EPHRATA, Washington -- The third race of the season had the Rocky Mountain Pro-Stocks with Big Sky Pro Racing Association (BSPRA) traveling to Ephrata Raceway Park, WA, on July 29th. Wade Shepard ended Jarred Burland’s run as main event winner as Shepard lead the main from the fourth lap until the checkered was thrown. Shepard dominated, winning every race that he was in.
The night started with a meet and greet with the Pro-Stock drivers. The fans were invited on the track to meet the drivers, look at the cars and even sign Shepard’s car, which made him a favorite with all the local fans. BSPRA then made a presentation to Ritta & Mike Witte, owners of the track, for all of their support and hospitality. Ephrata was the first track that the Pro-Stock ever raced on when BSPRA was formed, and they have raced there for the past three years.
The races were then on with the B trophy dash lining up. #3 Bobby Butler qualified on the pole, but had some problems coming out of turn 2 and spun into the infield. He had to get help off the track, and unfortunately the transmission broke and the car was done for the night. This left #40 Duane Olsen, #16 Josh Burland, and #26 RJ Olsen to fight for the trophy. Duane was able to stay in front and won his third straight trophy dash. Dash A was a hard fight with the top three cars crossing the line within two car lengths, but it was #4 Wade Shepard that got his first trophy this season.
The heat was lined up next with a driver change. Bobby Butlers #3 car was out after the dash, so he got into his father-in-law, Duane Olsen, #40 car. Josh Burland took the early lead holding off RJ Olsen. Wade Shepard and Jarred Burland started working their way up trough traffic and Shepard was able to get around Josh, and into the lead, on the fifth lap. Butler started in the back, having never driven the #40 car, and was trying to get the feel of the car. He ended up getting loose coming out of turn 4 on the 7th lap. He tried to get straightened out down the front stretch but was unable to avoid hitting the front wall hard. Butler was fine, and after cutting off the nose of the car, Duane was able to come out and start the main event. Shepard took the heat win with Jarred Burland and Tracy Burland behind him.
Josh again was in the front at the start of the main, but it didn’t long for him to see a familiar sight with Shepard working his way to the front. Lynn Olsen was forced to leave the track after 4 laps with transmission problems. Duane Olsen and Josh Burland also had to leave the track after having problems. Olsen left on lap 14 with a flat tire and Burland left on lap 18 when his car started overheating. RJ Olsen was loose through the corners and ended up spinning twice, on laps 9 and 18. With Shepard leading this left Jarred Burland and Tracy Burland battling in the second and third position. Jarred was getting loose in the corners and Tracy was unable to get a line to get around him. Shepard completed the sweep and moved into second place in points, six behind Jarred.
BSPRA next and last race of the season, will be held at Mission Valley Speedway on August 26, 2006.
