NW motorsports: Superstocks descend on SRP

The Inland Northwest Superstocks are headed to the hills.

Make that “The Hill,” the local racers’ nickname for Spokane Raceway Park.

During its previous three years of existence, INSSA has been considered the late-model class at Stateline Speedway where they have run all but maybe a couple of three-dozen or so races.

This season, however, the group decided to do a little traveling and tackle the half-mile for a change. Still, Stateline will be the “home” track, hosting six of the nine races.

“With the two tracks virtually next door, INSSA has attempted to schedule events at both venues since its inception; however, no agreement could be reached,” said INSSA spokesperson Shari Garber. “New management has opened the door for this opportunity and both parties are extremely anxious to get things under way.”

Dave Garber, winner of the opener at State Line Speedway two weeks ago, leads the points race over Jeff Fenton going into the second event of the season. Garber finished out of the top 10 in points last season and hopes to carry the momentum from this win into Saturday’s trip to Airway Heights.

Garber will make few changes to what has been a solid car.

“We’re going to try to back up (what we did) last week,” Garber said. “(We’re) going through it (the car) three or four times and make sure everything’s right.”

Adjusting tire stagger, tire pressure and changing springs helps adapt for what is higher banking and faster speeds, upward of 120 mph versus 80 to 90 mph.

“There’s one other car that’s pretty fast that I worry about, but I think we have something for him,” Garber said.

That mystery driver is Kevin Richards.

“He’s pretty good up there,” Garber admitted.

Richards, the 2005 INSSA champ, has been running the Late Model Challenge series most of the last year, and doing quite well. Until two weeks ago, that is, when the McClintock and Turk Chevy suffered a broken camshaft.

“It’s tougher on the road,” Richards said.

He’s looking forward to racing at a place that’s been kind to him in the past.

“Man, I’ve run a lot of races up there,” Richards said. “I’ve only lost two up there. … We’ve got the place figured out pretty good. It’s a spring and shock combination I’ve run up there before.”

“The place is so much faster than a lot of the tracks around here. It’s got a lot of grip,” Richards said. “You get a lot more speed. In order to carry all that speed you have to turn at the end.”

Also on the schedule are the Late Model 4s, Compacts and Hobby Stocks. Qualifying starts at 6 p.m. and racing starts at 7.

Stateline hopes to shine

The weather forecast appears to be favorable as the Northwest Modifieds return to Stateline Speedway on Saturday night.

Last time out at the Post Falls track, April showers wiped out the series opener. Last Saturday, the showers came again, knocking out another night of racing, the fourth out of 11 scheduled events. Tickets from last weekend are good for Saturday’s race.

Frankie Volz Jr. takes the Mods points lead into Saturday’s race that also features the Northwest Legends and Hobby Cars. Time trials are at 6 p.m.

Karts make appearance

Karting returns to the Motorsports Complex in Airway Heights this weekend. Saturday at Sunset Speedway is the second of that track’s dirt racing series. Practice begins at noon, racing at 2. Across the field at the Spokane Kart Racing Association’s asphalt track is that group’s third points race.

Info: (Sunset): 924-6755, www.sunsetspeedway.org or www.spokanekarting.org

Northport will cater to kids

You can’t get a much better combination than this: kids playing in the dirt. Sunday’s racing program at Northport International Raceway is being billed as “Kids’ Day,” reported spokesperson Brenda Robinson.

“The kids will get rides in the race cars,” Robinson said. “We will have a snow cone vendor and a bounce house and some other treats.”

Racing in four classes – Modifieds, Street Stocks, Fever 4s and Hornets – begins with time trials at 1 p.m. Info: www.northportinternationalraceway.com or Don “Butch” Hegel, at 509-258-7007.

Pit stops

Extreme Motocross at the Motorsports Complex in Airway Heights will host rounds four and five of the Outdoor Series on Saturday and Sunday. Info: www.extmotorsports.com or 218-2014. … The ARCA West Q-Racing Late Model Challenge Series heads to Yakima Speedway on Saturday night where Gary Lewis aims for a second consecutive win. The ARCA West Truck Series also debuts at Yakima where Steve Thompson of West Richland begins defense of his 2006 title.

Streaks ‘n’ stats

After a short rain delay, Spokane Raceway Park completed its drag racing program. Randy Ray defeated Bill Squires in Top Comp, while Marc Hayes beat Harris Lester in Super Street.