4/11/2023
Coos Bay Speedway
Coos Bay Speedway Set For Year #7 Under NASCAR Banner With Big Structure Changes
Coos Bay, OR (4/10/2023) As opening day fast approaches for the 2023 season at Coos Bay Speedway, a major shift in points pay structure has many weekly racers excited for the prospects that the new year brings.
After multiple years of middling car counts as Division 1 in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, the Super Late Models are no longer a points-paying division at Coos Bay Speedway in 2023. The class doesn’t disappear entirely however, as the class will participate in 4 $ 1,000-to-win events and the $ 2,000-to-win annual Tidal Wave 50 as part of a cooperative 10-race points series with Cottage Grove Speedway. The hope is the new series with limited dates will drive car counts back up and bring better racing to both tracks.
Replacing the America’s Mattress Super Late Models as Division 1 will be the ever-consistent Three River Casino Street Stocks. Along with weekly programs now paying $200 to win, the season-ending champion will walk away with $3,500 as part of NASCAR’s Local Track Championship Points Fund. In fact, the Top 4 will all walk away with a minimum of $1,000 The Street Stocks will also be eligible for a West Region pay bonus as well if their best 14 finishes rank in the Top 10 for the region. The McIntyre clan dominated in the points standings last year with Toby claiming the championship with father Kelly behind in 2nd. Will someone be able to usurp the powerhouse team in 2023?
Here’s the thing, that’s not even all for the Street Stocks. On the heels of the biggest Street Stock race in track history in last year’s Battle at the Beach which brought in a track record 32 cars, the Iron Giant Four Crown Series returns on August 26th. This series brings most of the top Street Stock drivers in the state together, and the hope is to break last year’s record again this year with another high-paying show. The event is currently set to pay a minimum of $1,000 to win and $50 to start, though as we’ve seen in recent years, that’s bound to go up.
In Division 2 it’ll be the Sportsman Late Models. 2022 saw Corvallis native Ryan Emry claim his 2nd consecutive points title by running away with it late in the season while his son Jacob finished 2nd. Emry’s toughest challenge came in the form of Dustin Hitner, who was neck and neck with Emry for most of the season before mechanical issues late killed any chances at the track title. With Hitner moving to a Sport Mod this season, who will step up to pass the Emry’s? The class could be wide open in 2023.
Moving up to Division 3 is the Mini Outlaws. A fairly consistent division, last year saw Winston’s Bid Van Loon take home top honors by nearly 100 points as Tristen Davison bowed out late. With Van Loon teaming up with the constantly improving Moloso racing team to pilot a new Toyota Celica, It’ll be interesting to see who challenges Van Loon atop the standings this year.
Making their first appearance on the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Division Tier in 2023, the newly rebranded Coos Bay Toyota Hornets make their debut as Division 4. Last season saw Jr Stinger Graduate Alex Butler top the standings with an impressive 7-win season ahead of multi-time Street Stock Champ Ken Fox. Despite being a class that always seems to be in flux, the Coos Bay Toyota Hornets always bring a strong car count and some of the closest racing on a week-to-week basis. Who do you think will win the $500 prize from the NASCAR Local Track Points Fund this year?
The Jr Stingers saw a total of 16 young racers take a green flag in 2022, with Drake Vincent squeaking out a championship ahead of 9-time winner Cameron Metzgus. This class serves to grow our next generation of drivers into higher classes as an alternative to karts, with successes from the likes of Alex Butler and Griff Smith in the Hornet division already showing the class’s worth.
A number of special events are set to hit the coastal 3/8ths mile in 2023, and here are some of the highlights:
The annual IMCA Wild West Speedweek returns with a doubleheader on June 18th and 19th. Coos Bay was the only track awarded 2 dates, and with what some were calling some of the track’s best racing in recent memory last year, you can expect another awesome show this year.
The 2-day Dwarf Car classic returns Memorial Day weekend, featuring 2 days of action and typically in the range of 30 dwarf cars. The Dwarf Cars return for another 2 day special in August for the Dwarf Car week of speed
Sprint Cars appear just once at the track in 2023 for a Tuesday Night Showdown during the Western Sprint Tour Speedweek. Don’t miss your one chance to see these large horsepower machines rip around the Coos Bay Speedway!
The Ken Ware Outlaw Pro Stock Challenge returns on August 5th to pit the Outlaw Pro Stocks of Southern Oregon against the local Sportsman Late Models! This is always a well-attended show evidenced by last year’s 21-car field.
Capping off the season is the ever-familiar Prather Family Open Show. Big payouts will be on the line for all classes and will bring cars from across the region to Coos Bay.
Don’t miss our tentative season opener this Saturday night April 15th! On the card will be the Sportsman Late Models, Three Rivers Casino Street Stocks, Mini Outlaws, Coos Bay Toyota Hornets, and Jr Stingers. This event will also feature Lucky Rides for the kids, where your child can take a couple of laps around Coos Bay Speedway in a live racecar!
Grandstands Open 4 pm
Racing Starts 6:30 pm
General Admission
Adults $10
Seniors & Kids (7-17) $8
Children 6 & Under FREE
Family Pass (2 Adults & 3 Kids) $25
For more information including our 2023 schedule and more, head on over to the official webpage of Coos Bay Speedway at http://www.coosbayspeedway.us/ or on your mobile device via the MyRacePass app.
Article Credit: DRC Motorsports Media
Submitted By: Drake Nelson