Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Northwest Tour racing at Yakima this Saturday

Herald Staff

 Yakima, Wash. -- After a long absence from the American Speed Association Northwest Tour and racing in general, former tour racer Chris Hart returns to action this weekend.

On Saturday Aug. 30, Hart will drive in the ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment 125 on his home track, the half-mile oval at Yakima Speedway.

Joining Hart for the Labor Day Weekend 125-lap tradition will be many of the Northwest’s best Late Model Stock Car Racers.

Two-time ASANWT winner this season Gary Lewis will strive to get his miracle season back on track. Heading into the last stop for the traveling series at South Sound Speedway, Lewis had a perfect season with six wins in six starts. Contact with a lapped car in the Miller 200 ended the perfect record.

Father and son Pete and Shane Harding are also scheduled to appear. The elder Harding has had a lot of success at Yakima, including the ASANWT season-opener on May 4.

Another favorite at his home track is Travis Bennett, who has wins in the Yakima Speedway’s Apple Cup and Fall Classic. Bennett won three tour races in 2007 and has one this season in two starts.

ASANWT defending Champion B.J. Tidrick will return to the track where he has enjoyed many visits to victory circle in his still-short career. Other locals that will be on hand are Owen Riddle and Christopher Kalsch.

Jason Fraser, who has come so close to getting his first ASANWT win with two second-place finishes this season, is always a formidable opponent.

Season points leader Brad Stanwood comes into the next-to-last stop of the 2008 season with a 155-point advantage over Harold Racynzki. Stanwood has made it to the podium at the last two races. Stanwood said recently, ‘I love the tracks that we finish the season on.”

There will be three Walters’ driving for the first time in a ASANWT event. Chris, Todd and Pat make their debut this Saturday. Jay Sauls is another that has been close to a win and will try for that elusive first victory. Shelby Thompson, who has had a good INSSA season, makes his first tour start this season.

Alan Jewett has been at all five races this season but has been able to only start four. The Jewett team has been struggling with motor problems this season. There has been a concerted effort to rectify the problem heading to Yakima.

At a glance

Who: ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment; Northwest Modifieds Series

What: ASANWT 125-lap Main; Accompanying main for the NW Modifieds

Where: Yakima Speedway, Yakima, WA (.500-mile oval)

When: 7 p.m., Saturday Aug. 30

Early Entrants:

Brad Stanwood
Alan Jewett
Harold Racynski
Pete Harding
Gary Lewis
Shane Harding
Travis Bennett
Jason Fraser
Chris Walters
Darin Stordahl
B.J. Tidrick
Chris Hart
Rick Suran
Dan Obrist
Pat Walters
Owen Riddle
Christopher Kalsch
Jay Sauls
Shelby Thompson
Dan Lowther
Todd Walters
James Spiering
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA