Walters, Tardio, Krohling, Henderson, Skies, T. Chandler, Meese, And Kuntz Taste Success In Night One Of Doug Walters Classic At SSP
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Photo Hill)
Banks, Oregon- Sunset Speedway Park was on hand for the first of two nights of the Doug Walters Classic on Saturday, August 31st. A big car count filled the pit area with eight classes in action. Divisions on the card included the IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, IMCA Sport Mods, Pure Stocks/IMCA Hobby Stocks, 4-Bees, New Bees, and both classes of Micro Sprints.
Greg Walters once more handled the field in the IMCA Modifieds. Walters, of Banks, has won an incredible six times in 2019. Vancouver, Washington defending champion Aaron Elwess was second with Aloha’s Doug Lockwood in third. Vancouver, Washington driver Jerry Schram was scored in fourth over fifth-place finisher John Gaynor, of Portland.
Joey Tardio returned to victory lane in the Street Stocks after a brief absence. The Forest Grove race now has five triumphs on the current campaign in the class. Danny O’Neil Jr., of Vancouver, Washington crossed the line second while James Baker, from Newberg, was credited with third. Vancouver, Washington pilot J.C. Miller earned fourth with fifth place going to Frank Elwess, of Portland.
Vancouver, Washington pilot Tanner Krohling earned another win in the IMCA Sport Mods. Krohling has visited victory lane on five occasions this season. Don West, from St. Helens, was the runner-up with Corbett’s Skyler Winebarger behind him, in third. Cornelius native Rod Lowe ended his evening in fourth with fifth place going to Brionna Fuller, of Medford.
In Pure Stock/IMCA Hobby Stock competition, Austin Henderson made his way back to victory lane. The Vancouver, Washington driver now has accumulated six wins in eleven starts. He now has the most wins in the division this season. Seaside’s Corey Joe LoCicero finished second with Brian Fitzpatrick, of Forest Grove, grabbing third. Cory Garrison, from Portland, earned a fourth-place result over fifth finishing Mike Fitzpatrick, of Banks.
“Crimson” Cody Skies gave no quarter to the competition in the 4-Bee ranks. Skies, sailing out of Vancouver, Washington, once again looted the treasury to claim his fourth victory in the division. Fellow Vancouver, Washington, privateers Captain Turnabout and “Cutlass” Jones went down in the log as second and third. Ric Myers finished fourth while Tim Corpron, of Vancouver, Washington, was fifth.
In the New Bees division, Tori Chandler once again found success. Chandler, of Forest Grove, won her fourth victory of the season which ties her for the most triumphs in the class. Brayden Brookshire, residing in Forest Grove, was the runner-up with Oregon City’s Andie Keller earning third. “Thunder” Jones, sailing out of Vancouver, Washington, brought his vessel to port in fourth while Banks native Pyper Dersham was scored fifth.
Carnation, Washington youngster Levi Kuntz won the Restricted Micro main event. It is the first time he has bested the field. Mt. Vernon, Washington racer Macie Logsdon finished second with Cole Patrick, of Newberg, placing third. Battle Ground, Washington pilot Seth Waldal earned fourth with fifth place going to Mason Dineen, of Aberdeen, Washington.
Meanwhile in the Open Micros Jordi Meese finished first among the field. It marks the first occasion for the Graham, Washington driver to have collected a winner’s check. Justen McConnville, from Dundee, ended his evening as the runner-up while Nanaimo, British Columbia’s Kyle Kennedy ended his night in third. Kai Dixon finished in fourth while Macie Logsdon, pulling double duty, was fifth.
Tickets are $13.00 for Adults and Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Kids (5 & Under) are FREE. 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 1:00 PM, Front Gates 3:00, with racing kicking off at 5:00. Please, no outside food or drink. For more information, log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.