News Release

For Immediate Release: Aug 06, 2007

Oahe Speedway Shootout Races

Following a welcomed rain and with cooler temperatures,  Oahe Speedway sponsored Shootout Races were run this past Saturday.  Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota racers traveled to the Speedway to compete.

Pierre's own Chad Uhrig, battled Terry Henrikson, Rapid City,  in the Box Shootout finals.  Uhrig's quick reaction time of .010 ranked among the best of the day, but was not really needed as Henrikson left too early at the starting line. Uhrig used another rapid reaction to power his rear engine dragster past  Wade Johnson, Rapid City, in the semi final.  In a double breakout semi final, Roger Van Houten, Pierre , went farther under his dial in than did Henrikson. Van Houten went .061 under his dial in with Henrikson only .001 under his dial in. 

For the second straight No Box Shootout Final,  Paula Duncan and Shannon DePoy squared off.  Depoy,  Lanrty,  emerged victorious once again. Duncan, Midland, lit the red bulb in her lane in the final.  Larry Iverson, Pierre, faced Depoy in the semi final  round.  Depoy used a great reaction time to get around Iverson in their match up.  Duncan had a bye run in the semis.

Trophy Shootout action saw a popular final.  Travis Falcon, Pierre,  used a great reaction time to catch and pass Mike Suiter, Pierre.  Suiter, In only his third visit to the Speedway, drove his canary yellow '35 Buick with consistency all day.  Suiter defeated Marcia Graves, Pierre, in the semi finals.  Falcon took on Steve Ball, Pierre, in the semis, taking the win.

"Team Oahe" was well represented last weekend at the Western Conference Junior Dragster Finals at Bandimere Speedway, in Morrison, Colorado.  Carly Ellingson, Rapid City, and James Morris, Pierre, both competed at the Finals.  While they  did not bring home the trophy, they did

gain valuable experience competing among 500-600 other young racers. 

James and Carly meet in the Junior Dragster Shootout at Oahe on Saturday with James besting Carly.  Morris had a single run in the semi final and Ellingson got by Fort  Pierre's Kimberlee Geuther, in the other semi final. 

Gambler's race action pitted Roger Hanson, Pierre, against Darcy Madsen, Rapid City.  In a classic "Blue Oval vs Bowtie" feud, Hansen's Chevy Malibu topped Madsen's '69 Ford Mustang.  Tommy Dale Vines, Eagle Butte, fell victim his own speed in the semifinals, when he broke out against Madsen.

Hansen put  Gillette, Wyoming's Dave Rae,  on the trailer in their match up. 

Next races at Oahe Speedway will contested on Aug 18-19, with the Pioneer Garage of Highmore and Pierre, sponsored Oahe Speedway Class race with the National Dragster Challenge races on Saturday. In addition, round #4 of the Dales A-1 Transmission Super Class will be run on Saturday  The 8th race in the Coca Cola/Budweiser Points Series will be run on Sunday.

If you are looking for a family activity , then Oahe Speedway is the place to be!  The racing excitement covers all ages, including junior dragsters with drivers as young as eight years old.  Families are encouraged to drive the short distance to Oahe Speedway and watch the races together.  Oahe Speedway is located 14 miles north of Pierre on SD Hwy.1804.  Access to the pits is included with the general admission fee, where everyone has the opportunity to visit with the racers and see their cars up close.  Admission fees are $8 for adults, $5 for teens (13-17 years of age) and free to kids under the age of 12.