Wheeler, Wauge Impressive In Victory

Wheeler, Wauge Impressive In Victory

Vern Wheeler Jr. wrapped up another clean sweep performance with his win in the 25 lap Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car Main Event.  Wheeler led from the start, but he appeared to slow down around lap 18.  A lap 20 caution flag flew for debris on the track, and V. Wheeler picked up the pace on the restart to put some distance between himself and Jake Wheeler.  Camden Robustelli was third ahead of Wayne Kniffen and Todd Whipple.  V. Wheeler won the heat race and Trophy Dash.

Six time IMCA Modified champion Mark Wauge returned for the season opener and won the 25 lap Main Event.  Wauge drove a flawless race in the event that would have no yellow flags.  Matt Duste was a strong second ahead of Jesse Bailey.  Two time defending champion Albert Gill settled for fourth as Nick Trenchard rounded out the Top 5.  Heat wins went to Wauge and Zach Fettinger.

Two time defending IMCA Sport Modified champion Jorddon Braaten kicked off the season in style by winning the 20 lap Main Event.  Braaten started on the front row and set the pace through one yellow flag period.  A yellow on lap nine negated a pass on the back stretch for the lead by two time champion Dwayne Melvin.  Braaten could never shake Melvin from his rear bumper the rest of the way, but he still scored a well earned victory ahead of Melvin, Bob Nelsen, Jimmy Lipke and David Marble.  Melvin and Garrett Hamilton won heat races.

Gary Anderson thwarted Bob Burkett's attempt at a Mini Stock clean sweep.  Burkett had won both the Trophy Dash and his heat race.  Burkett led the first nine laps of the Main Event from the pole before Anderson drove it in high on the outside in Turn 1 and dove underneath Burkett for the lead on Turn 2.  Once in front, Anderson made all the right moves in traffic for the win.  Burkett settled for second in the non stop race with Yrkea visitor Ethan Killingsworth third.  Marissa Henson earned a Trophy dash start for the next race as she held off heat winner Andrew Hall for the fourth place finish.

On Friday night, the Outlaw Kart track will open for Kart racing.  Racing continues on the big track next Saturday night

with Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Super 4's, Hornets and OTRO Hardtops.  For further information, check the official website at www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Race Results Saturday, May 7

Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars
Heat Winner (6 Laps)-Vern Wheeler Jr.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-V. Wheeler.  Main Event (25 laps)-V. Wheeler, Jake Wheeler, Camden Robustelli, Wayne Kniffen, Todd Whipple.

IMCA Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Mark Wauge, Zach Fettinger.  Main Event (25 Laps)-Mark Wauge, Matt Duste, Jesse Bailey, Albert Gill, Nick Trenchard.

IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Dwayne Melvin, Garrett Hamilton.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Jorddon Braaten, Melvin, Bob Nelsen, Jimmy Lipke, David Marble.

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

Modifieds Part Of Four Division Show At Southern Oregon Speedway

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

The special recap audio show can be heard HERE

Modifieds Part Of Four Division Show 

At Southern Oregon Speedway
 

Hay In Good Spirits After Flip

It was a nice start to the 20th Anniversary season at Southern Oregon Speedway last Saturday.  A good turnout of fans watched the four division show as Steve Borror (Pro Stocks), Josh King (Dwarf Cars), Vern Wheeler Jr. (Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars) and Bob Burkett (Mini Stocks) were the respective winners.  This week, the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sport Modifieds will kick off their season, while Sprint Cars and Mini Stocks return.

Albert Gill is the reigning champion of the IMCA Modifieds, while Mark Wauge is a six time division titles.  Both drivers are anticipated on Saturday as well as several other hard chargers, including Tim Bailey and Jesse Bailey, who were both Top 5 competitors last season.  Past Pro Stock and Modified champion Brian Poppa, Zach Fettinger, Jeremy Ohlde, Monte Bischoff and Andy Freeman are others we anticipate seeing this year.

There is another past track champion returning to the fold in IMCA Modifieds this season.  That would be two time Street Stock champion Duane Osburn.  After finishing second in points at Yreka last season, Osburn has a goal in mind.  "We are running every race this year, " he explained.  "We are going for the championship."

