Hermiston Raceway

01/19/2025

Wow what a GRAND night. 🏆

We had a bittersweet Night of Champions this past Friday, wrapping up the 2024 season. It was an incredible evening filled with memories, friends, and celebrating one of the best seven-year runs the historic Hermiston Raceway has ever seen.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone—from our family to you—who have supported us through the years. Your passion, dedication, and love for this sport fueled our souls.

THANK YOU 🙏

- We will be posting photos soon of all our award
recipients.

01/16/2025

Congratulations to Hobby Stock Champion Travis McKinney 🏁

What was the most pivotal race or moment of the 2024 season that helped secure your championship?

“Memorial day weekend double header. Fast time both days, won Sat and 2nd Sunday. Gave me just enough breathing room.”

How did you and your team adapt to challenges throughout the season, both on and off the track?

“We had a bunch of struggles all season. Engine problems at Apple Cup almost sidelined us from the start. 1st race at hermiston we were involved in a 4 car pile up in a heat race. Lost water pump in practice and had to borrow a car from jesse Vincent to make the race and lost the rear gear in the main. Engine problems at fall classic sidelined us after just a hand full of Laps and almost cost us a 2nd championship. My crew works hard on race days and helping me at the shop. Trying to be prepared is the hardest thing about racing.”

What strategies or adjustments made the biggest difference in your performance this year?

“I wasn't supposed to race this season. It was all a last minute deal and the focus from the start was 2 championships. 23 years racing and this is the first time I focused on trying to win a championship.”

How did you handle the pressure in the final races, knowing the championship was within reach?

“I put alot of pressure on myself. My wife and team help relieve the stress. It takes alot of help to be successful and I have a great support system around me.”

What does winning the 2024 championship mean to you, and how do you plan to carry this success into the future?

“Winning the championship means alot. I always thought racing for a championship took the fun out of racing. Everything is so serious all the time. With the level of competition in the Hobby Division you have to be on your game all season. Which takes alot of time, money, and commitment from the whole team. I will not say I won't try again but for now it is back to having fun.”

01/12/2025

Today is the last call for 2024 Night of Champions Banquet & 2025 Season Kick Off Party

https://www.hermistonraceway.com/onlinetickets.html

Get ready for a night of celebration and excitement at the 2024 Hermiston Raceway Banquet & 2025 Season Kick-Off Party presented by M&S Motorsports LLC. & Mid-Columbia Dermatology! 🏁

📅 When: Friday, January 17th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Dinner at 6:30 PM | Ceremonies at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Wildhorse Resort + Casino, Columbia Banquet Room

🍽️ Ticket Includes:
• 1 Admission
• 1 Dinner
(Deadline to purchase tickets: January 12th)

Enjoy the Wildhorse Signature Dinner featuring:
• Mixed Green Salad 🥗
• Green Bean Casserole
• Smashed Potatoes with Gravy 🥔
• Cheddar Herb Biscuits
• Grilled Chicken Breast with Pendleton Whiskey BBQ Sauce 🍗
• Slow Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Chutney 🍖
• Rustic Apple Pie & Strawberry Shortcake 🍰
• Water, Iced Tea, Coffee

Non-Host Bar (21+ over) 🍹
Rooms: Book your room at Wildhorse Resort—mention Hermiston Raceway when booking!

🏆 Awards & Recognitions
We will be celebrating the top 5 competitors per local division, & Desert Food Mart/Cougar Cave Cafe Series Top 3, along with special awards including:
• 2024 Hometown Hero Award
• 2024 Fan Favorite Award
• 2024 Sportsman of the Year
• 2024 Rookie of the Year
• Charles + Patricia Kik Award of Excellence
& the 2024 Melinda Darden Support Award

Plus, prizes, raffles, and more! 🎁

🎟️ Don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets before January 7th and be part of this unforgettable evening!

https://www.hermistonraceway.com/onlinetickets.html

Buy your event tickets here!

01/11/2025

The Final Lap at the Historic Hermiston Raceway

Good Morning race fans, competitors, supporters, and sponsors.

This past Saturday, I received a handwritten letter from our landowner informing me that the facility has been sold and we must vacate the premises by January 15th.

To say I was caught off guard is an understatement. We had a verbal agreement to continue in 2025 and were getting a plan together to purchase the facility. We had 10 events planned and were looking forward to a promising 2025 season. But as things stand, it seems we have already held our final event.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my wife of 42 years, Lora, our wonderful children Jody, Laci (her family), Breanna, and Junior, as well as my brother Brent and his amazing family, My Dad Wayne & Niece AJ . Together, we worked tirelessly to transform this place from what it once was into a vibrant, exciting venue for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you to every team that supported us, to everyone who bought a ticket, and to those who pour their hearts into getting a race car on the track every race night & the community.

