by Jon Brown, MERIDIAN, Idaho — If the end of the inaugural season is any indication, the second year of the Canadian-American Western Winged Sprintcars Series will be the hottest racing ticket in the Intermountain West.

The first WWS season encompassed 10 main events in two states and a Canadian province and yet the championship wasn’t decided until the final night of the season in the longest race of the year.

Series champion Sierra Jackson, who edged her teammate Johnny Giesler for the inaugural WWS title, leads a group of the region’s best open-wheel racers into a new season beginning with Northwest Asphalt Sprintcar Speedweek.

Northwest Asphalt Sprintcar Speedweek visits three different racetracks in seven days, bringing five nights of fast-paced winged sprints action to Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho, Rocky Mountain Raceways in West Valley City, Utah and ASA-sanctioned Meridian Speedway in Meridian, Idaho.

The action starts Saturday night with the Speedweek Opener at Magic Valley Speedway.

Jackson holds the winged sprints qualifying record at the 1/3^rd-mile oval, running a 12.062-second lap on July 31, 2010.

She and the other drivers didn’t get a chance to compete at Magic Valley last year as the race was called because of rain hours before the checkered flag was set to drop. It would have been the first winged sprints race at the speedway since the summer of 2010.

Giesler has never driven a winged sprintcar at Magic Valley, and he won’t see the track until Saturday, even though there is a Friday practice session planned. None of his crew can get out of their day jobs to head down Interstate 84 early.

“The biggest thing about Speedweek is making it through Twin Falls, because everyone is going to be antsy and wanting to win the first race,” Giesler said.

Giesler has driven wingless sprints at Magic Valley, but the prospect of a new experience doesn’t faze him.

“To me, winged racing is easier than non-wing racing,” he said.

After Saturday’s season opener, the racing shifts to Utah for the 50-lap Memorial Day Classic on RMR’s 3/8^th-mile oval on Monday.

Speedweek concludes on the quarter-mile oval at Meridian Speedway on Wednesday for the Bob and Tom Naylor Memorial Classic and then Friday and Saturday, June 1 for Diamond Cup XXV.

In addition to the WWS purses up for grabs each night, the $2,500 bounty for the first driver to achieve a 10-second qualifying lap at Meridian is still in the offing. Several different individuals and businesses have contributed to the bounty, which has grown steadily since it was introduced in 2010 when track management poured a new surface on the historic oval.

Wednesday night’s Naylor Classic is a 40-lap event, while the Diamond Cup covers 50 laps on Friday and 75 laps on the second night.

The 75-lap distance is the longest race WWS drivers will have endured since the 75-lap season finale at Meridian in September.

The Western Winged Sprints add two new venues and two new states for the 2013 season.

The first new stop comes June 28 for a 40-lap co-sanctioned race with the ASA Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association at the half-mile oval at Spokane County Raceway in Washington state.

The race haulers cross the border and head for the high-banked quarter-mile oval at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho for the Super Shoe on June 29.

Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore., beckons for another WWS/ASA NSRA co-sanctioned weekend on July 19-20. The weekend starts with a Friday night 40-lap race at DCS then concludes Saturday with the prestigious Art Pollard Memorial 50-lap affair. Douglas County is a quarter-mile oval.

On Aug. 16-17, the racers ferry to Canada for the 53^rd annual Daffodil Cup at Western Speedway in Victoria, British Columbia.

WWS will hold 50-lap races each night on Western’s 2/5^th-mile oval.

The final weekend of the season shows that series organizers are turning up the heat on the series.

On Sept. 13, Meridian Speedway will play host to the 50-lap Prelude to the 200.

On Sept. 14, the season concludes with the Salt City 200, which as the names implies, is an epic, 200-lap race on the 3/8^th-mile oval at Rocky Mountain Raceways outside Salt Lake City.

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Caldwell, Idaho’s Jason Sanders – a former track champion – has found rejuvenation in a Ford Mustang this season.

The veteran won for the third time in as many TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks features in 2013 on Saturday night.

Sanders’ margin of victory turned out to be nearly four seconds after his closest competitor – Donovan Johns of Meridian – was disqualified when a post-race inspection revealed his racecar was too light.

Nathan Dearing, a Boise, Idaho elementary schoolteacher running double duty on Teacher Feature night, finished second in the 35-lap Mini Stocks race.

In other main events:

Dearing beat his colleagues in the 10-lap Teacher Feature during which six teachers from across the Treasure Valley drove loaned Tates Hornets cars.

Mike Anderson of Nampa, Idaho, drove his Pepsi Sprintcar to main event victory.

Randy Keckley of Boise denied 2012 division champion Jay Cook of Nampa in the Budweiser B Modifieds main event.

Jeff Meads of Nampa collected the main event victory in the College of Western Idaho Professional Truck Driving division.

Hot Pursuit (James Cloud, Meridian) brought some new blood to Meridian Arctic Circle Victory Lane in the Thunder Dogs.

Sanders drove one of 10 racecars to finish on the lead lap in the Mini Stocks feature. While Shelby Stroebel saw his Modifieds winning streak end recently, Sanders has won all three Mini Stocks features this season.

In the Thunder Dogs main event, a 25-lapper to cap the night, Hot Pursuit not only took the checkered flag but racked up the most 50-point spins on the night. Hot Pursuit turned around an opposing racecar 4½ times during the main event. Reigning series champion Sledgehammer (David Jolley of Nampa) had four spins and finished second in the race.

Meads became a two-time Street Stocks winner this year, finishing 4/10ths of a second ahead of fellow Nampan Chad Bess.

Keckley ran away and hid from a small field of B Modifieds during a 25-lap feature. “Porkchop” was nearly 10 seconds ahead of race runner-up Cook

The speedway is dark Saturday as fans make the trek to Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls for the first night of the second annual Northwest Asphalt Sprintcar Speedweek.

Meridian Speedway starts a busy week of racing on Monday, May 27 with the Bill Crow Memorial. The Bob and Tom Naylor Memorial Classic pushes off on Wednesday, May 29, and the BOB 96.1 FM Diamond Cup hits town for a two-night stay on Saturday, May 31 and June 1.

Visit www.meridianspeedway.com for ticket prices and family pass prices for each night.

The racetrack can be reached by phone at (208) 888-2813.

Meridian Speedway

Teacher Feature

Saturday’s unofficial results

Main events

Teacher Feature (10 laps) – 1. Nathan Dearing (Hillcrest Elementary, Boise, Idaho); 2. Aaron Short (Mountain View H.S., Meridian, Idaho); 3. Glen Tiderman (Centennial H.S., Boise); 4. Kurt Thaemert (Hillcrest Elementary, Boise); 5. Sarah Christensen (Central Canyon Elementary, Caldwell, Idaho); 6. Heather Fisher (Mountain View H.S., Meridian)

Pepsi Sprintcars (30 laps) – 1. Mike Anderson, Nampa; 2. Cody Huddleston, Meridian; 3. Rob Grice, Nampa; 4. Trevor Miran; 5. Tristen Spiers, Adrian, Ore.

Budweiser B Modifieds (25 laps) – 1. Randy Keckley, Boise; 2. Jay Cook, Nampa, Idaho; 3. Sharlet Pataro, Mountain Home, Idaho; 4. Josh Jackson, Payette, Idaho

College of Western Idaho Professional Truck Driving (30 laps) – 1. Jeff Meads, Nampa; 2. Chad Bess, Nampa; 3. Rick Baldwin, Middleton, Idaho; 4. Daniel Johnson, Caldwell; 5. Melissa Weaver, Nampa

TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks (35 laps) – 1. Jason Sanders, Caldwell; 2. Dearing; 3. Rick Brees, Meridian; 4. Brandon Shira, Boise; 5. Duane Gerber, Boise

Thunder Dogs (25 laps) – 1. Hot Pursuit (James Cloud, Meridian); 2. Sledge Hammer (David Jolley, Nampa); 3. Big Tuna (Stan Irons, Boise); 4. Bumble Bee (Paul Orlando, Meridian); 5. M&M

Trophy Dashes

(Four laps each)

Pepsi Sprintcars – 1. Jimmy Gross, Fruitland, Idaho; 2. Grice; 3. Tony Ackerland, Star, Idaho; 4. Ryan Wiederich, Nampa

Budweiser B Modifieds – 1. Keckley; 2. Cook; 3. Jackson; 4. Pataro

CWI PTD Street Stocks – 1. Melissa Weaver; 2. Bess; 3. Marv Weaver; 4. Johnson

TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks – 1. Brendon Fries, Meridian; 2. Sanders; 3. Jonathan Hull, Boise; 4. Donovan Johns, Meridian

Thunder Dogs – 1. Sledgehammer; 2. Buzz Lightyear (Richard Scott, Meridian); 3. Bumble Bee; 4. Bulldacious (James DeMello, Boise)

Heat races

Pepsi Sprintcars

A Heat – 1. Colton Nelson, Meridian; 2. Ackerland; 3. Ryan Newman, Caldwell, Idaho; 4. Spiers; 5. Grice

B Heat – 1. Tyler Barrow, Boise; 2. Huddleston; 3. Anderson; 4. Miran; 5. Kevin Kressly

CWI PTD Street Stocks

A Heat – 1. Meads; 2. Marv Weaver, Nampa; 3. Melissa Weaver; 4. Bobby Riggs, Fruitland; 5. Baldwin

B Heat – 1. Shaun Bush, Marsing, Idaho; 2. Shawn Hansen, Boise; 3. Destiny Huber; 4. Ray Bolinger, Meridian; 5. Scott Shoecraft, Boise

TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks

A Heat – 1. Duane Gerber, Boise; 2. Fries; 3. Mary Johnson, Meridian; 4. Jonathan Hull; 5. Johns

B Heat – 1. Jayson Wardle, Kuna, Idaho; 2. Robbie Hyde, Twin Falls, Idaho; 3. Alex Duda, Boise; 4. Rick Brees, Meridian; 5. Nathan Dearing

C Heat – 1. Amber Rogers, Meridian; 2. Chad Bush; 3. Blake Coria, Meridian; 4. Brandon Shira, Boise; 5. Keri Ballard, Boise

Thunder Dogs

A Heat – 1. Bumble Bee; 2. Sledge Hammer; 3. Bulldacious; 4. Money Pit (Kennon Irons, Boise)

B Heat – 1. Hot Pursuit; 2. Overkill (Mike Bako, Boise); 3. Bumper Sniffer (Shane Parkila, Boise); 4. Big Tuna; 5. M&M

(Four laps each)

Teacher Feature

A Heat – 1. Fisher; 2. Short; 3. John Rollins (Mountain View H.S., Meridian); 4. Christensen

B Heat – 1. Tiderman; 2. Dearing; 3. Thaemert

Fast times

Pepsi Sprintcars – Grice, 13.644 seconds

Budweiser B Modifieds – Keckley, 14.39

CWI PTD Street Stocks – Melissa Weaver, 14.968

TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks – Jonathan Hull, 15.378

Thunder Dogs – Buzz Lightyear (Richard Scott, Meridian), 16.335

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One of several running gags among the speedway’s announcer JT Thomas and Brent Arte is that Dearing’s fifth-graders from Boise’s Hillcrest Elementary come out to the track each time her runs in the TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks.

If there is any truth to that, those children will be in the stands Saturday night when the second-year Mini Stocks driver returns to his Hornets roots and races against his peers in the second annual Teacher Feature.

Educators from around the Treasure Valley will strap into loaner Tates Hornets racecars to compete for pride and proceeds. Some of the money raised Saturday will benefit the schools from which each educator hails.

As with last year when track promoter Adam Nelson approached him with the idea, Dearing has been on the recruitment trail.

He has convinced his boss, Hillcrest principal Kurt Thaemert, to compete this year, which may act as a restrictor plate on Dearing’s plans to grab a checkered flag.

“My principal’s out there, and I still have placements to go through (at school), so I’d better go easy on him,” Dearing said.

Dearing did have a strategy session with Thaemert earlier this week where he broke out geometry and physics lessons.

“I drew an oval track out and showed him how to make it a circle and to stay up on the car in front of him,” Dearing said. “It was the kind of stuff that Chris Carlson told me.”

Former Meridian racer “Crazy” Chris Carlson sold Dearing one of his first Hornets, which was the first of a long line of racecars nicknamed “Teacher’s Pet” by Dearing, who also is a track chaplain at Meridian and plays a role in staging the Preacher Feature to find the Fastor Pastor each year.

It took a while for Dearing to get on the track, though.

“I hung out at the track until I got my nerve up,” he said of his debut four seasons ago.

Introduced to the track by former Late Model Lites driver Troy Blanton, Dearing got his start in the Hornets, racing two years in that class and finishing 15^th in one of the track’s 250-lap Enduros. Blanton’s son, Seth, was one of Dearing’s students.

Dearing’s Geo Prism is still taking laps in the Hornets, while Dearing has graduated to a Ford Mustang in the Mini Stocks.

“I got tired of the water on the track,” he said. “I just wanted something that was faster and safer.

“I wanted to race instead of spinning around in water.”

Saturday also marks the season’s first Racing for Smiles of the Northwest night at the speedway. A special child will be honored throughout the night as Treasure Valley schoolteachers strap into Hornets for the Teacher Feature.

Also on tap are the Pepsi Sprintcars, Budweiser B Modifieds, College of Western Idaho Professional Truck Driving Street Stocks and TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks and Thunder Dogs.

The gates open at 4 p.m. with qualifying around 5 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.

Race tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens 62 and older and $6 for children ages 7-11. Children 6 and younger get in free. A family ticket good for two adults and up to four children ages 7-11 is $30.

Tickets can be purchased and printed at the track’s website, www.meridianspeedway.com.

Meridian Speedway

2013 standings

(Through May 11 races)

Mtn. Dew Winged Sprints — 1. Bryan Warf, Meridian, ID, 144 points; 2. Johnny Giesler, Meridian, ID, 131; 3. Sierra Jackson, Middleton, ID, 128; 4. Mike Murgoitio, Meridian, ID, 123; 5. Matt Elliott, Caldwell, ID, 93; 6. Brandon Johnson, Meridian, ID, 57; 7. Ryan Burdett, West Jordan, UT, 52; 8. Mark Floyd, Boise, ID, 39; 9. Dave Parrie, Garden City, ID, 37; 7. Sara Henry, Nampa, ID, 12

Pepsi Sprintcars — 1. Tony Ackerland, Star, ID, 88 points; 2. Josh Allen, Meridian, ID, 77; 3. Ryan Wiederich, Nampa, ID, 57; 4. Trevor Cristiani, Boise, ID, 54; 5. Jimmy Gross, Fruitland, ID, 47; 6. Tristen Spiers, Adrian, OR, 46; 7. Justin Segura, Nampa, ID, 42; 8. Rob Grice, Nampa, ID, 40; 9. Colton Nelson, Meridian, ID, 38; 10. Michael Anderson, Nampa, ID, 34

ASA Modifieds — 1. Jentry Pisca, Nampa, ID, 153 points; 2. Shelby Stroebel, Meridian, ID, 129; 3. (tie) Dell Scott, Meridian, ID, 114; Rick Fowble, Twin Falls, ID, 114; 5. Caitlin Stroebel, Meridian, ID, 89; 6. Cade Hollon, Riggins, ID, 80; 7. Charlie Ham Jr., Boise, ID, 72; 8. Tony Ackerland, Star, ID, 50; 9. Josh Jackson, Payette, ID, 46; 10. Pete Trammell, Boise, ID, 36

Budweiser B Modifieds — 1. Josh Jackson, Payette, ID, 75 points; 2. Randy Keckley, Boise, ID, 66; 3. Jay Cook, Nampa, ID, 64; 4. Pete Trammell, Boise, ID, 18; 5. Rosalee Weller, Caldwell, ID, 4

Tates Hornets — 1. Cody Garrett, Boise, ID, 186 points; 2. Chuck Youngblood, Meridian, ID, 160; 3. (tie) James Pahl, Caldwell, ID, 154; Jess Ryska, Meridian, ID, 154; 5. Brandon Hild, Boise, ID, 149; 6. Fred Nagele, Caldwell, ID, 133; 7. Chad Barker, Kuna, ID, 132; 8. Thomas Harrod, Nampa, ID, 131; 9. Cody Brizendine, Nampa, ID, 128; 10. Monica Heath, Nampa, ID, 111

NAPA Late Models – 1. Dylan Caldwell, Nampa, ID, 137 points; 2. Lee Hackney, Boise, ID, 121; 3. Jake Petero, Ontario, OR, 79; 4. Chris Fenton, Meridian, ID, 74; 5. Dennis Wurtz II, Boise, ID, 73; 6. Travis Anderson, Boise, ID, 62; 7. Dan Lowther, Boise, ID, 57; 8. Mike Marston, Boise, ID, 52; 9. Tyler “TJ” Monroe, Meridian, ID, 51; 10. Dennis Brodigan, Nampa, ID, 50

Coors Super Stocks — 1. Justin Ellis, Boise, ID, 159 points; 2. Rob Powers, Meridian, ID, 136; 3. . Josh Jackson, Payette, ID, 121; 4.6 Gale Carter, Boise, ID, 71; 5. Kim Bradford, Star, ID, 58; 6. Anthony Boven, Boise, ID, 16

Project Filter Pro-4s — 1. Joe Barton, Nampa, ID, 168 points; 2. Kenny Chandler, Kuna, ID, 149; 3. Chet Thorson, Nampa, ID, 123; 4. Larry Hull III, Boise, ID, 91; 5. Ryan Bailey, Meridian, ID, 83; 6. Jeffery Snethen, Boise, ID, 71; 7. Terry Sherman, Boise, ID, 68; 8. Dayne Amyx, Boise, ID, 52; 9. Ron Hayes, Boise, 45

College of Western Idaho Professional Truck Driving Street Stocks — 1. Marv Weaver, Nampa, ID, 142 points; 2. Rick Baldwin, Middleton, ID, 134; 3. Melissa Weaver, Nampa, ID, 127; 4. Jeff Meads, Nampa, ID, 122; 5. Bobby Riggs, Fruitland, ID, 99; 6. Shaun Bush, Marsing, ID, 90; 7. Rick Moran, Meridian, ID, 68; 8. Scott Shoecraft, Boise, ID, 66; 9. Tommy Lumpkin-Kirkland, Nampa, ID, 61; 10. (tie) Daniel Johnson, Caldwell, ID, 59; Ray Bolinger, Meridian, ID, 59

Domino’s Pizza Legends — 1. Phyl Zubizareta, Boise, ID, 179 points; 2. Casey Tillman, Kuna, ID, 176; 3. Zach Blume, Eagle, ID, 124; 4. Aubree Wartman, Boise, ID, 106; 5. Mike Cullum, Meridian, ID, 97; 6. Rob Collins, McCall, ID, 96; 7. Sara Henry, Nampa, ID, 87; 8. Jonathan Davis, Emmett, ID, 72; 9. Chase Gilbertson, Boise, ID, 67; 10. Chance Davis, Emmett, ID, 66

TEAM Mazda-Subaru Mini Stocks — 1. Jason Sanders, Caldwell, ID, 192 points; 2. Colton Nelson, Meridian, ID, 160; 3. Brendon Fries, Meridian, ID, 125; 4. (tie) Larry Hull III, Boise, ID, 85; Jonathan Hull, Boise, ID, 85; 6. (tie) Brandon Shira, Boise, ID, 75; TJ Labronte, Meridian, ID, 75; 8. Denny Gerber, Meridian, ID, 74; 9. Donovan Johns, Caldwell, ID, 66. 10. (tie) Mary Johnson, Meridian, ID, 65; Nathan Dearing, Boise, ID, 65

Jr. Stingers — 1. Riley Rogers, Meridian, ID, 88 points; 2. Jordan Kirkland, Boise, ID, 76; 3. Daytona Wurtz, Boise, ID, 74; 4. (tie) Kendra Occhipinti, Nampa, ID, 51; Hunter Gates, Nampa, ID, 51; 6. Taylor Occhipinti, Nampa, ID, 48; 7. CJ Stirm, Nampa, ID, 46; 8. Tyler Marston-Henderson, Boise, ID, 38; 9. Matthew Gerber, Boise, ID, 33; 10. Stafford Smith, Eagle, ID, 31

Thunder Dogs — 1. Bulldacious, 294 points; 2. Hot Pursuit, Meridian, ID, 204; 3. Catfish, Meridian, ID, 143; 4. Big Tuna, Boise, ID, 105; 5. Buzz Lightyear, Meridian, ID, 101; 6. Bumble Bee, Meridian, ID, 97; 7. Money Pit, Boise, ID, 85; 8. Sledgehammer, Nampa, ID, 61; 9. Over Kill, 38; 10. Bumper Sniffer, Boise, ID, 34

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To reserve your room online. Click here!

