Tim Sawyer's quest for a third consecutive Northwest Modified championship got a big boost with a season opening victory. Sawyer bested Chris Ochs to the stripe and also set fast time for the evening.

SAWYER WINS FIRST NORTHWEST MODIFIED MAIN EVENT OF 2009

Courtesy: Seth Sands, Stateline Speedway

POST FALLS, IDAHO - April 19, 2009 - Defending Northwest Modified Series Champion Tim Sawyer captured the season opening win for the series' season debut at Stateline Speedway Saturday night.

Sawyer took the lead from Rick Gimeno on lap 17 and warded off a strong last lap charge from second place driver Chris Ochs for the victory. Sawyer led 18-laps in the 35-lap main event slowed once by a caution on lap two. Nine cars attempted the race.

Sawyer also set fast time. Zig Grunert and Kevin Ratel won dashes. Blaine Sneva won the heat, finishing fourth in the main event.

Treven Tarr jolted ahead of the aggressive field in the 25-lap main event for the Hobby Stocks to capture the win over heat winner Brycen Tarr, Joel Schrader and Brenden Tarr.

JC Ward set fast time but was knocked out of the race after his tire flew off. Steve Ellis won a dash. Billy Swift took a heat race before falling out of the main event for handling problems after contact.

Michele Snyder finished fifth followed by Jody Duncan, Ron Hunter, and Gary Hommel. Yvonne Lifsey and Kyle Kennedy rounded out the top ten.

Justin Robideaux won the 20-lap main for the Early Stocks holding off heat winner Mike Robideaux and fast time dash winner Shawn Priest. Terry Armstrong Jr. finished fourth.

Next Saturday the Inland Northwest Super Stock Series starts their 2009 season. Vintage Sprint and Midget cars from the West Coast Vintage Racers and Golden Wheels are scheduled to appear along with Street Stocks. Events start an hour early at 5pm. Tickets are $12; kids under six are free.

The wild, wacky, unpredictable action of Wednesday Night Fever continues every Wednesday at 6pm with the cars and superstars of the Road Runners, Fever 4's, plus the wild and crazy Bump to Pass division. Adults are just $5.75; kids under the age of nine accompanied by adults are free.

For more information about Stateline Stadium Speedway including upcoming events, promotions and participant updates log onto www.raceidaho.com or contact the event hotline at 208-773-5019.

Stateline Stadium/Speedway
4/18/09 Results

NORTHWEST MODIFIEDS: Fast Time - Tim Sawyer, 13.727. Trophy Dash -- A) Zig Grunert; B) Kevin Ratel. Heat - 1) Blaine Sneva.  Main - 1) Sawyer; 2) Chris Ochs; 3) Rick Gimeno; 4) Blaine Sneva; 5) Mark Weaver; 6) Ratel; 7) Dave Weaver; 8) Greg Ochs; 9) Grunert.

EARLY STOCKS: Fast Time - Shawn Priest, 15.246. Trophy Dash -- 1) Priest. Heat - 1) Mike Robideaux.  Main - 1) Justin Robideaux; 2) M. Robideaux; 3) Priest; 4) Terry Armstrong Jr.; 5) Doug McMillan; 6) Amanda McClendon; 7) Larry Todd; 8) Gil Rapp Jr.

HOBBY CARS: Fast Time - JC Ward, 16.314. Trophy Dash -- A) Treven Tarr; B) Steve Ellis. Heat - A) Brycen Tarr; B) Billy Swift.  Main - 1) T. Tarr; 2) Brycen Tarr; 3) Joel Schrader; 4) Brenden Tarr; 5) Michele Snyder; 6) Jody Duncan; 7) Ron Hunter; 8) Gary Hommel; 9) Yvonne Lifsey; 10) Kyle Kennedy.

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