NW Motorsports Report

April 19, 2024

SUNSET SPEEDWAY OPENS MAY 4

AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — Sunset Speedway at the Spokane Motorsports Complex — also known as the Spokane ORV Park — in Airway Heights offers a different kind of go-kart racing on dirt.

And in 2024 the fifth-mile clay oval will do things a little differently with its schedule which begins May 4.

Rather than spread the regular season schedule over the spring and summer with single events, its seven events will include doubleheader events with both a day and night race.

The two-in-a-day races take place May 4 and Aug. 17 with rain dates June 9 and Sept. 15 — the latter a double-header potential.

Single race dates include June 8 and July 20, both night events.

Double header races are two separate events where racers must register for each race separately.

Go Kart racing has fast become known as a family friendly sport providing an affordable way to create a bond between the child and their parents. In addition, Sunset offers competitive adult racing and a chance to explore your racing talents.

Sunset Speedway prides itself in a family place where racers of all ages find a place to test their skills. Racers range from kindergarten to senior citizens.

For day racing gates open at 9 a.m. with racing at 1 p.m. Gates open for night races at 1 p.m. with racing at 5 p.m.

Further information on Sunset Speedway can be found at Facebook at Sunset-speedway or contact them at sunsetspeedwaykarting@gmail.com.

Racing action on Sunset Speedway’s unique clay oval. File Photo

All-American paint scheme on a Sunset Speedway competitor. File Photo

TYLER REDDICK SQUEEZES THROUGH LAST-LAP CARNAGE FOR TALLADEGA VICTORY from TC Daily Pit Stop

TALLADEGA, Alabama — While Erik Jones was checked and released from the infield care center following a massive crash in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, the driver did admit that he was sore and that he felt he had stretched his back out in the impact.

At the time, Jones said that he felt like he was fine.

“I’m sore, it just really stretched it out a lot,” Jones explained. “So, it’ll be a long week, just trying to get recovered and feeling better for next week. But I’m alright.”

After some time, Jones returned to the infield care center, and upon that second trip to the care center, the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB driver was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Jones finished 35th in Sunday’s race after being swept up in a Lap 155 crash.

The aftermath for Erik Jones following yet another “big one” at Talladega where Erik Jones is OK after a track hospital check up. NASCAR photo

WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD — OR TRACK

AIRWAY HEIGHTS — Recent weeks saw an exhaustive effort to smooth out the drag racing surface at Qlispe Raceway Park (formerly Spokane Co. Raceway) with a thorough grinding of the concrete.

But that was only half the battle as the track is set to have its season opener April 26 with a no-prep street race.

Part two of the process is to lay down a base of tire rubber to enhance traction down the entire quarter-mile surface and that was recently accomplished reports operations manager Ben Zimmerman.

A brand-new tractor was put to work dragging used drag slicks up and down the track. “There is a certain feel with the tractor,” Zimmerman wrote in Facebook Messenger. “(It’s) hard to explain.”

The look of success is much easier to see, Zimmerman said.

“Drag tires dry until the track turns grey,” he explained. “Then spray with VP racing lane choice and traction compound then it’s just repeat the process until there is enough rubber/traction compound stuck to the track to make a good sticky surface.”

This initial prep is a process because it’s a “virgin track” Zimmerman added. The weekly maintenance is the same drag spray repeat.