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By Late Model Challenge
Series
(Graham, WA) May 3, 2005 - For the second year in a row, Brent
Harris captured the feature win at the NW Late Model Challenge Series’
season opener event. Last year, the series opened at Stateline Speedway
ID, while this season began at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval in
conjunction with the town’s annual Apple Blossom Festival.
Twenty-nine of the region’s best late model teams gathered for the
100-lap special event competing for over $10,000 available in cash and
bonus awards. This, the 50th scheduled race event in the
series six-season history, was the first of three appearances for the
Late Model Challenge Series (LMCS) at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval (WVSO)
in 2005.
Starting the feature in eighth position, Harris of E. Wenatchee WA,
worked his 2004 Monte Carlo up through the field while many times taking
the high groove at his home track to secure the lead position on lap 38,
overtaking early leader Steve Thompson of West Richland WA. Although
challenged several times by NW Tour regular Garrett Evans, Harris was
able to hold his lead position for the remaining laps. Evans finished
in second, with Jimmy Johnson of Orting WA third.
Top qualifier Mike
Zamora of Kennewick WA drew a six-car invert and finished overall in
fourth and Duke Langley of Umatilla OR rounded out the top five. Of 22
feature event positions available, 16 cars were locked in by qualifying,
4 moved up through B main and two provisional positions. Many LMCS
regulars found themselves in the B main as the track became oiled down
prior to qualifying and the speedy dry slowed many of the early
qualifying attempts. Rick Hager of Mountlake Terrace WA advanced the
most positions, finishing seventh after starting in 21st
position on a provisional.
The season opener was
far from uneventful, as rookie Steve Blankenship of Port Angeles blew
his motor in the B dash, and struck the turn 4 wall hard nearly
head-on. Blankenship escaped without injury, but his LMCS rookie
contention was put on hold as his car sustained significant damage.
Several other racing incidents occurred, but overall the feature went
well, with 14 cars on the track at finish, and 8 cars remaining on lead
lap.
Next scheduled event for the Late
Model Challenge Series is at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, ID on May
21st. The series returns to WVSO for a 150 lap event on June
18th.
Contributing Series Sponsors include; AMS Tire, Bay Cities Motorsports,
Bart’s Trailer Sales, Big John's Trophies, Don Small & Son's Oil
Distributing Inc., Goodyear Racing Tire, M.E. Wright Motorsports Photos
& Tanner Racing Products.
Contingency & Series Bonus Awards are provided by: Frank’s Radio
Service, NW Racing Enterprises, Pro-Pack Racing, K Motorsports, TRICK
Racing Fuel, Blue Oval – Gus Carlson, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Oberg
Race Products, ARP Stock Car Bodies & The Valvoline Cup Challenge.
Please visit: www.LateModelChallenge.com for the latest series news and
racing information. Contact WVSO at 509-886-5801 or www.WVSO.com .
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