Turnidge, Schott earn Clair Cup victories

By Ben Deatherage LEBANON, Ore. – After not being on the schedule in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout is back. Eight races will be run in nights at four race tracks in the Pacific Northwest.  Not only will IMCA Modifieds be in attendance but the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern Sport Mods will accompany the tour in the first seven legs.  Modified feature winners earn $1,000 and become eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. Lebanon’s Willamette Speedway will kick the whole party off on Friday, Aug. 6 and the tour will remain there for three straight nights.  Monday, Aug. 9, and Tuesday, Aug. 10 will be reserved for Cottage Grove Speedway. Wednesday will be the only off day for the series however there will be a pit party at Sunset Speedway Park, in Banks.  The Banks Bullring will host action for Thursday, Aug. 12 and Friday, Aug. 13.  Everything will wrap up the next night at Grays Harbor Raceway, in Elma, Wash., for the lone stop [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ALBANY, Ore. – 2018 has been an ultra-successful campaign for Bricen James.  The Albany, Ore., teenager has nabbed four wins at Cottage Grove Speedway and twice has visited victory lane at Willamette Speedway. James was hoping to add more to that count by participating in two evenings of racing at Willamette Speedway on Friday and Saturday, July 27-28. Friday saw James win his heat race and finish on top in the trophy dash. In the feature, he battled to­ward the front for most of the race. He spent the majority of the time in second place trying to track down the leader. James caught the pace setter and the two battled in some heavy traffic. He got to the front with a daring pass on lap 28 and held on for the final two circuits for the victory. “I really didn’t think we had a chance there,” said James. “Justin (Cady, the leader) was gone and if it hadn’t been for lapped traffic he definitely wouldn’t have won.” The next night, James competed at the Rick [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage LEBANON, Ore. (May 18, 2024) – Bricen James was Dominant with a capital “D” Saturday night at Willamette Speedway. The former Shaw Race Cars Western Region champion, most recently the May 10 winner at Douglas County Dirtrack, topped his heat and ran second in the trophy dash before notching Friesen Performance IMCA Modified career win number 58. Trevor La Barge set the pace early, reaching a comfortable distance ahead of the rest of the field.  As the race stayed green, James got into a great rhythm and began to give chase down the leader.  By lap eight, James overtook La Barge to obtain the race lead and then checked out, ahead of a dogfight for a second involving La Barge, Grey Ferrando and Matthew Drager. A late caution injected a potential twist into the finish, but James quickly reestablished a sizable ap over the rest of the pack. The battle for second continued to sizzle as Ferrando and Drager continued their fight. Ferrando secured the second spot, with Drager finishing third.