5/11/2021
Cottage Grove Speedway
Aaron Bloom Scores Huge Win At Cottage Grove; M. Peters, Evans, And Bryant Also Hit Pay Dirt
Aaron Bloom Scores Huge Win At Cottage Grove; M. Peters, Evans, And Bryant Also Hit Pay Dirt
By Stephanie Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of JRP Racing Photos)
Cottage Grove, Oregon- Cottage Grove Speedway had the second round of Mother's Day Weekend racing on Saturday, May 8th. Four divisions were on the card, including two apart of the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing program. They were the Royalty Core IMCA Northern Sport Mods, Late Models, Street Stocks, and IMCA Sport Compacts.
The Royalty Core IMCA Northern Sport Mods boasted a massive twenty-seven cars in the pit area. The main event was a relatively caution-free affair of the twenty-lap feature. Winston's Aaron Bloom secured the top place position on opening start and began to take off from the rest of the contingent.
Two stoppages occurred through the course of the main event. The first yellow was on lap two, with the second and final one taking place on lap eleven. The final caution bunched the field up close together and brought some challengers that threatened Bloom's reign.
After the restart, David Schmidt of Roseburg tried to overtake Aaron but could not wholly perform the pass. Schmidt eventually had his hands complete with a charging Jorddon Braaten. Braaten, from Central Point, passed Schmidt and was on the attack against Bloom with a few circuits remaining.
Braaten briefly went side by side with Aaron Bloom for the top place position. But, despite the pressure, Bloom stood firm and remained clutch to beat Braaten to the line. It was an emotional victory for the Bloom Family Racing team as they raced with heavy hearts with the recent passing of Aaron's uncle, Ralph, and won the $333.33 in his honor.
His second win of 2021 at Cottage Grove is his second in KMJ Performance Oregon State action. It is Aaron's first victory since April 17th, and he is the first repeat winner at CGS in the Royalty Core IMCA Northern Sport Mods.
Jorddon Braaten, despite having to start last, wound up a respectable second and David Schmidt was third. Molalla's Travis Pruitt and Ron Wilson of Coburg were fourth and fifth. Isaac Sanders, from Brookings, won the consolation feature earlier in the night.
For the Late Models, their main event went caution-free. Mike Peters of Cottage Grove seized the initiative and got to the front at the drop of the green flag. Piloting his brother Ed's mount, Mike set a blistering pace and, with no yellows, developed a sizable lead.
In the last few laps Thomas Hunziker, from Bend, started to catch up with Peters but Mike Peters stayed in front to become the third different winner in as many races in the class in 2021.Thomas Hunziker was the runner-up with third going to Darren Coffell of Bend. Albany's Randy Barley posted a fourth-place result followed by fifth finishing Salem chauffeur B.J. Donofrio.
For the Street Stocks, Albany veteran Rod McCombs led the opening lap of the feature. He held the position down until Lebanon's Justin Evans overtook him on the third lap. Evans remained the point the rest of the distance despite four cautions during the race. It is Justin Evan's second win of 2021 at Cottage Grove Speedway.
Sam Potter, from Monmouth, was second while Rod McCombs ended the evening third. Daniel Ray of Springfield and driving for car owner Jake Mayden put in a fourth-place effort, with Albany's Dakota Goddard completing the top five in fifth.
For the IMCA Sport Compacts, Rex Eckley of Dexter showed the way on lap one. Friday night winner Burnie Bryant managed to capture first place on lap two. Bryant, of Sutherlin, paced the balance of the distance to win his third race of the season at Cottage Grove and in KMJ Performance Oregon State competition.
Bradley Martin, also of Dexter, was the runner-up, and Cottage Grove racer Kerry Cooper getting third.
Dexter's Barry Cannon and Andrew Langan, from Jasper and in the Randy Kuhl-owned entry, were fourth and fifth.
Cottage Grove Speedway returns to racing on Friday, May 14th, with Kage Karts in action. Then Saturday, the 15th, will be the Wallbanger Cup which showcases the Street Stocks. 360 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, and IMCA Sport Compacts will also be on the bill. Tickets are limited, so be sure and purchase them early online at the track website.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
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