GRAHAM, Washington -- The NW Late Model Challenge Series will make its first of two return visits to Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval this Saturday with another large showing of the region’s best Late Model Super Stock drivers and teams expected at the ‘Budweiser 100’. The series kicked off their 2006 season at this same facility May 6th in which 34 cars participated making that event one of the West Coast’s largest and most competitive opener’s this season. Troy Conrad of Tacoma, WA won the opener which helped place him at the top of the LMCS Championship point standings currently.
Teams will be busy reviewing race notes from the initial race at WVSO, esp. the characteristics of the new series of Goodyear slicks which have had many teams adjusting suspension setups and driving strategies. These tires seem to require more heat before they ‘come around’; and are a bit more fussy over the correct chassis set-up. Qualifying times have been very important to all teams this season, where a mere 1/2 second off pace can easily place top teams into a last-chance consolation race. With the large turnouts: 34 cars at WVSO 5/6, 40 at Yakima 5/20, and 28 at Stateline 6/3 - a good qualifying time has proved to be vital. Troy Conrad has twice been the ‘Vogtland Springs Top Qualifier’ (WVSO & Stateline) and Kelly Mann was fastest at Yakima.
53 of the Northwest’s top Late Model teams have participated in a LMCS event to date this season representing five states and two countries. The three events have produced 3 different winners: WVSO’s ‘Apple Blossom 100’: Troy Conrad – Tacoma WA, Yakima’s ‘WIX Filter’s 100’: BJ Tidrick – Yakima WA, and Stateline’s ‘I.N.C. 100’: Kevin Richards – Spokane WA. Current top 5 in championship points are: Troy Conrad, Shelby Thompson, Jason Hedrick, Christian Roeder, and Gaylon Stewart; all separated by a mere 51 points. Remaining top 10 include Wes Rhodes, Mike Zamora, James Spiering, Billy Coates, and Mark Owens. Shelby Thompson is the current top rookie sitting in second place overall, followed by other LMCS rookies Rick Thompson, Willy Thom, Ryan Fischer, Bryon Harvey, and Todd Walters.
This event, dubbed the ‘Budweiser 100’, will be race number four of the LMCS ten race 2006 season. 30+ race teams from throughout the Northwest region are again expected to pursue the 22 feature event positions available, competing for over $8,500.00 available in cash and bonus awards. The series then heads to Montana for a double-header event over the July 4th weekend at Montana Raceway Park & Mission Valley Speedway.
WVSO’s ‘Budweiser 100’ race schedule: Saturday, June 17th - Hot laps start at 2pm with qualifying for all classes to begin at 6pm. Racing at 7pm. Front Gate opens at 5pm. Ticket prices: $16.00 adult, $11.00 student, $4.00 kids, 5yo & under free. Family pass: $36.00
Contingency & Series Bonus Awards are provided by: Circle Racing Wheels, Frank’s Radio Service, K- Motorsports, Mechanix Wear Gloves, NW Racing Enterprises, Pro-Pack Racing, Pro-Shocks, TRICK Racing Fuel, Vogtland Springs, Blue Oval – Gus Carlson, ARP & Five Star Race Car Bodies, Microsoft ‘Real Heroes’& The Valvoline Cup Challenge. Contributing Series Sponsors include: Bart’s Trailer Sales, Bay Cities Motorsports, Big John's Trophies, Don Small & Son's Oil Distributing Inc., M.E. Wright Motorsports Photos & Tanner Racing Products.
