NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES ENJOYS MAGIC VALLEY SPEEDWAY

Source: NASCAR Public Relations
Date: 06/08/2006

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho is the destination for the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series. The task at hand is the Pepsi 125.

Magic Valley is always a popular stop for the Northwest Series. John Bender, the winner of last year’s Pepsi 125, says, “I love that place and I can’t tell you why. What I can’t tell you is why we seem to run well there, but I like the track because it is a great facility that is well taken care of and the people at the track and the fans are great.”

Bender’s thoughts are echoed up and down the roster of race teams in the series.

Current points leader Brandon Riehl likes the fan support. “The grandstand is always full. The entire town seems to look forward to our visit every time we go there. It’s a great atmosphere.”

“It’s a long trip over there, but it is worth it,” says former Magic Valley winner Wilbur Bruce. “The combination of the track and the fans really make it a special place.”

While four of the six series drivers to have won a race at Magic Valley are slated to be on hand for this year’s first trip to southern Idaho, nearly ten drivers on the pre-entry list have never raced a tour car at the track. The previous winners scheduled to be in attendance are Garrett Evans with four wins, Gary Lewis with two and Bender and Bruce with one each.

Current points leader in Magic Valley Speedway’s Premier Series and Twin Falls resident Bobby Latham joins the likes of Brent Harris, Thomas Hill, Jay Sauls, Jason Fraser, Shane Mitchell, Shane Harding, Joey Decker and Bryan Warf as first timers in a Northwest Series event at the 1/3-mile banked oval.

Northwest Series events are always competitive there, but this one should be more so with the nearly even mix of veteran and young talent.

“This race is going to be exciting from the very start,” says Riehl. “The laps go by pretty quick and there is no time to relax. One of the new guys could really surprise us. The veterans know what needs to be done there, but this bunch of new drivers seems talented. Everyone will need to be at the top of their game.”

Ticket information for the Pepsi 125 can be obtained by calling Magic Valley Speedway at (208) 734-3700 or by logging onto www.magicvalleyspeedway.com.

Several Northwest Series teams will be making appearances in the local area on Friday, June 9. Race fans of all ages are invited to stop in at any of these locations to meet some of the finest drivers that short track racing has to offer and see the racecar up close and personal.

• Appearing at the AutoZone located at 688 Blue Lakes Boulevard on Friday afternoon from 4:00-6:00 p.m. is Bobby Latham. The resident of Twin Falls will have his No. 3 Latham Motors Dodge on display.

• John Bender, winner of last year’s Pepsi 125 at Magic Valley Speedway, will be at the Twin Stop Chevron location at 688 Pole Line Road from 12 noon– 2:00 p.m. His Snohomish, Washington-based No. 18 Oso Lumber/Reese Asphalt & Paving Chevrolet will be there. The 2001 Northwest Series Rookie of the Year is looking to repeat as winner of the Pepsi 125.

• Northwest Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Darren Rupinski, out of Hayden, Idaho will be at the Lynnwood Chevron located at 506 Blue Lakes Blvd. North with his No. 63 CCI/Kendall Motorsports Chevrolet from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

• NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series driver Eddy McKean out of Jerome, Idaho will make an appearance with his car at the Jerome Chevron located off Exit 168 on I-84 from 4:00-6:00 pm Friday afternoon. McKean was the 2002 Southwest Series champion and is currently second in the 2006 point standings in that series. The local Idaho driver participates in Northwest Series events at Magic Valley Speedway when the Southwest Series schedule allows. McKean will be there with his No. 19 Wide World of Maps/Magic Valley Pipe & Steel Pontiac.

What:

Pepsi 125 (Race No. 2 of 11 in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series).

Where:

Magic Valley Speedway, Twin Falls, Idaho.

When:

9:00 p.m. MDT (approx.), Saturday, June 10, 2006.

Track layout:

1/3-mile oval.

Race length:

125 laps/41.66 miles.

Posted awards:

$56,418.

2005 winner:

John Bender.

2005 polesitter:

Brandon Riehl.

Top 10 in points:

1. Brandon Riehl – 180; 2. Gary Lewis – 170; 3. Jason Fraser – 165; 4. Travis Bennett – 160; 5. Jeff Barkshire – 155; 6. John Dillon – 150; 7. Brent Harris – 146; 8. John Bender – 142; 9. Wilbur Bruce – 138; 10. Jay Sauls – 134.

Pre-race schedule (all times local):

10:00 a.m. Registration opens, 2:30-5:00 p.m. Practice, 6:00 p.m. Bud Pole Qualifying, 9:00 p.m. Pepsi 125.

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