SRP gearing up for big night of racing
The rebuilding job to rekindle racing interest at Spokane Raceway Park reaches another juncture this Saturday night when late model stock racing returns to the half-mile track.
The track underwent a change in management in June and efforts to draw both drag and stock car racers back to the track have been ongoing.
The running of the McClintock & Turk 100 is expected to draw a field of 18 to 22, according to track officials, and will offer a purse of $9,000. Race spokesman Rick Rice noted the winner’s share of Saturday’s purse will be $1,500.
Racing gets underway at 7:30. Along with the late models, the Zips Fever Four Challenge is also expected to draw upwards of 20 cars. SRP’s regular stock car classes are also on the schedule.
Saturday’s race will draw a mixture of Inland Northwest Superstock (INSSA) and Late Model Challenge (LMCS) drivers, Rice noted. Among them is Kevin Richards.
“I’m excited (to run at SRP),” Richards said. “That’s where I started. I know my way around the track.”
Another “invitational” race is scheduled on August 19th, an open date for both INSSA and LMCS. That purse might be in excess of $10,000, Rice noted.
Nitro extravaganza fills
Next weekend is the running of SRP’s “Nitro Extravaganza,” and track general manager J.R. Tice is enthused about the field of pro cars assembled for the race that used to be called the AHRA World Finals.
“We have 14 nitro funny cars and nine top-fuelers, so far,” Tice said. “Those 14 funny cars are shooting for eight slots in eliminations.”
Tice is especially proud of his Alcohol car fields. He’s got 20 in both funny car and dragster. Another 16 cars have registered for the Pro-Modified division.
The area where Tice is hoping for some improvement is the various sportsman classes. “They were down to about 75 from what I heard last year,” Tice said. “If I could get it up to 150 I’d be really happy.”
Atomic Cup is back
Call this weekend’s hydroplane race in Tri-Cities “a throwback event” of sorts.
Not only is there a field of 13 boats – the biggest in years – but the event dusts off a name from the past with the 41st annual unlimited hydroplane race reverting to the “Atomic Cup.”
Not since 1999 has this many unlimiteds wedged their way into the Lampson Pits in Kennewick. It was 1972 when the race was last called the Atomic Cup.
All the points-leading boats and drivers will be on the Columbia River course for the event that is nicknamed, “Rumble on the River.” Qualifying takes place both Friday and Saturday. Actual unlimited competition heats begin Saturday afternoon with Heat 1-A set to begin at 2:20 p.m.
Sunday’s racing gets underway with Heat 2-A at 11:10 a.m. and the championship set for 4:25 p.m. Racing will also feature competition in the automotive-powered Unlimited Lights both days.
Dave Villwock has won the past two Tri-Cities races, last year in the E-Lam and 2004 in the Miss Budweiser. He has two victories (Evansville and Madison) this year, but still trails Mike Allen in the Formulaboats.com by over 1,000 points.
“The name change came about because Budweiser owned the title ‘Columbia Cup,’ ” pointed out spokesperson Taryn Baze. “Although Bud is still a sponsor, they are not a title sponsor,” Baze added.
Kopp wins in Twins
Joe Kopp’s entering a familiar stretch of the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship series and it is beginning to show.
The Mica, Washington rider won last Saturday’s race at Greenville, Ohio. His victory comes on the heels of a runner-up finish the week before at Greenville, Virginia.
Taking over the lead with six laps to go, Kopp claimed his first “Twins” win of the season. He has moved from well down the standings in the class a month ago and is now in a fourth-place tie, just 14 points back of leader Chris Carr.
“Wow, just a few weeks ago I was 32 points back and wondering if I was even going to be able to race that next week. This is good therapy for the soul,” Kopp said.
Next up is a race at Hagerstown, Md., another place that Kopp has had success. “I won there last year, so lets go do it again.”
Berry moves into Top 10
It was a good week for Spokane racer Tony Berry who is trying to qualify for a Wild Card spot in September’s “Racin’ For A Livin’ ” competition in Charlotte, N.C.
Berry, who drives locally in late models, sprint cars and midgets has moved from 13th to 10th in voting through last Saturday. He must be in the top-five by the time voting ends on August 15th.
Pit stops
Northport International Raceway is racing for the third consecutive week with a Saturday afternoon event that starts with time trials at 4 p.m. to avoid the heat. … The Northwest Legends Series returns for their final race of the 2006 season at Stateline Speedway on Saturday. Winged Sprints and Hobby cars are also set to compete. Time trials start at 6 p.m. with racing at 7:30. … The Crown Royal Nextel Cup car will be at Cruisers Bar in Stateline on Saturday, July 29, from noon to 6 p.m.
Streaks & stats
Dan Garber won his second Inland Northwest Super Stock Series main event of the season last Saturday at Stateline Speedway. Garber took the lead halfway through the event to capture the Windermere 100, finishing ahead of Mike Behar and Andy Brown. … Gary Lewis won his third race of the season and added to his lead in the NASCAR AutoZone Northwest Series with a victory at Yakima Speedway last Saturday. Matt Hall of Spokane was the highest local finisher at 12th. … Burt Gasaway of Spokane had his undefeated streak of 15 straight races come to an end last weekend. Considering he was competing in the International Karting Federation (IKF) Grand Nationals at McMinnville, Ore., his two runner-up and fourth-place finishes in four races is not bad. Perhaps the toughest pill to swallow might be losing to his brother-in-law, Roger Cathy in one race.