After having racing canceled two consecutive weeks by rain, a record 190 drivers showed up to register 120 cars -- another record. Even more are expected by Saturday's second points race.

The avalanche of drivers registering themselves and their cars delayed the start of racing for nearly two hours.

When the stock cars started rolling, many in the large crowd sat back to be entertained and to work on their tans in the warm Sunday sunshine.

"We've had bigger crowds, but this is very pleasing," said track owner and race director John Skinner. "Counting people in the pits, we had more than 3,000 people out there. It shows the kind of interest we have here in this sport."

Before the racing got started another twice-postponed event took place: a children's Easter egg hunt.

Any tranquility that event showcased didn't last long as the racing action quickly got fast and furious -- even in time trials. Mike Phillips of Cave Junction treated the race-hungry fans to a spectacular finish. Phillips' car was bumped by another car and slammed into the wall near the finish line. It flipped over on its top and slid across the finish line the winner of a heat in the dirt modified class.

"I was a little (angry) when it happened," said Phillips. "I didn't know if I had won. I felt better when I found out I had won, but I would have rather finished second in the heat and not banged up my car."

Phillips estimated the damage to his car's front end at $1,000.

"I'll have to pay it myself if I can't get a couple of sponsors real quick," he said. "I'd like to hear from anybody who's interested in helping me out."

The spectators seemed to enjoy themselves. As delays made the long day longer, track officials ran out of beer. More beer was brought in an hour later to accommodate the many thirsty spectators.

"It was too dry out here today," said Russ Ryan. "Considering so many drivers showed up, I would say everything went well today. It was a real good show."

Jennifer Duste of Central Point agreed the conditions were too dusty, but she said the entertainment was still first rate.

"Part of that was because of day racing, and that will get better," said Duste. "I'm not surprised the crowd was this big.

"It's a great place for family entertainment and to watch a great sport. They have a lot of things for kids to do during the racing if they get bored."

Lori Harris, Miss Southern Oregon Speedway for the third consecutive year, said Sunday's long but successful opening day is a sign of good things to come.

"I have a real good feeling overall about this year," she said. "We have more drivers and cars than we have had and there was excitement in the air. It tells me we're headed for a great year."

On the track, Jim Walker Jr. started his bid for a seventh track championship in the pro stocks division with a win in the A main. Driving his new 1998 Pontiac Trans-Am for the first time, Walker had to overcome problems in the time trials.

"In the trials, I broke the transmission, rear end and drive shaft," said Walker. "I told my pit crew to pack it up and go home. I was pretty upset. But they said they could fix it before the main. They were right.

"For a new car, it ran as well as I could have expected after we fixed all the early problems."

A MAIN FINALS

Modified -- 1, Kevin Hewitt; 2, Markey James; 3, Dave Duste Sr.; 4, Mike Phillips; 5, Joey Hubbard; 6, Scott Lenz; 7, Rich Pappenhausen; 8, Dan Estremado; 9, Ken Scales.

Pro stock -- 1, Jim Walker Jr.; 2, Brad Alfrey; 3, Jay McCleary; 4, Bob Dees; 5, Tony Walker; 6, Steve Tarr; 7, Dan Thomas; 8, Cal Lanfear; 9, Ken Irving; 10, Mark Sauge.

Dwarf -- 1, Stan Cook; 2, Kurt Hunter; 3, Dick Tow; 4, Joe Fort; 5, Greg Staton.

Sprints -- 1, Jason Finley; 2, Jeremy Lowe; 3, Bill Nutter; 4, Kevin Cory; 5, Mike Morlock; 6, Brett James; 7, Cale Carder; 8, Chad Bauer; 9, Matt Rodgers; 10, Scott Adams.

Mini-stocks -- 1, Jim Hill; 2, Larry Williams; 3, Scott Annis; 4, Tracey Bradley; 5, Bob Thomas; 6, Gary Fitzsimmons; 7, Frank Word; 8, Mike Chastain; 9, Rich McCoy.

TROPHY DASH

Dwarf -- 1, Ken Hunter; 2, Stan Cook.

Modified -- 1, Carl Fitzsimmons; 2, Rich Pappenhausen.

Sprint -- 1, Chad Bauer; 2, Bill Nutter.

Mini-stock -- 1, Scott Annis; 2, Jim Hill.

Mini-truck -- 1, Scott Katsinis; 2, Bryan Barns.