Groskreutz Relishes Steady Climb
Spokane’s Mark Groskreutz owns the points lead in the Totem Travel rookie of the year competition heading into the fifth NASCAR Northwest Tour series race of the season, Saturday at Wenatchee Valley Raceway.
Groskreutz holds a 14-point edge on Terry Carter in a competition that rewards the winner with a trip to next year’s Daytona 500.
“My job this season is to run consistently in or near the top five and bring home the Totem Travel rookie of the year title,” Groskreutz said.
With the rookie award looking like it’s well in his control, Groskreutz will work at moving higher in series points.
Groskreutz Racing’s Flying J Chevrolet’s climb to prominence in the premiere late-model class has been slow and steady, much like his racing career that began at Stateline Speedway more than a decade ago.
Groskreutz won that track’s 1985 Street stock title and a sportsman crown in 1989. He then took things slowly along the way to earning a championship in the Northwest Late Model series in 1994.
“I’ve seen a lot of people try to jump in at a higher level right off the bat, but I’ve never regretted the way my career has progressed,” he said. “I’ve acquired knowledge and experience money can’t buy.”
Lilac funny cars turn 21
Spokane Raceway Park will hold it’s 21st annual Lilac Funny Car championships Saturday night.
The area’s longest-running motor sports event will feature alcohol funny cars and an alcohol dragsters match race between Spokane’s Brett Hordemann and Chris Denison.
Hydros at Long Lake
The fourth annual Randolph Speed Marine Lilac Spring Championship hydroplane race is set for this weekend at the Nine Mile Resort at Tum Tum.
The Lilac Festival event will be the first of 12 points races in the regional American Power Boat Association series hosted by the Seattle Drag and Ski Sprint Boat Association.
Gates open each day at 9 a.m. with racing at noon. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for kids 6-11. Younger children attend for free. The Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery will receive a portion of the proceeds.
Thirteen classes are scheduled, ranging from flat-bottom Crackerbox boats that feature a crew of two, to the 130-mph Grand National class.
Hindley’s hydro tests well
A testing session for Spokane’s Appian Jeronimo provided the backdrop for last week’s annual kickoff luncheon for the Tri-City Water Follies.
“We were running (laps of) 158 to 162, and for us that’s a vast improvement,” said driver Tom Hindley. “That should get us ahead of the Dewalt, T-Plus and The Rock.”
The performance improvements are attributed to new equipment the team purchased from Ron Jones racing, plus shaving weight off the boat.
Road course runs despite rain
Last weekend’s opening of SRP’s road course was wet, but successful, according to race spokesman Chris Bowl.
While rain washed out both stocks and drags, road racing competitors who were prepared with rain tires were able to run in the track’s inaugural event.
Pit stops
Stateline Speedway made it more than a year without a rainout - until last weekend - and tries to start a new streak Saturday night with an appearance by the Washington Midget Racing Association. Time trials begin at 6. … The Northwest Off-Road Racing Association has a two-day sand drag and mud bog meet this weekend at the Spokane County ORV Park in Airway Heights. … The ORV Park’s flat track will debut motorcycle racing on Sunday. Info: Jim Allen, 467-0617. … The Spokane Kart Racing Association is also in action Sunday at the ORV Park. … The Northwest Modifieds will be in Kalispell, Mont., on Saturday, trying to shake the rain that cancelled their opener last weekend at Stateline. … This weekend is the annual “Lost in the 50s,” car club cruise in Sandpoint. Call (208) 265-4554 for details. … Street Tin’s Ritzville Shakedown Cruise is also this Sunday. Meet at the Third and Maple Safeway for a 9:30 a.m. departure.
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