Alger, WA 4/18/12 by Kelly Hart
It’s hard to believe that six months have gone by since the
last car turned a competitive racing lap at ASA Member track Skagit Speedway.
The long winter is over and it’s time to go racing as Skagit Speedway kicks off
the 58th season of racing at the famed 3/10th mile
high-banked clay oval.
The Foothills Toyota Tundra Racing Series Round 1 event
features the high octane, ground pounding racing action of Sprint Cars and Outlaw
Hornets. Saturday April 21st, spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m. and
racing action starts after opening ceremonies at 7:00 p.m. The facility has
seen numerous upgrades in the off season including a newly expanded pit area,
car push off and entry area outside turn 3, new track shirt designs and
souvenirs in the souvenir stand, improved concession services, and the return
of Roscoe the Racing Dog.
All four returning champions are back to challenge deeper
fields featuring new and returning racers. Jesse Whitney faces stiff challenges
in the 410 Sprint class from former track champions Mike Melwicks, Travis
Jacobson and Barry Martinez. Former
World of Outlaws competitors Jason Solwold and Toni Lutar as well as multiple
time Clay Cup and Golden Driller champion Brock Lemley will drop in from time
to time to compete. Newcomer Liam Ryan
turned heads at both Play Day events turning fast time of the day twice.
Veterans Eric Fisher, Colton Heath, Josh Edson and Alec Covert are also
expected back.
In the Budweiser 360 Sprints Travis Jacobson will be
challenged by former champions Alan Munn and Chad Hillier, along with veterans Rod
Perkins, Kelsey Carpenter, Bud Ashe and Michael Harris. New to the 360 division
this year are Kenny Rutz, Trevor Turnbull, Matt Jensen, Shane Valiant and
Justin Youngquist. Solwold and Mack
Brown are also expected to run.
Derek Roberts has a big field of racers after his crown in
the Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprint class. Steve Parker returns along with
Cory Swatzina, Cale Brooke, Rob Schroder and Clayton Sibley. Newcomer Zach
McCabe joins Ashley Lewellen, Victoria Cantu, Micheal Hodel and Ben Gunderson.
Martin Koetje returns after a 4 year absence.
First time champion Freddy Vela has serious competition
after his Outlaw Hornet title. Runner-up Rick Young and youngsters Matt Ploeg
and Matt Powers return after strong seasons. Cliff Ballenger, Ken Higby, Tom
Warner and Tyler Ketchum will also contend for wins. The female Hornet
contingent is well represented with Stacey Sims, Tina Thibert, and Becky
Boudreau.
The 2012 season will also feature the debut of the USAC
Focus Midgets with a 4 race series for the initial season championship. Mr.
Dizzy will jump a Big Rig this summer and the Big Rigs will return. NW Modified
Speedweeks concludes at Skagit Speedway with a visit from Ken Shrader. There
are events with the Dwarf Cars and the always popular Dirt Cup, 360 Nationals
and World of Outlaws Events. The full schedule can be found on the website, www.SkagitSpeedway.com .