Martinez, Little, Taylor, T. Owen, And Farness Collect SSP Wins; Broadwell And Taylor Win Micro Titles
By Ben Deatherage
(Phot Courtesy of Nikki Gamell)
Banks, Oregon- Sunset Speedway Park would have another great car count on Saturday, September 10th and was all presented by the fine folks at 98.7 The Bull. In addition, to having the Wingless Sprint Series the “Banks Bullring” would also host Dwarf Cars, 4-Bees, New Bees, and both classes of Micro Sprints. For the Micros, it was their final race of the 2016 season.
In the Dwarf Cars, Jimmy Brinster was tough to beat in the main event. Brinster, of St. Helens, led from the get go but would lose the position late in the race. Ryan Martinez made the pass on lap twenty-five and remained there for the few laps that were left. It would be the first time that the Portland driver has won at SSP in 2016.
Jimmy Brinster was second followed by Newberg’s Ronnie Gilmore Jr. in third. The rest of the top five would be made of Jake Van Ortwick, from Scappoose, and Molalla’s Henry Corbin III in fourth and fifth respectively. Two consolation feature were run and the winners were Eric Bergquist, of Hillsboro, and Cascade Locks chauffeur Kevin Benson.
The 600cc Open Micros would feature drivers making the trip from Oregon and Washington. Deming, Washington’s Jeff Little would be the man with the speed in the main event. Little got to the front on lap five and didn’t look back from there. It would be the second time he has won at Banks this year.
Jeff Broadwell, of Springfield, got second with Newberg teenager Casey Starr behind him in third. Doug Pirtle, out of Corbett, placed fourth over Justen McConnville, of Newberg, in fifth. At the end of the race, Jeff Broadwell would be declared the champion for his first championship at the ¼-mile clay oval.
In the 600cc Restricted Micros, it would be Lane Taylor taking care of business. The McKenna, Washington native would lead all but the first lap. It was Taylor’s fifth trip to victory lane as he has had an extremely successful year.
Casey Starr, pulling double duty, was the runner-up and Macie Logsdon, of Mount Vernon, Washington, placed third. Mason Dineen and David Ward complete the balance of the top five. With Taylor’s win, it would be enough for him to win the 2016 championship, his first at SSP.
In the 4-Bees the dominance of Tylor Owen would be on display once again. Getting to the coveted top spot on lap four Tylor Owen would not look back from there. Owen set a wicked pace and would be the first to the start/finish line. Owen now has seven wins at the ¼-mile clay oval.
Last but certainly not least was the New Bees. Cailyn Farness was the driver to finish first in the main event. The Sandy teenager would be in the front the whole entire time on her way to victory. Bailey Jackson, out of Carlton, and Forest Gove’s Kaylee Batalgia were second and third.
Sunset Speedway Park returns to action on Saturday, September 17th and is the next to last race left in the current season. Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Bridgeport Logistics Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, and Dwarf Cars will be the classes in competition. It will be the championship night for the Dwarfs.
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 to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.