about Borror's potent #b40 car, but he brushes it all off.  "It's the same car I ran last year, " he claimed.  "We just have it figured out this year.  I've just been lucky I haven't had many problems with the car so far."

A field of dozen or more cars is anticipated for the Pro Stocks, which should include such hard chargers as James Flowers, John David Duffie, Roy Bain, Rick Lukens and two time champion Ken Irving.

The IMCA Sport Modifieds are back in action this week.  Last week might have been the time for point leader Jorddon Braaten and Mike Medel to compete at one of the other tracks.  They've been keeping a very busy schedule this year, as indicated by the fact that Braaten leads Medel not just in track points, but the State IMCA point race as well. Both drivers enjoyed a weekend with their families, but they will be back to give it a go again this week.

Medel has two seconds this year, but he's hoping to get his first win.  To do it, he'll likely have to go through three time winner Braaten.  Braaten has continued to be a force on the cirtcuit with about a dozen wins to his credit this year.  With the neighboring Yreka track off this week, there could be a few visitors in town to do battle with these two.  Rookie David Marble, Bob Nelsen, Dwayne Melvin, A.J. Parker and Tony Bartell are among the others anticipated.

In the Mini Stock division, point leader Bob Burkett and 2015 Yreka champion David Steele are playing a little game of divide and conquer.  In seven races, they each have three wins.  Burkett has finished no worse than third.  The only other driver too get a win so far this season is 2014 champion Gary Anderson.  Anderson holds down the second spot in the standings, while there is a good battle going on for third between three drivers who seem likely to be the next in line for a feature win.

Andrew Hall, Kris Mix and 14 year old leadfoot Merissa Henson are battling for third.  Kris is the son of Stock Car veteran Keith Mix.  Keith has practically raised his son at the race track, and Kris is proving to be as tough a competitor as his father.  A practice day crash in Yreka left him scrambling for another car, and it turned out to be the case of a positive that came from a negative.  "This car has turned out to be better, " Mix admitted.  "I'm not so sure we'd be doing as well as we are with the other car."

The points will be shaken up further with the recent announcement from the Henson camp that Merissa now has a Sprint car.  After a pair of third place finishes and a Trophy Dash win, she is selling her car.  Mitch Henson revealed that the team has purchased the Phillip Del Rosa car.  "I told her she couldn't have both, " he revealed.  "She had to chose one, and she chose the Sprint Car.  She's ready for it.  It's a Limited Sprint.  We may hit a race or two before  the end of the season."

If the car hasn't been sold, Merissa may be there this week with a for sale on the car.  Her eventual departure will open the door for Eric Hanson to make a move on fifth in the standings as he's been running strong lately.  Other drivers to watch for this week include Mike Cloud, Mikey Johnson, Dillen Lausen, Patrick Stringer-Stine and the fast truck of Ethan Killingsworth.

People have been talking about the Open Stock class, which is an attempt to get those Stock Cars that fit into different categories back at the track under an open set of rules.  The Open Stock division will reportedly be seeing a few visitors with Late Models this week.  The first two races have been won by local Late Model veteran Mike Linder over Bob Dees.  These two are anticipated, and Bob's son John Dees continues to prepare his car for his return to racing.  Up in Creswell comes word that Steve Lemley's car is ready, but there are reportedly a few Coos Bay competitors planning to visit.  Third ranked Kristy Grout is one of those divers.

Word is the Hornet division may be seeing another car count increase this week.  Four drivers doing battle at the front of the pack are two time winner Darrel Nelson Jr., John Hoult, Tim Hedges and one time winner Joby Shields.  Six cars have competed this year, and over a half dozen other cars are known to be in the area.  Nelson is hoping that an increased car count could lead to another date being added before season's end.  "I'm just having fun out there, " Nelson admitted.  "I'd like to run more races.  I want to race as much as I can.  I know of a few cars being prepared, so hopefully they will be at the track this week."

With the Vern Wheeler Sr. Memorial on tap for Friday, it will be a special time of reflection for the family.  Vern would no doubt be proud of the way his grandson Jake has driven so far.  In addition to leading the local Sprint Car points, Jake finished fourth in the competitive Speedweek Series this year and had a third place showing at the Coos Bay race.  After having the win in the last regular show slip away, Jake will be back to try to reclaim his spot at the head of the pack this week.  "We weren't happy about losing the race that way, " Jake admitted.  "We let it get away from us.  We had a fast car that night too.  We'll just chalk it up as a learning experience and try again."

Just who will show up for the Sprint Car show is unclear.  Rookie Jeffrey Hudson is repairing his car following a crash at Cottage Grove.  He finished a strong third and won a heat race last time out.  Bill Hopper will be making the trip from Rancho Cordova, California, and Todd Whipple, Jeremy Lowe and hard charger Wayne Kniffen are also anticipated for this show.

On Friday and Saturday night, the gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race to fire off at 7:00 p.m.  General admission on Friday is $10 and gets you into the pits.  Children 5 and under are $5.00.  The Saturday grandstands admission is $12.00 for adults, Seniors and Juniors $6.00 and children 5 and under are free.  For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Southern Oregon Speedway Hits Halfway Point Of The Season

Southern Oregon Speedway Hits Halfway Point Of The Season

White City, Oregon...We are at the halfway point of the 2016 season at Southern Speedway, and there has been some exciting racing so far.  Ten different divisions have competed on the fast 3/10 mile banked clay oval, and over 25 drivers have claimed feature victories so far.  The drivers have been racing hard for victories and podium finishes.  If you can count yourself among this list, you've done well.

The busiest division at the speedway is the Mini Stock class.  With seven races in the books, we've had three different Main Event winners so far.  At the moment, Bob Burkett is leading the championship standings in a quest for his first career track championship.  The record will show that Burkett leads 2014 champion Gary Anderson by a 253-195 margin.  Burkett has an amazing stat line as he has won three times, finished second three times and placed third once, meaning he has not finished off of the podium so far.  Not only that, the driver of the green #43 car has won five of the six Trophy Dashes held so far this season.

Anderson has certainly had his moments with one feature win, two seconds and one third, but he lost viable ground a few races ago when he was taken out for the night in a hot lap crash with rookie Garret Fredrickson.  Anderson just regained third in the standings from Merissa Henson following his fourth place feature finish last week.  It was not a good night for Henson as she finished last in the Main Event with mechanical problems and surrendered third in the standings to "Neon Mafia" teammates Andrew Hall and Kristopher Mix.  The record will show that Hall leads Mix, 178-169, while Henson has 163 points, but Henson has put her Mini Stock up for sale.  She will be moving up to a Limited Spread.  Marissa has won a Trophy Dash and earned two career best third place feature finishes.

As far as podium feature finishes are concerned, Hall has one season best second place finish among his top five efforts.  2015 Yreka champion David Steele has competed in the last four races, and he has three wins and one third place finish to show for it.  Not to be outdone, young Ethan Killingsworth, who is currently third in points at Yreka this year, has a career best second and three third place finishes in his four Southern Oregon Speedway visits.  Just grabbing a podium finish in this competitive division is an accomplishment, and two drivers on the brink of Top 3 Main Event runs with top five finishes this year are Mix and Eric Hanson.

