Auto racing season resumes this Friday night

Auto racing season resumes this Friday night

August 9, 2001

STAFF REPORT

The 2001 auto racing season at Fairgrounds Speedway continues Friday night, Aug. 10, after taking a week because of Montezuma County Fair activities.

The Mini Stock Shoot-Out will be held. Trophies for the event are sponsored by American Custom Flooring. There will be a special kids foot race for those aged 5 and under.

Gates open at 6 p.m. with races starting at dusk. Because this is a special show, adult tickets are $8, seniors $7, children ages 6-12 $4 and children under 5 are free. Pit admission for this show is $25.

In the Minis, Billy Schaaphok of Farmington is the driver to beat. Driving car no. 61, he has compiled 387 points to lead the current track standings. Steve McDaniel (50), though, is chasing right behind him with 351. Jimmy Scott (1) should be a challenger this weekend as he has 303. Levi Hill (80), defending track champ in that class, has 197 while Matt Smith (44) rounds out the top five with 196.

There are several others to watch. Jimmy Wilson (7) has 141, Vern Rucker (911) has 140, Danny Nelson III (18) checks in with 97, while Brian Dattage (44) and Ryan Henley (9) have 96 and 95, respectively.

Nick DeVilbiss (42) is leading the Dwarfs with 406 points but Raymie Bristow (6) is right behind at 403. Shane DeVilbiss (43) is not that far back with 382 while Jay Kibel (89) has 375 and Zane DeVilbiss (4) 315 to round out the top five.

Craig Nelson (11X) is leading the IMCA Modified with 411 points. Dennis Rieb (00) is way back with 381. Robert Gallegos (11) has 374, Larry Cornell (18T) 370, and Rick Hobbs (82) 257.

Leading the IMCA Street Stocks is veteran Ralph Klemish (21R) with 470. Way back in second place is Roger Cordary (03) with 424. Ryan Neely (8) has a tally of 404, Gary Smouse (42) 396, and Jim Montgomery (57) 384.

Cody DuFrene (88) is the top driver in the Hobby Stocks with 428. Michelle MacDonald (3) is holding down second with 410. Russ Hammell (11) checks in with 369 while Jason Duggins (33) has 327 and Wayne O’Dell (28) 230.

There was a good turnout of cars on July 27. The racing was good as usual for all classes. In the Dwarfs, Zane DeVilbiss ran off the track in turn four and broke his front end. The Modifieds had a good race with plenty of bumping and pushing. No cars were hurt too badly.

Fairgrounds Speedway Association operates the 3/8ths-mile oval dirt track. It’s located three miles east of Cortez, on U.S. Highway 160. Fairgrounds Speedway runs two International Motor Contest Association sanctioned classes: I.M.C.A. Modifides, and I.M.C.A. Stock Cars. The track also runs three local classes: Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Dwarfs.