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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Keeping Pace

ASA NWLMT Ready for Challenge of Evergreen Speedway

 (The Spokesman-Review)
(The Spokesman-Review)

Courtesy: Scott Ellsworth, iRacing.com ASA Northwest Late Model Tour Media Relations

Marysville, WA (July 23, 2009): Evergreen Speedway i9n Monroe, Washington is primed and ready to host the iRacing.com American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour on Saturday July 25 as the feature event of the 4th Annual Washington 500. The largest oval track that the ASA NWLMT races on each race-season has proven to be the toughest. With 175 circuits of the .625-mile monster oval, in the expected heat, the teams will need to be at their best.

 

There are four races remaining for the first ever Super Late Model Traveling Series championship case. Evergreen will be a major deciding factor on who wears the 2009 crown. Current leader in the chase Brent Harris (E. Wenatchee, WA) is ready for the task. Harris is poised to garner that first win in 2009. With top five finishes in the previous six races, Harris’ style of driving fits the long distance of the 175-lap feature.

 

Gary Lewis will be vying to keep the title of last year’s Washington 500 winner. Lewis trails by six points in his effort to be the only Northwest driver to win championships with NASCAR, ARCA West and now ASA.

 

There are many drivers entered that call Evergreen their home track. Shane Harding a two time Evergreen Super Late Model Champion is s strong candidate to win his first ASA NWLMT race. His dad Pete Harding also considers Evergreen as his home base. Pete has won a NASCAR championship. 

 

Those pre-entered are a strong bunch readying to run the 5/8-mile. Jason Fraser, Kelly Mann, Mark Sundberg, James Mugge, Don Vickery and Harold Raczynski are in line to win at their home track.

 

Three Port City Racecars “Rookie Challenger’s” will be making their first trips around the well storied surface. Amanda MacDonald, Alan Cress and Joey Tanner are set to debut their talents to the Seattle area race fans.

 

It all starts on Saturday July 25 with backgates opening at 8:00am followed by practice sessions rotating through the five race groups that comprise the Washington 500. Qualifying begins at 3:00pm and the first of five main events rolls off at 5:00pm.

 

iRacing.com ASA Northwest Late Model Tour Pre-Registered Drivers:

 

Gary Lewis – Snohomish, WA

Harold Raczynski – Duvall, WA

Kelly Mann – Monroe, WA

Jason Fraser – Snohomish, WA

Alan Cress* - Albany, OR

Jay Sauls – Puyallup, WA

Mike Longton – Moxee, WA

Shane Harding – Langley, B.C.

Joey Tanner* - Portland, OR

James Mugge – Everett, WA

Ed Thompson – Pasco, WA

Amanda MacDonald* - Ephrata, WA

Pete Harding – Surrey, B.C.

Kelly Mann – Monroe, WA

Grant Brown – Red Deer, Alberta

Don Vickery – Seattle, WA

Wade Bennett – Granite Falls, WA

Brad Stanwood – Portland, OR

Brent Harris – E. Wenatchee, WA

Mark Sundberg – Seattle, WA

Natalie Sather – Fargo, N.D.

Plus other locals that will decide after their Speedway Chevrolet Super Late Model practices.



Keeping Pace

Motorsports correspondent Doug Pace keeps up with motorsports news and notes from around the region.