Davis likes his chances when dragsters line up at SRP
When Chris Davis pulls to the line at Spokane Raceway Park on Saturday to run in the first annual Blown Alcohol and Fire Festival, he’ll be a long shot in the eyes of many to win many rounds.
But that’s in the minds of the rest of the field. As far as Davis is concerned, he has as good – if not better – shot at winning than anyone.
“There may be newer, faster cars, but it all has to do with negotiating the track,” in a vintage front-motored slingshot dragster,” Davis said. “We’ve been down the track a hundred times.”
Davis insisted that his former Top Fuel car was competitive and successful in its day. A big block Chevy delivers 1,200-1,500 horsepower on blown alcohol. The Coors Light-sponsored machine promises to run elapsed times (ETs) in the low 7s or high 6s.
Davis will run against the likes of another local in Virgil Sellers, plus Glen Hultberg, Troy Clayton and Norm Mitchell. Royce Taylor will be the local favorite in Funny Car in a field that included Leon Aines and Wenatchee’s Don Harter with a pair of cars.
Jet Funny Cars will also compete, as will SRP’s local classes. Gates open at 1 p.m. Because of this event, there will not be a stock car program.
When Davis gets through running this weekend, he plans to finish the last few bits and pieces of work on a vintage Funny Car to go with his dragster.
“We’re only a few cubic dollars away from being done,” Davis said.
Davis said it will take a couple of thousand dollars to get the classic 1972 Vega-bodied “flopper” roaring down the track.
The Funny Car project has been in the works for two years, said the 37-year-old commercial plumber. Davis has drag raced for 16 years, starting in a ‘67 Nova.
Modifieds at Stateline
Two races have produced two winners for the Northwest Modified Series. The open-wheel cars will be back to see if the trend continues Saturday at Stateline Speedway.
Last time out, Canadian Tim Sawyer worked his way through the field from the back of the pack to claim the win, his first career series victory. Randy Lerch was second and Frankie Volz Jr. third.
Also racing Saturday are Stateline Street and Hobby Stock cars. Time trials are at 6 p.m.
This week, Stateline announced a new money-saving program geared to late-model racing.
The “Six Pack of Power” ticket package allows fans to see more than 800 laps of late-model racing at six special events with free food, beverage and event merchandise.
For $90, the “Six Pack of Power” includes admission for next week’s ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour 150; the Aug. 3 INSSA Duel for the 200; the Aug. 4, 100-lap Duel for the 200 race for the Late Model Challenge Series; and Sunday’s eighth annual running of the Idaho 200.
The “Six Pack of Power” also includes tickets to the Aug. 24 Inland Northwest Super Stocks Series 100-lap event and the Aug. 25 ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour 150-lap event.
Packages feature free ASA Northwest Tour merchandise, free food and beverages ranging from ice cream to hot dogs.
The “Six Pack of Power” ticket packages went on sale Thursday. The promotion will run until June 9. Fans can order by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (208) 773-5019, or e-mail at tickets@raceidaho.com or online by downloading an order form at www.raceidaho.com.
Sprint boats at St. John
They last packed the grandstand at Playfair Race Course in 2000 and promoters of a new Sprint Boat track in the town of St. John are hoping their event catches on.
At a place called Webb’s Slough, the newest addition to the 2007 United States Sprint Boat Association is being dug in preparation for a July 28 race. Current Sprint Boat racing takes place at Richland, at Horn Rapids ORV Park and at Marsing, Idaho, near Boise.
Info: www.ussbaracing.com or Doug Hendrickson, (509) 539-9383.
Pit stops
Racing is back at Northport International Raceway on Sunday. Racing in four classes – Modifieds, Street Stocks, Fever 4s and Hornets – begins with time trials at 1 p.m. Info: Don “Butch” Hegel, (509) 258-7007 or www.northportinternational raceway.com.
“Sunset Speedway’s third points race takes place Saturday. Gates open 10 a.m. with racing at 2 p.m. Info: Diane Thompson, 924-6755 or www.sunsetspeedway.org.
Streaks ‘n’ stats
Joe Kopp rebounded from a bad start at Daytona in March when he finished 12th and 15th to score a fourth place last weekend in a rain-shortened event at Springfield, Ill. … Rick Brown of Eugene, Ore., first went out and shattered the track record for qualifying with an 11.893-second lap and carried that momentum into a main event in which he dominated the rain-delayed Inland NW Winged Sprint opener last week at Stateline.