Pete Harding won the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series AutoZone 125 presented by OSO Lumber at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. He took the lead from defending series champion Jeff Jefferson on lap 89 before taking the checkered flag after the 125th lap.
Harding, of Surrey, B.C. Canada collected his first win of the season and the 17th of his Northwest Series career. It was his first win in the series since March 2003 at Evergreen Speedway.
Jefferson crossed the line in second just .363 seconds behind Harding. Gary Lewis finished a hard-fought third. Ed Watson started on the pole after the 10-car invert and finished fourth. He was followed by John Dillon in fifth.
Wilbur Bruce, Steven Howard, Jeff Barkshire, Travis Bennett and Garrett Evans rounded out the top 10.
Travis Bennett, of Ellensburg, Wash., won the Bud Pole Award by getting around the .646-mile oval in 22.702 seconds that translates to a lap speed of 102.440 mph. It was Bennett’s first career Bud Pole.
The Northwest Series is back on the track for the Magic Metals 125 at Yakima (Wash.) Speedway on July 23.
UNOFFICIAL Results from AutoZone 125 presented by OSO Lumber
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Evergreen Speedway July 9, 2005
(Finishing Position, Starting Position, Driver, Hometown, Car, Laps, Winner’s Average Speed, Reason Out, Money Won)
1. (11) Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 125, 67.921 mph, $2,650
2. (6) Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,900
3. (3) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,600
4. (1) Ed Watson, Mt. Vernon Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,200
5. (15) John Dillon, Eagle Idaho, Chevrolet, 125, $1,150
6. (13) Wilbur Bruce, Lakewood Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,050
7. (17) Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,000
8. (16) Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash., Dodge, 125, $900
9. (10) Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $1,250
10. (20) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 123, $800
11. (27) Darren Trimble, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 123, $1,325
12. (25) Ed Thomsen, Richland Wash., Chevrolet, 117, $550
13. (7) Roger Habich, Monroe Wash., Chevrolet, 115, Accident, $700
14. (5) Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 113, Rear End, $690
15. (9) John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 110, $680
16. (8) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 99, $670
17. (4) Troy Tramell, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 88, Motor, $460
18. (2) Mike Longton, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 82, Motor, $450
19. (21) Jerry Fink, Woodinville Wash., Chevrolet, 77, Oil Leak, $440
20. (19) Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 53, Accident, $430
21. (26) Michael Merry, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 38, Accident, $420
22. (14) Shane Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 30, Handling, $410
23. (23) Martin Sokulski, Woodinville Wash., Ford, 19, Mechanical, $400
24. (12) Joe Benedetti, Auburn Wash., Chevrolet, 18, Accident, $590
25. (24) Jim McVey, Port Orchard Wash., Chevrolet, 1, Accident, $385
26. (22) Rick Suran, Estacada Ore., Chevrolet, 1, Accident, $580
27. (18) Ron Eaton, Tacoma Wash., Chevrolet, 0, Accident, $370
28. (28) Erick Hargraves, Yakima Wash., Pontiac, 0, Motor, $365
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 11 mins, 20 secs Average Speed: 67.921 mph Margin of Victory: .363 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Travis Bennett, 33 Rainbow Enterprises/Knudson Lumber Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE "MOST IMPROVED DRIVER" AWARD: Pete Harding, 39 L.P. Body Shop / Yale Forklift Chevrolet
POWERADE "POWER MOVE OF THE RACE" AWARD: Darren Trimble *, 81 Oso Lumber/Natural Concepts Landscaping Chevrolet
LUNATI “CREW CHIEF OF THE RACE” AWARD: Rex Morgan, 39 L.P. Body Shop/Yale Forklift Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 1-7; 20-23; 40-43; 49-51; 54-57; 117-120. 6 for 26 laps.
Lap Leaders: Ed Watson 1-38, Jeff Jefferson 39-88, Pete Harding 89-125.
Total Laps Led: Jeff Jefferson 50, Ed Watson 38, Pete Harding 37. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Jeff Jefferson 666, Brandon Riehl 607, Pete Harding 595, Garrett Evans 587, Gary Lewis 581, Wilbur Bruce 579, John Dillon 578,
Jeff Barkshire * 572, Travis Bennett 545, Jeff Bailey 544
Next Race: 7/23 at Yakima Speedway
* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender
