3/23/2014
Sunset Speedway Park
Charlie Weaver Talks About 2014; Excited For The Coming Season
Charlie Weaver Talks About 2014; Excited For The Coming Season
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Ken O'Neil)
Banks, Oregon- Longtime Sunset Speedway Park announcer Charlie Weaver took some time out of his busy life to discuss his thoughts on the 2014 racing schedule at the “Banks Bullring”. Weaver is very excited for the return of the Micros and Pure Stocks at the 1/4-mile clay oval as well as the return of some major events.
Not only will Weaver be calling weekly action over the microphone but he will also be returning as the race track’s race director for the second consecutive year. The coming season looks to be a good one for fans with all the regular classes that will be competing and the lineup of special events that are on the schedule.
BD: Sunset Speedway Park has a nice looking schedule put together in 2014 with lots of great events. Any particular one you’re really excited for?
CW: I’m definitely looking forward to the Modified Speedweek events in July, the ASCS race in August, and our regular heavyweight races like the Jim’s 100 and Doug Walters Memorial that are also in August. Those are some important dates and historically are attended very well with some really good racing.
BD: The Pure Stocks are back and that should be a great addition to the weekly classes that race.
CW: For me I’m excited. I’ve been receiving calls weekly from competitors coming back or guys getting just started. We really want the Pure Stocks to be an entry level V8 class. I think it will be important to have them return to racing on a regular basis.
BD: What is your take on the Micro Sprint coming back to SSP?
CW: Our race track is the perfect size for them. There have been a lot of good races with the Micros at Sunset. With the addition of them you get to see all the upcoming talent and you never know you might see the next Kyle Larson. The Dwarfs cars are good here too so don’t miss them.
BD: The Womens division will have their own special event the Iron Woman 50 this season. That seems like a great race for them and could turn in to a great tradition.
CW: A bigger race for them is great and hopefully will increase our numbers in the class. It’s also a great opportunity to develop some interest for that class for some potential lady drivers in the stands. The rules are pretty basic they must follow either the Street Stock or Pure Stock rules to be legal.
BD: How excited are you for Sunset to host the opening legs of the Modified Speedweek?
CW: Our track is an excellent Modified track and they typically go three wide and race each other hard. The format is great and usually with opener you get a lot of cars. We expect a full field on those nights. You get to see guys you normally don’t that show up for this deal. It’s pretty much the area's best drivers against the local hot shoes and it’s a great mix. They will be good nights of competition that's for sure.
BD: The American Sprint Car Series-Northwest Region is back for this year. Last year was a good race with an awesome crowd. Folks shouldn’t miss out on that one should they?
CW: It’s a great time of the year because it is the end of summer and the point battle is tightening up. Roger Crockett is pretty good here but there are some other really good cars. I’m looking forward to a good night of racing in late August when they come here.
BD: Do you think there will be any surprise champions at the end of the year in any of the classes?
CW: I honestly couldn’t tell you we’ll just see who shows up. I think it will be wide open for the most part. We have some drivers moving around to different classes so once we get a race or two in that may show some indication. I think the Street Stocks will have another great year that class has four or five guys that if they make every race and finish well they have a shot.
BD: Anything else new that the fans might not know about that I didn’t ask?
CW: No not really, I think that the half off the Season Passes are a great deal is a great way to see some good racing. So if anyone hasn't already bought one they should do so as soon as they can. This year we have a pretty solid schedule with a very good variety of classes.
I guess I should also mention that we are returning back to our old format with an inversion of twelve cars. Basically the fastest car in qualifying will start twelfth in the main. Qualifying will be coming back and all the heat races will be inverted. We really want to be consistent this year and put on a good show for the fans.
Sunset Speedway Park enters the 2014 season with an action packed schedule that you do not want to miss out on. The first event of the season is a test and tune play day scheduled to take place on Saturday April 5th while the first race of the year will be held on the 19th. To get the latest information and read the most recent stories regarding SSP log on to www.sunsetspeedwaypark.com.
Submitted By: Ben Deatherage