The IMCA Sport Modified division is being led once again by two time reigning champion and current IMCA State of Oregon point leader Jorddon Braaten.  Braaten leads the reigning IMCA State champion Mike Medel, 233-210, in the track point race.  Jorddon tops the division with three feature wins, two seconds and one third in his six starts.  Like Mini Stock point leader Burkett, Braaten has yet to fail to finish in the Top 3 in the Main Event.  Medel has managed to stay in the hunt with the help of his two season best second place finishes.  Two of the other feature winners were visiting drivers.  Chico point leader Todd Cooper and reigning California IMCA Sport Modified champion Fred Ryland were winners.  Cooper won the extra money that was on the line for the Roger Haudenshild Tribute Race back in May.

Holding down the third podium position in the standings is rookie David Marble.  Marble leads fellow rookie A.J. Parker, 188-184.  Marble is adapting quickly to his new division and already shows signs of his Mini Stock championship winning form of last season.  So far, David has one third place finish.  The other feature win was earned by fifth place point competitor Bob Nelsen, who also has one third place finish.  Other podium finishes in second have been earned by California State point leader Brian Cooper and two time Medford champion Dwayne Melvin.  Yreka point leader Jimmy Lipke has two third place finishes, while David Henshaw has one.  The Trophy Dash winner's list so far has five different names on it as Lipke, Ryland, Medel, Braaten and Willie McFall each have one win.

In the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car division, the Wheeler family has been tough to beat.  At the moment, third generation racer Jake Wheeler has a comfortable lead in the point standings over rookie Jeffrey Hudson, 140-84.  Despite his hard luck, Californian Bill Hopper holds down third, 77-74-66 over Vern Wheeler Jr. and Wayne Kniffen.  V. Wheeler won the opening two features and had a Trophy Dash win before deciding to retire and crew chief his son Jake's racing effort.  Jake has three seconds and one feature win, along with two Trophy Dash victories.

The Wheeler domination was ended by current Cottage Grove Speedway Limited Sprint point leader David Hibbard, who passed J. Wheeler with a couple laps to go to win the most recent Pennzoil Sprint Car Main Event.  Kniffen has grabbed one career best second place finish, while talented teen Hudson has two thirds.  Camden Robustelli and 2009 Winged Sprint Car champion Charlie Thompson each have one third place finish.  The most recent Sprint Car race was a Western Sprint Tour Speedweek event, and Trey Starks used his win to claim the Speedweek title.  Mitchell Faccinto and four time Speedweek champion Roger Crockett were in the place and show positions at the checkered flag, while Jered Ridge claimed the Trophy Dash victory.

In the IMCA Modified division, there's one man who has been near the top of the point list just about every season since the track opened.  That would be six time champion Mark Wauge.  Wauge leads a close championship battle 143-140 over Duane Orsburn.  Wauge has notched two feature victories, including his thrilling charge from the 10th row to win the big money in the Roger Haudenshild Tribute Race.  Mark's drive in that race was nothing short of spectacular as there was only one early yellow flag, and his low groove effort had him in the lead by lap 20 of the 30 lap event.  Current Yreka point leader Orsburn has one Main Event victory.  Duane is also a two time Street Stock champion at the track.

Rookie James Welshonse has a 128-122 lead in the battle for third over two time reigning champion Albert Gill.  Gill impressed with his dominant performance in winning last week's Main Event.  Welshonse finished fourth in that race and has one second place finish to go with his two Trophy Dash victories.  Ryan Scott Gaylord notched the big victory in the Wild West Speedweek race ahead of the eventual series champion Kellen Chadwick and Willamette Speedway point leader Collen Winebarger.  Also notching podium finishes in the first five events were second place finishers Matt Duste, Darrell Hughes II and Monte Bischoff.  Two third place finishes were earned by Jesse Bailey, while Willamette Speedway star Matthew Drager and Bo Shields in the "Triple Nickel" Modified each have one third.  Bailey and Gill have each earned one Trophy Dash victory so far.

The Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association splits time between Southern Oregon Speedway and Siskiyou Motor Speedway.  After six events, three drivers have notched Main Event victories.  Two time reigning champion Josh King has two wins, one third and one A Dash victory so far.  Current point leader Brock Peters now has three victories and one second as well as two A Dash victories.  Camden Robustelli has one win and one third so far.  The heartbreak of the season so far has to belong to Kalvin Morton.  Back on July 4th, Morton came within feet of winning the Main Event before tangling with a slower car and flipping.  The crash has left him struggling to get his car back in top form again, but he has one second and one third so far to go with his one A Dash victory.

2014 point runner up Ryan Smith has two seconds and a third, while Chad Cardoza and Rob Gergel each have one second place finish.  Gergel also has a third place finish as does Mason Lewman.  Cardoza is a two time A Dash winner, and the group has had two big money Dash For Cash races.  They ran a special Fred Hay Dash For Cash with $1000 on the line at the opener, won by Cardoza.  The popular Hay was sidelined this year after a spectacular flip at Chico Silver Dollar Speedway left him with a broken neck.  He has been in attendance at each event this year and is on the road to recovery.  Last week, Peters won the $750 first prize in that Dash For Cash.

The Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock division has split time between Southern Oregon Speedway and Siskiyou Motor Speedway, and three drivers have shared the glory so far. Point leader Steve Borror, Rocky Nash and Miles Deubert each have one win so far.  Nash also has one third place finish.  Two time series champion Ken Irving and John David Duffie each have one second place finish, while point runner up Scott Flowers has one second and one third, and son James Flowers also has a third place finish.  Point leader Steve Borror has won both Trophy Dashes so far.

The Super 4's division has been added to the schedule after being away for two seasons.  Currently, 2013 champion John Barger leads Lee Doty in the points standings, 95-75.  Bill Spencer is currently third with 73 points.  After Steve Thompson won the season opener, his luck took a severe turn for the worse as he blew a motor the next week and was gone last week.  Doty was unable to start the season opener, but he has won both Main Events since.  With two second place finishes, Barger is holding onto his point lead. Dan Pruett has one second place finish, while the remainder of the podium finishes have been picked up by Spencer, Krista Hadley and Terry Hadley, each with one third place finish.  The two Trophy Dash wins have been won by Barger and Doty.  The nice thing is there appears to be interest in rebuilding this division at Southern Oregon Speedway.

Another division that is in the building process is the Hornet division.  At the second event of the season, the division managed to match its high total from the previous two years at six cars.  A close point battle shows Tim Hedges leading Darrel Nelson Jr. and John Hoult, 100-99-93.  Nelson blew a tire in the second event while leading, or he would be leading the standings now.  As it is, he has two feature victories and thus far seems to have the fastest car in the field.  After missing the first race this year, the "Triple Nickel" Hornet of Joby Shields has one feature win, one second and one Trophy Dash victory.  Hoult has maintained his effort with two second place finishes, while Hedges has three third place finishes and a Trophy Dash victory.  Rumor has it that the division could see a new track record in car count when it's back in action on July 30th.  We shall see.

In the OTRO Hardtop division, Trevor Thomason sits atop the standings, 110-96 over Bill Trotter.  Thomason has won all three Main Events aboard the Vic and Louise Bridges owned entry as well as one Trophy Dash victory.  Jimmy Del Castille leads Brian Crouch and Rhett Lange in the race for third, 74-69-64.  Lange missed the opener, but the Winnemucca, Nevada based competitor has two strong second place finishes.  Trotter has all podium finishes with one second and two thirds, and he is also a Trophy Dash winner.  Gary Barber also has a third place finish, and Chris Mehrer won the first Trophy Dash before everything went bad for him in the Bill Trotter owned #16 truck as he hit the wall hard in the heat race and that knocked the front and out from underneath the car.  The OTRO Hardtop drivers are mostly running pavement tires on their cars to keep the tire cost down, and they bring much enthusiasm in their visits to the speedway.

