8/1/2013
Cottage Grove Speedway
The Best IMCA Modified Chauffeurs In The West Make Their Way To CGS
The Best IMCA Modified Chauffeurs In The West Make Their Way To CGS
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Hull Family Photography)
Cottage Grove, Oregon- Drivers and fans alike voiced praise to the staff and management of the Cottage Grove Speedway for the return of the Modified Nationals. The event had been a staple of the ¼-mile clay oval facility from its inception in 2003 but unfortunately did not occur during the 2012 campaign. As 2013 brought in new management it also brought the return of memorable events such as the Grove Classic and the Mod Nationals as well as the return of the American Sprint Car Series-National Tour and the World Of Outlaw Sprint Car Series.
The Cottage Grove Speedway Modified Nationals will take place over the course of two nights starting with Friday August 2nd and ending on Saturday the 3rd. It will muster the talents of the best IMCA Modified drivers in the Pacific Northwest on one of the most popular facilities in the country. Expect to see a weekend of door-to-door mudslinging action lap after lap race after race.
From 2003 until 2011 a CGS Modified National event was held except for 2006 which was lost to weather. Each installment has produced memories that will never be forgotten. Rick Zuvich’s 2003 triumph with a flat tire, the three-wide battle for the lead on the last lap in 2005, and the dominance of Dustin Dittman in 2011 which saw him become untouchable come feature time.
In eight CGS Mod National races there have been four different winners. Jon DeBenedetti leads the list a total of four wins which includes three consecutive from 2004 to 2007. Jesse Williamson has twice won this big event with Rick Zuvich and Dustin Dittman each recording one apiece.
Tickets for the races on both days are $12.00 for Adults, Senior/Military/Junior (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Children under the age of five are FREE. A Family Pass is offered for $30.00 which includes two Adults and up to four Youths. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM, front gates 4:00, time trials 5:30, and racing starts around 6:45 for both nights as well.
Friday’s format will consist of qualifying, heat races, and a Race of Champions. The payout for the Race of Champions will be a normal Cottage Grove Speedway payout. Saturday have the IMCA Modifieds compete in main events only. That payout is posted on the venue’s website at www.cottagegrovespeedway.com/rules/ and is the Excel file located at the very top. DRIVERS MUST BE SIGNED UP WITH IMCA IN ORDER TO COMPETE DURING THE WEEKEND.
The Cottage Grove Speedway has hosted fast and exciting action as far back as 1956. Since then the ¼-mile banked oval has been regarded as a place where fast times are set and plenty of side-by-side racing occurs. Regular classes include 360 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, NW Extreme Winged Sprint Cars, Late Models, Street Stocks, and Hornets from the months of April till October every Saturday night. For more information be sure and visit the venue’s homepage www.cottagegrovespeedway.com or call the brand new Northwest Tracks Hotline at (360)-699-RACE.
Cottage Grove Speedway IMCA Modified Points
- 5-Braedon Hand 225; 2. 23-Don Muth Jr. 209; 3. 24-Curtis Towns 208; 4. 10-Gus Cooper 208; 5. 44-Greg McDonald 197; 6. 16-Austin McTaggart 192; 7. 73-Bryan Gray 179; 8. 9-David Schmidt 153; 9.3RL-Corey Russell 124; 10. 27-Mark Carrell 116
Past Cottage Grove Speedway Modified Nationals Winners:
2011- Dustin Dittman
2010- Jesse Williamson
2009- Jon DeBenedetti
2008- Jesse Williamson
2007- Jon DeBenedetti
2005- Jon DeBenedetti
2004- Jon DeBenedetti
2003- Rick Zuvich
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage