End Game

​August 3-4 saw the final Packwood events for the year roll around. The weather was hot, and so was the action as both Saturday and Sunday saw strong turnouts. With big numbers and fast drivers, taking top honors was a real feat.
                  In CAM, Brian Duncan in his Corvette took wins on both days as he works to take home the season championship. After both wins, he now holds a 5 point lead over Aaron Folkerts who missed this past weekend. Duane Schaefer holds down the third spot.
                  As we said good bye to Packwood for the year, this means the Juniors Championships closed out as well. In FJA, it was a brother dual as Andrew and Gabriel Nolke went head to head. It was a HUGE Sunday as Gabriel was able to claim his first ever win over his big brother. But it was Andrew who would have the lst laugh as he takes the season Championship by 16 points over little brother.
FJB action has been tight all year with Sam Otis showing blistering speed. He will claim the season win with Ember Safstrom, Torin McCusker, and Abby Paulson rounding out the class. And in FJC, the master of the ‘Game face” Rachel Kuehn taking top honors. With talent like this, the future is bright for the region!!
                  Perry Keller scared away all the competition in NS1, and looks to have a lock on the class as he took another win on Saturday. NS2 saw Dave Russel close the gap to Aaron Mauldin as with two events left, it now stands at 20 points.
                  NS3 see’s a fight for second place as Ben Cort and James Keller do battle. Both trying to catch the always fast Scott McCusker. Phil Leavens said goodbye to Groot this past weekend and was able to put some ridiculous times to take the win on both days. Look for a new B-Mod car next year form Phil which should be lightning quick!!
                  NS4 is also tight with Garrett Cogburn leading the way over Jake Hartough. Rio Rios sitting in third will have something to say before its all over as well as this class will come down to the final weekend. Dan Kuehn and Carl Tanner played spoilers this weekend as both split the weekend wins. Dan sits in 4th, and might be a thorn in the side for the top 3.  
                  S1 has Shane Kienholz sitting on top as Chuck Spittal is trying to mount a late season charge. Will it be too little, too late?? PIR will decide.   
S2 saw George Emery leading the way with 2 more wins on the season. He has shown amazing speed in his Ford Focus ST, and is holding on to a 20 point lead over the speedy Allen Westernskow. Michael Pinto sits third, and will need some luck to come his way to try and jump up in to one of the top spots. Matthew Turner is only 4 points off of the podium, and has his sights set on the back of the Pinto Porsche.
                  Trophy Challenge is a real dog fight as both Ben Holmessmith and Laura Duncan have been going back and forth all season. With two big wins this last weekend, its now Ben’s to lose as he will take a narrow 9 point lead into the final weekend. Can Laura keep the spins away to reclaim the top spot? Only time will tell.
PRO PAX Ladies looks to be an uphill climb as Lacy Otis has been showing amazing speed in the Otis Family Racing Focus. With her putting down top 10 PAX times all years, she has been extremely hard to beat. She holds a large lead in the point over the always fast Danielle Paulson. Annie Gill stopped by to play spoiler on Saturday taking the win, but it was Lacy jumping back on top on Sunday with a time that put her 7th on overall PAX. Great driving by all the ladies in class.
 
And in PRO PAX, its more of the same as the last name of Otis sits on top. Ryan Otis holds a commanding lead over second place James Paulson who finds himself tied with Dallas Cutler. Oddly enough, neither would find themselves on the top spot this past weekend as it was Jim Daniels who stole that honor. Jim in his DP Miata was flying all weekend long as he edged out Dan Bullis on Saturday, and then Dallas Cutler on Sunday to take both wins. Cutler and Paulson will be going at it tooth and nail the last weekend of the year as they try and sort out the final two steps on the podium.
                  Saturday evening saw the second annual Region Potluck take place on site in Packwood. Fellow racers and family came together to enjoy great food, and great friends in what looks to be a long standing tradition. Packwood truly is a magical place, and we are lucky enough to share in this great town. If you have yet to make the trek up to the base of Mt Rainer, DO IT!!!!
                  The racers will have some time off as many get ready to make the trip back to Lincoln, Nebraska. The PRO Finale and SCCA Solo Nationals will be taking place the first week of September, and it will be a sight to see. With 1325 racers signed up, selling out in a mere 25 hours, Solo Nats will be the hottest place on the planet! Follow all the action live as it happens. Find the links from the SCCA Home page. We wish safe travels, and the best of luck to all who are making the trek out East. May your runs be clean, and your times fast!!
                  One weekend stands between us and the finish line. With many points battles left to finish, the action will be ferocious. So Portland International Raceway, September 21st and 22nd will be the place to be. Mark it down and come on out and enjoy the family that is Oregon Region Autocross!!!
                  Until then, we will see you at the races……