You may also reserve rooms by calling
1-208-887-2062  (ask for the Meridian Speedway racer rate) $64.00 and up

Meridian Speedway Racers’ Rate

there is a private page for special booking. Click here to go check it out!

You may also reserve rooms by calling the toll free number
1800-456-4000 or
you can call the local Country Inns & Suites location in Meridian
1-208-639-3300  (ask for the racer rate) $79.00 per night

Meridian Speedway Racers’ Rate

Race in to the Country Inn & Suites for a fantastic stay!

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Boise West, ID is pleased to offer a special rate to Meridian Speedway Racers. You’ll enjoy overnight accommodations in one of our spacious guest rooms featuring one king bed or two queen beds plus all of our regular hotel amenities.

Hotel amenities include:

Business Center
Cable TV with premium channels
Coffee, cookies and candy, available 24 hours at the Front Desk (complimentary)
Coin-operated laundry facility, open 24 hours
Fax machine and copier services available
Fitness Center, open 24 hours
High-speed, wireless Internet access (complimentary)
Hot breakfast buffet (complimentary)
Indoor swimming pool, spa and kiddie pool
Read It & Return® lending library
Weekday USA Today® newspaper (complimentary)
Weather
5 day forecast

Terms and Conditions
Offer is valid until 1/01/2014
Rate is not valid with any other promotional rates or offers
Rate is not redeemable for cash or has any cash value
Must cancel reservation by 6 p.m. on day of arrival to avoid a one night plus tax fee

“Sometimes you’ve got to be lucky,” the Nampa, Idaho racecar driver said after winning the perpetual trophy for the third time in its five-year history at ASA-sanctioned Meridian Speedway.

Following Barton’s lead, Domino’s Pizza Legends fast-time driver Mike Cullum of Meridian, Idaho, won the 35-lap Domino’s Pizza Legends feature in early action.

Save for 2010 Challenge champion Kenny Chandler Jr., Barton walked away from the field in every one of the three segment races on Military Appreciation Night.

Then, he showed his appreciation for another important segment of the population.

“I’ve got one thing to say. Tomorrow’s Mothers Day, and this is for my wife and my mom,” Barton said as he hoisted the trophy into the air in Victory Lane.

Another mother got the surprise of the night when Sr. Airman Tanner Volkers went from the airport straight to the racetrack to reunite with his parents – Gary and Melissa Volkers of Nampa. Tanner Volkers had just returned from a 6½-month deployment in Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“It feels amazing,” Tanner Volkers said upon returning from his deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Combined JTT Horn of Africa.

“I’m ready to be back and be back to normal.”

Mom, dad and son walked off the racing surface toward the Turn 4 gate arm-and-arm.

Before the heat races started, track management and race fans paid tribute to the branches of the U.S. military – Coast Guard, Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force. There was a procession of military vehicles, a color guard from the Idaho National Guard and a flyover by a pair of P-51 Mustangs World War II-era fighter planes.

Barton, who won the Challenge in 2009 and 2011, dueled with Chandler – the 2010 champion – in the first of three 33-lap segments earlier in the night.

The two men were wheel-to-wheel for the restart with 17 laps to go after rookie Larry Hull III of Boise spun out on the backstretch while leading the race.

Barton and Chandler pulled away from the field, but Barton maintained a two-car-length lead throughout the second half of the race.

The second segment race had a similar finish as Barton and Chandler worked to the front after another spin by Hull. Barton passed fellow Nampan Chet Thorson for the lead on the restart after Hull’s yellow flag and pulled away to a four-second cushion against Chandler.

Caldwell oversees adjustments to his wining #12 racer

Even though he didn’t have the best qualifying time, he found a way to be in the right place at the right time at the end of the night, winning his ninth NAPA Late Models feature at the paved quarter-mile oval since the start of the 2012 season.

“We’ll take ‘em where we can get them,” the Nampa, Idaho racecar driver said after the 35-lap race.

“This thing wasn’t the fastest out here, but my crew is fantastic. They put their nose to the grindstone and got it done.”

Caldwell is showing signs of the performance that pushed him to the Late Models championship last summer at Meridian.

In other action on Military Appreciation Night:

Nampa’s Joe Barton swept all three segments of the Project Filter Pro-4 All-Star Challenge to win the perpetual trophy for the third time in the five-year history of the event.

Boise, Idaho’s Justin Ellis was the top-finishing Coors Super Stocks driver in a tandem 35-lap main event with the Late Models.

Meridian, Idaho’s Mike Cullum backed up his fast qualifying time by winning the 35-lap Domino’s Pizza Legends main event.

In the Tates Hornets feature, which of course featured three-wide restarts and copious amounts of water on the racing surface, Nampa rookie Drew

At the end of the Hornets main event, Art Heath Memorial Enduro 200 winner Travis Pavlacky of Fruitland, Idaho, presented Stacy Heath his championship trophy from her husband’s tribute race earlier this year. On Saturday night, Stacy Heath raced the No. 84 car made famous by her husband during a championship career. Art Heath Sr., Art’s dad, raced that Ford Escort in his son’s memorial race. Crenshaw picked up his first victory.

Before Saturday’s heat races started, track management and race fans paid tribute to the branches of the U.S. military – Coast Guard, Marines, Army, Navy and Air Force. There was a procession of military vehicles, a color guard from the Idaho National Guard and a flyover by a pair of P-51 Mustangs World War II-era fighter planes.

Barton, who won the Challenge in 2009 and 2011, dueled with Chandler – the 2010 champion – in the first of three 33-lap segments earlier in the night.

The two men were wheel-to-wheel for the restart with 17 laps to go after rookie Larry Hull III of Boise spun out on the backstretch while leading the race.

Barton and Chandler pulled away from the field, but Barton maintained a two-car-length lead throughout the second half of the race.

The second segment race had a similar finish as Barton and Chandler worked to the front after another spin by Hull. Barton passed fellow Nampan Chet Thorson for the lead on the restart after Hull’s yellow flag and pulled away to a four-second cushion against Chandler.

In the Domino’s Pizza Legends feature, Cullum went to the lead with a low pass on Boise’s Chase Gilbertson nine laps to go.

Cullum then held off hard-charging Casey Tillman of Kuna, Idaho, and maintained the lead with 10 laps to go after Jamie Hyde of Boise stopped the action by stuffing his Legends car into the Turn 3 wall.

Phyl Zubizareta of Garden City, Idaho, who won the first Legends feature of the year, was able to pass Tillman for second place late in the race.

Ellis parlayed his fast qualifying time into a Super Stocks victory, finishing fourth overall in the combined Late Models-Super Stocks main event.

After the Hornets feature, Crenshaw revealed that this is his first season racing cars on an oval. He also shared a little secret – he blew up his motor at the end of the race.

Next Saturday marks the first Racing for Smiles of the Northwest night at the speedway. A special child will be honored throughout the night as Treasure Valley schoolteachers strap into Hornets for the Teacher Feature.

Also on tap are the Pepsi Sprintcars, Budweiser B Modifieds, College of Western Idaho Professional Truck Driving Street Stocks and TEAM Mazda Subaru Mini Stocks and Thunder Dogs.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 with a $2.50 discount for senior citizens and a $4 discount for children ages 7-11. Children 5 and younger get in free. A family pass good for two adults and up to four children ages 7-11 is available for $30.

Visit www.meridianspeedway.com or “like” Meridian Speedway on Facebook to get up-to-date news on the track. Tickets also can be purchased at the website.

The racetrack can be reached by phone at (208) 888-2813.

Meridian Speedway

Military Appreciation Night

Project Filter Pro-4 All-Star Challenge

Saturday’s unofficial results

Main events

Project Filter Pro-4 All-Star Challenge Segment 1 (33 laps) – 1. Joe Barton, Nampa, Idaho; 2. Kenny Chandler Jr., Boise, Idaho; 3. Dayne Amyx, Boise; 4. Terry Sherman, Boise; 5. Chet Thorson, Nampa

Project Filter Pro-4 All-Star Challenge Segment 2 (33 laps) – 1. Barton; 2. Chandler; 3. Thorson; 4. Ron Hayes, Boise; 5. Ryan Bailey, Meridian

Project Filter Pro-4 All-Star Challenge Segment 3 ( 33 laps) – 1. Barton; 2. Chandler; 3. Thorson; 4. Hayes; 5. Amyx

Project Filter Pro-4 All-Star Challenge champion – Barton

Domino’s Pizza Legends (35 laps) – 1. Mike Cullum, Meridian; 2. Phyl Zubizareta, Garden City, Idaho; 3. Johnathan Davis, Emmett, Idaho; 4. Casey Tillman, Kuna, Idaho; 5. Aubree Wartman, Boise

NAPA Late Models (35 laps) – 1. Dylan Caldwell, Nampa, Idaho; 2. Dennis Wurtz II, Boise; 3. Travis Anderson, Boise; 4. Dennis Brodigan, Nampa; 5. Lee Hackney, Boise

Coors Super Stocks (35 laps) – 1. Justin Ellis, Boise; 2. Rob Powers, Meridian; 3. Kim Bradford, Eagle, Idaho

Tates Hornets (35 laps) – 1. Drew Crenshaw, Nampa; 2. Thomas Harrod, Boise; 3. Chad Barker, Kuna; 4. Cody Kirland, Meridian; 5. Chuck Youngblood, Meridian

Heat races

(Eight laps each)

Domino’s Pizza Legends

Fast Dash – 1. Mike Cullum; 2. Tillman; 3. Zubizareta; 4. Zach Blume, Eagle, Idaho; 5. Wartman

B Heat – 1. Chase Gilbertson, Boise; 2. Rob Collins, McCall, Idaho; 3. Chance Davis, Emmett, Idaho; 4. Sara Henry, Nampa; 5. Brent Collins, Boise

C Heat – 1. Johnathan Davis; 2. Steve Thimsen, Boise; 3. Mark Cirelli Jr., Nampa; 4. Andrew Tuttle, Eagle; 5. Erik Miller, Caldwell, Idaho

D Heat – 1. Cody Hollis, Payette, Idaho; 2. Daynna Skiver, Meridian, Idaho; 3. Jamie Hyde, Boise; 4. Jenna Cullum, Meridian; 5. Ethan Jones, Meridian

Coors Super Stocks

Fast Dash – 1. Justin Ellis, Boise; 2. Kim Bradford, Eagle; 3. Rob Powers, Meridian; 4. Josh Jackson, Payette; 5. Anthony Boven, Boise

NAPA Late Models

Fast Dash – 1. Dave Thomasson, Meridian; 2. Lee Hackney, Boise; 3. Dennis Wurtz II, Boise; 4. Dylan Caldwell, Nampa; 5. Travis Anderson, Boise

