SPECTACULAR SEASON OPENER AT YAKIMA SPEEDWAY

They say that a full moon and auto racing can be strange bedfellows. At ASA Sanctioned Yakima Speedway on the Saturday night before Mother’s Day that was certainly true. A five division show saw almost 60 cars pack the pit area and a great crowd enjoying the nice spring evening under the full orange moon.

After Mike Easley set a new track record in qualifying at 21.448 for the RJ’s Tire Factory Super Streets, Bob Greiner won the Trophy Dash. The other dash was called off after Buck Noel, Jr. flew his race car into the banking outside turn one bringing out a red flag. Noel walked to the ambulance and emerged under his own power moments later to walk back to his pit, however is #95 car was totaled. The Heat Races were won by Dusty John and Gary Flammang. Ben St. Mary made a great pass on the 12th lap and held back Chet Beaman and a stout run by Ken Mullins for the 40-lap Main Event win.

In the Burger Ranch Sportsman division Randy Marshall, Jr. set fast time and a new track record with a 23.075 clocking around the ½ mile paved oval. Winning Trophy Dashes were Jesse Vincent and Reese Kastl. The heat race wins went to Vincent and Marshall. Marshall cleared traffic at the 7th lap of the Main Event and was never seriously challenged while winning the 30-lap event. Reese Kastl and Mel Patnode held the crowds interest with a great two car battle over the remaining laps for second and third, with Kastl making a huge move into turn one to take the spot on the 20th lap.

At the Apple Cup a few weeks earlier, Mike Hill won Best Appearing Car in the Sportsman Division, then over the last few weeks made some changes to the car to race in the H&H Furniture Pure Stock class. Hill set a new track record in time trials at 24.886. Hill also won his heat race and the 20-lap Main Event. Other winners in the Pure Stock class were Terry Cook and Jay Younker in the Trophy Dashes. Cook and Hill won the Heat Races.

For rookie driver Ryan Kallenberger, the first night will always be remembered as a good one in the Hornet class. Kallenberger won both his heat race and the 15-lap Main Event. Fast time and a new track record went to Josh Washington in 17.362. Mike Beck and Josh Parmentier won the Trophy Dashes and the other Heat Race winners was Eric Appleby. Team PBJ won the Best Appearing Car Trophy in a fan vote-off.

Once again the Bump to Pass cars thrilled the crowd. Despite a lower than usual car turnout fans stayed for the last Main Event won by defending Champion Donnie Stevens. Kyle Wade set a new track record in qualifying turning a 18.386 lap. Wade won the dash and heat and lead a few laps of the main before giving way to an excellent set-up, spin-out and pass by Stevens for the win.

Racing resumes next Saturday night with gates opening at 4:00 p.m and racing starting after opening ceremonies at 6:00 p.m. featuring the Late Models, H&H Furniture Pure Stocks, Yakima Driving School Youth Hornets and the Bump To Pass cars.