YAKIMA, Washington -- B.J. Tidrick picked up the win in the Aero Exhaust 200, the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series event at Yakima (Wash.) Speedway.
Tidrick, out of Yakima, started on the pole but did not lead the first lap. He took the lead on lap 38 from Wilbur Bruce and led the final 162 laps, beating second-place Garrett Evans to the line by 0.273 seconds. It was the first win of the season for the Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year contender. It was also the first of his Northwest Series career.
Gary Lewis finished third followed by Jeff Barkshire and Travis Bennett in fourth and fifth respectively.
Wilbur Bruce, Mike Longton, Jay Sauls, Steven Howard and Jason Fraser rounded out the top 10.
Unofficially, in the championship point standings, Lewis extended his lead over second-ranked Brandon Riehl, who experienced rear axle problems and finished in 19th place, to 153 points. All Lewis will have to do to win his second career series championship is take the green flag in the season’s final race on September 16 at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval in East Wenatchee, Wash.
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Yakima, WA September 3, 2006
Final leaders of Sunday's $60,933.00 NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES stockcar race with driver's hometown, make and model of car, laps completed, winner's average speed, reason out (if any) and prize money.
1. B. J. Tidrick, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 200, 61.962 mph, $3,754
2. Garrett Evans, E. Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $2,304
3. Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $2,004
4. Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash., Dodge, 200, $1,804
5. Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $3,004
6. Wilbur Bruce, Lakewood Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,604
7. Mike Longton, Moxee Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,504
8. Jay Sauls, Puyallup Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,654
9. Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,304
10. Jason Fraser, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,279
11. Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,029
12. Troy Tramell, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 200, $1,204
13. Shane Mitchell, Orondo Wash., Chevrolet, 198, $1,179
14. John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 197, $1,129
15. Jim McVey, Port Orchard Wash., Chevrolet, 196, $1,104
16. Darren Trimble, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 184, Brakes, $1,079
17. Erick Hargraves, Yakima Wash., Pontiac, 172, $854
18. Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 167, Rear End, $1,029
19. Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 150, $1,004
20. Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 146, $979
21. Joey Decker, Jr, Carnation Wash., Chevrolet, 145, Accident, $954
22. Chris Ratterree, Meridian Idaho, Chevrolet, 145, Accident, $729
23. Zan Sharp, Wellsville Utah, Chevrolet, 113, Oil Pressure, $904
24. Lex Johnson, Monroe Wash., Ford, 3, Accident, $704
Time of Race: 1 hrs., 36 mins, 50 secs
Average Speed: 61.962 mph
Margin of Victory: 0.273 Seconds
BUD POLE AWARD: B. J. Tidrick *, 72 Winner's Choice/CBT Hobbies Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE "MOST IMPROVED DRIVER" AWARD: Travis Bennett, 33 Catlin Electric/Farmer's Insurance Chevrolet
POWERADE "POWER MOVE OF THE RACE" AWARD: Travis Bennett, 33 Catlin Electric/Farmer's Insurance Chevrolet
LUNATI “CREW CHIEF OF THE RACE” AWARD: Brad Tidrick, 72 Winner’s Choice/CBT Hobbies Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 4-6; 40-42; 45-47; 63-67; 69-72; 91-97; 123-128; 147-151; 166-169; 192-195. 10 for 44 laps.
Lap Leaders: B. J. Tidrick * 0, Wilbur Bruce 1-37, B. J. Tidrick * 38-200.
Total Laps Led: B. J. Tidrick * 163, Wilbur Bruce 37. 2 changes involving 2 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Gary Lewis 1487, Brandon Riehl 1334, Travis Bennett 1324, Jeff Barkshire 1264, Garrett Evans 1219, Jay Sauls * 1215, Shane Mitchell * 1197, B. J. Tidrick * 1175, Steven Howard 1148, Wilbur Bruce 1145
Next Race:9/16 @ Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval
* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender
