NASCAR OPENER AT EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY SUCCESSFUL FOR SOME

MONROE, Washington — On Saturday April 16th the new era of NASCAR racing at Evergreen Speedway got its start. The Beacon Plumbing Weekly Racing Series which featured the Speedway Chevrolet NASCAR Whelen All American Series Super Late Model twin 50-lap mains. The first 50 was won by Daniel Moore of Snohomish, WA. The second 50 was won by a former champion Naima Lang also from Snohomish, WA. The winner of the Les Schwab Tires NASCAR Whelen All American Series Street Stock main was defending division champion Lane Sundholm from Maltby, WA. Another former division champion from Snohomish, WA Steve Green won the Foster Press NASCAR Mini-Stock main. NASCAR Super Figure Eight division winner was Brian Gunderson of Maple Valley, WA. And one final winner on the night was Nicole Pollard of Everett, WA in the Cub Scouts of America Mt. Baker Council Hornet Division.

The day started ominous with persistent light rain putting a damper on the Super Late Model division. The rain stated to let up close to start time for the evening and finally they were able to get about 10-minutes of practice. The practice was not good for Jeff Knight of Monroe, WA when his motor broke sending the team scurrying to obtain the back up. As the Super Late Models rolled to the line for their first 50-lap main the speedway officials waited a few extra minutes to see if the Knight team would be able to make the start. Not able to make it in time the race began. Lang took the early lead and opened what at the time looked to be a safe margin. The determination by winner Moore paid off as he took the lead from Lang in the latter stages of the race. Knight made it out in time to finish the race but many laps back. Lang finished second and Mike Holden of Bothell, WA finished third.

In race two the scenario was close the same with Lang quickly getting out front and everyone in pursuit. This time the outcome was more predictable as Lang never gave up the lead and won the 50-lap main. Lang takes the point lead toward the 2011 championship. Knight who started the second main was involved in an incident, when trying to avoid another spinning car, caught the front stretch wall suffering race ending front end damage. Also involved in a race ending accident, first race winner Moore got off track in the wet grass and made significant contact with a tire barrier ending his night and a chance at the $500 bonus if you won both mains. Travis Blackwood from Everett, WA finished second and defending division champion Tom Moriarity of Monroe, WA finished third.

Sundholm started the new season where he left off last season in victory lane. Going back to the big motor made no difference in his performance as he had the measure on the field all night. Last year Sundholm used a crate motor set up and won the championship. On victory stage he said “I have a lot more power and I am over driving it a bit”. Joe Kneeland of Seattle, WA finished second in a car that is helped prepared by students from Ingraham High School. Third place went to returning veteran Doug Davidson of Monroe, WA.

The Mini-Stock main event was checkered as the cars sat on the front stretch under the red flag. There was a medical emergency in the stands (the person is alright) and with the lateness of the hour the officials deemed the race over. In the right place at the right time Green took the win. On victory stage Green stated’ “I hated to see it end this way. I don’t know if LaCross had anything for me”. Another former champion Scott LaCross of Monroe, WA finished second and Dale Creager from Mukilteo, WA was third.

One of the elder statesmen of the long standing Super Figure Eight division Gunderson powered his way through traffic and avoided contact at the intersection to take away the winners share. As Gunderson climbed from his car in victory circle he was very winded and said, “I am not in shape for this”. Seth Funden of Marysville, WA who finished second said as he received a trophy, “I could not catch him (Gunderson)”. Third place went to Mike Middleton from Arlington, WA.

Pollard was elated with her win in the popular Hornet division. Somewhat speechless on stage all she could say was, “I am speechless”. Losing the lead early, Pollard kept the pressure on regaining the lead with a masterful pass in traffic. Troy Johnson of Monroe, WA finished second while Kevin Hornbeck from Ronta, WA finished third.

Next up at the ‘Super Speedway of the West’ Evergreen Speedway on Saturday April 23rd is the US Army Extreme Night at the Races, featuring a 100-lap main for the NASCAR Super Figure Eight division, the Stinger 8’s return to the figure eight for a double point’s night of racing. Included will be the new division called the Extreme V-8’s, the Vintage Modifieds return after a many year absence. The evening will end with a Small Car Demolition Derby. All children 12 and under will be admitted free. Racing starts at 6pm with front gates opening at 4pm.

For more information and or tickets call 360-805-6100. The speedway’s web page is located at www.evergreenspeedway.com.