POST FALLS, Idaho -- Kevin Richards, of Newman Lake, Washington, piloted his McClintock & Turk Chevy Monte Carlo to the front of the 20-car field to take the win, as the Inland Northwest Super Stock Association (INSSA) traveled for the first time away from their home track at State Line Speedway, in Post Falls, Idaho to the high banked Wenatchee Valley Super Oval. Richards posted the fastest qualifying lap of 12.91 for the day and lined up in the 12th starting position on the grid for the 100-lap feature main event.
Driving a late model for the first time, rookie Todd Walters, of East Wenatchee, Washington, took the early lead of the event with Dave Garber, of Spokane, Washington, hot on his heels. Garber’s own car had engine failure during pre-race hot lap sessions and was driving the borrowed car of Mike Hoover, coincidentally Garber’s ride last year. Garber was strong in the borrowed car, but Walters used the track to his advantage and held the lead for nearly 50 laps.
Caution slowed the event for the first time on lap 21 when Gary Shales of Wenatchee spun in turn 1, collecting Rick Schultz of Spokane and Chad Holaday of Wenatchee. Holaday’s day was over, while Schultz got right back into the race without losing anything except track position. Walters brought the field around slow to restart the race, and when the green flag flew, chaos ensued. Caught up in the chaos, Shelby Thompson spun going down the backstretch ending up head-on into the wall bringing out a red flag. Thompson, who had posted the second fastest qualifying lap of the day, was unhurt, but his car was done suffering major damage.
Meanwhile, Richards had worked his way through traffic looking for the top spot. Passing Garber on lap 50, Richards went on the hunt for Walters. Making fairly quick work of him, Richards took over the lead on lap 59. Garber, who had also gotten around Walters, was able to challenge Richards on restarts, but had nothing for him on the long run, as Richards took it all the way to the checkers. Schultz, having had extra ground to make up after the early incident, slowly worked his way to the front, finishing second overall for the day. Garber hung on for third, with Brad Allard, of Sagle, Idaho, in the top five the entire race, finishing fourth and Darren Rupinski, of Hayden, Idaho, rounding out the top five.
In other racing news, Rick Schultz and Bruce Garber were presented commemorative plaques by WVSO Officials and inducted into the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval “Hall of Fame” for their years of participation and dedication to the sport. Both drivers had raced many times at the high banked facility, with Garber competing at the track on its opening day in 1969.
INSSA’s next racing action will be Saturday, June 4th at State Line Speedway & Stadium.
Wenatchee Valley Super Oval – 5/14/05 Results
INSSA - INLAND NORTHWEST LATE MODEL SERIES
Fast Time – Kevin Richards, 12.91 Trophy Dash -- A) Dan Garber (Spokane Valley, WA; B) Marty Wasson (Chelan, WA). Heat -- A); Chad Holaday (Wenatchee, WA); B) Marty Wasson, (Chelan, WA). A Main -- 1) Kevin Richards (Newman Lake, WA); 2) Rick Schultz (Spokane, WA); 3) Dave Garber (Spokane, WA) ; 4) Brad Allard (Sagle, ID); 5) Darren Rupinski (Hayden, ID); 6) Dan Garber (Spokane Valley, WA); 7) Terry Halvorson (Wenatchee, WA); 8) Mike Behar (Spokane Valley, WA); 9) Todd Walters (East Wenatchee, WA); 10) Jeff Little (Dover, ID); 11) John Mandere (Medical Lake, WA); 12) Jeff Fenton (Spokane, WA); 13) Ross Cooper (Spokane, WA); 14) Luke Ledgerwood (Pomeroy, WA); 15) Gary Shales (Wenatchee, WA); 16) Gary Wasson (Chelan, WA); 17) Shelby Thompson (Spokane, WA); 18) Jack Morse (Spokane, WA); 19) Chad Holaday (Wenatchee, WA); 20) Brian Saling (Spokane, WA).
