-Schmidt A Two Time Winner on Sunday
Coos Bay, OR (6/29/2020) With racing still mostly on hold across the State of Oregon, Coos Bay Speedway provided fans and competitors alike with an action packed doubleheader weekend this past Saturday and Sunday night on the NASCAR oval.
Though the America’s Mattress Super Late Models saw a slight drop in car count this weekend, the racing remained just as intense as ever. Following up a strong 4th place showing his last time out, Gresham’s Jason Johnson found himself sweeping both nights of Super Late Model competition.
Despite leading all 30 laps of Saturday’s feature, it certainly wasn’t a cakewalk for Johnson, who had to contend with rookie driver Braden Fugate knocking on the door lap after lap. Fugate would make one last attempt at getting around Johnson for the win on the last lap, but it would ultimately cost the Bandon racer as former track champ Brody Montgomery was able to capitalize on Fugate’s error to grab 2nd. Fugate, Doug Elkins and Mike Taylor would complete the Top 5.
Sunday’s race proved to be much less stressful for Johnson. After quickly dispatching of early leader Dennis Souza, Johnson set sail, with Elkins and Montgomery in hot pursuit. Johnson would go on to win comfortably, ahead of Elkins, Montgomery, Fugate and Taylor. Pescadero, California’s Souza would be the last car scored, as last week’s winner BJ Donofrio wasn’t able to make the call for the feature.
The IMCA Modifieds took to the track for their 2nd appearance Sunday, with Yreka, California’s Jimmy Lipke claiming the 35 lap feature. While Lipke led every lap from the pole position, a fierce battle waged behind in the form of Jon Debenedetti and Bricen James. Debenedetti, last Modified event’s winner, had his hands full with the Albany star. In the end, experience won out as Debenedetti held on for 2nd. James, Sam Potter and Paul Rea rounded out the Top 5. Debenedetti and James won the earlier heat races.
Saturday’s Dwarf Car exhibition proved to be a wild event from the start. Though the race struggled to get going early, to the tune of 5 cautions in the opening 7 circuits. Once the race began to settle down, it was Eagle Point’s Brock Peters who paced the running order. Fellow Southern Oregon racer Ryan Smith proved to be Peters’s lone adversary, briefly swapping the lead back and forth in the early going before Peters pulled away.
While that all happened up front, Josh King and John Chrisman were locked in a heated contest for 4th. Over the final 15 laps of the race, the duo would swap spots a total of 7 times, with King eventually coming out on top. In the end, Peters would pick up an impressive victory over Smith, Chad Cardoza, King and Chrisman. Peters, Camden Robustelli and Chris Kress won their respective heat races.
The Street Stocks continued their strong car count from a week ago, with 16 competitors signing in Saturday and 10 making it back on Sunday. North Bend’s Ken Fox would grab the spotlight on Saturday, grabbing the lead from Dakota Godard at the midway point and never looking back. Godard should be commended for having another strong effort in just his 2nd weekend at the speedway. With the Top 2 pretty much gone, former Sportsman champ Dylan Siewell and Graig Osborne decided to put on a show of their own. For the race’s final 22 laps, these 2 drivers raced each other hard but clean, with the two finishing in a dead heat that saw Siewell grab 3rd by a nose. Phil Lovvorn would complete Saturday’s Top 5.
Gresham native Kevin Roberts was the star of the show Sunday, driving up from 6th, methodically picking off cars one by one before taking the lead with 13 to go and opening up a huge lead back to Steve Dubisar. Dubisar, who struggled with mechanical issues Saturday night, rebounded strong with a 2nd place finish, ahead of Godard, Lovvorn and Fox.
The Sportsman Late Models saw a nice boost this weekend by a few IMCA Sport Mods who wanted some extra seat time. Saturday’s event saw Jordan Henry pick up his first ever win, holding off a strong charge from Dave Schmidt. Doug Coffman would take 3rd in his first race since blowing a motor in a practice session earlier this year, while Corvallis visitor and Willamette regular Ryan Emry grabbed 4th. KC Scott would complete the Top 5.
Sunday’s event wasn’t as competitive, with Roseburg racer Dave Schmidt leading all 25 laps for his first of 2 wins on the night. Coffman would come home 2nd, holding off a stellar run from Emry over the last 10 laps. Henry and season opener winner Trace Fugate would round out the Top 5.
Speaking of IMCA Sport Mods, Dave Schmidt would grab his 2nd win of the night over an 8 car field. Schmidt once again led all 30 laps from the front row. Doug Coffman would yet again finish 2nd, having his hands full with Aaron Bloom for the majority of the race. Jordan Henry and KC Scott would be your Top 5.
The Mini Outlaws features were claimed by northern visitors again this week, with Portland’s Scott Beaudoin and Albany’s Tahlan Rogers both finding victory lane. Beaudoin actually looked to have the weekend sweep in the bag, but issues with 2 to go allowed Rogers to sneak by for the win. Jason Kellam and Beaudoin won the class’s heat race each night.
The Hornet division provided the closest feature finish of the weekend Saturday night, with Issac Stere narrowly edging Hannah Robison for the top spot. Both drivers started near the back of the field, so fans were treated to an awesome show as they both climbed up the race standings. Roseburg’s Seth Christian would pick up a dominating victory Sunday, winning by over a straightaway ahead of Stere. Kevin Rockwell and Dan Briesacher would be Sunday’s only other finishers.
Coos Bay Speedway returns to action Wednesday night for Hump Day Havoc. The Winged Sprints return to headline the card, while the Dwarf Cars, Street Stocks and Jr Stingers will also be in attendance.
Coos Bay Speedway is located in Coos Bay, OR a short jump off Hwy 101 then two & a half miles east on Hwy 42. The facility currently houses a 3/8-mile NASCAR dirt track, 1/8 mile NHRA drag strip, and hosts yearly Mud Drag events. For breaking news and updates on the 2020 season, visit our website http://www.coosbayspeedway.us and like the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/coosbayspeedway
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