If there’s a takeaway from this situation, it’s that this could happen to ANY track. If you love racing and want to see it continue, BUY A TICKET & SUPPORT IT.

Despite this gut-wrenching end, we want to extend our deepest thanks to the drivers, sponsors, and fans who supported us throughout the years. You helped make Hermiston Raceway a success, and for that, we are forever grateful.

However, as we close this chapter, we are excited to add our signature events to my existing schedule at Tri-City Raceway. With an 11 event schedule planned, we anticipate continued growth and thrilling competition, making Tri-City Raceway the undisputed hub for motorsports.

Currently we are gaining investors & resources to bring a 1/4 mile oval track @ Tri-City Raceway bringing all our local divisions to the team.

We will be still be having The Night of Champions this Friday & look forward to sending out Hermiston Raceway with the amazing memories that were made!

We will see you all at Tri-City Raceway!

01/08/2025

We just recieved word that Jan 12th is the new deadline for banquet tickets!

Have you got yours yet?! 👇

https://www.hermistonraceway.com/onlinetickets.html

Get ready for a night of celebration and excitement at the 2024 Hermiston Raceway Banquet & 2025 Season Kick-Off Party presented by M&S Motorsports LLC. & Mid-Columbia Dermatology! 🏁

📅 When: Friday, January 17th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Dinner at 6:30 PM | Ceremonies at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Wildhorse Resort + Casino, Columbia Banquet Room

🍽️ Ticket Includes:
• 1 Admission
• 1 Dinner
(Deadline to purchase tickets: January 12th)

Enjoy the Wildhorse Signature Dinner featuring:
• Mixed Green Salad 🥗
• Green Bean Casserole
• Smashed Potatoes with Gravy 🥔
• Cheddar Herb Biscuits
• Grilled Chicken Breast with Pendleton Whiskey BBQ Sauce 🍗
• Slow Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Chutney 🍖
• Rustic Apple Pie & Strawberry Shortcake 🍰
• Water, Iced Tea, Coffee

Non-Host Bar (21+ over) 🍹
Rooms: Book your room at Wildhorse Resort—mention Hermiston Raceway when booking!

🏆 Awards & Recognitions
We will be celebrating the top 5 competitors per local division, & Desert Food Mart/Cougar Cave Cafe Series Top 3, along with special awards including:
• 2024 Hometown Hero Award
• 2024 Fan Favorite Award
• 2024 Sportsman of the Year
• 2024 Rookie of the Year
• Charles + Patricia Kik Award of Excellence
& the 2024 Melinda Darden Support Award

Plus, prizes, raffles, and more! 🎁

🎟️ Don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets before January 7th and be part of this unforgettable evening!

https://www.hermistonraceway.com/onlinetickets.html

01/03/2025

Congratulations to Neena "Dang3rous" Kik Racing on becoming the 2024 Midway Bar & Grill INEX Legend Track Champion!!!

Neena 🏆 delivered a stellar season, showcasing incredible skill, determination, and passion for the sport. 2024’s competition was fierce, but Neena rose to the top, proving she’s a true champion.

We caught up with the Dang3rous Kik for her take on the 2024 racing season!!

What was the most pivotal race or moment of the 2024 season that helped secure your championship?

The most pivotal race or moment for me was winning the main event at the Saturday Night Thunder in May 2024. Ultimately, this season staying in the top 3-4 clinched it and really just focusing on finishing ahead of Austin each race made it possible. There towards the end U was getting a little concerned as Brody was slowly creeping his way up there. But I literally set my goal last February at the Hermiston Raceway Banquet to win the championship this year. And with hard work and focus I was able to accomplish my goal.

How did you and your team adapt to challenges throughout the season, both on and off the track?

My team consisted of my dad Bill Kik, Ray Whitbeck & Jeff Whitbeck and Peyton Saxton with 3rd Gen Race Cars. This year was a difficult one for me as I relinquished control and allowed them to do the work on my car, the set up, tires stagger, etc. I simply drove my car and we made adjustments based on what the track gave us that day. There were some challenges on and off the track but nothing trust and hard work couldn't handle.

What strategies or adjustments made the biggest difference in your performance this year?

