MONROE, Washington -- The 21st running of the Randy’s Ring & Pinion Figure Eight Nationals at Evergreen Speedway had everything to offer from 28-cars to rain and everything in between. After 100-laps Steve Peters joined a select group by winning his third Nationals title. Shane Harding won the first of two main events for The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Super Stocks with the second main going to John Zaretzke. The night had a first ever Randy’s Ring & Pinion NASCAR Street Stock Bomber winner when Craig Rowalt was the first to the finish line.
Steve Peters started dead last in the 28-car field for the Figure Eight Nationals. Peters drew the 28 for his starting position and felt his night would not end with him standing in victory circle accepting his third Figure Nationals Title. The third win puts Peters in a very select group of three that have won three times. Vern Dietz and Brian Delfel and now Peters will be tied for the most wins in the prestigious annual event.
As the green flag fell for the 100-lap event a sudden shower moved over the race track and made the figure eight track very slick. On the fist lap there was an incident in the South turn that ended the night very early for JR Sundholm when he ended up under Roger Drakes car. On the restart Nick Gunderson had the lead but it was not long when John Zaretzke took over the helm. The large field of cars got strung out early and the leaders were putting cars down laps. Steve Peters had moved to ninth by lap 15. Zaretzke relinquished the lead back to Gunderson and started to fall back of the leaders. Half way through the 100-laps Steve Peters used his skills to take the lead. Harry Clements took the lead from Peters on lap-58. Clements’ night came to an abrupt halt when he was tagged at the X sending his car via the hook to pit road. Peters with the lead back was not threatened as he lapped the entire field. Second went to Troy Simianer driving a car with the number and color of Al Hauck a long time member of FEAR and who recently lost a battle to cancer. Third with a consistent run was Jerry Funden.
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Super Stocks who are in the make up races mode held twin 25-lap mains on the 3/8-mile oval had the largest car count of the season with 21-cars competing. In the first race Shane Harding took the lead for good on lap 10 and had no challenges. John Zaretzke had trouble clearing traffic and by the time he broke free Harding had too large of a lead. In the second of the twin mains Zaretzke turned the tables and got to the front before Harding and Harding ran out of laps to challenge.
Craig Rowalt a rookie in the Randy’s Ring & Pinion NASCAR Street Stock Bombers Division took home his first winners trophy. Duane Schosboek tried to reel in Rowalt but the checkers flew before he could muster a charge. Rowalt who has steadily improved his driving skills in this very competitive division proved that he will be someone to watch the remainder of this and in future seasons.
Next up at Evergreen Speedway will be a four day Labor Day Evergreen State Fair weekend of racing. On Friday September 3 the Hertz Equipment Rental Hornets, Extreme Contact Figure Eights and Boat Racing are featured on the opening night of the Holiday Weekend. On Saturday September 4 the NASCAR ‘Five Star’ program returns as the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Super Stocks resume the make up races with twin 25-lap mains. The Randy’s Ring & Pinion NASCAR Street Stock Bombers, NASCAR Mini-Stocks are joined by the three Figure Eight Divisions. On Sunday September 5 the weekend chock full of cotton candy, amusement rides and racing continues at the Evergreen State Fair. The annual Dodge of Monroe Giant Labor Day Demolition Derby, Fireworks, Hertz Hornets, School Bus Figure Eight, Roll Over, Bump to Pass and 3-Car Train Racing will keep the always overflow crowd on the edge of their seats. Monday afternoon September 6 there will be a Custom Car and Drag Race program. Four great days of smashing, crashing and racing action.
Evergreen Speedway August 28 Results:
The 21st Randy’s Ring & Pinion 100-lap Figure Eight Nationals: Steve Peters; Troy Simianer; Jerry Funden; Alan Clark; Wendi Boyd; Steve Cox; Rich Groshong; Richard Shaver; Nick Gunderson; Roger Drake; Jay VanBuskirk; Richard Shanebrook; Ryan Gunderson; John Carlson; Harry Clements; John Zaretzke; Jason Holton; Doug Delfel; Aaron Flett; James Conley; Jim Downey; Chuck Widdis; Gordy Severson; Jessica Wilkinson; Doug Wilkinson; Dale Larson; Tim Bergstrom; JR Sundholm
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Super Stocks:
Gem Star Homes Dash for Cash: Jason Fraser
1st 25-Lap Main: Shane Harding; John Zaretzke; Lex Johnson; Fraser; Ron Fritzly; Tom Moriarity; Roger Habich; Doug Davidson; Joe Constance; Marty Solkulsky; Fred Hall; Tom Mathew; Ken DeFoe; Darren Hall; Travis Powell; Joe Chamberlin; Bobby DeYoung; Kelly Mann; Billy Weber; Michael Prudnick; Gaylon Stewart
2nd 25-Lap Main: Zaretzke; Harding; Davidson; Constance; Fritzley; Fraser; F. Hall; Moriarity; Mann; D. Hall; DeFoe; Powell; Chamberlin; DeYoung; Habich; Mathew; Solkulsky; Johnson; Weber; Prudnick; Stewart
Randy’s Ring & Pinion NASCAR Street Stock Bombers
12-Lap ‘B’ Main: Rich Brown; Nikki Bristol; Dave Young
30-Lap ‘A’ Main: Craig Rowalt; Duane Schosboek; Jim Foti; Naima Lang; Darin Stordahl; John Burtsche; Steve McElroy; Darrell Lutovsky; Travis Blackwood; Steve Ptacek; Steve Kunz; Charles Davis; Jim Downey; Bill Eddy; Clark Casey; Michael Counihan; Tom Ochiltree; Shawn Carlson
