Doug Pace: Spokane County Raceway welcomes popular nitro cars
One word gets drag racing fans amped up more than any other – nitro.
This weekend, Spokane County Raceway brings two days of Nitro Funny Car racing to the quarter-mile in Airway Heights along with the return of the Summit Drag Racing Series.
The stars of the region’s Alcohol Dragster and Pro Comp dragster ranks will also be on hand to tackle the strip during the weekend event.
The biggest draw is the fire-breathing Funny Cars and the Alcohol Dragsters that make passes on the quarter-mile within a blink of an eye. Often running the strip in less than 7 seconds, SCR has long been home to some of the fastest times of any quarter-mile in the Northwest.
Competitors in the Summit Series represent SCR’s weekly racing program throughout the season. Being part of a high-profile event such as the nitro races should increase the car count in the action-packed series.
Divisions in the Summit Series include Super Pro, Motorcycles, Pro Eliminator, Sportsman, Powder Puff and High School Drags.
Info: spokanecountyraceway.com.
Lind combines return for destruction
It’s a tradition like nothing the country has witnessed when it comes to motorsports – the 30th Annual Lind Combine Demolition Derby.
For three decades, the farm implements that once graced the fields of the Inland Northwest only to fall victim to father time or advances in technology have been converted into racing machines.
The event attracts a dedicated fan base along with those interested in seeing an alternative to the more traditional automobile carnage.
Organized by the Lind Lion’s Club as one of the biggest tourist attractions in Adams County, more than 5,000 spectators take in the event.
This year’s also features an automobile demo derby on Friday night and wraps up on Sunday afternoon with a soapbox derby at Smart’s Hill.
Competitors in the Lind Combine Derby are like any other driver.
Pushing for glory and trophies is nice, but for this unique style of motorsports an attractive payout to the top three is an added reason to convert a combine into a stunning piece of racing hardware. Style is also part of the game as combines are displayed for fan support in a best-decorated contest.
Additional festivities include grain truck and pickup racing inside the Lind Arena. Parking for RVs, a midday BBQ in City Park will also be available this weekend. Tickets or info: lindwa.com.
Stateline chases heat up
Stateline Speedway’s weekly program returns on Saturday night featuring Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Legends. Each division has plenty of intrigue with new faces atop the championship standings three races into the season.
Last season’s Late Model Rookie of the Year, Tyler Brown, leads Vance Reynolds in the chase for the 2017 title. David Garber, reigning champion of the division, sits in third place with Rob Vinning and Lucas Bird rounding out the top five.
Garber, Braeden Havens and Alex Ludeman have won the main events this season. All three will be out this weekend to double their win totals.
Montana’s Brock Denney, who has had success in Bandoleros, Super Stocks and Late Models, is using his skills to perfection in Stateline’s Legends class as he leads the points standings over defending champion Haeden Plybon.
Earning top points in three of the season’s first four races, Denney has built a 25-point lead on Plybon with Alex Bartlett holding down third. Plybon and Bartlett are separated by five points heading into the weekend’s racing.
Aaron Nevers, who has been Stateline’s Hobby Stock division king for many seasons, including 2016 en route to a dominant championship, finds himself trailing three drivers in the chase for this season’s crown. Bryer Reynolds, Aaron Clanton and Mark Loudin run first through third in the standings with Nevers 16 points out of first place.