MARYSVILLE, Washington — The new American Speed Association (ASA) Northwest Late Model Tour announced its tentative 2009 race season schedule at the conclusion of the race track promoters meetings in Reno, Nevada. The new Tour is the combined Late Model Challenge Series and the Northwest Tour, both late model traveling series. The 10-race schedule includes many of the Northwest’s best short tracks and a premier road course.
The newly merged 25-year old Northwest Tour with the 10-year old Late Model Challenge Series has changed the Super Late Model scene. Instead of competing for tracks and drivers the combined Tour has had much success in booking dates for 2009 and the expected driver participation is at an all time high
The 2009 season gets underway in March at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. Evergreen has hosted the Northwest Tour opening race for 23 of the 24 years. The series will return to Evergreen in July as part of the Washington 500. The giant .627-mile oval is the biggest test the drivers get all season.
The traveling Super Late Model Tour, featuring the Northwest’s best drivers, will return to Wenatchee, Washington for two races. The fast .250-mile high banked oval called Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval will host the tour in May and the 200-lap championship in September.
The fabled .500-mile Yakima Speedway oval, in Yakima, Washington also has the tour in for two dates in 2009. The first is in June and the second will be on Labor Day weekend for a two day event capped with a 200-lap main.
The tour proves again how versatile the Northwest’s best Late Model Stock Car Drivers can be with a visit to Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, for the 2nd Annual Road Course Challenge in June. The 2.25-mile road course will be a challenge for all and is a series point’s race.
The 2nd Annual Memorial Day weekend extravaganza at Mission Valley Speedway in Ronan, Montana brings together many of the best to battle for a portion of the $50,000.00 purse. This will be a point’s race for the 2009 championship.
The jewel of race tracks in the inland empire of Idaho, Stateline Stadium Speedway brings the Tour back to its high banked .250-mile oval in June. This is the racers favorite track to visit. The very raceable surface and hospitality makes this a popular stop.
Southern Oregon is on the schedule with a stop at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Oregon in August.
With a new operator ready to take over at Spokane County Motorsports Park the tour will head to the .500-mile oval in May.
2009 ASA Northwest Late Model Tour Race Schedule:
March 28 - Evergreen Speedway - Monroe, WA (125-laps .627-mile oval)
May 2 – WVSO – Wenatchee, WA (125-laps .250-mile oval)
May 9 – Spokane County Motorsports Park – Spokane, WA (125-laps .500-mile oval)
May 23 & 24 – Mission Valley Speedway – Ronan, MT (200-laps .375-mile oval)
June 6 – Yakima Speedway – Yakima, WA (125-laps .500-mile oval)
June 13 – Stateline Stadium Speedway – Post Falls, ID (125-laps .250-mile oval)
June 27 – Pacific Raceways – Kent, WA (2.25-mile road course)
July 25 – Evergreen Speedway – Monroe, WA (.627-mile oval)
August 22 – Douglas County Speedway – Roseburg, OR (125-laps .375-mile oval)
September 5 & 6 – Yakima Speedway – Yakima WA (200-laps .500-mile oval)
September 12 – WVSO – Wenatchee, WA (200-lap Championship .250-mile oval)
**Tentative Schedule. Subject To Change
