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Archive News Below
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Saratoga Speedway
By Terry Guest
Chances sponsored a beautiful night of racing at Saratoga Speedway on
Saturday. #68 Bruce Moran had his winning streak snapped in the
Motorcycle division at 6; Moran crashed in the second heat, causing him
to sit out for the rest of night. The Bomber cars had an amazing 35 lap
feature that came down to the last lap. The Dwarf cars and I.M.C.A
Modifieds filled out the rest of the night
#57 Ryan Middleton set fast time in qualifying in
the Motorcycle division, setting a time of 22.342. Moran was racing at a
very high level during the dash and the first heat, dominating the
other 5 Bikes to win his 5th and 6th win in a row. In the Inverted heat,
Moran was still dominating the field going into lap 5, but Moran lost
control up in the Hair pin, damaging his bike, putting him out of
contention for the night. #57 Ryan Middleton would take over from there,
winning the inverted heat, and leading all 15 laps of the main to take
his first ever main event win at Saratoga Speedway. #62 Dean Thompson
would take 2nd, with 3rd going to #9 Jim Deas.
The I.M.C.A Modifieds were a bit down in cars on Saturday due to other commitments. #00 Bart Smith once again set fast time in
qualifying, setting a time of 15.349. #98 Pat Brown had a very good
night on Saturday, taking wins in the dash, and the heat. Smith would
hold off Brown to win the inverted heat. 25 laps were given for their
feature race. Brown would find a hole to take the lead early and he
would never look back from there, holding off Smith who gave him
some pressure late put couldn't pull the trigger. Smith would take 2nd
with 3rd going to #53 Kevin Noble.
#34 Ike Armitage held off 2 hard chargers to take home the win in
the exciting 25 lap main event for the Dwarf cars. #8 Mike Schott took
the win in the 4 lap dash, with the win in the first heat going to #11
Mike Meeres. Armitage would dominate from there, taking the win in the
inverted heat and in the main. Armitage and Meeres battled for all 25
laps of the feature, but Armitage put on a great showing of racing
skills, holding off Meeres for the win. Meeres and Armitage are neck and
neck in the points race, so more of this great racing is promised to
continue through-out the year.
The Bomber cars had one of if not the best main event of the season
on Saturday. #72 Stewart Lee, #24 Charlie Ackerman, and #29 Gilles Cyr
were all single filled through-out the first 25 laps of the feature,
until they ran into 5 cars of lap traffic. Ackerman had the lead going
into the lap traffic, but on lap 33, Lee would find a hole through the
lap cars to briefly take the lead. Ackerman would not give up though,
finding his own hole in lap traffic and re-taking the lead from Lee on
the very last lap to take the win in one of the closest races in many
years. Lee would take second with third going to Cyr. Lee, Ackerman and
Cyr are all battling for the points lead in the Bomber division, so make
sure you mark your calenders to watch these 3 go at it all year.
Extra laps...Next weekend marks one of our most
highly anticipated events of the year; the Car Tossing Competition. The
record in this competition is 64 feet, 6 inches set back in 2010. There
will also be a engine removal competition to go along with the car
tossing competition. The 2 trucks will also be trying to rip out the
motor out of there cars in the fastest time. The Crash to Pass cars,
Hornet cars and Roadrunners will also be joining the festivities next
weekend, so make sure to check out this event and many others this
season.
Monday, June 11, 2012
ASA ADVANCE TESTING BRITISH COLUMBIA LATE MODEL TOUR Agassiz Speedway
 |
| mckellar/asa photo |
Saturday, June 9, 2012
1. Korbin Thomas
2. Tom Berrow
3. Wade Bland
4. Dave Hemrich
5. Tom Garnett
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Bird Soars To Strawberry Cup Win
By Ken Keating
Western
Speedway was the site of the two day Strawberry Cup event with the OTRA
Series, the first appearance of the SDL Bins I.M.S. 4 Mini Stocks, and
the Richlock Rentals Non Wing Sprint Car Series on Friday. On Saturday,
these racers were joined by the always competitive Island Stock Car
Series making for some great racing.
On
Friday Mother Nature played a major part as rain invaded the Speedway
and delayed qualifying until the track could be dried. Thanks to the
persistence of track Officials, dedicated drivers, and above all loyal
race fans, two Trophy Dashes were completed and as the Sprint Cars were
about to get the green flag for their race, once again rain stalled
the proceedings. After another lengthy delay, the track was once again
dried enough for races to continue albeit a shortened program. All three
Series went right to Feature event action and were able to complete
the required laps. Justin Woodske won the Dash for the Mini Stocks while
Stephen Dardengo won the OTRA Dash.
