GU grad has Berry busy weekend
Here’s betting that none of the other nearly 1,000 graduates from Gonzaga University’s Class of 2006 had a weekend like Tony Berry. Nor will many follow up like he will this Saturday.
Like many fellow Gonzaga grads, Berry’s parents, Dan and Linda, joined their son and other family members in traditional gatherings, celebrating four years of hard work acquiring a degree.
It’s likely how Berry spent the night before commencement that separates him from his classmates. Berry was in the Inland Northwest Superstock Series race last Saturday.
Berry had a great run going early – he qualified fourth and won the A Trophy Dash – before ending up eighth in the main event after suffering a broken shock mount that threw off a perfect setup.
“We had the left rear shock mount break,” Berry said. “The new setup was so loose, “I was having to turn right going into the corners.”
On Saturday at Stateline Speedway, Berry shifts gears – and cars – again. Berry will be driving a car he’s only heard about when the Washington Midget Racing Association (WMRRA) makes its only local visit of the year.
Berry will make his debut in the Dick Voss Racing No. 45 Nissan-powered midget entry.
Berry takes over for Canadian Jeff Bird, who has a scheduling conflict with his sprint car. Berry has agreed to drive in six WRMA races this season.
Northwest Legends and the local Early Stock round out the program. Time trials begin at 6.
Karts run Sunday
The Spokane Kart Racing Association will hold its third race of the season Sunday at the Spokane Motorsports Complex.
Gates open at 8:30 a.m.; qualifying at 11:30; racing at 12:30 p.m.
Kopp back on the track
After an eight-week hiatus, the schedule pace picks up a lot for Joe Kopp and the AMA Ford Quality Checked Flat Track Championship Series.
Kopp, from Mica, Wash., will try to better the third-place finish in the only race to date – in March at Daytona when the series runs at Joliet, Ill. On Memorial Day weekend, Kopp visits the Springfield (Ill.) Mile and races at least every other weekend through September.
Motocross riders gather
Riders from across the Northwest will head to the Extreme Motocross track at the Spokane Motorsports Complex this weekend to run in a Loretta Lynn qualifier.
According to spokesman David Howard, the race will send riders to a national championship event held in July at the country music star’s home in Tennessee.
Riders range from age 4 to 50. Racing starts at 11 a.m. each day.
Pit stops
Racing returns at Northport Sunday with Modifieds, Street Stocks and Fever Fours competing. Racing begins at 1 p.m. … Spokane Raceway Park hosts the 31st Annual Lilac Funny Car Championships Saturday. Gates open at 3 p.m. with racing at 7. … Sunset Speedway at the Motorsports Complex will stage the third points race of the season Saturday with racing at 7 p.m. … Round three of the Inland Northwest Trials Association will take place Saturday at Deer Valley near Newport. Trials riding tests motorcycle riders’ skills on a cross country course.
Streaks and stats
Dan Garber lead the final 40-plus laps to win his first Inland Northwest Superstock Association (INSSA) race of the season Saturday at Stateline, finishing ahead of brother Dave Garber and Jeff Little. … Rob Ballard has used two Hobby Stock main event wins to propel him into the early-season points lead at Stateline.