cottagegrovespeedway Archives

Winebarger, Braaten collect Cottage Grove openers

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (April 26) – Collen Winebarger and Jorddon Braaten took opening night IMCA checkers Friday at Cottage Grove Speedway. Despite early stoppages, Curtis Towns put his machine out in front of the IMCA Modified pack. Towns stayed there before eventually losing the coveted top spot on lap seven, shortly after a restart, to Winebarger. It was no stroll through the park for Winebarger as he had to deal with several lapped cars as well a number of restarts. When it was all said and done, Winebarger crossed the wire in first for his first win of 2019. Towns held on to be the runner-up while Aaron Sheelar was third. The Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods had a good race as Braaten returned to his prime form after winning the track and state titles last season. Braaten obtained the lead on the opening lap. But just like Winebarger, Braaten had to deal with similar factors including restarts, traffic, and a couple of challengers but all in all he managed to maintain his position and win [Read More]

Spring Fling this weekend at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE Grove, Ore. – Despite the wetness of the months of March and April it finally looks as if Cottage Grove Speedway will finally get the first race of 2019 completed this weekend. The famed ¼-mile clay oval kicks things off on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27 with the Spring Fling. Both nights will have the Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods in attendance. Saturday will also have a special intermission activity with an Easter Egg Hunt taking place. Pit gates open at 1 p.m. both days. The front gate opens at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Racing is scheduled to get kicked off around 7 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday.

IMCA Modifieds on lidlifter at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Cottage Grove Speedway gets the new race season started on Saturday, April 20 with and has a special Easter Eggstavaganza (featuring over 2,000 eggs and an appearance by the Easter Bunny at intermission) planned during the night. IMCA Modifieds are on the evening card. Pit gates open at 1 p.m., the front gate opens at 3:30 p.m., time trials are at 5:30 p.m. and racing is scheduled to kick off at approximately 6 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults, seniors, juniors and military are $10, youth ages 6-12 are $5 and children five and under are free. A family pass (two adults and up to four youth) sells for $35. VIP skybox seating is $25 and pit passes are $30.

Braaten collects Willamette, Cottage Grove checkers

By Ben Deatherage CENTRAL POINT, Ore. – It was a fantastic weekend of racing for Jorddon Braaten last Friday and Saturday night as the Central Point, Ore., chauffeur took home the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod winner’s checks on both nights at two different venues. The weekend kicked off July 27 at Willamette Speedway. The night started off by Braaten being third quick and finishing second in the heat. In the main event, Braaten seized the lead after a lap five restart. From there on he simply dominate the field for his fifth win of 2018 at Willamette. “This car is working well and that really make job way easier,” commented Braaten. “The last half of the race I was having fuel pressure problems for some reason but other than that the car handled good and felt really good.” The team traveled south on Saturday to Cottage Grove Speedway on Saturday, where Braaten set quick time in time trials and was the runner-up in his heat race. He patiently worked his way to the front after starting toward the [Read More]

Late race heroics lift Dotson to CGS Wild West Shootout checkers

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (June 26) – Ethan Dotson rolled the dice and came up a $1,000 Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout winner Tuesday at Cottage Grove Speedway. Four-time and defending tour champion Jesse Williamson quickly got to the front at the start of the main event and looked to make it two straight wins at the famed quarter-mile oval. Williamson set a rapid pace and seemed to be the class of the field before an extremely long green flag run brought lapped traffic into the mix. Danny Lauer reeled in Williamson and looked to challenge, but couldn’t quite get underneath the leader. A lap 33 caution regrouped the field one last time. On the restart, Williamson went to the bottom to keep Lauer in check. Dotson, however, gambled on the high side. Williamson and Dotson were side-by-side at the line coming to the white flag and battled it out on the final circuit. Dotson managed to motor his way in front and secure the top spot on the exit of turn two. Already on the Fast [Read More]

Defending champion is fourth different Wild West Modified Shootout winner

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (June 25) – The latest installment of the 2018 Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout ended with the fourth different winner in as many events. Four-time and defending tour champion Jesse Williamson topped Monday’s feature at Cottage Grove Speedway. The $1,000 victory was his tour career 11th and third at Cottage Grove, and came despite the best efforts of challenger Bricen James. The new Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot candidate seized the early lead and took off right from the get-go. Williamson was tracked down and passed on lap 14 by James, who lost the lead to Williamson on the following circuit. Shortly after a lap 21 restart, James made a pass Williamson again and the battled hard the rest of the way. Williamson regained the coveted top spot on lap 26 and held off James at the line for the victory. James was followed across the stripe by John Campos, “B” qualifier Grey Ferrando and Curtis Towns was fifth. Forty entries from five states and Canada necessitated three consolation features. The Wild [Read More]

Ashley is IMCA Modified winner at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (April 21) – Eric Ashley became the winner of Saturday’s IMCA Modified feature at Cottage Grove Speedway. Albert Gill was out front early before a multi-car tangle brought about an early pause to the action. Aaron Sheelar became the new leader on lap six and there he would remain for some time. Sheelar was passed on lap 16 by C.J. Putnam who was first to the checkers. He came up light on the post-race scales, however, giving the win to Ashley. Sheelar ended the evening second over Braedon Hand. Tyler Smith crossed the line in fourth ahead of Rob Mayea.