MONROE, Washington -- The hits were big and the action intense at Evergreen Speedway’s season opening Spring Bash. After a washed out opener last Saturday, the Derby, Figure Eights, School Bus, Roll Over and Boat Racers kicked off the 50th Anniversary Season. Pat Clark (Super Figure Eight), Noah Chandler (Extreme Contact Figure Eight) garnered wins to start their season. Hertz Hornet drivers Chris Record, Jody Walker & Rod Helmuth got their season off to a good start with each getting a win in their respective mains. Nick Williams won the Roll-Over contest with a total of 4-1/2 turns. School Bus Figure Eight driver Cecil Wright and Derby winner Mike Sepple both had successful nights.
The newly configured Super Figure Eight body style was the talk of the night but it was the conventional style that prevailed. Don Eslick sporting the new look of an East Coast Modified took the lead midway through the 25-lap main. His lead had stretched to fifteen lengths but a red flag for an incident at the X involving Gordy Severson and Ryan Gunderson bunched the field up for the restart. Steve Peters after the restart was able to stay with Eslick and with a lap to go attempted a pass. The two were side by side as they came through the X for the last time and there was contact sending them both off the track. Pat Clark running third at the time avoided the spinning duo and took the lead and win. Clark’s teammate Shane Sawin made a bid for the win at the finish line but had to settle for second while Peters recovered to finish third.
The popular Extreme Contact Figure Eight Main event had Noah Chandler beating Merlin Cook to the checkers. Steve Peters grabbed third his second of the night.
The Hertz Equipment Rental Hornets came out in force and treated the large crowd to three main events. In the first 15-lap main Chris Record recorded the first win of the season. John Crofoot Sr. finished a close second and Dan Estes survived to finish third. The second main had winner Jody Walker open with a big lead and was never seriously challenged. Steve Baumgartner finished second and Jose Fuste third. The final 15-lap main proved to be the most competitive. Eventual winner Rod Helmuth was challenged closely by second place finisher Bill Wade. The two were swapping the lead until a big traffic jam forced Wade to go wide and Helmuth was able to capitalize. Third spot went to Kevin Hall.
Next Up: The opening Night of the NASCAR Five Star Program. The NASCAR Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Bombers, FEAR Super Figure Eights and Extreme Contact Figure Eights will round out the program. The mains get under way at 7pm. Adults $12.50; Jr/Sr Military $8.50; Children $4.50. A family pass for 2-Adults and up to 4-Children $33.00
Tickets available by calling the Speedway office Tuesday – Saturday 360 805-6100 or via the web page www.evergreenspeedway.com
Results of Speedway Chevrolet’s Spring Bash at Evergreen Speedway April 4, 2004:
Super Figure Eight 25-Lap Main: 1- Pat Clark (Marysville); 2- Shane Sawin (Snohomish); 3- Steve Peters (Monroe); 4- Wendi Boyd; 5- Jerry Funden (Marysville); 6- Richard Shaver (Stanwood); 7- Doug Wilkinson (Mount Lake Terrace); 8- Nick Gunderson (Maple Valley); 9- Don Eslick (Snohomish); 10- Tim Bergstrom (Marysville); 11- Gordy Severson (Stanwood); 12- Ryan Gunderson (Maple Valley)
Extreme Contact Figure Eight 20-Lap Main: 1- Noah Chandler (Kirkland); 2- Merlin Cook (Monroe); 3- Steve Peters (Monroe); 4- Nick Niesen (Everett); 5- Ben Raynes (Duvall); 6- Geoff Chandler (Kirkland); 7- Tom White (Everett); 8- Billy Decker (Duvall); 9- Perry Huffman (Everett); 10- Bruce Wilson (Monroe); 11- Troy Simianer (Bothell); 12- Jason Holton (Arlington); 13- Steve Woehl (Sea Tac)
Hertz Hornets: 1st 15-Lap Main: 1- Chris Record (Lynnwood); 2- John Crofoot Sr. (Woodinville); 3- Dan Estes (Issaquah) 2nd 15-Lap Main: 1- Jody Walker (Sedro Wooley); 2- Steve Baumgartner (Everett); 3- Jose Fuste (Everett) 3rd 15-Lap Main: 1- Rod Helmuth (Everett); 2- Bill Wade (Stanwood); 3- Kevin Hall (Sultan)
Demolition Derby: 1- Mike Sepple; 2- Richard Eldridge; 3- Ken Bates
