Area tracks start slowly
As the 2006 racing season rolls toward the starting line in the Spokane area, it does so under dark clouds – one from Mother Nature and another from the courts.
For Stateline Speedway, the track has suffered rainouts in all but one of its first scheduled events.
There is hope to reverse that trend Saturday when the track presents a program of Fever 4’s, Hobby Cars, Street Stocks and the new ICAR Series.
The ICAR series is a new entry-level late model class that runs a more affordable tire and motor combination.
The Post Falls track again offers an aggressive two-night a week schedule through September. Stateline has carved a niche for itself in recent years as a place to view a wide variety of both traveling race series, as well as local competition.
The Inland Northwest Superstock Series is perhaps Stateline’s premiere racing group and will stage 11 races at the track, the first on April 29. They also are the top class for Stateline’s signature event, the Idaho 200, which takes place Aug. 4-6.
Other regular visiting groups include the Early Stocks (opening April 22), Northwest Modifieds (May 6), N.W. Pro Trucks (May 13) and the Late Model Challenge (June 3). The track will also have the vintage Golden Wheels, the Washington Midget Racing Association and others. Stateline’s wildly popular Wednesday Night Fever offers three classes of racing each week and a bargain admission price. Wednesday nights produce both full pits and grandstands.
The situation at Spokane Raceway Park is not as easily solved by a change in weather patterns.
While the facility opened April 1, it is still under the guidance of the court-appointed receiver. The future of the season – and possible the track itself – rests in the hands of a Spokane Superior Court Judge.
In December, the receiver’s report recommended that SRP be closed and its general manager, Orville Moe, be fired. A final ruling is pending on the receiver’s request to close the facility and put it up for sale.
At stake is a weekly program involving both drag and stock car racing and dozens of racers.
Bennett’s wakeup call
When Travis Bennett answered the phone last Sunday it meant a $5,000 payday.
The voice on the other end was that of his dad, Ron, the manager of Yakima Speedway, who had scored a ride for him in the 40th Apple Cup.
The younger Bennett raced from his Ellensburg home, hopped into the seat of a race car he had never seen and then drove it to victory. He beat defending champ B.J. Tidrick in the Northwest’s oldest late-model stock car race.
Bennett took over for Rick Suran, who decided not to race.
Pit stops
The Spokane Kart Racing Association kicks off its season Saturday at the Spokane Motorsports Complex with the group’s first points race. Racing begins at noon and admission is free in the spectator area.