My strategy was to focus on what the car was and wasn't doing; how can i be faster then the last lap. Also to manage to stay out of any carnage. I believe there are times a person needs to focus on survival and staying out of trouble. I believe I completed every race which also helped with my points for the championship. Even if I didn't finish top 3, I had to finish top 5 in order to even be in the running for championship. Sometimes it's not all about winning in this sport, just surviving and completing every race.

How did you handle the pressure in the final races, knowing the championship was within reach?

Coming into championship night at Hermiston Raceway, I knew I had to just finish ahead of Austin in order to clinch the championship. I observed him and how his car was running and I guess you can say "sized him up". Luckily, with the amazing set up of my car provided by my crew I was able to out qualify Austin and beat him in the heat. With that I knew if I finished ahead of him or at least one spot behind him I would have accomplished my all time goal of the season, win the championship. What I wasn't. paying attention to was how close Brody was to 2nd. Fortunately, It all worked out in the end. Both Me and Brody, my 15 yr old nephew, who constantly pushed me to be faster, were able to pull off a 1st and 2nd place finish at Hermiston Raceway. We also had a very tight finish at Stateline Speedway as well, finishing 3rd and 4th place.

What does winning the 2024 championship mean to you, and how do you plan to carry this success into the future?

Winning the championship this year was one of my top goals and feels absolutely amazing to have been able to accomplish it. You can do anything you put your mind to! Not only did i have a very successful year at Hermiston Raceway, but Nationally as well. I was also awarded the National State Championship for Masters for the State of Oregon, as well as Finished 6th Nationally overall in the Master division out of nearly 300 racers. I had the wonderful opportunity to go back east to Dominian Raceway in Virginia and run the nationals. Needless to say, if I didn't notice I was sitting in 5th place Nationally as I was driving home from the Fall Classic, I would have completely lost out of this accomplishment. Arrived in Virginia, raced with AK Performance out of North Carolina, qualified 14th out of 31 cars, raced my way up to 10th, but due to unfortunate situation, I was not able to finish the race (my only race I was not able to complete all season). Finished 18th out of the field, and solidified a 6th place Nationally. All in all, a great way to finish out my season.

This year was a year of focus and dedication to growing as a driver and learning new things. This year I had one of the most stable and consistent cars I have ever driven in my 14 years of racing. I also got my 1st experience with having a spotter in my ear at tracks that allowed it. I am going to have to give credit to one of the best spotters, Trace Thompson. Not only did he advise me on what was behind me, he was able to say what I needed to hear to regain my focus, a laugh, or someone I could vent to when I needed. I never knew how beneficial a spotter can be until this year. You are not going fast if you are concerned with what is going on behind you.

My plan for the future is still unknown. I hope to continue being a role model for girls/women all across the sport. As for 2025, my plan is to be at the track and sell legend/bandolero parts, but as for racing I just hang my helmet up for the year. Baby #2 is on her way and is set to arrive in July 2025. I will be back in a car just got to take some time off.

Neena is a true role model and champion on and off the track! We are so proud she calls Hermiston Raceway her home track! 🏁

U.S. Legend Cars International and INEX | Legends Nation

01/03/2025

🏆 Night of Champions is Almost Here!
Join us as we celebrate the best of the best at Hermiston Raceway’s Night of Champions! This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, where the hard work, dedication, and passion of our racers and teams will be recognized. 👇

