By Andrew Kunas
VANCOUVER, Wash. – The IXL Metal Conditioner NorthWest Wingless Tour will be making its long awaited debut at Southern Oregon Speedway this Saturday, as fans in the Medford area will see their first “traditional” sprint car event in five years.
The NWWT, the premier wingless sprint car tour in the Pacific Northwest, is in its second year of existence and is trying to spread its wings, reaching agreements during the off-season to race at new tracks this year, one of them being Southern Oregon Speedway in White City on August 14th. The NWWT midgets will also be on hand, making their first appearance at Southern Oregon Speedway as well. This is believed to be just the second time ever that the wingless wonders will grace the 1/3-mile clay oval and for many fans it will be their first time seeing sprint cars race without the familiar wings.
Mark Nichols of Eagle Creek, Ore. and Tony Thomas of Mill City, Ore. were victorious in the NWWT’s most recent sprint car events. Nichols picked up his first career main event victory on July 30th at Willamette Speedway and Thomas, a many time main event winner, picked up his first victory under the NWWT banner the next night in the NWWT’s debut at Sunset Speedway Park.
Though he is winless so far this season, Theo McCarty of Hillsboro, Ore. currently holds the lead in the IXL Metal Conditioner NorthWest Wingless Tour sprint car point standings. McCarty’s lead is only eight points over Bill Winsley, with Mike Romig and Mike Gable tied for third another ten points back. For most of the drivers of the NorthWest Wingless Tour, it’ll be a first time visit to Southern Oregon Speedway this Saturday.
One trend that could very likely continue this Saturday is that no one has won multiple main events so far this year. Jeff Bell, Travis Rilat, Nichols and Thomas have each won a single NorthWest Wingless Tour sprint car event so far this season.
Doug Kammerzell of Arlington, Wash. took home the victory in the NWWT midget division’s last event July 30th at Willamette Speedway. The many time sprint car and midget main event winner earned his first victory under the NWWT banner that night and he also currently holds the points lead over Pat Bliss. Allison Journey and Mitch Hoffses currently sit tied for third in the point standings unofficially.
No one has won multiple events in the NWWT midgets either this season, as single victories have gone to Mitch Hoffses, last year’s series champion Evan Margeson as well as Kammerzell.
It is unknown if midget cars of any kind have ever taken to Southern Oregon Speedway since the facility opened in 1996. The event is drawing interest from teams, both in sprint cars and midgets, in the state of California. The expected car count is anyone’s guess, though most of the local sprint car drivers are expected to shed their wings, but one thing for sure is that it will be a most interesting night for all those who will be involved.
The NWWT sprint cars and midgets will be joined on the card by the Southern Oregon Dwarf Car Association and the local mini-stocks. Pit gates open at 1:00 with spectator gates opening at 4:00 with racing scheduled for 6:00.
More information on the IXL Metal Conditioner NorthWest Wingless Tour can be found online at http://www.nwwinglesstour.com. The website is expected to a get make-over in the near future.