frank_volz071809.jpgBy BZ ZELLER
The annual Art Pollard Memorial returned to its roots and Frank Volz raced to the checkered flag in his open-wheeled, wingless vintage racecar Saturday night at the Douglas County Speedway.
 
Volz, Spokane, Wash., who has made the trip with the West Coast Vintage Sprintcars to Roseburg for several years, said he was honored to win the event.
 
“I do my best to win every time I come down here,” Volz said. “This time it was very special.”
 
The race is in honor of the late Pollard who was killed during the Indianapolis 500 time trials in 1973. Pollard graduated from Roseburg High School in 1945 and dominated the West Coast racing circuit in the 50s and 60s. During the 1961 season, he captured 22 of 28 main events.
 
Pollard raced the Indy seven times and finished eighth in 1967. Known for being kind, generous and outgoing, he often made speeches at schools and churches and even visited the troops in Vietnam.
 
A large contingent of Pollard friends and family members were in attendance Saturday20night, including his only son Mike, who raced in the event for the first time.
 
“One of the car owners was gracious enough to let me drive his car tonight,” Mike Pollard said. “I had a lot of fun out there.”
 
Pollard, who resides in Reno, Nev., finished fifth.
 
In another vintage event, Lenora McMurty, 71, defeated her son Brian McMurty, 50, in the Midget Main.
 
Dave Imrie, the fields’ eldest competitor at 83-years-old, won the vintage Trophy Dash.
 
Willie Thompson won the ASA Modified Main. The Albany racer drove alongside Roseburg’s Dean Cast for ten laps before making the pass on Lap 11 and cruising to an easy win. Cast finished second, followed by Rick Anderson, Tom Ford and Scott Sheridan Jr.
 
Cast won the Heat and the Dash. Thompson was the fastest qualifier.
 
The Mini Stock boasted the largest field on the race card as 14 drivers took the green flag for their 30-Lap Main. Rob Mueller started in the back, passed his father Bob Mueller on the second lap and raced to victory.
Steven McMahan was second followed by his father Dale Yarbrough in third. Terry Huffman and Jason Gotz were fourth and fifth.
 
Isreal Curdy and Huffman won their respective Heats, Yarbrough won the Dash and Rob Mueller won the time trial.
 
Mike Batman won the Old Timers of Oregon Main, Fast Heat and time trial. Preston Batman won the firs t Heat and Tim Jennings won the Dash.
 
James Jobe won the Junk Yard Dog Main and Heat.
 
Tim Thorp won the J-Car Main and Brad McMaster won the Dash and time trial.
 
Racing resumes Saturday featuring the KGRV AM 700 Preacher Feature. Also on the race card is the Big 5 Late Model 75, Mini Stocks, Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Hornets . Gates open at 4 p.m.
 
*You can reach writer/announcer BZ Zeller at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photo by BZ Zeller: FrankVolz, 96, Spokane, Wash., leads Al Slinker, 9, Enterprise, Ore., in their Trophy Dash Saturday night at the Douglas County Speedway.