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37 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, November 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 21, 2004 In The Pits Lenz zooms to lead in national UMP points By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Scott Lenz is one of about a half-dozen drivers who is racing at Yreka and White City — on the same day. The Siskiyou County Golden Fairgrounds Speedway in Yreka is running a day show this year, starting at 2 p.m. and ending about 6. That gives drivers like Lenz enough time to race in California on Saturday afternoon and then tow their cars to the Southern Oregon Speedway in time for the heat races, trophy dashes and main events on Saturday night. Lenz began racing at both tracks due to his love of the sport. Now he’s doing it for an additional reason: He’s leading the national United Midwestern Promoters points race. Both tracks are sanctioned by UMP, a national racing organization that Lenz says has hundreds of modified racers under its umbrella. Advertisement UMP will pay $25,000 to its champion this season. Lenz wasn’t planning to hook up with UMP — there’s a $75 membership fee — but after winning his first three races in Yreka and his first main event in White City, he learned he’d be leading the national point standings if he belonged. "It was one of those things that just sat there on the kitchen counter," said Lenz, who had six weeks to join the group and still have his previous races count in the UMP standings. "I finally filled it out and sent it in." Lenz didn’t fare so well last Saturday, finishing fourth at Yreka and sixth at White City. "You can’t win them all," shrugs Lenz, a 33-year-old chiropractor from Shady Cove. "It’s going to be tough to stay out front, but it sure feels good to get off to such a good start." Lenz racked up 59 victories at the old Medford Raceway and the Southern Oregon Speedway between 1986 and 1999, when he moved to Dallas, Texas, to attend chiropractic school. He returned to the Rogue Valley last summer and resumed his racing career but didn’t return to the winner’s circle until this year’s season-opener at Yreka. "We had a bunch of seconds, but win No. 60 was slow in coming," says Lenz, who operates a Rayburn chassis. "Now the wins are coming in bunches." Lenz says his racing team, which includes mechanical whiz Scott Ford, car owner Milt Gordon and motor sponsor Jim Livia, has gotten more thorough this year, and he believes that’s a big reason he’s been so successful in 2004. "We’re more detailed in car preparation," Lenz says. "I went back through some of my old notes, and we reorganized some things." With the track at Yreka being dry slick and the oval at White City sporting a tacky surface this season, Lenz and Ford have had to make significant changes to their car’s setup — and in short order. "The adjustments begin as soon as we leave Yreka," Lenz says. "Scott (Ford) takes out his note pad and starts jotting things down. "The car is still warm, and I’m still in my firesuit, but I love it." DAVID MULLANE notched his first main-event victory in the mini stock division last Saturday. Mullane, 39, piloted his 1972 Toyota Corolla into the lead on the sixth lap and held it to the checkered flag. "It was nerve-wracking to be out front — that was a new experience for me," Mullane says. "When I saw the white flag I said, ‘Oh, my God, everyone’s looking at you, don’t screw it up!’" Mullane launched his racing career last year as a way to have fun and relax. He drives a fuel tanker for a living. "I feel a lot safer in the race car," he says. "When you’re driving down the freeway and someone throws a cigarette out the back of their car, you get a little nervous." Mullane ranks fourth in the mini stock point standings after two events. STOCK CAR DRIVERS will be in the spotlight Saturday with the annual running of the 50-lap Art Pollard Memorial Race. The drivers will stop to refuel after the opening 25 laps and will have 10 minutes to make adjustments to their cars. Brian Poppa won last year’s event, taking the lead from Albert Gill on the 33rd lap. Favorites this year include Gill, pro stock points leader Frank Word III, Jim Hill and the Walker brothers, Jim and Tony. The race is named after Art Pollard, a Medford resident who was killed during a practice run at the 1973 Indianapolis 500. Pollard competed in the world’s most famous race five times. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities