JEFFERSON WINS ARCA WEST LMCS AT DOUGLAS COUNTY SPEEDWAY

GRAHAM, Washington -- Jeff Jefferson (Naches, WA) won his first ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series main on Saturday June 2, at the Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon. Two weeks ago Jefferson led for 121-laps of the 125 only to have mechanical problems send him off the track. This time he was able to take it all the way to the final lap of the Elmer’s Restaurant 125 gaining his first ever win in a LMCS race.

Early leader Jason Hedrick (Graham, WA) lost the lead to Jefferson on lap 50 when a broken suspension forced him to pit road. Twice during the final 75-laps Gary Lewis was able to get to Jefferson’s bumper but that was it. Lewis settled for second.

After the win Jefferson said “This is the best car I have ever driven and I am having more fun than at any time in my career.” Second place finisher Lewis said, “I just did not have the setup, when we went to the race tires we lost what we had done during practice.”

Finishing third was Brent Harris (E. Wenatchee, WA), a great accomplishment after rolling the car at Yakima two weeks ago. Fourth went to Mike Obrist (Portland, OR) and fifth goes to Erick Hargraves (Yakima, WA).

Garrett Evans coming off a win at the last race for the series at Yakima Speedway did not get to start the 125-lap main. Setting second quick time in qualifying Evans lost a clutch during a pre-race hot lap session.

Each of the ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series drivers was impressed with the Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, OR. The weather was a bit on the warm side but cooled down by race time.

Next up for the AWLMCS is the return to Wenatchee Valley Super Oval, East Wenatchee, Wash on Saturday June 16, 2007 for 125-laps on the high banked 1/4-mile oval.