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South Sound Speedway

Coordinates: 46°49′26″N 122°57′47″W / 46.82389°N 122.96306°W / 46.82389; -122.96306
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South Sound Speedway
Turns 1 and 2
LocationThurston County, near Rochester, Washington, USA
Coordinates46°49′26″N 122°57′47″W / 46.82389°N 122.96306°W / 46.82389; -122.96306
OwnerButch and Nick Behn
Former namesTenino Speedway
Major eventsNASCAR K&N Pro Series West (1991-1993)
NASCAR Northwest Series (1985-2002)
Oval
SurfaceAsphalt
Length.375 miles (0.6 km)
Turns4

South Sound Speedway is a .375-mile (0.604 km) oval race track with a Figure 8 course located near Grand Mound and Rochester, Washington.

History

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The racetrack, originally called the Olympia-Tenino Speedway,[1] was constructed in 1971 by Dick and Wanda Boness.[2][3] The track would later be owned by Jerry Cope, the uncle of Derrike Cope.[1] The racetrack was sanctioned for use as a NASCAR site from 1989 until 2002, when the partnership ended due to rising costs.[4] The track was purchased in 1995 by the Behn family, and an auto racing parts and tire store would be open on the site in 2002, with a repair shop eventually added.[2][5]

Racetrack and site

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The oval track is .375 miles (0.604 km) in length and the course is a Figure 8 configuartion.[2][6]

The track is mentioned in a 2003 report to accommodate 4,000 people.[4] A wall on the front stretch of the track was raised by one foot before the 2007 season as a safety measure for spectators.[7]

Events

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South Sound Speedway hosts several racing divisions including late model, street stock, Legends, NW baby grand, NW Vintage Modified, and asphalt sprint cars. In the past it hosted the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and currently hosts the Northwest Super Late Model Series once or twice a season.

A signature event at the track was the Miller 200, an annual late model super stock race held in the 1990s and 2000s.[8]

Drivers

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Notable drivers, such as Greg Biffle,[5] have raced at South Sound Speedway. Other drivers of note from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series are Rick Carelli, Ron Eaton,[9] Ron Hornaday Jr., Robert Sprague, Dirk Stephens, Angela Cope,[10] and Amber Cope.[11]

Images

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Spanaway Speedway was king of race scene". The Dispatch (Eatonville, Washington). October 19, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c McClurg, Dian (April 19, 2010). "South Sound Speedway Gives Fast-Paced Experience for Visitors and Racers". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Dick Boness put the pedal to car racing". Senior Scene. April 20, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Dian McClurg; Mark Lawton (September 25, 2003). "NASCAR track looks like a long shot". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Teixeira, Cindy (April 6, 2016). "Season of Speed is Underway at South Sound Speedway". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  6. ^ The Chronicle staff (May 15, 2014). "South Sound Speedway Revs Up for Racing Season". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  7. ^ The Chronicle staff (March 29, 2007). "Things Speeding Up at South Sound SpeedwaySpSpeedway". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  8. ^ Runyon, Kristy (July 22, 2005). "Miller 200 brings drivers out from all directions". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  9. ^ The Chronicle staff (May 10, 2007). "Home Sweet Home". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  10. ^ Palmer, Kristy (June 23, 2004). "Sports news brief - Bumblebees swarm to race". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Palmer, Kristy (August 5, 2003). "Presley tops the field in the Miller 200". The Chronicle. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
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