(Six laps each)

Tates Hornets

Fast Dash – 1. Cody Brizendine, Nampa; 2. Jess Ryska, Meridian; 3. Chuck Youngblood, Meridian; 4. Brandon Hild, Boise; 5. Cody Garrett, Boise

B Heat – 1. Thomas Harrod, Nampa; 2. Lynn Sharp, Nampa; 3. Chad Barker, Kuna; 4. Rob Powers, Meridian; 5. Stacy Heath, Nampa

C Heat – 1. Drew Crenshaw, Nampa; 2. Antonio Ryska, Caldwell; 3. Beau Faught, Caldwell; 4. Michael Capps, Meridian; 5. Kenny Driebergen, Boise

D Heat – 1. Kevin Johnson, Kuna; 2. Al Russell, Kuna; 3. Stafford Smith; 4. Tyler Hampton, Nampa; 5. No. 7

Fast times

Project Filter Pro-4s – Barton, 14.585 seconds

Domino’s Pizza Legends – Blume, 15.349

Coors Super Stocks – Ellis, 14.498

NAPA Late Models –Wurtz, 14.213

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Kenny Chandler also seems to be up for the challenge no matter how the format at ASA-sanctioned Meridian Speedway changes through the years.

Three years ago, he won two of three segments – including a 100-lap marathon to cap a crash-filled night – to become the second winner of the perpetual trophy. A few months later, he took another Project Filter challenge and on Oct. 10, 2010 he quit cigarettes.

This year, he’s off to a winning start. Chandler took the checkered flag in the April 13 season opener. He has won eight Pro-4 series championships at Meridian.

The format of segment races on Military Appreciation Night at the quarter-mile paved oval amounts to three main events in one night for the drivers of the 4-cylinder stockcars.

“Traditionally, Project Filter has changed the format for the all-star challenge,” speedway managing partner Adam Nelson said. “This year, we’re going to go with three 33-lap segments. So far, that has been the most challenging format for the drivers.”

It’s merely a coincidence that Chandler – a Project Filter racing team member — drives the No. 33 Corvette.

Nelson likens Saturday night’s featured event to a “tour-style” race.

“There are no heat races,” he said. “That gives them the challenge to see if their cars will last. Can they set up the car to get through the night?”

The Pro-4s are not the only cars that will be put to the test.

The Domino’s Pizza Legends division runs its second feature of the season — and second in seven days — Saturday.

Race fans will observe a moment of silence for fallen service men and women, and each branch of the military will be saluted during pre-race festivities that include a parade of military vehicles from local units and the National Anthem.

Military personnel with ID and their families get into the races free as part of the salute.

Also on the race card are the NAPA Late Models as Dylan Caldwell looks to keep his hot streak going. The reigning series champion has won eight main events since the start of the 2012 season.

The Coors Super Stocks hold Round 2 as well. Boise, Idaho’s Justin Ellis won the first main event of the season.

The Tates Hornets make their third appearance of the young season. The latest main event winner, James Pahl of Caldwell, Idaho, is expected to debut a new racecar in his quest to catch points leader Cody Garrett of Boise.

The second round of the Westby’s Bike Races for Kids also will be held. Call the speedway at (208) 888-2813 for more information, or simply show up at the Turn 1 gate Saturday night with a bicycle and a helmet.

The gates open at 4 p.m. with qualifying around 5 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.

Race tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens 62 and older and $6 for children ages 7-11. Children 6 and younger get in free. A family ticket good for two adults and up to four children ages 7-11 is $30.

Tickets can be purchased and printed at the track’s website, www.meridianspeedway.com.

Meridian Speedway

2013 standings

(Through May 4 races)

Mtn. Dew Winged Sprints — 1. Bryan Warf, Meridian, ID, 144 points; 2. Johnny Giesler, Meridian, ID, 131; 3. Sierra Jackson, Middleton, ID, 128; 4. Mike Murgoitio, Meridian, ID, 123; 5. Matt Elliott, Caldwell, ID, 93; 6. Brandon Johnson, Meridian, ID, 57; 7. Ryan Burdett, West Jordan, UT, 52; 8. Mark Floyd, Boise, ID, 39; 9. Dave Parrie, Garden City, ID, 37; 7. Sara Henry, Nampa, ID, 12

Pepsi Sprintcars — 1. Tony Ackerland, Star, ID, 88 points; 2. Josh Allen, Meridian, ID, 77; 3. Ryan Wiederich, Nampa, ID, 57; 4. Trevor Cristiani, Boise, ID, 54; 5. Jimmy Gross, Fruitland, ID, 47; 6. Tristen Spiers, Adrian, OR, 46; 7. Justin Segura, Nampa, ID, 42; 8. Rob Grice, Nampa, ID, 40; 9. Colton Nelson, Meridian, ID, 38; 10. Michael Anderson, Nampa, ID, 34

ASA Modifieds — 1. Jentry Pisca, Nampa, ID, 153 points; 2. Shelby Stroebel, Meridian, ID, 129; 3. (tie) Dell Scott, Meridian, ID, 114; Rick Fowble, Twin Falls, ID, 114; 5. Caitlin Stroebel, Meridian, ID, 89; 6. Cade Hollon, Riggins, ID, 80; 7. Charlie Ham Jr., Boise, ID, 72; 8. Tony Ackerland, Star, ID, 50; 9. Josh Jackson, Payette, ID, 46; 10. Pete Trammell, Boise, ID, 36

