4/29/2019
Cottage Grove Speedway
Jason Solwold Sweeps Cottage Grove Spring Fling; Young, M. Sanders, And Maricle Also Pick Up Wins
Jason Solwold Sweeps Cottage Grove Spring Fling; Young, M. Sanders, And Maricle Also Pick Up Wins
By Ben Deatherage
Cottage Grove, Oregon- Saturday, April 27th, witnessed the second night of the 2019 Spring Fling at Cottage Grove Speedway. After a thrilling season opener the night before it would be an even more exhilarating Saturday program. 360 Sprints, Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, and Hornets were all the divisions on the bill.
Just like in night one, Jason Solwold took full advantage of his front row starting position in the 360 Sprint main event. But just like the previous evening Solwold had to deal with some thick traffic. A late challenge would be brought before Jason by the likes of youngster Tyler Thompson.
The Harrisburg teenager, Thompson, was able to hunt down Solwold and just as he was setting up a move for the lead a lapped car spun in front of both drivers. The lap twenty-five restart allowed for Solwold to operate with an open race track and cruise to his second straight victory at CGS in 2019. It is the fourth overall win of the season for the Burlington, Washington chauffeur in the Mike Anderson and Monica Baca owned entry.
Tyler Thompson placed second over third finishing Jake Wheeler, of Central Point. The rest of the top five consisted of Boise, Idaho’s Logan Forler, in fourth, and fifth place Greg Hamilton, from Burlington, Washington. Central Point’s Garen Linder was quickest in time trials while Jason Solwold won the Dot’s Trophy Shop Trophy Dash. Heat race winners were Forler, Medford native Seth Nunes, and Solwold.
Defending Street Stock champion Ray Bloom had a great start in the Mohawk Metal IMCA Modified main event. The Cottage Grove pilot managed to pace the field for the first three laps before being overtaken by Derik Young. Young, from the Eastern Oregon town of Hines, had no issues once in front of the pack with the only thing slowing him down was four cautions. Despite the stoppages Young maintained the top place position to achieve his first win of the season.
Cottage Grove’s Curtis Towns was yet again the runner-up with Redmond traveler B.J. Wild posted a third-place finish. Aaron Sheelar, of Springfield, crossed the wire fourth while Springfield’s Jake Mayden was once more fifth. Sheelar was the fastest in qualifying and Springfield’s Steven Strudevant was the victor of the Dot’s Trophy Shop Trophy Dash. Derik Young and Eugene veteran Paul Rea were the two heat race winners.
In IMCA Sport action it would all be about Matt Sanders. The Brookings ace held on to the coveted top spot the entire race despite five cautions and a handful of challenges. It marked the first occasion that Sanders has won at Cottage Grove this year.
Winston’s Buddy McHargue was second while grabbing third was the previous night’s winner Jorddon Braaten, from Central Point. Roseburg’s David Schmidt managed to take home fourth over fifth finishing Shawn Hand, of Springfield. Braaten was fast time of the night while Veneta youngster Gavin Ropchan won the Dot’s Trophy Shop Trophy Dash. Matt Sanders and Cottage Grove’s Braedon Hand picked up wins in heat race competition.
Lastly, the Hornets made their only appearance of the weekend on Saturday. Defending track champion Graig Osborne was the man to beat for much of the main. The Creswell driver led the first thirteen circuits before being involved in an incident. It put Eugene’s Joe Maricle in first and where he would remain as Maricle dominated the closing stages of the feature.
Brad Moffett, of Eugene, was second with Joel Hazen, also of Eugene, in third. Eugene newcomer Jason Loucks was credited with fourth over fifth place finisher Mark Milligan, to make it an all Eugene top five.
Graig Osborne was fastest in time trials and earned first place in the Dot’s Trophy Shop Trophy Dash. Earning victories in the heat races were Osborne and Joe Maricle.
The 2019 Kage Kart season officially will kick off their racing campaign on Friday, May 3rd. Pit Gates open at 3:00 PM and the Pit Meeting (with Hot Laps/Racing to follow) at 6:00. General Admission is FREE, Pit Passes $10.00, and Car/Driver Entry $35.00.
Cottage Grove Speedway returns to ¼-mile racing Saturday, May 4th, for the annual Fan Appreciation Night featuring a special $10.00 ticket for General Admission. Classes in competition include the Todd’s Auto Body Sprint Cars, Late Models, Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, and Hornets.
Pit Gates open at 1:00 PM, Front Gates 3:30, and Time Trials at 5:30 with Racing beginning at 6:00. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults, Seniors/Juniors/Military $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Children (5 & Under) are FREE. CGS offers a Family Pass (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) for $35.00, VIP Skybox Seating is $25.00 each, and Pit Passes are $30.00. For more information and updates log on to www.cottagegrovespeedway.com or check out the official Facebook page.
Race Results:
Spring Fling Night #2
Saturday, April 27th, 2019
Cottage Grove Speedway
Cottage Grove, Oregon
360 Sprints
Fast Qualifier: Garen Linder
Heat Race Winners: Logan Forler (1), Seth Nunes (2), Jason Solwold (3)
Trophy Dash Winner: Jason Solwold
A Feature: 1. Jason Solwold; 2. Tyler Thompson; 3. Jake Wheeler; 4. Logan Forler; 5. Greg Hamilton; 6. Jake Waddell; 7. Colton Heath; 8. Seth Nunes; 9. Kyle Miller; 10. James Setters; 11. Kinzer Cox; 12. Emily Williams; 13. Shane Forte; 14. Orion Redmond; 15. Steven Snawder; 16. Matt Hein; 17. Spencer Desbiens; 18. John Stuart; 19. Garen Linder; 20. Tanner Holmes; DNS Chelsea Blevins; DNS R.C. Levin
Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds
Fast Qualifier: Aaron Sheelar
Heat Race Winners: Derik Young (1), Paul Rea (2)
Trophy Dash Winner: Steven Sturdevant
A Feature: 1. Derik Young; 2. Curtis Towns; 3. B.J. Wild; 4. Aaron Sheelar; 5. Jake Mayden; 6. Steven Sturdevant; 7. Craig Hanson; 8. Paul Rea; 9. Evan Britton; 10. Ray Bloom; 11. Mike George; 12. Jesse Bailey; 13. Hunter Bloom; 14. Chance Hyser; 15. Tyler Smith; 16. Kevin Williamson
IMCA Sport Mods
Fast Qualifier: Jorddon Braaten
Heat Race Winners: Matt Sanders (1), Braedon Hand (2)
Trophy Dash Winner: Gavin Ropchan
A Feature: 1. Matt Sanders; 2. Bubby McHargue; 3. Jorddon Braaten; 4. David Schmidt; 5. Shawn Hand; 6. Isaac Sanders; 7. Jayson Nelson; 8. Aaron Bloom; 9. Jamie Britton; 10. Steven Sanders; 11. Matt Brown; 12. Gavin Ropchan; 13. Braedon Hand; 14. Doug Coffman; 15. Brandon Fox; 16. Travis Pruitt; 17. Mike Wilcox; 18. Billy Richey Jr.
Hornets
Fast Qualifier: Graig Osborne
Heat Race Winners: Graig Osborne (1), Joe Maricle (2)
Trophy Dash Winner: Graig Osborne
A Feature: 1. Joe Maricle; 2. Brad Moffett; 3. Joel Hazen; 4. Jason Loucks; 5. Mark Milligan; 6. Melissa Abston; 7. K.C. Scott; 8. Kerry Cooper; 9. Graig Osborne; 10. Jim Simmons; 11. Lacee Jamison; 12. Rod Jackson; 13. Marcel Forte; 14. Chloe Van Sant; DNS Barry Cannon; DNS Josh Linville
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage