Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion
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Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars Return
To Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...The Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars will return to action at Southern Oregon Speedway this season with a nice schedule that will bring them to town for ten dates. Since the track opened in 1996, there has been an effort to have at least some Sprint Car racing, but the commitment the speedway has shown towards this division went up a notch when Mike McCann of KJE Enterprises took the helm as promoter in 2016.
The Kendall Oil sponsorship, presented by Hays Oil, will remain for 2019. Hays Oil has been a staunch supporter of Sprint Car racing at Southern Oregon Speedway for several years, and management is proud to continue this partnership.
Through the years, there have been some great racers who have competed locally, including four-time champion Dan Menne and Bill Nutter. Other stars of the speedway have included such notables as past champion Chadd Noland, Seth Nunes and Vern Wheeler Jr. In fact, two past champions, TJ Winningham and Charlie Thompson, returned to the fold last season.
David Hibbard stepped into the picture again in 2017. Having won a championship at Cottage Grove Speedway, where the division ran the Limited Sprint rules package, Hibbard was convinced that a similar rule set would increase car count at Southern Oregon Speedway. His commitment was so strong that he even sponsored the speedway to help increase the purse. McCann will continue to keep the purse at that level, meaning Main Event winners this season will be pocketing $1,000.
However, drivers will have an opportunity to race for an even bigger purse on August 10th with the running of the Second Annual Iron Head Nationals event. For drivers bold enough to take on another challenge, the August 3rd show will be offering a bigger purse. This will be the Third Annual Cascade Wingless Sprint Car Challenge Race, Presented By Herz Precision Parts. The pay for that race will be $3,500 to win with second place pocketing $1,500 and third grabbing $1,000.
Having helped get some momentum established for the Medford Sprint Car effort, Hibbard was excited about coming back to his home track and finally notching his first ever championship here last season. He has climbed up the win list at the speedway as one of the Top 5 all time winners, adding five victories to his totals last year. Hibbard clinched the championship just by starting the second to last race.
The Hibbard team fielded three race cars last season, but the third car, wheeled by his father Calvin Hibbard, has been purchased by 2018 IMCA Sport Modified champion David Marble. Marble will be hoping to make a run at top rookie honors this season, and he brings along impressive credentials that have seen him win both Mini Stock and Sport Modified championships at the speedway.
The second Hibbard team car will be driven by David's son Bailey Hibbard. Bailey began racing at the Outlaw Kart track adjacent to the speedway and started making his first Sprint Car starts at Cottage Grove Speedway. At a time when his confidence was at an all time low, Bailey came out to the speedway for a special Limited Sprint show in 2016 and promptly scored the victory. He is a five-time winner at Southern Oregon Speedway, grabbing one feature win last season. He also managed to rank third in the standings last season for the second straight year.
Another star in the field is second-generation competitor Jeffrey Hudson. Hudson is the 2015 Outlaw Pro Stock champ, and he also has a background in Outlaw Kart racing. After notching the Rookie Of The Year honors for the Sprint Cars in 2016 with one feature win, he came back strong last season to rank second in the standings. He did finish as high as second in the Main Event and also pocketed $1,500 for a second place finish in the Wingless Sprint Car show. He would have to be considered one of the drivers to beat whenever he is there this season.
Another driver to keep an eye on is Blaine Cory. In what has been a trend for this division, Cory is another graduate from the Outlaw Kart track. In his rookie season last year, he notched multiple second place finishes on his way to fourth in the standings and top rookie honors. Blaine seems poised to get his first career win this year.
Aaron Miller made the commitment to come back last season and run a full schedule. He did get a win at Coos Bay Speedway and was a winner in Medford back in 2016. He finished sixth in the standings last season and is hoping to improve on his numbers this year.
Outlaw Kart superstar Mike Wheeler came on strong at the end of last season. He led the last race all the way from the start to just inches before the finish line, where he was passed by Tanner Holmes. Wheeler looks like he has his program together, however, and he will be a threat to get wins this year. Likewise, Holmes is a threat to win any time he shows up. The fifth-ranked 2018 point competitor won twice. He's not likely to be a regular competitor as it looks like he'll be running the Summer Sizzler Series. However, he's a threat to win any time he's there.
