VINTAGE NASCAR WEST COAST

 BRENT MARTIN PHOTO

Nice trailer Eh!

Victoria Auto Racing Hall Of Fame Induction

By Ken Keating, Illusion Photos & Victoria Hall of Fame

  

The Eagle Ridge Community Center was the site of the 28th Annual Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies Saturday afternoon with Rocky Horne as the host Master of Ceremonies. The hall was filled with lots of photos, race cars, and displays that depicts the great racing history of local drivers, individuals, and Western Speedway.

   Harold Corbett, Mark Meeres, and Barb Pretties received Pioneer Awards for their outstanding contributions, service, and dedication to the sport of auto racing. 

Langford's Mayor Stu Young and Council received an additional award for their long standing support of racing and the Auto Racing Hall of Fame as the Eagle Ridge Community Center will display memorabilia and artifacts for the next twenty years. The award was accepted by Councilman Roger Wade. Inductees for 2012 included Gord Alberg, Tim Christy, and Al Clark all of whom have an impressive backgrounds in auto racing.

Gord Alberg's involvement began in 1960. He was a Western Speedway crew member for Jim Gallaugher with the old historic race car. 1961 was his first year as a race car driver. His car was a 1934 Ford 5 window coupe Stock Car. Driving that season, he spent many hours with George (Spin) Sheridan and Donny Wilson from Wilson and Proctor Company building flathead Ford engines with all the tricks to making a flathead stock perform. He also admitted that he was living his dream racing against guys he idolized when he was 12 and 13 years old. They were Dave Cooper, Dick Varley, Gary Kershaw, Jerry Silvester, Al Smith, Billy Foster and others.

After an unfortunate accident in mid season at Western, he had to sit out for a couple of weeks. The next weekend, Billy Foster drove his car. He had 4th fast time and a clean sweep with winning the dash, fast heat, and the Main event. Dave Cooper drove it to Nanaimo on the Wednesday night and won the Main event. The following weekend he went to the Haney, Vancouver track on a Sunday afternoon and Tom Urdley drove it and won the Main event. He returned to driving the next week and continued on. On July 20th, 1963, the Stock Cars travelled to the SeaTac Speedway in Seattle to put on their own program. He drove his #56 car and won the Main event. Another big night for him was the 50 lap Stock Car Championship race at Western Speedway where he ran very competitively except for a last lap shot that he received. He ended the 1963 season 9th in points and also received the Western Speedway Rookie of the Year award.

After competing in the Stock Car classes, he upgraded into a B Modified race car with Bob Vantreight. As well as driving it for two years, he was also very involved with building parts and equipment for many racers. His first "B" Modified race was in Nanaimo. He set fast time, won the dash and was second in the Main event. After six weeks, he went to Boise Idaho with Reg and Anne Midgley accompanying Billy Foster. He decide to assist and crew for Billy at Boise, Pocatello, Salt Lake, Denver, the back to Pocatello, and Boise again. Their second trip was Edmonton, Salt Lake City, and Denver. Billy had won all Main events except three and had clean sweeps at four of the tracks. He had continued for many years with lots of accomplishments being involved with building and supplying lots of racing parts and equipment for many known folks as well as his own updated goodies. It is gratifying to have Gord Alberg inducted to the Hall of Fame.

Tim Christy began his auto racing involvement in 1981 at the age of 16 in the Demo Class for nine years. His racing career became very impressive in the 1990s and 2000s. He originated with a Cassidy Class speedway track record in 1987. He then upgraded to Claimers in 1991. He finished 2nd in points in  1992. His original Claimer history was leading points in April and won a few races and finished in the top five. In 1993 he won the Claimer Championship with the most Main event wins. Here's a history on his great 1993 events. April 4th won the Main event, set fast time on April 18th, May 10th he won the 2nd Heat and was 3rd in the Main. June 14th set fast time, won the dash, and was a 2nd in the Main. July 26th set fast time, won his Heat race and also the Main event. Was still the points leader on August 21st and gained the Championship at September 17th.

In 1994 he updated to the Stock Car class and finished 7th. In 1995 he received the Member of the Year trophy and finished 5th. 1996 saw him win the Stock Car Championship and he also held the Saratoga Speedway track record. He was the Stock Car Champion and Driver of the Year in 1997. He was again the Stock Car Champion, Driver of the Year, track record, and Sportsman of the Year award winner in 1998. In 1999, he moved up to Late Models, received Rookie of the Year award, and was also won the Championship. In 2000 he won his 5th straight Championship, got Driver of the Year, and best appearing car awards. He won his 6th straight Championship in 2001, had the track record, and his crew chief got Mechanic of the Year award. 2002 and 2003 he finished 2nd in points but obtained the Agassiz track record. In 2004 he won the Winn River Investational 100 laps race at Shasta Speedway in California. In 2005 he won the Dewalt Miller Springs Mainland Late Model Championship. He was 2nd in the Katana racing series in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2009 he was 3rd in the Arca West racing series and 4th in the Arca series with Best Appearing car in 2010. He is now finished race car driving but has become a Committee Member on the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame. We are very proud to induct this true racing Historical Champion into the Hall of Fame.

Al Clark has a tremendous history with all the vehicle situations he has been involved with. He was originally born in London, England and has lived in Victoria since he was three years old. He was one of the most successful drag racers at Mission Raceway. In 1961, he joined the Quarter Milers Car Club. Then in 1962 he drove a 1948 Chevy Coupe to high school. He started drag racing by driving the Quarter Milers C Dragster at Arlington, Washington and Sam Cobble, Vancouver Island (Bamberton Haul Road). In 1963 he fired his dragster and ran it down the front straightaway at Western Speedway on Wednesday afternoon. In 1964 he raced at Arlington, San Cobble, and Pacific Raceway in Seattle. He also helped to organize Quarter Milers Automata. In 1965 he started a metal fabricator, boilermaker apprenticeship at DND (Dockyard). Again, he raced at Arlington, San Cobble, and Mission City.

He became show chairman of Quarter Milers Autorama in  1996 and also raced at Arlington, Mission, and San Cobble. He drove the second dragster to appear at the Mission track and continued to drive the Quarter Milers Dragster. He had bought the dragster from the club and had started racing on his own Class Championship at Mission Raceways. In 1967 he started racing at the new Van Isle Raceways in Mill Bay. He won many match races with out of town cars including Balkins Falcon from St. Louis. In 1998, he set the track record at Van Isle running the injected Chevy C Dragster at 9.76 seconds, 144 miles per hour. He won Competition Eliminator six times. in 1969, he built a B Dragster for Brain Roberts and Bill England. The next year he ran an E Class Dragster with a straight 8 Buick engine at 122 miles per hour, 11.5 seconds. From 1971 to 1974 he ran a `B`Class Dragster with an injected Chrysler Hemi at a top speed of 148.68 mph in 9.21 seconds.

In history, he had raced at Mission, Arlington, Seattle, Edmonton, and Van Isle with a fair amount of success and the retired from drag racing in 1974 when he sold his dragster. Since retiring from racing, he has become a very successful organizer for great displays. He started as show chairman for the International Show Car Association from 1974 to 1998, then produced his own shows in 1991 and 1994. He also spends some time building street rods, and formed his Deuces Northwest Street Rods Company in 1996. Also in 1998 he became the fantastic coordinator of the Northwest Deuce Day shows held in Victoria. We are very proud to induct Al Clark into our Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

The afternoon's event concluded with a luncheon and the announcement that the Hall of Fame race will take place on June 30th with the Non Wing Sprint Cars, Mini Stocks, Dwarf Cars, and the Hornets racing at Western Speedway. Each guest received a complimentary ticket to see this great show with the Non Wing Sprint Cars running for the Jim and Lorraine Haslam Memorial Trophy.

Steve Copp: A Driving Force

By Ken Keating

Steve Copp Construction Ltd. is actively involved in projects from Victoria to Comox on Vancouver Island. They are an award-winning company building custom homes, commercial buildings, multi-residential developments, and working on all types of renovations, both interior and exterior. As a company they believe in giving back to the community whether it be an active member of the Better Business Bureau, helping to organize a safe environment for kids learning to drive and adults wanting to race karts, volunteering as a Road Marshall for the annual, "Run for the Cure" in Victoria, and sponsoring the Hornet class races at Western Speedway which is where the real story begins.

Steve lives in Victoria with his wife, Jennifer, his twelve year old son, Trevor, and sixteen year old daughter Aubrey. His first experience with a race track began in the early 1970s when his father was a sponsor on a Roy Haslam race car and Steve later crewed on Haslam's car until the early 1980s. He then worked on Darrell Midgley's race team for a couple of years and then "never set foot at the track" for some twenty years in order to build a family and a business. Steve always had a desire to race but never had the opportunity until he got involved again and Darrell offered him a ride in the now popular Hornet Series that began racing on Wednesday nights in 2007 and called Wednesday Night Fever. It is an entry level of racing, fairly cheap to build and maintain, allows owners and drivers to leave their cars at the track eliminating a need for expensive trailers, and a Series that is just fun to drive which appealed to Copp. He won several races in the Hornet Series and was always among the frontrunners. After a year of Hornets, Steve teamed with Daryl Crocker, in 2008, and shared driving duties in the Stock Car Series which is one of the most competitive Series that run at Western Speedway. Every race features door to door, side by side, and bumper to bumper racing with lap times that are extremely close. It was this type of racing that Steve decided to try because of the competitive nature and bringing on a whole new challenge. For 2009, Steve took over driving Brandon Carlson's Stock Car and drove a full season in that series while Carlson moved to the Late Model Series. Steve joined forces with Daryl Crocker, at L.D. Race Cars, and Brandon Carlson to form a three car race team.

In 2010 Copp won the "Most Improved Driver Award" and finished 4th in overall Stock Car points. In 2011, Steve again remained in the Stock Car class and was among the front runners on most nights. Late in the season, Steve and some other drivers were involved in a big crash on the front stretch with Copp's car taking a hit into the inside wall and totally destroying the ride. Despite missing a few events after this crash, Steve placed 6th in total points for the season. The next day, after the wreck, Steve placed a call to Bart Smith and purchased a Late Model car that he is anxious to race in the new Keg Steakhouse Bar & Grill Driver Challenge. He, like the other competitors, feel this will be a great series of races and will invite strong competition from the Island and other parts of BC.