Jorddon Braaten has an IMCA Modified in the works.  In the meantime, the two time IMCA Sport Modified champion attempts a "threepeat" and an IMCA State championship.  To do that, he'll have to beat reining Oregon State champion Mike Medel.  Braaten already has two wins on the circuit, while Medal has one.  Former IMCA Modified point runner up Matt Duste will be racing this year.  Two time champion Dwayne Melvin, Glen Severson, Randy Fernandes and Bob Nelsen are others to watch for.

After winning the 2015 Mini Stock title, David Marble will be making a run at "Rookie Of The Year" honors in a Sport Modified.  That leaves the door open for Bob Burkett and 2014 champion Gary Anderson to win this year's Mini Stock title.  Burkett, who has four second place rankings in this division, is going for it.  "We're planning to run every race this season, " Burkett revealed last Saturday.  "In the past, I've missed a race or two every season to do other things."

The Mini Stocks staged the best battle of the night last week as Burkett won a shootout with Anderson.  Marrissa Henson was a close third and will be a driver to keep an eye on in the battle for wins this season.  Even the Mini Wagon of Andrew Hall ran strong with a heat win and fifth place finish last week.  The racers are stepping up their game to compete with Burkett and Anderson.

Several new drivers are entering the Mini Stock ranks, including 2015 Hornets point runner up Mikey Johnson, Devon Weiser and Dillon Lausen.  Lausen is the teammate of Henson and Weiser, and he hopes to move up the ladder in the future.  "I'd like to race a Dwarf Car, " he admitted.  Dillon already has experience with motorcycle engine race cars as the runner up in the 250 Outlaw Kart class last season.

Speaking of Dwarf Cars, Fred Hay was a welcome sight in the Dwarf Car pits last week.  Fred will probably be out for the season after suffering a broken kneck in his flip at Chico Silver Dollar Speedway a month ago.  "I don't remember much about what happened, " Hay recalls.  "The next thing I remember was waking up in the hopital and wondering how I got there."

Despite the crash that left him in the hospital for five days, Fred was in good spirits as he walked the pits and spoke with his fellow competitors.  At one point, he quipped, "I have a better necklace than you do.  Mine is more expensive."

The Dwarf Car group raised money for Hay's medical expenses by running a special 15 lap race, which was won by Chad Cardoza.  Drivers paid a special entry fee that went to Hay.  Former Dwarf Car racer Fred O'Nan also auctioned off some stuff and donated the money to Hay.

Not to be forgotten are the Winged Sprint Cars.  Vern Wheeler Jr. and Jake Wheeler had a 1-2 finish in the Main Event last week.  As a feature winner at the track in the past, it was not a surprise to see Vern grab the checkered flag.  Jake had his hands full holding off 15 year old Jeffrey Hudson for second.  It was Hudson's first start in the division, but the 2015 Pro Stock champion looks like he's been driving these cars for years.

Bill Hopper made the trip in from California and suffered nothing but problems. First, he got a flat on his tow vehicle, which caused him to arrive just before hot laps.  Then, his motor wouldn't start.  Another driver who had misfortune was budget racer Wayne Kniffen.  In the end, it was lack of sponsorship that kept him from the track.

The former Mini Stock and Modified B Main champion did all that he could to be there.  "I'm pretty bummed that we couldn't be there, " said Wayne.  "I tried everything, but I just couldn't make it work."

Wayne has been trying to line up sponsorship to make his return, but it's been tough.  However, it looks like he'll be able to make it this week.  There have been a few rumblings in the Sprint Car community, but Kniffen see things differently.  "To me, it's about going out there and putting on a show for the fans and having fun, " said Kniffen.

Kniffen will be among the Sprint Car field when they return this week.  The gates open at 5 p.m. and the first race starts at 7 p.m. sharp.  Adult tickets are $12, seniors and juniors are $6 and children 5 and under are free.  For further information, check out the official website at www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

More Detailed Report On King, Burkett, Borror And Wheeler Wins

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

The special recap audio show can be heard HERE

King, Cardoza Have Big Nights At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...April 30...Taking the lead from Ryan Smith on the eighth lap, Josh King went on to win the 20 lap SODCA Dwarf Car Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  King is the reigning two time champion of the group, and he isn't expected to run the full schedule as he has moved to California.  Smith, who is the 2014 point runner up, settled for second.  The group also ran a special $1000, winner take all, 15 lap fund raising race for Fred Hay, who suffered a broken neck in a flip in Chico a month ago.  The winner's money was donated, and all drivers paid a special entry fee that went to Hay.  Chad Cardoza scored the victory.

