YAKIMA, Washington — Ted Pollock owner and promoter of Yakima Speedway is preparing to launch the landmark 45th Anniversary Season promoting one of the most famous half-mile facilities on the West Coast. The legendary season opener 44th Annual Apple Cup will kick off the 2010 race season on April 10th & 11th. The 44th Annual Apple Cup will feature a 30 Lap H & H Furniture Pure Stock Main Event and a Late Model 50 Lap shootout on Saturday and on Sunday we have a great field of cars scheduled to compete in the Burger Ranch Sportsman 40 Lap Main Event, the Tire Center Super Street 60 Lap Main Event and the 125 Lap Super Late Model Main Event.
Since 1967 Yakima Speedway has hosted this action packed season opener that has featured some of the most exciting racing in the Northwest. Many legends have battled, endured and ultimately earned the title of Apple Cup Champion at the famous half mile oval. Since the inaugural race won by Gordy Haines, Yakima Speedway’s Apple Cup has seen many racing heroes compete to win this two day long hard charging event. The 70’s boasted such legends as Hershel Mcgriff, Don Dowty and Ron Eaton, with the 80’s showcasing racers Brad Tidrick, two-time winner Roger Hall and Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope. In the early 90’s Bob Schweigert dominated winning in 1992, 1994 and 1995 and in the late 90’s Canadian Pete Harding one back to back titles in 1998 & 1999. No stranger to dominating in the Northwest, Wenatchee’s Garrett Evans, Brothers Jeff and Jason Jefferson, Ellensburg native Travis Bennett and Yakima’s past champion BJ Tidrick can lay fame to the coveted title over the last 9 years. Many of these drivers will be facing our 2009 Apple Cup Champion from Snohomish Washington Jason Fraser who is looking to claim a back to back win in this year’s event.
“Many preparations are taking place to ensure that the Yakima Speedway 45th Anniversary and 2010 season are as exciting as ever” said new Director of Marketing & Media Relations Wendy Olson. “We have an amazing schedule of races this year including two ASA NW Late Model Tour dates that will each be 2 day events. In addition to our Yakima Speedway Racing Series seven classes, we will be hosting the Northwest Outlaw Street Stocks, Cast Iron Nationals 360 Sprint Cars, Vintage Modifieds, Washington Midget Racing Association, West Coast Vintage Racers and the 2nd Annual Washington Street Stock Challenge and Hornet Challenge for cash that will be held on July 3rd.” The feature event of the season will be the 45th Anniversary Celebration Mid-Season Championship scheduled for July 10th in which we are offering discounted tickets to businesses and fans. (for more information please contact yakspeedwaymkt@live.com) We are launching a new website within the next month that will provide information on schedule, events, promotions, as well as providing an opportunity to see your favorite driver with pages in which racers can post pictures, sponsor information, personal information and blog about their season.
Proud that Yakima Speedway was the first NASCAR sanctioned track in the Northwest; Yakima Speedway is also a stellar business contributing 2 million each year to our local economy.
Over the last 45years, time has watched the area grow around the track with a freeway built beyond the backstretch and industry to the South, but one thing remains the same, the Pollock family and the dedicated Yakima Speedway team look forward to providing racers, families, business partners and fans the best racing on the West Coast from April through October. We look forward to seeing you at the races.
