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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Northport track offers slight upgrades

Paul Delaney Correspondent

Northport International Raceway, one of the oldest race tracks around, is showing off a little something new in 2006.

The dirt track located outside the tiny Northeast Washington town of Northport, near the Canadian border, kicks off season No. 52 on Sunday, featuring Modifieds, Street Stocks and Fever Fours. Racing begins at 1 p.m. at the 3/8th-mile oval just across the Columbia River Bridge.

There’s nothing major, according to spokesperson Brenda Robbins, just some little things that the non-profit Northport Dirt Racing Association thinks will make the program a bit more popular with racers and fans.

The 2006 season features 16 race dates, up by about five events.

“Our drivers were asking for some more race days because they love what they do,” Robbins said. Northport has traditionally run almost strictly Sunday racing but this year adds four Saturday dates.

Along with regular points races, Northport will also again offer Mud Drags, plus a visit from the WESCO Sprint Cars. The sprinters appear on July 23 and possibly again Aug. 20.

For the spectators, who mostly view the races from their trucks or cars that are allowed to park above the natural bowl that houses the track, food service has been upgraded.

Info: 509-258-7007 or www.northportinternationalraceway.com.

Early Stocks display

A display of Early Stock vintage race cars will take place at Wendle at the Y on Friday11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This will be a prelude to the season-opening race for the class that makes its debut on Saturday night at Stateline for an exhibition.

“We’re hoping to have between 15 and 20 cars Saturday night,” said spokesperson Nita Volz.

Also on Saturday’s program are Winged Sprint cars, the Golden Wheel vintage cars and the Stateline Hobby Stock class. Time trials begin at 6 p.m.

Sneva, Little cars at MAC

Two race cars with local ties are part of the new exhibit that opens Saturday at the Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) in Spokane.

“Mutual Seduction: Cars & Costumes,” an exhibit that runs through February, will have on display the car that Tom Sneva drove in his rookie qualifying effort at Indianapolis in 1972. Also featured is a 1991 Ford Thunderbird that Spokane’s Chad Little drove in Winston Cup competition.

In addition to the cars that range from a 1918 Apperson Jackrabbit 8 to a 1968 Pontiac Firebird – plus the car made famous in Charlie Ryan’s song, “Hot Rod Lincoln” – the exhibit features clothing from the different time periods represented by the cars.

Info: (509) 456-3931 or 24-hour hotline at (509) 363-5315.

Pit stops

Spokane Raceway Park reports the track will run bracket drags and imports Sunday. The Northwest Late Model Superstocks are also scheduled Sunday on the oval. Racing is scheduled for 1:30 on both tracks. SRP continues operation on a week-to-week basis, awaiting a court ruling on the sale of the facility.

Sunset Speedway at the Spokane Motorsports complex in Airway Heights will stage its first points race Saturday. Qualifying is at 1 p.m., racing at 2.

Streaks and stats

Winners from the Spokane Kart Racing Association’s first race last weekend include: Colton Schultz (Jr. I Animal), Karter Krasselt (Jr. I Flathead), Shane Quinn (Jr. II Animal), Andrew Zimmer (Jr. II TAG), Diane Thompson (Sr. Animal) and Brandon Wilson (Sr. World Formula). All six drivers also led fast-time qualifying in their respective divisions. … SKRA holds its second race of the season on April 30 with qualifying at 11:30 a.m. followed by racing at noon. Info: www.spokanekartracing.com.