Volz adds bright spark to modifieds

Racing is practically in the genes of Frankie Volz Jr.

Combined with what he’s learned from hanging around the race track, serving on some top-rate crews and building cars for a living, the Spokane driver has emerged as a hot new commodity.

Volz has been the driver to beat lately in the Northwest Modified Series and he will lead the field back out to Spokane Raceway Park on Saturday night for the series’ third race. Volz sports a 2 for 2 record in main events this season. The Modifieds will be in action on the half-mile with Sportsman Superstocks and local classes beginning with time trials at 5 p.m.

“We’ve had excellent luck,” Volz said of his early success.

But there always tends to be another aspect to a racer’s success. In Volz’s case, that’s building race cars and having the backing of some key sponsors such as Murl’s Drivelines and motor builder Performance Associates.

The bottom line, it seems, is the time spent in and around the track and race cars.

“I’ve got years of experience building chassis,” Volz said. “I put a few laps on the car and then I know how to make it better.”

Volz makes his living building race car chassis. He’s spent time back in Charlotte, N.C., and working on Southwest Tour teams.

“I’ve worked on a little bit of everything. I’m a little more open to trying different things,” Volz said.

In his last race at SRP, Volz finished well ahead of the field.

“We are looking to get back up there and maybe set a track record,” Volz said.

In winning race No. 2 last Saturday at Stateline, Volz had more of a challenge, staying out front after assuming a two- to three-car lead.

Volz, 40, grew up watching his dad, Frankie Sr., race about every kind of car around during a career that has spanned nearly 50 years. A lot of that experience has rubbed off on Frankie Jr.

“We had a good fatherly chat and then dad helped adjust the jets,” Volz said about preparations before the Stateline win.

Frankie Volz. Sr., who currently drives Early Stocks, will retire from competitive driving after this year.

Late models take road trip

The Inland Northwest Superstock Series has sold itself to drivers on a lot of things, including running the majority of its races close to home. Nine of the 10 races are run at Stateline Speedway.

That one exception comes Saturday night, when the drivers challenge the walled quarter-mile at the Wenatchee Super Oval.

Mike Behar won the opening race in convincing fashion, leading the final 93 laps. For Behar, the race was his second time in a late model in five years. For his effort, Behar takes a one-point lead over Kevin Richards into the WVSO event. Rick Schultz and Brad Allard trail by four points.

Wenatchee will be a new experience for Behar.

Because of his success in the series’ first race, Behar said drivers aren’t sharing information with him. Behar won the opener with a backup motor, but said he will have his top power plant in the car Saturday.

Saturday’s race will be the first of a rare back-to-back weekend of racing for the superstocks. The cars return to Stateline May 21 to run in a Late Model Challenge Series race.

Pit stops

Spokane Raceway Park also has bracket drag racing on the schedule. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7. … Stateline Speedway will feature the INEX Legends, Bandelaros, along with the second race of the Winged Sprints on Saturday, beginning with time trials at 6 p.m. Rookie Tony Berry will try to notch his second straight victory in the sprint cars. … The Extreme Motorcross track at the Motorsports Complex in Airway Heights will run a two-day event, the final round of their Spring Series. Info: 218-2014 or www.extmotorsports.com. … Tri Cities will host a Region Six Gold Cup race for go-karts this weekend. Spokane’s Andrew Zimmer recently won the 80cc Junior Shifter Division and the Junior SuperSportsman Yamaha Division at the track in his last visit there. … The NHA Division Six season kicks off this weekend at Mission Raceway Park near Vancouver, British Columbia. … Rich Hatton won for the third time in his last four races in the Road Runner Class at Stateline Speedway. Gary Domme scored his third victory of the year as well.