Steve remembers in the old days at the track the IDC Series and the Open shows that brought drivers from all over BC and the States. These show were some of the best racing and the car counts were always good. He remembers how the fans and local business all got behind these races. This is one of the key reason Steve got behind this new series. He is impressed with the support from the track, the sponsors, the racers and the fans, "there really seems to be a buzz around it. We're all hoping for good car counts and people in the stands, both of these will help to ensure that Western Speedway is still a place to run in the future."

Times have changed Steve says, "You all have to work together with the promoters and make this happen, gone are the days of just showing up at the track and receiving a cheque after the race." Steve personally wants to thank "The Keg Steakhouse and Bar" along with other sponsors for also seeing there vision and coming on board- 2012 is going to be a great year at Western Speedway. Steve is one of the driving forces behind this Series as well as the Go-karts and the summer and winter Hornet Series. He and his team of Daryl Crocker and Bill Smith Jr. have invested a lot of time and energy to put Late Model racing back in the forefront at Western Speedway with the support of many new sponsors and may become a driving force on the track in a new car. Steve says: "I turn 50 this year which is late in life to start trying to drive a Late Model but as long as its fun why not try"

WELCOME BACK TERRY KERSHAW

 mckellar /agassiz photo

Pursley Rallies For Utah Grand Prix Win

Overcomes Flat For K&N Pro West Victory At Miller

By Jason Christley, NASCAR
April 28, 2012 

 

TOOELE, Utah – Greg Pursley rallied from a flat tire to claim the Utah Grand Prix for the third year in a row Saturday at Miller Motorsports Park. It was the 10th career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West victory for the Newhall, Calif., driver.

Pursley took the lead on the white flag lap from rookie Austin Dyne, who was making his second career start. Eric Holmes also got past Dyne on the final lap to claim second while Dyne wound up third.

POS	DRIVER
1	Greg Pursley
2	Eric Holmes
3	Austin Dyne
4	Dylan Kwasniewski
5	Austin Cameron

Pursley’s teammate Dylan Kwasniewski and Austin Cameron finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

With the win, Pursley secured a locked-in starting position for the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach during 2013 Speedweeks on a temporary short track at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.

Pursley was fastest in practice Saturday morning and earned his 12th career Coors Light Pole Award in afternoon's qualifying.

But he had to pit on Lap 39 for a flat left rear as he had been cutting into Dyne’s lead. Dyne had led since Lap 26 following a round of green-flag pit stops on the 2.2-mile road course. A Lap 44 caution helped Pursley make up ground and he was eighth on the final restart.

Scott Ivie was sixth, followed by Kyle Heckman, Cameron Hayley, David Mayhew and Carl Harr.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will race next in the Pick-n-Pull 150 at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway on Saturday, May 5.

 Edmonton driver  Cameron Hayley finished in 8th with a flat tire

Liam Ryan - The 9 Second Man - Wins Main and Sets New Track Record

By Kaleb Hart

 

Liam Ryan stole the show on Les Schwab Night at Deming Speedway. On Friday night, April 27th 2012, Ryan officially became the first man ever to run a 9 second lap at the over 30 year 1/6 mile clay oval, and he punctuated the night with a win in the 1200 division. Other feature winners included Brayden Planko, Austin Sheridan and Jesse Schlotfeldt.

 

The story of the evening was Ryan, who officially became the fastest man at Deming Speedway by becoming the first driver ever to break into the 9 second bracket, by timing in at 9.932. Ryan continued his blistering pace during the A Main as he took the lead from DJ Kosa on lap 14 and proceeded to clip off more laps in the 9 second bracket during main action, running as low as 9.8 on a later lap. Kosa hung on for second with Tyson Cross taking third.

 

Brayden Planko picked up his first feature win of 2012 with a 25 lap wire to wire win in the Hoosier Speedmart 600 division. Planko was tailed by Liam Ryan over the final 20 laps of the affair, as the young Canadians racers ran lightning quick laps without touching or tagging each other. Jared Peterson finished third. Derek Torkelson set a new track record in time trials with a lap of 10.136. Heat wins went to Chase Schmidt, Alex Gauthier, Brock Lemley and Dustin O'Brien won the heats.

 

Veteran patience and guile led Austin Sheridan to his second win of the year in the 600 Restricted division. Sheridan took the lead from Dylan Resch on lap 20 when he found an open spot in lapped traffic to slip past Dylan and secure the victory. Sheridan was fast time. Ashley Thompson, Spencer Constance and Ashleigh Johnson won the heats.

 

Jesse Schlotfeldt won his fourth straight feature in the Kasey Kahne Junior Sprint division. Schlotfeldt took the lead from second place finisher Ashton Dial in traffic on the 8th lap en route to the victory. Sawyer Sorgenfrei finished third, won his heat race and set quick time. Dial won the other heat. 