A field of 14 Dwarf Cars competed in the track's season opener.  They ran two heat races with Cardoza out dueling Brock Peters to win the first six lap race.  King collected the win in the second heat ahead of Smith.  The A Dash was another good battle with Cardoza winning a close race with King for his second preliminary win.  The B Dash saw 2015 point runner up Camden Robustelli winning ahead of Rob Gergel.

Luck of the draw put Cardoza on the front row of the special 15 lap race for Hay.  There were 12 entrants, raising $600 for Hay, combined with some auctions that past Dwarf Car racer Fred O'Nan donated.  In the special race, Cardoza led all the way for the $1000 victory.  Peters won a close four car battle for second as King was third ahead of Smith and Kalvin Morton.

The Main Event had King starting on the third row outside as Smith was on the front row outside.  Smith raced into the early lead ahead of Robustelli and Mason Lewman.  King raced past Lewman for third on lap two and made an inside pass in Turn  2 of the fourth lap for second.  Robustelli had a flat right rear tire and limped to the pits as Cardoza was in third.  King and Smith staged a side by side battle from lap five through lap eight before King got the bite he needed on the inside in Turn 2 to take the lead.  Teammates Peters and Morton were fourth and fifth at that point, but Peters pitted on lap nine.  King was lapping slower traffic by lap 14 as he pulled away from Smith.  By the checkered flag, King had a straightaway advantage over Smith.  Morton made a lap 19 pass on Cardoza to claim the third place finish.  Cardoza settled for fourth as Lewman rounded out the Top 5.

Race Results

SODCA Dwarf Cars

Heat 1-Chad Cardoza, Brock Peters, Mason Lewman, Camden Robustelli, Bill Van Praag.  Heat 2-Josh King, Ryan Smith, Randy Slater, Kaycee Sheeler, Paul Haslow.  A Dash-Chad Cardoza, Josh King, Brock Peters, Ryan Smith, Mason Lewman.  B Dash-Camden Robustelli, Rob Gergel, Kaycee Sheeler, Joe Sanders, James Edwards.  Fred Hay Fund Raiser-Chad Cardoza, Brock Peters, Josh King, Ryan Smith, Kalvin Morton.  Main Event-Josh King, Ryan Smith, Kalvin Morton, Chad Cardoza, Mason Lewman, Camden Robustelli, Rob Gergel, Joe Sanders, Randy Slater, Kaycee Sheeler, Bill Van Praag, James Edwards, Brock Peters, Paul Haslow (DNS).

Borror Two For Two In Outlaw Pro Stocks 

White City, Oregon...April 30...Taking the lead from two time champion Ken Irving on the fifth lap, Steve Borror went on to win the 20 lap Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  It was the second win of the year for Borror, who also won the season opener in Yreka.  Irving drove a good race to finish second.

The Pro Stocks ran two six lap heat races, and Irving cruised to a half lap victory in the second heat as Matt Harlow settled for second.  Rick Lukens held off a heavy challenge from Roy Bain to win the a good battle in the first heat.  A bad heat race effort had Borror starting at the back of the pack in the Main Event, and heat winners Lukens and Irving shared the front row.  Irving charged out to the lead at the green flag.  Bain was an early second, and Borror was already in third by lap two.  A struggling Scott Flowers was lapped on lap three before retiring from the race, and Borror was second a lap later.  The lead duo ran lap five in a dead heat before Borror moved into the lead.  As Borror began to pull away, James Flowers moved up to battle Bain for third.  A lap 11 caution flag flew for a Mike Prill spin in Turn 2.  Two time Super 4 champion  Brian Johnsen pitted, and Borror continued to lead on the restart.  Bain briefly got by Irving for second, but an outside pass on the front stretch of the 14th lap regained Irving second. J. Flowers moved past Bain for third in lap 17.  The flying Borror had more than a half lap lead and lapped fifth place Matt Harlow at the finish.  Borror collected the win over Irving, James Flowers, Bain, Harlow, Johnny Cobb, Lukens, Julia Flowers, and Arlen Garrison.

