Hoseheads Sprint Car Photos & News

Lincoln, CA…Chico’s Silver Dollar Speedway produced plenty of excitement and a first time 410 winner last Friday when Justin Sanders won the 25 lapper. Coming just 7 days after Rico Abreu’s first ever win in a sprint car, Sanders had previously captured several winged 360 wins but was still seeking a 410 win. Sanders’ seeking ceases.

A 23 car field of 410s graced the Chico pit area, assisted by 10 nonwing spec sprints, 13 modifieds, and 5 hobby stocks. Shane Stewart, in town because the following night was a KWS event on the same surface, set fast time, but became a DNF in his heat with powertrain issues. A trio of invert six, take five heats transferred 11 of the fastest 12, leaving only Stewart to join others in the B main.

Once the invert 6 field was set for the main, Cody Lamar and Sanders shared the front row with Brad Bumgarner and Kenny Allen one row back, but still ahead of Roger Crockett and Sean Becker. Stewart was 7th while Mason Moore, defending track champion Tyler Wolf, Andy Forsberg, and Jonathan Allard were just some of the strong runners further behind the inversion.

Lamar led until Sanders drove under him on lap 10 into turn 3, Lamar stayed on the gas, but slid off the top to put Sanders on top on the restart. Seventh starting Stewart made progress and used the bottom of turn 2 to move into 2nd on the 12th lap. Stewart closed on Sanders and used a drive off the bottom of turn 2 to make the pass for the lead on the backstretch on lap 16, but Sanders came right back a lap later, throwing a perfect slider on Stewart as the raced into turn 4.

Not settled yet, Stewart again took the lead, using the upper line out of turn 4 on the 19th circle, but Sanders was up to the challenge and made the final pass for the lead just two turns later, using the tacky lower clay of turn two. That settled the matter and Sanders won over Stewart and Crockett. The 19 year old Prunedale driver turned the Friday main into the best race of the season in Chico.

The spec sprints continue to draw small fields and their one heat and a main program for the night saw division veteran, Terry Schank Jr., win from his 3rd starting spot. Schank led all but the opening lap in the one yellow 20 lap main.

The next night Placerville presented a dramatic program, especially in the marquee winged 360 division. A 21 car was led in qualifying by Andy Forsberg, a 10.733, and a zero inversion put the Auburn driver on the pole. Odds were, given Forsberg’s success at Placerville, the race would be for 2nd

It was, until a broken shock led to a flat and, not being the cause of the yellow, no courtesy laps in the work area were due when he went pit side during someone else’s yellow. Staying on the track and causing an additional yellow would have given some work time, odd way to look at it, but those are indeed the rules.

With 12 laps left of the scheduled 25, 8th starting Colby Weisz now led after using both low and high side passes to work his way into 2nd. Greg DeCaires took 2nd a lap after Weisz’s inheritance with a topside pass out of turn 4, a move duplicated by Mike Benson a lap later to set the podium.

The three top cars started 8th, 10th, and 4th respectively on a well prepared surface. The BCRA midget lites (mini sprints) accompanied the 360s with a 14 car field. Division veteran, Scott Kinney, wasted no time from his 3rd starting spot, leading all 20 laps for the win. Kinney also has many starts in a winged 360 but has not been able to race regularly for some time. He does expect to challenge the southern state based California Lightning Sprints in a combined race with BCRA this Saturday at Bakersfield.

When the April 14 race at Tulare Thunderbowl offering USAC West Coast sprints, KWS winged 410s, and IMCA rules modifieds was rained out, it took just a short time to turn this coming weekend into a doubleheader with the same divisions. We are looking forward to visiting the racy 3/8 this weekend, which just happens to be the home of the Trophy Cup.

