J-Lightning Hitting The Trail With The Wild West Modified Shootout
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of NSP Racing Videos)
One of the rising stars in the local IMCA Modified scene is John Campos of Keizer. Fully dedicated to the Modified division after several seasons in the Super Dirt Late Models “J-Lightning”, as he is called, has had a decent go at it in 2015. Although he has yet to post a win he has managed a couple of impressive runs. His best runs include second place finish at Sunset Speedway Park on May 24th and another runner-up effort a week later at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington on the 30th. He also has managed to pick up some additional top fives at some other race tracks too.
“I think this year is going fantastic for just hopping in a Modified and going after it,” commented Campos, “I'm still trying to get used to the horsepower difference from the Late Model.”
Two venues that the Wild West Modified Shootout visit that the driver of the Northwest Family Chiropractic/Phil and Danette Pemberton/Hot Rod Hair/Drager Performance/GRT Race Cars/Ester Lee Motel of Lincoln City/Harold's Quality Auto Repair #36 GRT has picked up victories in a Late Model are at Willamette Speedway and Southern Oregon Speedway. He hasn't been to Siskiyou Motor Speedway since the days back when the now defunct Pacific Coast Dirt Late Model Series was around about ten years ago. Also to note is that Campos is a two-time Madras Speedway champion which include once in the Sportsman and once in the Super Sports.
“When I decided to do this it was something I really wanted to do, I just wanted to take off and race,” continued Campos, “but when you hear of all the big names that are coming you realize how much of a big deal this thing is. I just want to send a special thanks to all the wonderful people that pitched into my speedweek fund to make this a reality.”
The 2015 Wild West Modified Shootout kicks off at Southern Oregon Speedway on Saturday June 13th. The tour will wrap things up at Willamette Speedway on the 19th and 20th to close the speedweek out for the second straight year. Teams from Oregon, Washington, California, North Dakota, Montana, and British Columbia Canada are expected to make the journey.
All races will be broadcasted through Speed Shift TV and you can either purchase each race for $19.95 or buy the whole week for $99.95. Orders can be made onhttp://www.speedshifttv.com. Be sure and don't miss out on these great races featuring the best Modified drivers in the Pacific Northwest region.
2015 Wild West Modified Shootout Schedule:
Saturday June 13th Southern Oregon Speedway White City, OR
Sunday June 14th Siskiyou Motor Speedway Yreka, CA
Monday June 15th Coos Bay Speedway Coos Bay, OR
Tuesday June 16th Cottage Grove Speedway Cottage Grove, OR
Wednesday June 17th Sunset Speedway Park Banks, OR
Thursday June 18th Travel Day
Friday June 19th Willamette Speedway Lebanon, OR
Saturday June 20th Willamette Speedway Lebanon, OR
Former Wild West Modified Shootout Champions:
2014- Alex Stanford
2013- Jesse Williamson
2012- Jesse Williamson
2011- Brian Poppa
Wild West Modified Shootout All-Time Win List (2011-14):
Jesse Williamson- 6
Alex Stanford- 5
Brian Poppa- 4
Ken Schrader- 2
Mark Carrell- 1
Braedon Hand
Scott Lenz
Travis Peery
Nick Trenchard
Mark Wauge