By BZ ZELLER

 

Cory Lockwood led every lap from green flag to checkered flag to win the annual American Speed Association/Northwest Sprintcar Association Don Hein Memorial Saturday night at the Douglas County Speedway.

  

The Washington teenager started the 40-Lap feature on the front row along side pole sitter Greg Ochs, Coleville, Wash. Lockwood darted through the first turns and emerged the race leader on the back shoot. The blue sprinter with the bright orange No. 99 didn’t qualify quick, but his setup was perfect in the main.

  

“We had some trouble with the car earlier today, but my crew did a tremendous job getting the car ready for the race,” Lockwood said. “We also had a lot of help from the No. 76 team. Without their efforts, we couldn’t have won.”

  

Lockwood’s compliments were directed toward the 76-team of Andy Alberding and crew chief Jim Diemert. Alberding, of Winston, started behind Lockwood in the second row and finished third behind Ochs.

  

Defending series champion Matt Hein, who is the grandson of the late Don Hein, finished fifth. Matt Hein and his crew chief dad Ron Hein, are leading the tour in points again this season. Hein and his No. 98H repeated as the top qual ifier with fast lap of 12.538 seconds. Last season Hein led all entrants with a best lap of 12.626. Alberding holds the track record with a clip of 12.494.

  

Of the other local contingents; Ray Douglas, Winchester, finished seventh, Vern Scevers, ninth, and Rick Brown, Springfield, was 10^th. Sutherlin’s Jim Brock, who is competing in his first full season on the tour, had mechanical failure during a practice session and was not able to qualify.

  

Scevers won the B Trophy Dash and Justin Mack won the A Dash. Ochs and Lockwood each won their respective Heats.

  

Cody Rassmussen won the Hornet Main that included a twist. Drivers had to incorporate a cat-and-mouse strategy as rules stated they were not allowed to lead two consecutive laps. David Beals finished second and Daniel Jobe, Daniel Butterfield and Bob Vancil were third through fifth.

  

Brian Bach and Jobe each won Heats. Andy Nelson won the Time Trial with a best lap of 20.187.

  

ASA Modified season points leader Dean Cast won his Main and Heat. Kris Nace won the Trial, 16.064. Steven Snauder won the Dash.

  

Rob Mueller defeated a 12-car field in the Mini Stock Main. Mueller was followed to the finish line by Dale Yarbrough, Steven McMahan, Dena James and Kevin Ballard.

 

Yarbrough won the Dash. The Heats were won by James and her husband, Gary James. Mueller was the fast time r, 18.277.

  

Mike Batman won the Old Timers Main with Mark Minter and Dusty Trotter finishing second and third. Trotter won his first career Dash and Preston Batman won the Heat. Mike Batman won Trial, 17.578.

  

Paul Tigrett won the Junk Yard Dog Main. James Jobe won the JYD Heat.

  

The speedway will be dormant Saturday due to the holiday weekend, but racing will resume Saturday, Sept. 12., for sponsor appreciation night featuring ASA Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Super/Street Stocks, Hornets, J-Cars and race car rides for children.

 

*You can reach Douglas County Speedway writer/announcer BZ Zeller at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Photos by BZ Zeller