The 3rd Annual High Desert Classic Shootout was held last weekend at the Winnemucca Regional Raceway (WRR) on Jungo Road.
It was supposed to be a two day event on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, but Mother Nature had other plans.
Just as the drivers made their way onto the track on Saturday, the skies opened up and rain made the track un-drivable.
All of Saturday’s events were run on Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon’s events went off without a hitch, making for a stock car racing marathon.
Kelly Scott was running the gate at WRR.
“We have close to 100 cars here this weekend for the High Desert Classic Shootout and it is also the I-80 Challenge," Scott said. "We have a fantastic season coming up. We are trying to keep our purses up so we can get more racers.” Scott concluded, “Come out and support your local track and have some fun. This is a family event where kids 12 and under and veterans get in free.”
IMCA Modifieds, Dwarf Cars, Hobby Stock, Dwarf Cars, Mini-Modified, Pure Stock, and Outlaw Kart classes all competed for the bucks and the bragging rights.
The Saturday night (Sunday a.m.) winner in each class was paid $1000, and the Sunday winner in each class grabbed $2000. The total purse for the weekend was $22,000.
Hobby Stock driver Crystal Kontny from Fallon said, “This is my third year driving. I am the fifth generation in my family to race and I have nieces and nephews that race also, so they are the sixth generation. I have been running here for the last two years and I am currently in competition for a track championship this year. I am really hoping to get it because this will be my last chance before I get re-stationed with the Navy; I have been in for seven and a half years. Racing has been my dream since I was seven, I have grown up around it my entire life. My dad has been teching for years and my mom ran the front gate, so we went to the track every weekend. I got Rookie of the Year my first year here, and I got third last year. For me, racing is pure joy and entertainment. Racing is a very expensive hobby, but it is definitely worth it. The fans come out to watch, and even though you can’t hear them, you can see them. All of the support that we get is awesome. When we do kids rides and everyone piles in our car, it feels good to see how excited they are to meet us.”
The WRR will run on the following Fridays at 7 p.m. in 2019. June 14, July 12, July 26, August 23, and September 13.
“I am here today to watch everybody have a good time,” said Santiago Villanueva. “I like the rush of dirt track racing and it is a good environment. I have been around stock car racing since 1995 and I am currently the vice-president of the Battle Mountain Raceway. They put on a good show in Winnemucca, I recommend it to everybody.”
Results and more information can be found at winnemuccaracing.com.
