Cottage Grove Speedway became the second track to host a race of the 2022 IMCA Wild West Shootout schedule when the series rolled into town on Tuesday, June 21st. The largest car count was to be had of the whole week so far at the historic ¼-mile clay oval. Three Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing program divisions were in attendance, including the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods presented by Royalty Core Custom Grille & Truck Parts. 

Jesse Williamson took control of the lead in the thirty-five-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event. The Coburg veteran held down P1 until he was overtaken on the third circuit by Otis teenager Eston Whisler. Whisler set a torrid pace and built up a massive gap over Williamson. 

As a long green-flag run developed, Williamson did manage to reel back in the young Whisler. On lap twenty-eight, Jesse got back around Eston to reclaim the position and held him off to win his second victory of the week. It is his seventeenth career series triumph. 

Eston Whisler was an impressive second, while Jon DeBenedetti, of Rogue River, rounded up the podium in third. Ian Whisler also from Otis, and Corbett’s Collen Winebarger, in the Jimmy Schram-owned entry, were fourth and fifth. Two B Mains were run with Warren native Brad Martin and Jake Mayden, from Springfield, earning victories. 

The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars had their first ever race in track history, and it was a wild one. Toby McIntyre of Coos Bay opened the twenty-five-circuit main event by taking the point of the pack and taking off. However, he would be caught and passed on lap fourteen by Zack Simpson. 

From Hoquiam, Washington, Simpson, dominated the rest of the race to score his first win of the series. There have been three winners in as many races for the class this week. Kevin Roberts, from Gresham, posted a second-place result, with Colville, Washington’s Chase Berkeley earning third. Toby McIntyre ended the night fourth with fifth going to Graig Osborne of Creswell. 

Lastly, there would be a good race in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods presented by Royalty Core Custom Grille & Truck Parts. The twenty-five-lap feature had Matt Sanders beat the field to the front on the opening start. However, the Brookings-based driver was chased down and passed on lap sixteen. 

However, the caution came out, and the race reverted to the last completed lap, and Sanders retained P1. Matt Sanders was good on the final few restarts and held on to win his first series race. He also is the third different driver to win in three races.

Jorddon Braaten from Central Point and Oakley, California’s Andrew Pearce were second and third. Kenny Shrader of Pacheco, California, beat Lebanon racer Dalton Bloom for fourth. Roseburg’s David Schmidt won the consolation feature earlier in the night.