5/29/2019
Willamette Speedway
Historic Strawberry Cup Weekend Is Next For Willamette Speedway; Grand Parade Saturday Morning
Historic Strawberry Cup Weekend Is Next For Willamette Speedway; Grand Parade Saturday Morning
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Doc’s Photos)
Lebanon, Oregon- Willamette Speedway is gearing up for the most historic race on the 2019 schedule, the Strawberry Cup. This race, in its 58th edition, predates the facility itself and began in 1961 at the old Lebanon Meadows horse track. The event coincides with the annual Strawberry Festival in downtown Lebanon featuring a parade, carnival, a 5K run, country fair with food and vendors, live bands, and much more. Race teams will be participating in the Grand Parade on Saturday, June 1st, at 11:00 AM. For more information and times for the festival visit www.lebanonstrawberryfestival.com/.
For racing, Friday, May 31st, kicks things off with Super Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Sportsman, and Hornets. Saturday, June 1st, will have the return of the Late Models, Mods, and Sport Mods as well as the Super Sports and Street Stocks. Then everything will all wrap up on Sunday, the 2nd, with the Valley Wide UTV Shootout Series.
Joey Tanner has dominated the Super Late Models as the man with the most points and victories. Tanner is a perfect five for five in 2019. In the IMCA Modified ranks Bricen James has won the last three straight races while Grey Ferrando has one triumph to his name. B.J. Donofrio has managed to conquer the Super Sport division in the last three consecutive weeks with James Slover and Randy Barley boasting one win each. In IMCA Sport Mod competition Jorddon Braaten was the winner of the lone race so far in the new campaign.
Tom Yeack has picked up the most victories in the Sportsman class this season, with three. Jeff Rash and Kent Emery both have just a single win to their credit thus far. Justin Evans is the only driver to have visited victory lane twice in the Street Stocks. Single race victors include Kelly McDonald, Kevin Roberts, and David Cronk. In the Hornets, Eddie Farness is on a bit of a hot streak by parking his mount in victory lane the last three races while Graig Osborne has just one win so far.
Tickets on Friday are $14.00 for General Admission, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Kids (5 or Under) FREE with Racing starting at 6:00 PM. On Saturday tickets are $14.00 for Adults, Seniors (62+)/Military/Juniors (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Kids (5 or Under) FREE. A Family Pass (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) is offered for $35.00 while Pit Passes are $30.00 each. Pit Gates open at 1:00, Front Gates 4:00, and Opening Ceremonies at 5:00. General Admission for the UTV event on Sunday is FREE with Practice at Noon and Racing at 2:00 PM. For more information on upcoming news and information be sure to check out www.willamettespeedway.org or the track’s Facebook page.
Past Strawberry Cup Winners:
Super Dirt Late Models
1999- David Hawkes
2000- Greg Walters
2001- Bob Boyd
2002- Trevor Glaser
2003- Tim Zeller
2004- Trevor Glaser
2005- Bruce Hipple
2006- Jimmy Whisler
2007- Craig Hanson
2008- Trevor Glaser
2009- Rick Wyatt
2010- Jeremy Shank
2011- Trevor Glaser
2012- Jeremy Shank
2013- Trevor Glaser
2014- Rob Mayea
2015- Rob Mayea
2016- Collen Winebarger
2017- Collen Winebarger
2018- Casey Vitale
IMCA Modifieds
2008- Rob Mayea
2009- Jesse Williamson
2010- Dustin Cady
2011- Dustin Cady
2012- Dustin Cady
2013- Jesse Williamson
2014- Jeremy Shank
2015- Jeremy Shank
2016- Matthew Drager
2017- Bricen James
2018- Dustin Cady
Super Sports
2004- Glen Hackney
2005- Bob Kingsberry
2006- David Cronk
2007- James Slover
2008- Russ Sell
2009- Rick Wyatt
2010- Tim Debban
2013- Gil Pickett
2014- Bricen James
2015- Gil Pickett
2016- Brian Thompson
2017- Gil Pickett
2018- B.J. Donofrio
Sportsman
2004- David Cronk
2005- Tom Conway
2006- Randy Boyd
2007- Ron Berry
2008- Jason Somer
2009- David Cronk
2010- Dan Kingsberry
2011- Todd Miller
2012- Todd Miller
2014- Glen Hackney
2015- Sandy Sanders
2016- Tom Yeack
2017- James Slover
2018- Ryan Emery
Street Stocks
2005- Erik Jarnport
2006- Ron Shinkle
2007- Erik Jarnport
2008- Bob Kingsberry
2009- Erik Jarnport
2010- Kevin Roberts
2011- Adam Walker
2012- Kyle Yeack
2013- Justin Evans
2014- Kyle Yeack
2015- Kyle Yeack
2016- Chris Sine
2017- Brian Cronk
2018- Justin Evans
IMCA Sport Mods
2018-Jorddon Braaten
2019 Willamette Speedway Sponsors/Marketing Partners:
Anheuser-Busch
Western Beverage
Peterson Cat
Virgil Hanson Automotive Machine
Dig It Fence Company
James Gang Pizza
Rugged Radios
Bar S Motorsports
Knothole Market
OG Collective
Crockers Cars
Les Schwab Tire Centers
Pepsi Co.
Scofield’s Karts & Parts
Boulder Falls Inn
Big Sky Landscaping
Lassen RV & Chevy
KGAL SmartTalk 1580
Hoosier Racing Tires
FinishLine Graphics
Northwest Trucking Academy
Shriners Hospitals For Children
Doc’s Photos
Albany & Eastern Railroad Company
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