Matt Szauer shared the front row
with Giles Parenteau in the Mini Stock Feature event and grabbed the
lead on the first lap with Alex Mouner quickly jumping to the second
spot with Justin Woodske pulling into third. On lap sixteen Jeremy Waksel
moved into the third spot followed by thirteen year old Kale Woodske
in his debut at Western Speedway. Szauer held off the charges from Mouner
and took the chequered flag with Mouner, Waksel, Kale Woodske, and Gord
Percival rounding out the top five positions. Joe Dardengo and Kail
Beck shared the front row in the OTRA Feature event with Dardengo getting
the early advantage over Kail Beck and George "The Jet" Jenson
after two laps. On lap three Jenson moved into second while Denis Morneau
moved to third. This event provided some great racing between Jenson,
Dardengo, Beck, and Stephen Dardengo with lots of challenges for position
as well as the lead. On lap fourteen, Jenson spun out loosing several
positions but causing no yellow, however, the yellow did come out on
lap sixteen. On the restart, Dardengo grabbed the lead as the battle
for the next positions included Dardengo, Tom Cinnamon, Kail Beck, and
Denis Morneau. When the chequered flag dropped Stephen Dardengo got
the win followed by Cinnamon, Joe Dardengo, Beck, and Morneau in the
top five.
Rob Scott held the pole for the start of the Richlock Rentals
non wing Sprint Car Feature event. He jumped into the lead on the first
lap and before they could get around again Lance Wade and Jeff Bird
got together bringing out the yellow. On the restart, Scott held the
lead for seven laps until Deter Lejeune made the pass leaving Scott
to battle with Chris Root and Matt Mansell. Once in the lead Lejeune
checked out on the rest of the field while the race for the next positions
heated up. Robbie Haslam and Chris Root were battling hard when both
cars spun around bringing out the yellow. On the restart, Lejeune once
again said "see ya" and took off leaving Scott, Mansell, and
Jeff Bird, back in the mix, for the next positions and it would remain
in that order for the chequered flag.
Saturday
proved to be a better day weather wise and race wise as the sun was
out, a bit breezy, and cool after the sun disappeared. A very talented
Jenny Rhodes sang the National Anthem to start the run for the Strawberry
Cup and watch as the racers began with Trophy Dashes, Heat races, a
demonstration race with the Times-Colonist Go-Karts, and the Feature
events for the night. Dash wins went to Ryan Flesh in the OTRA Series,
Matt Szauer in the Mini Stock Division after a good tussle with Alex
Mouner, Dave Reside in the Stock Cars and Chris Root in the non wing
Sprint Cars. Heat races were taken by Joe Dardengo with OTRA by just
inches over Tom Cinnamon, Jeremy Waksel in the Mini Stocks, Brian Clutchey
and Cody Aumen in the Stock Car class, and Duane Zeinstra and Robbie
Haslam in the Sprint Car Series.
Gord
Percival led ten cars to the green flag in the SDL Bins I.M.S. 4 Mini
Stocks twenty-five lap feature event. Matt Szauer grabbed the lead on
the first lap but quickly had Alex Mouner take over the point on lap
four. Szauer was left to deal with Sean Constantine and thirteen year
old Kale Woodske for the remaining positions. Throughout this race Woodske
and Constantine traded positions often as Mouner extended his lead and
Szauer put some distance between himself and the third place position.
Mouner cruised to the victory followed by Szauer, Kale Woodske as he
won the battle for third, Jeremy Waksel, who jumped into fourth, with
Constantine holding on for fifth in a very entertaining race.
Kail
Beck and Ron Simpson shared the front row for the start of the OTRA
Feature event and the first four laps Beck and James Miller took their
turn upfront until George "The Jet" Jenson took over the lead.
Joe Dardengo and Tom Cinnamon were coming forward in a hurry as they
moved into contention in the early going. On lap nine Cinnamon took
over the second spot and started to put pressure on Jenson in the lead.
