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

Robustelli Wins Wild Race, Deubert, Braaten Score Wins

Southern Oregon Speedway Racing Discussion

Can Be Heard HERE

Robustelli Wins Wild Dwarf Car Main Event 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 4...They say that the only lap that really matters in racing is the last lap.  SODCA Dwarf Car racer Camden Robustelli would likely agree with that statement.  Robustelli was running in third as leader Kalvin Morton was heading for the checkered flag when it happened.  Morton was about to put Randy Slater a lap down when the two cars touched, sending both cars flipping.  Robustelli made a charge when the green flag flew and took the lead from Brock Peters for the wild 25 lap SODCA Dwarf Car Main Event victory Monday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.

The Dwarf Cars ran three eight lap heat races, and Ryan Smith won the first one ahead of Rob Gergel.  Chad Cardoza won a battle with B. Peters to win the second heat race, and Morton grabbed the lead from Robustelli on lap six to win the third heat.  Having won in a clean sweep a night earlier in Yreka, Morton continued his momentum by holding off teammate B. Peters to win the six lap A Dash.  Cody Peters won the six lap B Dash over Randy Slater.  Matt Hagermann, Mason Lewman and Kaycee Sheeler were Main Event scratches.

Robustelli started in the inside second row for the Main Event and raced past Rob Gergel to lead at the start.  B. Peters moved into third on lap two and made an inside pass on the back stetch on lap three to take second from Gergel.  Bill Winter spun in Turn 2 of the fourth lap, but he gathered it back up and kept going as the leaders lapped him.  In the commotion, Morton took over second with Gergel also passing B. Peters for third.  Robustelli and Morton ran closely in the top two positions as they began to pull away.  Following a lap nine yellow flag, B. Peters moved back into third, and a thrilling three car duel up front ensued.  A high pass in Turn 4 of the 13th lap gained B. Peters second from Morton, and he made a similar move around Robustelli for the lead a lap later.  Cardoza, Gergel and C. Peters battled closely for fourth as C. Peters followed his father's example on the outside.  Cardoza's run came to an end with front end problems on lap 15 as Morton passed Robustelli for second.  A low move in Turn 4 of the 16th lap gained Morton the lead from B. Peters.  Morton is a three time winner at Yreka who is looking for his first win at his home track.  As the white flag flew over him in lapped traffic, Morton seemed to have it in the bag.  Working the final turn, Morton made a move to get underneath Slater to put him a lap down, but the two cars made contact and rolled for a red flag.  Neither driver was injured, but both were out of the race.  B. Peters led Robustelli on the restart, but Robustelli caught him by surprise to grab the lead.  Robustelli scored the victory in the wild race as B. Peters settled for second.  Gergel was a solid third with C. Peters and Paul Haslow rounding out the Top 5 as lead lap finishers.  Nick Davis finished sixth ahead of Don Gifford, Joe Sanders, Morton and Slater.

SODCA Dwarf Cars

Heat 1-Ryan Smith, Rob Gergel, Randy Slater.  Heat 2-Chad Cardoza, Brock Peters, Don Gifford  Heat 3-Kalvin Morton, Camden Robustelli, Cody Peters.  A Dash-Morton, B. Peters, Cardoza.  B Dash-C. Peters, Slater, Paul Haslow.  A Main-Robustelli, B. Peters, Gergel, C. Peters, Haslow, Nick Davis, Gifford, Joe Sanders, Morton, Slater, Bill Winter, Smith, Cardoza, James Edwards, Kaycee Sheeler (DNS), Mason Lewman (DNS), Matt Hagermann (DNS).

Deubert Battles Flowers For Pro Stock Victory 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 4...Miles Deubert scored an impressive victory in the 25 lap Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event Monday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  A second generation racer at the speedway, Deubert is also the 2014 Street Stock champion.  Deubert had the group's current point runnerup, Scott Flowers, shadowing his every move for the entire distance as he drove it to victory.

