FIRST APPEARANCE FOR LATE MODEL CHALLENGE SERIES AT SOUTH SOUND SPEEDWAY

Source: Late Model Challenge Series Public Relations
Date: 05/10/2004

GRAHAM, Washington -- The Late Model Challenge Series and race teams from throughout the Northwest region will gather at South Sound Speedway in Rochester, Wash., for a 100-lap shoot-out on the 3/8s-mile oval, Saturday May 15, 2004, competing for over $8500 in cash and bonus awards.

Up to thirty cars are expected to compete for twenty-four main event starting positions on the 3/8s-mile speed plant, dubbed “The Fastest 3/8s on The West Coast.” This, the 30th event in the series history, will be the first appearance for Late Model Challenge Series at South Sound Speedway.

This is the third of thirteen events on the Late Model Challenge Series 2004 championship schedule and the first of two visits this season for the series at South Sound Speedway.

Ron Wolf, of Auburn, Wash, in the #43 Auburn Motorama RV Sales, Kings Transmission, Pontiac Grand Prix, is the current series point leader and was the 2000 series champion. Wolf also leads the series with nine career wins over the past five seasons.

Wolf won the last series event held at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval on May 1, 2004 and has great expectations heading into South Sound Speedway, “I’ve raced South Sound three times in a late model car and had one victory. I think I have a feel for the track and how to approach this race.”

Wolf Continued, “I’m also looking forward to a high car count with an elevated level of competition. I expect many of the South Sound late model drivers will race, which will make winning much more difficult. It’s their home track they, know it well and will race it better than most.”

Jason Hendrick, of Spanaway, Wash., the 2001 Rookie-of-the-Year and the 2003 Series Champion. Racing the #91 Emery World Wide Moving, Pro-Pak Motorsports, Pontiac Grand Prix, Hendrick also has two series wins among his credentials.

Having achieved high levels of success within the series Hendrick remains modest, commenting, “Racing at South Sound will be exciting and good for the series. I’ve raced hobby stocks on the track, but never a late model car.”

Hendrick earned the 2003 series championship without a single victory, scoring six top-10 and five top-5 finishes; edging out Ron Wolf by less than ten points. He sums up his expectations for this season adding, “I just want to win a race this season.”

Racing his fourth season with the Late Model Challenge Series, Rick Hager, of Mountlake Terrace, Wash., currently stands fourth in the series point race and pilots the #24 RPM Sales & Service, Lewis Racing, Pontiac Grand Prix.

Hager has taken one series win back in the 2001 season at Tri-City Raceway. He enjoys the level of professionalism within the series and is focused on success for the 2004 season.

"This series is an exciting touring program and I enjoy competing against some of the very best professional late model drivers in the Northwest. We are excited about racing South Sound with the series for the very first time. They have great fans; south sound is one of the fastest and best maintained tracks we will race. It’s truly a privilege to get this group of racers on that track."

Hager added, "Our team goal is to focus on the series championship and have fun in the process."

Raceday Schedule: Hot Lap sessions begin at 2:00 PM, qualifying for all classes begin at 5:00 PM. Racing begins at 6:30 PM. Large crowds are expected, arrive early for best seats and pole qualifying.

Front gate opens at 4:45 PM - Ticket Prices: Adult $14 - Teens $12 – Children $5

Location/Directions: Exit 88 on I-5 between Olympia & Centralia. Follow 'Tenino' signs about 2 miles, track is located on the left.

Contingency & Series Bonus Awards are provided by: Frank’s Radio Service, NW Racing Enterprises, Pro-Pack Racing, TRICK Racing Fuel, Image Auto Body, Re/Max - Rob Angus, Blue Oval – Gus Carlson, Five Star Race Car Bodies & The Valvoline Cup Challenge.

Contributing Series Sponsors include; AMS Tire, Bart’s Trailer Sales, Big John's Trophies, Competitive Edge Racing School, Don Small & Son's Oil Distributing, Inc., Goodyear Racing Tire - K Motorsports, M.E. Wright Motorsports Photos, Northwestracer.com & Tanner Racing Products.

Late Model Challenge Series Notes of Interest:

· Entering its fifth season, the Late Model Challenge Series has grown into the largest short-track touring series in the Northwest. Last season over 70 drivers participated with an average showing of 26 cars per event

· Series rules are created to allow a variety of late model chassis and engine combinations. These cars have fully adjustable race chassis, fiberglass bodies, and V-8 engines producing over 500 hp. Weighing less than 3000 lbs, these cars are capable of reaching speeds over 100mph on asphalt short tracks.

· The Late Model Challenge Series was designed for intermediate and advanced Super Stock drivers & teams, providing aspiring drivers the opportunity to hone their skills and advance to higher levels of auto racing.

· Teams are able to use existing motors, chassis and equipment, without replacement as required by other touring programs. These events are open to each track’s local Late Model race teams and also ‘veteran’ drivers who wish to compete against our drivers.

· Since its inaugural season in 2000, the Late Model Challenge Series has raced twenty-nine events with sixteen different event winners. Ron Wolf was the 2000 series champion and has been the most prolific winner taking the checkers on nine occasions over the past five seasons.

· The Late Model Challenge Series has awarded more than $217,000 in prize money since its inception during the 2000 race season.

· Over the past four seasons there has never been a repeat champion within the series. Drivers taking championship honors include: 2000 - Ron Wolf of Auburn WA, 2001 - Mike Sauls of Puyallup WA, 2002 - Ron Oline of Tacoma WA, and 2003 - Jason Hendrick of Spanaway WA.

Please visit: www.LateModelChallenge.com for the latest series news and racing information. Contact South Sound Speedway at 360-273-6420 or www.SouthSoundSpeedway.com

See Also .:

• South Sound Speedway Track Page

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