 

Hoosier Speedmart 600
Fast Time - Derek Torkelson NTR 10.136

Heat 1 - Chase Schmidt
Heat 2 - Alex Gauthier
Heat 3 - Brock Lemley
Heat 4 - Dustin O'Brien

B Main - Cory Samuelson, Dougie James, Greg Hamilton, Jerrod Saddler, Nate Vaughn, Tom Hovind

A Main - Brayden Planko, Liam Ryan, Jared Peterson, Austin Sheridan, Dustin O'Brien, Spud Allen, Kevin Wilkinson, Jacob Brown, Dougie James, Nate Vaughn, Jerrod Saddler, Greg Hamilton, Derek Torkelson, Hayden Schmidt, Brandon Turner, Chase Schmidt, Cory Samuelson, Phil Schemenauer, Alex Gauthier, Brock Lemley
Lap Leaders - Planko 1-25

 

1200s
Fast Time - Liam Ryan NTR 9.932

Heat 1 - Eric Drake
Heat 2 - Wade Spreckelmeyer

Main - Liam Ryan, DJ Kosa, Tyson Cross, Aaron Fell, Jared Gunderson, Clennon Holloway, Wade Spreckelmeyer, Eric Drake, Forest Metcalfe, Kyle Kenoyer, Spud Allen, Duane Mackey, Brock Lemley, Steven Hendrickson
Lap Leaders - Kosa 1-13 Ryan 14-25

 

600 Restricted
Fast Time - Austin Sheridan 11.084

Heat 1 - Ashley Thompson
Heat 2 - Spencer Constance
Heat 3 - Ashleigh Johnson

Main - Austin Sheridan, Dylan Resch, Ashley Thompson, Kyle Mitchell, Brandee Wood, Tristan Thomas, Ashleigh Johnson, Tatum Pospical, Jake Helsel, JJ Thomas, Eli Schmidt, Hannah Lindquist, Riley Watkins, Tanner Reid, Rachel Westmoreland, Ian Humphries, Kaitlyn Hammer
Lap Leaders - Resch 1-19 Sheridan 20-25

 

Kasey Kahne Jr Sprints
Fast Time - Sawyer Sorgenfrei 13.451

Heat 1 - Sawyer Sorgenfrei
Heat 2 - Ashton Dial

Main - Jesse Schlotfeldt, Ashton Dial, Sawyer Sorgenfrei, Bradley Parks, Haley Constance, Lynden Lebedinski, Haylee Bloodgood, Tyson Lemley, Peyton Hagen
Lap Leaders - Dial 1-7 Schlotfeldt 8-15

AGASSIZ OPENER THIS SATURDAY

 MCKELLAR PHOTO

Jim Darby Memorial kicks off the 2012 season, everyone is invited to catch all the racing action.

NASCAR FRIDAY

2012 RIR Apr NSCS Practice 042712 Martin In Car

4/27/2012 | Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR

 

CAM-AM INVITATIONAL

MONROE, Washington — There are abundant story lines for the 2012 season opener of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Speedway Chevrolet Super Late Models at Evergreen Speedway this Saturday April 28. From the youngest driver to ever start a Super Late Model race at the fabled facility, to the youngest female to ever start, to the only driver to win NASCAR, ARCA and ASA regional touring championships, to a driver in only his second year of racing a super late model who won the INSSA championship and is fresh off a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West eighth place finish, to a South Sound Speedway multiple time Late Model champion, to two father & son racing teams, to the pastor of a mega church and to the return of a three time and defending division champion. The season opening race is titled The Can-Am Invitational in honor of the feature story line with the return of Canadian driver Chris Preston who was severely burned in an explosion two years ago and will be making his return to racing. The Twin 50-lap mains will be a part of the new I-5 Challenge Series for Late Model drivers. The first ever series will join drivers from Evergreen Speedway and South Sound Speedway in a special championship. In addition the night will also have the NASCAR Super Figure Eight division, Les Schwab Tires NASCAR Street Stock division, Foster Press NASCAR Mini-Stock division and the debut of the Northwest Legends Series in action. The full night of racing starts at 6pm with spectator gates opening at 4:30. The pit gates will open at 12pm to accommodate all the cars expected.

Canadian, Chris Preston was caught in an explosion at his restaurant two years ago and was badly burned. Survival was questionable no less getting back in a race car. Fighting through many months of rehabilitation Chris’s goal was to get back to his passion of stock car racing. Saturday night that goal becomes a reality with the start of the 2012 season at his home track Evergreen Speedway. Many of his supporters from Canada and the US will be there to cheer for his survival and obtaining his goal.

On track with the big boys

   Agassiz Speedway is home to 14-yearold stock car driver

 

By Jean Konda-Witte, Abbotsford Times  

 

 

 

Brandal Cholette Farrington, a Grade 9 student at Robert Bateman Secondary in Abbotsford, is racing stock cars this season at the Agassiz Speedway. He's the youngest driver on the track.

