Latemodel racing returns to the high deserts of Eastern Oregon for the Touring Warriors of Dirt season opener. The Championship pursuit begins May 30th at one of the more technical tracks in Oregon. The racing surface at Madras starts tacky, goes slick, but takes on that black magic rubber by nights end, making for two and three lines of side by side action.Defending Champion Terry Ferrando #12 sets up for a repeat of last year, with one exception, he is going to win races this year. Last year Gentlemen Ferrando’s clean consistent no mistake driving earned him the 2008 Championship but the itch to win was not scratched. “I’m going to win some” Ferrando states, and when Gentlemen Ferrando makes a statement, look for action.
Jason Wines #41 is a favorite to dominate in Madras after his earlier victory at Sunset Speedway’s 2008 Opener and performance in the DirtCar A-Main last weekend at Willamette Speedway. Expert chassis set up with the veteran knowledge of the Madras racing surface, Wines will be setting the pace early and closing the deal by the checker.
Greg “Hollywood” Walters #97 has a permanent parking spot in Victory Circle at the Madras Speedway. Like gravity, the checker pulls Walters to the front leaving cars spinning their wheels trying to keep up.
Mike Keely #21, the 2008 W.o.D. Rookie of the Year will be piloting a re-worked suspension package provided by FabTech and eye catching graphics by RSR. Keely started with SCCA, earned respect at Sunset Speedway in the Pure Stock and Street Stock divisions, and now looks forward to moving up in the ranks of the W.o.D.
Robby Ireland #8 looks to win, as Madras has been a place of broken parts and cracked dreams during the 2008 Season. Mishap to misstep prevented the finishes Ireland hunted down, but this year tagging and bagging a victory during the opener is a goal set in the crosshairs of preparation for Robby and his crew chief Kent Dollarhyde.
Steve Suckow #37 has been keeping his driving tools sharp in the Prime-X modified and now prepares for his 2009 latemodel debut at Madras Speedway. Team member Randy O’Conner #38 will be racing for 2009 Rookie of the Year. O’Conner comes with modified experience and hands on set up knowledge earned during his tenure as crew chief of the Prime-X #37.
This first 2009 W.o.D. tour race pits Ford vs. GM spec motors with Jeff Biffle #60 running big blue power against a field of GM power plants. Biffle hooked up his spec Ford powered Schwarts chassis at Willamette Speedway last weekend winning the B-Main event earning a transfer spot into the A. This accomplishment is magnified by the fact his spec Ford motor is around 400hp and burns pump gas. Biffle was not the only W.o.D. team to take the challenge of racing crate motors against the open competition power plants of Willamette Speedway.
Steve Moore #21 and Jimmy Schram #22s made waves with their little GM 604s in both the Supersports and DirtCar’s Outlaw show. Swapping tires between races, Moore and Schram made the Sportsmen A-Main event against a field of local veteran drivers.
Also joining the W.o.D. is Brandon Biffle age 16, a natural talent behind the wheel and son of Jeff Biffle. In his first race ever in a latemodel, Brandon finished in the top ten in Yakima last year. Brandon will be pressuring the more experienced Randy O’Conner in the race for the coveted Rookie of the Year distinction. This Father-Son race team has competition bloodlines and a deep desire to win.
Another car to watch at the W.o.D. opener is the Jerry Schram #16 car. Like an unbelievable reality TV show, Jerry Schram #16 entered his Mastersbilt GM 604 powered, pump gas burning W.o.D. crate car in the DirtCar Outlaw event at Willamette Speedway. During qualifying, the limited 400hp motor screamed it’s lungs out to pull Schram into the B-Main. Considering the stiff competition with over 40 open competition latemodels, Jerry’s “little motor that could” unequivocally established there is more to racing than big expensive horse power dollars. Schram gleaned through the B-Main field earning a transfer spot in the A-MAIN!! With all the California teams brought up by DirtCar, and the usual shoes racing in Willamette’s Outlaw division, Jerry Schram’s presence in the A-Main could not be ignored or discounted.
Tim Goodwin will be coming out of racing retirement to pilot the smoking fast #16 Schram car during the opener. If the Schram car performs like it did last weekend, a “good win” for Tim is almost assured. Taking a quick break from Team Buell, Ronnie Saner of RSR accepts the challenge of this first tour race of 2009 in a Mastersbilt chassis donning the #14R and benefitting from expert chassis help from Jason Wines. Ronnie is no stranger to the survivable danger of competition motorsports.
A life of racing will make up for his limited number of latemodel starts, and you can expect to see Ronnie finishing in the top ten. Plug your ears and grab your beers the W.o.D. is coming to Madras Speedway.
