Ronnie Gilmore Jr. Wins SSP Dwarf Car Nationals Presented By 98.7 The Bull; Torkelsen, Silliker, Ireland, And Cpt. Turnabout Also Earn Wins
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Christine O'Neil/Kenny's Photography)
Sunset Speedway Park would host some great racing on Saturday June 13th for the Dwarf Car Nationals presented by 98.7 The Bull. Several races were decided in the late stages of the main events. Classes in action included the Dwarf Cars, Street Stocks, 4-Bee's, and both classes of Micro Sprints.
A massive car count of Dwarf Cars would be in the house as the Northwest Dwarf Car regulars would take on the contingent of the Pacific Hardtop Racing Association. Obtaining the lead on lap twenty-four Ronnie Gilmore Jr. would keep his Shake & Bake Racing #69 entry in front of the rest of the the field to win the Dwarf Car Nationals presented by 98.7 The Bull. It would be his first win at SSP in 2015.
Another race that would be decided late in the main event was the Micro Open race. Marysville, Washington's Derek Torkelson would get the lead and would put the Service Pro/Every Little Detail/Ridge Runner Wings/Speedmart Inc. #21M entry in the winner's circle. Leading the entire distance of the Micro Restricted feature was the Black Dog Drillin/Silico Racing #24 PMP driven by Grand Prairie, Alberta's Benjamin Silliker. It would the first wins at the “Banks Bullring” for both drivers this season.
Covering the field for the entire distance and able to win for the first time in the current campaign in the Street Stocks was John Ireland, of Banks, in his Ireland & Ireland PC/Privateer Racing/Applebee Aviation #88 Monte Carlo. Finally Captain Turnabout, of Vancouver, Washington and in his All Chained Up Chain Maille Jewelry/Validus Consulting & Services/Hollow Flesh Tattoo #7 Pontiac Sunfire vessel, would lead start to finish in the 4-Bee main to finally win his first race of the season.
Sunset Speedway Park returns to racing on Wednesday June 17th for the Wild West Modified Shootout which features the best IMCA Modified drivers in the Western United States. SSP will be offering a $25.00 Car Load Special for this event which means if you can fill your rig full of fans it is only $25 to get in to the races. The support class will be Dwarf Cars and the races are slated to get underway around normal time which is 6:30.
On Saturday June 20th SSP will host Premier Community Bank-Habitat For Humanity Night. Classes on the card include the Northwest Wingless Tour, IMCA Sport Mods, Pure Stocks, 4-Bee's, and the Late Model Lites.
Pit Gates on Saturday will open at 2:00 PM, Front Gates open at 4:00, and racing starts at 6:30. Tickets for this event are Adults $13.00, Seniors/Military/Juniors (13-18) $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 tohttp://www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Race Summary:
Dwarf Car Nationals presented by 98.7 The Bull
Saturday June 13th, 2015
Sunset Speedway Park
Banks, Oregon
Street Stocks
A Feature: 1. 88-John Ireland; 2. 14-Brian Roden; 3. 37-Freya Smith; 4. 7-Doug Pitsch; 5. 18-Roger Hubbard; 6. 10-James Baker; 7. 18C-Arnie Case; 8. 23-Bobby Morley; 9. 19-Tony Catalano
Dwarf Cars
A Feature: 1. 69-Ronnie Gilmore Jr; 2. 94-Glenn Hester; 3. 18-Shane Youngren; 4. 2-James Brinster; 5. 39-Tim Hester; 6. 81X-Gary Brogan; 7. 11-Rich Holbert; 8. 46-Guy Tow Sr.; 9. 68-Eric Bergquist; 10. 89-Henry Corbin III; 11. 99-Jim Pavel; 12. 3-Jim Fisher; 13. 37-Guy Tow Jr.; 14. 8-Chris McCleary; 15. 22K-Jess Turner Jr.; 16. 95-Michael Hester
B Feature: 1. 81X-Gary Brogan; 2. 39-Tim Hester; 3. 2-James Brinster; 4. 95-Michael Hester; 5. 78-Kevin Hicks; 6. 33-Bill Lamm; 7. 24-Mike Chadwick; 8. 7K-George Fischer; 9. 5-Ted Rees; 10. 75-Leo Ward; 11. 90-Henry Corbin II; 12. 51-Dan Coutts
C Feature : 1. 24-Mike Chadwick; 2. 51-Dan Coutts; 3. 95-Michael Hester; 4. 33-Bill Lamm; 5. 81-Charles Millar; 6. 3X-Alex Rees; 7. 5K-Brandon Ross; 8. 09-Ren Marose
4-Bee's
A Feature: 1. 7-Gary Jones; 2. 38-Chris Batalgia; 3. 1-Nathan Owens; 4. 00-Mike Keely; 5. 8-William Wolfe; 6. 18-Ronald Sweere; 7. 24-Rob Ferree; 8. 23X-Angie Lusby; 9. 1X-Robert Ezell; 10. 19-Eric Batalgia; 11. 36-Greg Davidson
Micro Sprints 600cc Restricted
A Feature: 1. 24-Benjamin Silliker; 2. 113-Kyle Cormican; 3. 21-Jesse Schlotfeldt; 4. 75C-Casey Smith; 5. 19-Colby Thornhill; 6. 0-Ashleigh Johnson; 7. 13*-Casey Starr; 8. 4-Allison Johnson
Micro Sprints 600cc Open
A Feature: 1. 21M-Derek Torkelson; 2. 12X-Cody Ridge; 3. 24-Stan Yockey; 4. 86-Jeff Little; 5. 51-Jon Farrell; 6. 151-Duke Johnson; 7. 4B-Jeff Broadwell; 8. 1 -Dallas Melby; 9. 12T-Nick Thornhill