Race Results

Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaws Pro Stocks

Heat 1-Rick Lukens, Roy Bain, James Flowers, Johnny Cobb.  Heat 2-Ken Irving, Matt Harlow, Mike Prill, Arlen Garrison.  Main Event-Steve Borror, Ken Irving, James Flowers, Roy Bain, Matt Harlow, Johnny Cobb, Rick Lukens, Julia Flowers, Arlen Garrison, Mike Prill, Brian Johnsen, Scott Flowers, Tom Hackworth (DNS), Tyler Lockwood (DNS).

Burkett Battles Anderson For Victory 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...April 30...Taking the lead from 2014 champion Gary Anderson on lap 18, Bob Burkett won the season opening 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Burkett is a four time point runner up, but he has declared intent to run for the track championship.  Anderson was a close second with Marissa Henson a strong third.

The Mini Stock ranks have grown with drivers moving up from the Hornet class.  Burkett set the stage early on for what was to come as he won the first six lap heat race by a half lap ahead of Henson.  Andrew Hall scored an equally impressive heat win in his Mini Wagon ahead of Mike Cloud.  Eric Hanson scratched before the feature, and Michael Johnson was unable to take the green after starter problems.

Heat winners Burkett and Hall had front row starts for the Main Event, but Anderson started back in the fourth row outside after a bad heat race.  Burkett set the early pace ahead of Hall and Henson.  Kristopher Mix slipped past Henson for third on the back stretch on lap three.  Patrick Stringer-Stine spun for a lap five caution flag.  Burkett led Hall on the restart as Henson and Anderson shuffled Mix back to fifth.  Hall spun in Turn 2 of the tenth lap as Henson was now second ahead of Anderson.  Anderson made an outside move on the back stretch to take second from Henson on lap 12 and went low in Turn 4 of the 13th lap to grab the lead from Burkett.  The lead trio set a rapid pace up front and caught slower traffic by lap 17.  Anderson remained committed to the outside, which was where the slower cars were running.  Burkett moved by on the inside in Turn 2 and emerged with the lead.  Burkett brought it home to victory with a disappointed Anderson settling for second.  Henson was a career best third as Mix and Hall rounded out the Top 5.  Hornet graduates Dillon Lausen and Devon Weiser finished sixth and eighth, respectively, as Cloud was seventh.

Race Results

Mini Stocks

Heat 1-Bob Burkett, Marrissa Henson, Kristopher Mix, Randy Simmons, Michael Johnson.  Heat 2-Andrew Hall, Mike Cloud, Devon Weiser, Dillon Lausen, Patrick Stringer-Stine.  Main Event-Bob Burkett, Gary Anderson, Marrissa Henson, Kristopher Mix, Andrew Hall, Dillon Lausen, Mike Cloud, Devon Weiser, Randy Simmons, Patrick Stringer-Stine, Michael Johnson (DNS), Eric Hanson (DNS).

Sprint Car Racing Returns To 

Southern Oregon Speedway Saturday Night

White City, Oregon...May 2...When Mike McCann and KJE Enterprises entered the picture at Southern Oregon Speedway to usher the track into its 20th Anniversary season, Sprint Car racing was part of his plan. Hence, the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars, presented by Hays Oil, were given a 10 race schedule this year.

The season started off last Saturday with the father-son duo of Vern Wheeler Jr. and Jake Wheeler grabbing the 1-2 finish. A multi time Main Event winner during the division's sporadic visits to the speedway over the past five seasons, Vern was somewhat dominant last Saturday night.

After a runaway victory in the heat race, Vern jumped out into the Main Event lead at the start and had a good lead until he hit lap traffic around lap 18. That enabled Jake Wheeler and young Jeffrey Hudson to move behind him for a couple laps until Vern got by the slower cars and pulled away again.

Meanwhile, Jake Wheeler and Jeffrey Hudson had a nice battle going all night long. In the heat race, 14 year old Hudson, The Outlaw Pro Stock champion last season, beat Jake to get the second place finish. However, Jake was not to be denied the runner up finish in the Main Event. The second place finish was good enough for $500, while Jake's father Vern picked up the $700 winner's paycheck.

Wheeler has earned some impressive credentials in his time behind the wheel of a Sprint Car. Just a couple seasons ago, Wheeler finished a strong second in the Coos Bay-Southern Oregon Speedway Sprint Car Series, won by Kyler Barazza.