Current Trophy Cup entries:
Winged
Mike Faria, Brent Kaeding, Rico Abreu, #99 BK Racing, Evan Suggs, Danny Faria, Jr., Shawn Wright, Andy Gregg, Craig Stidham, 3S Craig Stidham owner, Willie Croft, Jeremy Chisum, Greg DeCaires, Jason Meyers, Tommy Tarlton, Koen Shaw, Kenny Allen, D. J. Netto, Garrett Netto, Nicole Miller, Cody Lamar, Eric Humphries, Finley Farms 77, Roberto Kirby, Kyle Hirst, Steven Tiner, Jason Statler, Trey Starks, Pat Harvey, Brad Furr 30 entrants

Nonwing
Kevin Barnes, Rusty Carlisle, Andy Ferris, Todd Miller, car owner Randy Tiner, Tyler Spath, Randy Hannagan, Andy Forsberg, Ryan Bernal, Geoffrey Strole, Kyle Hirst, Brent Kaeding, Bud Kaeding, Kyle Larson, D. J. Netto, AJ Motorsports, Chris Ennis, Kyle Evans, Terry Nichols, Danny Sheridan, Shane Golobic, Matt Mitchell, Markus Niemela, Matt Day, Colby Araki, Danny Faria, Jr., Dan Gansen, Chris Gansen, Johnny Reeves, Adam Frith-Smith, Johnny McCall, Richard VanderWeerd, Jace VanderWeerd, Jon Kairot, Michael Collins 36 entrants

Lincoln, CA…April ended with an interesting weekend, a first time winner and the first Civil War race of the season. As this week unfolds, entries are pouring in for the 19^th Annual Trophy Cup and expectations are that both the winged and nonwing fields will be filled later this month. A record $110,000 purse for the Cup this year plus the first ever nonwing event will raise the interest level to an all-time peak, and next year will surpass this October’s event.

Friday at Chico was the first of several last week of the month winged 360 events and, while the 18 car field was less than I expected, the quality was impressive. Andy Forsberg was quick time at 12.054 as it was obvious early on that the track was going to be very good. A trio of invert six, take five heats help decide the 25 lap main lineup, for which a six inversion pill was drawn.

Willie Croft and Kyle Hirst had the front row, Jonathan Allard and Mason Moore filled row two, and Rico Abreu joined Forsberg in the 3^rd row after the fastest six qualifiers were settled into place. The unusual occurrence of just one yellow, and that came with one lap scored, meant 24 nonstop after that which played a part in the outcome.

Croft led with Moore and Abreu in pursuit until an outside pass in turn 2 on the 11^th tour reversed the order of 2^nd and 3^rd. Croft had a significant lead on Abreu at this point, but the lack of any flag put Croft in traffic and Abreu on his tail by lap 20. Three laps later Abreu drove under Croft in turn 2 for the winning pass. Abreu’s first ever sprint car win was accomplished with some of the best Northern California drivers surrounding him in the lineup.

After two rainouts, the Civil War series for winged 360s made it an all 360 cu. In. weekend and created a rare trip to Petaluma. True to the climatic characteristics of the tacky 3/8, once the sun went down the temperatures followed suit. I recall a year or two ago calling Paz at home from the Petaluma pit grandstands where I was bundled against the chill, and she reported the current temperature in Lincoln was 100. Although just 85 miles apart (straight line), the two cities are much further apart in climate.

A 34 car field of 360s opened the season with only a 10 car nonwing spec sprint field as support. Herman Klein set quick time leading to the usual invert six, take four heats which were competitive. Three of the fastest 8 missed the top four needed for a direct ticket to the finale.

A four inversion was drawn from the 4, 6, 8, and 10 options, putting Richard Bailey and Brett Rollag on the front row. Four yellows slowed things over the first 12 laps, but the last 17 ran nonstop. Just after the white flag was thrown, a yellow came out but the track does not allow a restart under those circumstances, even though the series rules call for one.

Rollag was successful in holding onto the lead the whole 29 laps with Kyle Hirst finishing 2^nd, spending most of the last pair of laps scored pressuring Rollag. The track was very good, vintage Petaluma type stuff, the racing also entertaining, but not having the restart as dictated by the Civil War rules allowed by the track was an unfortunate situation.

The entry list for the Trophy Cup as of Thursday evening, May 3^rd:

Winged

Mike Faria, Brent Kaeding, Rico Abreu, #99 BK Racing, Evan Suggs, Danny Faria, Jr., Shawn Wright, Andy Gregg, Craig Stidham, 3S Craig Stidham owner, Willie Croft, Jeremy Chisum, Greg DeCaires, Jason Meyers, Tommy Tarlton, Koen Shaw, Kenny Allen, D. J. Netto, Garrett Netto, Nicole Miller, Cody Lamar, Eric Humphries, Finley Farms 77, Roberto Kirby, Kyle Hirst, Steven Tiner (26 of the maximum 80)

