MONROE, Washington — On Saturday night September 24 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington there will be four 2011 season titles handed out. The Foster Press presents Chamber Championship Night at the Races will feature championship main events for the Speedway Chevrolet NASCAR Whelen All American Series Super Late Models 100, the Les Schwab Tires NASCAR Street Stocks 50, the Foster Press NASCAR Mini-Stocks 50 and the Northwest Pro 4 Truck Series 50. All the championship mains will be run on the reconditioned 3/8-mile paved oval. In addition there will be area businesses showcasing their respective lines under the grandstands during the afternoon and evening. The championship racing begins at 6pm with front gates opening at 4pm and FanFest at 5pm.
"Molly Helmuth (16 years old) will make her debut as SLM driver on Saturday."
Super Late Model division point leader Naima Lang will have his hands full with many of the area’s best drivers and new drivers to the division expected for the 100-lap championship main on the fast 3/8-mile oval. The track was reconditioned about two months ago and all the divisions that have raced on it since have broken their old track qualifying records including the SLM’s. Lang leads for the track championship and is in the lead for the coveted State of Washington NASCAR title. This will be Lang’s third championship after winning the 2008 & 09 season titles.
Molly Helmuth (16 years old) will make her debut as SLM driver on Saturday. Helmuth will also be racing in her NASCAR Mini-Stock (she had her best finish 3rd during the last race) and in her truck as part of the NW Pro 4 Truck Series. This young high school student has become a fan favorite and everyone is anxiously waiting to see her in a SLM for the first time. She has one of the area’s best crew chiefs helping her, Roger Habich a former SLM driver at Evergreen and on the Northwest Tour.
Recently on the 3/8-mile the SLM’s have held twin main events usually 50-laps each. The 100 lap main will be much different with the drivers and teams having to make the correct adjustments on the car to make sure the car handles well at the end. Two of the area’s top SLM racers that have mastered the 3/8-mile of late are two time winner Tom Hughs and winner of the last two in a row Daniel Moore will be challenged by the 100-lap distance. Another strong competitor is Monroe’s Rock Church Pastor Jeff Knight. The added distance may play into his favor.
Joe Kneeland the current point leader for the 2011 season championship of the Street Stock division is in line to win his first ever championship. Kneeland has a unique situation as there are students from Ingraham High School that work on the car. He is taking the Ingraham High School Pirates to their first car racing title. Of course the title is not quite in their grasp yet. There is still the possibility that second in points Steve Ptacek could win the championship if the Kneeland team falters and does not make the 50-lap main event and Ptacek was able to overcome the 88-point margin. Third in the points Brian Cottrell has been the hottest driver as of late with 3 wins in the last four. Cottrell may also have his new SLM with and run in that division’s 100-lap main.
The Mini-Stock division title will be decided after their 50-lap main. Scott LaCross who won the title in 2001, 02 & 03 is just one race night away from the championship and becoming the first in Mini-Stock history at the fabled Evergreen Speedway to win four championships. He will join Bill Zimmerman Jr. who won the Foreign Stock championships in 1975, 76, 77 & 80 as the only 4-cylinder four time champs. Kris Harris is second in points with the winner of the last race for this division Jon Roberts third. Molly Helmuth will have a chance to move into eighth in points with another solid podium finish.
Northwest Pro 4 Truck Series point leader for the 2011 championship in this traveling division is Jerry Buell. Buell has a 34-point edge over rookie Scott Waulters and 44-points up on, veteran Pro 4 Truck driver, Terry Warren. With points awarded for qualifying position, heat finish and main event finish the 44-point deficit could be easily overcome. Their main event on the 3/8-mile is scheduled for 50-laps. Two local drivers that are in the top ten are also in competition for the series’ Rookie of the Year. Aaron Greene is in the chase for the rookie title as is Molly Helmuth. Greene is 4th in overall points and Helmuth 9th. They are 1st and 3rd respectively in rookie points.
The Foster Press presents Chamber Championship Night at the Races begins with spectator gates opening at 4pm followed by FanFest at 5pm with the championship racing starting at 6pm. For tickets go to the web at www.evergreenspeedway.com or call 360-805-6100.
