YAKIMA, Wash.ington – Tom Sweatman beat the heat and the field at the Frank’s Chevrolet 125 at Yakima (Wash.) Speedway in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series as afternoon temperatures soared to the 100 degree mark. He was able to hold off Pete Harding who was on his rear deck lid for most of the race’s final 45 laps. It was Sweatman’s first win of the season and the fifth of his career in the Northwest Series.
Sweatman took the lead from Joe Benedetti after the 45 laps and was able to keep the experienced Harding at bay for the rest of the way.
Benedetti started on the pole after Bud Pole Award winner Jeff Jefferson, who posted a lap at 92.999 mph, drew a 10-car invert for the race start. Benedetti was able to finish third behind Harding’s second-place effort.
Jason Jefferson finished fourth and logged his first top-5 finish since winning the first two races of the season. Steven Howard finished the event in fifth.
Bryan Wiener, Jody Tanner, Garrett Evans, Travis Bennett and Gary Lewis rounded out the top 10.
Evans, who was the series championship points leader coming into the race, was able to hold onto that lead and, in fact, increase it by four points over second-ranked Bennett by finishing one spot ahead of him.
The Northwest Series will next take to the track on August 7 at Montana Raceway Park in Kalispell, Mont. for the 6th Annual Rumble in the Rockies.
UNOFFICIAL Results for the Frank's Chevrolet 125
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Yakima Speedway July 24, 2004
(Finishing Position, Starting Position, Driver, Hometown, Car Make, Laps Completed, Winner’s Average Speed, Reason Out, if any, Money Won)
1. (5) Tom Sweatman, Cosmopolis Wash., Chevrolet, 125, 67.976 mph, $2,500
2. (8) Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 125, $1,900
3. (1) Joe Benedetti, Auburn Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,900
4. (3) Jason Jefferson, Naches Wash., Dodge, 125, $1,400
5. (12) Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,175
6. (15) Bryan Wiener*, Puyallup Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,900
7. (13) Jody Tanner, Portland Ore., Chevrolet, 125, $1,075
8. (9) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,000
9. (7) Travis Bennett*, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $950
10. (4) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Pontiac, 125, $900
11. (6) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 124, $875
12. (2) Mike Longton, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $625
13. (11) Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $800
14. (16) Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 122, $575
15. (14) John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 108, $725
16. (17) Wes Rhodes, Lacey Wash., Chevrolet, 52, Accident, $700
17. (10) Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Chevrolet, 27, Rear End, $1,025
* Denotes Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Contender
