By Ben Deatherage
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 16, 2022) – Saturday was Christmas In July Night at Cottage Grove Speedway. It also was the Ralph Bloom Memorial for the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, one of the biggest nights of the whole year for the division.
When all the dust had settled, Hunter Bloom parked his mount in victory lane and won his first race of the season. The victory also kept the trophy in the Bloom family name.
Points beat Matt Sanders for second. Justin Ryker posted a fourth-place result over fifth-finishing Daniel Ray.
For the third time in the year, Paul Rea emerged victorious in Friesen Performance IMCA Modified competition. The Eugene native collected his first win since April 23. Jake Mayden got second while in third was Curtis Towns in the Frank Brewer-fielded car. Steven Sturdevant ended his night fourth while Hornbrook, Calif., traveler Duane Orsburn completed the top five.