GRAHAM, Washington -- Nearly three years have past since the Late Model Challenge Series last visited the beautiful 3/8th-mile oval at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg OR. Three years have brought many positive changes, as the series is now part of the ARCA racing family - officially sanctioned as the ARCA West Q-Racing Late Model Challenge Series (AW LMCS). The Speedway has a new promoter full of enthusiasm and new ideas. The cars are significantly faster and more powerful than on prior visits. Many of the most popular names of Northwest racing veterans, legends, and budding rookies now fill the AW LMCS driver roster. But the overall goal is the same as each team prepares their car for the 125-lap feature event, dubbed the ‘Elmer’s Restaurant 125’ - each driver has high hopes of bringing home a big piece of the nearly $16,000 in cash and bonus awards offered, including the $2,500.00 winner’s check sponsored by Thurston County Transmission of Lacey, WA.
This highly-anticipated event is the only visit of the AW LMCS this season to the tricky 3/8th mile asphalt oval located in beautiful Southern Oregon, and one of the highlight events on the series’ 10-race 2007 touring schedule. Of special interest, will be to see how well the drivers and teams adapt to a track that many have not seen nor set foot on in many years. Douglas County Speedway’s (Roseburg) track manager Adam Nelson and AW LMCS Director of Competition Jerry Losch worked diligently in the off season to secure a 2007 race date for the Northwest’s premier Late Model touring series. Special thanks go to Thurston County Transmission of Lacey WA and Elmer’s Restaurant of Roseburg for key sponsorship of this exclusive engagement.
The ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series’ top contenders are chasing valuable points toward the series’ season championship. Going into this event, the current top five are: Gary Lewis of Bothell WA, Jeff Jefferson of Yakima WA, Joe Constance of Mukilteo WA, Rick Thompson of Prosser WA, and Wes Rhodes of Yelm WA. Garrett Evans of Wenatchee WA is fresh off a win at Yakima Speedway May 19th, and Gary Lewis won the AW LMCS opener at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval on May 5th. A tight battle also continues in the AW LMCS Port City Racecars ‘Rookie Challenge’ with Jim Warn of Aurora OR & Erick Hargraves of Yakima WA tied for leading rookie points.
“This is an exciting event for both the ARCA West Q-Racing series and the Roseburg racing community. The Northwest’s top Late Model drivers again get the opportunity to show their stuff at Oregon’s finest racing venue after nearly three years absence,” stated Jerry Losch. “We have several teams from southern Oregon that run in our program regularly, and long-time LMCS supporter Bruce Latta also resides in nearby Coos Bay. It’s great to have a race date scheduled at their local venue. I expect a full field of the Northwest’s most talented drivers to compete at this event, as this venue definitely has been highly anticipated by many teams.”
The ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series has continued to grow in popularity over eight seasons to become the premier Late Model program in the Northwest. The series maintains the region’s highest average car count per race and has hosted record setting events at many venues. Spectators are sure to witness one of the season’s largest, most competitive gatherings of the Northwest’s finest stock car teams with the return of the AW LMCS to Roseburg this Saturday.
Raceday schedule: Hot lap sessions begin at 2:00pm, qualifying for all classes begin at 4:30pm, Racing begins at 6:05pm. Large crowds are expected; arrive early for best seating and time trials. Front Gate opens at 4:30pm. Ticket prices: Adults $12, 7-12 yrs $5.00, and 6 & under - free.