Point leader Steve Borror appeared headed for another clean sweep as he won his heat race by a straightway and claimed  another four lap Trophy Dash victory, both ahead of S. Flowers.  Rocky Nash made a last lap pass on Deubert to win the other eight lap heat race.  Mike Prill hit the wall in his heat race to end his night, John David Duffie loaded up after hot laps with motor problems and James Flowers also scratched to leave 14 Main Event starters.  As the previous winner in the last series race in Yreka, Borror was lined up last for the Main Event.  Ginny Flowers spun in the Arlen Garrison owned car for a complete restart.  Deubert settled into the lead at the start ahead of Roy Bain and Matt Harlow.  Nash passed Harlow for third on lap three before Bain spun in Turn 2 with G. Flowers for a caution flag.  Deubert continued to lead S. Flowers and Nash on the restart.  Borror was already up to fouth by then.  Nash spun in Turn 2 and did a complete 360 on lap six, but he continued moving as Borror was third.  Borror's charge to the front ended as he pitted on lap nine, moving two time series champion Ken Irving and two time Super 4 champion Brian Johnsen into third and fourth.  The battles for first and third were close as Deubert and S. Flowers pulled away just a bit from the pack.  A lap 15 yellow flag flew when contact on the front stretch sent both Irving and Johnsen spinning.  Scott Bennet gained third, but Nash got by on the restart.  Johnsen and Irving continued their intense battle, but contact sent Johnsen spinning in Turn 3 for a lap 17 caution flag.  Irving was sent to the pits for his part in the incident.  Deubert led the restart with S. Flowers looking for a way past.  However, Deubert was not to be denied as he brought it home to victory.  S. Flowers was a season best second ahead of Nash, Bennett, Harlow, Johnsen, Johnny Cobb, Julia Flowers, Rick Lukens and G. Flowers.

Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks

Heat 1-Rocky Nash, Miles Deubert, Matt Harlow.  Heat 2-Steve Borror, Scott Flowers, Brian Johnsen.  Trophy Dash-Borror, S. Flowers, Nash.  Main Event-Deubert, S. Flowers, Nash, Scott Bennett, Harlow, Johnsen, Johnny Cobb, Julia Flowers, Rick Lukens, Ginny Flowers, John Bowers, Ken Irving, Borror, Roy Bain, John David Duffie (DNS), James Flowers (DNS), Mike Prill (DNS).

Braaten Drives To Third IMCA Sport Modified Win 

At Southern Oregon Speedway

White City, Oregon...July 4...Grabbing the lead just past the halfway point of the race, Jorddon Braaten won the 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event Monday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  It was the track and Oregon State point leader's ninth win of the year on the circuit and third at the track.  Braaten took the lead from eventual second place finisher Mike Medel and wasn't threatened after that as he pulled away to an impressive victory.

Braaten started things off with a four lap Trophy Dash win ahead of Willie McFall and continued his clean sweep performance by holding off roookie David Marble to win his heat race.   Yreka competitors Jimmy Lipke and Garrett Hamilton ran 1-2 in their heat race.  Tony Bartell was done after hot laps with steering woes.  Braaten started back in the fourth row of the Main Event, and front row starter McFall charged into the early lead ahead of Marble and Medel.  Braaten was fourth after one lap as the three competitors in front of him mixed it up for the lead.  Marble raced by McFall for the lead, but contact with McFall left Marble with damage as he stalled in Turn 4 for a lap four caution flag.  McFall and Marble both pitted, and Medel led Braaten and Lipke on the restart.  Yreka point leader Hamilton pitted on lap eight, and A.J. Parker spun on lap ten.  Medel couldn't quite shake Braaten, and Braaten made a low pass in Turn 4 to grab the lead on lap 12.  Marble was trying to nurse his damaged race car to the checkered flag, but he spun in Turn 2 on lap 14.  Braaten pulled away to a strong victory with Medel matching his season best effort in second.  Lipke finished third ahead of Parker, Marble, Hamilton and McFall.

