Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
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Four Division Program Closes Season
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...The 2016 season comes to a close this Saturday night with a four division racing program on the 3/10 mile clay oval track. Hays Oil Championship Night at the races will feature the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars, Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks, Mini Stocks and Super 4's. All season long, the Pro Stocks and Mini Stocks have been two of the best supported divisions by the racers.
In the Sprint Car division, Jake Wheeler appears to be headed for his first track championship on the strength of one win and three second place finishes. Jake's father, Vern Wheeler Jr., opened the season with two wins before announcing his retirement from driving. Jake has led the battle since then. After collecting his second third place finish in the most recent point race, rookie Jeffrey Hudson is the only driver with a chance to overtake Wheeler in the championship battle.
Hudson won the Outlaw Pro Stock championship at 15 years old last year and has looked good in his first season in a Sprint car. The second generation racer won his first heat race this year. Another second generation racer is ten points behind Hudson in the battle for second. Wayne Kniffin has finished as high as second this year and is hoping to win his first Sprint Car race this week. As the third and fourth place finishers last time, Hudson and Kniffen will share the front row of this week's Trophy Dash.
Yet another second generation racer, Aaron Miller, won his first Main Event last time out in a rather emotional moment that he got to share with his father in front of his home crowd. Other drivers anticipated this week include past Wingless Sprint champion Rowdy McClennon, past Cottage Grove champion Raquel Ivie and Todd Whipple. Ivie had a second place finish a couple weeks ago in the Extreme Sprint Car Main Event
In his ten year career in Mini Stocks, Bob Burkett has won many races and finished as high as second in the standings four times. As a three time winner who has not finished outside the Top 3 in ten races this year, Burkett has already clinched the track championship. In fact, 2014 champion Gary Anderson has used his two wins to help him lock up second in the standings. The battle is for third as Andrew Hall leads the tied Merissa Henson and five time winner David Steele by just four points. Hall chased Steele last time out with a career best second, while Henson won her second Trophy Dash earlier in the evening.
Steve Borror has won seven Outlaw Pro Stock features this year, including the $2500 to win Billy Geyer Memorial and the $1000 to win Roger Haudenshild Honors race. At this point, he is headed for the championship. With seven Top 3 finishes and an impressive Trophy Dash win last time out, Scott Flowers seems headed for his third consecutive runnerup point season. Up for grabs now is third place as Scott's son James Flowers and Matt Harlow have a good battle going.
James Flowers finished a strong second last time behind the flying Miles Deubert. The win was Deubert's second of the year. Fifth ranked rookie Julia Flowers will fight to hold off one time winner Rocky Nash for fifth in the standings as a field of over a dozen competitors is anticipated, including two time champion Ken Iving, Roy Bain, Scott Bennett and Rick Lukens.
Lee Doty finally overtook John Barger for the Super 4's point lead after his dominant performance last week. Doty now has four wins. Barring any major mechanical issues, Doty may be headed for the championship. As the 2013 champion, Barger will give it a good effort this week. Behind the lead duo, Charlie Eaton and Bill Spencer battle closely for third with Eaton holding a one point advantage. Eaton scored an impressive Trophy Dash win last week. The husband and wife team of Terry and Krista Hadley were back last week and finished second and third, respectively.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday with the Trophy Dashes starting the program at 7:00 p.m. Adult tickets are $12.00 with Seniors and Juniors $6.00 and children 5 and under free. This will be the last chance this year to check out racing at the 20 year old racing facility. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Point Standings
Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars
Jake Wheeler 140
Jeffrey Hudson 108
Wayne Kniffen 98
Bill Hopper 77
Vern Wheeler Jr. 74
Aaron Miller 60
Camden Robustelli 57
Todd Whipple 46
Rowdy McClennon 37
David Hibbard 34
Mini Stock
Bob Burkett 350
Gary Anderson 300
Andrew Hall 250
Merissa Henson 246
David Steele 246
Kristopher Mix 210
Eric Hanson 159
Dillen Lausen 153
Ethan Killingsworth 139
Mike Cloud 124
Outlaw Pro Stocks
Steve Borror 496
Scott Flowers 449
Matt Harlow 371
James Flowers 362
Julia Flowers 340
Rocky Nash 311
Roy Bain 272
Ken Irving 267
Scott Bennett 262
Rick Lukens 252
Super 4's
Lee Doty 181
John Barger 167
Charlie Eaton 150
Bill Spencer 149
Dan Prewitt 123
Terry Hadley 90
Krista Hadley 89
Eric Oahs 72
Steve Thompson 40
Joby Shields 15