Nonwing

Kevin Barnes, Rusty Carlisle, Andy Ferris, Todd Miller, car owner Randy Tiner, Tyler Spath, Randy Hannagan, Andy Forsberg, Ryan Bernal, Geoffrey Strole, Kyle Hirst, Brent Kaeding, Bud Kaeding, Kyle Larson, D. J. Netto, AJ Motorsports, Chris Ennis, Kyle Evans, Terry Nichols, Danny Sheridan, Shane Golobic, Matt Mitchell, Markus Niemela, Matt Day, Colby Araki, Danny Faria, Jr., Dan Gansen, Chris Gansen, Johnny Reeves, Adam Frith-Smith, Johnny McCall, Richard VanderWeerd, Jace VanderWeerd, Jon Kairot, (35 of the maximum 60)

Lincoln, CA…Some sense of normalcy has arrived for Northern California weather, although midweek rain has again appeared. Hopefully the moderate amount of rain will serve to help with track prep for this weekend, not cause the issues observed so far this season.

After losing the first two races to weather, the Civil War for winged 360s is set to open their season on Saturday at Petaluma. Accompanied by nonwing spec sprints, this is my destination of choice for a relatively rare Sonoma County visit to the normally tacky 3/8. The winged 410 series, King of the West, makes its first visit to Placerville since the traveling show received a makeover and changed ownership and name.

Friday will be interesting as Chico has given the winged 410s a week off and features 360s in their place. Each month except August will end with winged 360s enjoying the spotlight at Silver Dollar Speedway with April being an open show run under Civil War rules. May ends the sprint car action at the track for that month with the traditional Sunday night Civil War race during the fair.

The end of July will be quite special when ASCS National teams are joined by West Coast counterparts for the first ever ASCS event at Chico, part of a 4 races in 5 days adventure. Placerville starts things on Wednesday, and then Chico on Friday precedes Hanford and Santa Maria to finish the weekend. The end of August does not have a 360 special but September does when the two day Fall Nationals ends the Silver Dollar season

Chico is unusual in that they have missed no point shows because the very wet 2^nd weekend of April saw them not scheduled to race in favor of another fairgrounds thing. Sean Becker won the opener while defending champion, Tyler Wolf, took round two. Wolf captured the track title last year by a scant 3 points over Andy Forsberg. Becker’s lack of a full time ride is very hard to understand. He is a very smooth, successful, and well respected driver but no offer has appeared.

Chico’s winged 410s have averaged 19 cars for their first two events while the single nonwing spec sprint night drew just 9 entries. Travis Moore won that night in specs but is one point behind Rowdy McClenon after that single event. Forsberg leads Wolf by 8 points with Becker in 3^rd after the 410s pair of nights.

Placerville is two out of three for point shows, but the loss of the season opening Civil War race lowers the batting average to .500 for the foothill quarter. Featuring winged 360s, the track has had 20 and 31 for sprint car count for their pair of races with the larger turnout coming from an eclectic group of entries. An example of that was the surprise appearance of Medford, OR driver, Todd Zeitler. The ASCS Northwest driver was 2^nd in his heat but last in the main after getting caught up in an opening lap skirmish. Zeitler ran in the Interstate Sprint Car Series last year, an Oregon based effort.

Greg DeCaires was the opening point race winner at Placerville but slipped to a 4^th last week, putting him 3^rd in points, six behind the leading Forsberg. Becker is in the middle, three back of the defending champion Forsberg, but lacking a weekly ride for Placerville will obviously hamper Becker’s title potential.

Forsberg won the 2^nd point show last Saturday, taking over from DeCaires on lap 10 from his 4^th starting spot. Justin Sanders moved into 2^nd nine laps later, using the high line around the clay quarter. Becker was in his Civil War ride and took 3^rd with a last lap, last turn high side drive.

Marysville has yet to reach the 50% level, racing three times out of seven on their schedule. The opening race was taken by Kyle Hirst in winged 360s and Jeremy Hawes won the spec sprint class way back on the first Saturday in March. A week off followed by three consecutive rainouts finished the March plans for the quarter mile, but April has been better, getting two of three. The only point show was won by Colby Weisz while their reportedly very successful King of the West show last weekend led to a Jonathan Allard win.