Two other drivers up from the Kart ranks in the past are Merissa Henson and Enrique Jaime. Henson was the 2017 Rookie Of The Year and finished second in points, but she missed some races last year. She is likely to be seen racing both the Sprint Cars in Medford and the Sport Modifieds in Yreka this year. Jaime had difficulty keeping his motor program together after getting a career-best third place finish in the Main Event early last year. The team may race a spotty schedule this year, but they hope to be competitive when they are there.
TJ Winningham made a midseason decision to come out of retirement last year and had his moments, including a win in one of the Scrambles. His car was driven to victory at the Iron Head Nationals last year by Garen Linder. Winningham will bring a fast car whenever he's there. Likewise, Charlie Thompson will be a threat whenever he's in town. The past champion had a second place run going late in the season when his motor let go on him.
Another rookie in the field to keep an eye on will be Johnny Burke. Burke is a past open Outlaw Kart champion on the small track who is looking forward to finally making his Sprint Car debut. The field will include several other drivers, including Camden Robustelli, Steve Thompson and Todd Whipple.
Another driver likely to make his presence known anytime he's in town is 2017 champion Kyler Barraza. Barazza was on the verge of a victory early in the season last year when a lapped car sent him off the track and flipping. He had to get another car after that. Barraza has been mentoring some of the young up-and-coming drivers out of Roseburg, and it's just possible that we will see him and some of them on occasion.
Fans of Sprint Car racing get a good show anytime the Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars are in town. It should be another great year for the division. The ten race season will kick-off on May 4th, and the racing action continues from there with dates on May 18th, June 15th, June 29th, July 6th, July 20th, the big Wingless Sprint race on August 3rd, the Iron Head Nationals on August 10th, September 7th and September 14th. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
2018 Southern Oregon Speedway Kendal Oil Winged Sprint Car Schedule
May 4
May 18
June 15
June 29
July 6
July 20
August 3 - Herz Precision Parts "Cascade Sprint Challenge" ($3500 To Win Non Wing)
August 10 Iron Head Nationals
September 7
September 14
2018 Kendall Oil Sprint Car Points
1 David Hibbard 285
2 Jeffrey Hudson 228
3 Bailey Hibbard 222
4 Blaine Cory 209
5 Tanner Holmes 134
6 Aaron Miller 129
7 Enrique Jaime 128
8 Merissa Henson 120
9 Charlie Thompson 108
10 Todd Whipple 80
Past Sprint Car Champions
1996 Dan Menne
1997 Bill Nutter
1998 Dan Menne
2001 Chad Bauer
2002 Todd Zeitler
2003 Dan Menne
2004 T.J. Winningham
2005 Dan Menne
2006 Bill Nutter
2006 Randy Rodgers
2007 Randy Rodgers
2009 Charlie Thompson
2010 Chadd Noland
2011 Vern Wheeler Jr.
2013 Kyler Barraza*
2014 Kyler Barraza*
2016 Jake Wheeler
2017 Kyler Barraza
2018 David Hibbard
* Medford-Coos Bay Series
Southern Oregon Speedway Winged Sprint Car All Time Win List
Dan Menne 30
Roger Crockett 12
David Hibbard 12
Bill Nutter 10
Kyler Barraza 6
Vern Wheeler Jr. 6
Chadd Noland 6
Brent Kaeding 6
Jason Finley 6
Randy Rodgers 5
Bailey Hibbard 5
Garen Linder 4
Todd Zeitler 3
Danny Horner 3
Chad Bauer 3
Jake Wheeler 3
Kevin Cory 2
Jonathan Allard 2
Lidsey Casto 2
Kyle Hirst 2
Tim Kaeding 2
Anthony Nunes 2
Cale Carder 2
Dale Smith 2
Jeff Swindell 2
Steve Kinser 2
Tanner Holmes 2
Steve Vincent 1
Sean Fenn 1
Shane Steward 1
Shawna Wilskey 1
Eric Trask 1
Bruce Gieg Jr. 1
Jared Ridge 1
Scott Adams 1
Jesse Hockett 1
Kyle Larson 1
Steven Tiner 1
Travis Rilat 1
Seth Bergman 1
Henry Van Dam 1
Jayme Barnes 1
Lawrence Van Hoof 1
Matt Moberly 1
Rick Fauver 1
Andy Forsberg 1
Aaron Miller 1
Marvin Smith 1
Rico Abreu 1
Daryn Pittman 1
Seth Nunes 1
Colby Copeland 1
Willie Croft 1
Matt Menne 1
Trey Starks 1
Andy Gregg 1
Jake Waddell 1
Jeffrey Hudson 1
Tim Shaffer 1
Steve Kent 1
Ron Smith 1
Barry Martinez 1
Jay Smith 1
Brad Furr 1
Jeremy Lowe 1
Southern Oregon Speedway Continues To Be Home Track
For Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association
White City, Oregon...The Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars will be back in action at Southern Oregon Speedway this season. The group will once again make the 3/10 mile clay oval their home track with most of their race dates taking place here. Last season, the group delivered some of the biggest car counts of any other class at the speedway, and that is expected to be the case again this year.
Dwarf Cars have had races at Southern Oregon Speedway since the track opened in 1996. In 1998, Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association was founded. In those early days, drivers like Jon DeBenedetti, Gary Fitzsimmons and Dan Van Acker were stars in the division. Through the years, the Dwarf Car drivers have put on some of the best racing seen at the track.
Last season, the Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars had such a tight championship battle that it came down between four drivers at the season finale. The point structure employed by the group is conducive to close championship battles. The first race at the Medford track this season will take place on May 11th. Additional races here include May 18th, June 1st, June 22nd, July 20th, August 3rd, August 31st, September 1st and September 14th.
It may not have been his best season in terms of winning, but Josh King nonetheless used consistency to get the job done for his third championship in the group. King comes from a long line of great racers as the great grandson of Cecil James and grandson of Markey James. He is one of the smoothest and fastest drivers at the track, and he is always tough to beat.
The man that King had to beat to win the title was two-time champion Brock Peters. Peters had some midseason bad luck drop him off the pace just a little bit, and despite the fact that he won the season finale, he still fell just short in a tie with another of the group's hard chargers, Chad Cardoza. Both drivers are a threat to win the championship as Cardoza has finished as high as second in the standings on multiple occasions.
With his penchant for being able to win wherever the Dwarf Cars go, Camden Robustelli gave it an amazing effort last season in a quest to bring home the championship. Robustelli suffered a heartbreaker early in the season finale as a tangle with a slower car put him at the back of the pack in a Main Event that didn't have very many yellow flag slowdowns. He gave it his best effort, but it was not to be as he ended up in a three-way tie for second in the standings.
Like Robustelli, Kalvin Morton and Cody Peters are two of the young guns who are on the precipice of championships. Morton had a motor problem nearly cost him his shot at a championship last year. He was able to make the finale driving the Bud Lorentz car and managed to finish fifth in the standings. He was a multi time feature winner. Peters is probably best known for his upset victory in the 2017 Nationals race. He was a feature winner last year, but bad luck kept him out of the title chase in the end.
Ageless veteran Fred Hay has been there and done it all. Hay has been competing at Medford area race tracks and other venues since the 1960s and is one of the most respected competitors in the field. He gave them heck last year and had multiple Top 3 feature finishes. It just may be that we see his fast yellow #10 Dwarf Car in the Winner's Circle at some point this year.
The Winner's Circle has been in the sights of club president Randy Slater for a couple of years now, but his season came to a grinding halt after he suffered chassis damage in one of the Speedweek races last year. Randy was forced to miss the rest of the season, but he's planning to be back running stronger than ever this year as he looks to get his first win.
Two of the youngest drivers in the field looking to get wins are second-year competitors Michael Johnson and Ashleigh Strain. Second generation competitor Johnson was the top rookie in the field last year and gave a hint of things to come when he had a late-season Top 5 feature finish and heat win. Johnson is a quick study, as he showed with an impressive runner-up point season that saw him win multiple features in 2017 in the Mini Stocks. He will certainly be a driver to contend with in the battle for victories.
