MONROE, Washington -- Over 30 Late Model Super Stock teams from throughout the Northwest region are expected to do battle at the Late Model Challenge Series’ championship event scheduled Saturday, September 18th at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash. The teams are busy doing final adjustments for the RPM Sales & Service sponsored 75-lap season finale, each with hopes of bringing home a big piece of the nearly $10,000 in cash and bonus awards offered.
This event will be the first ever visit of the Late Model Challenge Series to the nostalgic Super 5/8th mile oval track, dubbed the “Super Speedway of the Northwest”. Of special interest, will be to see how these LMCS drivers and teams adapt to the largest track on which the series has ever competed. This unique 5/8-mile track is only opened on a very limited basis each season, usually reserved for the local NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Super Stocks and the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Northwest Series (both of which are also running on this night!). It has been nine years since an independent Late Model/Super Stock division has been scheduled at this venue.
The Late Model Challenge Series’ top contenders are chasing valuable points toward the series’ season championship. Going into this event, the current top five are: Ron Wolf of Auburn Wash, Jay Sauls of Puyallup Wash, Rick Hager (former Evergreen Speedway Figure Eight driver) of Mountlake Terrace Wash, Jeff Ford of Graham Wash, and Don Vickery of Seattle Wash. In the eleven races already completed this season, there have been ten different winners, many of whom will be competing for the thirty-six main event starting positions in this RPM Sales & Service ‘75’ event, each attempting a repeat visit to victory circle. Jay Sauls stands as the only LMCS driver to have secured two victories this season to date, with feature wins at both Mission Valley Speedway in Montana and Douglas County Speedway in Oregon. Many teams are also using this LMCS event as an opportunity to do testing/tuning for Evergreen’s ‘Concept Racing’ Challenge Cup Late Model and Street Stock Open-Competition events to be held on Sunday, September 19th.
Ron Wolf, the series current point’s leader, last ran on Evergreen’s 5/8th oval back in 1996 while competing in an open-comp event. “We are definitely looking forward to running again on the big oval, and hopefully we can gain the season championship without mishap. We have struggled some this year at the larger venues, therefore we plan to make use of the scheduled practice night to dial the car in. We know some of the locals will be hard to beat, but our main focus will be to run a smooth race as Jay (Sauls) is still in the point’s race for the championship. Of course, it would be great to finish the season with a win on the 5/8th while securing the 2004 Championship.” Wolf won an LMCS event earlier this season at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval; and had been the series’ first season champion back in 2000.
The Late Model Challenge Series shares an exciting night of racing action on the 5/8th mile oval. In addition to the RPM Sales & Service ‘75’; the local NASCAR Super Stock Division will also be featured in the Snap-On Tools ‘75’ Season Championship. Headlining the night’s scheduled events will be the Big O Tires ‘125’ NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division Northwest Series, returning for a race that had rained out earlier in the season. There is an extremely close battle for their championship with 15-points the difference between the top three drivers coming into this next to last race of the season.
Spectators are sure to witness one of the largest gatherings (70+) of many of the Northwest’s finest stock car teams. Many of the top names in Northwest Racing will be on hand for this Super Speed Weekend. Legends Garrett Evans, Pete Harding, Ron Wolf, Tom Sweatman, Mike Sauls, Gary Lewis will be joined by some of the hottest young drivers Jeff and Jason Jefferson, Jay Sauls, Brandon Riehl, John Zaretzke, Shane Harding and Travis Bennett. Many local drivers will grace the Super Big Track with their talents such as: John Bender, Tom Moriarity, Roger Habich, Rick Hager, Steve Cox, Kelly Mann and Lex Johnson.
On Friday September 17, Practice from 6:00pm – 9:30pm. Saturday September 18, schedule: Hot Lap sessions begin at 1:00pm; Qualifying for all classes begin at 4:30pm; Racing begins at 7:00pm. Sunday September 19 Concept Racing Challenge Cup Hot Laps are at 11:00am; Qualifying is at 1:00pm and the Racing starts at 3:00pm. Large crowds are expected; arrive early for best seating and time trials. Saturday Front Gate opens at 4:00pm. Saturday’s ticket prices: Reserved $40, Adults $30, Juniors/Seniors/Military $18.50, Child (6-11) $7.50, and under 6 - free. Family passes - $75. Sunday Front Gate opens at 12 noon. Sunday’s ticket prices are Adults $20, Juniors/Seniors/Military $8.50, Children $4.50, under 6 Free and the Family Pass is $45.
Contact Evergreen Speedway at 360-805-6100 or visit www.evergreenspeedway.com
