GRAHAM, Washington -- Three different winners in the first three races, keeps the Late Model Challenge Series championship in question. The Northwest’s premier traveling stock car series returns to where the season began in early May. On Saturday June 17, The Budweiser ‘100’ on the high banked 1/4-mile lightning fast oval at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval could be a turning point. Stop number four of the ten-race 2006 season and the second of three at WVSO will have an expected 26-car turnout vying for just 22 starting positions for the 100-lap main.
Qualifying in all three previous races in 2006 has had the top 16 who lock into the mains within less than 1/2 second of the fast time. Race winner of the opening race at WVSO Troy Conrad had fast time and parlayed that into a win of the ‘Apple Blossom 100’. Race number two held at Yakima Speedway saw BJ Tidrick race to his first win in 2006. Two weeks ago the series traveled to Stateline Speedway in Idaho for race number three and Kevin Richards became the third different winner. All three winners have qualified within the top six positions.
Troy Conrad’s one win came at WVSO and he is looking to be the first repeat winner this season. Conrad ran a smart race in May by avoiding al the trouble and waiting until the last 30-laps to make his move. “Conserving tires and staying out of trouble is the key to winning at this great track”, Conrad said after the win. “Everyone is so competitive in this series, it is fun to be a part of it and you need to always be on your game”, he went on to say. With warmer and clear weather predicted for Saturday night track conditions will be optimum for qualifying and the track record could be in jeopardy.
Each of the season’s previous races there have been near or a record car count. The ‘Budweiser 100’ will draw many of the Northwest’s best late Model Racers. A tight race to the coveted LMCS Championship has the top five within 51-points and the top ten have only an 88-point separation. Conrad (Tacoma, WA) is the current point leader with young Shelby Thompson (Spokane, WA) second followed by former Series Champion Jason Hedrick (Spanaway). Fourth place has Ephrata, WA driver Christian Roeder only 37-points out of the lead. Roeder will use his knowledge of his home track to gain points and his first of the season win. Drivers from four-Northwest States and Canada will be in attendance for this all important race.
