Modified Rookie Kevin Roberts Ready For Big Test With The Wild West Modified Shootout
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Doc’s Photos)
Gresham, Oregon- One of the new faces joining the 2016 Wild West Modified Shootout is Kevin Roberts. Roberts hails from the Portland, Oregon suburb of Gresham and is participating in his first year in an IMCA Modified after several seasons in Street Stocks and Late Models. So far it’s been an enjoyable rookie season for the driver of the Big Sky Landscaping/Powers Transport/Gray’s Racing Engines/James Gang Pizza/Scofield’s Karts & Parts #88 Hughes.
“I really like!” said Roberts, “there is definitely a learning curve but it’s something I really want to stick with. It’s like a Camaro on steroids.”
“The only thing that’s been tough is my girlfriend Nancy (Payne) hasn’t been able to watch me race that much. She tries to make as many races as she can but her son (Justen) race a Street Stock at Banks but I’m thankful for all the support she gives me. She is such a big part of my team.”
Roberts has run only a handful of shows in his Modified while also chauffeuring his Street Stock. He was able to pick up a Street Stock win at Willamette Speedway on April 30th and his best finish in a Mod was a fourth place result at the same facility on May 7th. Amazingly he was able to pull off a trophy dash victory in his first start in a Modified at WS. He plans to make the entire tour with the exception of Siskiyou Motor Speedway, in Yreka, California, and Elma, Washington’s Grays Harbor Raceway.
“Unfortunately I can’t make Yreka due to a graduation party and I’ll be in my Street Stock at Cottage Grove when they go to Elma. I was really looking forward to going up to Grays Harbor.”
After the Wild West Modified Shootout Kevin will take his daughter Talyn to Missoula, Montana in early July for the Wild West Shootout at the Big Sky Kartway for a big Kage Kart race. If all goes well he will bring his Modified and travel to Electric City Speedway, in Great Falls, Montana, for some races they will be hosting.
Be sure and check out the latest news and information regarding the Wild West Modified Shootout by visiting the series Facebook page and clicking “Like”. We will try our best on posting lineups, results, stories, and more throughout the course of the week.
2016 Wild West Modified Shootout Schedule:
Saturday June 11th Southern Oregon Speedway White City, OR
Sunday June 12th Siskiyou Motor Speedway Yreka, CA
Monday June 13th Cottage Grove Speedway Cottage Grove, OR
Tuesday June 14th Cottage Grove Speedway Cottage Grove, OR
Wednesday June 15th Willamette Speedway Lebanon, OR
Thursday June 16th Travel Day/Appreciation Party At Sunset Speedway Park presented by FinishLine Graphics
Friday June 17th Sunset Speedway Park Banks, OR
Saturday June 18th Grays Harbor Raceway Elma, WA
Former Wild West Modified Shootout Champions:
2015- Jesse Williamson
2014- Alex Stanford
2013- Jesse Williamson
2012- Jesse Williamson
2011- Brian Poppa
Wild West Modified Shootout All-Time Win List (2011-15):
Jesse Williamson- 9
Alex Stanford- 6
Brian Poppa- 4
Travis Peery- 2
Ken Schrader
Mark Carrell- 1
Braedon Hand
Scott Lenz
Brad Martin
Nick Trenchard
Mark Wauge
Collen Winebarger