Super Modifieds roar into town
It seems like it’s the year for long-lost racing reunions in the Spokane area.
Another will take place tonight at Spokane Raceway Park when the methanol-fueled, 800-horsepower ASA Western States Super Modifieds begin the first leg of a two-race swing back through the Northwest.
These off-set roadsters, capable of hitting the highest speeds on SRP’s high-banked half-mile, are on a fact-finding mission of sorts that continues Saturday in Wenatchee. Gates open at 7 p.m. with racing at 8. The super mods will run a 40-lap feature.
“We’re wanting to find our market,” said series executive director Nathan Svboda.
The series races in California, Nevada, Utah and in southern Idaho at Meridian Speedway. Svboda indicated that – depending on how this weekend goes – this weekend’s venues could be added as regular stops next year.
Sixteen to 18 cars are expected to make the tow, with a sprinkling of the Northwest Super Modifieds – an exhibition by the Northwest Mods – thrown in.
The NSRA cars are the track record-holders at SRP, besting the previous record of 15.52 seconds set by United States Auto Club (USAC) cars in 1986. Andy Alberding’s 15.433 seconds (150.694 mph average) is a mark the WSSM’s will gun to eclipse.
The wings – one 2,400 to 4,000 square inches and mounted to the roll cage, plus a second of 500 square inches attached to the nose – create downforce, from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of pressure to control the aerodynamics.
These specialty cars require parts that are individually fabricated, pushing a single car’s value to an estimated $150,000.
This season, multiple series champ Troy Regier leads the points (772) and has the most wins, two in four races. Jeff Russell (one win) trails Regier by 122 points, and 2006 Rookie of the Year Martin McKeefery is third with 622 points. McKeefery has been impressive since graduating to 800-horsepower super mods from the 300-horsepower Legends.
Friday is a busy night at SRP with their popular Friday Night Street Racing program sharing the venue. Saturday sees the return of bracket drags with gates opening at 4 p.m.
Stateline keeps it rolling
Stateline Speedway jumps back into things Saturday after running four times in five days between Wednesday Night Fever and the Idaho 200.
The Northwest Outlaw Street Stock Series return for the second and final time in 2007. Winged Sprint cars and Early Stocks are also scheduled to compete.
In the Winged Sprints, Spokane’s Tony Berry holds a slim lead in points over Ephrata’s Kevin Burck.
Time trials begin at 6 p.m.
Castle Rock hosts AMA
Castle Rock (Wash.) Race Park is the next stop on the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship Friday and Saturday.
A TT Steeplechase race takes place tonight followed by a Short Track event Saturday. Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 7.
The race will mark the return home for Mica’s Joe Kopp. Castle Rock’s quartermile is the first place Kopp had a podium finish as a pro, a second place back in 1995.
Ticket info: 360-274-8700.
Pit stops
The Good Old Boys Circle Track Reunion, a summer tradition, will have its latest edition on Sunday at the Nine Mile Resort.
The potluck begins at 10 a.m. and ends whenever everyone runs out of stories to tell, and scrapbooks and photos to share. Admission is free. Info: Sally Gorder 467-4615.
Streaks ‘n’ stats
Additional Sportsman winners and runners-up from last weekend’s Nitro Extravaganza included: St. Maries’ Randy Reynolds defeating Dan Polster in Top Comp; Dale Hornby topped Dave Oien in an all-Spokane final in Super Street; Spokane’s James Hornby defeated Loren Hopkins of Clayton in ET Stock. … Frankie Volz Jr. won his first race of the season in last Saturday’s NW Modified race in Kalispell. … Road Runner points leader Russell Syverson took the lead with five laps to go and a held off challenger Dave Hatton to win the 20-lap main in a Wednesday Night Fever race at Stateline Speedway. Colton Garber won the 30-lap main in Fever 4s, while James Cotter spun “Crazy Taxi” pilot Darryl Carillio to win the 20-lap, anything-goes Bumper Cars main. … Steve David drove the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto to the win last Sunday on Lake Washington in Seattle, snapping the four-race win streak of Dave Villwock in the E-Lam Plus. Jean Theoret’s lane violation in the Beacon Plumbing watered down Villwock and knocked the points leader out of the race. Theoret was disqualified.