3/28/2014
Sunset Speedway Park
Street Stocks Return To SSP With Plenty Of Action In 2014
Street Stocks Return To SSP With Plenty Of Action In 2014
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Jones)
Banks, Oregon- The last few years have seen some great Street Stock action at Sunset Speedway Park. But a common theme has been Craig Loomis emerging as the champion the last three seasons. The Street Stocks are scheduled to race a total of sixteen times. The Street Stocks have a long and storied history at the ¼-mile clay oval and has been dubbed the “backbone” of Sunset Speedway Park.
“I think this year the championship will be wide open,” commented Sunset Speedway Park Race Director Charlie Weaver, “the cars will all be on the Hoosier G60’s so that will put everyone on the same time. It’s a good racing tire and should produce some good shows.”
An event you definitely don’t want to miss is the annual Jim’s Thriftway 100. This race is the crowned jewel of the Street Stocks at the “Banks Bullring” as it will be a main event contested for one-hundred laps. This year’s installment is scheduled for Saturday July 12th.
Of the three consecutive Street Stock titles for Craig Loomis 2013 was his most dominating one by winning a total of five races including the Jim’s Thriftway 100. He started the season off by winning the first two events and then in the last five races he would pick up three wins.
But that’s not taking anything away from other drivers that not only won a race but visited victory lane more than once. That list includes Brian Roden, Marc Farrar, and John Ireland. Tony Catalano was the only driver to achieve just a single victory last season.
2012 saw nine different feature winners in twelve events. Craig Loomis topped the win charts that year with three victories while Tanner Baldwin managed to win two features. Other winners included Danny O’Neil Jr., Jack Parshall, Jeff Lovell, John Ireland, Marc Farrar, Rob Ireland, and Ron Jermann. That year Ron Jermann was the winner of the Jim’s Thriftway 100.
2011 was an interesting year. Craig Loomis was the champion but only won one race. He did manage to do very well in the consistency category by placing in the top five a total of eight times and set quick time eight times as well. Also that season there were six different winners with Randy Allen dominating by winning eight races including Jim’s Thriftway 100. Zack Simpson, Ron Jermann, Tony Catalano, and Zach Freeman were the other feature winners that season. Freeman would win the Northwest Street Stock Nationals during Independence Day weekend at SSP.
Sunset Speedway Park enters the 2014 season with an action packed schedule that you do not want to miss out on. The first event of the season is a test and tune play day scheduled to take place on Saturday April 5th while the first race of the year will be held on the 19th. To get the latest information and read the most recent stories regarding SSP log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Former Sunset Speedway Park Street Stock Champions*
2011- Craig Loomis
2012- Craig Loomis
2013- Craig Loomis
*- this is a partial list of past champions
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
