Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, August 4, 2008

Shoemaker wins Northwest Modified Nationals

Becomes first Washington drive to do so

Herald staff

 ELMA, Wash. — Blair Shoemaker of Yakima, Wash., accomplished several things Saturday night, Aug. 2 at Grays Harbor Raceway.

First, he won the 40-lap Ship Wreck Beads Northwest Modifieds Nationals, and by doing so became the first Washington driver to accomplish the feat in the nine-year history of the event.

He also became the first Grays Harbor Raceway regular to win the Modified Nationals.

Finally, he broke the consecutive wins streak of John DeBenedetti of Medford, Ore. DeBenedetti had won the race in 2004, ’05 and ’07. There was no race in 2006.

Shoemaker was in the top ten in points accumulated after Friday night’s preliminary races. Shoemaker landed on the front row, outside of Brian Poppa of Medford, Ore., after drawing for his starting position for Saturday’s feature.

The next row back consisted of two more Grays Harbor Raceway drivers, Jeff Foster of McCleary, Wash., and defending Modified series champion Scott Miller of Shelton, Wash.

Shoemaker made an inside move on Poppa four laps into the race in turn 2. Poppa tried to unsuccessfully to block him, but he slid wife and lost several positions, falling all the way back to sixth.

DeBenedetti had a couple of chances to overtake Shoemaker after caution flag restarts on laps 6 and 29, but he was unable to get by.

DeBenedetti followed Shoemaker across the finish line, Scott Lenz of Shady Grove, Ore., was third, Poppa recovered to take fourth and Ryan McDaniel, Marysville, Calif., rounded out the top five.

Scott Dorie of St Helens, Ore., took the lead from Josh Muller of Montesano, Wash., on lap 9 of the 25-lap B Feature and went on for the victory. Ron Wilson of Eugene, Ore., finished second, Muller was third, and Shawn Dorie of St Helens, Ore., was fourth. The top four finishers in the race advanced to the feature race.

For the second year in a row, Lawrence O’Conner of Port Hardy, B.C., gained his way into feature race by winning one of the last chance mains. Joining him in moving up was Matt Mitchell of Vancouver, Wash., who finished second.

The final two spots in the feature were taken by Tim Issacson, Olympia, Wash., and Gannin Thomas, St. Helens, Ore., when they finished 1-2 in the other last chance Main.

Randy McDaniel picked up the win in the A Trophy Dash, Mitchell took the B Trophy Dash and Rick Sjogren of Yakima won the C Trophy Dash.

Northwest Modified Nationals

Saturday, Aug. 2 at Grays Harbor Raceway
Elma, Wash.

A Main: 1. Blair Shoemaker, Yakima, Wash.,. 2. John DeBenedetti, Medford, Ore.,. 3. Scott Lenz, Shady Grove, Ore.,. 4. Brian Poppa, Medford, Ore., 5. Ryan McDaniel, Marysville, Calif., 6. Jeff Foster, McCleary, Wash., 7. Scott Dorie, St Helens, Ore., 8. Randy McDaniel, Marysville, Calif., 9. Aaron Sheeler, Springfield, Ore., 10. Shawn Dorie, St Helens, Ore.

B Main: 1. Scott Dorie. 2. Ron Wilson, Eugene, Ore., 3. Josh Muller, Montesano, Wash., 4. Shawn Dorie. 5. Lawrence O’Conner, Port Hardy B.C.

C Main: 1. Shawn Dorie. 2. Donny Bottoms, Yreka, Calif.. 3. David Wolford, Seabeck, Wash., 4. Rob Sjogren, Maple Valley, Wash., 5. Morgan Criswell, Vancouver, Wash.

Last Chance A Main: 1. O’Conner. 2. Matt Mitchell, Vancouver, Wash., 3. Lawhead. 4. Chris Towns, Cottage Grove, Ore., 5. Dan Wolford, Seabeck, Wash.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA