One quarter of the way through the 16-race Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series 2000 season, the only thing that is for certain is that no one knows what to expect next. The first four races have seen four first-time winners on the series. Totem Travel Rookie of the Year candidate Gaylon Stewart nipped series veteran Tom Sweatman by a fender in the season opener at Evergreen Speedway. Stewart passed Sweatman on the outside of turns three and four to do the trick.
The second race, the weather was the victor. Showers delayed the start of the Oregon 100 at Portland International Raceway. After the track dried, Jim Inglebright and Gary Lewis dueled with eventual race winner Steve Petty for the lead. Showers again interrupted the race just short of the midway point. It was a mad 5-lap dash to the checkered flag as the sun began to set over the West Hills of Portland. Petty held off rookie Matt Kelley for the win.
The third race of the season saw Totem Travel Rookie of the Year candidate John Zaretzke dominate the last asphalt race the series will have at historic Portland Speedway. Although Portland Speedway is a track that usually favors the veterans, Zaretzke looked like one as he held off former champions Gary Lewis, Ron Eaton, Garrett Evans and Pete Harding to claim the win. Harding, the series defending champion, had mechanical problems in qualifying, relegating him to a 28th starting position. The crowd cheered as Harding worked his way through the field for a top-five finish. Zaretzke led every lap of the 150-circuit event.
Tire management was the key to success at Yakima Speedway. As the tire war between Hoosier and Goodyear heated up, the compounds in the tires became softer. Series veteran Kevin Quesnell survived the night to claim his first win on the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series at his home track. Shane Biles came home second. Canadian Bill Lawrence finished third after starting the night in the 27th starting position.
The Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series returns to action at South Sound Speedway this Saturday, May 20. Series regulars looking to return to their home track include Totem Travel Rookie of the Year candidate Steven Howard from Roy, Wash., and Wes Rhodes of Olympia, Wash. Qualifying for Saturday's Pepsi 125 starts at 6:00 p.m. The green is scheduled to drop at 7:30 p.m.
Nine NASCAR Touring Series blanket the United States, bringing special
events to many NASCAR Weekly Racing Series tracks and some NASCAR
superspeedways and road courses. NASCAR Touring Series can provide a
competitor with an entire career, or they can provide valuable experience to
competitors moving through the NASCAR ranks. Corporate sponsors make
significant contributions to NASCAR Touring Series point funds. The sponsors
include R.J. Reynolds, Anheuser-Busch, Featherlite Trailers, OšReilly Auto
Parts, Slim Jim, Goodyšs Headache Powders, Raybestos Brakes and the RE/MAX
Realty Corp.