Just maybe the weather will finally become what we expect in the Golden State, daily doses of sun with the only variation from day to day being the temperature

Lincoln, CA…Been a while, but so little has been happening in Northern California other than waiting for the incessant rain and below normal temperatures to end. March turned out exactly like many feared. It was absolutely lousy over the last two thirds of the month. While February brought us dry weather and well above normal temperature, the majority of March returned the favor with February-like weather.

There was measurable rain 13 of the last 19 days of the month of March and 26 of the 31 days offered below normal temperatures. While we were stuck in a wet and chilly world, the upper Midwest was enjoying day after day of record temps, sometimes an unbelievable 25 degrees warmer then here in NorCal. April has started with a bit drier forecast but still much lower than normal temperatures, near record cold the last two nights. At least the dry weekend to open the month will allow all tracks to race with bundled up fans.

While Marysville got in their opener and a practice day before losing 3 consecutive Saturdays, some tracks have yet to get a race car on the dirt. The Sherm Toller Memorial race on March’s first Saturday was a quickly run show and wins for Kyle Hirst in winged 360s and Jeremy Hawes in nonwing spec sprints. The Civil War race rained out on the 17^th is a potential reschedule for the quarter mile that is one of the state’s few tracks located on private property.

Petaluma will finally get a car on the track this Saturday as will Placerville. Last Saturday made it two for two in Civill War rainouts when Placerville lost one. Paved tracks fared little better when Stockton reset their SRL opener to this Saturday and Roseville lost several practice days and the opening show. Anderson rained out last Saturday but used the next day to run their races.

Chico has fared better than most, racing 3 out of 4 planned nights, opening with the Silver Cup on the 2^nd weekend of our late winter month. Brett Rollag and Colby Weisz won winged 360 mains during the two night event and D. J. Johnson along with Scott Hall took the spec sprints trophies.

The other night at Silver Dollar was a Friday that led to the anonymous forum dwellers blasting the track and anything else that was in the way. Track conditions were bad for putting on a decent show, that much is obvious, but the blame was often misplaced. WRG was not involved in any way with track prep, but the spate of lousy March weather certainly was a huge factor.

Rains had left the pit area very wet, and those familiar with Chico know the pits become unusable well before the track does during rainy times. Much time had to be dedicated to getting the pits in good enough shape to use, and even then the ruts were deep enough to make walking an adventure at times.

The more significant problem was the soft track surface. Prepping the track was unusually problematical because the water truck could not be filled much beyond a quarter tank or the weight would have put large ruts in the quarter mile. The situation was like trying to water a large lawn with a bucket, just too many trips needed to get the job done in the available time.

Tonight Chico opens their point season, tomorrow Placerville and Petaluma follow suit, and Marysville finally resumes racing five weeks after their one and only race. While still overly cool, the weather will allow racing at least while a peak at the ten day shows one day with average temperature, nine below average by a considerable amount, and potential rain starting midweek. We better enjoy this weekend of racing while we can

Lincoln, CA…The Northern California sprint car season started right on time, well a few minutes later than the advertised time, when Marysville threw the green flag for heat one of the Sherm Toller Memorial race. A midweek storm placed itself perfectly on Wednesday to not spoil the weekend and the approximate half inch that struck the track created no problems.

The $2500 to win for winged 360 sprints drew a 23 car field, less than I expected, but a contingent of strong teams made for a tough turnout. Support was from 14 nonwing spec sprints plus a superb day of weather. It did get cool by race time, but the well run show ended early enough that I was back home in Lincoln by 10:15. It was an excellent example of an early season show, one that gets the crowd on the way home without sitting a long time in cool conditions.

The track’s usual two heat format was used in which a 2nd time around inverts the field from the first round. Passing/finishing points then are totaled with the top 6 involved in a redraw and the top 16 earning a direct transfer to the A main. The driver in the field with the most wins at the track was Colby Weisz and he drew the pole with Greg DeCaires alongside.

The track was fast, tacky, and the infamous turn 1 ruts stayed away. DeCaires got the better start to lead 6 laps before getting tangled up with a lapped car in turn 1 to take a DNF. Weisz inherited the lead and only enjoyed that through lap 10 of the 30 lap main. Kyle Hirst used the outside line down the back stretch to pass Weisz on lap 11 and wound up leading the rest of the way.

Sixth starting Willie Croft worked his way up to 2nd after battling some through some very entertaining laps with 10th starting Tommy Tarlton, using the outside line in turn 2 for the pass for 2nd on lap 24. Making his first Marysville appearance in 3 years, Tarlton was 3rd ahead of Weisz and Mason Moore. A single red and 3 yellows slowed the frantic pace.