IMCA Sport Modifieds

Heat 1-Jimmy Lipke, Garrett Hamilton, A.J. Parker.  Heat 2-Jorddon Braaten, David Marble, Mike Medel.  Trophy Dash-Braaten, Willie McFall, Medel.  Main Event-Braaten, Medel, Lipke, Parker, Marble, Hamilton, McFall, Tony Bartell (DNS).

Braaten, Deubert, Robustelli Win At Southern Oregon Speedway

Braaten, Deubert, Robustelli Win

At Southern Oregon Speedway

Jorddon Braaten won his third IMCA Sport Modified Main Event of the season Monday night at Southern Oregon Speedway.  Braaten took the lead from early leader Mike Medel on lap 12 and led the rest of the way.  Medel settled for second.

Miles Deubert withstood a constant threat from title contender Scott Flowers to win the 25 lap Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event.

Camden Robustelli gained the 25 lap SODCA Dwarf Car win after leader Kalvin Mortpn tangled with a lapped car in the final turn, sending both cars rolling.  Robustelli took the lead from Brock Peters on the one lap shootout to the checkered flag with Peters settling for second.


Point leader Jorddon Braaten won his third 25 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event.  Willie McFall led four laps before being passed by Mike Medel in Turn 4 with Braaten following closely into second.  Braaten made a low pass in turn 4 of the 12th lap to grab the lead.  From there, Braaten pulled away to a satisfying victory.  Medel settled for another second place finish ahead of Jimmy Lipke, A.J. Parker and David Marble.

2014 Street Stock champion Miles Deubert won the 25 lap Outlaw Pro Stock Main Event.  Deubert led from the start as current point runnerup Scott Flowers followed closely into second.  Previous Medford winner Rocky Nash was an early third, but he spun in Turn 2 on lap seven, handing third to point leader Steve Borror.  However, Borror pitted on lap nine.  Deubert had Flowers as his shadow the rest of the way for the close 1-2 finish.  Nash rebounded for a third place finish ahead of Scott Bennett and Matt Harlow.

Camden Robustelli won the 25 lap SODCA Dwarf Car Main Event in dramatic fashion.  Sunday night Yreka winner Kalvin Morton was coming out of Turn 4 with the checkered flag in sight when he tangled with the sixth place car of Randy Slater as he was lapping him.  That sent both cars flipping.  Robustelli shot into the early lead, but soon he had Morton and Peters behind him and next to him.  Peters made a high move in Turn 4 to get the lead on lap 13, but Morton raced underneath him for the lead in Turn 4 two laps later.  Morton pulled away when he had his misfortune with Slater.  B. Peters had the lead on the restart, but Robustelli raced by when the green flag flew.  Robustelli led the final lap with B. Peters settling for second ahead of Rob Gergel and Paul Haslow.

Racing continues next Saturday with a Sprint Car Speedweek race.  Mini Stocks and SODCA Dwarf Cars will also be racing.  Friday night will feature an Outlaw Kart race on the smaller track.  For further information, check out www.southernoregonspeedway.com.


IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Jimmy Lipke, Jorddon Braaten. Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Braaten.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Braaten, Mike Medel, Lipke, A.J. Parker, David Marble.

SODCA Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Ryan Smith, Chad Cardoza, Kalvin Morton.  A Dash (6 Laps)-Morton.  B Dash (6 Laps)-Cody Peters.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Camden Robustelli, Brock Peters, Rob Gergel, Cody Peters, Paul Haslow.

Valley Boys Auto Sales Outlaw Pro Stocks
Heat Winners (8 Laps)-Rocky Nash, Steve Borror.  Trophy Dash (4 Laps)-Borror.  Main Event (20 Laps)-Miles Deubert, Scott Flowers, Nash, Scott Bennett, Matt Harlow.