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

Keeping Pace

Skagit Drivers take aim at Mid Season Championships

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

Four divisions of the series will race including the 410, 360, and Sportsman Sprints along with the Outlaw Hornet four cylinder cars.

Courtesy: Seth Sands, Skagit Speedway Media Relations

ALGER, Wash. - July 9, 2009 - With ten rounds of the Foothills Toyota Tundra
Racing Series in the books it will be a scramble for the top spot in the
point standings during the Les Schwab Tires Mid Season Championships at
Skagit Speedway Saturday.

Four divisions of the series will race including the 410, 360, and Sportsman
Sprints along with the Outlaw Hornet four cylinder cars.

Stanwood's Jesse Whitney holds a slim 17-point lead over Everett's Colton
Heath in the Associated Asphalt 410 Division. Whitney, who has captured six
fast time awards this season, has won two main events. Heath, driving the
K&J Motorsports entry, has finished in the top ten of the main events four
times this year with one victory and three heat race wins.

Eric Fisher, 39-points out of the lead, has finished in the top ten during
main events seven times. Rick Fauver sits fourth in point's only 43-points
out of the top spot.

Bellingham's Brock Lemley holds a steady but tight 37-point margin over Rod
Perkins in the Budweiser 360 division. Lemley logged point's five heat
victories, four top ten finishes in the main event including a win.

Perkins, a perennial championship contender, has seven top ten finishes with
three heat wins. Defending division champion Brian Kirkpatrick holds third
spot, 71-points from the lead with two main event victories and four fast
times this season.

Defending Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprint champion Kelsey Carpenter
continues to hold off a three car pursuit 40-points over second place driver
Bill Rude.

Carpenter has picked up five heat and main event victories to claim position
one on the leader board. Lyle Woods sits third (52-points behind leader),
followed by Devin Barnes (64-points) in fourth. Both have claimed feature
wins along with Marc Schutte and Ryan Nootenboom in the division.

It's a four car battle for the Outlaw Hornet title between family members
Cory and Wade Swatzina, main event winners Freddie Vela and Tyler Ketchum.
Cory leads Wade by only 29-points collecting three main even victories to
Wade's two. Vela holds third 38-points behind with Ketchum trailing in
steady fourth 44-points from the top spot.

The Outlaw Hornets have had six different main event winners this season
with Don Ward and Howard Vos taking trophies.

Drivers collect points by finishes in qualifying, heat races, and main
events. Passing points, determined by the starting and finishing spots, help
contribute to a point leader's success.

Saturday events start at 7pm with opening ceremonies for the Les Schwab
Tires Mid Season Championships. Races are followed by a giant fireworks
show. Adult admission is $15; kids under the age of six are free.

Reserved seats for the 360 Nationals, July 31 - August 1, and World of
Outlaws, September 4-5, events are available by calling 360-724-3567.

For more information about Skagit Speedway upcoming events, promotions and
competition news visit www.skagitspeedway.com



Keeping Pace

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