MARYSVILLE, Washington — The season opener for the newly formed American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour is Saturday March 28 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. This new series was formed by combining two long standing programs. The 25-year old Northwest Tour and the 10-year old Late Model Challenge Series merged to become the Northwest’s only Super Late Model Stock Car touring division. Along with the merge came a 2008 champion of each series. The LMCS champion is Wes Rhodes of Olympia, WA and the NWT champion is Brad Stanwood of Portland, OR. The two will be vying for the title of being the first champion of the ‘New Thunder in the Northwest’ ASA NWLMT.
Rhodes a six time South Sound Speedway Champion won his first touring division championship in 2008 with consistent top five finishes. He capped off his crowning season with a win at the LMCS season finale in Wenatchee. Likewise Stanwood had a consistent year with top five finishes in every race. The rookie to northwest touring, won his first ever championship. Disappointed that the last ASA NWT race of 2008 was rained out at Evergreen Speedway, Stanwood felt he had a good chance to win the season finale at a track he has come to really like.
In order for Rhodes or Stanwood to win the new ASA NWLMT championship in 2009 they will be going against the combined series regulars nightly. By virtue of the merger the new series has put together the best Super Late Model drivers in the northwest into one series and the competition will be fierce to win the first championship. Being the first is always something special for anyone in any sport.
Both series bring past champions that will not only be threat for that first title but could win on any given night. Everyone knows Gary Lewis, of Bothell, WA, a former two time champion of the NWT and the 2007 champion of the LMCS is the most formidable foe in 2009. Pete Harding of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada also a former NWT champion will be running for the 2009 crown.
Add to the mix always strong competitors such as: Jason Fraser - Snohomish, WA; Jared Vorse – Olympia, WA; Mike Longton – Moxee, WA; Kelly Mann – Monroe, WA and Jay Sauls – Puyallup, WA making the 2009 championship chase one of the best in this form of racing.
The start of the eleven race season gets underway on Saturday night March 28 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA. The .654-mile oval has hosted the tour opener for 24 of 25 years. The tradition of having the opening race at the series’ largest track has brought out many a driver to challenge the track some consider too tough to tame. The opening race is considered by most to the northwest’s Daytona 500. Evergreen, known as the ‘Super Speedway of the West’ will have the best Super Late Model racers on the big track for a 125-lap main.
For more information call Jerry Losch at 253-312-1080 0r Evergreen Speedway at 360-801-6100. Driver pre registration is available on series’ web page ASANorthWestLateModelTour.com.
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