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. For questions, call Angela Schneider
at 541-314-0166.
2019
Thank you to the following businesses for supporting
Newspapers in Education
BuyAToyota.com
Excludes Hybrid
Their generous support of the Hermiston Herald NIE program helps provide copies
of the newspaper and unlimited access to HermistonHerald.com and the e-Edition
to
to schools
schools throughout
throughout the
the community.
community.
1.9 % APR
for 60 Months
LEASE A NEW 2019
OR $1,500 Cash Back
Double Cab SR5
1090 W. Hermiston Ave.
Hermiston, OR
541-567-8229
JeremyJLarsonDMD.com
1739 N. First St.
Hermiston, OR
541-564-0264
OldWestFCU.org
Delgado’s
Delgado’s Beauty
Beauty Salon
Salon
&
& Medical
Medical Massage
Massage
1150 W. Hartley Ave. #D
Hermiston, OR 97838
541-571-3629
Our patients are the very
heart of our practice
DuPont Pioneer
Hermiston
541-567-1860
pioneer.com
2212 SE 9th St. Hermiston, OR 07838
4X4
2019
$ 1,999
Due at Signing
Excludes Hybrid
Over 10,000 lbs
of towing capacity
AWD
Bert's Auto
Salvage & Towing
541-567-3908
$ 0 Security
Deposit
LEASE A NEW 2019
TRD
BertsAutoSalvage.com
30775 Baggett Ln.
Hermiston, OR 97838
541-567-1042
541-567-5050
541-567-5050
QUIZNOS.COM
QUIZNOS.COM
1565
1565 N.
N. FIRST
FIRST ST.
ST. #9
#9
HERMISTON,
HERMISTON, OR
OR 97838
97838
0 % APR
Off-Road Double Cab
2411 NW Carden Ave.
Pendleton, OR 97801
Call Today & Donate!
800-522-0255
620 E. Main St.
Hermiston, OR
$ 399 mo.
36 mos.
541-276-1260
BLUECC.EDU
YOUR
BUSINESS HERE:
Rick’s
Car Wash
Excludes TRD Pro
Excludes TRD Pro
$ 299
4X4
$ 0 Security
Deposit
for 60 Months
mo.
36 mos.
$ 3,199
79937
79937 S.
S. Edwards
Edwards Rd.
Rd.
Hermiston,
Hermiston, OR
OR 97838
97838
541-567-5842
541-567-5842
5 USB Ports
Seating for up to 8
2019 NHTSA 5 Star
Overall Safety Rating!
Due at Signing
3.5-liter V6
direct-injection
engine
2019
LEASE THE ALL NEW 2019
APR
0 %
for 60 Months
Starvation Ridge
Starvation
Ridge Farming
Farming
OR $2,000 Cash Back
LE
OR $3,000 Cash Back
AWD
Umatilla Electric Cooperative
750 W. Elm Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838
541-567-6414 • UmatillaElectric.com
YOUR
BUSINESS HERE:
Call Today & Donate!
800-522-0255
1705 E. Airport Rd.
Hermiston, OR 97838
541-289-9800
541-289-9800
eotechermiston.com
eotechermiston.com
Gas only.
Hybrid models
slightly higher.
$ 249 mo.
36 mos.
$ 0 Security
Deposit
For more information on the NIE Program, visit HermistonHerald.com/hh/nie.
To make
make a a donation,
donation, call
call 800-522-0255.
800-522-0255.
All financing on approved credit through TFS. All
vehicles subject to prior sale. All prices plus tax and
title. Dealer doc fees vary by dealer. Offers end 7/8/19.
For more details call 1-888-21-TOYOTA.
$ 2,999
Due at Signing
All new Toyotas are covered by ToyotaCare. Toyota's no cost
maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes
first. 24 hour roadside assistance is also included for two years.