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71 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 12, 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 Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest 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 June 25, 2004 DeBenedetti wins big race at Elma By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Sixty-six cars were on hand for last weekend’s Northwest Modified Nationals stock car race at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Wash. When the smoke cleared following the 40-lap feature race on Saturday night, Rogue River’s Jon DeBenedetti was ahead of the pack. DeBenedetti, 30, grabbed the lead from Minnesota legend Ron Jones on the second lap and never trailed the rest of the way. He pocketed $6,000 for the victory and took home another $1,200 for winning the trophy dash and taking second in Friday’s 25-lap feature race. "I’d have to say this is the biggest win of my career," said DeBenedetti, who launched his career at the Southern Oregon Speedway in 1997. "That was a tough field up there, as tough as you’ll see on the West Coast." Advertisement DeBenedetti earned the pole for winning the trophy dash, but Jones, a nationally renowned modified driver, shot passed him on the opening lap. However, DeBenedetti retook the lead on the second circuit and maintained it the rest of the way. "I never saw another tire or heard another car once I passed Jones," said DeBenedetti, who finished third at the Northwest Modified Nationals the past two years. "I kept thinking someone was going to challenge me, but no one did." Jesse Williamson of Coburg took second place while Jones, who had to pit for a flat tire, wound up third. Along with DeBenedetti, two other Rogue Valley racers finished among the top 15 as rookie Chris Salyer took 13th and Scott Weldon 14th. Weldon also set fast time. DeBenedetti claimed dwarf car point titles at the Southern Oregon Speedway in 1998, ‘99 and 2000 and he was the West Coast national dwarf car champion in 1999. A year later, he entered the modified division and earned another points title as well as rookie-of-the-year accolades. This season, DeBenedetti and car owner Ron Martin have opted to compete at high-dollar, out-of-town events. They have towed their 2004 Loose Gruf Chassis to Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Alabama and Arkansas. Prior to last weekend, DeBenedetti’s best finishes were sixth at a $10,000-to-win race in Green Valley, Ala., and ninth at a $10,000-to-win event in Lubbock, Texas. His most memorable experience, though, was at Batesville, Ark., where a $100,000-to-win race, known as the AllTel 100, was held last month. That show, which kicked off on a Monday and continued through Saturday, lured a staggering 433 cars from throughout the country. It was billed as the largest modified race in the world, both in terms of cars and purse. DeBenedetti failed to make the A main, but he qualified 28th and was running fourth in a 31-car preliminary event when he hit a retaining wall at 90 mph. "That tore the car up pretty good — that was the end of our Saturday night," DeBenedetti said. "But it was quite the experience just to be involved in a show of that stature." DeBenedetti said the modified drivers in Oregon and Washington possess the driving skills of their counterparts back east, but generally operate less expensive equipment because they don’t have as much sponsorship. "The modified world out west isn’t behind in talent or technology, it’s just behind financially," he said. "On a given night I feel like I can run with the best drivers in the nation, and I think a lot of guys at the Southern Oregon Speedway could do the same." DeBenedetti will make his first appearance at White City on July 3 when the Firecracker 50 is held at the local oval. Two weeks later, on July 16-17, he’ll compete in a $4,000-to-win race at Cottage Grove that Martin is helping to sponsor. Shady Cove’s Scott Lenz continues to rule the California United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) standings. Lenz finished fourth in the modified main event at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., last Friday, then captured his seventh main event victory of the season Saturday at Yreka. Lenz also remains among the top 10 nationally in UMP points. 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