The track continues its efforts to start an Open Stock division, which intended to bring the various different classes of Stock Cars together under an open set of rules.  Though Street Stocks are eligible, we have yet to see any in the field.  Late Model drivers are the only ones expressing any interest, and Mike Linder has won the first two races over Bob Dees.  Linder is also the lone Trophy Dash winner this year.  Rumor has it that there could be two more Late Models in the field on July 30th, but we'll just have to wait and see.

If the racing has been good so far this season at Southern Oregon Speedway, the indications are that the best is yet to come.  Some big events remain on the schedule, including the upcoming Dwarf Car Nationals event on August 5-6 as well as the 21st Annual Lon Skinner race on September 3-4.  When racing resumes on July 30th, Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars will be in action along with the Mini Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Super 4's, Hornets and Open Stock Cars.  It should be another exciting night at the races, and it will be interesting to see who grabs the podium finishes this time.

2016 Points

Unofficial

Pennzoil Sprint Cars

Jake Wheeler         140

Jeffrey Hudson         84

Bill Hopper               77

Vern Wheeler Jr.      74

Wayne Kniffen         66

Mini Stocks

Bob Burkett             253

Gary Anderson        195

Andrew Hall             178

Kristopher Mix         169

Merissa Henson      163

Outlaw Pro Stocks

Steve Borror             364

Scott Flowers           331

Matt Harlow              255

James Flowers         251

Julia Flowers            246

IMCA Modifieds*

Mark Wauge            143

Duane Orsburn         140

James Welshonse    128

Albert Gill                 122

Jesse Bailey             91

IMCA Sport Mods*

Jorddon Braaten         233

Mike Medel                210

David Marble              198

A.J. Parker                185

Bob Nelsen               147

Super 4's

John Barger             95

Lee Doty                 75

Bill Spencer             73 

Krista Hadley           59

Terry Hadey             57

Open Stock

Mike Linder                74

Bob Dees                   67

Miles Deubert            29

Hornets

Tim Hedges            100

Darrel Nelson Jr.       99

John Hoult                93

Joby Shields             67

Heather Menzel        33

OTRO Hardtops

Trevor Thomason    110

Bill Trotter               96

Jimmy Del Castllile  74

Brian Crouch           69

Rhett Lange            64

SODCA Dwarf Cars

Kalvin Morton             585

Brock Peters             547

Ryan Smith               488

Randy Slater              475

Camden Robustelli     471

Gill, Peters, Steele, Doty, Thomason Score Southern Oregon Speedway Wins

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

Can Be Heard HERE

 Gill Grabs Victory At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 16...Albert Gill served a reminder to the competition that he is the two time reigning IMCA Modified champion at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Gill took advantage of his front row start to lead every lap in winning the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night.  The win was his first of the season at his home track, and it comes on the heels of his recent win at neighboring Siskiyou Motor Speedway.  Monte Bischoff made his first visit of the season and made a late charge to finish second.

Gill's Main Event win actually capped a clean sweep as he won the four lap Trophy Dash and his six lap heat race ahead of Willamette Speedway title contender Matthew Drager.  Bischoff won the other heat race in front of rookie James Welshonse.  Gill had a front row starting spot for the feature and raced into the lead ahead of Yreka point leader Duane Orsburn and Welshonse.  By lap six, Gill had already built a straightaway advantage over the dueling Orsburn and Welshonse, and he was lapping slower cars two laps later.  Orsburn spun from second in Turn 2 for a caution flag after 11 laps.  Gill continued to set the pace on the restart ahead of Welshonse and Drager.  Bischoff was now fifth, and he took fourth from Ray Kniffen Jr. on lap 13.  Gill was again lapping slower cars by 15 as he held a comfortable advantage over Welshonse and new third place runner Bischoff.  Bischoff made a low pass in turn 3 of the 18th lap to take second from Welshonse, and there was one last yellow flag after 22 laps.  Bischoff tried to make a run at Gill on the restart, but Gill was just too quick as he scored an impressive win.  Drager made a lap 19 pass on Welshonse to finish there as Welshonse settled for fourth ahead of point leader Mark Wauge, Kniffen, Orsburn, Bo Shields, James Anderson and Dan Philpott.

Race Results

IMCA Modifieds

Trophy Dash-Albert Gill, Mark Wauge, James Welshonse.  Heat 1-Gill, Matthew Drager, Wauge.  Heat 2-Monte Bischoff, Welshonse, Ray Kniffen Jr.  Main Event-Gill, Bischoff, Drager, Welshonse, Wauge, Ray Kniffen Jr., Orsburn, Bo Shields, James Anderson, Dan Philpott.

Steele Grabs Third Win In Four Starts

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 16...David Steele made his fourth start Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway and left with his third 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event victory.  After a late start, the 2015 Yreka champion is rising quickly up the Top 10 in the standings.  Point leader Bob Burkett finished second, though he was never a threat to Steele.

Burkett has developed a taste for Trophy Dash victories, and he won his fifth four lapper of the year ahead of Steele.  That was the last time Steele finished second as he outdueled Burkett to win their six lap heat race.  Ethan Killingsworth drove his Mini Truck to a heat win ahead of the Pinto Wagon of Andrew Hall.  Steele and Killingsworth shared the front row of the Main Event, and Steele set the pace from the start.  Hall settled into an early third behind Kilingsworth.  Patrick Stringer-Stine spun in Turn 4 for a lap four caution flag and Marissa Henson stalled.  Steele continued to set the pace ahead of Killingsworth and Hall, but Burkett slipped past Hall for third on lap six.  Steele ran a good race up front as Burkett steadily closed in on Killingsworth.  Burkett caught Killingsworth by lap 15, and he made a Turn 4 pass for second on lap 18.  However, Steele was far ahead, and he scored the victory ahead of Burkett, Killingswowrth, Gary Anderson, Hall, Kristopher Mix, Mike Cloud, Dillen Lausen, Mike Johnson and Eric Hanson.

Race Results

Mini Stocks

Trophy Dash-Bob Burkett, David Steele, Gary Anderson.  Heat 1-Steele, Burkett, Mike Cloud.  Heat 2-Ethan Killingsworth, Andrew Hall, Eric Hanson.  Main Event-Steele, Burkett, Killingsworth, Anderson, Hall, Kristopher Mix, Mike Cloud, Dillen Lausen, Mike Johnson, Hanson, Hunter Magnan, Patrick Stringer-Stine, Garrett Fredrickson, Marissa Henson.

Peters Prevails In SODCA Dwarf Car Feature 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 16...Brock Peters has been on a big roll with the Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association, and that continued Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  After winning the $750 Dash For Cash to start the evening, Peters won the B Dash and led every lap in winning his third 20 lap Main Event in his last four starts at the track.  Chad Cardoza enjoyed his best feature finish in second.  Though a point list wasn't available prior to the races, Peters is the likely leader now following the struggles of teammate Kalvin Morton in recent starts. Morton flipped just feet from a sure victory two weeks ago and missed the start last week.  This week, Jerry Hauck let him drive his race car, and Morton responded with a fifth place finish.

