MONROE, Washington -- John Bender won the Turn 1 Energy Drink 125 presented by QFC in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. He took the lead on lap 49 and led the final 76 circuits around the .646-mile oval. He beat the second-place finisher Jeff Jefferson to the line by 1.930 seconds.
It was Bender’s second win of the season. It was also the Snohomish, Washington driver’s fourth win of his Northwest Series career.
Jefferson was able to make a move and get past Bender on lap 88 on the backstretch but Bender quickly reclaimed the lead position. Pete Harding finished third followed by Garrett Evans and Roger Habich.
Brandon Riehl, Ed Watson, John Dillon, Joe Benedetti and Matt Hall rounded out the top 10.
Jeff Jefferson retained his lead in the championship points battle and now leads Harding by 86 points with three events remaining on the schedule.
The Northwest Series returns to action next Saturday at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho for the Magic Valley Pipe 200 presented by AutoZone.
UNOFFICIAL Results from Turn 1 Energy Drink 125 presented by QFC
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Evergreen Speedway August 13, 2005
1. (5) John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 125, 73.726 mph, $2,300
2. (6) Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,900
3. (15) Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 125, $1,600
4. (2) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,400
5. (14) Roger Habich, Monroe Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,150
6. (4) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 125, $1,050
7. (13) Ed Watson, Mt. Vernon Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,000
8. (12) John Dillon, Eagle Idaho, Chevrolet, 125, $900
9. (17) Joe Benedetti, Auburn Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $850
10. (11) Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $600
11. (3) Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $775
12. (7) Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash., Dodge, 124, $750
13. (20) Ed Thomsen, Richland Wash., Chevrolet, 123, $500
14. (22) Darren Trimble, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 123, $490
15. (19) Jim McVey, Port Orchard Wash., Chevrolet, 123, $480
16. (1) Wilbur Bruce, Lakewood Wash., Chevrolet, 122, $670
17. (18) Jerry Fink, Woodinville Wash., Chevrolet, 119, $460
18. (21) Michael Merry, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 118, $450
19. (10) Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 101, Ignition, $640
20. (9) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet, 101, Accident, $630
21. (16) Ron Eaton, Tacoma Wash., Chevrolet, 74, Handling, $420
22. (8) Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 74, Accident, $610
* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender
Failed to Qualify: (1) Troy Tramell * (#5).
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 5 mins, 43 secs Average Speed: 73.726 mph Margin of Victory: 1.930 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: Travis Bennett, 33 Rainbow Enterprises/Knudson Lumber Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE "MOST IMPROVED DRIVER" AWARD: John Bender, 18 Oso Lumber/Natural Concepts Landscaping 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/Natural Concepts Landscaping Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 3-4; 69-72; 74-77; 102-108; 115-116. 5 for 19 laps.
Lap Leaders: Wilbur Bruce 1-6, Garrett Evans 7-48, John Bender 49-125.
Total Laps Led: John Bender 77, Garrett Evans 42, Wilbur Bruce 6. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Jeff Jefferson 1016, Pete Harding 930, Brandon Riehl 917, Garrett Evans 912, John Dillon 854, Wilbur Bruce 849, Jeff Barkshire *
837, John Bender 832, Gary Lewis 826, Travis Bennett 797
Next Race: 8/20 at Magic Valley Speedway
