PINKOWSKY BREAKS THROUGH FOR WIN NORTHWEST

Source: NASCAR Public Relations
Date: 08/22/1999

EAST WENATCHEE, Washington -- After years of trying, Battle Ground, Wash., native Tom Pinkowsky finally made it to the winner's circle in a Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, NASCAR Touring, race, claiming the Evans Lease 125 at Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval. Starting on the pole, Pinkowsky led every lap, holding off rookie Ken Kaltschmidt and Chris Hart. Series points leader Pete Harding was fourth, extending his points lead over fifth-place finisher Tom Sweatman to 17 points.

The race was the first for the series on the newly renovated Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval. The track's new owner, three-time series champion Garrett Evans, looked like he wanted to claim the first prize purse for himself in the early portions of the race. Starting fifth, Evans had worked his way up to second by lap 15. Evans was applying pressure on Pinkowsky until lap 24 when the right rear tire on Evans' Chevrolet gave up, tearing out the shock mount.

"This has been a long time coming," said Pinkowsky in victory lane. "We've had this monkey on our back for the last five years. We've been so close to winning so many times. This car was flawless tonight. Hats off to my crew, they did a great job."

"This is the highpoint of my year," said rookie Kaltschmidt. "To come out here and race with the best of the best, and these are the best drivers in the northwest, this feels good."

"We had a pretty good car in the beginning," said Hart. "Then part way through the race we got tight. We just tried to hang out and get a decent finish. We are plenty happy with that."

Wes Rhodes, Kevin Hamlin, Wilbur Bruce, John Zaretzke, and Greg Bennett rounded out the top-ten. The race was slowed by seven cautions for 41 laps. The race distance was covered at a record average speed of 39.441 mph. Pinkowsky picked up the Gatorade Front Runner Award. Kaltschmidt picked up the Bud Pole Award with a record qualifying speed of 71.559 mph. Kaltschmidt was also the Totem Travel Rookie of the Race.

The Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series travels next to South Sound Speedway in Tenino, Wash., for the Pepsi 125 on August 28.The race was slowed briefly by three cautions for 24 laps. The race distance was covered at a record average speed of 50.471 mph. Sweatman picked up the Gatorade Front Runner Award. Wilbur Bruce picked up the Bud Pole Award with a record qualifying speed of 70.001 mph. Joe Benedetti was the Totem Travel Rookie of the Race.

The series travels next to Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval in East Wenatchee, Wash., for the Leonard Evans Leasing 125 on August 21.

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