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Duty Debuts New Ride, Lands in Victory Lane.

Cory Penfold
Moxie Media & Promotions

Willamette Speedway got it's third event of the season off without a hitch Saturday night. Under near perfect skies, packed grandstands watched seventy four cars compete in five classes. Hornets, Street Stocks, Super Sports, IMCA Modifieds and the Super Late Models divisions were on the card for Ladies Night.

Hornet division had one entry. Tracy Muse used his track time to gain valuable experience and seat time.

Street Stocks had a full field with 21 entries. Fast qualifier went to Kevin Williamson in his #W7. The Street Stock trophy dash was claimed by Kevin Roberts, his second of the season. Charlie Culpepper, Loren Kruesi and Chris Sine won the heat races. Kruesi won his heat in impressive fashion. He started last in the field and drove to the front in two laps. Chris Sine went to the point and pulled away in his heat to cruise to a win and Culpepper earned his first heat race win of the season.

It was only a matter of time before Jody Tanner parked his #36 camaro in the winners circle and that time was Saturday night. Tanner has been fast all season long and pulling double duty racing in both the Street Stock and Sportsman divisions this season. Saturday he used all that seat time to put together a great drive and collect his first feature of 2016.

Super Sport action started with Dan Dieble turning in fast time. Brian Thompson, Jerry Casey and Randy Barley would join him in the trophy dash. Starting from the outside of the front row, Jerry Casey checked out and made it look easy after leading all four laps and taking home the trophy.

Super Sports had nineteen entries, enough for three heat races. Sean Cronk returned to racing after a two year hiatus from the cockpit. He drove his #29 Raider chassis to the front and never looked back. Cronk won the heat and gained a multitude of confidence. The last visit to Willamette Speedway wasn't so kind to him and he ended up in a head on collision with the turn one wall. To come back and grab a win out of the box was a great thing for the Portland driver.

In the second heat Jordan Wright powered by the field to run away and get his first heat race win of the season. An impressive display that stated he came to race.

In the Final heat for Super Sport action, Brian Winkler put his beautiful #88 on the point and held off the field for the win.

The feature for the Super Sport division had more than one heartbreaking moment. From the green flag Mike Betker shot to the lead and had a great run going. Holding off numerous challenges, it looked like Betker had the car to beat. A caution would fly near the half way point due to oil being laid down on the racing surface. Unfortunately that oil was coming from the lead car of Betker and ended his night early.

Jeff Rash assumed the lead due to Betkers misfortune and just when it looked like Rash was the favorite he took a ride into the turn one wall, went airborne and flipped his Hackney Racing #1 machine. Rash is alright, the car is not.

On the next restart Brian Thompson found something in his #44T Swartz chassis and came to life. Thompson turned it on in the second half, blew by the field and ran away from everyone to collect his first feature of the season.

IMCA Modifieds were in the house with 18 cars entered for competition. One of those entrants made a long haul up Interstate five from Martinez, California. Troy Foulger unloaded and was fast off the trailer. In qualfying Martinez was third fast right behind Matthew Drager and Monte Bischoff. Those three drivers and Kyle Yeack were the dash cars and Foulger jumped to the lead from the outside of the front row. He would lead all four laps and win the dash.

Heat race winners for the modified division were Troy Foulger, Grey Ferrando and Monte Bischoff.

IMCA Modified feature was a good race for the fans in attendance. In what was described by many as the move of the night, Collen Winebarger made a daring move on 47 of Yeack. A text book slide job that put Winebarger up front on a surface he really likes. Winebarger would hold down the point until the checkered flag dropped and collect his first modified feature of the season at Willamette.

Super Late Models saw fifteen cars sign in. When qualifying was complete Joey Tanner sat atop the speed chart. Tanner sitting behind the wheel of his own ride for the first time in 2016 was quick out of the box. He lined up with Rob Mayea, Darren Coffell and Brian Cronk in the dash.

The outside of the front row seemed to be the best starting spot for the dashes. Darren Coffell rocketed to lead and never relinquished it. Coffell won the dash and looked good doing it. He lead all four laps.

Two heat races for the Super Late Models saw Collen Winebarger and Coffell best the fields on the 10 lap sprints.

The Late Model feature was the talk of the night when it was all over.

After the dash the invert was set with the roll of a die on the front stretch. Die showed a three. The invert was the first three rows. The benefactor of that was Justin Duty.

Duty was making his first start of the season at Willamette and landed on the pole next to Kye Frick. Duty was sixth fast in qualifying and with help from the invert, the pole was his.

From the drop of the green it was evident Justin Duty was taking no prisoners. He drove like a man possessed. The cushion was the fast line around the track and that's exactly where Duty was.

After breaking out of traffic Mayea chased Duty on the topside of the track for multiple laps trying to catch him. Slowly reeling him in. Mayea had to feel relief when a caution came and put him on the bumper near the half way point.

With all eyes up front the crowd witnessed two of the best in the Northwest shoot it out. The four time champ Rob Mayea pressured the kid Duty lap after lap. Duty drove a near flawless race to hold off Mayea and add his name to the winners list in 2016.

Justin Duty was spectacular on restarts from late race cautions and held his own in hard earned victory.

This Saturday night is fighting hunger night at Willamette Speedway and anyone who brings a can of food or non perishable item will receive two dollars off their admission price. Bring a can, save some money and help a great cause. General Admission Adults $14, JR/SR/Mil $10, Youth $5, and family pass (2adults and up to 4 youth) $35. Pit Gate opens at 1:00pm, Front Gate at 3:30pm and Racing starting at 6:30pm.

Come join us for the best dirt track racing in the West at Willamette Speedway Saturday night.

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