Photograph by: Jean Konda-Witte , Times

He doesn't have his driver's licence yet, but Brandal Cholette Farrington is pitting his stock car against drivers decades his senior this summer at the Agassiz Speedway.
At 14, Brandal is already a veteran, having started at the age of five racing quarter midgets at the track in Langley. Even as a small boy, he had "a need for speed."
Now with his souped-up 1997 Honda Civic, No. 88 (named after his favourite NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. who also uses 88), Brandal is gearing up to kick butt in the hornet class as the youngest driver on the track.
"I love it . . . the speed and the exhilaration," said the Grade 9 Robert Bateman Secondary student. "And the awesomeness."
When Brandal was three, his dad Ray built him a gas-powered go-cart, which the youngster drove daily in the parking lot of the old Salvation Army building in Abbotsford.
At five he graduated to quarter midgets, where for eight years he won many trophies and ribbons, along with a few bruises.
But he also won the moniker of Flipzilla, because he flipped the cars, and not by choice most of the time.
"I started flipping at age 10, and not on purpose," he recalled of the first anxious moment he had behind the wheel. It was usually caused when his open tire would hit another car's tire. But as he grew older, his size became a factor and the small cars became easier to flip.
"The last one I did it was in Washington and I flew about 12 feet in the air and landed on my back tire and broke everything in the car," he said somewhat proudly, although thankful he was not injured. Still, he treasures his trophy with the car on its side, which he won for his many races landing upside-down.
Racing is a family affair at the Farrington household, with everyone pitching in for the transition from midgets to stock cars.
After gutting the Civic, with help from cousin Ashley, Brandal and Ray installed a racing seat, a five-point safety harness, a roll cage with help from grandpa John, fire extinguisher, window net, reinforcing steel 'C' channel along the driver's door, and of course, the No. 88 painted on the side.
"Everything is above the minimum for safety," said Ray.
Brandal loves the idea that this is a family team with dad, mom Tina and friends as the pit crew.
He also knows the challenges of what lies ahead.
It will take a lot of seat time on the track this season for Brandal to get used to the fast-paced full-size cars, and seasoned drivers all too willing to take him out.
"It's kind of intimidating because the other guys are so much older than me," he said, adding his challenge is just to get better.
"It's the driver and the car, but mostly it's the driver."
? To sponsor Brandal and have your business displayed on his car, contact him at: racecardriver88@hotmail.com.
JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

N.P.P. LATE MODELS TO MERRITT SPEEDWAY

SARATOGA SPEEDWAY

After finishing up their 30^th season with a great show, Saratoga Speedway returns in 2012 with an amazing schedule filled with great family entertainment. Saratoga Speedway will open their season with another great firework show, which has never disappointment in their 30 year history.

The 2012 season will begin on May 5, and run until September 8, with the season opening with the Crash to pass cars, Hornet cars and Roadrunners on May 5. The always exciting Monster trucks will make their first appearance of the season on May 19^th and 20^th, accompanied by the Crash to Pass cars, Hornet cars and Roadrunners, which is scheduled as a rain or shine event. On June 16^th, are annual Car tossing competition is set to take place, with the record being set at 57 feet and 7 inches, which was set last season; the Crash to pass cars, Hornet cars and Roadrunners will also be on the racing card for the night, and is also scheduled as a Rain or Shine event. June 30^th is are 2^nd firework extravaganza of the season, which is always a treat for the young fans; there will also be a Crash to Pass boat race on the night, once again accompanied by the Roadrunners and Hornet cars, and is once again a Rain or Shine event. The following weekend will be featuring the Wingless sprint cars which are a class that is quickly growing in cars; the I.M.C.A Modifieds, Bombers cars and Motorcycles will also be on the racing card for the night. The BC Late Model tour will make their first and only appearance of the year on July 7, for the Thrifty Foods 150, which has been one of the best races of the year in previous years and promises to be yet another amazing race in the 2012 year; the Bomber cars, Dwarf cars and I.M.C.A Modifieds will join them on the night. The Wingless Sprint cars will make another appearance on July 28^th, which is their 2^nd of 3 races at Saratoga this year. The Island Mini Stocks will also be making the first appearance of the year on the 28^th, accompanied by the Bomber cars, Motorcycles and I.M.C.A Modifieds. The Monster Trucks will return on August 4^th and 5^th for their last appearance of the year, accompanied by the Crash to pass cars, Hornet cars and the Roadrunners, and is set as an Rain or Shine event. August 11 will feature our first ever Bomber car Island Invitational, bringing cars from all over the island up for a great night of racing at Saratoga, accompanied by the Old Time Modified Stock cars, I.M.C.A Modifieds and the Motorcycles. The 4^th annual Bikini Contest will return on August 18, also featuring the last Crash to pass boat race of the year, with the Hornet cars and Roadrunners also on the racing card for the night. The Wingless Sprint cars will make their last appearance of the season on August 25; also on the racing card are the Bomber cars, I.M.C.A Modifieds, Dwarf cars, and the Motorcycles. Our annual Canadian-American Demolition Derby will take place on September 1 and 2^nd which is one of most highly anticipated events of the year; The Crash to pass cars, Hornets and Roadrunners will join the festivities on the two nights. Finally to rap up the season, on September 8^th, we will be hosting all of our classes that only race at Saratoga; the Crash to pass cars, Hornet cars, Roadrunners, Bomber cars and I.M.C.A Modifieds will all be on the racing card that night. We will be having a double point’s championship as well, and there will only be main events on the night. For more information on the full schedule, please feel free to contact the speedway or go to the Saratoga Speedway website.

Extra laps… The prices for the gate have remained the same once again this year, child under 5 is $5, Students are $10, and adults are $12 on regular nights, with prices varying on different racing events. We would also like to remind you that Saratoga Speedway has always been and will remain to be your destination for great family entertainment, which is the reason for no alcohol on the premises and designated smoking areas, to try and accommodate for all of our great young fans. We would also like to thank all the sponsors through-out are upcoming racing season, none of this could be possible without the great sponsors we have. The 2012 season is promising to yet another great season and we look forward to seeing all of you through-out the 2012 season.