Cinnamon went to dart to the inside of Jenson and the door closed with
Cinnamon spinning collecting Dardengo with Miller just missing the crash
going into turn one. Both Cinnamon and Dardengo suffered enough damage
to end their run. After the caution Jenson led but had Denis Morneau
after him along with Ryan Flesh. Again there was a lot of side by side
racing with Morneau and Flesh and at times, Morneau pulled up to run
with Jenson. These three drivers traded places quite often over the
next several laps. When the chequered flag dropped, Jenson managed to
hang on for the win followed by Flesh, Stephen Dardengo, Kail Beck,
and Morneau after he spun around in the late laps rounding out the top
five positions in yet another great race.
Mike
Derepentigny and Chris McInerny led twelve Stock Cars to the green flag
with McInerny getting the edge on the first lap. Rory Smith moved up
quickly to run second for four laps and then up to lead two laps later
with Kerry Steen driving in the third position. Steen cut a tire and
had to go to the pits after being in the thick of things early. Smith
led until he seemed to have handling problems and began to drop back
after fifteen laps when Clutchey went by and into the lead. Smith had
to now contend with Dean Mackeney and Flyin Ryan Wade moving to third
and fourth respectively. Wade and Mackeney waged a good battle for several
laps as Clutchey started to build a good lead up front. Cody Aumen was
making his way forward and worked into contention battling Smith, Wade,
and Mackeney almost going three wide but thought better of it going
into turn one. On lap twenty-three Aumen took over the second spot dropping
Smith back to fourth while Daryl Crocker also moved up to challenge
this group. The last thing Clutchey needed was a yellow flag late in
the run but on lap twenty-eight Aumen slapped the back stretch wall
bringing out the caution flag. On the restart, Clutchey now had Wade
on his outside for the resumption of green flag racing with lots of
time left. On lap twenty-nine Wade got just a bit loose coming around
turn four and that allowed Crocker to take over the second spot. When
the chequered flag dropped, Clutchey came away with the win followed
by Crocker, Wade, Mackeney, and Smith rounding out the top five in a
thirty-five lap event and the third great race of the night.
Lance
Wade and Robbie Haslam shared the front row with seventeen cars set
for the chase for the Strawberry Cup with the Richlock Rentals Non Wing
Sprint Car Series. Wade jumped to the early lead with Haslam running
second and Rob Scott running in third. Wade built a good early over
the next several laps as behind him Chris Root and Paul Verhagen were
making up some distance toward the front along with Jeff Bird. By lap
fourteen Bird moved into the fourth spot and took third one lap later
until he moved to the second spot on lap seventeen. Behind him Scott,
Haslam, and Root were still battling hard for positions. Bird continued
to try and reel in Wade and on lap twenty-four made the move and got
by Wade as he spun around on his own. Just after the restart one lap
later the yellow came out again as a couple cars got together on the
back stretch including Brian Bickford, Mark Stuart, and Paul Verhagen.
Again on the restart, Bird got out to the lead on the green flag and
went on to the win followed by Rob Scott, Chris Root, Robbie Haslam,
and Deter Lejeune filling the top five positions that featured more
thrilling racing. This marks the third time Jeff has won this prestigious
event for Sprint Cars but his first in a wingless Sprint Car.
The
next event, at Western Speedway, is scheduled for Saturday, June 16
on $30 Car Load Night: O'Dell Slinger Service featuring another Keg
Steakhouse & Bar Drivers Challenge with the Late Models (Twin 50's),
Stock Cars, Mini Stocks, and the Dwarf Cars.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
PRELUDE TO THE DIRT CUP AT SKAGIT SPEEDWAY
(Alger, WA) 6/9/12 by Kelly Hart
While the 410 Sprints were testing and tuning the 360 Sprints took center stage at Skagit Speedway this Saturday night. Also on the schedule were the Sportsman Sprints, Outlaw Hornets and the USAC Midgets in the Foothills Toyota Tundra Racing Series.
Fast times tonight in qualifying for the 360 Sprints went to Chad Hillier at 11.964 seconds for the fastest qualifying lap of the night and the Sportsman Sprint fast time belongs to Steve Parker at 12.916 seconds.
In heat race action for the 360 Sprints wins went to Trey Starks and Justin Youngquist. Brian Kirkpatrick led the initial start which was called back when he spun in turn two before the entire field had completed the first lap necessitating a restart. On the restart Trevor Turnbull was in charge. The 360 Sprint point leader too off and headed into big traffic by the 6th lap. Behind him Chad Hillier, Trey Starks and Kenny Rutz were battling for second. The big moves were being put on by Mack Brown who started 17th and was up to 6th on the 11th lap when John Tharp rolled over in turn 2. As the laps wound down Turnbull found heavy traffic holding him up and right behind him Chad Hillier, Trey Starks and Brown. The last two laps had the crowd on its feet as Turnbull was almost fully stopped a few times. At the stripe Turnbull followed by Hillier with Starks just inches behind and Brown closing.
