Doug Pace: Tight race develops in Stateline Speedway’s late model title chase

Stateline Speedway’s local late model class heads into Saturday’s race with two events left in the division’s season and a pair of drivers separated by two points in the chase for the 2017 championship.

David Garber, the reigning champion, brings a slim lead into the race weekend with Rob Vining in hot pursuit.

While Garber has picked up multiple victories in the year, Vining has used consistent finishes and a July win to keep things close with two more opportunities to catch the defending champion. Tyler Brown, last season’s Rookie of the Year, lurks seven points behind Garber and a mere five off of Vining heading into Saturday’s main event.

Brown may be focused on catching Garber and Vining, but Vance Reynolds will continue to apply pressure this weekend as he sits one point behind Brown and eight markers off the top of the championship standings.

Lucas Bird (fifth place), Mike Eller and Russ Osborne are also locked in a tight battle to round out the top five with 10 points separating Osborne’s seventh-place position from Bird’s fifth-place spot.

The late-model division has a tight battle for the championship, but the Hobby Stock class is even tighter with newcomer Bryer Reynolds holding a one-point edge on Aaron Clanton as Saturday’s main event is on the horizon.

Mark Loudin (seven points off the lead), Mike Burghard and defending champion Aaron Nevers (23 markers behind Reynolds) round out the top five.

Also racing Stateline’s local program will be the Legends division, in which Brock Denney enjoys a sizable points lead over Haedon Plybon, and the Bandolero class which features Scott Singletary and Braden Dodson locked in a tight battle for the division’s top spot.

Info: raceidaho.com.

Kart racing perfect for fans

Race fans looking for a unique event to take in this weekend, priced just right, should head out to Spokane Kart Racing Association’s night race.

SKRA races are traditionally run on the .650-mile course during the daylight hours as the facility lacks lighting for a full course run under the stars. This weekend’s race will be different with lights added to bring plenty of sightlines for drivers and fans.

The best part from a viewer’s perspective, the entrance to SKRA’s main grandstand is free with a nominal charge for entering the hot pit area.

Drivers expected to compete Saturday night include Senior TaG hot shoes, Burt Gasaway and Megan Camara; Senior Clone competitors Andrew Zimmer, Jimmy Laswell and Niki Johnston (who will also be racing in the Senior TaG class); along with Junior stars Cameron Blakesley, Ben Corkey Edward Reynolds, Carson Blakesley and Riley Miller.

Info: spokanekarting.org.

Subhead

Spokane County Raceway features regional drag racing on Saturday night running the seventh local race of the season. The stars of the NHRA Summit Racing Series serve as the track’s weekend class with several races held throughout the year leading to season-ending awards.

Summit divisions in action this weekend include Super Pro, Sportsman, Pro, High School Drag Racing, Powder Puff, Motorcycles and Imports.

SCR’s oval had planned to offer two touring divisions of racing this weekend but was forced to cancel events because of issues with power supply to the infield. The West Coast Late Model Series and Northwest Pro 4 Alliance had been booked but will now be rescheduled for later in the season, according to SCR oval officials.

“We’ve had some power issues the last few weeks with lighting within the infield and this week it appears something broke that can’t be repaired until early next week,” SCR oval manager Brycen Tarr said. “We’re going to work hard to get those two groups back to the track this season. It’s a tough deal, but when we can’t light up the infield it makes it hard to race the track.”

The power issues will not impact the drag racing facility or its schedule.

Info: spokanecountyraceway.com.