Thanks,

Terry Guest

SKAGIT SPEEDWAY ENJOYING EARLY SEASON SUCCESSES

  by Kelly Hart

 

With a successful opening night under their belt, Skagit Speedway looks forward to this Saturday night with round two of the Foothills Toyota Tundra Racing Series. With spectator gates opening at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 7:00 p.m. all four local racing divisions are slated for action.

 

For driver Kevin Smith, this season honors the 40^th anniversary season for Smith Family Racing. Starting with his father Dick and continuing on with his brother Rick and himself there has been a Smith Family racer at Skagit Speedway since 1972. A claim few can match at the race track. Kevin returns to the seat of his 410 Sprinter seeking the same success he found winning the Sportsman Sprint championship in 2009.

 

Also returning is Ashley Lewellen. The second year Sportsman Sprint driver tried to knock down the turn 4 wall last weekend while running second in her heat race. Her crew is putting the car back together and she plans to pick up where she left off. Another popular young driver; Justin Youngquist, will be back as well with his second run in a 360 Sprint expected to be better than last week’s endeavor which ended in a crash in turn 3. Missing the first week were veterans Kelleigh Johnson and Rod Perkins. Both are due out this week.

 

First week winners Derek Roberts (Sportsman Sprints), Rick Young (Outlaw Hornets),  Canadian driver Trevor Turnbull (360 Sprint) and Brock Lemley headline a stout field of race cars expected to compete. Qualifying laps during time trials on opening week were fast in all divisions. Expect more of the same this week with 410 Sprint fast timer Chad Hillier back behind the wheel of his familiar #24c Sprint Car.

 

Clean and modern restrooms, family friendly concession stands, ice cold beer from the Budweiser Beer Garden and a visit from Skagit Speedway Mascot Roscoe the Racin’ Dog make for an entertaining evening.

 

For more information on race dates, season tickets and special events at ASA Member Track Skagit Speedway check the website, www.SkagitSpeedway.com .

ASA Advance Testing BC Late Model Tour 2012 Points Fund

ASA Advance Testing BC Late Model Tour 2012 Points Fund

John Ross is pleased to announce Advance Testing will be contributing $12,000 to a year end points fund. This will work out to approximately $2.00 a point, earned during the season.  For example, at end of 2011 season, Geoff Morris, series champion, had 417 points and would receive $834.00. At 10th place, Wade Bland with 180 points would receive $360.00.  

SKAGIT SPEEDWAY OPENS 58TH SEASON

        by Kelly Hart

 

It was an opening night to remember with sunny skies and warm temperatures to start the evening. A good field of cars graced the racing surface at ASA Member Track Skagit Speedway with first night wins by Brock Lemley, Trevor Turnbull, Derek Roberts and Rick Young.

 

Setting fast time in the 410 Sprints was Chad Hillier with a great early season clocking of 11.026. The track record is 10.872 and any lap near the ten second mark is astonishing especially early in the season. Heat race wins went to Brock Lemley and Eric Fisher. Lemley got by Travis Jacobson on the start of the 410 main and was never led. It is the second straight win for Lemley in the Bob and Lori Scott 7s car.

 

The 360 Sprints were led by youngster Justin Youngquist timing in with an 11.883 qualifying mark. The first heat of the night saw Steve James flip in turn 3 on the third lap as the engine of race leader Brian Kirkpatrick expired. That handed the lead to Trevor Turnbull who held on for the win. Alan Munn won the second heat by a full straightaway over Michael Harris and Kelsey Carpenter. Munn led the first 4 laps of the main before Turnbull passed for the lead on the 4^th lap. Turnbull led the remaining laps for the win with Michael Harris and Kelsey Carpenter giving chase. The race saw two yellow flags and one red. The red coming on lap 12 when Colton Akerstrom flipped hard in turn 3.

 

Sportsman heat races were won by Derek Roberts, Bill Rude, and Steve Parker, all former Sportsman Sprint champions. In the 20-lap feature Tyler Fox led Stephen Reeves to the stripe on the start and led the first 8 laps before Roberts cleared him in traffic on lap 9. Roberts and Fox dueled in and out of traffic with Fox rim riding to a second place finish.

 

A good field of Outlaw Hornets saw last year’s Hornet Nationals Champion Rick Young start things off in 2012 with the first heat race win. Matt Powers won the second heat race. In the main, Tom Warner led the first 13 laps before a flat right front did him in. Young forced the issue down low and took over the front spot leading the last 3 laps for the win.

