Cassell, Smith, And Gartner All Victors On Independence Day At SSP
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Doc’s Photos)
In addition to the Northwest Extreme Late Model Series being on hand for the Baseline Pawn Firecracker 100 at Sunset Speedway Park on Friday July 4th the IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, and 4-Bee’s were all on the card. It would produce some fantastic racing action at the “Banks Bullring”.
Craig Cassell would make the journey from the mid-valley city of Albany to get a race in at Sunset. Cassell would take over the lead on lap twenty-three to put his Ester Lee Motel of Lincoln City/Dr. Mary Harada Breast Cancer Specialist at Samaritan Health Services/Debra Herndon Family Nurse Practitioner #25 Rocket by Ruhlman in victory lane for the first time ever at the ¼-mile clay oval.
History was made in the Street Stock division as McMinnville native Freya Smith would seize the top spot on a restart with seven laps remaining to become the first female driver ever to win in the class. Smith, driving the Sweere's Auto Body/Sweere's Trucking/Tire Factory of McMinnville #37 Camaro, is in her rookie campaign in the Street Stock in 2014.
Last but not least it was domination from John Gartner out of Portland as he would pick up his third win of the year at Sunset in the 4-Bee’s. The Gartner Racing/Ram Light Truck/ACE Car Detailing/Foot Print Designs #48 Mitsubishi Eclipse would really have no issues in the main event.
Sunset Speedway Park returns to action on Saturday July 5th for the final night of the Independence Day weekend doubleheader. Classes in action include the Northwest Extreme Late Model Series, IMCA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Dwarf Cars, and 4-Bee’s.
Pit Gates will open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates open at 3:30, and racing starts at 6:00. Tickets are Adults $12.00, Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00, Youths (Ages 12-6) $5.00, and Children under the age of 5 are FREE and a Family Pass will be offered for two Adults and up to four Youths for just $35.00. For more information log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Race Summary:
Firecracker 100 presented by Baseline Pawn
Friday July 4th, 2014
Sunset Speedway Park
Banks, Oregon
IMCA Modifieds
A Feature: 1. 25-Craig Cassell; 2. 66-Doug Lockwood; 3. 8-Rob Ireland; 4. 99-Jeremy Martin; 5. 37-Steve Suckow; 6. X3-Chris Quinn; 7. 09-Robert Duncan; 8. W6-Kevin Williamson; 9. 38-Randy O'Connor; 10. 00-Kent Dollarhyde
Street Stocks
A Feature: 1. 37-Freya Smith; 2. 19-Tony Catalano; 3. 88-John Ireland; 4. 7-Doug Pitsch; 5. 32-Robert Summerhalder; 6. 43-Mike Lockwood; 7. 40-Jeff Lovell; 8. 3-Earl Claypool; 9. 02-Rod Lowe; 10. 14-Brian Roden; 11. 00-Terry Mason; 12. 17-Bert Pegg
4-Bee's
A Feature: 1. 48-John Gartner; 2. 82-Bo Jones; 3. 32-David Ford; 4. 77-Jacob Henry; 5. 7-Gary Jones; 6. 56-Jack Marontate; 7. 5.0-Mike Keely; 8. 22-Nick Henry; 9. 97-Joe Loy; 10. 98-Thomas Calhoun; 11. 1-Crystal Flath; 12. 21-Travis Koch