Two days later, Gilbert was driving the car to victory in the first mini stocks A Main race of the season at Southern Oregon Speedway.

Gilbert, who was driving go-karts for fun two years ago, drove in his first stock car race on Sunday before nearly 700 fans. He came from 17th place in the A main final, steered his way through a five-car accident just out of turn four late in the race, and won in the opening event of the season at the speedway.

"I love it," said Gilbert, who said he bought the car from Rick McCoy in time to enter the first field of the season at the speedway. "It ran liked I hoped it would, and it did everything Rick (McCoy) said it would.

"I had a great time out here. I can't wait to be here next Sunday."

Gilbert was one of five A main winners in Sunday's first action at Southern Oregon Speedway. Dan Estremado won the winged modified class, Gary Rotarius took the pro stocks, Tom King the dwarf cars and Lindsey Bryant the super trucks.

Rotarius, who has been racing since 1977, won his first A main at Southern Oregon Speedway in a Ford Taurus. He took the lead on the third lap of the pro stocks main event and held it for the remaining 18 laps.

"The bottom line is my car was working better than any other car in the race today," said Rotarius. "Basically, we have built a new car.

"I know pro stocks is the toughest division to win out here, and I know Jim Walker Jr. wasn't racing today," said Rotarius. "But with all the other big names, like Cal Lanfear, Bob Thomas, Tony Walker and Jim Walker Jr., it's going to be tough again.

"But I think our car can compete and do well here.

"All I know is I'm a Ford guy, and I loved racing against and beating all these die-hard Chevy guys today," said Rotarius.

In the much-anticipated winged modified class, Estremado said the wing he added on his car Thursday helped him better handle the car and go faster.

"I took my time and kind of picked my way through the field," said Estremado. "It was a pretty smooth race, with the new wing on the car."

Estremado finished fourth two years ago in the division points standings and fifth last year. He was among a handful of drivers who took advantage of promoter John Skinner's new racing attraction.

The wings aren't mandatory for racers, but are designed to more effectively hold the cars to the surface of the track and increase car speed particularly in the corners.

Dave Duste, running without the 5X5-foot air foil wing which must measure 25 square feet to meet standards for the track set by Skinner, finished second.

"Dave drove like mad today. I think he felt he had something to prove without the wing on," said Skinner.

"The mofifieds are our premier class, and I wanted something more visually appealing and faster for this class," Skinner said of his new attraction.

Duste said he hopes to have a wing on his car by next Sunday's racing. "I'll have to find one first," he said.

"I've got one for you," Skinner replied to his long-time friend.

Rob Gavin finished third in the division and Dennis Silva fourth.

Finishing second behind Rotarius in the pro stocks was Ken Irving, followed by Dan Thomas.

Jon Debenedetti placed second to King in the dwarf cars A Main and Gary Fitzsimmons was third.

John Cahill followed Bryant to the finish line for second place in the super trucks. Dean Combs was second and Tracy Bradley third behind Gilbert in the mini stocks.