Best laid plans

Yuma’s Morris crowned champ in IMCA Arizona Modified Tour

Miles Morris had this plan. He would race in the inaugural IMCA Arizona Modified Tour until his equipment was used up, or he had to go back to work.

What the Yuma driver didn’t plan, however, was winning the tour championship in the Sport Modified Division.

But when what was originally going to be an eightrace series was shortened to six, and the driver who was the point leader was disqualified on what turned out to be the last night of racing, Morris stepped to the top of the podium.

“It was a surprise,” said Morris following the final night of racing at Canyon Speedway Park on Friday, “especially considering the out of town, out of state and even the out of country drivers that were there.”

He said he was also surprised that the car of Brady Bjella, from Willston, N.D., was not disqualified earlier in the series.

In the post-race inspection Friday night, it was found that Bjella was using a serpentine belt on his motor, which is against the rules. He was then disqualified for the night.

“My first reaction to winning the championship was, ‘How did nobody catch a serpentine belt in the previous five races?’” said Morris.

The series started at Cocopah Speedway with races on Feb. 10, 11 and 12, then moved to Arizona Speedway in Apache Junction for one night of racing on Feb. 21, and went to Canyon Speedway Park for two nights on Feb. 16 and 17.

Two more races were scheduled at Central Arizona Speedway in Casa Grande on Feb. 18 and 19, but the dates were cancelled due to an inclement weather forecast.

Morris said the game plan for the tour was, “to race until something went wrong.”

“We planned on running the whole thing unless I needed to be home for work or the car got unrepairably damaged. The seat time was a great perk of the tour too. We had good luck and were able to finish all the races.”

And Morris had good results to show for his efforts. Although he didn’t win a feature event, he reeled off five top-10 finishes including a third place finish on the second night of the tour, a fourth place on Thursday night at Canyon, and a second place on the last night.

“We were actually in second place by three points on the last race until the 99 car got disqualified,” continued Morris.

“I would have loved to run Casa Grande if we had the chance. All in all it was a great trip. We had a lot of luck and Bobby (Horton) and I learned a lot about the car. Definitely couldn’t have done it without his help.

“Bobby has the Jet Sport Mod hooked up like it’s never been. Hopefully it lasts and we can have another successful Arizona tour next year.”

Also competing in the tour was Yuma’s Kyle Smith, who finished sixth in the Sport Modified standings, and Yuma’s Manny Baldiviez, who finished ninth in the Stock Car standings.

Next up for all three drivers is Round 4 in the 2017 Cocopah Speedway Racing Series back home on the Somerton oval on March 4.