The management of Magic Valley Speedway has been promising an exciting shoot out for the championship this season with the, “Chase for the Championship”. The chase kicked off for all four NASCAR classes Saturday night with only 3 points separating each of the top 10 drivers in each division. Fans found themselves on the edge of their seats as the races unfolded and the points chase changed on nearly every lap of the main events. With the drivers with the highest average in the last three races pre-qualified, they had to sit and watch the remainder of the field jockey to better their starting position in the qualifying races. The Pepsi Premier Division saw rookie Bobby Latham capture the pole winning the qualifying race. Latham took the early lead in the 50 lap main event and held off several hard charges until lap 35 when the first caution of the event fell. Last weeks main event winner Steve Jones made his move taking advantage of the restart cone moving to the outside of Latham on the restart. The two ran side-by-side with Jones on the outside until Jones was able to overtake Latham and bring home the win. Latham held onto second with TJ Woodhall coming from his eighth starting position finishing in the top three. Harold Wartluft came from the rear of the field to finish fourth with Mike Buddenhagen rounding out the top five.
The Budweiser Grand National 40 lap main event looked like it might be a little uneventful as point leader Louis Lopez took the win in the qualifying race. Lopez may have had the pole position covered for the main event but with only five events left for the Grand Nationals and the point race tightened up it was time to go for the championship. With four cautions in the main event Jeff Meads took advantage of the restart cone going to the outside of every restart. Meads had to work hard on the outside but was able to take the lead on lap 33 and hold on for the win. Jerry McKean and Jerry Rice started side-by-side near the rear of the field. The two battled their way to bring home third and fourth place. Jeff Pohlman improved his seventh place starting position to take fifth.
In the NAPA Auto Parts Pony Stocks it was Kevin Larson holding the point lead over Kristy Fehringer going into the main event but, with the chase on it was any ones race. Larson’s luck started to turn as mechanical problems developed during the main event. Fehringer had problems of her own as a half shaft broke in practice and handling issues came in the main event. Jason Whited came into the night in third and walked away the current point leaded as he took the main event win. Lou Anderson came into the night in fourth place and came away with a second place finish moving him into second in the points. Last weeks main event winner John Urie came in third followed by Rick VanVooren and Kristy Fehringer.
The night didn’t start off as planned for point leader Bruce Henry in the Magic Valley Pipe Thunder Stocks as he blew a rod out the bottom of his motor during the practice sessions. Before Henry could event think of where he might borrow a car Craig Nuthak was offering his car. Nuthak was in the chase for the championship but after a horse back riding accident, a plate installed in his ankle held in place with six screws doctors side lined Nuthak for the remainder for the season. Desi Ahrens took the lead on the first lap and held on for twenty one of the twenty five lap main event. Dustin Wilson drove his way from his tenth place starting position to overtake Ahrens and take his car to the Cactus Petes Winners Circle. Jim Shirley, Mark Sandberg and rookie Jason Lehnert rounded out the top five.
