Pacific Raceways set to host ASA Northwest Tour

KENT, Wash. — The American Speed Association Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour presented by ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment heads to a road course for the first time on Friday and Saturday June 6-7. Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., provides the venue for the the Blue Water Wireless Road Course Challenge, the Northwest Tour’s longest and richest race.

Going 90 miles on Pacific Raceway’s two and one-quarter-mile road course, the $35,000 purse — $5,000 to win and $800 to start — has attracted the interest of the best late-model racers in the Pacific Northwest.

The two-day extravaganza will also include the Northwest Legends Series and the NOS Energy Drink Pro Drifter Cars in addition to the ASA Northwest Tour.

The Pacific Raceways road course is a world-class, SCCA and NASCAR certified, 10-turn (nine turns with a “kink” in the main straightaway) course. The 170 mph front straight is at an elevation of 150 feet above sea level. There is a total elevation change of 125 feet, of which 100 feet occurs in a half-mile between turns 2 and 3B.

Winding through natural wooded terrain, its sweeping curves and hairpin turns make it one of the most unique and challenging courses in the United States.

The ASA Northwest Tour was started one year ago when after 21 years NASCAR ended its affiliation with the regional touring series throughout the United States. A group of regional racing enthusiasts made the commitment to maintain a regional racing series and with the American Speed Association sanctioning the series is making a strong comeback. The big-money event will bring present ASA and past NASCAR racers together.

The strictly circle-track traveling series is making its first road course stop under the ASA banner. There is a mixture of road-course experience in the early entries, but the rules for the Blue Water Challenge are designed to allow weekly racers to use their regular cars with minor modifications.

With $5,000 to win and $800 to start the 40-lap main on Saturday, many standout late model drivers have pre-entered, including current Northwest Tour season points leader Pete Harding, Ron Eaton, Kelly Tanner and Gary Lewis. Returning to racing after some years off are Joe Benedetti, Shane Biles and Brad Tidrick Sr.

The 90-mile main will be run in two segments. The first segment will go 30 laps, then after a short break for refueling and minor adjustments — no tire changes will be allowed — the final 10 laps will be run.

Practice for all three classes will run from 1-7 p.m. on Friday. Additionally, there will be live music and product displays by Performance Corner, NOS Energy Drink, Bret Chevrolet, Nationwide Insurance, Human Horsepower, AAA the Official Auto Club of Pacific Raceways, among others. Gates open at 10 a.m.

Gates open Saturday at 8 a.m. with qualifying beginning at 11:15am. The first main event wil begin at 2 p.m. and the Northwest Tour main is expected to start around 4 p.m.The midway will be in full swing all day for the fans.

For more information contact Tracie Brandenburg at Pacific Raceways 253-639-5927 or the ASA Northwest Tour at 509-728-3768.

Early entrants expected include:

Pete Harding – Surrey, B.C.

Ron Eaton – Lakewood, Wash.

Kelly Tanner – Auburn, Wash.

Gary Lewis – Monroe, Wash.

Brad Tidrick Sr. – Yakima, Wash.

Travis Bennett – Ellensburg, Wash.

Joe Benedetti – Auburn, Wash.

Shane Biles – Woodinville, Wash.

Mike Longton – Moxee, Wash.

Rick Suran – Estacada, Ore.