9/14/2019
Cottage Grove Speedway
Forte, Campos, J. Whisler, Schmidt, McDonald, And E. Ashley Score Friday The 13th Wins At CGS
Forte, Campos, J. Whisler, Schmidt, McDonald, And E. Ashley Score Friday The 13th Wins At CGS
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of JRP Race Photos)
Cottage Grove, Oregon- Cottage Grove Speedway hosted the first of two nights of their championship weekend on Friday, September 13th. The pits were jammed packed with six classes on the card. Divisions in action included the Todd’s Auto Body Sprints, Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds, Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks, and Hornets.
In the Todd’s Auto Body Sprints, Kyle Barraza seized the initiative right off the bat and took over the top spot. The Roseburg racer held onto the position until the fourth circuit. Junction City veteran Shane Forte got to the front and held onto the lead for the rest of distance. However, Shane was challenged on a numerous amount of occasions but managed to hold onto to the point. It marked the first in 2019 that Forte has won at “The Grove.”
Kyler Barraza was second over Albany teenager Brody Sim. Winston’s Kyle Alberding came across the wire in fourth with Steven Snawder, of Roseburg, rounding up the top five, in fifth.
The Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds had a thrilling main event. Dave Duste Jr., from Central Point, officially led the opening lap. However, he pulled into the pit area under caution due to an issue. That handed over the position to Steven Sturdevant. Sturdevant paced the field for much of the feature. The Springfield chauffeur would get passed on lap twenty-four by John Campos. Campos, of Keizer, held on the rest of the distance to win his first victory of the season at CGS.
Steven Sturdevant was a respectable runner-up with Creswell’s Gus Cooper getting third Cottage Grove native Curtis Towns was scored fourth while fifth place went to Coquille youngster Ryan Baker.
Springfield’s Ryan Ronning took control of the Late Model main in the early goings. He held down the position until lap five when Jimmy Whisler got to the front. The Otis racer held on the rest of the distance to park his mount in victory lane for the first occasion this season.
Albany veteran Craig Hanson got second with Brian Smith, of Sweet Home in the Jerry Casey owned entry, was third. Thomas Hunziker, from Bend, ended the evening in fourth while behind him, in fifth, would be Ryan Ronning.
In IMCA Sport Mod action, K.C. Scott showed the way in the first two laps. Scott, of Springfield, lost the lead on lap three shortly after a restart to fellow Springfield native Daniel Ray. Ray held on for much of the distance but was overtaken late on lap twenty by David Schmidt. Schmidt paid his fourth trip to victory lane this year in the Sport Mod ranks.
Daniel Ray finished second with Buddy McHargue, of Winston, grabbing third. Central Point’s Jorddon Braaten ended the race fourth while in fifth was Jordan Henry, from Roseburg.
In the Street Stock main event David Schmidt, pulling double duty, was in front for the majority of the race. David led the opening eleven laps before Kelly McDonald got around him on lap twelve. McDonald, of Cottage Grove and racing for Tom and Joan Langan, paced the field the balance of the distance to score his fifth win of 2019 at Cottage Grove. David Schmidt was second followed by Keizer teenager Anthony Prather, in third.
In Hornet competition, Ricky Ashley, from Thurston, led the first lap. Ashley, running for car owner Randy Kuhl, would get passed by his younger brother Eric on lap two. Eric, from Jasper and also in a Randy Kuhl owned mount, stayed in front of the rest of the field to capture his fourth win of the season at CGS.
Eugene’s Brad Moffett ended the night second while Jason Loucks, also from Eugene, made it to third. Dexter driver Barry Cannon put in a fourth-place effort with Ricky Ashley ended fifth.
Cottage Grove Speedway will host their final race of the 2019 season on Saturday, September 14th. All of the same six classes will be on the card.
Tickets are $13.00 for Adults, Seniors/Juniors/Military $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Children (5 & Under) are FREE. Pit Gates open at 1:00 PM, Front Gates 3:30, and Time Trials at 5:30 with racing beginning at 6:00. For more information and updates log on to www.cottagegrovespeedway.com or check out the official Facebook page.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage