James repeats at Willamette

LEBANON, Ore. (July 30, 2022) – Chase Berkeley put an end to his string of second-place finishes and put his IMCA Sunoco Stock Car in victory lane Saturday night at Willamette Speedway.  Then he put $5,000 in the bank after his career-best payday.  Berkeley raced from ninth starting and led the last 18 times around the track in the 50-lap marathon at Lebanon, holding Jesse Williamson at bay after a restart with six to go. “The best part about winning was that I’d had a streak of second place finishes coming into the night,” said the Colville, Wash., hotshoe, who’d clinched the Wild West Shootout crown with runner-up showings at Willamette and at Sunset Speedway Park, then ran second behind Collen Winebarger at Sunset’s 50-lap, $5,000 to win show on July 16. “It felt good to be back in the top spot.” Berkeley’s first win on the season, at Coos Bay Speedway, paved the way to the Wild West Shootout crown. His second earned him a guaranteed starting spot in the B & B Racing [Read More]

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]