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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend June 9, 2006 Proud Poppa is doubling his fun In The Pits By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Stiff competition ensures that points titles don’t come easily at the Southern Oregon Speedway. That’s especially true in the modified and pro stock divisions, where the quality and quantity of driving talent are the greatest. And that begs the question: Could someone win modified and pro stock points titles in the same season at the White City track? Few have dared attempt the demanding double in the 11-year history of the oval. But Brian Poppa is making a run at the dual titles this season, and after five races, he’s leading the modified class and he’s running second in pro stocks. "Not to sound arrogant, but that was my goal this year," says Poppa, who has won three of five pro stock main events and two of four modified features. "I think I can win them both." Advertisement Defending modified champion Mark Wauge thought Poppa might struggle hopping from one car to the other in heat races, trophy dashes and main events. But Poppa has endured the physical and mental challenges without difficulty. "Brian is unstoppable right now," Wauge says. "He’s proving to everybody that you can win these two divisions on the same night. "He has some of the best equipment out there, but aside from that, he’s just an excellent driver. He’s aggressive but not dirty." Poppa likes to stay busy on race night. "Most guys are ready to kick back and have a beer after their main event, but I’m a hyper person who wants to keep going," he says. "I can handle driving two cars." Admittedly brash and self-assured, the 36-year-old Poppa is trying to not run his mouth the way he once did. He has twice been handed two-week suspensions, once for arguing with the flagman and another time for fighting. "I’m trying to stay out of the way and keep to myself," he says. "I helped to paint a controversial picture of myself, but I found out that other people had more paint than me. "We all have to work on our stuff. I’ve been married for four years now, and I think that has toned me down." Poppa is attempting to unseat three-time defending champion Frank Word III in the pro stock division. He has three victories to Word’s one and Word him in the 50-lap Art Pollard Memorial on May 6. But Poppa failed to finish a race the previous week when a rival driver plowed into him. Still, he trails Word by only 15 points. Poppa has excelled in the pro stock class even though his car, a Racecraft chassis powered by a 410 Chevy engine, has encountered mysterious power losses. "I get in five or six strong laps, and then it cuts out," Poppa says. "I’ve been fortunate to get some yellow flags at just the right times. Once the car slows down and idles, it gets its power back." Poppa’s chief mechanic, Brian Johnson, changed the coil, cap and rotor and carburetor, and then went through the fuel system. This week, he added a new distributor in an effort to fix the puzzling, persistent problem. "When I get this motor thing fixed, look out," Poppa says. "This car is faster than it’s shown." RACES THAT OFTEN went well beyond 11 p.m. last year are now getting over by 10:30, thanks to a cutback in the weekly schedule from five classes to four. The reduction means that two classes aren’t running each week, and that makes for more down time for the drivers. But some like the idea of doing something other than race every Saturday during the summer months. And race officials welcome the change. "We’re operating at a more comfortable pace," track general manager Jim Rogers says. "We don’t have to cut back the number of laps like we used to when things weren’t going on schedule. We can give a guy a hot lap. It’s been a lot less stressful for everyone involved." SATURDAY’S MENU will include a special $700-to-win dwarf car race. Other classes set to compete are the modifieds, super 4s and mini stocks. THE GOLDEN STATE Challenge, featuring sprint cars with 410-cubic-inch engines, will hit the track on Monday night. Many of the premier sprint car drivers in Oregon and California will on the oval, reaching speeds close to 100 mph. Defending champion Brent Kaeding is expected to be among the entrants. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail Proud Poppa is doubling his fun ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s