Portland Speedway race recap 2001-07-22

Portland, Ore. Eric Sayre of Vancouver, Wash. claimed his second victory in as many weeks as he came from the back to win for the second straight week at Portland Speedway. The veteran racer used a new set up under the car and the outside groove to take the lead form Donnie Martin with one lap to go in the 35-lap NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Grand American Modified division during the Untied Rentals Night at the Races presented by IKON Office Solutions.

"Tiger" Tom Pinkowsky of Vancouver set the pace in qualifying as the former three-time asphalt Late Model champion laid down a lap of 16.513 around the third-mile "Bud Bowl". Sayre would start the feature event in the eighth position but would drop to the rear after a lap 5 incident. Donnie Martin of Portland held the point for most of the event but was unable to hold off a high flying Sayre on the last lap. Sayre completed the come from behind victory with a pass on the high side as the two exited turn four to take the white flag.

Sayre went on to win by .350 seconds ahead of Martin who recorded his best finish of the season in second. Tigard's Richard Whiteman rallied for third, with point leader Tom Pinkowsky finishing fourth, and Don Jenner Rounding out the top five. Pinkowsky maintains the point lead by 21 markers over Jenner. With the victory Sayre move into third place in the season point standings just 41 points back of Pinkowsky. Dan Fox and Whiteman round out the top five.

Dale Holland cruised to his third victory of the 2001 campaign in NASCAR ShortTrack sportsman action last Friday night. Holland was able to hold off season points leader Martin Stanwood to take the victory in the 30-lap feature race. Stanwood set the pace in qualifying with a time 18.205. Andy Church picked up the victory in the 4-lap Trophy Dash, with the heat races being won by Darrell Smith and Jody Tanner.

Stanwood continues to set the pace in the point standings as Holland was only able to shave a couple of points of his tally. Six-time winner this season, Brad Tanner sits third in the standings, with Brad Stanwood in fourth and Jay Estes of Oregon City rounding out the top five.

It was an all Puncochar night as Street Stock divisional point leader Scott Puncochar bested his brother in the NASCAR Street Stock 30-lap feature event. Brian Puncochar lead most of the event until his brother, the 2000 Street Stock champion, flexed his muscle and showed the winning form that has kept him in the point lead all season long. Scott Puncochar used his experience to cruise by his brother with 10-laps to go and held on to record his third victory of the season. Younger brother Brian finished in second, with Dustin Wilkenson holding on for third. Two-time winner Curt Nusom finished in fourth, and Tracy Jones rallied to round out the top five.

S. Puncochar won the Trophy Dash and it was Wilkenson picking up the victory in Heat Race #1 over Nusom, Jerry Schram, Brad Tanner, and Mike Aubrey. Heat Race #2 saw S. Puncochar take the victory over Dennis Krohling, Ralph Puncochar (father), and Jim Schram. Susan Nelson showed her strength in the division by claiming the honors in Heat Race #3 with a victory over Grant Baker, Dan Harris, and Rob Evans. Tracy Jones topped B. Puncochar in Heat Race #4.

Puncochar extended his point lead over Tanner by 74 points with victory. Wilkenson rests in third place, with Tracy Jones and Brian Puncochar in fourth and fifth respectively.

Dan Cherington continued his dominance of the Figure 8 class as he cruised to victory in the 20-lap criss-crossing clash. Starting shotgun on the field, Cherington used his skill to motor to the front and take the victory over Ray Perry who had his best finish of the year. Ron Henderson, Robert Jordaine, and john Mayfield rounded out the top five. The win vaults Cherington ahead of his brother Joe in the season point standings by 19 points.

Dan Cherington picked up the win in Trophy Dash action, and it was Kelly Nace winning Heat Race #1 and Dan Cherington taking Heat Race #2. Randy Ashley picked up the victory in the Bomber Trophy Dash.

Racing action resumes Friday, July 27 as PEPSI presents Dirt Fanatic Night at the Races featuring the Grand American Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, and the return of WAR! Spectator gates open at 5:00 PM with racing beginning at 6:45 PM. Adult admission is just $10, seniors (62+) and military w/ID $8, juniors (11-17) $5 and children 10 and under are free with a paid adult. For all the latest news and information about Portland Speedway log onto www.portlandspeedway.com