James, Johnson, Burke, Bartlett Win
Southern Oregon Speedway Outlaw Kart Races
White City, Oregon...August 10...Jacob James won his first ever 15 lap Box Stock Main Event Friday night at Little Southern Oregon Speedway. After winning one of his heat races, James charged into the Main Event lead from the start. Point leader Keaton Augustine and Ryan Hirschbock made this a close three-car battle throughout the non stop race. Hirschbock searched for a way around Augustine as Augustine did the same with James. However, James ran smooth and consistent laps and was rewarded with the victory ahead of Augustine, Hirchbock, Brandon Steinhoff and Natalie Richard.
After abandoning the point lead to run Box Stocks a race earlier, reigning Beginners Box Stock champion Malachi Johnson returned and won his fourth 12 lap Beginners Main Event. With heat race wins, Johnson and Mike Wheeler Jr. shared the front row for the Main Event. The race was close until Johnson made a good move around a slower car on lap ten and added a little distance between himself and Wheeler in his winning effort. Carson Henson was a strong third, and Jayme DeBenedetti beat incoming point leader Uriah Sanders back to the line for fourth.
2016 champion Johnny Burke returned for the first time since the season opener and won the 20 lap 500 Open Main Event. Burke won both of the heat races and sprinted into the Main Event lead from the start. Brenden Bartlett settled into second in his first start, while Merissa Henson and Reece Slyer battled for third. As the race wore on, Burke pulled away and scored the impressive victory. Bartlett held off Henson for the second place finish as Slyter settled for fourth.
Brenden Bartlett subbed for Brionna Fuller once again and won the 15 lap 250 Kart Main Event. The heat races were intense battles, and wins were recorded by Bartlett and incoming point leader Trevor Grimes. Grimes scratched from the Main Event, and Vinny DeBenedetti set the early pace ahead of Bartlett. DeBenedetti was doing a great job of leading the Main Event until spinning with a mechanical issue for a lap six caution flag. Bartlett grabbed the lead and led the rest of the way to win ahead of Taylor Fuller and DeBenedetti. Cadyn Smith was also a feature scratch.
Steve Rambo won his second straight 15 lap UAS Speedway Kart Main Event. Driving with a broken arm, Brionna Fuller won the first heat race, but Rambo held her off to win the other heat. Brionna Fuller led the opening lap of the Main Event before a mechanical issue ended her race. Rambo took over and led Larry Fuller and Ron Bolles. However, both Fuller and Bolles were out of the race by lap eight as Rambo won ahead of Ed Grubb, Lori Fuller, Bolles and Larry Fuller.
Albert Gill Jr. made his debut in the Novice Beginners Box Stocks and swept both heats and the ten lap feature. Gill has graduated to the Beginners class with his impressive effort. Gill led the Main Event from the start and won ahead of Issac Grimes, Bhaltair Edwards and Uriah Boardman. Boardman took a wild ride off of Turn 4 and into an infield pole to end his race. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt.
Outlaw Karts return for their seventh event this Friday night. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
