3/9/2019
Sunset Speedway Park
Bob Valencia Volunteers As New Race Director Of SSP
Bob Valencia Volunteers As New Race Director Of SSP
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of NSP Racing Videos)
Banks, Oregon- In 2019 Sunset Speedway Park will have a new edition in the role of race director. Bob Valencia will be coming aboard the ¼-mile clay oval as a volunteer to help the facility out. However, Valencia is no stranger to running races nor SSP.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity,” said Valencia, “I called Jerry (Schram) up this winter and we were talking about Willamette (Speedway). Then one thing led to the other and I offered to help him out.”
Originally from San Diego, California, Bob grew up in racing. His father raced in the 1960’s and at one time owned and operated a race track in Mexicali. In the 1990’s Bob and his children moved to the Pacific Northwest settling in Washington. He would join the track crew at Grays Harbor Raceway in 1992 and would remain there, in one form or the other, for over twenty years.
“I love Sunset. The facilities are great there, the racers are nice, and the safety and track personnel are top notch. I’ve really enjoyed coming to this place over the years.”
Valencia is still slated to be the race director of the Wild West Modified Shootout in June and will be the guest race director at Southern Oregon Speedway for the Roger Haudenschild Memorial and R. Charles Snyder Memorial events.
“The last couple of years I’ve kind of been on the sidelines and haven’t been too heavily involved. I talked about this option for a while with my wife (Jamie) who has been so support in my racing life. She just kept telling “do what you love” and I’m just so happy to be back in the game.”
On Saturday, March 23rd, racer will have an opportunity to chat with Bob at Schlegel Hall, at Sunset Park, from 1:00-3:00 PM. Drivers can also take care of their registration at that time as well. For more information log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
