YAKIMA, Washington – Jeff Jefferson posted his third NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series victory of the season Saturday night at Yakima (Wash.) Speedway. He won May 29 at Yakima Speedway and July 3 at Wenatchee (Wash.) Valley’s Super Oval.
Jefferson had a fast car all night as he won his fourth Bud Pole Award of the season with a lap speed of 94.039 mph on the 1/2-mile oval. However, the job was made a little tougher by an eight-car invert. Series rules mandate a six, eight and 10-car invert to start the race. Therefore, Jefferson started in eighth position and rocketed to the front taking the lead from Brandon Riehl on lap 35.
Riehl held onto the second position the rest of the way to post his best career Northwest Series finish. Gary Lewis finished third for his fifth top-five effort of 2004. Coming in fourth was Jason Jefferson, Jeff’s younger brother. Joe Benedetti finished fifth for his third straight top-10 finish.
John Bender, Travis Bennett, Bryan Wiener, Garrett Evans, and Jeff Bailey rounded out the top 10.
Evans came into the race with a 57 point lead in the race for the series championship but still came out with a lead of 48 points despite the ninth-place finish. Jason Jefferson moved into the second-place position by one point over the previous holder of the position, Travis Bennett.
Just three races remain on the schedule for 2004. The next time the Northwest Series hits the track is on September 4 at TriCity Raceway in West. Richland, Wash.
UNOFFICIAL Results for Frank's Chevrolet 125
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES
Yakima Speedway August 14, 2004
(Finishing Position, Starting Position, Driver, Hometown, Car Make, Laps Completed, Winner’s Avg. Speed, Reason Out, if any, Money Won)
1. (8) Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Chevrolet, 125, 70.844 mph, $3,600
2. (6) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 125, $1,900
3. (7) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Pontiac, 125, $1,900
4. (2) Jason Jefferson, Naches Wash., Dodge, 125, $1,400
5. (1) Joe Benedetti, Auburn Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,175
6. (10) John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,150
7. (3) Travis Bennett, Ellensburg Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $1,075
8. (12) Bryan Wiener, Puyallup Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $800
9. (5) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $950
10. (11) Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $900
11. (13) Steven Howard, Roy Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $875
12. (9) Wes Rhodes, Lacey Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $825
13. (4) Pete Harding, Surrey B.C. Canada, Chevrolet, 125, $800
14. (14) Tom Sweatman, Cosmopolis Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $775
15. (15) Jody Tanner, Portland Ore., Chevrolet, 123, $725
16. (16) Matt Hall, Spokane Wash., Chevrolet, 82, Ignition, $700
17. (18) Robert Tesch, Keizer Ore., Chevrolet, 67, Handling, $475
18. (17) Ed Thomsen, Richland Wash., Chevrolet, 45, Motor, $450
* Denotes Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Contender
Time of Race: 0 hrs., 52 mins, 56 secs Average Speed: 70.844 mph Margin of Victory: .65 Seconds
Caution Flags: Laps 24-27; 60-65; 114-119. 3 for 16 laps.
Lap Leaders: Joe Benedetti 1-28, Brandon Riehl 29-34, Jeff Jefferson 35-125.
Total Laps Led: Jeff Jefferson 91, Joe Benedetti 28, Brandon Riehl 6. 2 changes involving 3 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Garrett Evans 1420, Jason Jefferson 1372, Travis Bennett * 1371, Jeff Jefferson 1337, Gary Lewis 1314, Pete Harding 1310,
Brandon Riehl 1301, Wes Rhodes 1269, Joe Benedetti 1249, Steven Howard 1246
