7/27/2019
Willamette Speedway
Tanner Holmes Wins Friday ISCS Event At Willamette; Bricen James And Brian Cronk Also Collect Victories
Tanner Holmes Wins Friday ISCS Event At Willamette; Bricen James And Brian Cronk Also Collect Victories
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy JRP Race Photos)
Lebanon, Oregon- Race fans at Willamette Speedway were delighted to an impressive spectacle of racing on Friday, July 26th. The Lebanon 1/3-mile hosted the return of the Interstate Sprint Car Series along with the IMCA Modifieds and the Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Stock Car Series. Forty-three cars filled the pit area with teams traveling from all over Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho.
The ISCS main event was a thriller. Jake Wheeler, of Central Point and racing for car owner Ron Osborne, paced the field for the vast majority of the race. Lapped traffic proved to be a crucial part of who would win the race. Wheeler battled with Harrisburg’s Tyler Thompson but managed to keep Thompson in check.
After a lap seventeen restart both Wheeler and Thompson dueled one another in open racetrack. The two even exchanged a series of slide jobs on the green flag run. Unfortunately, the two would tangle on lap twenty, putting both cars out of action. Tanner Holmes would inherit the lead. Holmes, from Jacksonville, went on to hold off the competition to win for the first time with ISCS at Willamette and his second career ISCS Series victory.
Kinzer Cox, of Cottage Grove, finished in second while Roseburg’s Steven Snawder ended his evening in third. Shane Forte, from Junction City, placed fourth over fifth finishing Ricky Ashley out of Thurston.
In IMCA Modified competition Paul Rea showed the way early. The Eugene veteran remained out in front for the first five laps before being overtaken. Bricen James, of Albany, took the top position on lap six and remained there for the rest of the distance. The only thing to slow him down was the four cautions that followed while out in front. Each time racing resumed, Bricen managed to master the restarts.
It marked the fourth occasion that Bricen James has won at Willamette in 2019 against the IMCA Modifieds. Albany’s Dustin Cady, racing in his twin brother Justin’s entry, was the runner-up over Curtis Towns, of Cottage Grove, in third. The rest of the top five consisted of Paul Rea, in fourth, followed by Loren Kruesi, from Jefferson, in fifth.
Finally, the Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Stock Car Series had a great main event. Jack Parshall, of Hoquiam, Washington, blazed the trail in the first two circuits before being passed by Ron Brewster. Brewster, now residing in Spokane, Washington, would dominate but a late caution on lap twenty-one bunched the field right up.
On the restart Brewster, Jeremy Brookshire, and Brian Cronk went three-wide for the lead. Unfortunately for Brewster, he would get together with another car resulting in his vehicle coming to a halt. The top place position then went to Brian Cronk. Cronk remained the pacesetter for the balance of the distance to win his first career Big Sky Landscaping IMCA Stock Car Series victory. The Portland pilot, Cronk, became the fourth different driver to win at Willamette with the tour this season.
Jeremy Brookshire, of Eagle Creek, finished second over third finishing Sean Gentry, from Lafayette. Lebanon’s Kyle Yeack was fourth with Kevin Roberts, of Gresham, rounding up the top five, in fifth.
Willamette Speedway isn’t done racing this weekend yet as they will return for the Rick Barnes Memorial on Saturday, July 27th. Classes on the card for Saturday evening include the Super Sports, IMCA Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, and Hornets.
Front Gates open at 4:00 PM and Racing at starts at 5:00. 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 with a Family Pass (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) available for $35.00
2019 Willamette Speedway Sponsors/Marketing Partners:
Anheuser-Busch
Western Beverage
Peterson Cat
Virgil Hanson Automotive Machine
Dig It Fence Company
Donofrio’s Skyline Ford
Jeff King Contracting
James Gang Pizza
Wilson’s Napa Auto Parts
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