The Sportsman Sprint heat race winners were James Bundy, Dylan Dunham and Derek Roberts. Martin Koetje flipped in his heat tearing off the front end of the race car and taking the top wing of Zach McCabe with it. McCabe also sustained some front end damage. After repairs McCabe made it back out for the main event and would lead the last 11 laps of the main. During the fast and furious repairs made to the McCabe car the team borrowed a top wing from another competitor. The wing featured a one inch wickerbill which is not legal in the Sportsman division so McCabe was disqualified from the win and the second place car of Rob Schroder picked up his first ever win in the Sportsman Sprint division.
The night belonged to Jared Peterson once again in the USAC Midgets.Peterson won both his heat and the main event. Peterson starting third on the field took over the lead on the second lap and was never headed. The other heat race was won by Chase Goetz. For Peterson it is 5 wins in 6 mains in the Gaylon and Carla Stewart owned 3s midget.
For the Outlaw Hornets Clint Meins captured his first ever heat race win. The other heat race was won by Howard Vos. In the main event Jon Gunderson took out to a huge lead with a big move on the opening lap to go from 4th to the lead. Rick Young ran him down and took over the lead 12 laps in and pulled away for the win.
Next week at ASA Member Track Skagit Speedway is the 41st Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup presented by Goodyear. The Dirt Cup Party is Wednesday at the track from 4pm to 7pm. The race part of the show is Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 14th through 16th. Racing starts at 7:00 pm all three nights.
RESULTS
360 Sprints
Fast time Chad Hillier 11.964
Heat 1 Trey Starks, Hillier, Brian Kirkpatrick, Alan Munn, Bud Ashe
Heat 2 Justin Youngquist, Kenny Rutz, Cody Ridge, Trevor Turnbull, Kelsey Carpenter
Main Trevor Turnbull, Chad Hillier, Trey Starks, Mack Brown, Kenny Rutz, Justin Youngquist, Cody Ridge, Randy Price, Bud Ashe, Luke Didiuk, Steven James, Shane Valliant, Brian Kirkpatrick, Kelsey Carpenter, John Tharp, Matt Jensen, Alan Munn
Lap leaders Trevor Turnbull 1-25
Hard Charger Mack Brown +13 positions gained
Sportsman Sprints
Fast time Steve Parker 12.916
Heat 1 James Bundy, Clayton Sibley, Steve Parker, Skyler Pawlowicz, Dave Mead
Heat 2 Dylan Dunham, Cory Swatzina, Curtis Clark, Ashley Lewellen, Zach McCabe
Heat 3 Derek Roberts, Ben Gunderson, Rob Schroder, Ray Parker, Cale Brooke
Main Rob Schroder, Steve Parker, James Bundy, Cry Swatzina, Dylan Dunham, Wes Tyra, Cale Brooke, Curtis Clark, Ben Gunderson, Ray Parker, Ashley Lewellen, Derek Roberts, Clayton Sibley, Dave Mead, Skyler Pawlowicz, Roger Oudman
Lap leaders Skyler Pawlowicz 1-10, Zach McCabe 11-20 (dq wickerbill on wing)
Hard Charger Wes Tyra +11 positions gained
USAC Midgets
Heat 1 Chase Goetz, Garrett Thomas, Hannah Lindquist, Rene Angel
Heat 2 Jared Peterson, Garrett Johnson, Derek Holmwood, Michael Millard, Todd Hartmann
Main Jared Peterson, Derek Holmwood, Garrett Thomas, Michael Millard, Chase Goetz, Hannah Lindquist, Garrett Johnson, Todd Hartmann
Lap leaders Garrett Thomas 1, Jared Peterson 2-
Hard Charger Derek Holmwood +4 positions gained
Outlaw Hornets
Heat 1 Howard Vos, Patrick Adams, Freddie Vela, Rick Young, Brandon Berg
Heat 2 Clint Meins, Matt Powers, Matt Ploeg, Jon Gunderson, Cliff Ballenger
Main Rick Young, Jon Gunderson, Matt Powers, Cliff Ballenger, Clint Meins, Freddie Vela, John Edwards, Mark Toth, Brandon Berg, Becky Boudreau, Tina Thibert, Patrick Adams, Keith Wheeler, Howard Vos, Matt Ploeg
Lap leaders Jon Gunderson 1-11, Rick Young 12-17
Hard Charger Jon Gunderson +6 positions gained
REMINDER - CWR WEBSITE IS MOVING!
