DIRT CUP: Drivers ready for Northwest's premier dirt track event

DAVID RASBACH - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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Just how rare was Jayme Barnes' win in the 2008 Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway last year?

He was only the fourth driver from Washington state to win the Pacific Northwest's crown jewel of dirt racing in the first 37 years of the event, joining inaugural winner Ross Fontes from 1972, Bobby Burrow from 1992 and Kasey Kahne from 2002 and 2003.

Making Barnes' win even more distinctive is the fact the Everett driver won it in his own car, making him one of only three Washington drivers to win in locally owned equipment - Kahne's car had an East Coast owner in 2002 and one from California in 2003.

Now Barnes would like to join some more exclusive company this weekend- becoming a back-to-back Dirt Cup winner. If Barnes can successfully defend his title, he would become the seventh driver in 38 years to do so, joining Jimmy Boyd (1976-77), Doug Wolfgang (1978-79), Jimmy Sills (1989-90), Randy Hannegan (1997-98), Kahne and Jonathan Allard (2005-06).

"He's capable of winning again," Skagit Speedway owner Steve Beitler said in a phone interview. "He hasn't really been on his game this season. He's bounced from car to car, and I wouldn't say he's up to speed quite yet, but he's capable of winning again. He's proven he's got the talent to do it, that's for sure."

Talent is something that Dirt Cup has no trouble drawing, as the best 410 drivers annually make the trip to Skagit County for a race considered one of the top 10 annual races on dirt in the nation.

"Dirt Cup is always a big deal," Beitler said. "We always draw the best drivers in the country, and it's a great event for the fans."

The event starts Thursday, June 18, with the first of two nights of qualifying for the championship race on Saturday, June 19. Gates open at 5 p.m. all three nights, with racing slated to begin at 7 p.m.

It's not just the $150,000 purse and the $25,000 winner's share that draws some of the nation's top sprint drivers.

"Twenty-five thousand dollars is a lot of money," Beitler said. "But Dirt Cup is more about the prestige. Winning that title is something you can put on your resume and ranks you up there among the best."

Among Beitler's favorites to win from out of the area are Allard of Chico, Calif., Los Angeles-native Tyler Walker, three-time World of Outlaws season champion Sammy Swindell from Germantown, Tenn., and three-time Dirt Cup champion Brent Kaeding from Campbell, Calif., along with sons Brent and Tim Kaeding.

"Those guys from California are always strong," Beitler said, referring to the state that was home to 24 previous Dirt Cup winners.

Among the drivers with local ties Beitler picked as favorites are 2004 Dirt Cup winner Shane Stewart, who is from Bixby, Okla., but won the May 16 main event at Skagit Speedway and current Skagit 410 points leader Jesse Whitney. Beitler also said Travis Rutz and Jason Solwold have looked strong in recent races at Skagit Speedway, as has Barry Martinez, who is the most recent Saturday night winner at the 3/10-mile clay oval.

Beitler said he is expecting between 50 and 55 race teams to show up starting Thursday.

"The economy really hasn't affected how many teams we'll get out as far as I can see," Beitler said. "Everybody we expected to come is coming. I think a lot of people have saved up to come out to this event, because this is the one you don't want to miss."

Beitler has even added a few new wrinkles to this year's event.

The first is the Industrial Resources/Follman Agency Qualifying Challenge - an event that will pit the top qualifier Thursday against the top qualifier Friday. On Saturday, each car will take two laps on the clock and then get a two-minute break to work on their car before they head back out for two more timed laps. The top time claims the $1,000 prize.

Also added to the Saturday night race will be the Midget Madness event, featuring a full field of Ford Focus Midgets. Among the top midget drivers from around the Northwest are expected to be Jonathan Jorgenson, Seth Hespe, Gaylon Stewart and Jeff Bell.

"It's just a little something extra for the fans," Beitler said. "Something to enhance their experience a little more. We just want everybody who comes out to have a good time."

Reach David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2271.

RACE DAY

JIM RAPER MEMORIAL DIRT CUP

Gates open: 5 p.m.

Racing starts: 7 p.m.

Site: Skagit Speedway

Thursday: First night of qualifying

Friday: Second night of qualifying, Outlaw Hornets

Saturday: Championship night, Ford Focus Midgets

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Year Driver

1972 Ross Fontes