BY: Jim Taylor
Champion Raceway held its first “Medford Megabucks” race on May 29-31. The three day race was presented by JEG’S and Bi-Mart. There was $50,000 in prize money and $7000 in JEG’S dollars which made this one of the richest drag races in Oregon. The $10,000 top prize that was awarded on Saturday was the largest payout to a drag racer in Oregon history. It attracted racers from all over the west and Canada. The first day of racing produced some great drag racing that climaxed with a $5000 win check that went to Andy Morris who was able to take out Bill Maness. Bill was on a great pass when his dragster lost power at the 1000 foot cone. The next class was our Pro Bracket with a $2000 to win. Some more great racing took place here and as the field got smaller the win check went to Nick Shepard from Tigard, Oregon over a very tough Paul Comeau from Vancouver, Washington. With that race day over we started on day two where the checks got a lot bigger. In our Super Pro category things got hot and heavy again. Some more very closely contested racing took place all day Saturday, but at the end of the day the richest check ever presented to a drag racer in Oregon went to Mark Colton from North Bend, Or. Wheel to wheel at the finish was runner up Andy Morris.
In our pro bracket on Saturday some more very close racing took place. When the win light came on, it was David Chun Jr. from Vancouver, WA taking the $4000 check. The runner up was Pete Schneider. Both of these guys were able to wade through a lot of great racers. That brings us up to day three of this great event presented by JEG’S and Bi-Mart. By this time all of the racers had a real good base line on the track and the racing was closer than anyone could imagine.
As the day wound down it came time for the finals in Super Pro. As the win light came on, it was a very happy Don Gatlin from Bakersfield, Ca, taking home the $5000 check. The runner up check went to Dustin Hentges driving a Morris Racing Dragster. In the Pro Bracket it came down to two great racers. One already had a runner-up and would like to add a win to his weekend. But there was a very tough guy by the name of Kory Alby who stood in his way. Kory took home the $2000 check with a win light of .0001 over Paul Comeau. It was the closest race of the weekend and ended the richest drag race in Oregon. To complement a great weekend all racers and crew were treated to a great BBQ Saturday night sponsored by Food-4-Less market and Champion Raceway. To our great crew that keep the track in great shape, there were no cones hit, no accidents, and no oil downs through the entire race. It just couldn’t get any better. JEG’S bucks were handed out all weekend for Best Win Package, Best Losing Package, First Perfect Light, Hard luck, and bonus money. I am sure all of the racers and crew were very happy and will be back to do it again next year.
JEG’S Dollars for best package went to: Dennis Robinson, David Myre, Chuck Herndon, Curt Landis, John Whitmore, David Chun Sr, and Pete Scheider. JEG’S dollars for best losing package went to: Jeff Devey, Tom Pappas, John Tobias, Sarah Winiata, Jeremy McGhee, Steve Casner, John Maul, and Melissa Wright. JEG’S dollars went to John Whitmore and Tom Pappas for perfect lights. The Hard Luck JEG’S Bucks went to Phil Greer.
Click Here for event photos (6/12/09)
The pre-registration deadline is fast approaching (5/20 postmark), so get them in before it's too late! Click Here for registration form.
We've added a Frequently Asked Questions page, to address the most common questions that have come in. You can access it here.
Don't forget gates will open at 9 am on Thursday May 28th for parking. Test & tune follows from 4 pm - 7 pm.
It's going to be an awesome weekend - don't miss out !!! (5/17/09)
Results from last weekend's racing are now posted, so if you were unable to be here take a look and see who our winners were!!
Also, points are posted for both the Friday Night
and Sunoco Fuel ET Championship Series.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the points please send an email
to webmaster@championraceway.com.
That's the most expeditious way to handle it. (5/11/09)
Due to lack of participation with our High School program, we have cancelled the following three races:
May 16th, June 6th, July 11th.
These changes have been noted on the schedule posted here. Please make a note of them on your printed schedule. (5/1/09)
Thanks to Dennis & Gail Vollmar, we have pictures from the 2008 Banquet now posted in the PhotoGallery. Click here or on the menu tab to view. (3/22/09)
As many of you have noticed we added a new race to the 2009 schedule, which has stirred a lot of interest and questions. We are very excited about bringing a 'big bucks' bracket race to the track, and hope all of you will help get the word out and make this our most successful event ever!!
For all the details on the race, including the pre-registration form click here.
Pass the info on to all your race buds! (3/20/09)
As in year's past, we will be having work parties on the following dates to get things ready for the start of the season (it's almost here!!)
March 28th & 29th, April 4th & 5th, April 10th & 11th
From 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Everyone's help is appreciated! (3/20/09)
Bring your cash to Union Avenue Garage on Saturday March 21st and be prepared to buy!! Hours are 8 am - 2 pm. For those who haven't been there before, the address is 108 Union Avenue, Grants Pass. Will be held rain or shine!!
If you have items you'd like to sell, call Vern at 476-6271 so he can make sure there's space for you. Otherwise, stop by and see what parts you can't live without!!
If you are a seller you may want to bring an easy-up tent in case it rains. (3/15/09)
The 2009 season schedule is now posted. Click on the link in the menu to the left to view. Keep in mind that the schedule is subject to change, so be sure you check back to see if anything has changed before making any plans. (3/1/09)
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