REMINDER!
Effective Wednesday, June 13, the CWR website will be moving and available on Facebook only.
This change will allow our viewers/contributors to self-post their racing news and photos onto our wall on a 24/7 basis. Please note, we will no longer be posting news items/photos ourselves.
Be sure to open your free Facebook account, if you do not currently have one, and send us a "friend request" to keep up-to-date with local racing news.
This change will allow our viewers/contributors to self-post their racing news and photos onto our wall on a 24/7 basis. Please note, we will no longer be posting news items/photos ourselves.
Be sure to open your free Facebook account, if you do not currently have one, and send us a "friend request" to keep up-to-date with local racing news.
This front page and our Forum/Classifieds at http://canadawestracing.proboards.com/index.cgi will remain.
Friday, June 8, 2012
ASA Advance Testing BC Late Model Tour Opens 2012 Season Saturday
By Kevin Ramsell, ASA BC Late Model Tour PR
SURREY, BC (Friday, June 8, 2012) – The ASA Advance Testing British
Columbia Late Model Tour will open their second season this Saturday
night at Agassiz Speedway in Agassiz, BC, Canada. The Late Model stars
of the north will be competing in the Advance Testing 125.
“We can’t wait to open our second season this Saturday night. It has
been a long winter,” John Ross, ASA Advance Testing BC LM Tour President
said. “I know the competitors, crews and race fans are eager to see
some great late model racing. We are ready to go and wave the green
flag to the 2012 season.”
A stellar field of drivers is expected to compete in the Advance
Testing 125 at the quarter-mile, slightly banked, asphalt oval. That
list includes: Geoff Morris, defending series champion; Tom Berrow,
multiple time champion; Korbin Thomas, another multiple time champion;
and Dave Hemrich, who finished second in points last season. Others
include Wade Bland, Rob Angus and more.
The spectator gates will open at 4:30pm with qualifying at 6:00pm. Racing action will get underway at 7:00pm.
2012 ASA Advance Testing BC Late Model Tour Marketing Partners: Advance
Testing Ltd., Five Star Race Car Bodies, Raider Hansen, Richmond Racing
Engines, Bob’s Contracting, Hemrich Bros Garage Ltd., Dutchies Plumbing
& Heating, Bulldog Transport, Longacre Racing Products, Joe’s
Racing Products, and Jimmy Mac’s Pub.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
ARE YOU THE REASON YOUR RACE TRACK IS GONE? ABSOULETLY NOT!
THIS IS WORTH RE READING
NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINION OF RACINGWEST
Source — Janet Peery
Date Posted — August 21, 2008
THOUSAND OAKS, California — Years ago I made a post about the Internet. Which you may read here.
Today, 7 years later, we still find writers and bloggers blaming the Internet for the demise of their track.
While no one wants to read that they are the driver most likely to
crash or the track that is most corrupt and often times there is some
truth behind what is said. Of course there are times there are mean
spirited people out to hurt another, but for the most part when you read
about a lot of the stuff…it’s true. Some cars do get through tech, some
racers do make stupid moves, and some website owners are old ladies.
But the chatter is mostly no different than what you would hear in
the pits, or discussing at a dinner at Chile’s after the race.
What I am most impressed about is how most racers have their limits.
There is a silent self monitoring policy of things that can be talked
about and things that go unsaid.
But what is missed in the big picture is all the good that is done on the Internet for the racers, the tracks.
At RacingWest we don’t sell our photos, but we have shared them for
years with Newspapers that wanted a special shot we have had. Unknown
drivers become heroes and recognized…in a large part because of the
Internet.
For yeas NASCAR could care less about putting information out there.
We were the supplier, including telling many racers wanting to move up
to NASCAR how to go about getting a license.
When a fried of the racing community is hurt or loses a life, we can
say our prayers and reach out to the family and friends of that person.
We can say a good bye. That is thanks to the Internet.
Some recent writers against the Internet credit the Internet with a new negativity to racing.
But fail to credit the Internet for all the good it does.
I remember one day I got an email from someone that said, “Wow,
NASCAR bought a site to shut up one person.” But was he fired for
negativity or honesty? NASCAR, in my opinion always has issues with
honesty. They want control…of everything…even the words we speak about
them. I mention this to show how fearful of and who is afraid of the
Internet.
