sunsetspeedwaypark Archives

2025 IMCA Wild West Speedweek Set for Seven Races in Eight Nights Across Oregon

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 22, 2025) — The best of the West will once again converge in the Pacific Northwest as the 2025 edition of IMCA Wild West Speedweek returns for a thrilling stretch of racing from June 14 through June 21, featuring seven races at six tracks over eight nights, all within the borders of Oregon for the first time in several years. The tour opens Saturday, June 14 at Southern Oregon Speedway, then heads northwest to Coos Bay Speedway for a two-night stay on June 15 and 16. The action continues Tuesday, June 17 at the Douglas County Dirt Track, followed by a midweek break on Wednesday, June 18, for a Pit Party at Cottage Grove Speedway. The engines fire back up on Thursday, June 19, at Cottage Grove, then roll into Willamette Speedway on Friday, June 20, before the grand finale at Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday, June 21. This year’s tour features Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Speedweek has been sanctioned [Read More]

Ferrando shines at Sunset Speedway’s Mod Frenzy

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (Aug. 10, 2024) – The event at Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday, Aug. 10, was significant, attracting a large field of Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds for the third running of the Whisler Construction Mod Frenzy, with a cool $3,000 on the line. The 40-lap finale for Modifieds was a thrilling spectacle. Multi-time defending track champion Craig Cassell immediately seized the top spot, setting the stage for an intense battle. Cassell had to put up a hard fight on the initial start when he went three-wide with Grey Ferrando and Bricen James. As Cassell secured the lead, Ferrando held off James for second before concentrating his efforts on running down the leader. Ferrando, determined to secure the lead, worked the inside line on the fifth circuit as Cassell kept his faith on the top shelf. The two dueled for quite some time with no clear advantage to either party, showcasing their unwavering determination and skill. Things would take a twist when lapped traffic entered the mix on lap 18. Using [Read More]

James, Berkeley, Bloom win IMCA Wild West Speedweek finales

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (June 22, 2024) – The sun set Saturday on the IMCA Wild West Speedweek, with final night feature wins at Sunset Speedway Park going to Bricen James, Chase Berkeley and Aaron Bloom. Tour champions in those divisions would be Collen Winebarger, Berkeley and Matt Sanders. The Modified finale had Carter Patterson in control on the initial start but Devon Reed had plans and was in the lead by lap five. Another exciting race unfolded for third as Grey Ferrando battled Tyler Smith. What proved to be the only caution of the contest came on lap seven. The event stayed green for the remaining 28 circuits around the quarter-mile clay oval. Patterson tried to retrieve the lead from Reed and Craig Cassell entered the picture after securing third from Ferrando on lap 10. Reed kept Patterson at bay but in a sudden turn of events, three-time defending and six-time Banks Bullring track champion Cassell, pulled alongside, then edged out Reed for the top spot on lap 12 and began to pull [Read More]

Matt Jenner wins Battle at the Border at Banks

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (May 11, 2024) – Sunset Speedway Park got its 2024 opening night in the books on Saturday with Friesen Performance IMCA Modified entries from Oregon and Washington duking it out at the Banks Bullring. Veteran Don Jenner took off on the initial start. The Vancouver, Wash., native maintained a significant lead during a 13-lap green flag run. However, the race took a dramatic turn on the 15th circuit. As he approached lapped traffic, a slower car collided with Jenner, sending both to the infield. Fortunately, Jenner was able to drive away, but the incident significantly altered the course of the race as Jenner was piloting a wounded chariot. On the ensuing restart, he was eventually overtaken by another Jenner family member, Matt. Also from Vancouver, Wash., Matt Jenner dealt with several cautions and challenges from potentially overtaking him. Jenner led the rest of the distance to win the Battle of the Border for his native state of Washington. Chaz Wilder made the trip from Elma, Wash., well worth it as he managed to [Read More]

Wild West Shootout takes IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods to Oregon, Washington venues