Prolate Models

1. Thomas Stanford - East Wenatchee, WA - 190 points

2. Trace Thompson - West Richland, WA - 184 points

3. Andrew Riehl - Troutdale, OR - 179 points

4. Mike Zamora - Pasco, WA - 153 points

5. Ken Bonney - Hermiston, OR - 146 points

INEX Legends

1. Neena Kik - Hermiston, OR - 469 points

2. Brody Whitbeck - Umatilla, OR - 434 points

3. Ellie Musgrave - Pasco, WA - 426 points

4. Austin Snodgrass - Kennewick, WA - 423 points

5. Brock McDonough - Hermiston, OR - 350 points

Bombers

1. Cody McDonald - Athena, OR - 265 points

2. Josh Karl - Ellensburg, WA - 260 points

3. Ron Wilbur- Lacey, WA - 247 points

4. Torey Lively- Richland, WA - 240 points

5. Kedric Preston - Pilot Rock, OR - 232 points

Hobby Stocks

1. Travis McKinney - Yakima, WA - 333 points

2. Dillon Huffines - Selah, WA - 319 points

3. Tyler Huffines - Selah, WA - 297 points

4. Garrett Huffines - Selah, WA - 280 points

5. Joe Bettencourt - Hermiston, OR - 280 points

Street Stocks

1. Travis Bonney - Hermiston, OR - 176 points

2. Kedric Preston - Pilot Rock, OR - 169 points

3. Preston Brock - Prescott, WA - 164 points

4. David Brock- Prescott, WA- 146 Points

5. Dustin Nolan - Stanfeild, WA- 137 points

Ministocks

1. Brad Rhoads - Pasco, WA - 330 pts

2. Mike Savage - Kennewick, WA - 251 pts

3. Ron Wilbur - Lacey, WA - 224 pts

4. Colton Schultz - Spokane, WA - 210 pts

5. Nat Barber - West Richland, WA 198 pts

Hornets

1. Kyle Franklin - Kennewick, WA - 474 pts

2. Kyle Suchy - Irrigon, OR - 381 pts

3. Kamery Welton - Moxee, WA - 371 pts

4. Joe Vandecar - Umatilla, OR - 370 pts

5. David Knowles - Hermiston, OR - 327 pts

Bandos

1. Matthew Anders - Wenatchee, WA - 158 pts
2. Hunter Maggard - Yakima, WA - 151 pts (-7)
3. Greyson Gargett - Pasco, WA - 141 pts (-17)

Desert Food Mart Series

Ministocks

1. Nat Barber
2. Mike Savage
3. Colton Schultz

Hobby Stocks
1: Travis McKinney
2: Tyler Huffines
3: Dillon Huffines

Prolate Models
1. **Thomas Stanford**
2. **Trace Thompson**
3. **Andrew Riehl**

Hometown Hero Award
Sportsman of the Year
Fan Favorite Award
Rookie of the Year
Charles & Patricia Kik Award of Excellence
Darden Support Award

12/30/2024

And with that the 2024 has come to an end …. Stay Tuned for Season 2025 🏁

12/25/2024

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas from all of us at Hermiston Raceway! 🎄

We hope your holiday season is filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories.

Thank you for being a part of our racing family, and we can’t wait to see you back at the track in the new year! 🏁

12/23/2024

Get ready for a night of celebration and excitement at the 2024 Hermiston Raceway Banquet & 2025 Season Kick-Off Party presented by M&S Motorsports LLC. & Mid-Columbia Dermatology! 🏁

📅 When: Friday, January 17th
⏰ Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM | Dinner at 6:30 PM | Ceremonies at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: Wildhorse Resort + Casino, Columbia Banquet Room

🍽️ Ticket Includes:
• 1 Admission
• 1 Dinner
(Deadline to purchase tickets: January 7th)

Enjoy the Wildhorse Signature Dinner featuring:
• Mixed Green Salad 🥗
• Green Bean Casserole
• Smashed Potatoes with Gravy 🥔
• Cheddar Herb Biscuits
• Grilled Chicken Breast with Pendleton Whiskey BBQ Sauce 🍗
• Slow Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Chutney 🍖
• Rustic Apple Pie & Strawberry Shortcake 🍰
• Water, Iced Tea, Coffee

Non-Host Bar (21+ over) 🍹
Rooms: Book your room at Wildhorse Resort—mention Hermiston Raceway when booking!

🏆 Awards & Recognitions
We will be celebrating the top 5 competitors per local division, & Desert Food Mart/Cougar Cave Cafe Series Top 3, along with special awards including:
• 2024 Hometown Hero Award
• 2024 Fan Favorite Award
• 2024 Sportsman of the Year
• 2024 Rookie of the Year
• Charles + Patricia Kik Award of Excellence
& the 2024 Melinda Darden Support Award

Plus, prizes, raffles, and more! 🎁

🎟️ Don’t miss out! Purchase your tickets before January 7th and be part of this unforgettable evening!

https://www.hermistonraceway.com/onlinetickets.html

12/20/2024

Rad Towing can get you out of slippery situations. Trust us, We know 😅🏎️

12/19/2024

ITS TIME TO VOTE!!!

Drop the name below of the Driver who has earned the recognition for 2024!

"Sportsman of the Year" in stock car racing refers to an individual recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship, dedication, and contribution to the sport. This award is often given to a driver who not only demonstrates exceptional skill and success on the track but also embodies qualities such as fairness, respect for competitors, teamwork, and community involvement. The honoree usually serves as a positive role model, promoting the values of stock car racing and enriching the racing community through their exemplary conduct and spirit.

2023 Winner- Kamery Welton