The Dwarf Car Nationals Return To Southern Oregon Speedway This Weekend
The start of August signals the return of the Western States Dwarf Car Association Nationals at Southern Oregon Speedway. The event is hosted annually by the locally-based Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association. It brings some of the best drivers from throughout the West Coast to one place to enjoy some great competition.
It was over 20 years ago when then NorCal Dwarf Car Association President Frank Munroe saw the potential for big Dwarf Car events. He chose Marysville Raceway in California as the first track, and within a couple of years, there were over 100 Dwarf Cars competing. As the years went on, new tracks were added to the series, and eventually Southern Oregon Speedway got one of these dates.
Within the last 10 years, the format was changed just a bit to make things more competitive within the different groups. The Pro Division was created, and it pitted the very best drivers from the various associations against each other. Generally speaking, this is the category that gets the most entries at every race.
The Veterans Division is for the drivers who are a bit older. Many of these drivers would do well in the Pro class, but they run with the veterans and have some very good races as well.
Then, you have the Sportsman Division. Some drivers might be a little intimidated going to a big event like the Nationals when they just get started driving a Dwarf Car. This category was created for the drivers with just a few years of experience.
The format puts the emphasis on Saturday night while making Friday important as well. Drivers will run their heat races on Friday as well as a Preliminary Feature. If car count dictates, there will also be B Main events. The Top 10 finishers in the Preliminary Feature then earn spots in Saturday’s Fast Dash to determine the front rows of the Main Event. That number can be adjusted from 10 cars depending on car count.
On Saturday, in addition to the Fast Dash, the remaining drivers run heat races and B Mains before running the Main Event.
Last season saw about 70 competitors come in from throughout Oregon, California and Nevada. Through the years, some very good drivers from the Medford area have tried to win a Nationals race. Last year, an unlikely winner stepped forward to claim the prize. Just a year earlier, Cody Peters was winning a Preliminary Sportsman Main Event. Last year, he made a last turn pass on NorCal Champion Danny Wagner to steal the victory. It was his first start in the Pro Division. Kevin Bender won a very competitive Veteran’s Main Event that night as well.
From Southern Oregon, stars such as Cody Peters and his two-time champion father Brock Peters, Camden Robustelli, Kalvin Morton, Chad Cardoza, Fred Hay, Ryan Smith and two-time champion Josh King will be on hand. Randy Slater will be competing as well, but the club president will also find himself organizing the after race banquet and keeping things going behind the scenes.
From outside of the state, such noteworthy competitors as Danny Wagner, Ryan Winter, Shawn Jones, Scott Dahlgren, Buddy Olschowka, Kevin Bender and Mike Reeder will be coming from the NorCal group. South Bay will be represented by such champions as Gene Punky Pires, Mark Biscardi and reigning SBDCA champion Cameron Diatte. Other noteworthy drivers from outside the state, such as champions Matt Sargent and John Isabella, are anticipated. There will also be stars coming in from the north, such as James Brinster, Ryan Martinez and Jake Van Ortwick.
Getting back to the local Southern Oregon group, the car count has grown this season in part due to the new drivers on the roster. This means the Sportsman division may see such locals as Joe Sanders, Andrew Hall and young up and comers Ashleigh Strain and Michael Johnson out there going for their first wins. Some of the best Southern Oregon racers, such as Brock Peters, Camden Robustelli and Kaycee Sheeler, got their first wins in the Sportsman Division.
On Friday night, the Dwarf Cars will be joined in support by the JOAT Labs Hornets. The Hornets are the entry-level class at Southern Oregon Speedway, and they have been having a wide-open battle all season long. 2016 champion Tim Hedges gained the point lead from his two time Main Event winning son Ashtin Hedges by winning the most recent Main Event. With three second place finishes in a row, Bree Tritchler is on the verge of victory, and other drivers to watch this week include Jason Stoutenburgh, Dylan Irving, Chris Boynton and Zach Nelson.
The Kendall Oil Winged Sprint Cars will be there on Saturday night, and David Hibbard is on fire this year. He has won all but one of the Main Events held so far as he continues to stretch his point lead. Jeffrey Hudson and rookie Blaine Cory are on the verge of victory and providing Hibbard with his closest competition in the standings so far. David’s son Bailey Hibbard is the only other driver to win a Main Event, but racers such as Charlie Thompson, Enrique Jaime and Aaron Miller will be out there giving it their best.
Rounding out Saturday’s program will be the Valley Store All Late Model Lite. With three feature wins so far, Charlie Eaton is the point leader. He’s getting pressure from one time winner Greg Arnold in the championship battle. However, 2016 champion Lee Doty and reigning champion Bob Burkett are shaking things up with second place finishes in recent weeks. The cars are fast and the competition is close.
Gates open at 5 p.m. on both nights with the first race scheduled to start at 7 p.m. General Admission for Friday is $12 with Seniors, Veterans and Juniors (7 to 12) $6. Children 6 and under are free. On Saturday, General Admission is $15 with Seniors, Veterans and Juniors (7 to 12) $10. Children 6 and under are free.
Dwarf Car Nationals Winners 2009
Pros
2009 Brian Quilty
2010 Monte Morris
2011 Ronnie Williams
2012 Shawn Jones
2013 Ryan Winter
2014 Shawn Jones
2015 Shawn Jones
2016 Shawn Jones
2017 Cody Peters
Veterans
2009 Kelly Gutches
2010 Kelly Gutches
2011 Kelly Gutches
2012 Gilbert Toste
2013 Kevin Bender
2014 Kelly Gutches
2015 Angel Figueroa
2016 Tim Fitzpatrick
2017 Kevin Bender
Sportsman
2009 R.J. McGahuey
2010 Henry Corbin II
2011 Cecilia Dille
2012 Brock Peters
2013 Kaycee Sheeler
2014 Camden Robustelli
2015 Joey Dale
2016 Ben Wiesz
2017 Josh Wiesz
Time for the WSDCA Dwarf Car Nationals. There are some big races in the weeks to come.
All photos by me except Danny Wagner, which is a photo by Paul Gould.
Cody Peters #30 is the defending Nationals champion.
After three second place finishes in the Veteran’s class, Fred Hay #10 will be going for a win this year.
Kalvin Morton #18 has two wins this year and is a threat to get the big win.
Brock Peters #2 is a two time SODCA Champion who will be a threat to win.
Two time SODCA champion Josh King #4us has two second place finishes in the last three years in the Nationals.
Danny Wagner #11d is the reigning NCDCA Champion and finished second in the Nationals last season. Photo by Paul Gould