The night started with a six lap, $750 Dash For Cash, won by B. Peters ahead of Camden Robustelli and Rob Gergel.  Cody Peters held off Robustelli to win a six lap heat race, and two time reigning champion Josh King claimed the other heat race ahead of Cardoza.  King prevailed in the A Dash ahead of Cardoza, while B. Peters won the B Dash ahead of Mason Lewman.  King had a front row start with B. Peters, but his Main Event ended very early as he headed to the pits on the third lap.  B. Peters charged into the lead ahead of Cardoza.  C. Peters took over third on lap two.  While B. Peters led Cardoza, the race behind them found C. Peters, Robustelli and Lewman battling for third.  Robustelli and Lewman both got by C. Peters for third and fourth on lap eight.  Lewman made a late pass on Robustelli for a season best third place finish.  However, nobody was going to stop B. Peters from scoring another victory.  Cardoza was a strong second ahead of Lewman, Robustelli, Morton, C. Peters, Paul Haslow, Joe Sanders, Gergel and Randy Slater.

Race Results

SODCA Dwarf Car

Heat 1-Cody Peters, Camden Robustelli, Don Gifford.   Heat 2-Josh King, Chad Cardoza, Brock Peters.  A Dash-King, Cardoza, C. Peters.  B Dash-B. Peters, Mason Lewman, Rob Gergel.   $750 Dash For Cash-B. Peters, Robustelli, Gergel.  Main Event-B. Peters, Cardoza, Lewman, Robustelli, Kalvin Morton, C. Peters, Paul Haslow, Joe Sanders, Gergel, Randy Slater, Mark Nielson, King, Jerry Hauck (DNS), Gifford (DNS).

Doty Wins Second Straight Super 4's Feature 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 16...The Super 4's division continues to gather momentum at Southern Oregon Speedway, and one of the drivers rallying others to come race is Lee Doty.  There was another new entry in the field last week as Dan Prewitt joined the action.  However, not even Pruett could stop Doty from driving to his second straight 20 lap Main Event victory.

Doty gave an early sign of things to come as he held off John Barger to win the four lap Trophy Dash. The division  ran two six lap heat race with Doty again beating point leader Barger to win his heat race.  Prewitt held off Charlie Eaton to win the second heat.  Doty shot out of the gate like a cannon ball to lead the Main Event from the start.  Prewitt settled into second ahead of Barger, and Doty was lapping slower cars by the mid point of the race.   Terry Hadley spun for the only yellow flag on lap 11, but Doty continued his rapid pace on the restart.  Prewitt ran a strong second, but Barger's run came to an end as he retired on lap 8.  Doty scored the impressive victory ahead of Prewitt, T. Hadley, Krista Hadley, Eaton, Bill Spencer and Barger.

Race Results

Super 4's

Heat 1-Lee Doty, John Barger, Terry Hadley.  Heat 2-Dan Prewitt, Charlie Eaton, Krista Hadley.  Trophy Dash-Doty, Eaton, K. Hadley.  Main Event-Doty, Prewitt, T. Hadley, K. Hadley, Eaton, Bill Spencer, Barger.

Thomason Scores Third Straight OTRO Hardtop Feature Win At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 16...The OTRO Hardtops made their third appearance of the season Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway and entertained the crowd with their beautiful race cars.  When the checkered flag flew, it was Trevor Thomason driving the Vic & Louise Bridges owned 1933 Dodge Coupe to victory in the 20 lap Main Event.  It was the third straight win for Thomason.

Bill Trotter won he four lap Trophy Dash ahead of Chris Mehrer, who finally got the steering issues resolved with Bill Trotter's 1938 Ford pickup for a second place finish.  Thomason won the eight lap heat race ahead of Rhett Lange.  Thomason was lined up in the third row for the Main Event, but he was already second behind Wylie Powell on the first lap.  A low move in Turn 4 of the second lap gained Thomason the lead in what was destined to be a non stop race.  Lange followed Thomason into second.  Trotter moved in to challenge Powell for third and made an inside pass on the front stretch on lap four to grab third.  Thomason was setting a rapid pace up front and started lapping cars at the back of the pack by lap nine.  Thomason won by a good margin ahead of final lead lap finisher Lange.  Trotter finished third ahead of Powell, Jimmy Del Castille, Mehrer and Brian Crouch.

Race Results

OTRO Hardtops

Heat-Trevor Thomason, Rhett Lange, Bill Trotter.  Trophy Dash-Trotter, Chris Mehrer, Brian Crouch.  Main Event-Thomason, Lange, Trotter, Wylie Powell, Jimmy Del Castille, Mehrer, Crouch.

Gill Steals The Show With IMCA Modified Win

Gill Steals The Show With IMCA Modified Win

Two time defending champion Albert Gill dominated the IMCA Modified division by leading all 25 laps of the Main Event at Southern Oregon Speedway. Gill also won his heat race and the Trophy Dash.  Gill was chased across the line at the end by Monte Bischoff.

Lee Doty capped a clean sweep with his second straight Super 4's 20 lap Main Event victory ahead of Dan Prewitt, who was making his season debut.

SODCA Dwarf Car point leader Brock Peters won his third 20 lap Main Event in his last four starts.  Peters led all the way with Chad Cadozaa a race long second.

David Steele won his third 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event in four starts, winning by nearly half a lap over point leader Bob Burkett.

Trevor Thomason won his third straight 20 lap OTRO Hardtop Main Event as Rhett Lange finished second for the second  time in a row.

Albert Gill reminded everybody that he is the reigning champion by winning the 25 lap IMCA Modified feature in impressive fashion.  Gill had won the Trophy Dash and his heat race earlier in the evening and led most of the way by a wide margin.  Monte Bischoff took second from James Welshonse on lap 19, and a lap 22 yellow flag gave him a shot at Gill.  However, Bishoff was no match for Gill, who drove to the impressive victory.  Matthew Drager, Welshonse and Mark Wauge completed the Top 5 at the checkered flag.

Lee Doty had a strong night in the Super 4's division.  Doty won his heat race, the Trophy Dash and the 20 lap Main Event.  Doty took the lead at the start of the Main Event, and not even a lap 12 yellow flag for a Terry Hadley spin could stop him.  Doty won ahead of Dan Prewitt, T. Hadley, Charlie Eaton and Krista Hadley.

Brock Peters won the 20 lap SODCA Dwarf Car Main Event, the six lap $750 to win Dash For Cash and the 6 lap B Dash.  B. Peters had a front row start for the feature and led all the way with Chad Cardoza running a good race to follow not too far behind in second.  Mason Lewman won a late race duel with Camden Robustelli for the third place finish as Kalvin Morton finished fifth.

David Steele won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event.  From his front row starting position, he was never really threatened as he pulled away from fellow heat race winner Ethan Killingsworth.  Third row starter Bob Burkett made a turn 4 pass on Killingsworth on lap 19 and finished there as Killingsworth settled for third.  Gary Anderson and Andrew Hall rounded out the Top 5 finishers.

Trevor Thomason won the OTRO Hardtop heat race and 20 lap Main Event.  Thomason started in the back, but he had the lead by lap two.  Thomason set a rapid pace and lapped third place finisher and Trophy Dash winner Bill Trotter with four laps to go.  Thomason beat Rhett Lange by a half lap as B. Trotter, Wylie Powell and Jimmy Del Castille rounded out the Top 5.

Racing takes a week off for the Jackson County Fair, but the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars will be  part of a big six division show on July 30th along with the Outlaw Pro Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Hornets and Open Stock Cars. The Dwarf Car Western Regional event is next on the schedule for August 5-6.  For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.


