PERROTT NABS FIRST CAREER LATE MODEL VICTORY

Source: Derrick Shannon
Date: 04/24/2000

Under the threat of rain J R Perrott of Boring, Oregon ran off to victory in the first of two scheduled main events for the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars. Ron Prevost dominated the Exide Shortrack Limited Sportsman action, and it was Dan Cherington thrilling the crowd in the first Figure 8 race of the year.

Perrott started third in the 20-car grid for the first Late Model race. Former track champion Darren Shaw was in town for the Easter weekend and brought the Bud 17 out and qualified fifth. The action for the first 14 laps was a see saw battle between Perrott, Eric Sayre, and Jody Tanner, with Shaw bearing down on the leaders. Lap 15 saw Shaw make his move on the outside passing Sayre and Tanner, then going into turn 1as Shaw attempted to pass Perrott for the lead, the lapper of Jim Clair moved up, Perrott moved down and Shaw jammed the breaks to avoid contact with Perrott but found the turn 1 wall instead. The rest of the 25 lap event went green with J R Perrott taking the checkered ahead of Eric Sayre, Jody Tanner, Brandon Riehl, and Lance Lewallen in fifth. The point standings after two events has Jody Tanner in first followed by Perrott, Riehl, Sayre, and Chris Gaboury in fifth.

Ron Prevost ran away with the Exide Shortrack Limited Sportsman victory Friday night. Prevost started eighth in the 18-car field, and quickly moved to the front passing at will. By lap 10 Prevost had made his way to the front and began to pull away from the rest of the field. He was not seriously challenged the rest of the 25 lap event as he led the final 15 laps. Rounding out the top five were Dale Holland in second, Darrell Hansen in his truck placed third, followed by Kenny Gummus in fourth, and week 1 winner Scott Winebarger in fifth. Brad Stanwood takes over the Limited Sportsman point lead, with Winebarger and Holland tied for second, three points back.

In perhaps the best race the evening, Dan Cherington put on a clinic in the Figure 8 main event. As the race began the April skies opened up and began to pour. The rain did little to dampen the enthusiastic crowd as Cherington kept the crowd on its feet with daring bonsai moves through the "busiest intersection" in Portland. By lap four Cherington was in command of the event and never looked back, as he made it look easy negotiating the intersection and the competition with the skill of a fighter pilot.

The persistent rain forced the cancellation of the second main events for the Late Models and the Limited Sportsman, as well as the Accel Street Stock feature. The next race on the calendar is a double-header weekend starting Friday April 28 when H&B Jewelry & Loan presents Ladies Night at the Races, featuring the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model Stock Cars in twin main events on the half mile paved oval. Plus Accel Street Stocks, Bump to Pass bombers, and Figure 8. Gates open at 5pm with racing starting at 7pm with Trophy Dashes, Heat Races, followed by main events. Then Saturday April 29, The NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series makes its final appearance on the monster half mile running the G.I. Joe's 150. This is the last time to see this fender rubbing, paint swapping series, featuring the best drivers in the Northwest, as they vie for the championship trophy on Portland Speedway's historic half mile. Also on tap Saturday will be the Exide Shortrack Limited Sportsman dueling in twin main events. Gates open at 5pm with racing action roaring to the line at 6:30 pm. Tickets for this special event are $19 for adults, $15 for seniors and military, $9 for juniors 13-17, $5 for kids 6-12, under six are free. A family package for two adults and up to four kids ages 6-12 is $39. Adult $4 discount coupons are available at all G.I. Joe's locations.

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