Siskiyou Speedway Honors Past Greats
On Memorial Day Weekend

Yreka, CA...Memorial Day weekend is a special time of year for the racing community at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. It's not just about the extra money being offered for the three division program that will be held on Saturday and Sunday nights. It's about the drivers being remembered. The Sunday specials are the John Arneberg Memorial for IMCA Modifieds, Bo Hittson Memorial for IMCA Sport Modifieds and Mike Cavaye Memorial for the Mini Stocks.

John Arnberg was one of the top drivers in the Northern California and Southern Oregon area and a champion racer. When he died in a tragic boating accident, the track began honoring him with the John Arnberg Memorial race. It has not been an easy race for the drivers to win. The record will show that in 14 races, only Jon DeBenedetti and Travis Peery are repeat winners. In fact, nobody has repeated in the last nine years.

Last season, Nick Trenchard came to town and dominated with the preliminary Main Event win and the big win in the Arnberg race on Sunday. Trenchard used his success that weekend to help him earn the track championship. He is one of the drivers anticipated for this race along with 2016 winner Ryan McDaniel. Race winners Mark Wauge (2015) and Dave Duste Jr (2013) are currently active at Southern Oregon Speedway.

The track announced last week that the win will pay $1,038. The 38 is a reference to the car number of Arnberg and is also the lap total. $750 will go to the second place driver, and the third place finisher will receive $500 among the prize money being offered. That kind of money is sure to bring a few top-notch competitors to town. Some of the racers anticipated include Zach Fettinger, Jeremy Ohlde, two-time champion Albert Gill, Duane Orsburn, James Welshonse and Bo Shields. This is also the second point event, and the track has scheduled the minimum four races required for it to become an official championship.

Not to be left out of the loop, the IMCA Sport Modifieds will run for $750 to win and $500 for second in the annual Bo Hittson Memorial 35 lap Main Event on Sunday. Bo was a popular racer at the speedway in the 1970s and a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. In recent seasons, the star of this race has been two time Southern Oregon Speedway champion Jorddon Braaten. Jorddon has won three of the last four races, including his dominant performance last season. He also won the race back in 2011 when it was a Street Stock show.

One driver with his eyes on the big prize is current point leader Rich McCoy. McCoy has won his share of races across three different divisions at Southern Oregon Speedway, and it would be crazy to think that he won't get a win at some point. This might be his night to shine. Some of the top drivers in the area to watch include 2016 champion Jimmy Lipke, feature winner Justin Foux, recent Medford winner David Marble, Joby Shields and Ryder Boswell. The Sanders family is now three cars strong with Isaac, Matt and Steven fielding cars last week in a show that was destined to be rained out.

Not wanting to leave the Mini Stock division out of the loop, that class had a blowout race created over a decade ago. Mike Caveye was a driver in that class as well as the Street Stocks. He was popular among his peers and the fans, and this race was named in his honor when he passed away. David Steele has won three of the last four races, including last season. No driver in the area is as hot as he is, having won eight of the last nine races in which he started.

Still without a win in the big event is two-time reigning champion Marilyn Yawnick. She will be hoping to change that this week. Past champion Terry Kendrick won the race in 2016 and would love another one. 2014 champion Mike Whitaker will be there to make his presence known. A good turnout is anticipated with Jason Frost, Darek Alford, Zac McMurray, and Mike Frost among those to watch for. There could be a visitor or two coming from Medford for the show, which will pay $302 to win.

The Saturday program will offer regular purses for all three divisions and full formats. The extra money will be on the line on Sunday. Both nights should offer great racing for the fans to enjoy. For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.

John Arnberg Memorial Winners

2005 John Toolanen
2006 Randy McDaniel
2007 Jon DeBenedetti
2008 Travis Peery
2009 Jon DeBenedetti
2010 Vince Bowers
2011 Brian Poppa
2012 Travis Peery
2013 Dave Duste Jr
2014 Riley Simmons
2015 Mark Wauge
2016 Ryan McDaniel
2017 Nick Trenchard

Bo Hittson Memorial Winners

2004 Jesse Morton
2005 info not available
2006 Chris Cullen
2007 info not available
2008 Ryan Haines
2009 Tony Morton
2010 Billy Jasmer
2011 Jorddon Braaten
2012 Jesse Morton
2013 Cody Hamilton
2014 Jorddon Braaten
2015 Jorddon Braaten
2016 Brian Cooper
2017 Jorddon Braaten

Mike Caveye/Mini Stock Blowout Winners

2008 John Derby
2009 Jim Pope
2010 David Steele
2011 John Derby
2012 Dan Borror
2013 Ryder Boswell
2014 David Steele
2015 David Steele
2016 Terry Kendrick
2017 David Steele


 Rain Claims Another Race At Siskiyou Motor Speedway

Yreka, CA...May 19...Over 40 competitors had already signed into the pits and completed hot laps when the rains came and forced the cancellation of the rest of the program Saturday night at Siskiyou Motor Speedway. There was a strong turnout of Calculated Comfort Pro Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds and Mini Stocks.

Nearly 20 Pro Stock racers were chomping at the bit to go racing, including reigning champion Scott Lenz, 2016 champion Steve Borror, Scott Flowers and other notables, such as John David Duffie, Brian Johnsen and Dustin Knight. 2016 IMCA Modified champion Jimmy Lipke was back, along with Justin Foux, point leader Rich McCoy, Ryder Boswell and three cars from the Sanders Racing Team. Mini Stock Superstars Marilyn Yawnick, Terry Kendrick, Mike Whitaker and Jason Frost were among the drivers in their class. This was the second time this year that an event was rained out after hot laps were completed.

The track will come back with the annual two-day Memorial Day Weekend show. Sunday's event is the John Arnberg Memorial IMCA Modified race, paying $1,038 to the winner. It's also the Bo Hittson Memorial for the IMCA Sport Modifieds, paying $750 to win. The Mike Cavaye Sr Memorial for Mini Stocks will pay $302 to win.

With neighboring Medford not running these classes and several tracks in California going dark for the weekend, car count is expected to increase for the big two day show. For further information, go to www.siskiyoumotorspeedway.com.