Youngsters make a splash at Stateline
Stateline Speedway’s youth movement was in full force last weekend.
Mead Legend car driver, 12-year-old Haeden Plybon, became the youngest champion in Stateline’s Legend division.
Plybon, a Northwood Middle School seventh-grader, got his start in go-karting before moving to Stateline’s Bandolero division. He started showing racing interest at an early age and has lofty goals.
“I want to make it big in NASCAR if not as a driver then as an engineer,” said Plybon “I love the sport and can’t get enough of racing, whether it’s go-karts, the Bando, Legends or just helping my dad on his late model when he goes and races.”
Another youngster, Lewis and Clark High School freshman Bailey Babin, earned her second Bandolero championship, winning three of the five races this season. The 14-year-old plans to move to the Legend series.
“The season was fulfilling,” said Babin. “It was nice getting my first one (in 2013), but this one was fun achieving it with (teammate) Haeden Plybon.”
For Kennewick native Tyler Brown, the Late Model division crown was in his grasp during last weekend’s main event. Eventual winner, David Garber, had an off night while Brown, a high school senior, ran near the front. Issues in the late going forced Brown back to seventh place, giving Garber a mere six-point cushion for the championship.
The 17-year old former national karting star was happy with his first season in Late Model after moving up from Legend.
“I’d like to give a special thanks to my crew for always being on my side and helping me through hard times throughout the season,” said Brown. “They helped me learn more about the car and the track. Also a really big thanks to Chuck Carruthers (legendary NASCAR crew chief) for taking his time and coming to the track to help us with set ups and mentoring me.”
Boat Race returns
Spokane County Raceway’s oval hosts a thrilling schedule of events on Saturday highlighted by the popular Boat Race main event. Also running will be the Northwest Early Stocks, Late Models, Road Runners and Pony Stocks.
Boat Racing features old dilapidated fiberglass hulls attached by chain to Bump To Pass race cars, then dragged around the oval with the intent of knocking an opponents vessel out of commission. The car, driver and boat left making circuits around the track nets a minimum $1,000 payday.
Antics aside, the Bump To Pass championship is up for grabs. Jared Reichenburg leads Vern Dorsey by four points, with Nik Johnson, Chris Spellman and Tim Demain rounding out the top five.
In the Pony Stock division, leader Bryce Rupert needs to maintain his summer momentum to clinch the championship. With one race to go, his 28-point lead over Joey Nelson should survive.
Dino Olson has an even bigger edge in his Road Runner, holding a 66-point lead. The tightest battle is between David Bauer and Michael Harper, who are separated by seven points.