BOISE, Id — The Northwest Pro4 Alliance will wrap up the 2008 Summer of Excitement Series August 30th with the Hoosier Tire West 75 on the tricky ASA sanctioned Meridian Speedway. This marks the first day of the Labor Day 125 Spectacular for four cylinder late model stock cars. August 31st will see the fastest four cylinder late models in the country return to the track for the Tate Rents 50.
A record purse of over $10,000.00 in cash and product awards are up for grabs as well as the Alliance title as defending champ Kameron McKeehan of Lewiston, ID comes into the downtown oval with a mere seven point lead over Steve Thompson of West Richland, WA. Thompson at two times ARCA West Truck Champion calls Meridian a one grove track and could think of a better place to decide the title, but he also knows how to get to the front anywhere he races. McKeehan on the other hand will play the cards as there dealt in his laid back easy going racing style that lead him to the title last year.
Third in the standings is local hero Rob Powers of Meridian, ID just eleven points back. Powers will once again drive the Mike Bailey Ford Taurus the same car he has drove to two top three finishes in the past two events. Bailey’s hometown advantage won’t give him as big as edge as he would like simply because of the high talent level that’s in the estimated forty car field. Twenty six points back sets Puyallup, Washington’s John Grosvenor. Grosvenor has a shot at the title that slipped through his hands at this event last year when a blown motor ended his race early. Brooks, Oregon driver Terry Rennick sets fifth thirty seven points back rounding out the top five.
When the Alliance comes to the ASA sanctioned Meridian Speedway it not only brings a strong group of tour regulars but they have to face off with the best ASA Late Model Lite drivers in the intermountain west. 2006 Meridian Speedway Late Model Lite Champ Joe Barton of Kuna, ID will lead this group as the current track point leader has scored five wins in 2008. When you say Meridian Speedway you have to think of Kenny Chandler Jr. of Boise, ID and his famous Chevy powered Corvette. Chandler has a win this season on his home turf. Another cagey veteran to watch will be Middleton, ID driver Jim Bailey.
Two times Champ Kale Freedman will lead the young guys consisting of 2006 Meridian Speedway rookie of the year Shaun Tubbs, of Nampa, ID and 2007 Meridian Speedway rookie of the year Casey Tillman of Kuna, ID. The Alliance will see Tacoma Washington’s Cody Stewart wrap up the 2008 Impact Racing Rookie of the Year title once he rolls out for the Hoosier Tire 75.
The Northwest Pro4 Alliance would also like to welcome ASA Pro4 driver Kyle McGrady of Hesperia, CA who can normally be found at the ASA sanctioned Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, CA where the 15 year old driver was the 2006 ASA Pro4 Rookie of the Year. This is the first long haul for this young man who has graced the pages of Stock Car Magazine and who is currently in a national advertisement for K&N Filters so we wish him the best of luck.
The Northwest Pro4 Alliance is the combined efforts of the Foreign Stock Car Racing Association, the Northwest Late Model 4’s and the Meridian Speedway Late Model Lite class along with a host of independent Pro4 teams all joining in an Alliance to bring bigger fields of talented teams to the tracks for the track promoters and the fans of the Northwest and Intermountain West.
For more information on the Labor Day 125 Spectacular or any other racing contact Meridian Speedway at www.meridianspeedway.com or call the track at 208-888-2813 during normal business hours and we will see you at the races.