 

 

RESULTS:

 

410 Sprints

Fast time:  Chad Hillier 11.026

Heat 1: Brock Lemley, Barry Martinez, Chad Hillier, Jesse Whitney, Josh Edson

Heat 2: Eric Fisher, Mike Melwicks, Jonathan Jorgenson, Travis Jacobson, Liam Ryan

Main: Brock Lemley, Jacobson, Hillier, Martinez, Turnbull, Jorgenson, Alec Covert, Edson, Fisher, Whitney, Ryan

Lap leader: Lemley 1-25

Hard Charger Award: Trevor Turnbull +5

 

360 Sprints

Fast time:  Justin Youngquist 11.883

Heat 1: Trevor Turnbull, Cam Smith, Justin Youngquist, Luke Didiuk, Shane Valiant

Heat 2: Alan Munn, Michael Harris, Kelsey Carpenter, Danny Kirkpatrick, Jonathan Jorgenson

Main: Trevor Turnbull, Harris, Carpenter, Munn, Bud Ashe, Didiuk, Jason Bloodgood, Randy Price, Matt Jensen, Jorgenson, Akerstrom, Smith, Youngquist

Lap leaders – Munn 1-4, Turnbull 5-25

Hard Charger Award: Bloodgood +6

 

Sportsman Sprints:

Heat 1: Derek Roberts, Wes Tyra, Martin Koetje, Zach McCabe, Ashley Lewellen

Heat 2: Bill Rude, Tyler Fox, Cory Swatzina, Dave Mead, Clayton Sibley

Heat 3: Steve Parker, Stephen Reeves, Rob Schroder, Dylan Dunham, Curtis Clark

Main: Derek Roberts, Tyler Fox, Swatzina, Schroder, Parker, Sibley, Gunderson, Koetje, Cale Brooke, Victoria Cantu, Dave Mead, Dunham, Ray Parker, Reeves, Rude, Clark, Wes Tyra, Paul Hopkins, Zach McCabe

Lap leaders:  Fox 1-8, Roberts 9-20

Hard Charger Award: Ben Gunderson +12

 

Outlaw Hornets

Heat 1: Rick Young, Tom Warner, Wade Swatzina, Matt Ploeg, Patrick Adams

Heat 2: Matt Powers, Greg Hibma, Cliff Ballenger, Clint Mein, Jon Edwards

Main: Rick Young, Wade Swatzina, Hibma, Powers, Ploeg, Adams, Ballenger, Warner, Bren Futrelle, Becky Boudreau, Terry Graul, Tina Thibert, Stephanie Bailey, Meins, Edwards, Mark Toth, Howard Vos

Lap leaders: Warner 1-13, Young 14-17

Hard Charger Award: Rick Young +4

WESTERN SPEEDWAY #15

NASCAR KANSAS

• 2012 Kansas April NASCAR Sprint Cup AJ Allmendinger Coors Light Pole Award
    Tyler Barrick/Getty Images

 

Veteran Drivers Score Popular Wins at Deming Speedway

kaleb@xxxraceco.com

 

4/20/12

 

A pair of veteran drivers scored popular victories at Deming Speedway on Friday night on A-1 Welding / Pace Chassis night. Aaron Fell set a new track record and won the A Main in the 1200 division while Spud Allen led all 25 laps of the Speedmart / Hoosier main to end a four year winless drought. Other winners included Ashley Thompson in the 600r division and Jesse Schlotfeldt in the Kasey Kahne Jr Sprints.

 

With a blistering fast race surface to work with, Aaron Fell dialed his car in to the perfect combination en route to winning his first feature of 2012 in the 1200 division. After lowering the track record to 10.034, Fell found his way past Jared Gunderson on lap 16 and then streaked away from the field to win the main, running laps close to his time trial lap during the main itself. Liam Ryan took second and Steven Hendrickson was third. Heat wins went to Duane Mackey, Brock Lemley and Brad Davison.

 

After a four year winless drought, Spud Allen conquered his mechanical demons and won the main event in the Hoosier / Speedmart 600 division. Allen led all twenty five laps of the main, fending off challenges from Dustin O’Brien and Brock Lemley who finished second and third respectively. Derek Torkelson was fast time. Kelly Mauck, Lemley, Hayden Schmidt and Brandon Turner won the heats. Alden Ostrom won the B Feature.

 

Ashley Thompson had things break her way en route to winning her first career feature at Deming Speedway in the 600 restricted class. While running third, Thompson caught the break she needed when race leader Kyle Mitchell tangled with second place running Jake Helsel on lap 20, drawing a caution flag and sending both to the rear of the field. After inheriting the lead, Thompson held off a strong challenge from runner up Austin Sheridan to claim her first victory. Tristan Thomas followed Sheridan for third. Sheridan set quick time. Heat wins went to Dylan Resch, Rachel Westmoreland and Thompson.

 

Jesse Schlotfeldt continued his race win streak by clean sweeping the night in the Kasey Kahne Junior Sprints. After setting quick time and winning his heat, Schlotfeldt took advantage of a mid race restart to pass Ashton Dial and take the lead / win, his third in a row. Dial came home second while Sawyer Sorgenfrei raced his way to third. Brett Mitchell made his Deming Speedway debut by winning the second heat race.

