Spokane County Raceway opened its oval track season with an exciting 50-lap main event that featured a trio of Garber's battling for the victory.

GARBER HOLDS OFF A PAIR OF GARBER’S FOR SCR LATE MODEL WIN
By Doug Pace
Correspondent
The Spokesman-Review

AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. (May 3, 2009)–Dan Garber held off his son, Colton, and father Bruce for the first late model victory in nearly two years at Spokane County Raceway.

The 50-lap main event was the first oval track action for 2009 after a lengthy layoff and refurbishment.

Braedon Havens, who won the “B” Trophy Dash and finished second in the afternoon’s heat race, was fourth with Rusty Webb rounding out the top-5

Havens led the field to the green flag and held the point for the race’s first 16 circuits. Ryen Tarr moved to the lead on lap 16 and appeared to have a car capable of wining the first race of the season until disaster struck on lap 25 when the motor erupted.

Tarr’s misfortune allowed Dan Garber to assume the lead and bring his son and father to the front with him.

Andy Brown staged a rally late in the race as he moved to fourth place on lap 39 in shuffling Havens back to fifth place. Webb applied pressure to Havens for the position over the next 10 laps as lapped traffic challenged the leaders at lap 45.

Dan Garber worked the traffic to perfection and never allowed his son Colton to reach the preferred line in the late going for a shot at the lead.

Garber’s winning Spokane Chimney Chevrolet battled an oil leak early in the afternoon that appeared to create a potential for disaster, he noted.

“I had the leak all day but we got it handled there just before the main. All three of our cars (Colton and Bruce along with Dan Garber) were equal there and I just knew that if Colton got by me it was going to be tough to pass him back for the lead. Luck was a big part of what we were able to do today. The next race we could be running in the back so we’ll take it (Sunday’s win).

“This late model class is going to grow you can just see it. We just got lucky today that Andy had trouble and David (Garber) wasn’t out here (as a teammate to Russ Osbourne) so we’ll just see what happens.”

Colton Garber was happy to chase his father for the win over the last quarter of the race and echoed the potential for late model racing at Spokane County Raceway.

“He (Dan Garber) had us today there was no doubt,” the younger Garber said. “The future of late model racing is right here at Spokane County Raceway when you get racing like we had today. Throw in the fact that a driver of the caliber of Jason Jefferson (who is scheduled to race on May 30) will be out here and that’s huge for our class.”

Veteran Bruce Garber, who has seen his share of late model racing in the past 72 years was happy to come home with a third place finish to his son and grandson.

“It was a bit slippery out there today but you know you have to have a car that will turn and just bide your time. Jason is suppose to be in this car at the next race and that will just make our division that much better for racing when the time comes. This class could have the potential to be one of the best around when you throw in all the talent we’ll have to offer in Dan, David and even the youngster (Braedon Havens).

Next weekend Spokane County Raceway hosts the ASA Northwest Late Model Tour for a 125-lap event. To learn more log onto www.spokanecountyraceway.com

Spokane County Raceway Late Models
50-lap Main Event Race Results
.500-mile, Airway Heights, WA
Fast Time: Dam Garber, Spokane Chimney Chevrolet 19.408-sec.
Finishing Order

1) Dan Garber
2) Colton Garber
3) Bruce Garber
4) Braeden Havens
5) Rusty Webb
6) Darryl Carillio
7) Russ Osborne
8) Craig O’Neil
9) Mike Hoover
10)  Andy Brown
11)  Scott Cannon
12) Ryen Tarr
13)  Nathan Fleury

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