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Winebarger, Mott, Braatan, Gentry, And Corley Collect First Willamette Wins Of Season

Winebarger, Mott, Braatan, Gentry, And Corley Collect First Willamette Wins Of Season
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Doc’s Photos)
Lebanon, Oregon- Willamette Speedway would finally record their first race of the 2018 campaign in the record books on Saturday, April 21st. The historic 1/3-mile clay oval would have five exciting classes on tap to give race fans a cure to their offseason withdrawls. Divisions included the IMCA Modifieds, Super Sports, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, and Hornets.

In IMCA Modified competition after a caution filled opening, Dustin Cady would reign supreme early on. The Albany driver would stay out in front until Corbett’s Collen Winebarger reeled him in. Winebarger would have to hold off a hard charging Bricen James, also out of Albany, before crossing the wire to claim his first win at Willamette in 2018.

Bricen James was second followed by Stayton’s Grey Ferrando, in third. The balance of the top five would consist of fourth finishing Kevin Roberts, of Gresham, and Albany’s Craig Cassell, in fifth.

The Super Sports would witness Chris Mott taking care of business. The Salem chauffeur obtained the lead early but would have to hold off challenges from both Scio veteran Steve Moore and Toledo’s Jordan Wright. Unfortunately, both fell victim to mechanical issues allowing Mott to go on to conquer the field.

B.J. Donofrio, also hailing from the capital city of Salem, was second while third went to Lebanon’s James Slover. Albany ace Randy Barley ended his evening in fourth followed by Alan Elkins, from the Salem vicinity, in fifth.

The IMCA Sport Mod field would be filled largely by outside invaders from both Cottage Grove and Southern Oregon Speedways to put on some incredible action. Mike Medel, out of Medford, got to the front early but would be swarmed by Phoenix youngster Justin McCreadie and Central Point’s Jorddon Braaten. The three of them would put on a breathtaking show in which the balance of the race could be decided at any instant. But by lap twenty-one Braaten had made his way through to the lead and there he would remain the rest of the way.

Mike Medel managed to finish second while Justin McCreadie got third. Jayson Nelson, of Springfield, finished fourth while the top five was completed with fifth finishing Dwayne Melvin, of Medford.

The IMCA Stock Cars made their official debut for the first time ever. Brad Gentry, of Lafayette, would win the main event. Kevin Roberts, who was pulling double duty, was second.

Last but not least were the Hornets. Josh Corley, hailing from Westfir, was the force to beat. Corley would show a lot of speed and his only bump in the road would be heavy lapped traffic. He managed to make a decisive move in the later stages, going three-wide, and went on to win it.

James “Opie” Donaldson, of Dexter, was the runner-up over Salem’s Devon Traslavina, in third. Tahlan Rogers, of Albany, got fourth, over Springifeld ace K.C. Scott, in fifth.

Willamette Speedway returns to racing on Saturday, April 28th. Classes in action include the Super Late Models, Super Sports, Sportsman, and Hornets.

Pit Gates open at 1:00 PM, Front Gates 3:30, and Racing at 6:00. Tickets are $14.00 for Adults, Junior/Military/Senior $10.00, Youth (6-12) $5.00, 5 and Under FREE, and a Family Pass (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) $35.00. For more information log on to www.trophymotorsports.com.

Race Results:
2018 Season Opener
Saturday, April 21st, 2018
Willamette Speedway
Lebanon, Oregon

IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. S-Collen Winebarger; 2. 13-Bricen James; 3. V13-Grey Ferrando; 4. 88-Kevin Roberts; 5. 25K-Craig Cassell; 6. 6M-Justin Cady; 7. 12-Derrick Young; 8. 48-Aaron Elwess; 9. 36M-Shaun Mayea; 10. 36-John Campos; 11. 387-Chance Hyser; 12. 23K-Kersey Ferrando; 13. 31-Loren Kruesi; 14. 7-Dustin Cady; 15. 24-Curtis Towns; 16. 66-Doug Lockwood; 17. 2G-James Welshonse; 18. 21A-Matthew Drager; 19. 34-Mark Gaylord

Super Sports
A-Feature: 1. 16-Chris Mott; 2. 99-B.J. Donofrio; 3. 77S-James Slover; 4. 13B-Randy Barley; 5. 45-Alan Elkins; 6. 17-Vahn Stone; 7. 30-Robert Mercer; 8. 33-Jordan Wright; 9. 55-Dave Miller; 10. 36-Jody Tanner; 11. 46-Doug Elkins; 12. 17-McLain Beaudoin; DNS 75-Darryl Blanchard

Steve Moore drove the #36 for Jody Tanner

IMCA Sport Mods
A-Feature: 1. 84-Jorddon Braaten; 2. 30M-Mike Medel; 3. 15JT-Justin McCreadie; 4. 51N-Jayson Nelson; 5. 69-Dwayne Melvin; 6. 26-Art Hiatt; 7. 31-Brandon Fox; 8. 24-Steve Hopkins; 9. 99C-Doug Coffman; 10. 98W-Mike Wilcox; 11. 25P-Braxton Possinger; 12. 60J-Jordan Henry; 13. 01-Daniel Ray; 14. 1-Bruce Ray; 15. 29-Buddy McHargue

IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. 2G-Brad Gentry; 2. 88-Kevin Roberts

Hornets
A-Feature: 1. 7C-Josh Corley; 2. 0-Opie Donaldson; 3. 21T-Devon Traslavina; 4. 32-Tahlen Rogers; 5. 30-K.C. Scott; 6. 4AG-Joey Elwess; 7. 13-Travis Hillsman; 8. 11-John Bussell; 9. 44-Cailyn Farness

2018 Willamette Speedway Supporters:
Buzz Mitchell Farms
Crockers Cars
Les Schwab Tire Centers
Xtreme Motorsports
Pepsi Co.
Scofield’s Karts & Parts
Boulder Falls Inn
Big Sky Landscaping
AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care of Corvallis, Newport, and Lebanon
Lassen RV & Chevy
KGAL SmartTalk 1580
James Gang Pizza
Schram Brothers Excavating
Hoosier Racing Tires
DriverWebsites.com
High Octane Diecast
FinishLine Graphics
Northwest Trucking Academy
CoEnergy Propane
Napa Auto Parts
Shriners Hospitals For Children
Knot Hole Market
Left Coast Motorsports
Bar S Motorsports
Coors Light Racing
Doc’s Photos
Albany & Eastern Railroad Company

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