The spec sprints ran a 20 lap main with just two yellows and Jeremy Hawes led the last 19 laps after Scott Hall had been in front for the opening lap. David Johnson and Joel Giusti put on a show over the last few laps for the 2nd spot, a duel that went to Johnson with a top of turn 4 last lap pass. Hawes started outside front row, Johnson 4th, and Giusti was 7th on the initial grid.

The fear of March rains making up for a 40% of normal rainfall this winter has not yet occurred and the long range for Chico’s two day Silver Cup featuring winged 360 sprints is very good. The well below normal rainfall is not expected to create issues this summer as the reservoirs that California depends on are relatively full. Recent snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains will add to the reservoirs in time also.

In 2006 the racing world lost one of the most dedicated fans and writers ever when Gary Jacob passed away. Every race I attend I find the memory of Gary in my thoughts, and now he will be joined by memories of Ed Esser. Last week Ed passed away at his Madison, WI home. Ed’s dedication to racing was legendary as was the miles he drove yearly in search of a race. While I sat with Gary regularly, I probably only saw Ed a half dozen times over the years, the last time being at Irwindale when I interviewed him about his race chasing efforts. We send our thoughts to Ed’s family.

Lincoln CA…While January was supposed to bring our first sprint car events of the year, last minute travel changes canceled our plans to be at Canyon, northwest of Phoenix, for the last weekend of the month. We did get to the six race Wild West Shootout series for late models and modifieds at the former USA Raceway in Tucson. That track is now known as Tucson International Raceway and is being run by the property owner. Their first of March sprint race has been canceled, something to do with permits.

While Tucson is currently struggling a bit with the change in promotion at the dirt track and the paved track just 12 minutes south of it is a forgotten facility, things will get sorted out in time. The TIR facility is an excellent place to enjoy racing and drew outstanding fields for the January races. Top drivers from 27 states and 3 Canadian provinces provided an average car count of 113 for late models and modifieds combined in Tucson last month. Using the ASCS National point chart made heat races very entertaining, none of that invert a few, take a bunch boredom.

Other than perhaps a trip south to Perris for their opener this month, February will be what it usually is at this house, waiting for March. Softball season gets into high gear next month and outdoor racing makes its first appearance in Northern California with Marysville on the 3rd presenting the Sherm Toller Memorial offering winged 360s and nonwing spec sprints. The weekend after that Chico opens with the two day Silver Cup, then it is back to Marysville the following weekend for the Civil War opener.

All of these northern based early outdoor events always face the prospect of rain still being around, and this winter has been unusually dry and mild. Lincoln has had only one storm this winter, and we were in Arizona then so even that one missed us. While statistically there is no logic to thinking the lack of rain these supposedly wet months means a very wet March, a race fan cannot help but think of that potential.

One sort of new and another new track have surfaced in the Golden State in recent news. When Mesa Marin closed in 2005 because the land was too valuable, the northeast Bakersfield track was soon being replaced by another half mile paved facility. West of the city along I-5, the new oval ran into funding problems and has sat idle and in a partially built state since 2008. That track is now expected to be finished with racing to occur perhaps later this year.

Much closer to Lincoln is the new winged kart track at Sacramento Raceway, the home of the long running drag strip south of the capital city. The fifth mile dirt track will open with three daytime Saturday races starting March 17th before switching to Friday nights in May. A dozen Friday night shows are on the docket, providing an option for Northern California fans when Chico is dark. Sacramento Raceway last raced on dirt a couple years back when a mini sprint effort produced fields in the high teens.

The latest situation is Irwindale canceling the 2012 season of races. Based on what was being heard at last year’s Turkey Night, this news was not a surprise. I fully expect this track to race again, just maybe not this year. Several directions are out there for the facility to take and one of them will eventually be followed.

October 18th is a long way off, but the interest is building for the 19th Annual Trophy Cup which opens on that night with the first ever Nonwing Trophy Cup. Thursday will be a one night event for nonwing 360 sprints, racing for a $21,000 purse, before the winged 360s take over the next two nights, competing for approximately $88,000. It will all take place, of course, at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, a venue that has proven to be an excellent home for the Cup.

