GRAHAM, Washington – Late Model teams on both sides of the U.S.- Canadian border are busy preparing their cars for the first of two scheduled ARCA West events in British Columbia, Canada this June. This Saturday, the U.S. based ARCA West Circle K Late Model Challenge Series is holding a 125-lap race at the beautiful ½-mile tri-oval of Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, BC. Dubbed the ARCA West ‘Can-Am 125’, the event is posting over $15,000.00 in cash and bonus awards and has attracted many of the most popular Northwestern U.S. & Canadian late model drivers & teams.
ARCA West currently has two late model divisions, the U.S. based AW Circle K LMCS and the Canada based AW Mac’s Series. Next season, the two divisions plan to host several combined ‘Challenge’ races which will most likely include Sun Valley Speedway. Late scheduling commitments hampered a planned inaugural ‘Challenge’ race this season, but with last weekend’s rain-cancelled event for the Canada division many of their drivers will be heading to Vernon this Saturday to run with the U.S. teams.
Last season U.S. drivers Gary Lewis, Wes Rhodes & Brent Harris stood on the podium after the AW LMCS’s first visit to Sun Valley. Top finishing Canadian drivers were Ryan Fischer, Tim Elliot and Trevor Emond. Currently, 27 teams are attempting this Saturday’s event with an equal fielding of U.S. & Canadian teams. Many of the Canadian teams will be using this race to prepare for a AW Mac’s Series points race at the same venue two weeks later.
Gary Lewis is currently leading the AW LMCS point standings followed by Port City Racecar’s ‘Rookie Challenger’ Jared Vorse, Christian Roeder, Wes Rhodes and BJ Tidrick. Lewis has announced that he is not running the complete series this season, as he has several conflicting race dates. Look for a strong run by the points contenders this weekend to take over the top position.
Sun Valley Speedway’s ARCA West ‘Can-Am 125’ race schedule: Hot laps start at 1pm with qualifying for all classes to begin at 6pm. Racing at 7:00pm. Front Gate opens at 5:00pm. Ticket prices: $20.00 adult, $15.00 youth & seniors. Additional classes running Saturday: NASCAR Whelen All-American Street Stocks, and Hornets.
