Area’s elite crave Miller victory
Defending Northwest Modified Series champion Tim Sawyer is proud of his many accomplishments to reach the highest level of his class, but it’s a 2007 win in the Gary Miller Memorial 100 that creates a stronger desire to perform in front of thousands of fans Saturday night as the ninth annual Modified events plays out at Stateline Speedway.
The race honors Miller, a local pioneer of open-wheel racing who during the 1980s worked with several others to form an association that became the Northwest Modified Series – a group that has been racing together for 23 consecutive seasons.
One of the series’ charitable contributions is the Shriners Hospital.
“I look forward to racing in front of a big crowd and making some money for the Shriners (during Saturday’s intermission helmet pass through the crowd),” Sawyer said. “We’re a big supporter of the Shriners and I’m glad we can continue this event. It’s extremely important to get out there and please the fans. We’re going to put on a good show.”
Sawyer knows that with an event of this stature many of the Northwest’s best will be out to beat him, including Shane Mitchell, who has won two Modified Invitational events this year.
Mitchell will have company, according to the 2007 series champion.
“I know Blaine (Sneva, who has one series victory this season) is hungry and wants to win it bad. He’ll be strong. You can’t count out Chris Ochs and Frankie Volz Jr., who has never won the Gary Miller race,” Sawyer said.
“At the end of the day there could be at least five or six guys with a legitimate shot at the win. We’re going to bring a really good piece to the track this weekend with hopes of winning it again. That’s what we set out to do each week and nothing will change.”
More than 22 modifieds are expected to take the green flag Saturday evening. Sawyer sees that as a testament to the growth of the series and its style of racing.
“As we go along, the car count has been getting better and it won’t surprise me if you see 18-22 cars at our (points) races on a weekly basis.”
To learn more about the Gary Miller Memorial 100, visit www.raceidaho.com.
Kart interest grows
Many of the region’s racers running Stateline Speedway, INSSA, ICAR, the Inland Northwest Sprint Car Association and others got their start at a go-kart track or quarter-midget facility.
The Spokane area is home to a road-course sprint go-kart course and a 1/5-mile clay oval located at the county’s ORV Park in Airway Heights.
Growth at both facilities is evident this year as more than 50 drivers between the two are racing on a weekly basis. According to Dean Quinn, president of the Spokane Kart Racing Association that houses a 3/8-mile road course, that growth can be attributed to a unique approach.
While SKRA and Sunset Speedway are non-profit organizations, it’s a business management approach that has created the success, Quinn said.
“This club has taken a proactive approach to treat its racers as customers,” he said. “SKRA is driven to retain and grow that customer base and focus our reputation on trying to make our facility a strong family atmosphere. Sportsmanship is a premium and our board is a polished group with a keen eye on the future.”
That future may include the potential for night racing and other family-friendly activities, Quinn added.
“By changing our insurance to the National Karting Association, we have been able to use the track in a variety of ways, including supermoto and quad racing. This change has allowed the club to let people race for lower costs to enter the facility.
“This multiple use has increased the overall participation numbers and allows income to be added to plan and make improvements. We’re looking to add a playground, improve the electrical system in the pit area and improve our grandstands. Hopefully, we can add lights in the future. All of this is coming soon.”
SKRA hosts an open house and barbecue on June 21. Info: Randy Wilson, 990-4550.