By Bob Burbach
Marysville- It will be a night of stories, memories and some wild dirt track racing action at Paul and Kathy Hawes’ Marysville Raceway Park Saturday. The MRP family will honor the memory of stock car champion Billy Knoop during a spectacular 5 division show at the venerable speedway on Simpson Lane in Marysville. The 800 HP MRP Winged Sprint Cars and Wingless Sprint Cars will headline the open wheel portion of the show with the MRP Super Stocks headlining the fendered classes. The MRP Hobby Stocks and a return of the California Hardtop Vintage Racing Series will round out the program.
Knoop’s heroic comeback to victory lane after a sprint car crash in 2009 nearly killed him is the stuff legends are made of. Billy’s saga fits. While Billy has left us, we were all blessed that we had him. His insatiable drive and magnetic, cheerful personality transcended any tribulations of the day. It was always better for Billy to be in the room. We’ll reflect on his impact in the sport as we offer the traditional checkered flag salute Saturday night.
There is a knot of drivers who are battling for the MRP Winged Sprint Car crown. Paradise racer John Michael Bunch remains atop the standings with Woodland’s Peter Paulson, Marysville’s rookie star Jeremy Hawes and Yuba City’s Kevin Lovell leading the way.
Hot on their heels is Marysville’s Brandon Dozier who has been red-hot of late. Brandon Dozier won the Knoop Memorial last year in a brilliant run to the checkers.
Also in the field will be fan favorite Mike Monahan out of Sparks, Nevada. Monahan has finally found some speed after a dismal first half of the season. The same can be said of veteran Marysville wheelman Cort “The Iron Man” Dozier as he thrilled the crowd by turning quick time last week. Three time champion Brent Dothage from Kelseyville will be back in town for this one as well. MRP’s own “Five-Time”, Korey Lovell of Yuba City will also be in the field and after a victory earlier this season will be one to watch.
Perhaps MRP’s biggest story of the season “Hammer Down” Heath Hall, out of Oroville, is scheduled to return after his spectacular win last Saturday night in the Rich Dozier Classic. Hall battled back from a debilitating health issue in the week prior to the Dozier Classic and won in spectacular fashion.
Three time champion Colby Wiesz “The Colfax Comet” is also expected but Wiesz indicated to this observer that he is doing some serious thrashing on his motor to be ready.
MRP is a Contingency Connection track posting some $1100 in additional contingency awards for the winner in the MRP Winged Sprint Car division. This, in addition to the $1000 in cash from the purse awarded the feature event winner.
Sacramento’s Tim Sherman will bring a healthy point lead into Saturday night’s program as the MRP Wingless Sprint Car Series returns after a couple of weeks off. Sherman has been in control from the first green flag of the year. With one exception.
In a developing story, Marysville’s Josh Vieira is expected to make a triumphant return to the racing wars after enduring heart surgery a short two weeks ago. This, according to reliable sources. Vieira won a feature event earlier this season, but was remarkably quiet about any health issues he may have been dealing with.
Actually it has been Vieira who has kept the Sherman domination from becoming a romp. Though he is out of the championship picture, Vieira is bad-fast and if he can make it, will be a welcome addition to a fine field of Wingless Warriors.
MRP has fielded the largest number of entries in this class of any track all season long. The wingless sprint cars are just that; wingless. The very quick 360 cubic inch cars do not rely on aerodynamic devices for control. Many of America’s finest drivers have come from wingless sprint cars as much of the success of any wingless team relies on driver control.
Grass Valley’s Bret Youngman is a distant second in points and local lady racing star Misty Castleberry, last year’s Rookie of the Year, continues to climb the ladder and is third in her second season.
In the MRP Super Stock class the aforementioned Cort Dozier will pull double duty once again Saturday as last week’s winner Phillip Shelby of Yuba City looks for another victory and title in the division.
At times this season, this class has replicated fender peeling motorized warfare. A fine field is expected including a resurgent James Castleberry who is coming off of his finest run of the season last week.
There are a couple of brother acts to keep an eye on as former champions Corey and Brent Hall, both from Yuba City, return. Corey Hall is in the thick of the point battle with Shelby as a re-check of the standings has the two young lions tied at the top after last Saturday’s show. Brent Hall is not a contender for the title, but is a constant threat to win each time out.
Marysville’s Rick Dozier (Cort’s brother) continues to impress in his first season behind the wheel in years. He won early in the season and has been running at the front with remarkable consistency.
Yuba City’s Jerry Bartlett took a big hit in his championship hopes last week, but if he continues to win, he can close the gap rapidly. But, Bartlett must take no prisoners and win.
The bay area’s Mike Walko is one of the pleasant surprises of this year. Walko has danced inside the top five in each of the last four outings and is becoming a factor each time out.
Yuba City’s Jimmy Ford is the new point leader after his victory last Saturday in the MRP Mini Stock class. Point leader Kyle Davey had a big crash Saturday and dropped to third in the standings as Linda’s James Foster reentered the title chase with a second place finish last week.
Olivehurst’s Eddie Hammett leads the fender banging charge in the MRP Hobby Stocks as they get set for action Saturday as well.
The vintage California Hardtops will return Saturday night to complete the five division show. This group features racecars and racing action as it was in the 60s and early 70s in the Bay Area. The cars were highly modified stock cars (back in the day) and were a fan magnet wherever they raced. Preserving the past and racing wide open today make this a unique group of racers.
The pit gate opens at 3pm. The grandstands open at 5. Hot laps for all classes begin at 6pm with qualifying at 6:30. Racing will start after Qualifying at about 7PM.
GPS: Marysville Raceway Park is located at 1468 Simpson Lane in Marysville California. www.marysvilleracewaypark.com is the website. Additional information is available at our Facebook page.