Idaho 200 champ switches to coaching

Jeff Jefferson will not return to defend his Idaho 200 title this weekend at Stateline Speedway, but he hopes to still have an effect on the race.

Jefferson will assume the role of coach this weekend as he tries to impart some of what he has learned over the years with one of the race’s participants.

“I’m going to help Tony Berry out,” said the 34-year-old Naches, Wash., resident. Jefferson will get his driving in, except it will be on the interstate and not the racetrack. After working with Berry, he’ll travel to Twin Falls, Idaho, to mentor NASCAR Northwest Series rookie Troy Trammel.

With a long race ahead of Berry, he probably can’t get much better help that from Jefferson, who not only has tremendous recent success in such races, but also can call on a family pedigree.

Jefferson is the recently crowned Montana 200 champ and up until a race two weeks ago at Tenino, Wash., led 400 consecutive laps of extreme short-track racing counting his flag-to-flag victory in last year’s Idaho 200.

“Every young driver needs somebody they can lean on,” Jefferson said. “To ask questions and help them figure out how to make that car go faster … whether it’s mentally, or physically on the race car itself.”

When asked about his mentor, Jefferson laughed, saying “I leaned on my dad quite a while.” His father, George Jefferson, and uncle Harry were fixtures in Northwest racing in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

As for Berry’s Idaho National Guard-sponsored entry, Jefferson’s job is going to include a number of things.

“First you need to make sure they are relaxed,” Jefferson said. “You can’t run a 200-lap race unless you’re comfortable in the car.”

Then there’s the track time and mechanical side of race preparation.

“I’ll help him work on his line,” Jefferson said. “Make sure he’s in the bottom of the race track at a certain point in the corner.”

Jefferson has split time this year between his role as racer and teacher. He won the Montana 200 in a car owned by Spokane’s Brian Queisenberry.

He finished fifth in the 200-lapper at Tenino and just last weekend was fourth at a 250-lap NASCAR Grand National West at Monroe, Wash.

With Jefferson out of the lineup this weekend, it’s nearly certain that a new champion will be crowned come Sunday afternoon. Rick Schultz, the 2004 winner, at last check had retired to devote time to helping his son advance in go-kart racing. Darren Rupinski, the 2003 winner, is a rookie competitor in the Northwest Series and will also be in Twin Falls. John Gamble, the only two-time victor (2001-02) has been out of racing for the last year. Tom Sweatman, the inaugural Idaho 200 winner, might be in the field.

Racing begins Friday with a 100-lap Inland Northwest Superstock Series points race. Saturday is a 100-lap Late Model Challenge feature. Both evening programs begin with time trials at 6. Sunday’s finale starts at 1 p.m.

Pit stops

Spokane Raceway Park hosts three days of its newly named “Nitro Extravaganza” starting Friday with gates opening at 10 a.m. and continuing Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. Top Fuel Dragsters, fuel Funny Cars plus full fields of Alcohol Dragster, Funny Car and Pro Modifieds will compete. … Eagle Track in Republic, Wash., will host its “Tribute to American Heroes” race Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. Info: (509) 775-3508. … Another edition of the Circle Track Racing Reunion will be held Sunday at Nine Mile Falls Resort on Long Lake, beginning at 10 a.m. Info: Sally Gorder 467-4615. … The Trentwood Lions Club will stage its annual demolition derby this year at the Spokane Interstate Fair. New this year will be a second demo involving compact cars. Info: Bob Thompson 924-6718 (days) or 928-0915 (nights). … Extreme Motorsports Productions presents it Supercross 5 is Saturday at Spokane Motorsports Complex. Gates open at 3 p.m. with practice at 5, and racing at 6:30 p.m. Info: www.extmotorsports.com. … Sunset Speedway’s seventh points race for Speedway Karts is Saturday at 7 p.m.

Streaks and stats

With three races remaining this season, Tacoma’s Troy Conrad leads Late Model Challenge Series rookie Shelby Thompson of Spokane by 32 points going into Saturday’s race at Stateline Speedway. … Even a flip in the first heat last Sunday couldn’t keep Dave Villwock from winning his third straight race at Tri-Cities. … Joe Kopp will try to rebound from last Saturday’s 11th-place finish at Hagerstown, Md., this week at Farley, Iowa.