MONROE, Wash. — A week after the start of summer, hot weather was enjoyed by everyone attending the Midseason Championship night presented by Pawn X-Change at Evergreen Speedway.
“They should invite me every week,” said super stock driver Tommy Rasmussen. Rasmussen, from Carnation, was making his third trip to the speedway; the previous two were also days where the temperature was warmer than it had been.
The largest crowd of the season, by one estimate, enjoyed five divisions worth of racing, with the top-tier NASCAR Whelen All-American Series super stocks taking to the big five-eighths mile oval for the first time this season.
Heat races were dispensed with and extra laps added to each feature, with the super stocks going 75 laps; the bombers and super figure eights going 40 laps, the mini-stocks racing for 35 laps and the stinger eight going for 30 laps.
Each division shut down after coming out to the starting grid, with all drivers being introduced along with their sponsors.
The top three finishers in each division were awarded trophies — for the second week in a row being recognized immediately after their races were completed.
Also for the second week in a row — and even with the extra ceremonies before and after the races — speedway officials kept the program moving at a crisp pace, with the final checkered flag falling at 10:35 p.m.
There were more caution periods this week than last, and a couple of red flags — one to make repairs to the turn 4 wall after a wreck — but speedway officials minimized the downtime and kept things moving.
Variety is the spice of life: In addition to the super stocks running on the big track, the speedway’s three-eighths mile oval was used by the bombers and mini-stocks, and the super figure eight and stinger eight divisions raced on the figure-eight track.
Taking Mark’s place: Super stock feature winner Jason Fraser needed an engine change before qualifying on Saturday.
Happy to help out was Greg Galloway.
Greg Galloway’s son, Mark, had worked at Speedway Chevrolet and Evergreen Speedway as part of the crate engine technical program before passing away earlier this year.
“I took Mark’s place,” Greg Galloway said. “I helped change out the 31’s engine and then three or four cars to unload.”
The 2008 super stock season has been dedicated to Mark Galloway’s memory, and drivers have commemorative decals on their cars.
Best anthem singer, ever: Tasha Ehoff of Snohomish made a second appearance at the speedway, singing the national anthem.
As she did on May 31, Ehoff provided a rousing rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” hitting all the right notes and bringing cheers from the crowd.
Seen and heard: Near the end of the evening haulers and trailers were allowed to park along the then-unused five-eighths mile oval to collect cars and teams.
With sheet metal missing from the front quarter panels and no hood, the super stock car of Darrin Stordahl of Marysville chugged out of the pits towards its hauler.
“That’s Stordahl?” said one observer. “I thought that was a figure-eight car.”
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