Long time Sprint Car observers noticed how smooth Hudson was behind the wheel of his car all night long. It was only his first start in this division, and he looked like he'd been driving these cars for several years.

The battle for forth all night centered around 2015 Dwarf Car point runner up Camden Robustelli and Todd Whipple. The two drivers ran in close formation in the heat race and the Main Event, with Robustelli coming out ahead. Robustelli is running a Limited Sprint Car this year, and his schedule has him racing either a Sprint Car or a Dwarf Car throughout the summer and early fall this year. Camden has been racing for most of his life and is a past champion in Outlaw Kart racing.

As for Whipple, the Southern Oregon Speedway Sprint Car effort gives him the chance to finally get some real seat time behind the wheel of his Sprint Car. Todd has focused more on his IMCA Modified in recent years, ranking in the Top 5 in points at Yreka last year. He has only made sporadic appearances in his Sprint Car over the past few seasons, and he hopes to get more time out at Southern Oregon Speedway. As they say, the only way to get better in racing is to get more time behind the wheel.

California long tow Bill Hopper, a two time Orland Wingless Sprint Car champion, had a nightmare scenario last week. It started when he got a flat tire on the way up to Oregon. When he got there, just before hot laps, his motor would not fire. It's not known how much of a setback this will be for the team. Bill had intended to support the entire season.

Another driver who had intended to support the cause, 2010 champion Chadd Noland, has seen his Sprint Car effort hindered by the fact that his business burnt down during the off season. We should see Chadd at some point this season as well as 2009 Southern Oregon Speedway champion, Charlie Thompson. Several names have been mentioned as planning to be a part of this program, and one driver we anticipate this week will be low buck racer Wayne Kniffen.

Kniffen has been a competitor at the speedway since it began, running several different divisions. His low budget has kept him from being at the front of the pack at times, but he does have B Main Event championships in Mini Stocks and Modifieds. Wayne had intended to be there for the opening event, but lack of sponsorship delayed the return of the past Top 10 point runner. He has said that he plans to make it this week.

This will be the second of 10 scheduled events for the Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars at the fast 3/10 mile, banked clay oval. McCann remains committed to establishing a Sprint Car program. For further information on this division and other happenings at the track, go to the official website at www.southernoregonspeedway.com.

Race Results
Pennzoil Winged Sprint Cars
Heat-Vern Wheeler Jr., Jeffrey Hudson, Jake Wheeler, Camden Robustelli, Todd Whipple.  Main Event-Vern Wheeler Jr., Jake Wheeler, Jeffrey Hudson, Camden Robustelli, Todd Whipple.

2016 Pennzoil Winged Sprint Car Schedule

April 30
May 7
Mar 21
June 4
June 25
July 9
July 30
August 20
August 27
September 24

Past 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
2007  Randy Rodgers
2008  Randy Rodgers
2009  Charlie Thompson
2010  Chadd Noland
2013 Kyler Barazza*
2014 Kyler Barazza*
* Combined Coos Bay/Southern Oregon Speedway

Previous 25 Feature Winners

May 7, 2011: Vern Wheeler Sr.
July 9, 2011:  Seth Brannan
July 11, 2011:  Henry Van Dam
August 13, 2011:  Jayme Barnes
September 10, 2011:  David Hibbard
May 12, 2012:  Roger Crockett
July 28, 2012:  Garen Linder
August 11, 2012:  Kyle Hirst
May 4, 2013:  David Hibbard
May 18, 2013:  David Hibbard
June 8, 2013:  Vern Wheeler Jr.
June 22, 2013:  Kyledr Barazza
July 1 , 2013:  Roger Crockett
July 27, 2013:  Vern Wheeler Jr.
August 24, 2013:  Lawrence Han Hoof
September  14, 2013: Matt Moberley
May 22, 2014:  Andy Forsburg
June 14, 2014:  Kyler Barazza
June 30, 2014:  Rico Abreu
August 12, 2014:  David Hibbard
April 18, 2015:  Seth Nunes
May 24, 2015:  Roger  Crockett
June 29, 2015:  Colby Copeland
August 15, 2015:  Kyle Hirst
April 30, 2015:  Vern Wheeler Jr.