WHITE CITY, Ore. (June 10, 2022) – Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds return to the top of the marquee for the June 17-25 Wild West Shootout. One thousand dollar top checks and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility go to Modified feature winners June 17 at Southern Oregon Speedway in White City; June 18 and June 21 at Cottage Grove Speedway; June 19 and 20 at Coos Bay Speedway; June 23 at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon; and June 24 at Sunset Speedway in Banks. The June 25 finale doubles as the Modified Clash at Grays Harbor Raceway and pays $2,000 to win. Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods run for $400 to win each of those dates while IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars run for $400 each night June 17-23 and for $1,000 to win and B & B Racing Chassis All-Star qualifying eligibility in their finale at Sunset. All eight race programs will be broadcast by IMCA.TV and information about the Wild West Shootout will be updated on Facebook. Pit gates open at 1 p.m. with hot [Read More]

Winebarger scores third Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout win at SSP

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (Aug. 13) – The third different leader raced to his third feature win in seven Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout starts Friday at Sunset Speedway Park. Collen Winebarger got the best of a 23-car IMCA Modified field at Banks Bullring, earning $1,000 for his career 11th series triumph. Jake Mayden led the field at the start of the 40-lap main event and remained the pacesetter until lap five, when Greg Walters overtook him. Winebarger chased down Walters after one of seven restarts and took control of the top spot on lap 15, dealing with any lapped traffic and leading the rest of the way. Mayden rallied to end the race second while Grey Ferrando placed third. Greg Walters took home fourth while the top five was completed by Craig Cassell in fifth. The Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods had their final night alongside the Wild West Modified Tour. The 25-lap main event saw Dustin Comer take the lead from Michael Melton by the completion of the second circuit. Comer dominated the [Read More]

Cassell scores huge victory in Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout at Banks

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (Aug. 12) – A frequent visitor to victory lane at Sunset Speedway Park raced to a huge win Thursday night at the Banks Bullring. Craig Cassell’s fifth win of the season at SSP was also his career first in Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout action and the $1,000 checkers make him eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. When the initial green flag flew for the 40-lap main event, Cassell got right to the point and then had no issue with lapped traffic when he approached it. Toward the end of the race, Cassell began to feel pressure from behind. Collen Winebarger briefly challenged but Cassell kept him in check. Winebarger threw a slider on Cassell with a few laps to go, which Cassell countered with a cross-over maneuver. Jesse Williamson wound up second, with third going to Winebarger. Aaron Elwess placed fourth, followed by Eston Whisler in fifth. For the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods, the 25-lap main event began with Chris Frisbie grabbing the point and holding [Read More]

Wild West Modified Shootout returns, IMCA.TV to broadcast Aug. 6-14 series

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]

IMCA Stock Car Firecracker 100 winner gets $5,000, then enjoys fireworks display at Sunset

BANKS, Ore. – The winner of Sunset Speedway’s inaugural Firecracker 100 for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars takes $5,000 to the bank. The 100-lap special brings the curtain down on the Sunday, July 4 special, the top-paying event in the history of the Banks track. The winner also earns an automatic starting spot in the B & B Chassis All-Star race. No entry fee will be charged and pit passes are $40. The number of heats and ‘B’ features will be determined by car count. Spectator admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, military and juniors ages 13-17, $8 fort youth ages 6-12 and free for five and under. A family pass (two adults and up to four youth) is $55. And as could be expected from the name of the event, a fireworks display follows the pictures and interviews from victory lane. IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars also run on the weekly card Saturday, July 3 at Sunset Speedway Park. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., the grandstand opens at 4 p.m., hot laps [Read More]

Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Stock Car Series ventures to Sunset

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. – The Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Sunoco Stock Car Series heads to Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday, Sept. 14. It is the final time the group will pay a visit to the historic ¼-mile Banks Bullring. The tour already has been to SSP on four occasions. In four visits there have been three different winners at Sunset. Kevin Roberts is the only driver to have bested the competition twice while Jerry Schram and Donald Schott are both one-time winners. Brian Cronk has been a man on a mission as he has won three of the last four series features. With the track championship on the line, there is an incredible battle to be waged. Sean Gentry and Roberts are tied while Ron Brewster is back by four points and Arnie Case six. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $10 for seniors, military and juniors ages 13-17, youth ages 6-12 are $5 and five and under are free. A family pass (two adults and up to four youth) is $35 while [Read More]