Aug 19 -- In spite of the inclement weather…. MONSOONS….racing proceeded at Evergreen Speedway, as it is a 'Racing Rain or Shine' track. At times it looked more like the SeaFair Hydroplane races than stock cars with rooster tails and waves being splashed up, over, and many times IN the cars, the drivers still managed to put on quite a show for the fans who braved the torrential rains that ensued.
The afternoon started off with a warm sunny atmosphere with all the drivers ready to go.
As I took my walk through the pits before the heats started, the air was full of excitement and anticipation. With John Bender, of Monroe, WA leading the Super Stock division by 23 points, Tom Moriarity, also of Monroe, WA., had his head in the engine doing last minute adjustments to attempt to regain his lead in points. The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Super Stocks was heading into their second double header, with one of the races making up their 2nd rain out of the season. John Bender, now points leader, took fast time tonight and was ready to give it his all when the storms came in. This put the Super Stocks 'on hold' as we went on with the other races and hoped the rain would stop and the track would dry.
The Extreme Contact Figure 8 club paraded out onto the track with a full field of 15 cars to slip, slide, and splash their way through the danger zone of the figure 8 course. It was mayhem out there as they slid sideways through the intersection and around the figure 8 course, sometimes only going along for the ride as the car would take off as if it had a mind of its own. Geoffrey Chandler took the lead right away in the first lap but had Mike Buse right on his tail from the get-go. Mike Buse took the lead on lap 5 and Chandler and Buse battled it out for 11 laps when Guy Litts came in and took the lead and the checkered flag, making this his 8th win of the 2000 season and continues to hold the lead in points for the division. Curtis Roberts placed 2nd tonight with a fantastic show, and Geoffrey Chandler took 3rd, Perry Huffman placed 4th and Scott Betras rounded out the top five.
The Figure 8 entered the field with 11 cars and a lake to race in. Richard Pimms, who has raced at Evergreen in the past for almost 15 years, came out tonight for the first time this season. He has always been a force to contend with, I was told, and he proved that by the way he drove in and out of that figure 8 course, too the lead on lap 4 and held the groove for 10 laps. But all the elements that were thrown out there tonight did not deter points leader Steve Cox, of Arlington, WA., as he came from 9th position and by lap 11 had taken the lead and from that point on he was so far ahead, he was lapping the back of the pack. This makes the 9th win of the 2000 season for Steve Cox and he remains the points leader for this division. Ricky "the kid" Deitz took 2nd place, Doug Delfel, Richard Pimms and John Carlson rounded out the top five. The Hard Charger Award was awarded to Richard Pimms. Welcome back Richard!
The Exide ShorTrack Series Street Stock Bombers put on an excellent show tonight, in spite of the storm that was upon us at this time. The track conditions were much less than perfect, to say the least. Gary Flammang, of Everett, Wa., shot out in front right on the green flag. In turn 3, the weather snagged its first car as Richard Schacht lost control and the car took over. What ensued was head on into the tire barrier in the turn. A red flag came out and once cleared, it was a total restart. Again Gary Flammang lead the pack, but it took less than a lap for Dave Lund to snag the lead and from that point on he was well ahead of the pack. But the competition was tight for 2nd place as Gary Flammang and Brice Christensen, of Snohomish, Wa., battled it out for the remainder 24 laps. Lex Johnson, division points leader, was right in there trying to maintain control of his car and acquire the lead. But when all was said and done, Gary Flammang held onto his 2nd position, Brice Christensen took 3rd, Lex Johnson 4th and Frank Cowgill had 5th. This makes the 3rd win of the season for Dave Lund. There was also a B-Main that was ran and won by Bill O'Brien of Startup, WA took the trophy for 1st place. David Lamb took 2nd place.
In the Mini Stock division, the story was about the same one as far as the track conditions went. It was still a lakebed and needed careful navigation. The lead car changed 3 times in the first 6 laps with Brian Anderson and Chuck Richard playing leapfrog with Lane Sundholm also knocking at the lead's door. But it only took 6 laps before Steve Green, of Duvall, WA., came from his 9th position and took the lead, and there he stayed all the way to the finish line and the trophy. Chuck Richard managed to hold on to 2nd position, Tony Bunkelman taking 3rd, Scott LaCross 4th and Bobby Deyoung rounding out the top five. The Mini Stock also had a B-Main and Jim Daniels, of Marysville, WA took the trophy and Ken Hyde placed 2nd.
Cliff Muzzy, of pitstop.com, was promoting the Starlight Foundation tonight with a Media Race. In this race, drivers will donate their cars to media volunteers to do a race with all proceeds going to this very worthwhile children's foundation. Pitstop.com is a major sponsor and supporter of the Starlight Foundation. The entrants and drivers in this race were as follows: Mark Carney, pitstop.com, reporter and Web master; Aaron Hall of KAYO Olympia; Amy Hall of KAYO Olympia; Ken Johanson of KPQ Wenatchee; Adam Robertson of KVI, the Auto Guy; Tom Turner of KVI, Auto Guy; and Ron Everle of Victoria, BC, Canada TV. The winner was Amy Hall…congratulations Amy! And a huge Thank You to all the volunteer drivers and to the following FEAR drivers who so graciously donated their cars to this worthwhile event: Cole Ballard, Jason Britton, Perry Huffman, Ken Schukar, Scott Betras, Curtis Roberts, and Bill Decker. Thank you again guys for the donation of your cars!
At the end of the night, as it had stopped raining earlier, the Super Stocks were given a choice to drive or not to drive. They took a 5-lap trial run on the track to check it out. After the 5 laps, the drivers had a vote on their decision. The decision was 'not to run' as the backstretch was still very wet and too dangerous to drive on for this division. So hence, another Rain Out.
A huge Thank You to all the drivers from near and afar for coming out once again to entertain us and also a big thank you to our loyal fans.
This upcoming weekend on August 25th and 26th it is the Evergreen State Fair Time again here at Evergreen Speedway. On Friday night, August 25th there will be a 4cylinder Demo Derby plus Bump to Pass, 3-Car Trains and Roll Over Contest. Gates open at 4:45pm with main events at 7pm. Then on Saturday, August 26th, we will feature the NASCAR WRS Super Stocks, Street Stock Bombers, Mini Stocks, Figure 8 and Xtreme Contact Figure 8 and School Bus Grudge Race. Gates open at 3:30pm with main events at 7pm. There are Fair/Race Combo tickets available. Call the speedway office at 360-805-6100 ext. 5769.
