ELLENSBURG, Washington — The American Speed Association sanctioned Yakima Speedway capped off a tremendous season Saturday evening with the crowning of season champions in all seven classes. Mike Longton won another Late Model event to score his first ever Late Model championship. Longton, after taking the 2007 season off, was very impressive in his quest for the crown. The veteran won many main events, holds the track record and is considered to be the man to beat any time he takes to the ½ mile oval. Longton had strong pressure all year long from Mike Zamora from the Tri-cities. Zamora came up just a little short in his bid to add to his impressive resume, another championship.
Under beautiful conditions, the large crowd was treated to another exciting 75 lap main event. A field of 15 of the best late models around took the green. Zamora took command for the first 12 laps. Dan Obrist, from Portland, Oregon made a strong move to pass Zamora on the outside. Obrist opened a commanding lead on the field. Longton had moved from his sixth starting position into third. A six car breakaway, moved out from the rest of the field. Ken Olson, in his first drive for the Mike Moran team, was holding on to an impressive fourth. Darin Stordahl was pressuring in fifth with hard luck racer, Scott Walker hot on his rear bumper cover. Defending champion, Owen Riddle saw his night go sour when he was forced to the pits on lap 37 with mechanical problems. Obrist held on for second with Ken Olson finishing third when Zamora had problems late in the event. Darin Stordahl was fourth and Scott Walker finished in fifth. The Walker team, while not overly pleased with the finish, may have overcome the bad luck that has plagued the team in 2008.
Young Brian Pepper was crowned champion in the competitive Super Stock division. Buck Noel Jr. was the class of the field this night. The popular racer out distanced the entire field for another popular win. After technical inspection, the final order was Noel, Brian Pepper, Ben St. Mary, Mike Pepper and Dusty John in fifth. Young Zach Beaman made his first ever start in a stockcar an impressive one. The 16 year old racer moved to the front and held on for four laps before being passed by Noel. A few miscues moved him back in the final order.
Mel Patnode won the war in the Hobby Sportsman class, but Randy Marshall Jr. won the battle. Patnode won the championship with steady good racing all year. Marshall won numerous mains during the year and added another Saturday night. The second generation racer, took over the lead from fast improving, Reece Kastl, and was never headed. Jeff Stevenson was hot on his bumper from lap 32 until the end of the 35 lap race. Kastl scored another podium finish in third. Jerry Walker Jr. was in fourth and champion, Patnode, finished fifth.
The new Hobby class, or pure stock division, grew in numbers and excitement all year long. New winners and racers kept the class growing all year. Harold Emmons scored the main event win after converting his car from a dirt racer to asphalt. Twelve cars started the race. Veteran Emmons moved from his third starting position to take over the lead on the first lap. This division is great fun to watch as positions change many times every lap. Behind Emmons, Jay Younker, Ron Hawkins, Rob Allen and Chuck Strmiska put on a spirited battle. The final order was Emmons, Allen, Hawkins Younker and Bobby Stewart Jr. Tyson Richter, in his Dodge Charger was crowned season champion.
Another young racer scored his first ever main event win in the Youth Hornet division. Kyler Conduff, in only his fourth race of the year, took his Ford Probe into winners circle. Only five cars started the main on the tiny oval, but the competition was great. The final order was in doubt until the checkered flew. This was the first year for this class and all of the drivers have shown tremendous improvement. Cord Jackman is the champion for this division.
The adult Hornet class had 21 cars time in. A qualifying main had to be run to set the field for the championship race. Daniel Morfin and Eric Coble finished first and second in the qualifier and transferred to the main. Put 16 Hornets cars on the tight, small track and the entertainment value is high. A little pushing, shoving and just great racing is the order of the day. This popular class has entertained the crowds all year long and Saturday eveing was no exception. Jake Breashers took over the lead on lap 17 of the 25 lap race and took the win. Season points champion, Terry Cook was second and Johnnie Raymond was third. Champion, Terry Cook, returned to racing after taking a few years off. Cook has competed in the Hobby and sportsman classes in years past. The return to the Hornet racing has been one of his most enjoyable seasons ever. Cook is a great example of the fun, exciting and inexpensive form of racing that Hornet racing has become throughout the nation.
The Bump to Pass race should have been renamed to Bump to Destroy class Saturday night. Probably because it was the last event of the season, spins were quicker, bumps were harder and the overall condition of most of the cars after the race was predictable. Bobby A. Trujillo Jr. won another main with lady racer, Dusty Belair in second and Rich Strmiska in third. The season points championship went to popular Donnie Stevens.
Track officials announced the rules for the 2009 season and they will be in printed form soon.
Next event at the speedway will be the 21st. annual Fall Classic. The traditional event is set for October 3-4-5. Thurday will be practice with practice again on Fridqay until 5:00. First round of qualifying for the Limited late models and the late models will be held, with the exciting Race of Champions to follow. Saturday will be qualifying at 1:00 with dashes, heats and the main events for the Hobby and the Limited late models. On Sunday the Streets will open the show with their main and then the 200 lap Fall Classic. The late model 200 lap event will have a break at or about lap 100 for refueling and chassis adjustments and teams will be allowed to change two tires. Complete times, prices and schedule can be found on the Yakima Speedway web site.
| Late Models |
|---|
| Fast time – Mike Longton – 18.932 Main – 75 laps – Mike Longton – Dan Obrist – Ken Olson – Darin Stordahl – Scott Walker – Rick Thompson – Kriss clark – Duke Langley – Mike Zamora – Ron Bemis – James Spiering – Ashley Beaman – Christopher Kalsch – Owen Riddle – Marcus Maggard |
| Superstocks |
| Fast time – Brian Pepper – 22.421 Main – 30 laps – Buck Noel Jr. – Brian Pepper – Ben St. Mary – Mike Pepper – Dusty John – Mike Butler – Zach Beaman – Rich Peters – Andy Beaman |
| Hobby Sportsman |
| Fast time – John Raney – 23.596 Main – 35 laps – Randy Marshall Jr. – Jeff Stevenson –Reece Kastle – Jerry Walker Jr. – Mel Patnode – John Raney –Barry Mueller – Jesse Vincent – Don Klang – Mike Valcich – Gary Haley – Chris Ripley |
| Hobby |
| Fast time – Ron Morton – 26.086 (track record) Main – 25 laps – Harold Emmons – Rob Allen – Ron Hawkins – Jay Younker – Bobby Stewart – Tyson Richter – Kevin McGovern – Derek Raptcheff – Chuck Strmiska – Nathan Voyles – Ron Morton – Daniel Coble |
| Youth Hornets |
| Fast time – Jeffery Baker Jr. – 17.424 Main – 12 laps – Kyler Conduff – Adam Little – Jeffery Baker Jr. – Cord Jackman – Christian Hall |
| Hornets |
| Fast time – James Norman – 17.163 Main – 25 laps – Jake Breashers – Terry Cook – Johnnie Raymond – Steve Hall – Eric Appleby – Owen Berglund –James Norman – Morgan Morrison – Daniel Morfin – Dave Peterson – Josh Washington – Eric Coble – Chris Morrison – Cody Denton – Greg Gargett – David Denton – Chester Miller – Jennifer Mosebar – Michael Beck – Larry Norman – Angel Vath (DQ) |
| Bump to Pass |
| Fast time – Rich Strmiska – 18.961 Main – 12 laps – Bobby A. Trujillo – Dusty Belair – Rich strmiska – Terry Morton – Donnie Stevens – Mark Belair – Joe Briskey – Joe Stevens – Merle Stiltner – Eddie Abrambs – Ray Bolster – Melissa Hoffman – Kevin MeGovern |
