TWIN FALLS, Idaho-- John Bender went wire-to-wire to win the Pepsi 125 at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho. Bender, out of Snohomish, Wash. took advantage of an eight-car invert giving him the pole position and he never looked back to win the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series event.
Brandon Riehl, the race’s Bud Pole winner, started eighth and moved through the pack to finish second. Riehl patrolled the 1/3-mile track in 14.337 seconds giving him a lap speed of 82.863 mph during qualifying.
Gary Lewis came in third while Jeff Barkshire and Joe Benedetti rounded out the top five.
The Northwest Series is back in action next on July 9 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.
UNOFFICIAL Results from Pepsi 125
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Magic Valley Speedway June 11, 2005
1. John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 125, 62.738 mph, $2,700
2. Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 125, $2,600
3. Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $2,300
4. Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash., Dodge, 125, $1,600
5. Joe Benedetti, Auburn Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,600
6. Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 125, $2,150
7. Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,200
8. Wilbur Bruce, Lakewood Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,100
9. Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,075
10. Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,025
11. John Dillon, Eagle Idaho, Chevrolet, 125, $800
12. Zan Sharp, Wellsville Utah, Chevrolet, 125, $700
13. Eddy McKean, Jerome Idaho, Chevrolet, 125, $850
14. Rick Suran, Estacada Ore., Chevrolet, 124, $800
15. Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $775
16. Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $750
17. Wes Rhodes, Lacey Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $725
18. Jim McVey, Port Orchard Wash., Chevrolet, 123, $700
19. Troy Tramell, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 120, $500
20. Erick Hargraves, Yakima Wash., Pontiac, 120, $500
21. Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 103, $700
22. Nick Lynch, Burley Idaho, Chevrolet, 70, Suspension, $500
23. Bruce Quale, Twin Falls Idaho, Chevrolet, 65, Brakes, $500
24. Rod Schultz, Jr, Kalama Wash., Chevrolet, 40, Oil Pressure, $700
* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender
Failed to Qualify: (9) Roger Habich (#76), Dennis Wurtz (#14), Martin Sokulski * (#89), Rod Schultz, Sr. (#01), Ed Watson (#55), Michael Merry
(#29), Darren Trimble * (#81), Ed Thomsen * (#1), Mike Longton * (#37).
Time of Race: 0 hrs., 39 mins, 27 secs Average Speed: 62.738 mph Margin of Victory: .636 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Brandon Riehl, 69 Aero Turbine/Darrels Economy Muffler Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE "MOST IMPROVED DRIVER" AWARD: Gary Lewis, 73 Nutter Racing Engines/Victory Circle Chassis Chevrolet
POWERADE "POWER MOVE OF THE RACE" AWARD: Pete Harding, 39 L.P. Body Shop / Yale Forklift Chevrolet
Lunati “Crew Chief of the Race” Award: Steve Craig, 18 Oso Lumber/Reece Asphalt Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 18-21; 23-26; 85-90; 108-112; 114-119. 5 for 25 laps.
Lap Leaders: John Bender 1-125.
Total Laps Led: John Bender 125. 0 changes involving 1 drivers.
