By Ben Deatherage
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (Aug. 20, 2025) — Springfield’s Jake Mayden returned to victory lane Wednesday night at Cottage Grove Speedway, scoring the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature in round five of the Midweek Mayhem Series. The reigning Cottage Grove track champion, defending Midweek Mayhem Series titlist, and 2021 Oregon State champion wheeled the Dustin Brooks-owned no. 5M to his first win since May and his third of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region.
Mayden jumped out front at the drop of the green and never wavered, despite constant pressure from Kevin Williamson in the Superior Fuel Cell-backed no. 42. The only slowdown came on lap one, and from there the leaders navigated heavy traffic around halfway, where Williamson closed the gap but couldn’t complete the pass. Mayden kept his composure and drove to victory, becoming the fifth different winner in as many Midweek Mayhem events this year. Williamson settled for second while Matthew Drager claimed third, the final car on the lead lap.
Ashley Dominates SportMods for Fourth Mayhem Win
Thurston’s Ricky Ashley extended his impressive Midweek Mayhem Series run with another Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod victory at Cottage Grove Speedway. Piloting the T.R. Points Trucking no. 1185, Ashley notched his fourth win of the season, all coming at the historic quarter-mile oval.
Ashley put his machine out front at the start of the 25-lapper and built a comfortable advantage before Trevor Points, the 2023 Oregon State champion, began tracking him down. Cautions on laps two and 12 kept the field bunched, but Ashley was flawless on each restart and drove unchallenged to the checkered flag. Points finished runner-up, with Aaron Bloom rounding out the podium.
Kuhl Breaks Through for First Career Sport Compact Victory
Springfield racer Randy Kuhl broke through for his first career victory, wiring the field in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact 20-lap finale at Cottage Grove Speedway. The long-time supporter of the division, known for helping build, fix, and field cars across the Oregon Sport Compact scene, finally added his own name to the winner’s list.
Kuhl rocketed into the lead from the start and immediately put daylight between himself and the rest of the pack. The race went green-to-checkers, and while Lady Eagle racers Melissa Bryant and Scarlett Drake staged a spirited battle for second, Kuhl was untouchable out front. Bryant ultimately prevailed for the runner-up spot, with Drake third.
The Midweek Mayhem event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Oval TV. Missed the action? Catch every lap on demand with an IMCA TV Replay Subscription—available now for just $24.99/month. Plus, don’t miss Season 2 of The Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
