HALF WAY THROUGH THE 2000 SEASON THE RAYBESTOS BRAKES NORTHWEST SERIES, NASCAR TOURING, IS UNPREDICT

Source: NASCAR Media Relations
Date: 06/22/2000

Half way through the 16-race Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series 2000 season, the only thing that is for certain is that no one knows what to expect next. The first eight races have seen five first-time winners on the series and eight different drivers visit victory lane. Totem Travel Rookie of the Year candidate Gaylon Stewart opened the season by nipping series veteran Tom Sweatman by a fender at Evergreen Speedway. Stewart passed Sweatman on the outside of turns three and four to do the trick.

Stewart was the first of the season's first time winners. Steve Petty claimed his first series victory at the rain-shortened Oregon 100 at Portland International Raceway. John Zaretzke made it three for three with a win at the historic Portland Speedway- The win was the final one for the series at the track in its current configuration. The track will return to its dirt track roots later this year. Former Totem Travel Rookie of the Year Kevin Quesnell finally added a win to his resume at his home track at Yakima Speedway on May 6.

It wasn't until the fifth race of the year before a veteran with some prior wins on the series finally made it to victory lane. Three-time series champion Ron Eaton dominated the Pepsi 125 at South Sound Speedway on May 20. The win was Eaton's 37th in his long career. Eaton lapped every competitor but one on his way to the checkered flag. Gary Lewis, the 1998 series champion, claimed the checkered flag at Wenatchee Valley's. Super Dual in the next event.

It looked like race number seven would have the series first two-time winner for the season. Eaton crossed the finish line first, but a post-race technical inspection found nonconforming fuel in the car. That handed Ken Kaltschmidt his first series win. Last week, 1990 series champion John Dillon returned to the series for the first time in 2000 and scored an impressive victory.

The other race within a race on the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series is the tire war between Hoosier Tires and Goodyear Tires. Each tire manufacturer found early season success. However, Hoosier Tires has dominated the last two races, being the only tire on the lead lap at the end of the race. Look for Goodyear to rally as they had a good tire for the first race at Portland International Raceway earlier this year.

Nine NASCAR Touring Series blanket the United States, bringing special events to many NASCAR Weekly Racing Series tracks and some NASCAR superspeedways and road courses. NASCAR Touring Series can provide a competitor with an entire career, or they can provide valuable experience to competitors moving through the NASCAR ranks. Corporate sponsors make significant contributions to NASCAR Touring Series point funds. The sponsors include R.J. Reynolds, Anheuser-Busch, Featherlite Trailers, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Slim Jim, Goody's Headache Powders, Raybestos Brakes and the RE/MAX Realty Corp.

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