Monroe, Wash. (May 10, 2003) - From the pole position John Bender of Monroe, Wash. driving the Big Daddy's Bar & Grill/Andy Reece Trucking Chevrolet took the lead early and fought off late challenges on the NASCAR Elite Division, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series NUPRECON 125 hosted at Evergreen Speedway.
Taking his first NASCAR Elite Division win Bender began to pull away lapping traffic by lap thirty-seven. Several late cautions regrouped the field allowing John Zaretzke of Maltby, Wash., and his Hayen & Associates/By Design Rockeries/Innovations Ford machine repeated attacks on the leader with no avail.
Zaretzke would later find himself in a fight to hold second position, with the #97 driven by Jason Jefferson, of Yakima, Wash. and his Northwest Dodge Dealers, 2003 Dodge Intrepid knocking on the back door.
Jefferson and Zaretzke would crash in a two car incident going into turn one on the tight 3/8s-mile oval at Evergreen Speedway in the final laps taking both drivers out of contention for a podium finish.
Zaretzke would finish eighth, and Jefferson would cross the finish line back in fourteenth position.
Victory Circle Chassis rookie-of-the-year contender Robb Touchette would set fast time for the day taking his first career Bud Pole Award after just three starts on the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, with a lap of 17.351 seconds at 77.805 mph. Touchette would finish in second position.
Ed Watson and his #55 Creekside Retirement Community Chevrolet would come home in third position, with Kevin Hamlin, the defending Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series Champion salvaging a fourth place finish after running fourteenth midway through the race. NASCAR Elite Division Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series
NUPERCON 125 presented by NAPA
Evergreen Speedway, Monroe, Wash., May 10, 2003
.375-mile oval - 125 laps - $42,392 Posted Awards
5 Cautions for 20 laps
8-10, 62-67, 89-85, 99-105, 122-124
One leader for 127 laps: John Bender Big Daddy's Bar & Grill/Andy Reece Trucking Chevrolet
Bud Pole Winner: Robb Touchette – 17.351 seconds / 77.805 mph Chevrolet
POWERade “Power Move of the Race” Ed Watson – start 20 - finish 3 Creekside Retirement Community Chevrolet
