2nd Annual R Charles Snyder Salute Brings Best Competition To Southern Oregon Speedway Saturday Night
White City, Oregon…The biggest race of the season is on the schedule at Southern Oregon Speedway this Saturday and Sunday nights. It is the Second Annual R Charles Snyder Salute, paying tribute to the long time radio DJ and racing announcer. Competing divisions include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, Southern Oregon Dwarf Cars and a Sunday appearance by the Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks.
For over 40 years, Snyder was a popular radio DJ in the Medford area. Through the years, he also announced at the old Medford Speedway, Siskiyou Motor Speedway and Southern Oregon Speedway. He lent his voice to different causes to help people within the community and also promoted some big concerts through the years. When he passed away in 2015, many people mourned his loss.
Under the management of KJE Enterprises, Southern Oregon Speedway wanted to have a special race to honor Snyder and reached out to his son Travis to schedule the first event last year. Travis, who like his father has been a leader in helping people in the community, was moved by the gesture. He also stepped in to help bring in some sponsors for the big Modified show. During the big two day weekend, the scoring tower was dedicated as the R Charles Snyder Memorial Race Tower.
Travis Snyder, joined by Travis Hoppes and Claudia Linker, has worked to bring in sponsorship to increase the IMCA Modified and IMCA Sport Modified purse money again this year. The drivers will also compete for lap money. In both Main Events, if you lead a lap, you get $10 per lap. Also, there will be an R Charles Snyder Salute t-shirt available this weekend. This will be an event that Charles would surely be proud of.
Once again, the IMCA Modifieds will be racing for $5,000 to win on Sunday. The IMCA Sport Modified payoff has been increased to $2,000 to win this year. Already, there are over 40 confirmed Sport Modified drivers coming to compete, and the list of entries planning to race in the IMCA Modified portion of the show is approaching 40.
Last season, Troy Foulger picked up the $5,000 paycheck in what was his biggest win. He beat Mark Wauge for the win. Seven-time Southern Oregon Speedway champion Wauge is hoping this will be his year. He had his hands full holding off Bobby Hogge IV to get that second place finish. Hogge has won some of the biggest races up and down the West Coast throughout his decorated career and would have to be considered the driver to beat this weekend.
Bakersfield Speedway star Robby Sawyer will be making his first appearance at Southern Oregon Speedway. Sawyer is currently second in the standings at his home track. Meanwhile, Merced Speedway point leader Darrell Hughes II has his eyes on the big payday following his win in the Ed Parker Tribute race at his home track. Brothers Chase and Chris Nieman, two of the frontrunners at American Valley Speedway in Quincy, California, are coming along with past Susanville champion Larry McCracken.
Past Quincy champion Jeff Olschowka will be making another appearance as will Willamette Speedway champion Collen Winebarger, who won the Speedweek race at Southern Oregon Speedway earlier this season. Decorated Nevada and California champion Robert Miller will be coming in from Nevada once again, and local racer Jeremy Richey will be making a rare appearance. That’s just a sampling of the big-name drivers that will be coming from all over the West Coast for a shot at the big money.
Of course, when they get through the gates, they’ll have to deal with local stars Albert Gill, Zach Fettinger and Nick Trenchard. Gill is a two-time track champion and current point leader, while Fettinger has won three Main Events this season and is second in points. Nick Trenchard collected his second win of the season last time out. He has a knack for winning the big races, including the Beads Shipwreck Nationals in Elma, the John Arnberg Memorial in Yreka and the Roger Haudenshild Tribute Race at Southern Oregon Speedway. Dave Duste Jr, Duane Orsburn and James Welshonse are others anticipated from the area.
About the biggest name in IMCA Sport Modifieds that you’ll find in Oregon is two-time Southern Oregon Speedway champion Jorddon Braaten. Braaten won the big race last season and has spent much of his time traveling up north as the point leader at Willamette and Cottage Grove this year. Braaten has his eyes on the $2,000 payday and enters as the early favorite to win. Two-time champion Mike Medel hopes to have something to say about this.
From California, Yreka point leader Trevor Tiffee plans to run this race along with 2016 Yreka champion Jimmy Lipke. Merced Speedway stars Tanner and Chase Thomas are planning to make the trip. Reigning Chico and Marysville champion Phillip Shelby is coming to race along with Marysville racers Jimmy Ford and Alan Furuta. This is just a sampling of the over 40 drivers planning to come race the Sport Modified show.
Point leader David Marble will be hoping to make his presence known on the big stage. Marble is hoping to notch his first division championship and has been a consistent Top 5 finisher. He’s also one of seven different Main Event winners this year along with second-ranked Branden Wilson. Other local leadfoots such as Willie McFall, Tony Duste, Tony Bartell, Billy Richey and Jesse Merriman are anticipated.
if the two Modified divisions aren’t enough, the Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association is anticipated with another big turnout. Young Cody Peters was the point leader at the last update, and he and his two-time championship winning father Brock Peters should be leading the pack this week along with championship contenders Kalvin Morton and Chad Cardoza, two-time champion Josh King, ageless veteran Fred Hay and Ryan Smith.
The Calculated Comfort Outlaw Pro Stocks will be a part of Sunday’s card for what is their second and final appearance of the season. Dr. Scott Lenz has been winning everywhere they go and holds a 50 point lead over Scott Flowers in their championship race. Lenz won the Main Event the last time the group was at Southern Oregon Speedway. Other drivers to watch for include 2016 champion Steve Borror, the consistent Matt Harlow, Johnny Cobb, Roy Bain, Ginny Flowers, Bryan Hammond and Jeff Haudenshild.
On both nights, the gates will open at 5 p.m. with the first race scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tickets on Saturday will be $15 for General Admission. Seniors, Veterans and Juniors (7 to 12) will be $10 and children 6 and under are free. On Sunday night, General Admission is $20 with Seniors, Veterans and Juniors (7 to 12) $15. Children 6 and under are free.
