Owen Riddle Enters Winter Showdown
Owen Riddle was set to make his first start, in Spears Srl Southwest TourSeries competition, at the All-Star Showdown three weeks ago. He was unable to make the trip with his brother Tayler Riddle, but the four-time Yakima Speedway Super Late Model Champion is set to make that debut at the Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway (CA) on March 21st.
Owen is a three-time winner of the Montana 200 at Montana Raceway Park(MT). He also has victories in the Chilly Willy 150 at Tucson Speedway (AZ), the Mark Galloway 150 at Evergreen Speedway (WA) and is a three-time winner on the Northwest Super Late Model Series, in only 12 starts. Owen also broke through with a win in the Fall Classic at Yakima Speedway in 2017, after several years of trying. That season he made his one and only start in the ARCA Menards West Series, coming home eighth.
As noted by his record, Riddle has built himself a reputation for winning across the Northwest. The former Spokane Super Oval (WA) Champion has participated in a reduced schedule as of late, but he is hoping to make his starts count in 2020, by taking home some high-quality wins. He is excited to make his first start of the year at the Winter Showdown, at a facility he has yet to participate at, in an event that has the reputation for drawing strong competition.
“I’m really looking forward to participating in the Winter Showdown this year”, Riddle stated. “It is one of the premiere short track races in the country. Kern is a beautiful facility and it is very different than any racetrack in the Northwest, I can’t wait to check it out. Hopefully we are able to learn the track quickly, and make the necessary adjustments to the car, that will allow us to be competitive with the strong competition the event will bring.
With Riddle’s penchant for winning, there is little doubt he will be competitive on March 21st. The Naches, WA driver would love to become the fifth different Winter Showdown winner, in six events. But to do so, it will take a team effort, for which Owen is thankful.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the help of our parents, and Don Riddle Excavating. Also, we have great people like Jim’s Hay who helps out, in addition to a few other small donations from those who contribute to our program. In addition to those people, we have developed a relationship with VanDoorn Racing Development to help with chassis support etc.”
The 2020 Winter Showdown, from Kern County Raceway, is entering its sixth season of competition. The previous winners of the event include Bubba Pollard Fan Page (2015, 2016), Derek Thorn (2017), Kyle Busch (2018) and Ty Majeski (2019). The previous Feature Events have included several formats, with distances of 250 laps (2015 – 2017), 300 laps (2018 – 2019) and this year’s 200-lap version. 2020 will feature a halfway break, where half of the purse money will be awarded based on its’ result. The completion of 200 laps will wholly determine the final championship event finish, with the second half of the purse payout. Drivers eligible for the Spears ManufacturingFrequent Flyer Program will receive a minimum of $1,400 to start the feature. If required, eligible drivers who do not transfer from the Last Chance Qualifier will receive $1,000.
The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series Super Late Models will be joined by the Spears Modified Series, as well as the Kern County Raceway Super Stocks. The SPEARS Modifieds will be racing for $4,000-to-win.
Celebrating its twentieth season in 2020, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.
