He may seem like a forgotten man, but Naima Lang isn’t worried – he doesn’t need the spotlight.
He just wants his first super stock win.
It didn’t happen Saturday, when Lang finished sixth in the top-tier NASCAR Whelen All-American Series super stocks race at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe.
“I had an OK night,” said Lang, who is in his second year racing super stocks after moving up from the second-tier bombers. “We’re close. Some night we’ll get it nailed.”
Jason Fraser finished first in the super stock main and points leader John Zaretzke was second. Lang’s sixth-place finish moved him up to No. 2 in the standings, 60 points behind Zaretzke. Shane Harding, who came in third on Saturday is No. 3, two points behind Lang.
Lang did make his second appearance of the season on the victory stage Saturday night when his wife, Jill Lang, won her second bomber main. Joining her, Naima Lang joked to the crowd that it was the closest he’d been to a victory in quite some time.
“I’ve been on a dry spell,” Naima Lang said Tuesday. “(Super stocks are) a lot tougher (than bombers) … you miss the setup just a little bit and it’s the difference between first and second.”
Naima Lang drove in a few bomber races during his rookie year in the super stock division, and his last trip to the victory stage as the winning driver came after a bomber main last year. Since then he’s won a few super stock trophy dashes, including one worth more than two thousand dollars, but not a main event.
“I just want to win one race,” Naima Lang said. “Get the monkey off my back.”
Jill Lang’s success in the bomber division – her win moved her back on top in the points standings – and her move up to super stocks for a couple races has been the focus of a lot of attention this season.
Naima Lang is content to let his wife have the spotlight.
“I’m happy with it. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping set her car up,” Lang said. “I spent the whole week putting (a) new motor in after it blew up (on June 30), so it was gratifying to see her win.”
Lane Sundholm, driving Naima Lang’s car, finished second in the bomber main on Saturday and James Mugge was third.
Naima Lang spends a great deal of time between races working on race cars, both his and Jill Lang’s. Although that is a necessary part of owning his own team, Lang Autosports, it has also offset some of the enjoyment Lang has gotten from driving race cars.
“It’s tough to get (the cars) ready every weekend,” Lang said. “I want get back to having fun.
“After I get my win, of course.”
Richard outlasts Hobbs: Points leader Chuck Richard and Joe Hobbs dueled throughout the third-tier mini stock main with Richard prevailing. Former points leader Mark Weedin finished seventh.
Troy Simenar won the super figure eight main and Josh Beckel finished first in the stinger eight main.
Lemley, Kilcup and Smith mid-season champions at Skagit: Brock Lemley and Steve Kilcup were crowned the mid-season champions after winning the 410 and 360 sprint mains, respectively, on Saturday at Skagit Speedway.
Kevin Smith finished second in the sportsman sprint main behind Eric Fisher, but that was enough for him to win the mid-season title. Smith entered the night with a 15-point lead over Fisher in the standings.
Greg Hibma went wire-to-wire in winning the 17-lap outlaw hornets main.
Formula DRIFT coming to Evergreen: The Formula DRIFT Championship series will stop at Evergreen Speedway for a second straight year this weekend.
Drifting began on the streets of Japan and has evolved into a worldwide competitive sport that challenges the driver’s ability to control the car through a course. Entering its fourth season, Formula DRIFT is recognized as the North American professional drifting championship series.
Qualifying and practice sessions take place Friday and the main event begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. For a complete schedule and ticket information, visit the series’ Web site, www.formuladrift.com.
Summer vacation: In a long season, regardless of the sport, the chance for some down time is appreciated.
Both Skagit and Evergreen Speedways are taking this weekend off from local racing – Skagit is closing completely and the Formula DRIFT Championship series will make an appearance at the Monroe track for a second straight year.
Skagit Speedway public relations director Kelly Hart said the facility was completely shutting down – “even the janitors” – and he was taking his first summer vacation in 22 years.
Naima and Jill Lang are taking advantage of the off-weekend from racing at Evergreen to head East across the mountains with their kids. “I’m not looking at race cars, thinking about them – nothing,” Naima Lang said.
Super stocks points leader Zaretzke said he planned to work on a new figure eight car he’s building for a race in Indianapolis in September, but he was also considering taking a car to Yakima to run in a late model race there.
Local racing returns to both tracks on July 19.
Point leaders
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at Evergreen Speedway: Super stocks-1. John Zaretzke 290, 2. Naima Lang 230, 3. Shane Harding 228, 4. Roger Habich 222, 5. Darin Stordahl 214; Bombers-1. Jill Lang 546, 2. Darrel Lutovsky 543, 3. Lane Sundholm 539, 4. Jim Foti 538, 5. Craig Rowalt 528; Mini-stocks-1. Chuck Richard 345, 2. Mark Weedin 334, 3. Joe Hobbs 338, 4. Kris Harriss 310, 5. Bob Edwards 276.
Skagit Speedway: 410 sprints-1. Brock Lemley 882, 2. Barry Martinez 862, 3. Danny Bullock 774, 4. Josh Edson 736, 5. Steve Kilcup 685; 360 sprints-1. Steve Kilcup 887, 2. Jason Bloodgood 855, 3. Rod Perkins 852, 4. Cory Chamberlain 838, 5. Danny Kirkpatrick 825; Sportsman sprints-1. Kevin Smith 950, Eric Fisher 918, 3. Kelleigh Johnson 868, 4. Glen Reinstra 819, 5. Matt Vandersys 807.
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