By Ben Deatherage
YREKA, Calif. – If you’re looking for the best IMCA Modified drivers in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, look no further than the Wild West Modified Shootout scheduled from June 23 to July 1.
Eight races will be conducted in nine nights at some of the best five race tracks in the country. All eight features pay $1,000 to win, a minimum of $100 to start and are Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying events.
The top ten point earners who compete at all eight shows earn shares of a $3,500 point fund.
The tour opens Friday, June 23 at Siskiyou Motor Speedway in Yreka, Calif. The Saturday, June 24 show is at Southern Oregon Speedway in White City with Sunday, June 25 and Monday, June 26 dates at Cottage Grove, Ore., Speedway.
Tuesday, June 27 is a travel day. On Wednesday, June 28, the tour is at Sunset Speedway Park in Banks, Ore.
Thursday, June 29, Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1 dates at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore., wrap up the seventh annual tour.
All IMCA rules apply and will be enforced; an IMCA official will attend each event. Series Director Bob Valencia can be contacted at 360 470-6113.
Entry fees each night are $80 and include the driver’s pit pass.
Last year’s tour saw utter dominance by Kellen Chadwick. The Oakley, Calif., driver picked up wins at four of the six shows while on his way to the Wild West Modified Shootout title in his first time participating in the speedweek.
Information about each track follows.
Siskiyou Motor Speedway
1712 Old US 99, Yreka, Calif., 96097
Size: 1/4-mile high-banked oval
Camping Yes/No (Fee): Yes ($10)
Hotel: Baymont Inn & Suites (530 841-1300)
Transponder Rental Fee: N/A
Southern Oregon Speedway
6900 Kershaw Rd, White City, Ore., 97502
Size: 1/4-mile high banked oval
Camping Yes/No (Fee): Yes (free)
Hotel: Brookside Inn (541 826-0800)
Transponder Rental Fee: $15.
Cottage Grove Speedway
2150 N Douglas Ave, Cottage Grove, Ore., 97424
Size: 1/4-mile high banked oval
Camping Yes/No (Fee): Yes (free for drivers), Western Oregon Exposition Campground (541 942-6150)
Hotels: Comfort Inn & Suites of Creswell (541 895-4025) and Quality Inn-Cottage Grove (541 942-9747)
Transponder Rental Fee: $20.
Sunset Speedway Park
485 S Main St, Banks, Ore., 97106
Size: 1/4-mile medium banked oval
Camping Yes/No (Fee): Yes (free for drivers), Sunset Park Campground 503 869-7545 ($15 for tent and $20 for RV)
Hotels: America’s Best Value Inn of Forest Grove (503 357-9000) and Forest Grove Inn (503 357-9700)
Transponder Rental Fee: Included
Willamette Speedway
36606 Airport Drive, Lebanon, Ore., 97355
Size: 1/3-mile medium banked oval
Camping Yes/No (Fee): Yes (free)
Hotels: Phoenix Inn of Albany (541 926-5696) and Best Western Premier Boulder Falls Inn (541 451-1000)
Transponder Rental Fee: $15.