It is organizations like NASCAR that fear it, but most little tracks
are glad to have the Internet…they can share information with those that
might otherwise be in the dark.
But did the Internet shut down your local track? I can think of a
few tracks by me that are now gone. Mesa Marin sold out because
development sprang up around them, the city was forcing them to do
expensive upgrades and as much as I loved Mesa Marin…the track was
tired, the seats were old, and Irwindale…not the Internet had taken many
fans. The owners of the track sold when the real estate value was still
up and with a dream of building a new track…not walking away because of
the Internet.
Cajon Speedway was closed because the city did not renew the contract. Not because of the Internet.
How about Saugus? What was the reason…crooked stands or some such nonsense?
How about Stockton 99? Owned by the very man that is in like Flynn
with NASCAR, Ken Clapp. Did he shut it down because of the Internet?
No. Supposedly he had a buyer for it. Look at all the tracks he
closed…none can be blamed on the Internet.
It is not the Internet that made land valuable. It is not the
Internet that put a city code on the barbeques we used to have, or
placed curfews on the racing we used to watch till Midnight.
The Internet is a balance of good and bad, like life. I have spent
many a night crying about cruel things I have read…things that weren’t
true, yet I also learned a lot of things I never knew…things that made
racing even more interesting. I also have spent nights crying about the
loss of those I loved….and I am glad I had the Internet to reach out to
them with.
I am glad when I want to go to Irwindale I can look on the Internet
and see the schedule. I am glad when I need directions to Colorado
National I can look on the Internet and view a map and hotels near by,
including recommendations on the Speedway’s site. I am glad when I want
to know where the SRL Southwest Tour Series is racing next I can look on
the Internet for the next races. I am glad when I want to read about
the finish of Tom Sweatman or Shane Harding…
I can look on the Internet to see where they placed, especially because
I don’t get a newspaper from Washington and without the Internet I
would not know.
I think it is cool I can print tickets for the races on the Internet.
There are a lot of things wrong with the Internet, but the message
boards are a very small part of what the Internet is and when you search
the Internet, most of what you find is good, helpful, informative
information.
My advice? The next time someone blames the Internet…remember what
it was like without it. Because it is not the Internet that shuts down
your racing, it is a city…like Cajon…progress like Mesa
Marin….NASCAR….like the Southwest and Northwest Tours… the economy…like
the little tracks that no longer could make it and a lot of other
And think about this if you really wanted to make a stand for your
track...where is the best place to do it...where do you go to reach the
most people?
reasons…the Internet may in fact be saving some tracks…because it
gives fans of little known tracks an opportunity to write stories and
get new fans in the stands.
The Internet is good and evil. But it is given way too much blame when it is credited with closing down the local track.
***********
And from a person on the Internet comes this well-said post:
Stockton, Mesa, Cajon, Carson City & Saugus all closed and had nothing to do with computer message boards. It's just another excuse for Nascar and bad promoters to blame drivers, teams, & fans.
Although, I'll agree a more positive attitude on message boards would be better for all and something we should do now.
Here's what I've noticed that's changed in 10 years,
1. Sat night cup races (Why leave the house)
2. Nascar on TV Friday, Sat & Sun (Plenty of racing on TV to get your fix)
3. The short tracks aren’t attracting new fans. Kids today are into gaming, tuner cars & myspace. They don't race tuner cars and most tracks don't use myspace as a tool. Pinto's and Camaros aren't what my kid is into.
4. The cost to race. It's getting harder and harder to pay the tire, fuel & testing bills. 10 years ago nobody tested every Friday night, now 1/2 the field does. How many people have a $1,000 every race to throw away? It's a rich man's game now and has lost the blue collar charm.
5. The economy is taking its toll as well.
6. Promoters are scared to change and spend money on purses and advertizing. The big races are gone now and I never see an ad in the sports page like I used too. It's all about the back gate now @ $45 buck a pop.
7. Tracks selling tires have become a track business unlike it used to be. 4 practice & 4 race tires a race isn't solving anything. Conflict of interest if you ask me.
8. Yes... the internet and our world have changed in the last 10 years. So many options to spend our time on. 20 years ago I would go to a drive-in movie... Where did they go?
That's how I see it and I could be wrong.
Western Speedway Hosts the Strawberry Cup
By Western Speedway
Western
Speedway will host its first two day show of the year this weekend, highlighted
by the running of the Times Colinist Strawberry Cup on Saturday Night. The
action will start Friday Night, as night one will feature the Richlock Rentals
Non Wing Sprint Cars, the IMS4 Mini Stocks and Old Time Racers Association
Vintage Cars. Saturday Night will see
the WILROC Non Wing Sprint Cars will run for the prestigious Strawberry Cup for
the first time ever, the Island Series Stock Cars will be on the card along
with the Mini Stocks and the Old Time Racers.
Campbell
River driver Mark Stewart the current Richlock Rentals WILROC Non Wing Sprint
Car points leader will be looking to extend his early season point lead and win
his third main event win in a row on Friday Night. Stewart leads the point
standings by a very slim three point margin over Shawnigan Lake’s Jeff Bird despite
winning the first two events, Bird has chased Stewart to the checkered in both
features so far this year, as well as having set fast last time out and winning
the fast heat. The next three positions
are separated by only three points, Sidney drivers Rob Scott and Chris Root have
112 and 111 points respectively, with Saanichton’s Paul Verhagen at 110. New drivers expected to be out for the first
time this year and challenge for the wins this weekend include, last year’s
champion Jesse Dardengo, Deter Lejeune, and Lance Wade, winged driver Matt Mansell should be back
in action after running in the Idaho Speedweeks last weekend for Winged Sprint
Cars.
The
Island Series Stock Cars will only run on Saturday Night and leading the way
will be point’s leader Duncan’s Cody Aumen.
Aumen is leading the points with 387, twenty three more than Kyle Cottam
at 364, Cottam picked up his first ever main event win at the last event on May
26th, while Aumen set a new
track record and finished third in the main.
Defending Champion Ryan Wade is in third spot with 324 points and will
be looking to win his first feature of the year, club president Dave Reside sits in third only three
points behind Wade at 321. Rookie driver
Brandon Steen rounds out the top five with 313 points on the strength of his
second place finish at the last race. Other drivers expected to challenge for the
win include former champion Brian Clutchey and Darryl Crocker who debuted his
new car last race.
The
Old Time Racing Association will make their second start of the year on Friday
Night, these beautiful cars from the 30’s and 40’s that resemble the first cars
that raced at Western in the 50’s and 60’s always put on a great show as well
as being very popular with the fans. George
“The Jet’ Jenson will be looking to make it two wins in a row after his victory
at the opening race for the old Timers on May 26th, others expected to fight for the win include,
Tom Cinnamon and two sets of father and son teams, Joe & Stephen Dardengo,
and Roger & Kyle Beck.. Up island drivers slated to compete are Nanaimo’s
Larry Joyce, and Duncan drivers, Rich Bennett and Bob Martin.
The IMS4 Mini Stocks will make their season debut on both Friday and Saturday Nights, drivers expected to contend for the win include last year’s champion Alex Mouner, Matt Szauer, Justin Woodske, Caleb Van Bree, Jeremy Wazzel and Gilles Parenteau.Both Friday and Saturday nights the front gates will open at 4:30 pm, qualifying at 5:30 and racing at 6:30 pm.
The next event at Western Speedway will be Saturday June 16th for O’Dell Slinger Service Night presenting The Keg Late Model Drivers Challenge Twin 50’s along with the Stock Cars, Mini Stocks and Dwarf Cars.
For more information regarding Western Speedway please call (250) 474 2151 or visit our new exciting website at www.westernspeedway.net
Western Speedway is proud to be partnered with so many great partners that include Steve Copp Construction, Richlock Rentals, Waynes’s Trucking, Ali Baba Pizza, Pepsi, Times Colonist, P&R Truck Center, 100.3 the Q, The Keg, Scotty, Lordco Auto Parts, Cash Advantage, Maxam Insurance Services, Wilson & Procter, Alpine Group, Boyd Autobody & Glass, Howie’s Car Corral, Orka Graphiks, Freedom Rent To Own, The Market on Millstream and Yates, Chek News, Vancouver Island Brewery, Western Star, Sooke Disposal, KMS Tools, Willie Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Goldstream News, IslandCarBuyer.com, Hetherington Industries, Steve Draine Harley-Davidson, O’Dell Slinger Service, Westside Instaprint, Westshore Transmissions
ONE WEEK BEFORE DIRT CUP AT SKAGIT SPEEDWAY
(Alger, WA) 6/7/12 by Kelly Hart
Next Thursday June 14th the 41st
Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup fires up at Skagit Speedway in Alger, WA. Featuring
a $160,000.00 purse and a $25,000.00 first place check, the biggest sprint car
race on the West Coast promises to bring out the best racers in the country.
The current King of the West point leader
Jonathan Allard is also the defending Dirt Cup champion and returns to defend
his crown against one of the hottest racers in the country Tim Kaeding who is
seeking his first Dirt Cup title. Also in the mix is former Dirt Cup champions
Shane Stewart in the Paul Silva car and Jayme Barnes driving for Roger
Henderson. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. will be in the same Kevin Rudeen car he won last
years World of Outlaws race in and Jac Haudenschild is the hired gun in the
Shaylen Raye Motorsports car usually driven by Travis Jacobson.
The visitors will be greeted by a hungry pack of
locals including defending 410 track champion Jesse Whitney, and former 410 track
champions Barry Martinez, Chad Hillier and Brock Lemley. Former 360 track
champions Jason Solwold driving for Danny Kirkpatrick in a former Dirt Cup
championship car, Alan Munn and will be in the field as well along with former
360 Nationals champion Roger Crockett in the Finley Farms #77 car. Current 410
point leader Eric Fisher will be bringing his two consecutive win streak into
the event as well.
Dirt Cup is more than just a race, it is an
experience with the Dirt Cup Party in the track parking lot on Wednesday June
13th from 4pm to 7pm featuring driver autographs, vendor and food
booths. On Saturday at 1pm is the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame auction in
the Interstate Batteries Section F grandstands.
You can get your advanced reserved seat tickets for
the event now by calling 360-724-3567 or at the will call booth during the
racing on Saturday night June 9th. For more info log onto www.skagitspeedway.com.
Race fans don’t forget NASCAR and USAC star Kenny
Schrader brings his Federate Auto Parts Modified to ASA Member Track Skagit
Speedway on Saturday June 23rd during the final race of Northwest
Modified Speed Week. The finale takes place that night to crown the NW Mod
Speed Week Champion.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
CALGARY’S JARRAD WHISSELL BATTLES TO THE FINISH AT CIRCUIT ICAR
June 4, 2010. Mirabel, Que. - Jarrad Whissell battled weather, an unfamiliar racetrack and collisions when he took his #44
SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford around the track for the first time
at Circuit ICAR in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series ICAR Grand Prix.
Saturday's
practice was limited due to rain, and since it was Whissell's first
visit to this particular track, he had difficulty finding his way around
in the inclement weather. Whissell was only able to log limited laps
during practice, but spent the evening running several laps around the
track in a golf cart to get a better idea of the racing line. Scattered
showers over the track cancelled qualifying, so racers were given
starting positions according to the NASCAR rule book. Whissell and his
#44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford were assigned a 22nd starting position,
but due to a wiring malfunction which forced a last minute repair was
forced to start at the back of the field according to the rules..
On
Sunday, Whissell headed into his rookie race on this particular track
with a simple strategy - take it easy, stay back and collect positions
later on in the race once more aggressive drivers burned out.
"It
was absolute chaos out there," Whissell said after the race. "I had a
mostly successful day laying low and keeping the car out of trouble."
But as much as Whissell tried, trouble still followed.
As
the race continued, incidents on the track caused the race to be slowed
four times for 10 laps. The race was eventually concluded under a
green-white-checker finish, and on the last restart, Whissell decided to
amp up his aggression in an attempt to move up in the rankings in the
final laps. As they rounded the track three and four cars wide at times,
Whissell was wedged in the middle - the meat in a car sandwich. His
aggression paid off and #44 picked up about a half dozen spots in a lap
and a half.
Unfortunately
for Whissell, he quickly lost the ground he had gained heading into the
hairpin turn when another competitor lost control slammed into Whissell
spinning out the #44. The last lap crash resulted in a 20th place
finish for Whissell..
This
season Jarrad Whissell will participate in the five NASCAR Canadian
Tire Series road course events plus the two western Canada stops at
Motoplex Speedway near Vernon, BC & Auto Clearing Speedway in
Saskatoon, SK. Follow the progress of the team and help support the
Children’s Miracle Network through the team website www.jarradwhissell.com
You can also follow Jarrad on twitter, @JarradWhissell and also check
out the team fan page on Facebook. Fans can watch all of the NASCAR
Canadian Tire Series races again this year on TSN.
Attached Photo: The #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford lined up on the grid at Circuit ICAR
Photo Credit: Todd Lewis
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