sunsetspeedwaypark Archives

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]

Roberts wins second Stock Car series race at SSP

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (Aug. 3) – Kevin Roberts took care of business when the Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Sunoco Stock Car Series returned to Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday. The 40-lap main event started with Roberts seizing the top position from the get-go. Kevin had to fend off a handful of notable challenges but checked each of them. Roberts managed each restart and went on to his second career Big Sky Landscaping Stock Car Series victory. It is also the second occasion he has managed to triumph at Sunset this year with the tour. Sean Gentry was a close second over Jack Parshall. The Big Sky Landscaping Stock Car Series next heads to Willamette Speedway on Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31 for a doubleheader weekend.

IMCA Stock Car Series returns to Sunset Speedway Park

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. – The inaugural season of the Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Sunoco Stock Car Series is back in action at Sunset Speedway Park this Saturday, Aug. 3. The tour has ventured to the Banks Bullring on three occasions in 2019 and has seen three different winners. Jerry Schram, Kevin Roberts, and Donald Schott are the three SSP winners this year. Overall, Schram is tied for most wins with Sean Gentry with two wins each. However, Schram is the only driver to have two wins at two different tracks. Roberts, Schott, Dakota Godard and Brian Cronk all have won with the series once during the current campaign. It will be Kids’ Night at Banks, which means that children ages 12 and under get in free. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and seniors, military and juniors ages 13-17 are $10. A family pass (two adults and up to four youth ages 6-12 is $35 while premium seats are available for $25 each. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. and front gates open [Read More]

Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout cut short due to curfew

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. – The track crew of Sunset Speedway Park battled the weather Wednesday, June night, but the curfew came before the scheduled Wild West IMCA Modified Shootout main event could be started. The feature will be held at the end of the night at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon on Friday, June 28. There will be no racing tonight (Thursday) but Willamette Speedway will host a driver appreciation party, presented by FinishLine Graphics. Thirty-nine cars made the journey to Sunset Speedway Park, representing Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and North Dakota as well as British Columbia The starting lineup for Friday’s makeup event will be: Row 1, Collen Winebarger; Travis Peery. Row 2, John Campos; Jimmy Lipke. Row 3, Grey Ferrando; Geoff Morris. Row 4, Jeffrey Hudson; Justin Foux. Row 5, Kellen Chadwick; Eston Whisler. Row 6, Brad Martin; Jerry Schram. Row 7, Greg Walters; Bricen James. Row 8, Jake Pike; Jeff Lovell. Row 9, Matt Jenner; Lawrence O’Connor. Row 10, Paul Rea; Duane Orsburn. Row 11, Steve Moore; Mike Sweere.

Sunset Speedway Park readies for April 20 Discount Days opener

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. – After last week’s disappointing rainout things are looking to finally get underway on Saturday, April 20, at Sunset Speedway Park. The Banks Bullring has a full card of racing and will feature a special admission price with $5 for one general admission ticket or $8 for two. Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods will be featured regularly at SSP after only hosting a couple of races last year and will crown a champion for the first time since 2017. Drivers and fans are encouraged to check the track website/Facebook page for weather updates. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. and front gates open at 4 p.m., with racing kicking off at 6 p.m. A family pass (two adults and up to four youth) is offered for $35 while premium seats are available for $25 each. For more information log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.

Williamson becomes first to repeat in Wild West Shootout

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (June 27) – The driver with the most Wild West Shootout career wins to his credit became the first repeat winner in the 2018 IMCA Modified tour Wednesday at Sunset Speedway Park. Four-time and defending champion Jesse Williamson topped the Banks show, and earned $1,000 for his career 12th victory. He’d also won on June 25 at Cottage Grove Speedway. John Campos seized the top spot at the drop of the green flag and remained in front until lap five, when Bricen James made it around him. James had the car to beat but unfortunately suffered mechanical issues while under caution on lap 22 and Campos inherited the lead. Williamson made the crucial pass on Campos on lap 27 to become the third different leader of the race. He stayed in front to the finish to win for the fourth time at Sunset Speedway Park. Campos was second followed by Ethan Dotson. Collecting fourth was Grey Ferrando while fifth went to Collen Winebarger. Feature results – 1. Jesse Williamson; 2. [Read More]

Sunset ignites the engines this Saturday

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. – The 2018 racing season will officially start this Saturday, April 14 at Sunset Speedway Park. IMCA Modifieds will challenge at Banks Bullring for IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Larry Shaw Race Cars Western Region, Oregon State and track points. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. and the front gate opens at 4 p.m. Racing is at 6:30 p.m. Race Director Justin Thomas says there are only a couple of differences from last year but for the most part everything will remain the same. “Mike Watson will be back in the flagstand this year,” commented Thomas. “I will be up in the tower help running the RACEceivers. At practice we had a great turnout and the track was beautiful, which I think is a good sign for the season to come.” Tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for seniors, military and juniors ages 13-17. A family pass (two adults and up to four youth) is $35 while premium seats are $25 each. For more information log onto www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.