5/15/2023
Sunset Speedway Park
IMCA Modified Battle of the Border headlines saturday night showdown. Oregon takes down Washington.
20 of the top IMCA Modified drivers were in attendance for Ladies Night in what got billed on raceweek as the "Battle of the Borders." The raceday would earn the nickname as many of the Grays Harbor Raceway faithful would head south in hoping to claim victory on Oregon clay. This group of "outsiders" would be led by defending GHR champion, and defending IMCA Washington State champion, Tyson Blood. Tyson would jump out to the early lead and seemed to be on cruise control early, but he knew someone was lurking in the shadows making his way through the field. That someone, just happened to be the defending Sunset Speedway champion and former Oregon State IMCA champion, Craig Cassell out of Albany, OR. He would start 10th but would quickly and methodically work his way to the front in the 40 lap feature, and by halfway was already well in striking distance. Cassell would make his familiar technical high side line work to make the pass for the lead, one he would not lose for the remainder of the race. Tyson however now in 2nd had his hands full with one of Oregon's newest up and coming stars in Carter Patterson. Patterson who has yet to finish outside of the top 5 in 2023 despite being at his 3rd different track already this early in the year, was once again in the hunt and mix at another new track for the season. Patterson would make a gutsy last lap pass as Blood slipped up just enough coming to the white flag. The Lebanon, Oregon ace in Patterson used that little room to take 2nd place, negating Washington's top racer to a 3rd place finish. Vancouver, Washington's John Gaynor, and Oregon City, Oregon's Dan Shellar would place respectable 4th and 5th place results. Matt Jenner, the evenings hard charger David Day, Trevor Lebarge, Paul Culp, and Riley Scherer in his SSP debut would complete top 10. Heat race wins would come from Cassell, Shellar, and Blood. Gaynor would take the trophy dash victory. IMCA Modifieds are back in action May 20, and have been added to both May 27 & May 28 racedays.
Ladies Night would also see 5 other classes in attendance starting with Rod Lowe taking a huge win in American Classics to set the early bar and points lead for the season, Joey Tardio and Jordan Robinson would finish in the podium, with Don Jenner and Ron Prevost completing the top 5. Heat race wins would go to Prevost and Jenner, with Jenner also taking the trophy dash. American Classics also back in attendance May 20th.
IMCA Stock Cars saw a different face behind the car you would normally fine the defending track champion in it. Greg Walters would jump behind the familiar Schram 77s and Walters would find victory lane at Banks once again, proving no division is safe when he jumps in the seat. Sid Schott would put together a complete day finishing 2nd after claiming trophy dash win earlier. PJ Humphrey and Donald Schott would finish 3rd and 4th after both drivers won heat races. Also a huge night for Calista Johnson bringing home a 5th place finish for the young lady. The stock cars return next for the first annual Salute to Portland Speedway Fast Fridays on June 2nd.
PMSA saw wild action for their 2nd visit ever to SSP. This trip would be with wings on but same result. Sizzlin' Seth Waldal would claim another PMSA victory with the defending summer champion Barry Lampert finishing 2nd. Paul Cengic, Erik Dehning and Jakobe James would round out the top 5. Wadal and Joseph Johnson would take the heat wins with Jakobe James taking the trophy dash. PMSA will return for the 2nd of 4 SSP Stops on July 1st which will be a wingless stop for season.
IMCA Sport Mods saw Brayden Brookshire winning both the heat and Main event with Tim Jenner taking the trophy Dash.
Same can be said for Sport Compacts with the split, Logan Senner would claim the Heat and Main, however the Trophy Dash would be won by Payton Gary. Both the Sport Mods and Sport Compacts are scheduled to be back May 20th.
Submitted By: Jeremy Means
