SSP Kicks Off 2017 With April 15th Season Opener
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Slideways Photos)
Banks, Oregon- After a long and chilly winter offseason it is finally time to get back to racing in the Pacific Northwest. For Sunset Speedway Park they will host their first race of the 2017 season on Saturday, April 15th for the Dust’Em Off Season Opener. Five classes will roar around the “Banks Bullring” including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, and the 4-Bee’s.
It will be the first scheduled event to be completed as the past three weekends all practice dates were lost due to weather. April 15th will also be the first of over twenty shows on the calendar this year. As always, the first race is a perfect time to see some new faces as well as the familiar ones. Rest assured it will be one action packed night of racing.
"If this weekend's Season Opener happens to get cancelled please stay tuned for a potential practice,” commented Nikki Gamell, “we are really watching the amount of rain we get. We are in high hopes that it lets up to help dry the grounds as they are very saturated right now. Please stay tuned to the website and check back regularly for changes in the next couple of days.”
Pit Gates open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates 4:00, Time Trials begin at 5:30, with Racing kicking off at 6:30. Tickets are $13.00 for Adults, Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Children (5 and Under) are FREE. A Family Pass (Two Adults and up to four Youths) is offered for $35.00 while Premium Seats are available for $25.00 each. For more information log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
The schedule is littered with incredible events from April until September with some of the most recognized races in the region taking place at SSP. Some notable ones include the Bobby Morley Memorial (April 29th) and Jim’s Thriftway Open Street Stock National 100 (July 8th) which are two prestigious Street Stock races. Both the Wild West Modified Shootout (June 28th) and the 360 Sprint Speedweek Northwest (July 13th) are back for midweek shows.
The IMCA Modifieds will have some more special events including the Firecracker 50 (July 4th), accompanied by the ultra-popular firework display, and Topless Modified 100 where the roofs are pulled off for one night only (July 15th). Don’t miss out two fan friendly events where all cars are brought out onto the race track for fans to meet and greet all the drivers. The first chance is Fan Appreciation Night (June 17th) and later in the season for Drivers Appreciation Night (August 12th).
Two events that don’t necessarily involve circle track racing are a part of this year’s program. August 19th and 20th will see the annual Banks BBQ and Tractor Pull weekend. New on the calendar is the Monster Truck Mania shows on July 1st and 2nd.
2017 Sunset Speedway Park Track Sponsors/Marketing Partners
Budweiser
Maletis Beverage
Pepsi
Tommy’s Transmission
Rockstar Energy Drink
Jim’s Thriftway
PGH Excavating
Speedmart Inc.
FinishLine Graphics
Bridgeport Logistics
R.S. Race Products
Checkered Flag Asphalt Paving and Seal Coating
RockAuto.com
Driver Websites
98.7 The Bull
Hoosier Racing Tires
Bud Light
Schram Brothers Excavating
Shock Top Beverage
Baseline Pawn Shop
Sunset Park Association
City of Banks, Oregon
Row52.com
Pick-N-Pull
Speedshift TV
IMCA Racing
Habitat For Humanity
Premier Community Bank