W. Richland, WA (3/23/03). With Jason Jefferson and Jeff Bailey both moving on to the NASCAR Elite Division Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, TCR will have a new champion for the first time in three years. This, along with the new rules for the Lithia Dodge NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Models has created a lot of interest in this 18-race series.
The new 1-tire and 2-barrel carburetor rule created enough interest for car owner Brad Tidrick of Yakima to field four cars. With his home track dropping the Super Stock Class, there was no place for 3 of the cars to run. The economics of one new tire per event and the ease of converting the three cars over to meet the new rules made it an easy decision for the Tidrick Racing Team to make the 70-mile trip to TCR.
BJ Tidrick will return to TCR’s ½-mile oval and will be a serious threat for the championship. The 22-year-old veteran has some experience at TCR from when he ran in the Mid-State Series two years ago. BJ, a former Rookie of the Year, Limited Sportsman Champion and a Late Model 2nd place points finish, all at Yakima Speedway, has plenty of expertise to make a serious challenge for TCR’s Late Model Championship. With aspirations of moving up the NASCAR racing ladder, a championship at a prestigious NASCAR Weekly Series track would help to get some notice locally and nationally.
Brad’s younger son, 17-year-old Darrell will move up from Super Stocks to the Late Models. Last season was his first year in the bigger Super Stocks, where he won Rookie of the Year by finishing second in the points. If he can grasp the way that TCR handles, he has a good chance to give the others in the Series a run for their money.
A graduate from a racing school, Seattle Parking Lot Magnate, Mark Sundberg will drive one of the Tidrick Chevrolet Monte Carlo’s. Mark made his racing debut last season at Yakima Speedway in a Tidrick Super Stock. He will make the long trip from Washington’s West Side and he will not only be a rookie in the Late Model but to TCR’s ½-mile. Mark will donate a portion of his winnings to Kyle Petty’s Victory Junction Charity.
The former TCR Mini-Stock Champion, Brian Lambert, will drive the fourth Tidrick Chevrolet. Brian has many laps at TCR and this will be helpful as he pilots the car nicknamed Patches. This car has been patched together hence the name.
Brad, who raced from 1978 through 1984 at many of the local tracks and then moved up to NASCAR’s Grand National Division Winston West Series 1985 to 1989. Along with running his business, Tidrick’s Quality Transmissions, and keeping four cars ready for the 18-race Lithia Dodge Weekly Late Model Series, will have to draw from all that racing experience.
The Lithia Dodge NASCAR Weekly Series starts its 18-race season on Saturday, April 12th and concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday September 13th.
The season opener for Tri-City Raceway will be on April 5th with a 6pm start for the New Super Late Models in the Budweiser 100. The NW Modified Series, Washington Legends plus Enduro Bombers (on the new ¼-mile) will also make their season debuts. T/T at 5pm and Racing at 6pm. Call (509) 967-9271 for more info.