Budweiser B Modifieds — 1. Josh Jackson, Payette, ID, 75 points; 2. Randy Keckley, Boise, ID, 66; 3. Jay Cook, Nampa, ID, 64; 4. Pete Trammell, Boise, ID, 18; 5. Rosalee Weller, Caldwell, ID, 4

Tates Hornets — 1. Cody Garrett, Boise, ID, 141 points; 2. James Pahl, Caldwell, ID, 120; 3. Fred Nagele, Caldwell, ID, 105; 4. Brandon Hild, Boise, ID, 104; 5. Jeff Goade, Boise, ID, 103; 6. Chuck Youngblood, Meridian, ID, 102; 7. Jess Ryska, Meridian, ID, 101; 8. (tie) Cody Brizendine, Nampa, ID, 81; Monica Heath, Nampa, ID, 81; 10. Lynn Sharp, Nampa, ID, 75

NAPA Late Models – 1. Chris Fenton, Meridian, ID, 74 points; 2. Dylan Caldwell, Nampa, ID, 72; 3. Lee Hackney, Boise, ID, 64; 4. Dan Lowther, Boise, ID, 57; 5. Mike Marston, Boise, ID, 52; 6. Tyler “TJ” Monroe, Meridian, ID, 51; 7. Jake Petero, Ontario, OR, 38

Coors Super Stocks — 1. Justin Ellis, Boise, ID, 79 points; 2. Rob Powers, Meridian, ID, 71; 3. Gale Carter, Boise, ID, 60; 5. Josh Jackson, Payette, ID, 58; 5. Anthony Boven, Boise, ID, 8

Project Filter Pro-4s — 1. Kenny Chandler, Kuna, ID, 80 points; 2. Joe Barton, Nampa, ID, 78; 3. Chet Thorson, Nampa, ID, 63; 4. Larry Hull III, Boise, ID, 57; 5. Ryan Bailey, Meridian, ID, 48; 6. (tie) Jeffery Snethen, Boise, ID, 42; Terry Sherman, Boise, ID, 42

College of Western Idaho Professional Truck Driving Street Stocks — 1. Marv Weaver, Nampa, ID, 142 points; 2. Rick Baldwin, Middleton, ID, 134; 3. Melissa Weaver, Nampa, ID, 127; 4. Jeff Meads, Nampa, ID, 122; 5. Bobby Riggs, Fruitland, ID, 99; 6. Shaun Bush, Marsing, ID, 90; 7. Rick Moran, Meridian, ID, 68; 8. Scott Shoecraft, Boise, ID, 66; 9. Tommy Lumpkin-Kirkland, Nampa, ID, 61; 10. (tie) Daniel Johnson, Caldwell, ID, 59; Ray Bolinger, Meridian, ID, 59

Domino’s Pizza Legends — 1. Phyl Zubizareta, Garden City, ID, 97 points; 2. Casey Tillman, Kuna, ID, 95; 3. Mike Cullum, Meridian, ID, 81; 4. Sara Henry, Nampa, ID, 67; 5. Zach Blume, Eagle, ID, 56; 6. Rob Collins, McCall, ID, 55; 7. Charlie Fiscus, Star, ID, 46; 8. Aubree Wartman, Boise, ID, 37; 9. Steve Thimsen, Boise, ID, 31; 10. Chance Davis, Emmett, ID, 30

TEAM Mazda-Subaru Mini Stocks — 1. Jason Sanders, Caldwell, ID, 192 points; 2. Colton Nelson, Meridian, ID, 160; 3. Brendon Fries, Meridian, ID, 125; 4. (tie) Larry Hull III, Boise, ID, 85; Jonathan Hull, Boise, ID, 85; 6. (tie) Brandon Shira, Boise, ID, 75; TJ Labronte, Meridian, ID, 75; 8. Denny Gerber, Meridian, ID, 74; 9. Donovan Johns, Caldwell, ID, 66. 10. (tie) Mary Johnson, Meridian, ID, 65; Nathan Dearing, Boise, ID, 65

Jr. Stingers — 1. Riley Rogers, Meridian, ID, 88 points; 2. Jordan Kirkland, Boise, ID, 76; 3. Daytona Wurtz, Boise, ID, 74; 4. (tie) Kendra Occhipinti, Nampa, ID, 51; Hunter Gates, Nampa, ID, 51; 6. Taylor Occhipinti, Nampa, ID, 48; 7. CJ Stirm, Nampa, ID, 46; 8. Tyler Marston-Henderson, Boise, ID, 38; 9. Matthew Gerber, Boise, ID, 33; 10. Stafford Smith, Eagle, ID, 31

Thunder Dogs — 1. Bulldacious, 294 points; 2. Hot Pursuit, Meridian, ID, 204; 3. Catfish, Meridian, ID, 143; 4. Big Tuna, Boise, ID, 105; 5. Buzz Lightyear, Meridian, ID, 101; 6. Bumble Bee, Meridian, ID, 97; 7. Money Pit, Boise, ID, 85; 8. Sledgehammer, Nampa, ID, 61; 9. Over Kill, 38; 10. Bumper Sniffer, Boise, ID, 34

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Racing Accomplishments: 2008 Bracket racing import face off in Salt city winner.
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