Jeff Jefferson posted his second win of the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series season in the KKRV 125 at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval on Saturday night.
Jefferson started on the pole due to an eight-car invert and never looked back. It was the first wire-to-wire win in the Northwest Series since John Bender accomplished the feat on May 10, 2003 at Evergreen Speedway.
Gary Lewis finished second in the event but never proved to be a real threat to the race winner. Garrett Evans, the series championship points leader, crossed the line in third place. Brandon Riehl, who won his first career Northwest Series Bud Pole Award with a speed of 69.811 mph on the 1/4-mile short track, finished fourth. Travis Bennett logged the fifth-place slot.
Tom Sweatman, Jeff Bailey, Jason Jefferson, Steven Howard and Wes Rhodes rounded out the Top 10.
Evans extended his lead in the points race to 43 over Bennett. Jefferson, the series’ defending champion, moved from eighth to fourth with the win, just 100 points behind the leader.
The Northwest Series is back in action next on July 24 at Yakima (Wash.) Speedway.
Unofficial Results for KKRV 125
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Wenatchee Valley Super Oval July 3, 2004
(Finishing Position, Starting Position, Driver, Hometown, Car Make, Laps Completed, Avg. Speed, Money Won)
1. (1) Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Chevrolet, 125, 45.418 mph, $2,300
2. (4) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Pontiac, 125, $1,900
3. (7) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,670
4. (8) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 125, $1,650
5. (5) Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,200
6. (6) Tom Sweatman, Cosmopolis Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,400
7. (2) Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,060
8. (11) Jason Jefferson, Naches Wash., Dodge, 125, $1,000
9. (9) Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $975
10. (3) Wes Rhodes, Lacey Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $950
11. (13) John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $925
12. (18) Jody Tanner, Portland Ore., Chevrolet, 124, $1,450
13. (10) Shane Biles, Woodinville Wash., Ford, 124, $875
14. (17) Bryan Wiener, Puyallup Wash., Chevrolet, 121, $650
15. (14) Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 120, $825
16. (15) Rick Suran, Estacada Ore., Pontiac, 119, $810
17. (16) Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 116, $610
18. (12) Joe Benedetti, Auburn Wash., Chevrolet, 101, $810
19. (19) Robert Tesch, Keizer Ore., Chevrolet, 85, Electrical, $610
20. (20) Ed Watson, Mt. Vernon Wash., Chevrolet, 19, Accident, $610
* Denotes Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Contender
