Ben Deatherage
Willamette Speedway Writer
Willamette Speedway witnessed five new winners to victory lane Saturday, July 28 as the Lebanon venue hosted the Northwest Wingless Tour for its first 2012 visit alongside the Mini Trucks, Classic Sportsman, and Sportsman classifications, which were also in action.
Eugene’s Kyle Miller earned his first career victory at Willamette Speedway as he dominated the field in the 30-lap Northwest Wingless Tour feature.
It was Miller’s first win with the series in 2012, in which he is a former champion with the group, earning the title back in 2009. Miller notched a clean sweep by earning fast time of the night as well as winning the trophy dash and heat race.
Ridgefield, Wash. pilot Pat Canfield finished in second place followed by fellow Washington driver Mike Romig of Vancouver. The top five would be completed with Kyle Mehner of Clackamas finishing in fourth and Jeffrey Rivers crossing the stripe in fifth. Fast time of the night was Kyle Miller at 15.849 seconds while the winners of the heat races were Miller and Rivers while Miller also was the victor in the trophy dash.
Albany driver Brian Smith became the newest winner in the Sportsman division, driving for Danny Altom who gave Smith the call to chauffer his vehicle for the night. Smith’s win marked the fourth time that the car has visited victory lane, three times with Altom, and Smith became the fifth different winner in the division.
Smith took over the lead on lap 11 and would not give the lead up despite pressure from Justin Dittman in the closing ten laps.
Dittman, of Tangent, finished in second place and Brian Winkler of Newberg was third.
The balance of the top five consisted of Portland driver Brian Brown in fourth and Lebanon’s Glen Hackney in fifth. Fast time of the night went to Brian Smith, at 17.595 seconds, as well as the trophy dash win, while heat race victors were Jeff Rasch of Lebanon, Winkler, and Brown.
A 15-lap consolation event was run with the top two transferring to the feature, which was Casey Rhoades of Lebanon and Albany’s Austin Gorham finishing first and second.
DirtCar Super Late Model regular Kevin Roberts hopped into his Classic Sportsman to win the 40-lap feature for his first win of the year.
The Gresham driver seized the lead on the thirteenth lap to stay out in front and become the fifth different winner in the division in 2012.
Sean Cronk of Portland wassecond, followed by Lebanon’s J.J. Irvine in third. Crossing the line in fourth place was Erik Jarnport of Monmouth and the top five were completed with Albany driver Steve Jorgenson finishing in fifth. Fast time of the night went to Bricen James of Albany at 18.205 seconds while Shannon Horn of Molalla was the Crocker Cars Trophy Dash winner and the victors in the heat races were Cronk and James.
Tim Baker of Sheridan captured the Mini Truck feature win in his first start to become the fourth different feature winner in the class. It so happened to be that Baker was driving for Stinnett Racing which produced the previous feature winner Jeremy Stinnett the week previous.
Mark Vonsild of Scio finished in the runner-up position at the line over Canby chauffeur John Kreigshauser, who finished third. Fourth place went to Pete Haag of Alvadore in fourth and the fifth place finisher was Jefferson’s Jennifer Robbins.
Quickest in qualifying was Kreigshauser at 20.305 seconds while the heat race and trophy dash was won by Tim Baker.
Friday evening will be the fourth Kart race of the 2012 season where fans can see the upcoming talent of not just the Willamette Speedway but the entire Northwest. Next Saturday will be the first ever Iron Giant Challenge presented by Platt Electrical Supply.
The event will include a 50- lap Classic Sportsman feature alongside the DirtCar Super Late Model, USRA Modified, Sportsman, and Mini Truck classifications.
For more information log on to the track’s official web page http://www.trophymotorsports.com.
Mini Trucks
6 Entries
Fast Time: John Kreigshauser 20.305
Trophy Dash Winner: Tim Baker
Heat Race Winner: Tim Baker (1)
A-Feature: 1. Tim Baker, 2. Mark Vonsild, 3. John Kreigshauser, 4. Pete Haag, 5. Jennifer Robbins, DNS Charlie James