Photo provided/JRP Racing Photos
Once again the Late Models and Hornets played the role as support divisions on Saturday, July 13 as the Western Sprint Tour was in the house for Speedweek Northwest 2019.
Both races were entertaining, with each having multiple passes for the lead. Around 22 Hornets and 12 Late Models were in attendance.
The Hornet main event witnessed Cottage Grove’s Kerry Cooper take control of the lead early. Cooper held down the position until shortly after a lap 10 restart. Eugene’s Brad Moffett, winner of the previous night, took over the role as trailblazer on lap 11.
Moffett appeared to have the entire field covered until the white flag lap when Mark Milligan passed him on the front straightaway. Milligan held everyone off to win his second race of the season.
Moffett was second and behind him was Veneta’s Josh Linville, placing third. Jim Simmons, of Cottage Grove, was fourth and Florence racer LeRoy Rockwell was fifth to round out the top five.
The Late Models class was the last division to run their feature. Toledo native Jordan Wright paced the field on the first lap only to lose the coveted position to Craig Hanson. Hanson, representing the mid-valley city of Albany, dominated for much of the main event.
On lap 25 a caution occurred, bunching the field up one last time. On the ensuing restart, Kye Frick stepped up to the first division and passed Hanson for the lead on lap 26. Frick would check out the rest of the distance, earning the Sweet Home pilot his second straight Late Model victory at CGS.
Hanson ended his evening as the runner-up while Brian Smith, now living in Sweet Home, crossed the wire in third for car owner Jerry Casey. Chuck Christian, of Eugene, grabbed fourth with fifth going to Josh Sim, from Lebanon.
Cottage Grove Speedway is next in action with Kage Karts on Friday, July 19 after quite a bit of time off. Then, on Saturday, July 20, the Wall of Fame Class of 2019 will be inducted at the Curt Deatherage Memorial Historical Night. Classes on the card include the Todd’s Auto Body Sprint Cars, Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks and Hornets.
IfYouGo:
WHAT: Kage Karts
WHEN: Friday, July 19/ Pit Gates open 3 p.m., Pit Meeting 6 p.m. (Hot Laps/Racing to follow)
TICKETS: General Admission is free, Pit Passes $10, Car/Driver Entry $35.
WHAT: Curt Deatherage Memorial Night/Wall of Fame Induction, Todd’s Auto Body Sprint Cars, Mohawk Metal IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks, Hornets
WHEN: Saturday, July 20. Pit Gates open 1 p.m., Front Gates 3:30 p.m., Time Trials 5:30 p.m., racing 6 p.m.
TICKETS: $13 for Adults, Seniors/Juniors/Military $10, Youths (6-12) $5, Children (5 & under), free. Family Pass (2 Adults and up to 4 Youths) $35, VIP Skybox Seating $25, Pit Passes $30.
MORE INFO: cottagegrovespeedway.com
