Points is The Man at Willamette

By Ben Deatherage LEBANON, Ore. (Sept. 14, 2024) – In racing, it’s not about how many laps you lead but that you are ahead of the field when the checkered flag flies. That was the case for Colville, Wash.’s Chase Berkeley, as he got around his brother-in-law with two laps left to cover in the 45-lap contest at Willamette Speedway’s $2,500 to win IMCA Sunoco Stock Car special. It marked the sixth occasion this season he’s won in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his third win at Willamette in 2024, the latest victory making him eligible to qualify for next September’s B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational. B.J. Wild, showing his determination, won the three-car race for the lead on the opening lap at the one-third mile clay oval after coming from the second row. Wild tried his best to escape the clutches of Sid Schott, but Schott, equally determined, kept him in his crosshairs.   Schott’s efforts ended on lap 16 when he was involved in a caution. Berkeley and Zack [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage  LEBANON, Ore. (June 28) – Collen Winebarger put his name in the Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout record book Friday night. Winebarger’s fourth series win of 2019 came at Willamette Speedway and matched the record set by Brian Poppa (2011) and first equaled by Kellen Chadwick (2016).  Pole starter Winebarger stayed out front and out of trouble from the get-go Friday despite five stoppages. He was pressured late by Jesse Williamson, who bicycled hard in the first set of turns and eventually Jesse pulled off the track. Chadwick, Justin Duty, Grey Ferrando and Matt Jenner made up the rest of the final five.  Lebanon saw the biggest car count of the week with 48 drivers assembled in the pits representing five states and British Columbia. Winebarger’s  win was also his Wild West Modified Tour career seventh, second on the all-time list. Williamson’s 12 victories lead the way in that department. Feature results – 1. Collen Winebarger; 2. Kellen Chadwick; 3. Justin Duty; 4. Grey Ferrando; 5. Matt Jenner; 6. John Campos; 7. Aaron [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage LEBANON, Ore. (June 29) – Collen Winebarger won a single season record fifth feature while Kellen Chadwick’s victory in Saturday’s finale at Willamette Speedway netted him the Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout crown. Chadwick had four runner-up finishes to go with a pair of $1,000 checkers during the eight-race series, beating Winebarger, who’d finished 17th in the fourth tour outing, for the title by 10 points. In the afternoon make-up feature it was utter dominance by Winebarger, who led all 35 laps.  All that slow him down were six stoppages, but he mastered every single restart.  The win marked Winebarger’s fifth of the week, third in a row and set the record for most triumphs in a single season with the series.  It was also Winebarger’s eighth career Wild West victory and his fourth tour win at Willamette. John Campos was second followed by Chadwick, Grey Ferrando and Brad Martin. In the grand finale, the main event consisted of 24 cars starting three-wide. Dustin Cady cracked the whip early, launching his entry to [Read More]