Race Results, July 16

IMCA Modifieds

Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Albert Gill, Monte Bischoff.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Gill.  Main Event (25 Laps)-Gill, Monte Bischoff, Matthew Drager, James Welshonse, Mark Wauge.

SODCA Dwarf Cars

Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Cody Peters, Josh King.  A Dash (6 Laps)-King.  B Dash (6 Laps)-Brock Peters.  $750 Dash For Cash (6 Laps)-B. Peters, Camden Robustelli, Rob Gergel.  Main Event (20 Laps)-B. Peters, Chad Cardoza, Mason Lewman, Robustelli, Kalvin Morton.

Mini Stocks

Heat Winners (6 Laps)-David Steele, Ethan Killingsworth.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Bob Burkett.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Steele, Burkett, Killingsworth, Gary Anderson. Andrew Hall.

OTRO Hardtops

Heat Winner (6 Laps)-Trevor Thomason.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Bill Trotter.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Thomason, Rhett Lange, B. Trotter, Wylie Powell, Jimmy Del Castille.

Super 4's

Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Lee Doty, Dan Prewitt.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Doty.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Doty, Prewitt, Terry Hadley, Charlie Eaton, Krista Hadley.

IMCA Modifieds Back At Southern Oregon Speedway

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

Can Be Viewed HERE

Competitive Field Anticipated For Fifth IMCA Modified Race

The IMCA Modifieds are at the midway point of their season with their fifth of nine races set to run this Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  The winner of two of the races this year is six time track champion Mark Wauge.  Wauge has been fast out of the gate, and his drive from 19th starting to win the Roger Haudenshild Memorial Race back in May is considered by many fans to be the drive of the year so far.

Mark took quite a bit of damage to his car in a crash at Cottage Grove two weeks ago, but he has it back together and ready for Saturday's show.  When he gets there, he can expect a challenge from the likes of Albert Gill, Jesse Bailey and Monte Bischoff, all of whom plan to be there.  Gill is the two time reigning champion, and Bailey has two strong Top 3 feature finishes so far.  Any one of these four will be serious threats to win on Saturday.

Ray Kniffen Jr. is making only his second start of the season, following up on his Trophy Dash win and second place finish at Yreka a few weeks ago.  Speaking of Trophy Dash wins, rookie James Welshonse already has two of them.  He outdueled one time feature winner Duane Orsburn to get both wins.  Orsburn is currently second in the standings.

Bo Shields, James Anderson and Matthew Drager are three others who will be there this week.  Drager was third in points at Willamette last season and is holding down that position this season as a feature winner.  The fans have been waiting for the kind of excitement that only IMCA Modifieds can provide, and they will get it Saturday night.

The five division program will also include SODCA Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks, OTRO Hardtops and Super 4's.  It should be  a good night of racing.  Gates open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race at 7:00 p.m.  Adult tickets are $12.00 with Juniors and Seniors $6.00.  Children 5 and under are free.  For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

IMCA Modifieds Back At Southern Oregon Speedway

Saturday night racing continues at Southern Oregon Speedway this week with a five division show that will feature the IMCA Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars, OTRO Hardtops and Super 4's.  It should be another great night of racing on the fast 3/10th mile clay oval.

The IMCA Modifieds have held four races with two of them being marquee events.  The most recebt Wild West Speedweek race was won by Colorado's Ryan Scott  Gaylord ahead of Speedweek champion Kellen Chadwick.  Six time champion Mark Wauge won the opener and made a charge from last starting to win the Roger Haudenshild Tribute in impressive fashion.

The bad news for Wauge is that his most recent start on Fourth Of July weekend at Cottage Grove didn't result in his third win there.  Instead, he was left with severe front end damage to repair. "We loaded up and went home to lick our wounds.  We've have a really tough go since Banks a few weeks ago.  We will be back, " Wauge proclaimed.

The good news is that Wauge will be back this week to go for his third win of the season at his home track.  He admits it's the camaraderie that makes it worthwhile.  "Ninety percent of the fun in racing is hanging out with good friends.  All year long, these people have been great."

Word is that he will be joined by Bo Shields, James Anderson and Monte Bischoff.  Bischoff has multiple Top 10 point seasons and ranked third in 2007.  Another driver anticipated this week is two time Street Stock champion Duane Orsburn.  His last feature start at the speedway was a win that has put him in position to take over the point lead.  To get that win, he had to battle two time Trophy Dash winner James Welshonse.  Welshonse has risen through the ranks of Mini Stocks and IMCA Sport Modifieds to get to his rookie season in an IMCA Modified. 

Hailing from nearby Talent, 2015 Yreka Mini Stock champion David Steele has returned to do battle with Bob Burkett and Gary Anderson for Main Event supremacy.  Steele won last week and has two wins and a third in his three starts.  "I really enjoy racing with Bob and Gary, " David admitted.  "We race each other hard, but we race clean."

David might have had three wins in a row, but his third place finish occurred when he got just a little bit sideways exciting Turn 2 on the last lap and fell behind Burkett and Anderson.  "I thought maybe Bob wouldn't push it so hard since he's running for points, " said Steele.  "He surprised me just a bit there."

Burkett is finally making his first legitimate run at a track championship and has every intention of running the full schedule.  His resume in Mini Stocks is impressive as he's racked up numerous Main Event wins through the years and four runner up point seasons.  Drivers are lining up to break the strangle hold of point leader Burkett, Anderson and Steele when it comes to winning.  Eric Hanson, Kris Mix, 14 year old Marissa Henson and Andrew Hall are four drivers to keep an eye on. 

In the SODCA Dwarf Car division, Kalvin Morton entered last week as the point leader.  He was still feeling the sting from his last turn flip after contact with a slower car a week earlier.  He just barely made it in time to attempt to race.  "That was just a bad deal, " said the three time Yreka feature winner.  "This is our worse track, and the car was hooked up last week.  It was our race.  To lose it that way is just very disappointing."

Morton and his championship rival Brock Peters are teammates, and they all worked to get his car back together.  The car still wasn't quite right, and Morton will likely lose the point lead to Peters after missing the Main Event.  Peters has been on a bit of a roll lately, but can relate to the bad luck.  "It comes in cycles, " said last week's Main Event winner.  "We had a terrible start this year, but we're starting to get it dialed in now.  He's having his bad luck now, but he'll be back.  There's still lots of racing left to do."

Morton, Peters, two time reigning champion Josh King and Camden Robustelli are winners so far this year, and Rob Gergel hopes to add his name to the list.  Gergel drove a great race to finish second last week.  Ryan Smith, Chad Cardoza and young Cody Peters are three other drivers to watch this week.

The OTRO Hardtop's will be making their third appearance of the season on Saturday night.  The cars are replicas of  the old Hardtop race cars that were seen at race tracks all across the country in the 1950's and 1960's. These cars have normally raced on the pavement, but OTRO President Vic Bridges secured the dates with Promoter Mike McCann.  The OTRO philosophy is simple.  "We're a bunch of old open wheel racers who are having too much fun to stop racing now, " Bridges admitted.  "We're just out there having fun and putting on a show for the fans."

The first two Hardtop wins have been earned by Trevor Thomason in the Vic & Louise Bridges owned entry.  Last time out, Bridges went so far as to force his own car to start last in the interest of making a better show.  Thomason will be out to make it three in row, but he can expect some stiff competition from Bill Trotter, Gary Barber and Rhett Lange.

The Super 4's have been missing from the speedway for a couple of seasons, but they saw their car count nearly double from the first race to the second.  Lee Doty came into the night with a rebuilt motor after he couldn't get his other motor to start at the season opener.  "This one actually caught fire about eight years ago at a Late Model open show we were at, " Doty explained.  "They had to put out the fire, threw dirt on it and everything.  We had to tear it down completely and get the parts needed to fix it up.  It's a better motor."

Doty was definitely a bit faster, but his collision with the front wall in his heat race very nearly ended his night. Thanks to some hard work and help from others, he started the Main Event that night and came from the back to beat point leader John Barger for a well earned victory.  He will be back to try for two in a row, but he can expect tough competition from the likes of Terry Hadley, Krista Hadley, Steve Thompson, Bill Spencer and Barger.

The five division show should be a good one.  Gates will open at 5:00 p.m., with the first race to fire off at 7:00 p.m.  Adult tickets are $12.00, Juniors and Seniors are $6.00 and kids five and under are free.  For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Point Standings

IMCA Modifieds

Mark Wauge             107

Duane Orsburn           95

Jesse Bailey               91

James Welschonse     91

Nick Trenchard            90

Mini Stocks

Bob Burkett             217

Gary Anderson        166

Marissa Henson       157

Andrew Hall             152

Kristopher Mix         147

Super 4's

John Barger               70

Bill Spencer               50

Steve Thompson        40

Lee Doty                   36

Krista Hadley             30

OTRO Hardtops

Trevor Thomason         74

Bill Trotter                   61

Gary Barber                55

Jimmy DelCastille        52

Brian Crouch               49

Starks Wins Speedweek Finale, Steele, Peters Share Winner's Circle

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

Can Be Viewed HERE

 

Starks Wins WST Speedweek Championship 

With Southern Oregon Speedway Victory

White City, Oregon...July 9...Taking the lead from Mitchell Faccinto on the eighth lap, Trey Starks went on to win the 30 lap WST Sprint Car Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  This was the final race of 2016 Speedweek, and Starks used his win to take the series championship by just three points over Steven Tiner.  Starks becomes only the second Washington based competitor to win the Speedweek title since it was founded in 1998.  After four time series champion Roger Crockket won the first two races, the other wins went to Justyn Cox, Cory Eliason, Faccinto and Starks.  Faccinto finished second in the Main Event as Crockett was third.

Crockett worked right up until the last minute to get his car ready for Saturday following his flip at Willamette on Tuesday.  Garen Linder set what appeared to be the quick time of 11.332, but last qualifier Crockett beat that time with an 11.215.  There were three ten lap heat races with the first win going to Crockett ahead of Shawn Forte. Brysen James won the second heat ahead of Faccinto, and Jared Ridge was the third heat winner ahead of 2015 Cottage Grove Limited Sprint champion Patrick Dills.  Ridge kept the momentum going with his five lap Trophy Dash win ahead of Starks.  Tiner would enter the Main Event needing a sixth place finish or better to clinch the series championship.  Cooper Desbians was a Main Event scratch, leaving 21 cars to start the big race.

Ridge and Starks shared the front row for the Main Event, and the race had a false start as Ridge failed to get up to speed on the initial green.  Ridge led Faccinto and Starks at the start.  The flying Ridge was already into lapped traffic by lap five as Starks took second from Faccinto.  A low move in Turn 3 of the eighth lap gained Starks the lead as Crockett caught the third place battle in traffic.  Crockett made a power move in Turn 2 of the 11th lap to pass Ridge and Tiner for third.  D.J. Freitas flipped for a red flag on lap 13.  At that point, Tiner was still doing what he needed to do to preserve his point lead.  Starks remained in command on the restart, followed by Faccinto and Crocket.  Working lap 17, Tiner did a wheelie down the front stretch, and he broke a front shock when the front came down.  Jonathan Allard got by for fifth.  A lap 20 caution flag flew for a stalled Dills on the backstretch.  Starks maintained his advantage over Faccinto on the restart with Crockett in third.  James took sixth from Tiner on lap 22, and Jake Wheeler soon got by for seventh.  Nobody was getting past the flying Starks as he charged to the Speedweek championship clinching victory.  Faccinto used his second place finish to leap into third in points as Crockett took the checkered flag in third.  Ridge was fourth, followed by Allard, James, Wheeler, Tiner, Linder and Daniel Anderson.

Race Results 

NST Sprint Cars

Fast Time-Roger Crockett 11.215.  Trophy Dash-Jared Ridge, Trey Starks, Steven Tiner.  Heat 1-Crockett, Shane Forte, Tiner.  Heat 2-Bricen James, Mitchell Faccinto, Jake Wheeler.  Heat 3-Ridge, Patrick Dills, Chelsea Blevins.  Main Event-Starks, Faccinto, Crockett, Ridge, Jonathan Allard, James, Wheeler, Tiner, Garen Linder, Daniel Anderson, Blevins, Bailey Hibbard, Don Waddell, Bill Hopper, Forte, Dills, David Hibbard, Freitas, Brian Boswell, Todd Whipple, Raquel Ivie, Cooper Desbiens DNS.

Steel Unstoppable At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 9...Taking the lead from Gary Anderson early in the race, David Steele won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Steele is the 2015 champion at Yreka, and this was his second win in three starts.  Fourteen year old Ethan Killingsworth finished second, and point leader Bob Burkett used a late pass to finish third.

There were 12 Mini Stocks in action, and Anderson won an eight lap heat race ahead of the truck of Killingsworth.  Steele won the other heat race ahead of Burkett, but Burkett prevented a Steel clean sweep as he held him off for a four lap Trophy Dash win.  Rookie Garrett Fredrickson and Mikey Johnson were Main Event scratches.  Anderson and Steele shared the front row of the Main Event, and Anderson raced into the early lead ahead of Steele and Killingsworth,.  Steele took the lead from Anderson in Turn 2 of the third lap, and Andrew Hall made a low move in Turn 4 of the fifth lap to take third from Killingsworth.  Unfortunately, Hall began to slow with a flat as he surrendered third back to Killinsgowrth on lap seven.  An inside move on the front stretch of the 13th lap gained Killingsworth second from Anderson, who appeared to be slowing just a bit.  Burkett made a pass on the front stretch on lap 18 to take third from Anderson.  Steele set a good pace up front and brought it home to an impressive victory.  Killingsworth had his best finish yet in second as Burkett settled for third.  Anderson used his fourth place finish to regain second in the standings with Eric Hanson a solid fifth.  Kristopher Mix, Marissa Henson, Mike Cloud, Hall and Patrick Stringer-Stine completed the finishing order.

Race Results
Mini Stocks

Heat 1-Gary Anderson, Ethan Killingsworth, Bob Burkett.  Heat 2-David Steele, Andrew Hall, Eric Hanson.  Trophy Dash-Burkett, Steele, Anderson.  Main Event-Steele, Killingsworth, Burkett, Anderson, Hanson, Kris Mix, Marissa Henson, Mike Cloud, Hall, Patrick Stringer-Stine, Garrett Fredrickson DNS, Mikey Johnson DNS.

Peters Scores Second Southern Oregon Speedway Victory

White City, Oregon...July 9...Brock Peters scored another impressive 20 lap SODCA Dwarf Car feature victory Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Once again, he did it in a clean sweep with wins in his heat race and the A Dash as well. In his last three starts at the track, Peters has two wins and a second, and the points will be shaken up after incoming point leader Kalvin Morton didn't start the Main Event.  Morton had to scramble to the last minute making repairs from his race ending flip while leading on the last lap a week earlier, and the repairs didn't quite work.

