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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 26, 2019)
SPORTS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2019 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A9 Staff photo by Brett Kane Garrett Poynor poses with his 1934 Chevrolet after fi nishing the Legends race at the Hermiston Raceway on Saturday. Young Legend At 14, Garrett Poyner is starting his career behind the wheel of a race car By BRETT KANE STAFF WRITER Most kids start driving on their own when they turn 16. Garrett Poynor started when he was 4. Now 14, the Richland native drove his 1934 Chev- rolet Coupe around the oval in heated competition during Hermiston Race- way’s Hometown Heroes event Saturday evening. Although he hasn’t even started high school yet, Poy- nor participated in the Leg- ends division — a class typ- ically driven by adults. “It’s just addicting,” Poy- nor said. “You can’t beat that adrenaline rush.” While most cars that hit the Hermiston Raceway are built and tuned-up by the hands of their drivers and crew, Legends models come straight from a manu- facturer. Any repairs or new parts that are needed come straight from the factory. While this gives driv- ers without the mechani- cal know-how the chance to race, it’s also one of the toughest divisions to com- pete in, according to Race- way owner Greg Walden. “It’s lightweight, but has more horsepower,” he said. And that’s exactly what Poynor likes about it. Although he fi nished sixth out of the nine racers in the division on Saturday, Poynor is well aware of his potential. He came in off a third-place fi nish from the Raceway’s last event earlier this month. “I love the Hermiston Raceway,” Poynor said. “The racers are competitive, and friendly. They race how I’d want to be raced.” The fi rst wheel Poynor ever sat behind was that of a go-cart. This year is his fi rst behind a real car, as well as his fi rst competing at the Hermiston Raceway. But he’s not the fi rst in his family with a need for speed. His father John is also an experienced driver, and now helps his son throughout each race. “For his rookie year, we’re going to start with this track to support Herm- iston and the Hermiston raceway. That’s our goal for this year,” John Poynor said. “We want to promote the Waldens. They’re good peo- ple. They treat their fans and racers good. If it’s within their means to improve something, they will. And if it’s not, they will soon.” A passion for racing has been maintained in the Poy- nor family for generations. Poynor’s uncles Chris and Kelly are also on his pit crew — Chris is the crew chief and Kelly is the tire specialist. “They’re night-after- night working on this car,” John Poynor said. “It’s that way for a lot of the racers out here.” Poynor crossed the fi nish line with a 17.6-second time for his fi nal lap — just 0.3 seconds behind his season’s best time, which earned him third place in a Legends race just two weeks ago. “Garrett’s great because he has a lot of go-cart expe- rience,” Walden said. “He’s well-schooled in the craft.” A recent graduate of Richland’s Carmichael Mid- dle School, Poynor knows he’s younger than the typ- ical Legends driver, but he doesn’t let that distract him. “It’s not intimidating,” he said. “With as well as I’m driving, I think they’re the ones who are going to be intimidated.” His father shares his confi dence. “There’s a lot of people excited about (Garrett),” John Poynor said. “Even the Legends drivers. They all like him. He’s a clean driver.” Saturday night also con- sisted of races between cars categorized by their size, weight, and other specs, including Bandeleros, Hor- nets, Super Mini Stock, Mini Stock, Bombers, Roadhogs, Street Stocks, and Late Models. The Hermiston Raceway will be back in action on Sat- urday, June 29 for another Hometown Heroes event. The night will be capped off with a pre-Fourth of July fi reworks celebration. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Main events commence at 6 p.m. “It’s addicting. It’s enter- taining,” Walden said. “People know they’re going to see a good show.” Photo contributed by Mark Hanken Jeremy Griffi th of Umatilla County Fire District #1 congratulates bocce athlete Jillian Smalley during the 2019 Hermiston Special Olympics Invitational, held June 15 at Kennison Field in Hermiston. Special Olympians test their mettle HERMISTON HERALD More than fi ve dozen local athletes recently participated in the 2019 Hermiston Special Olympics Invitational, which fea- tured bocce and track and fi eld events. The June 15 competition, held at Hermis- ton High School’s Kennison Field, included athletes from the Hermiston/Pendleton Local Program and several athletes from the Mil- ton-Freewater area. Placing fi rst in the round robin format in bocce was the two-person team of Sally Nesselrodt and Unifi ed Partner Shannon Raymond. And second place hon- ors went to Michael Downing and his Uni- fi ed Partner Declan LaBeck. Both picked up a bocce ball for the fi rst time this season, said Kristi Smalley. The afternoon included a hot dog lunch provided by Our Lady of Angels Knight of Columbus Council #3999. The event con- cluded with closing ceremonies with all par- ticipating athletes receiving a commemora- tive medal. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided volunteer support. Also, two members of Umatilla County Fire District #1 were on hand to cover any medical needs and assisted in distributing medals to the athletes. Upcoming Special Olympics activities include The Fundraising Golf Tournament Aug. 10 at the Echo Hills Golf Course. For more information, call Kristi Smalley at 541-571-0997. Also, signups for fall bowl- ing is Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 5-6 p.m. at The Arc Building, 215 W. Orchard Ave., Herm- iston. 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