MERIDIAN, Idaho — The more things change, the more they stay the same at ASA-sanctioned Meridian Speedway.
While two of top Pepsi Sprintcar drivers from the past two seasons make the jump to Mtn. Dew Winged Sprintcars in Saturday’s 2011 open-wheel opener, hometown heroes Johnny Giesler and Wyatt King still will have to cope with the presence of two-time defending winged champion Chris Ratterree of Nampa.
Giesler and King aren’t the only rookies in the popular 360 sprint class at the paved quarter-mile oval that is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
Kuna, Idaho’s Casey Tillman steps into the Stage Coach Inn machine after finishing fourth in the Project Filter Pro-4 standings a year ago.
Veterans such as Sierra Jackson of Middleton, Idaho, and Cody Veenstra of Emmett, Idaho, are scheduled to be back for the opener. Jackson finished third in last year’s points battle, and Veenstra has hopped into the familiar Rick Rule/Kelly Peterson sprinter.
Other season openers set for Saturday include the Pepsi Sprintcars, the ESI Express ASA Modifieds and the Tates Rents Hornets.
Gates open at 4 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the first night of racing are $10 for adults with a $2.50 discount for military personnel with ID and senior citizens and a $4 discount for children ages 7-11. Children 6 and younger get in free.
The $10 general admission is unchanged for at least six years at the historic quarter-mile asphalt oval. The track management, which for the third year includes Nelson, Don Newman and Al Russell, has devised another way to keep the races affordable for 2011, introducing family passes for each night of racing. On $10 general admission nights like Saturday’s opener, a family of two adults and up to four children can get through the gates for $30.
Fans also can obtain tickets online at www.meridianspeedway.com, print them off at home and avoid the long lines on race night.
Last year’s Mtn. Dew Winged Sprints runner-up and USAC touring veteran Mike Murgoitio of Meridian, Idaho, will run the opener as a tuneup for the 21st annual BOB FM 96.1 Diamond Cup, which comes to Meridian for a two-day show with the ASA Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association on June 3-4. Murgoitio plans to run the NSRA this year, and at least one other out-of-town driver associated with the NSRA could be in town this weekend to scout (and drive) the Meridian track.
Also on tap is the season opener for the SPI Idaho Sprintcar and Roadster League (SPI ISRL), which makes the first of three 2011 Meridian stops Saturday.
The day marks the first appearance in racing competition for 14-year-old Dean Bachman, who is the son of four-time series champion and league president Bob Bachman. Even though his son has had a learner’s permit for all of three months, the elder Bachman is following through on a promise he made.
“I told him last year if I wont the championship I’d step back and let him drive,” Bob Bachman said.
“The Hurricane”, as the elder Bachman is known won the ISRL title for the third time in four years in 2010. He went back-to-back in 2007-08.
Meridian Speedway
2011 points standings
After April 16 races
NAPA Late Model Sportsman — 1. Chris Fenton, Meridian, Idaho, 21 points; 2. (tie) Tyler Bailey, Middleton, Idaho, 20; Tyler Monroe, Star, Idaho, 20; 4. Dennis Wurtz II, Boise, Idaho, 15; 5. Dan Lowther, Boise, 14; 6. Josh Jackson, Ontario, Ore., 12; 7. Kane Thomasson, Kuna, Idaho, 9; 8. Jeffrey Meads, Nampa, Idaho, 8; 9. Connor Elliott, Meridian, 7; 10. Jeffrey Wilson, Mountain Home, Idaho, 6
Project Filter Pro-4s — 1. Ken Chandler, Boise, 23 points; 2. Joe Barton, Nampa, 22; 3. Jim Bailey, Middleton, 17; 4. Jordan Fitch, Meridian, 16; 5. D.J. Lyons, Nampa, 12; 6. Dayne Amyx, Boise, 9
CWI PTD Street Stocks — 1. Melissa Weaver, Nampa, 23 points; 2. Marv Weaver, Nampa, 19; 3. (tie) Jeffrey Meads, Nampa, 18; Chad Bess, Nampa, 18; 5. Shawn Hansen, Boise, 12; 6. Jim Anderson, Meridian, 11; 7. Gale Carter, Boise, 10; 8. Doug Loon, Caldwell, 8; 9. Travis Pavlacky, Fruitland, Idaho, 7
Edmark Mini Stocks — 1. (tie) Scott Shoecraft, Boise, 20 points; Eddie Ables, Middleton, 20; 3. Jason Sanders, Caldwell, 17; 4. (tie) Ray Bolinger, Meridian, 14; Larry Hull, Boise, 14; 6. Tyler Burlingame, Meridian, 13; 7. Josh Jackson, 10; 8. Jerry Perkins, Nampa, 9; 9. Duane Gerber, Boise, 8; 10. (tie) Mary Johnson, Meridian, 7; Sarah Shaw, Boise, 7
Domino’s Pizza Legends — 1. Camron Madsen, Boise, 75 points; Cameron Cotta, Meridian, 75; 3. Phil Zubizareta, Boise, 71; 4. Jimmy Ingham, Meridian, 70; 5. Johnathan Davis, Emmett, Idaho, 52; 6. Rod Stiller, Meridian, 45; 7. Chase Gilbertson, Boise, 41; 8. Zach Blume, Eagle, Idaho, 37; 9. Darin Turpen, Nampa, 35; 10. Caitlin Stroebel, Nampa, 32