Teammates Kasey Sheeler and Mason Lewman are two other drivers to keep an eye on this season. Lewman was certainly knocking on the door to victory on at least one occasion last year and was a feature winner the year before. Another driver who has shown noticeable improvement is Joe Sanders, likely due to the time he's put in and his willingness to travel and get more seat time at other venues.
Ryan Smith has ranked as high as second in the standings in the past, and though last season wasn't the best of years for him, he's capable of striking for a feature victory on any given week. The lineup of racers in the Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars includes such notable stars as Jesse Lorentz, Chad Lorentz, Bill Winter, Don Gifford, Paul Haslow,, Dan Halbert, Andrew Hall, Steve Walker and Mark Nielsen. Another driver to keep an eye on is King's uncle and winner of last season's Nationals in the Sportsman division, Bret James.
The Dwarf Cars are some of the pictures fastest cars you'll see on any night in which they are scheduled at Southern Oregon Speedway. They bring a good field of competitors and put on a good show any time they're in town. For further information, go to www.sodca.net or www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
2018 SODCA Dwarf Car Schedule
April 13 - Playday
April 27 - Playday
May 11
May18
June 1
June 22
Juky 20
August 3
August 31 - R Charles Snyder Salute
September 1 - R Charles Snyder Salute
September 14
2018 Final SODCA Dwarf Cars
Josh King 878
Chad Cadoza 875
Brock Peters 875
Camden Robustelli 875
Kalvin Morton 874
Cody Peters 860
Ryan Smith 844
Fred Hay 830
Joe Sanders 800
Randy Slater 792
SODCA Dwarf Car Champions
1998 Jon DeBenedetti
1999 Jon DeBenedetti
2000 Jon DeBenedetti
2001 Gary Fitzsimmons
2002 Gary Fitzsimmons
2003 Dan Van Acker
2004 Crash Jackson
2005 Jerry Apland
2006 Tom Palazollo
2007 Jim Harsha
2008 Kelly Gutches
2009 Greg Denton
2010 Kelly Gutches
2011 R.J. McGahuey
2012 R.J. McGahuey
2013 C.J. Puttnam
2014 Josh King
2015 Josh King
2016 Brock Peters
2017 Brock Peters
2918 Josh King
SODCA Dwarf Car Southern Oregon Speedway All Time Win List
Jon DeBenedetti 32
Josh King 27
Kelly Gutches 18
C.J. Putnam 12
Brock Peters 12
R.J. McGahuey 10
Dan Van Acker 9
Jeff Harsha 9
Shawn Jones 6
Ryan Smith 6
Justin Hood 6
Camden Robustelli 6
Crash Jackson 5
Greg Dentone 5
Trevor Hukill 4
Gary Fitzsimmons 4
Curt Hunter 4
Chad Cardoza 4
Jerry Apland 3
Cody Peters 3
Fred Hay 3
Kalvin Morton 3
Tim Fitzpatrick 3
Steve Alberdi Jr. 2
Rick Harms 2
Glen Hester 2
Matt Sargent 2
Herman Pulyer 2
Joey Dale 2
Brandon Farquhar 2
Michael Goodson 2
Brad Boswell 2
Gilbert Toste 2
Mason Lewman 2
Josh Wiesz 2
Kevin Bender 2
Doug McVae 2
Mitch Sheeler 2
Tom King 2
Howie Ross 2
Stan Cook 2
Ryan Diatte 2
Henry Corbin II 1
Ben Wiesz 1
Kyle Resnick 1
Ed Starner 1
Tim Dunn 1
Eric Weisler 1
Bob Souza 1
Seth Wilson 1
Randy Shurts 1
Angel Figuroa 1
Jerry Houck 1
Cameron Diatte 1
Cecilia Dillie 1
Wayne Vann Raden 1
Ronnie Williams 1
Clay Goben 1
Mike Grenert 1
Henry Corbin III 1
Steve Orton 1
Ron Crume 1
Trevor Hukill 1
Tom Polazollo 1
Brian Merriman 1
Dean Riggs 1
Ryan Cotrell 1
Ted Stinson 1
Rob Gergel 1
Greg Stratton 1
Gilbert Toste 1
Bert Endicott 1
Mark Hinkle 1
Chris Salyer 1
Steve Hix 1
Ted Olson 1
Jay Ewing 1
Morris Chamberlain 1
Guy Tow 1
Shawn Whitney 1
Bret James 1
Ten Things To Look Forward To In The Coming Season
At Southern Oregon Speedway
White City, Oregon...The season opener at Southern Oregon Speedway is set for May 4th with Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and JOAT Labs Hornets on the card. Drivers are hoping to get a shot at the 3/10th mile clay oval before that as there are playdays set for April 13th and April 27th.
Southern Oregon Speedway is gearing up to open its 24th season of championship point racing this year, and this is the fourth under the leadership of Mike McCann and KJE Enterprises. Each year has seen a little bit of improvement over the previous year as the goal has always been to restore the speedway back to its former prominence. It's been a work-in-progress, but fans have watched as things have gotten better.
Any given Saturday night during the spring and summer months is a good excuse to come out to one of Oregon's nicest racing facilities. However, management endeavors to make each race special. We take a look at ten of the things to look forward to this year, but there are much more than that.
The Third Annual R Charles Snyder Salute. This is Oregon's biggest IMCA Modified and IMCA Sport Modified race of the year. The IMCA Modifieds will compete for a $5,000 first prize on the Sunday portion of the two-day event, while the IMCA Sport Modifieds race for $2,000 to win. The Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars join both nights of the program, while the Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks will be there on Sunday. But that's not enough.
It's not just about racing for the money on this occasion. R Charles Snyder was a beloved figure in the Medford community, both in general and in racing. For many years, he was the voice of Southern Oregon racing, and his work in helping raise money for charity as a popular radio DJ for 40 years certainly made a difference and endeared him to the people. Racers want to be there not just because of the money being paid, but because of who the race is for.
The Roger Haudenshild Tribute Race. This will be the seventh running of the special race honoring longtime Stock Car and Destruction Derby competitor Roger Haudenshild. Roger was known as somebody who would help his fellow racers when he could. The Haudenshild family and Dusty's Transmissions created this race to remember the man who meant so much to so many people. The IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks will be competing for extra money purses at the June 1st event. The Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars will also be there.
Hall of Fame Night. The Third Installment of the Southern Oregon Racing Hall Of Fame will happen on August 17th. This is an occasion in which the speedway inducts legends who have helped make the sport what it is in Southern Oregon. Last season, inductees included Dick Wallace, Dane Smith, Bruce "The Rabbit" Rayburn, Rick "The Animal" Hunsley and Dave Duste Sr. More Legends will be added to the list this year, and the fans will also be treated to some great racing by the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Late Models, Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and JOAT Labs Hornets.
The Cottonwood Classic. On August 24th, Southern Oregon Speedway will be hosting what should be the biggest Dirt Late Model race on the West Coast. The Late Models will be competing for a $4,000 to win first prize and increased payoff throughout the field. Southern Oregon Speedway began a commitment to build this class in 2016, and it continues to grow. This race will attract some of the best drivers on the West Coast to Medford, and it will be a show you won't want to miss.
IMCA Modified Wild West Speedweek. On June 22nd, the IMCA Modified Wild West Speedweek Tour will come through Medford. Some of the very best in Oregon and California IMCA Modified racing love to participate in this week-long series that crowns a champion. IMCA Modified fans will want to mark this date on their calendar as the IMCA Sport Modifieds and Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars will also be on the card.
The Cascade Wingless Sprint Car Challenge, Presented By Herz Precision Parts. Southern Oregon Speedway hosts the biggest Wingless 360 Sprint Car race in the state on August 3rd. Thanks to Herz Precision Parts, the winner will receive $3,500 with second place paying $1,500 and third getting $1,000 in the big money event. It's brought some of the best wingless drivers to town, but the prize has left back to California for the past two years with winner Geoff Ensign and car owner Ted Finkenbinder. Who will win the prize this year?
Modified Madness At Southern Oregon Speedway. The popular IMCA Modified division has been a staple at Southern Oregon Speedway since the track opened in 1996, and the IMCA Sport Modifieds enter their eighth season with a growing car count that is second to none at the track. Modified stars such a three-time champion Albert Gill, seven-time champion Mark Wauge, multi-time Roger Haudenshild Tribute winner Nick Trenchard, Zach Fettinger and Dave Duste Jr give the fans some great racing in the IMCA Modifieds.
The Sport Modifieds also have some great stars to cheer for, including two-time champions, Mike Medel and Dwayne Melvin, up-and-coming stars Tony Duste and Branden Wilson, Willie McFall and Justin McCreadie. Anytime the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds are in the lineup, you'll want to see the show.
Four Cylinder Frenzy At Southern Oregon Speedway. Southern Oregon Speedway offers three great divisions of Four Cylinder racing, from the fast paced Valley Store All Late Model Lites to the Bobbio's Pizza Mini Stocks and the JOAT Labs Hornets. The Valley Store All Late Model Lites champion, Charlie Eaton, will be trying to defend his championship against the likes of Ross Payant, Eric Aos, Dusty Aos and Bob Wescott. These are some of the fastest cars featured at the speedway.
Since this track opened in 1996, Mini Stock champions have been crowned. The current titleist is David Steele, who dominated things last year and has a target on his back. Drivers such as Hunter Magnan, 2013 champion Steve Goetz, 2017 champion Kristopher Mix, 2014 champion Gary Anderson and Ashtin Hedges will be out to stake their claims on the Winner's Circle.
For getting into the sport of auto racing at Southern Oregon Speedway, nothing beats the JOAT Labs Hornets. The competitive division featured six different feature winners throughout the 2018 season. Reigning champion Bree Tritchler is out to defend her crown, but she can expect some stiff competition from racers such as 2016 champion Tim Hedges, Chris Boynton, Brandyn Wonsyld and Jenna Hedges.
The three four cylinder divisions give the fans a nice variety of divisions to enjoy.
Iron Giant Street Stocks Are Coming To Town On May 25th. For the third straight year, The Iron Giant Street Stock Series brings The Big Sky Landscaping Disorder On The Southern Border to Southern Oregon Speedway. Over 20 competitors raced last season and gave the fans a great show with a style of racing that they rarely get to see on the 3/10th mile clay oval. The record shows that Andrew Langan was the race winner last year with Donald Schott winning the race the year before. A stellar line-up of drivers will be in town this year. Who's going to pick up the $1,000 first prize this time around?
Monster Truck Madness Returns. A two-day show is set to happen on June 7th and 8th for the Malicious Monster Truck Tour, presented by Dave's Carpet And Flooring of Medford. Last season, a half dozen of these big and intimidating machines put on a show for the fans, who came out to watch in the rain. You can watch the trucks as they fly through the air and crush vehicles. Plus, there will be kids rides as well. It's going to be a show that you don't get to see very often in Medford and you won't want to miss it.
These are just some examples of the great things in store for the fans at Southern Oregon Speedway this year. Once racing gets started on May 4th, you won't want to miss any of the action that comes in the weeks that follow. For further information, go to www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
Southern Oregon Speedway Welcomes Return Of
Iron Giant Street Stocks On May 25th
White City, Oregon...On May 25th, Memorial Day Weekend, there's going to be a little bit of disorder at Southern Oregon Speedway. This is because the Third Annual Big Sky Landscaping Disorder On The Southern Border Iron Giant Street Stock Series event will return. This year, the Iron Giant Series is making their trip south a two-day affair as they hit Siskiyou Golden Speedway on Sunday for their inaugural appearance there.
The Iron Giant Street Stock Series is the brainchild of Chris Sine and James Whitehouse, two staunch supporters of the Street Stock division. On the heels of a successful $5,000 to win Street Stock event at Willamette Speedway in 2016, the two took the pulse of the Street Stock racing community and discovered an interest in beginning a series that would take the group to almost every track in Oregon for one appearance each. This series would culminate each year in the big Iron Giant race.
It has been a resounding success. Unlike California, Oregon has a thriving Street Stock division that hasn't evolved to the point of becoming Pro Stocks or Limited Late Models in the way that it has in California. Street Stocks in Oregon are just that, old school Street Stocks. Almost every track in the state has their own division with the track in Medford being the exception.
The old Medford Speedway had a thriving Street Stock division for years, but the return to racing in the area seven years later at Southern Oregon Speedway happened without a Street Stock division. An effort was put forth from 2010 through 2014 to revive Street Stocks. It looked like it had potential, but rule changes by track management ended up killing what could have been a good thing.
Fast forward a few years to 2017 when series leaders approached promoter Mike McCann about having a race. The inaugural event featured about a dozen competitors, and though the count wasn't huge, they had a close battle throughout the 50 lap affair, won by Donald Schott. it was encouraging enough that McCann and the group reached an agreement for another $1,000 to win 50 lap race in 2018.
For the second visit, car count reached 22. It was the most successful Street Stock race in the history of Southern Oregon Speedway, and the win went to Andrew Langan. Langan figured to be a championship contender on the tour, but a crash later in the season made him miss a race. Another series race winner, David Cronk, succeeded inaugural champion Kyle Yaeck as the 2018 titleist.
The Iron Giant Series opener is the Medford race. One of the intents of this race being booked is an attempt to appeal to any California racers who might want to come up north to take on Oregon's best Street Stock racers. The addition of the Sunday night Yreka race is being done in the hopes that some Californians come on up. Though California Street Stock divisions have evolved to a point where they might be just a bit quicker, the Hobby Stock division at tracks such as Orland, Chico, Marysville and Hayfork might fit in nicely.
The Iron Giant Series will see all but one track that has been a part of things for the last two years return this year. Sunset Speedway in Banks, Oregon won't be involved, while Cottage Grove Speedway, Willamette Speedway, Coos Bay Speedway, St Helens Speedway, Madras Speedway and Douglas County Speedway return. After taking a look at the buzz centering around the Street Stocks, Cottage Grove management has added their own special Street Stock series, which also incorporates the annual Wallbanger race into the equation.
However, the loss of the one track on the schedule did not mean less races. Initially, McCann offered the group a second date. However, because there are racers interested in Washington, they will be returning to the Washington State Fair for a race in Yakima at the end of the year, and they have also added Grays Harbor Speedway to the mix. The addition of Yreka means that there will be ten different tracks for ten different races this year, and the St Helens race will be a two race weekend. It also makes this a three-state series.
Whitehouse and Sine are far from resting on their laurels. They've continued to bring in contingency sponsors and the Southern Oregon Speedway visit will be sponsored by Big Sky Landscaping. A field of cars in the twenties is once again anticipated as the drivers have the further enticement of having a two race weekend with the Yreka visit included. Fans in this area don't get an opportunity to look at true Street Stock racing very often these days, and it's certainly a treat they won't want to miss.
While the tracks down in California deviated from the initial Street Stock path, Oregon remains committed to the old school approach. It has served them well, and this is in no small part due to the commitment the drivers have made to keeping this class alive. It has proven worthy enough that many of the tracks in the state have created their own big special events for Street Stocks, and some of them are on the schedule.
Stars of the field include the likes of David Cronk, Donald Schott, Chris Sine, James Whitehouse, Erik Jarnport, Bob "Smitty" Smith, Andrew Langan, David Cronk and Josh Sheller, among others. This is certainly the premier Street Stock Tour on the West Coast, offering some of the best purses the drivers this division will see anywhere. For further information, look up The Iron Giant Street Stock Series on Facebook, and you can also go to the race track's official page at www.southernoregonspeedway.com.
2019 Road To The Iron Giant Street Stock Series Schedule
May 25 - Big Sky Landscaping - Disorder On The Boarder II - Southern Oregon Speedway, Medford, Oregon
May 26 - Siskiyou Golden Speedway, Yreka, CA
June 8 - Second Annual Street Stocks vs Sportsman challenge Part 1 Madras Speedway, Madras, Oregon
June 22 - Cottage Grove Speedway, Cottage Grove, Oregon
July 12-13 - Disorder At The Northern Border - River City Speedway, St. Helens, Oregon
July 27 - Street Stock Smackdown 50 - Douglas County Speedway, Roseburg, Oregon
August 10 - Grays Harbor Speedway, Washington
August 24 - 3rd Annual Battle At The Beach - Coos Bay Speedway, Coos Bay, Oregon
August 31 - 4rth Annual Iron Giant - Willamette Speedway, Lebanon, Oregon
September 20-21 - Washington Sate Fair, Yakima, Washington
2018 Road To The Iron Giant Points
David Cronk 1155
Andrew Langan 1066
Donald Schott 1045
Josh Sheller 1000
Brain Cronk 930
Bernie Lujen 786
Bob "Smitty" Smith 761
Chris West 715
Erik Jarnport 655
Shannon Horn 654
2017 Road To The Iron Giant Points
Kyle Yaeck 565
Eric Jarnport 490
James Whitehouse 484
Chris Sine 441
Jessie Yankee 382
Ron Brewster 381
David Cronk 375
Jack Parshall 353
Shannon Horn 343
Jordon McDonald 342
2018 Iron Giant Series Winners
Southern Oregon Speedway - Andrew Langan
Madras Speedway - Andrew Langan
Cottage Grove Speedway - Kyle Yaeck
Sunset Speedway - Arnie Case
Douglas County Speedway - Dale Roth
St Helens Speedway - David Cronk
Coos Bay Speedway - Brian Cronk
Willamette S;peedway - Justin Evans
2017 Iron Giant Series Winners
Southern Oregon Speedway - Donald Schott
Madras Speedway - Ron Brewster
Cottage Grove Speedway - Kyle Yaeck
Douglas County Speedway - Nick Hansen
Coos Bay Speedway - David Cronk
Willamette Speedway - Joey Tanner
2018 Street Stock Champions
Cottage Grove Speedway - Ray Bloom
Willamette Speedway - Dakota Godard
Sunset Speedway - Arnie Case
Coos Bay Speedway -Ken Fox
Madras Speedway* - Ryan White
River City Speedway - Greg Brumbaugh/Joel Beehler
Douglas County Speedway - Jeff Solberg
Past Southern Oregon Speedway Street Stock Champions
2014 Miles Deubert
2013 Jorddon Braaten
2012 Duane Orsburn
2011 Duane Orsburn
Past Southern Oregon Speedway Street Stock Feature Winners
April 24, 2010: Shawn Havel
June 19, 2010: Scott Russell
July 3, 2010: Scott Rose
July 31, 2010: Scott Flowers
August 21, 2010: Adam Thomas
August 28, 2010: Adam Thomas
May 7, 2011: Duane Orsburn
May 21, 2011: Duane Orsburn
June 18, 2011: Duane Orsburn
July 9, 2011: Duane Orsburn
July 16, 2011: Duane Orsburn
July 22, 2011: Duane Orsburn
July 23, 2011: Duane Orsburn
July 30, 2011: Scott Flowers
August 6, 2011: Jorddon Braaten
August 20, 2011: Brett Provost
August 27, 2011: Jorddon Braaten
September 10, 2011: Jorddon Braaten
September 17, 2011: Duane Orsburn
September 24, 2011: Duane Orsburn
April 28, 2012: Jorddon Braaten
May 12, 2012: Jorddon Braaten
July 3, 2012: Jorddon Braaten
July 7, 2012: Duane Orsburn
July 14, 2012: Duane Orsburn
July 20, 2012: Jorddon Braaten
July 21, 2012: Duane Orsburn
August 4, 2012: Jorddon Braaten
August 18, 2012: Duane Orsburn
September 22, 2012: Jorddon Braaten
May 11, 2013: Jorddon Braaten
May 18, 2013: Jorddon Braaten
June 1, 2013: Jorddon Braaten
June 22, 2013: Jorddon Braaten
July 3, 2013: Duane Orsburn
July 13, 2013: Jorddon Braaten
July 27, 2013: Jordon Braaten
August 17, 2013: Brett Provost
September 7, 2013: Jorddon Braaten
September 28, 2013: Duane Orsburn
May 3, 2014: Brett Provost
May 10, 2014: Brett Provost
May 17, 2014: Miles Deubert
June 21, 2014: Miles Deubert
June 28, 2014: Scott Bennett
July 3, 2014: Miles Deubert
July 26, 2014: Tyler Lockwood
August 16, 2014: Miles Deubert
August 23, 2014: Jer Deubert
September 6, 2014: Jer Deubert
April 20, 2017: Donald Schott
April 19, 2018: Andrew Langan
