Sunset Speedway Park Gearing Up For Saturday July 2nd Jim’s Thriftway Open Street Stock National 100 And Sunday Speedweek Northwest Date
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Kadi Hurlburt)
Banks, Oregon- Sunset Speedway Park will be quite busy this Independence Day weekend. The “Banks Bullring” will host not one but two races starting off with the Saturday July 2nd Jim’s Thriftway Open Street Stock National 100. This will be one of the biggest Street Stock races in the Pacific Northwest and is a stellar event. Things will not slow down, in fact they only get faster, because on Sunday the 3rd SSP has the honor of opening up Speedweek Northwest 2016. Here is when you will see some of the best 360 Sprint Car pilots on the planet take on the ¼-mile clay oval.
We want to remind Street Stock drivers that the term “Open” means you will run your home track rules except for tires. You can choose either tires but whatever tire you select for qualifying is the tire you will run all night. If you change tires you will start in the back.
Speaking of Street Stocks the Bridgeport Logistics Street Stocks regulars are looking to defend their home turf. Right now the man to beat is Arnie Case. Case has managed to win four straight wins, including the past three in a row, and will be one of the main contenders. Benny Sauter, Travis Koch, Chris West, and Roger Hubbard all have a single victory to their credit. Kyle Yeack is the defending winner of this race.
In addition to the Bridgeport Logistics Street Stocks other divisions in action include IMCA Sport Mods, Dwarf Cars, as well as both the Restricted and Open 600cc Micro Sprints.
John Henry and Michael Melton are tied for most wins this season in the IMCA Sport Mods. Chris Frisbie currently is the only other winner with just a single triumph.
Shane Youngren has been the dominant force in the Dwarf Cars. Youngren has managed to find the winner’s circle three times in four starts. The only driver to best him so far this year is Martin Holmason.
In the 600cc Open Micros Devon Borden is a two-time winner. Currently he is the only driver to boast more than one win in the current campaign. Jesse Schlotfeldt and Joe Constance have won once.
In the 600cc Restricted Micro ranks there has been four different winners in as many races. Dakota Drake, Lane Taylor, Kaden Holm, and Jesse Schlotfeldt are those four lucky individuals. Will SSP see it’s first repeat Restricted winner on Saturday?
Tickets for Saturday are Adults $13.00, Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Children (5 and Under) are FREE. Family Passes (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) are available for $35.00 as is Premium Seating for $25.00.
Sunday will be the first time since 2012 that Sunset Speedway Park has been a part of Speedweek Northwest. It is also the first time ever that Speedweek has NOT begun at Southern Oregon Speedway. 360 Sprint Car drivers from all over the United States, along with Canada and possibly New Zealand, will converge on Banks. Support classes for Sunday is IMCA Sport Mods and Dwarf Cars.
Tickets for Sunday night are Adults $15.00, Seniors/Juniors (13-17)/Military $13.00, Youths (6-12) $8.00, while Kids (5 and Under) are FREE. A Family Pass (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) will be $55.00 while Premium Seating is $35.00 per seat.
For both nights the Pit Gates open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates 4:00, and Racing begins around 6:30. For more information, log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.