The Dwarf Cars ran two eight lap heat races, and B. Peters won his heat ahead of Rob Gergel.  Sean Fuller made his first start and won the other heat race ahead of two time reigning champion Josh King.  B. Peters continued his momentum with a four lap A Dash win ahead of King.  Camden Robustelli won the six lap B Dash ahead of Cody Peters.  Bill Winter was also a Main Event scratch.  B. Peters had an outside front row starting spot for the Main Event and sped into the lead at the start.  The race was destined to go non stop as Gergel ran second ahead of King. Joe Sanders and Kaycee Sheeler were both out before the halfway point of the race, and the battle was for third between King, Robustelli and C. Peters.  Robustelli made a back stretch pass on King for third on lap 14, and C. Peters fell slightly off the pace.  B. Peters drove a great race up front and earned the victory ahead of Gergel, Robustelli, King, C. Peters, John Crisman, Fuller, Sheeler and Sanders.

Race Results
SODCA Dwarf Cars

Heat 1-Brock Peters, Rob Gergel, Camden Robustelli.  Heat 2-Sean Fuller, Josh King, Joe Sanders.  A Dash-B. Peters, King, Gergel.  B Dash-Robustelli, Cody Peters, John Crisman.  Main Event-B. Peters, Gergel, Robustelli, King, C. Peters, Crisman, Fuller, Kayee Sheeler, Sanders, Kalvin Morton DNS, Bill Winter DNS.

Starks Wins WST Sprint Car Speedweek Finale

Starks Wins WST Sprint Car Speedweek Finale

Trey Starks won the sixth round of the WST Speedweek Series Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway. He gained the lead from Trophy Dash winner Jered Ridge on lap eight and led the rest of the way to win ahead of Mitchell Faccinto and Roger Crockett. The win for Starks gained him the Series Championship by three points ahead of eighth place finisher Jonathan Allard.

Brock Peters scored a clean sweep in winning the SODCA Dwarf Car 20 lap Main Event, heat race and A Dash. Peters led Rob Gergel for the entire distance in collecting his second win in his last three starts at the speedway.

David Steele won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Ethan Killingsworth made a late charge before settling for a season best second.

Trey Starks won the NST Sprint Car 30 lap Main Event. The win made him the fifth different winner in six races and moved him ahead of Steven Tiner for the Series Championhsip by 3 points. Starks followed Trophy Dash winner Jered Ridge for seven laps before making his move for the lead in lapped traffic. A lap 11 pass gained Mitchell Faccinto second, but all he could do was chase the flying Starks across the line for second. Roger Crockett arrived just before time trials and still set the fast time of the evening. Crockett drove to a solid third place finish ahead of Ridge and Jonathan Allard.

Brock Peters won the 20 lap SODCA Dwarf Car Main Event along with his eight lap heat race and four lap A Dash. Peters used his front row start to lead every lap in victory. His win, along with the scratch of incoming point leader Kalvin Morton, will tighten the point race. Rob Gergel was a race long second, and Camden Robustelli won a battle with two time reigning champion Josh King to finish third. Cody Peters rounded out the Top 5 at the checkered flag.

David Steele won the 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Steele shared the front row with Gary Anderson and the two battled closely early on before Steele pulled away. Anderson appeared to be having a mechanical issue as he fell just a bit off the pace in surrendering second to Ethan Killingsowrth and third to point leader Bob Burkett. Killingsworth could not make the move on the flying Steele, who picked up his second win of the season. Burkett finished third ahead of Anderson and Eric Hanson.

Racing continues next Saturday with IMCA Modifieds back in action once again. Also on the card will be the SODCA Dwarf Cars, Mini Stocks, Super 4's and OTRO Hardtops. For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Race Results, July 9

NST Sprint Cars
Fast Time-Roger Crocket. 11.215. Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Crockett, Bricen James, Jered Ridge. Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Ridge. Main Event-Trey Starks, Mitchell Faccinto, Crockett, Ridge, Jonathan Allard, James, Jake Wheeler, Steven Tiner, Garen Linder, Daniel Anderson.

SODCA Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Brock Peters, Sean Fuller. A Dash (4 Laps)-B. Peters. B Dash (6 Laps)-Camden Robustelli. Main Event (20 Laps)-B. Peters, Rob Gergel, Robustelli, Josh King, Cody Peters.

Mini Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Gary Anderson, David Steele. Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Bob Burkett. Main Event (20 Laps)-Steele, Ethan Killingsworth, Burkett, Anderson, Eric Hanson.

WST Speedweek Series Comes To Southern Oregon Speedway

Speedweek Battle Heats Up Heading Into Weekend Finale

The Western Sprint Tour Speedweek Series runs their finale on Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  They series kicked off at Sunset Speedway last Sunday, followed by stops at Cottage Grove Speedway, Willamette Speedway and Coos Bay Speedway. Friday is to be the fifth race at Siskiyou Motor Speedway in Yreka, and Cory Eliason leads a trio of Californians in the standings heading into Friday.

The series started off looking like it might go in four time champion Roger Crockett's favor.  The current Cottage Grove Speedway point leader won the Sunset and Cottage Grove races impressively to set the early pace in the standings.  Also notable was Medford's Garen Linder's fifth place finish in the Sunday race.  Unfortunately, Crockett's luck went south on the opening lap at Willamette.  A car spun on the front straightaway and into his path, causing Crockett to flip. Crockett then missed the Coos Bay race making repairs.

With Crockett out of the picture, Eliason used an amazing run on the outside to pass Jason Solwold for the win at Willamette and take over the series point lead. With four Top 5 finishes, California champion Steven Tiner is second in the points, but he has pressure from behind in the form of another Californian, Justyn Cox. Cox had a flag to flag romp at Coos Bay to become the third different winner.  Also of note was Medford Pennzoil Sprint Car point leader Jake Wheeler, who finished third at Coos Bay.

The battle for the Speedweek Title will be between Eliason, Tiner, Cox and Washington's Trey Starks, but there are some other contenders to watch in the battle for a feature victory.  Of note are Crockett, Linder, Wheeler, New Zealand's Daniel Anderson, Wayne Kniffen, Jeremy Lowe and Aaron Miller.

Joining the Sprint Cars on Saturday will be SODA Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks.  Kalvin Morton had a checkered flag and win #4 in his site last week when he tangled with a slower car and flipped on the last lap in the Dwarf Car Main Event.  The win went to Camden Robustelli ahead of Brock Peters, and the three should be in action on Saturday along with Ryan Smith, Rob Gergel, Chad Cardoza, Cody Peters and Randy Slater.

With three wins and two seconds in the five Mini Stock racers held so far, point leader Bob Burkett has been the man to beat.  2014 champion Gary Anderson and 2015 Yreka champion David Steele are the other winners, and all three are anticipated this week to continue their close battle up front.  Fourteen year old Marissa Henson leads a close battle with Anderson, Andrew Hall and Kris Mix in the race for second in the standings, and a field of at least a dozen competitors is anticipated this week.

Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.  Adult tickets are $18.00 with Seniors and Juniors $12.00.  Children 5 and under are free.  For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Speedweek Points after four races

1    Cory Eliason        348
2    Steven Tiner        337
3    Trey Starks        310
4    Justyn Cox        299
5    Jake Wheeler        261
6    Kelly Miller        255
7    J.J. Hickle        224
8    Daniel Anderson         219
9    Mitchell Faccinto    218
10    Shane Forte        212

Mini Stocks

43             Bob Burkett            184

17h          Marissa Henson     136

0               Gary Anderson      135

007           Andrew Hall           134

89             Kristopher Mix       125

49h          Eric Hanson            88

2d             Devon Weiser        74

87             Dillen Lausen         71

9c             Mike Cloud             69

7               Mikey Johnson      68

SODCA Dwarf Cars

18s           Kalvin Morton        585

2s             Brock Peters           547

26s           Ryan Smith             488

06s           Randy Slater           475

25s           Camden Robustelli 471

17s           Rob Gergel             456

62s           James Edwards      444

30s           Cody Peters            423

109s         Josh King                 390

4s             Joe Sanders            308

WST Speedweek Series Comes To Southern Oregon Speedway

The Western Sprint Tour will wrap up their six race Speedweek Series on Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  The series runs six races in Oregon and Northern California in a seven day span.  Also on the card will be the SODCA Dwarf Cars and Mini Stocks.

Back in the 1980's, there was a Sprint Car group in California called NARC that started holding this special week long series in the summer called Speedweek.  The best drivers came out and ran every race that week, and a Speedweek champion was crowned.  The event grew every year and eventually attracted the attention of the Pacific Northwest Sprint Car crowd.  In 1998, a Speedweek Series was started in Oregon and Washington.

Perhaps it's only fitting that it was third generation California racer Bud Kaeding winning the first championship.  The Kaeding name is one of the biggest in Winged Sprint Car racing on the West Coast.  In 2004 and 2005, Bud's legendary father Brent Kaeding added his name to the list of champions.  Californians have fared well through the years, led by four time champion Steve Kent.  Of course, Oregon is well represented by one of the biggest Sprint Car names in the state, Roger Crockett.

The son of Placerville Sprint Car legend Brian Crockett, Roger has built up an amazing resume for himself.  He's won most of the big races in the state along with several track championships.  When it comes to Speedweek, he's a four time champion, and nobody has notched more Speedweek victories than Roger.  In fact, he added two more wins in the series opener on Sunday at Sunset Speedway and then at Cottage Grove on Monday.  This gives Crockett 21 wins all time.  Monday's race at Cottage Grove was actually the 100th Main Event in the 19 years of  Speedweek.

Roger will be out to try to bring the Speedweek championship trophy back to Oregon following back to back championships from Californians Kyle Hirst and Colby Copeland.  Neither driver is competing for the full week this year as Hirst currently leads the King Of The West Series.  However, a few Californians are competing, led by veteran Steven Tiner, Cory Eliason, Justyn Cox and second generation racer Mitchell Faccinto.

Eliason won the third race of the series at Willamette.  He won it in exciting fashion with an impressive outside pass on race long leader Jason Solwold with two laps to go.  Since Crockett flipped after a spinning car veered into his path at the start, Eliason was the point leader heading into Round  #4 at Coos Bay Speedway.

Another second generation racer, Garen Linder, is running all six events and started off with a solid fifth place run at Sunset Speedway.  Garen is hot on the trail of his first win of the year, and he has won at Southern Oregon Speedway in the past.  New Zealander Daniel Anderson will be coming and a few others anticipated for this race include Shannon Forte, Donny Waddell, Kenny Miller and Washington's Nate Vaughn.

Jake Wheeler will be hoping to defend the local honor.  The third generation racer leads the local point standings and has three seconds and a win so far.  In addition to Wheeler, the track regulars will be represented by Wayne Kniffen, Todd Whipple, Jeremy Lowe and Aaron Miller.  Anderson California's Chelsea Blevins has indicated that she will be there as well.  A good field of Sprint Cars will be in action on the three/tenth mile clay oval, and it should be a good show.

Joining the Sprint Cars on the card will be the track's Mini Stock division.  With three feature wins so far, Bob Burkett is leading the way in the point standings.  Remarkably, Burkett has never won the division championship, but he as racked up numerous feature wins and four second place seasons through the years.  A close battle for second in the standings has 14 year old Marissa Henson leading one time winner Gary Anderson, Andrew Hall and Kristopher Mix going into the night.

Also competing will be the SODCA Dwarf Cars.  Camden Robustelli won last week and will be going for two in a row.  Three time Yreka winner Kalvin Morton leads the standings so far, and he is hoping to rebound from an incident last week that saw him flip from the lead on the last lap.  With Brock Peters, Chad Cardoza, Randy Slater, Josh King, Ryan Smith and young Cody Peters in the field, it's anybody's guess who will win the race.

The three division show should be a good one.  Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with the first race to fire off at 7 p.m. sharp.  General admission is $18.00 with seniors and Juniors $12.00.For furth  er information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.


Point Standings
Speedweek After 3 of 6 Races

1    Cory Eliason        267
2    Steven Tiner        254
3    Roger Crockett        248
4    Trey Starks        223
5    Justyn Cox        206
6    Kelly Miller        186
7    Kyle Hirst        180
8    Nate Vaughn        174
9    Mitchell Faccinto    171
10    Daniel Anderson         165

Mini Stock

43             Bob Burkett            184

17h          Marissa Henson     136

0               Gary Anderson      135

007           Andrew Hall           134

89             Kristopher Mix       125

49h          Eric Hanson            88

2d             Devon Weiser        74

87             Dillen Lausen         71

9c             Mike Cloud             69

7               Mikey Johnson      68

SODCA Dwarf Cars

18s           Kalvin Morton        585

2s             Brock Peters           547

26s           Ryan Smith             488

06s           Randy Slater           475

25s           Camden Robustelli 471

17s           Rob Gergel             456

62s           James Edwards      444

30s           Cody Peters            423

109s         Josh King                 390

4s             Joe Sanders            308

Speedweek Stats

1998    Bud Kaeding
1999    Brad Furr
2000    Steve Kent
2001    Steve Kent
2002    Steve Kent
2003    Roger Crockett
2004    Brent Kaeding
2005    Brent Kaeding
2006    Steve Kent
2007    Shane Stewart
2008    Roger Crockett
2009    Jesse Hockett
2010    Roger Crockett
2011    Kyle Larsen
2012    Mitch Olsen
2013    Roger Crockett
2014    Kyle Hirst
2015    Colby Copeland

2015 Points
Colby Copoeland    521
Kyle Hurst    506
Roger Crockett    496
Steven Tiner    489
Justyn Cox    466
Trey Starks    460
Phil Dietz     420
Garen Linder    408
Colby Wiesz    380
Michael kofoid    372

2014 Points
Kyle Hirst    862
Colin Baker    827
J.D. Hickle    677
Trey Starks    669
Jonathan Allard    650

2013 Points
Roger Crockett    985
Henry Van Dam    841
Mason Moore    836
Trey Starks    816
Cam Smith    789

2012 Points
Mitch Olsen
Henry Van Dam
Roger Crockett
Reece Goetz
Cam Smith

2011 Points
Kyle Larsen    576
Roger Crockett    540
Henry Van Dam    528
Trey Starks    521
Seth Bergman    473


Top 10 Winners
Roger Crockett    21
Steve Kent    13
Brent Kaeding    10
Shane Stewart    7
Brad Furr    5
Travis Rilat    5
Kyle Hirst    4
Wayne Johnson    4
Colby Copeland    3
Jesse Hockett    3