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CLEAR Temp: 65 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, July 4, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 20, 2003 In The Pits Charlton’s in charge of pro stocks points By DON HUNT Mail Tribune When you think of the premier pro stock drivers at the Southern Oregon Speedway, the names Jim Walker, Tony Walker and Frank Word III immediately come to mind. Jim Walker has 142 main event victories and seven points titles to his credit. Word is the defending points champion, and Tony Walker the 2002 points runner-up. Chris Charlton has never won a points title and he’s yet to triumph in a main event. But the Medford resident has unceremoniously taken over the pro stocks points lead at the White City track. "I’m real happy with the way things are going, but it sure would be nice to get a win," says Charlton, a 24-year-old tire shop foreman who has two seconds, one third and three fourths to his credit this season. "I know it’s going to happen. All I need is a little luck." Advertisement Charlton is at the top of the point standings despite running on a shoestring budget. He’s got less than $10,000 in his 1995 Rayburn chassis and 383 Chevy engine. "If the other guys knew some of the parts I was using, they would laugh," Charlton says. "I’ve got a lot of old parts on my car." The exception is the engine, which is new. Charlton thought he might get his elusive first win on May 31 during the Art Pollard Memorial. He led the first 24 laps of the 50-lap event, only to fall back to fourth because of engine problems. He and his father, Charlie — his chief mechanic — went through the engine with a keen eye and finally determined the problem was in the carburetor. Local car owner Ron Martin gave Charlton a new carburetor this week — perhaps just the catalyst he needs to put him in victory lane. One of the nation’s biggest modified races — the Northwest Modified Nationals — unfolds this weekend at Elma, Wash. More than 80 drivers are expected to compete in the $6,000-to-win race, including local competitors Jon DeBenedetti, Mark Wauge, Dennis Silva and Dane Smith. Silva led the 40-lap race last year until blowing an engine on the final lap. Wauge wound up second and DeBenedetti third. Medford’s Brian Poppa won the event in 2001. "It’s a great format and a great race," says DeBenedetti, the defending modified points champion at the Southern Oregon Speedway and the current points leader. "They’ve got heat races both days, a dash for cash and a qualifying race Friday that pays $1,000 to win. "Their format is the same as the World of Outlaws. It’s awesome." Bill Nutter had the least powerful engine during the Golden State Challenge sprint car race last Saturday at the Southern Oregon Speedway, but the Central Point driver used his set-up skills and local knowledge to emerge with a respectable 12th-place showing. Nutter’s car was the only one on the track during the main event with a 360 cubic- inch engine. All the others were equipped with 410s. "I really had a good time — that was one of the funniest races I’ve ever been in," Nutter said. "There wasn’t any pressure on me. I had no expectations and that made it fun." Nutter was outgunned on the straight-aways by most of the field but passed several cars on the corners. "The track was slick but there was some traction in the corners that helped me out because of the way I had my car set up," Nutter said. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times