 

Speedmart Hoosier 600

Fast Time – Derek Torkelson 10.252

Heat 1 – Kelly Mauck

Heat 2 – Brock Lemley

Heat 3 – Hayden Schmidt

Heat 4 – Brandon Turner

B Main – Alden Ostrom, Jerrod Saddler, Jared Peterson, Kevin Wilkinson, Tom Hovind, Bill Mercer, Dougie James, Jacob Brown, Chase Schmidt, Tayler Dougherty

A Main – Spud Allen, Dustin O’Brien, Brock Lemley, Derek Torkleson, Phil Schemenauer, Brandon Turner, Liam Ryan, Brayden Planko, Austin Sheridan, Jared Peterson, Alex Gauthier, Nate Vaughn, Jerrod Saddler, Alden Ostrom, Greg Hamilton, Kelly Mauck, Kevin Wilkinson, Hayden Schmidt, Kenny Rutz, Cory Samuelson

Lap Leaders – Allen 1-25

 

1200s

Fast Time – Aaron Fell 10.034 NTR

Heat 1 – Duane Mackey

Heat 2 – Brock Lemley

Heat 3 – Brad Davison

Main – Aaron Fell, Liam Ryan, Steven Hendrickson, Jared Gunderson, Brock Lemley, Tyson Cross, Wade Spreckelmeyer, Forest Metcalfe, Brad Davison, Spud Allen, Clennon Holloway, Tony Helsel, Kyle Kenoyer, Eric Drake, DJ Kosa, Duane Mackey

Lap Leaders – Gunderson 1-15 Fell 16-25

 

600 Restricted

Fast Time – Austin Sheridan 11.080

Heat 1 – Dylan Resch

Heat 2 – Rachel Westmoreland

Heat 3 – Ashley Thompson

Main – Ashley Thompson, Austin Sheridan, Tristan Thomas, Brandee Wood, Chance Crum, Dylan Resch, Darius Walker-Perkins, Kyle Mitchell, Jake Helsel, Isaac Abenroth, Kaitlyn Hammer, Ian Humphries, Ashleigh Johnson, JJ Thomas, Riley Watkins, Rachel Westmoreland, Spencer Constance, Tatum Pospical

Lap Leaders – Helsel 1-11 Mitchell 12-20 Thompson 21-25

 

Kasey Kahne Junior Sprints

Fast Time – Jesse Schlotfeldt 13.094

Heat 1 – Jesse Schlotfeldt

Heat 2 – Brett Mitchell

Main – Jesse Schlotfeldt, Ashton Dial, Sawyer Sorgenfrei, Haley Constance, Peyton Hagen, Lynden Lebedinski, Tyson Lemley, Brent Mitchell, Tyler McLeod

Lap Leaders – Constance 1 Dial 2-7 Schlotfeldt 8-18

SKAGIT SPEEDWAY OPENS 58TH SEASON SATURDAY

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 58^th season of racing at the famed 3/10^th 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 21^st, 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 . 

SLM@MONROE

WCSS Race #1 Yakima Apple Cup OFFICIAL FINISH

WestCoast Promoters Street Stocks

1.14 RICH PETERS
2.70 KIM WINNERBERG *VAN AMBURG ENTERPRISES FAST TIME AWARD
3.20 RON STEWART
4.25 ZACK BEAMAN **GOODYEAR ROOKIE OF THE RACE

 

Western Speedway — Tire Sale Times April 21st

www.westernspeedway.net

Tire Sale Times for Saturday April 21st are as follows: Pre Paid Sprint Car Tires 10:00 am to 11:00 am PrePaid Late Model & Stock Car Tires 11:00 am to 12:30 pm Cash Sales 12;30 pm to 2:00 pm

APPLE CUP WCPSS WINNER

WestCoast Promoters Street Stocks

Owen Riddle your Yakima Speedway Apple Cup Super Late Model Champion for 2012

Kodiakweb Racing

SKAGIT SPEEDWAY READIES FOR 2012 SEASON

  by Kelly Hart

 

With two Play Days successfully in the books ASA Member track Skagit Speedway turns its attention to the 2012 Foothills Toyota Tundra Racing Series season opener next weekend. Over the two practice weekends Skagit Speedway hosted 60 cars with 12 brand new drivers making their debut.

 

There were 30 cars at each Play Day and the grandstands were populated with plenty of spectators getting their fill of fresh air, sunshine, souvenirs, concessions and the smell of methanol. Track crews got into their rhythm and even the boss, Steve Beitler took a turn in the flag stand waving the hankies for a few sessions of hot laps.

 

Making their debuts included Jeff Westergard in this #9 Simmons Motorsports 360 Sprint, Liam Ryan in the #87 410 sprint car. Shane Valiant and Matt Jensen took to the track as rookies in their 360 sprinters. Mike Melwicks returns to the 410 division and Zach McCabe looked sharp in his new Sportsman sprint. Justin Youngquist brought out a new 360 sprint and set fast time for the weekends of all the 360 sprints in attendance. Play Days also saw Trevor Turnbull and Kenny Rutz in the Doug Rutz prepared cars. The track also saw a slew of new Outlaw Hornets.

 

“From what we saw over the two weekends and all the excitement we are feeling at Skagit Speedway, 2012 looks like it’s going to be a great year,” said track owner Steve Beitler. “Very pleased to see all the new talent, new equipment and overall enthusiasm in the pit area to get things started.”

 

The 58^th racing season at Skagit Speedway starts Saturday April 21^st at 7:00 p.m. Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and the pit gates will open early at 3:30 p.m. Reserved seat tickets for all the signature events such as Dirt Cup, 360 Nationals and the World of Outlaws are available by calling the Speedway office 360.724.3567 and more details are on the website www.SkagitSpeedway.com.