The approximate two day purse is because the exact amount paid won’t be known until after the last lap has been raced. The completely guaranteed purse is paying a minimum of $2000 to each driver that makes the Saturday A main for the two day total. Last year half of the 24 drivers that split the $40,175 point fund part of the purse received less than the now guaranteed $2000 for all racing. The same results as last year would now add an additional $8250 for a total payout of $88,250 for a two day event.

As well as the increased payout for 2012, it is also important because the last Trophy Cup under the leadership of its founder, Dave Pusateri, will be held in 2013. That one has already been determined to pay $50,000 to the champion. Drivers that race in the 2012 event will be guaranteed entry in the 20th annual a year later. Since it is a safe assumption that this year will sell out for entries, then that means the 2013 version paying 50K to win will also be sold out if all entrants return.

Technically, this year’s Cup race has no openings for entries. Last year’s full field has first option to enter this year, and if all cars take advantage of the opportunity to enter, then there is no space left, based on the 80 car maximum entry level. No entries will be accepted from anyone until after May 1st when the guaranteed entry forms are mailed to last year’s entrants. They have until May 31st to confirm their entry, after that any available spots are available to new entrants. Any entries received before June 1st from cars that did not enter last year will be returned.

To be guaranteed a chance to race in the 2013 event, a team must attempt to race this year. Only the teams that attempt to race in 2012 will receive the guaranteed entry for the 20th annual in 2013. In other words, entering but not showing up this year won’t work for getting into the following year’s finale.

The first time nonwing Cup on Thursday is already drawing entries despite the event being more than six months away. Just like the winged portion, all entry fees are donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Entry level will be limited to 60 teams and approximately 20 verbal commitments have been received as of Feb. 13.

There are six official entries as of today which are: Kevin Barnes from Fresno, Rusty Carlisle of Bakersfield, Andy Ferris from Mariposa, Lafayette’s Todd Miller, Oregon State student, Tyler Spath, and an entry from car owner Rod Tiner with driver to be announced. Only official entries, meaning the check has been received, are used when considering the maximum allowed entries.

This all new event for nonwing 360 sprints will offer a much different format than what the division is used to. Qualifying will offer 100 points to the top time with a one point drop thereafter. A pair of non-qualifier heats for cars qualifying 41st and above will move the top 3 to the C main, the rest to a D main.

Five heats of 8 cars each will invert six and take the top 3 to the first A main. A heat win is 36 points, dropping by 3 points per position. Straight up D and C mains lead into an invert 6, take 5 B main to create a 20 car field. Those 20 cars run the first A main, set at 30 laps with a 10 inversion based on points. The first A main offers 100 points with a 2 point drop per spot.

As the B main elevates 5 to the A main, cars 6th on back in the B become alternates for the 2nd A main. If all 20 cars from the 1st A main make it back for the second main, no alternates will be taken. However, the 2nd A main will start 20 cars so any scratches mean dipping into the B main field to reach a full field.

The 2nd A main will follow Trophy Cup tradition and completely invert the field by points. This 50 lap main will have an open red at some point for fuel only, and pays 150 points to win with a 5 point drop per position. The driver with the most points after the 2nd main is the first ever nonwing Trophy Cup champion. The nonwing night will bring back memories of the first three years of Trophy Cup racing, 1994-1996, when it was a one day event.

When all the Thursday action is complete, the 24 top point cars share the $8000 point fund that comprises part of the $21,000 total purse. The D, C, and B mains as well as both A mains are paid with the 1st A paying $750 to win, the 2nd A is $1000 to win, and the Cup title is $1500. With the overall total winnings be based on A main finishes, the Cup champion will likely collect at least $2500 while the 24th car in overall points would probably be in the $400+ area.

It is expected that numerous drivers from the two day winged portion of the 19th Annual Trophy Cup will also race Thursday without a wing. In 2008, Tulare hosted a 3 day Trophy Cup but it was an all winged event. I have been waiting for some time for some nonwing Cup action, and this year, with the sponsorship from Southwest Contractors making it possible, it will finally happen.

Lincoln, CA…In the past year, things have greatly changed in Arizona, and all for the better as far as I can tell. Kevin Montgomery has taken over the reins of what is now called Canyon Speedway Park, located north of Phoenix. In the relatively short time since becoming the leader of the 3/8 clay oval, Montgomery has raised the stature of the facility with aggressive scheduling and far more prestigious programs. Nothing of that sort has occurred at Canyon since the long ago days of the live TV Sunday afternoon sprint races.

An example of the vast improvement in the schedule, the long running winter series, now dubbed the Winter Classic, formerly featured IMCA modifieds plus fendered divisions. The 2012 version has been dramatically improved with the lead division now being nonwing injected 360 sprints, the ASCS Arizona based group versus the USAC West Coast series. IMCA modifieds are still part of the mix along with mini-sprints and pure stocks.

Three of the race dates are $2,000 to win/$200 start, another is $3,000/$300, and the finale is $5,000/$400. The six race series is compacted into two weeks, starting with a terrific trio on January 27-29, then the following Wednesday, and concluding with a Friday/Saturday pair on February 3 and 4. Saturday/Sunday shows are 1 pm start time and the Wednesday/Friday duo are 7 pm. The modifieds will draw well for their all $1,000 to win races and all divisions pay drivers who do not make a main.

The end of October this year had a first time appearance of the USAC National Sprints and next March the ASCS National tour will make their initial visit to Canyon. That one is March 2/3 and adds to the track’s impressive start to their 2012 season. We are returning to Canyon after quite a long absence for the January weekend. Phoenix averages 68 degrees that time of year, usually has plenty of sunshine, and that should help produce large fields.

Cocopah has excellent viewing angles

January of this year I visited the still being carved dirt track east of Phoenix in Queen Creek. Easy to get to off of US 60 then south a short distance, the third mile has been open since last spring, offering a variety of divisions with sprint cars getting a good share of track time. Owned and run by Jonah Trussel, it seems to me that everything he told me last January he would do, he has come through.

At the southern end of the state the USA Raceway continues to offer a strong schedule with Benji Lyons at the helm. USA will start my dirt season in January with a six race series anchored by late models and modifieds. This year drew excellent fields and superb racing and January 14, 2012 will start the series. The late models used the ASCS national point chart for finishing/passing points, my favorite format. This series was very well run this past January and will certainly match that again.

Just this week the word came out that Central Arizona Raceway will reopen in 2012, Idle for a few years, the new effort will be led by Benji Lyons and Arthur Lacy who face a giant task in bringing the high banked 3/8 back to life. I had given up on this one reawakening, but obviously the fairgrounds facility became available at terms that could be agreed upon, so reopen it will. CAR was home for the January late model/modified series for years before closing. The series was idle one year before moving to Tucson.

Cocopah Speedway’s backstretch

The last Friday in November we made a return visit to Cocopah Speedway, a handful of miles south of Yuma. This large 3/8 was closed for ten years before being purchased by the Cocopah Casino, located just across the road. The 2011/2012 season in Yuma will be the first season under the leadership of Greg Burgess.

Early last summer, Greg became the director of the facility and moved from Shelton, WA to Yuma. Over 1300 miles, the trip may as well have been halfway around the world when climate is concerned. Shelton averages 75 in July compared to Yuma’s toasty 106. An average year sees Shelton get 86.5 inches of rain more than Yuma. Yuma is the country’s sunniest city, Shelton must see the sun at least every now and then.

Being solar powered myself, I agree with Greg that the heat is an acceptable tradeoff to get the sunny weather, but I will stick with Lincoln’s more moderate numbers for rain and heat. Cocopah does not race from mid-June until mid-September as it is just too hot, but benefits from the dry, mild climate to race all winter.

Large grandstands can handle an ASCS National show

Under the Burgess leadership, the track is seeing changes, both cosmetic and on paper. Crowds have increased over the first season since being reopening, and a huge event will occur next March when a two day ASCS National event takes place the weekend following the similar show at Canyon. Since Greg has been serving as the ASCS Northwest race director, and expects to continue to do so, it was a natural to bring the series to Yuma.

One huge project that will be partly done by the March ASCS weekend is replacing the grandstands with a poured concrete project. Concrete steps in the hillside will maintain the current view and make some seat cushion a fan’s best friend. The track’s lighting is excellent, the PA system is adequate, and the sweeping, large 3/8 surface will produce some fast action from the ASCS crowd.

With new, reborn, and improved tracks covering much of the state, it seems as if Arizona is experiencing a boom in racing. We are certainly looking forward to spending a large part of January in the Grand Canyon state, but it will be a cold day in Yuma before we see any racing there in July.

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