Lockwood, J. Tardio, Winkler, Myers, Zylstra, Gemmer, J. Elwess Collect SSP Driver Appreciation Night Victories
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Photo Hill)
Banks, Oregon- It was an incredibly full pit area at Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday, July 27th. The “Banks Bullring” hosted Driver Appreciation Night with seven total classes. Division in action included the IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw Late Models, Pure Stocks/IMCA Hobby Stocks, 4-Bees, and both categories of Micro Sprints.
Doug Lockwood, of Aloha, won his second race of 2019 in the IMCA Modified ranks. Trevor LaBarge, from nearby Forest Grove, was the runner-up over third finishing Kristi Somers, out of Woodland, Washington. Portland drivers John Gaynor and Aaron Elwess were fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Joey Tardio managed to keep his hot streak alive in the Street Stock division. It is the fourth straight win in the class for the Forest Grove gasser. Vancouver, Washington’s Craig Loomis finished second followed by Doug Pitsch, also from Vancouver, Washington, was third. Earl Claypool Jr., of Hillsboro, ended the night in fourth while Portland driver Andy Quilco finished fifth.
Brian Winkler, of Newberg, scored his third triumph of the season in the Outlaw Late Models. Todd Rogers, of Seaside, was a respectable second over Battle Ground, Washington veteran Sonny Modaff, in third. Jefferson’s Mike Betker rounded up the finishing order in fourth place.
Portland pilot Jacob Myers hit the pay dirt once more in the Pure Stock/IMCA Hobby Stock division. It is the fourth trophy he has earned this year and puts him level on the win chart for this season. Austin Henderson, of Vancouver, Washington, put forth a second-place effort with Forest Grove’s Kendall Lee behind him in third. The House of Fitzpatrick concluded the top five finishing order with Brian, of Forest Grove, in fourth and fifth going to Mike, from Banks.
Keira Zylstra collected her third win of the campaign in the Restricted Micro main. The Monroe, Washington driver remains the only driver to win more than once in the class. Seth Waldal, from Battle Ground, Washington, posted a second-place effort and Lakewood, Washington’s Malachi Gemmer grabbing third. Greg Long, of Forest Grove, was the only Oregon driver in the top five. He crossed the wire in fourth while placing fifth was Mount Vernon, Washington’s Macie Logsdon.
Despite placing third in the Restricted main event, Malachi Gemmer did manage to finish in first place in the Open Micro feature. Justen McConville, out of Dundee, ending the evening the runner-up with third going to Austin Edson, from Sedro-Woolley, Washington. Deming, Washington’s Jeff Little got fourth and fifth went to Victoria Woolf.
Portland’s Joey Elwess finally broke through for his first win of the season in the 4-Bees. Vancouver, Washington voyagers Captain Turnabout and Crimson Cody Skies sailed their way to a second and third place results. Taylor Sayre, also from Vancouver, Washington, was fourth with Crystal Flath, of Corbett, in fifth.
Sunset Speedway Park returns to racing this Saturday, August 3rd for Kids Night. Kids Night will feature a special admission promotion where children twelve and under get into the races for FREE. IMCA Modifieds, Pure Stocks/IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods, and the Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Stock Car Series will all be in the house.
Ticket prices are $13.00 for Adults and Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00. A Family Pass (Two Adults and up to four Youths (6-12)) is offered for $35.00 while Premium Seats are available for $25.00 each. Pit Gates open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates 4:00, with racing kicking off at 6:00. For more information, log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
2019 Sunset Speedway Park Supporters:
FinishLine Graphics
Jim’s Thriftway
RockAuto.com
Budweiser
Speed Shift TV
Tommy’s Transmissions
Schram Brothers Excavating
Rockstar Energy Drinks
Speedmart Inc.
Hoosier Racing Tires
Sunset Park
Pick-N-Pull Self-Service Used Auto Parts
R.S. Race Products
Maletis Beverage
Jackson Industries
98.7 The Bull
Bud Light
Pepsi Co.
City of Banks
Checkered Flag Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating
Bridgeport Logistics
PGH Excavating
Highway Heavy Hauling
Deering Management Group