The NW Late Model Challenge Series, which includes many of the top Late Model Super Stock drivers from throughout the Northwest region, will join with local area drivers for a 100-lap special event, the ‘Sleep Inn 100’, at Northern Idaho’s premier high-banked, paved 1/4-mile oval of Stateline Speedway on Saturday May 21st, competing for over $8,000.00 available in cash and bonus awards.
Over 25 late model super stock teams are expected to pursue the twenty-two main event positions available at the Late Model Challenge Series’ (LMCS) first of two appearances scheduled this season at Stateline Speedway, located in Post Falls ID. Long-time series regulars Ron Wolf, Jim Johnson, Rick Hager, Jay Sauls, Jason Hedrick, Jeff Ford, Steve Thompson, Don Vickery, Loran Payne, Loren Sutphin, Ed Gleason, James Spierring and others are expected to be joined with many eastern Washington-based teams like Mike Zamora, Brent Harris, Duke Langley, Jarrod Crum, Scott Davis, Brad Rhoads, Lon Werremeyer at this event, dubbed the ‘Sleep Inn 100’ to recognize the local event sponsor from Post Falls, ID. Several NW Tour drivers, including Garrett Evans of East Wenatchee are also slated to compete in addition to many of Stateline’s local LM division – Inland Northwest Super Stock Association (INSSA) teams. Last season, INSSA regulars like Dan Garber, Brad Allard, Andy Brown, Kevin Richards, Darren Rupinski, Jeff Fenton, Jack Morse, Dave Garber, and Mike Hoover regularly competed at their home track with the LMCS teams.
Some of the largest fields of LM Super Stock races in 2004 were held at Stateline Speedway when these two groups competed together after the INSSA members adopted the LMCS established rules and format. Both series remain very similar in rule packages again this season, i.e.: weights, bodies, engines, etc. - with one major difference, the Late Model Challenge Series approved an aluminum Brodix ‘spec’ head, while INSSA drivers voted in the new ‘Platinum’ iron head manufactured by Dart Heads. Both these race-specific cylinder heads have potential to produce substantial performance gains over prior approved styles, with some researched advantage shown to the ‘Platinum’ heads. This has led to some regional controversy in the off-season and resulted in a rule modification to help balance the two programs while at the Stateline event. No doubt, many regional track operators and LM officials will be watching to see how balanced the program is when this ‘head game’ is settled at Stateline Speedway on Saturday, May 21st.
“The Late Model Challenge Series has always been well-supported by the local teams at Stateline. They are a very competitive, good group of racers over there, and Joe Doellefeld (track owner) is one of the best to work with,” stated Jerry Losch, LMCS series director. “This cylinder head issue has been a difficult subject throughout the off season for regional promoters, but I believe we have found a fair compromise to allow the INSSA teams to at least run with us at their home track within our program.” The ‘platinum’ headed cars will be running a slight weight penalty at this event to help balance competition and their performance outcome will be reviewed to determine any additional penalty upon LMCS return to Stateline in August.
For 2005, the LMCS series has secured eleven races at a total of eight venues throughout the Northwest. Eight of the races are LMCS point races, with three additional ‘invitational’ non-points events. The point races include three dates at WVSO, two at Stateline Speedway ID, and one each at Montana Raceway Park MT, Western Speedway BC, and Evergreen Speedway WA. The three ‘invitational’ races are scheduled at Mission Valley MT (same weekend as Kalispell LMCS event), Sun Valley Speedway BC, and an open-comp event at Pacific Raceway’s 2.25-mile road course in Kent, WA.
Brent Harris of East Wenatchee won the 2005 LMCS season opener on April 30th at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Speedway. Harris also won the 2004 LMCS opener event held at Stateline Speedway. Dan Garber of Greenacres WA won the series’ second Stateline appearance and Jimmy Johnson of Orting WA was victorious at the third LMCS event held during the Idaho 200 weekend. Tom Sweatman, Andy Brown, and Ron Oline have won prior LMCS events at Stateline; but there has yet to be a repeat winner.
Stateline Speedway’s ‘Sleep Inn 100’ race schedule: Hot laps start at 3pm with qualifying for all classes to begin at 6pm. Racing at 7:30pm. Front Gate opens at 5:30pm. Ticket prices: $13.00 adult, $11.00 student(12-16)/senior/military, $6.00 juniors(5-12), $30 family
Contingency & Series Bonus Awards are provided by: Frank’s Radio Service, NW Racing Enterprises, Pro-Pack Racing, K Motorsports, TRICK Racing Fuel, Blue Oval – Gus Carlson, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Oberg Race Products, ARP Stock Car Bodies & The Valvoline Cup Challenge. Additional contributing sponsors include; AMS Tire, Bay Cities Motorsports, Bart’s Trailer Sales, Big John's Trophies, Don Small & Son's Oil Distributing Inc., Goodyear Racing Tire, M.E. Wright Motorsports Photos & Tanner Racing Products.
Please visit www.LateModelChallenge.com for the latest series news and racing information. Contact Stateline Speedway at 208.773.5019 or visit www.RaceIdaho.com for track info.
