BENNETT WINS ASA NORTHWEST TOUR SEASON FINALE

Source: Scott Ellsworth
Date: 09/05/2007

YAKIMA, Speedway -- Travis Bennett won three of the of the last four ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour races in 2007. After breaking into the winners circle for the first time in his NWT career at Yakima on July 7, 2007, Bennett made a strong season ending statement “that is where he belongs.” The Sunday September 2, Aero Exhaust 150 at Yakima Speedway ended the season for the traveling circuit. Second place went to Jason Fraser (his best NWT finish of his career). Another late race pass by Kelly Tanner put him on the podium for the fourth time this season, all third place-finishes.

Bennett grabbed the lead from Garrett Evans (finished fourth) on lap 54 of the 150-lap main on Yakima Speedway’s .500-mile oval. Starting in the sixth position after qualifying with the best time and drawing that position for the invert it was not an easy road to the point. A spirited battle with Brandon Riehl for third had the two bouncing off each other for 8-laps. It was a testament to the ability of both drivers to stay on the race track.

The excited Bennett said as he climbed from the #33 Chevrolet, “I can not believe the second half of this season.” When asked, did he feel once the first win came would others be soon to follow, “I have always known that I had the ability it just took more time than I figured.”

Being the final race of 2007 the ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour crowned its first champion. This being the inaugural season under the ASA banner, BJ Tidrick will always be known as the first. Not the race finish he wanted he said, “I really wanted to win but the championship is sweet.” Tidrick overtook Jay Sauls for the point lead after the Roseburg race on July 28. Holding a 1-point lead going into the next race, Tidrick finished second expanding the lead to 32-points. Kelly Tanner’s podium finish at the final race was not enough to overtake Tidrick. The final point difference is 14-points.

A season high 22 cars took the green for the start of the main. The ASANWT in a rebuilding year ended on a high note. During the pre-race drivers meeting it was announce that the traveling series would be using an electronic transponder timing system in 2008 courtesy of Ron Eaton. It was also said the 2008 rules would be finalized by the Fall Classic (end of September). The race tracks the series would race at in 2008 would also be available by that time.

ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour Official Finish:

Aero Exhaust 150 (.500-mile oval)

Yakima Speedway, Yakima, WA

Pos Name Laps Hometown Nat/State

1 Travis Bennett 155 Ellensburg WA

2 Jason Fraser 155 Snohomish WA

3 Kelly Tanner 155 Auburn WA

4 Garrett Evans 155 E. Wenatchee WA

5 Zach Niesner 154 Royal City WA

6 Pete Harding 154 Surrey BC

7 Rick Suran 154 Estacada OR

8 BJ Tidrick 154 Yakima WA

9 Mike Longton 153 Moxee WA

10 Jim Warn 153 Aurora OR

11 Gary Lewis 153 Bothell WA

12 Gaylon Stewart 152 Woodinville WA

13 Jay Sauls 152 Puyallup WA

14 Matt Klaas 150 Roseburg WA

15 Ron Eaton 117 Lakewood WA

16 Darrell Tidrick 104 Yakima WA

17 Brandon Riehl 88 Boring OR

18 Rick Christopherson 78 Yakima WA

19 Matt Hall 71 Spokane WA

20 Mark Sundberg 30 Seattle WA

21 Troy Eaton 28 Lakewood WA

22 Wilbur Bruce 21 Lakewood WA

Fast Time: Travis Bennett (:19.369)

Time of Race: 57:36 minutes

Cautions: 2 (lap 21-27) (lap 149-153)

Margin of Victory: (:0.665 seconds)

Lead Changes: 2 (Evans 1-53) (Bennett 54-155)

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