by Mike Weber
The 20th year of Columbia County Racing
Association motorsports started Saturday with one defending
division winner, Vancouver's Joe Cherington returning
to compete at River City Speedway. There's certain to
be four new champions out of the five auto racing classifications.
Many local competitors recorded top-three main event
finishes in their class to establish themselves as top
contenders, such as Tim Wiliams of Scappoose and St.
Helens drivers Herb Thomas, Adam Beehler, Jeremy Martin
and Celeste Hardesty.
The father/son duo of Scott Dorie and
son Shawn, of St. Helens, put on a fabulous show in
the Reser's Fine Foods modified main as they had a 1-2
finish with Scott taking the checkered flag by one car
length over Shawn, and Martin taking third. Cherington,
a four-time mini stock champ, showed that he'll likely
be favored to win another title as he captured the 30-lap
main with his Circle H Enterprises/Dusty's Machine Shop
sponsored Datsun. Finishing a close second in a Honda
was Beehler, just two car-lengths behind.
Shawn Dorie led a most of the modified
race (25 laps) until Scott moved by on the inside lane
of the back straightaway on lap 34. Their two open-wheel
style modified racers were often bumper-to-bumper or
side-by-side on the quarter-mile clay oval track a majority
of the 50-lap race. Scott's victory in the Superior
Building Maintenance/Columbia Tavern racer earned him
a $1000 purse - $500 of which was donated by Marty and
Lori Holmason of St. Helens.
"It sure was lots of fun racing
with Shawn and it was probably the most enjoyable race
that we've ever had together," said Dorie, 48.
"Shawn has to earn the win though, because that's
the only way he'll improve and become a better driver.
What a great race, I couldn't be any happier and I would
even be just as happy if Shawn won."
Williams took fourth in the 2005 sportsman
standings, but since the top two (Corey Cook, Randy
Allen) won't return, he's undoubtedly a top contender
for the title along with Tricia "Great" Brittain
of St. Helens, who was third in 2005. Driving his Alliance
Automotive Camaro, Williams led the sportsman main from
start-to-finish to notch his second career win. Brittain
was second most of the race as her Chevy Monte Carlo
was bumper-to-bumper with the Camaro. Brittain's aggressive
attempt for an inside pass of Williams in turn two failed
though when she lost control and collided with one of
the large infield tractor tires on lap 23. Despite the
mishap, Brittain finished eighth. Doug Hurley of Castle
Rock, manuevered up quite impressively from a last place
position in the 19-car field to take second with the
RSG Forest Products Monte Carlo.
"I came here well prepared, everything
went pretty well, the car was running good and it was
just a fabulous race," said Williams, the co-owner
with Dan Smith of Alliance Automotive in Scappoose.
"I like racing with Tricia, she's a good driver
and we always seem to be close in every race. I had
a great day, it's an awesome way to start the season
and if I can keep the car running as well as it now,
then I think I'll have a good chance to win the sportsman
title."
Washougal's Brett Eakins led all the
way in the street stock main to capture his first ever
feature win with his Camas Auto Parts Chevrolet Monte
Carlo. Gresham's Curt Nusom was runnerup and Thomas
took third. Portland's Susan Nelson took advantage of
a mishap involving top two frontrunners Jacki Graham
and Brenda Hurley. Nelson avoided the altercation and
manuevered into the lead to capture the women's race
with her All About Towing/Jim Estes Garage Pontiac Firebird
and Hardesty took second.
The next event at the Columbia County
Fairgrounds facility is May 20 and the Pacific Hardtop
Racing Association dwarf cars will be included with
the regular scheduled events.
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