GRAHAM, Washington -- 30-plus Late Model teams from throughout the Northwest are expected to assemble at the historic ½ -mile oval at Yakima Speedway for a special 125-lap event this Saturday, May 19th all shooting for a piece of the record $17,500.00 in cash and bonus awards offered. These drivers and teams are busy preparing to compete for the twenty-eight starting positions available in the ‘WIX Filters 125’ feature event. This is the second of ten point races on the 2007 ARCA West Q-Racing Late Model Challenge Series (AW LMCS) touring schedule, and the first of two visits this season to Yakima Speedway.
Fresh off a 29-car showing at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval in East Wenatchee, Wash. at the AW LMCS season opener May 5th; the series again expects a large field of region’s best to battle for the increased purse offered. Last season, series’ Director of Competition Jerry Losch came up with a unique program to highlight many of the region’s premier engine builders in an annual ‘Builders Challenge’. Adding significantly to the event purse, together with the series standard bonus and contingency awards, the victorious driver will walk away with over $3,500.00 in winnings. Additionally, if a participating builder’s engine wins the event, that builder will receive a $500.00 bonus check. This stirred many builders into calling up their most skilled drivers for a chance at bragging rights in this annual event.
The expected driver roster includes well known local-area talent as Erick Hargraves, Mike Zamora, Scott Walker and Owen Riddle. Prior Elite Series drivers Gary Lewis, Jeff Jefferson, Garrett Evans, Jason Fraser, and Steven Howard are shooting for a prime qualifying spot. Series regulars, such as Shelby Thompson, Wes Rhodes, Christian Roeder, Brent Harris, Jimmy Johnson, Rick Thompson, Josh Roberts, Rick Hager, Scott Davis, Todd Walters, Ryan Fischer and Bryon Harvey all know they have their work cut out this weekend. Newcomers like Joe Constance, Jim Warn, Joe McNeil, Dan Beecher, Dan Rhodes all must qualify well to get locked into the 28-car feature, or face a tough challenge in a consolation race battling over just 4 move-up positions. All-in-all, this event is primed to be one of the largest Late Model races in the region this year, in addition to being one of the biggest fielding of cars for the AW LMCS.
The ARCA West Truck Series will be showcasing several of the region’s fastest racetrucks. Rick Thompson, Steve Thompson, and rookie Daniel Moore put on a spirited race at the AW LMCS opener. These trucks are identical to the ARCA Lincoln Welder Trucks back east, and run lap times only a click or two off those of AW Late Models. The AW Truck Series is running in conjunction with the AW LMCS division at many races this season to generate interest in this premier truck division, and to help establish the trucks as a feeder program to the AW Late Models.
The ARCA West Q-Racing Late Model Challenge Series ‘WIX Filters 125’ event headlines an exciting night also featuring the ARCA West Tucks and Yakima Speedway’s own local Super Stocks and Hobby Stocks. Raceday schedule: Hot lap sessions begin at 2:00pm, qualifying for all classes begin at 5:00pm, Racing begins at 6:30pm. Large crowds are expected, arrive early for best seating and time trials. Front Gate opens at 4:00pm. Ticket prices: Adults $20 – Seniors & Students $15, Child - $10, and under 6 - free.
Participating engine builders include: Bayless Racing Engines, Bird Race Engines, Cope Bros. Machine Shop, ‘Freight Train’ Peters Engines, Nutter Racing Components, Powerhouse Machine, Somer’s Machine, and T-Mac Performance.
For additional information contact: Jerry Losch, ARCA West Director of Competition at 253-312-1080 or visit: LateModelChallenge. com for the latest series news and racing information. Contact Yakima Speedway at 509-248-0647 or visit YakimaSpeedway .us
