In its first appearance at Yakima Speedway, the Dynomax-Performance Corner Late Model Challenge Series put on a great show. More than 15 racers came to the half-mile track as part of their new, expanded multi-track season that includes Tri-City Raceway and Spanaway Speedway, as well as Yakima Speedway. The set-up of the Series is much like the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, in that they bring their own officials, and are very well organized.
Jim Johnson grabbed the early lead from the pole-sitting team of Lorin Sutphin and Rick Hager on lap 5, and held that position until the backstretch of lap 16 when points-leader Ron Wolf slipped by him. Once in the lead, Wolf sprinted to a substantial lead, but Johnson was determined to keep Wolf in his sights.
Leading the pack around the Speedway’s oval asphalt, Wolf built up a five-second lead, while a good battle was taking place for fourth through sixth positions between Sutphin, Mike Sauls, the top qualifier and new record-holder (20.272), and Mitch Franklin.
But Wolf’s lead began to evaporate when he developed mechanical problems around lap 46, when he had to retire to the pits. At that point, Johnson once again grabbed the point, with Hager and Sutphin close behind all the way to the checkered flag. Franklin, who had been closing on the leaders late in the race, experienced brake problems, relegating him to a fifth place finish. Kurt Meyer placed fourth, despite being involved in a multi-car collision that brought out the only caution of the event and almost took him out of the 75-lap main event.
For the Hobby Stocks, Andy Beaman won his third main event out of four races, despite being challenged by E.J. Trujillo throughout the entire 35-lap main event. Pole-sitter Ted Wilburn enjoyed an early lead but lost it on lap 3 to Mike Hill. Shortly thereafter, Tilburn spun out on turn four and had to watch as the leaders passed him. He was never able to regain his position and faded to the rear of the pack.
On lap 11, after several laps of fighting for position, Beaman moved outside Hill on the backstretch and went into turn three with a lead of several car-lengths. For the remainder of the race, Beaman and Trujillo fought for position with Hill settling for third place. Three cautions slowed the race, but Trujillo wasn’t able to harness enough horsepower to overtake the leader. Hill, Larry Norman and Chuck Cook, Jr. rounded out the top-five.
In their second of five scheduled appearances at Yakima Speedway, the Northwest Late Model 4s fielded more than ten racers for their 40-lap main event.
Top qualifier (21.382) Kevin McKeehan started the race in last place as the result of a complete invert, but moved to second place
