Drivers Appreciation Night Presented By 98.7 The Bull Next For SSP
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Nikki Gamell)
Banks, Oregon- The 2nd Annual Drivers Appreciation Night presented by 98.7 The Bull is next for Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday August 8th. If you are a race fan you are definitely in for a treat as a full card of racing will be on tap at the “Banks Bullring”. The classes racing include the Northwest Extreme Late Model Series, Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Northwest Dwarf Cars, 4-Bees, and both classes of Micro Sprints. The race will be main events only.
The Northwest Extreme Late Model Series has had five races at SSP in 2015 with four different winners. Greg Walters is the only driver to win more than once and he has managed to accumulate two wins. Jason Johnson, Dave Walters, and Joey Tanner each have one. The last scheduled race, on July 25th, was unfortunately lost to weather.
The Budweiser IMCA Modifieds have had some great racing in the current campaign. Mark Carrell has made it to victory lane three times while Jesse Williamson and Rob Ireland each have two victories. Bubba Foster, Collen Winebarger, Jeff Lovell, and Doug Lockwood all have one win so far this year. In the IMCA Sport Mods Pam Graham has been the driver to beat. She has four wins in six starts while Jim Potter has two and Michael Melton won once.
In the Street Stocks Brian Roden has won the most events with his five wins. Tony Catalano and Arnie Case are two drivers with two wins while defending champion John Ireland has one win to his credit. In the Pure Stocks Trevor LaBarge has been doing a great job. LaBarge has made it to the winner's circle on four occasions while John Henry hasn't done too bad either with his three victories. Adam Hopkes is coming off of his second triumph of the campaign and the only two drivers to win once include Aaron Blanchard and Ken Schave.
The only driver to win more than one time in the Northwest Dwarf Cars is Ryan Martinez. Martinez, the defending champ, has an impressive five wins this year. Drivers with one win include Guy Tow Jr., Shane Youngren, Guy Tow Sr., and Chris McCleary. Kalvin Morton was the winner at the sanctioned race at Willamette Speedway in late May.
It's been awhile since the 4-Bees were last in action. In fact this will be their first race in over a month at the 1/4-mile clay oval. Chris Batalgia has a target on his back after his five wins this year. Damion Owen and William Wolfe have also had some big success in 2015 with two victories each. Captain Turnabout and Travis Koch are the two one-time winners.
The Open Micro Sprints have yet to see a repeat winner. Jake Tupper, Jeff Broadwell, Jake Mann, Chance Crum, and Derek Torkelson have all managed to win a race at SSP. In the Restricted ranks Ashleigh Johnson has taken care of business with her three triumphs. Jesse Schlotfeldt, Colby Thornhill, and Ben Silliker are all singe race winners.
Pit Gates will open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates open at 4:00, and racing starts at 6:30 each night. Tickets are Adults $13.00, Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-18) $10.00, Youths (Ages 12-6) $5.00, and Children under the age of 5 are FREE and a family pass will be offered for two Adults and up to four Youths for just $35.00. Log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com for the latest news and information about SSP.