Doug Pace: Memorial will honor Darrell Dean “Dusty” Rhodes
A public memorial is set for Saturday to honor Darrell Dean “Dusty” Rhodes, a founder of the Deer Park Drag Strip, who died earlier this summer.
The Colville native also played a role in the creation of the Northport Circle Track.
Over the years. Rhodes owned 165 cars of various types and competitive breeds, set track records at Deer Park and Northport and in 2013 was inducted into the Washington State Hot Rod Hall of Fame. Rhodes was a member of the Lilac City Car Club, Vampires, Dukes, Early V-8 Car Club and Draggins.
One of Rhodes’ greatest feats was organizing an antique car event in 1989 that traveled 1,900 miles through Washington, Idaho and British Columbia commemorating historic military freight routes. Thousands of spectators and participants took part in the event, which held reunion runs for many years after Rhodes’ initial trek.
A celebration of Rhodes’ life will be held at 11 a.m. in Real Life Ministries Church, 10101 North Nevada.
Alliance returns
The Northwest Pro 4 Alliance returns to Spokane County Raceway’s half-mile oval on Saturday night for its first race in the region since 2013.
Featuring a variety of four-cylinder engine combinations and a unique body package, the popular touring division provides close competition with a street racer’s feel.
Known for Ford 2300cc engine combinations bolted into late-model-looking race cars, the series has allowed Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet and other power plants to be part of the competition. Traditional late-model body panels still adorn some of the cars, but the move to down force and ground effects along with taller rear spoilers resembles some of the exotic street-version four cylinders of Generation Z teenagers.
Rick Thompson, who has won two consecutive championships, brings a 26-point lead into this weekend’s race. Standing in his way is older brother, Steve, who sits in second place, two points in front of Bill McAdams.
K&N Pro Series
NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series stops in the Northwest for the second time this season with Saturday’s running of the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. The race includes two area drivers and a tight championship battle.
Nicole Behar makes her first start on the K&N Pro Series this season. She finished ninth at Evergreen last year.
Driving for Venturini Motorsports, Behar made her debut on the ARCA Racing Series in June with a third-place finish, tying the series record for best ARCA finish by a woman. Behar holds the record for the K&N Pro Series as its highest-finishing woman driver with her second place at Irwindale Speedway in April last year.
Medical Lake’s Braeden Havens, who won the Idaho 200 last week, goes from the late model ranks back to the K&N Pro Series this weekend. He has one top-five finish in four career starts at Evergreen Speedway.
Todd Gilliland, who won the series stop at Stateline Speedway last month, leads Ryan Partridge by three points in the overall standings.