Snohomish driver poised for NW title

  • Wednesday, September 26, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

Herald staff

Talk about your slam dunks.

All Kevin Hamlin has to do at the season-ending NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series race Saturday at East Wenatchee to become the circuit’s youngest champion is take the green flag.

That’s it. Start the race and Hamlin, at 22 years, 3 months, becomes the youngest champion in the circuit’s 16-year history.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Hamlin, a Snohomish High School grad. “This is my first championship in a late model-type car. We’re going to enjoy it as much as we can every day.”

It may take some time for Hamlin’s record to be broken. When John Dillon won the title in 1990, he was 27 years, 7 months old. Hamlin also is the youngest driver ever to have won a Northwest Series race, doing so when he won at Roseburg, Ore., at 19 years, 11 months.

Hamlin put himself in this position by finishing fifth at the Frank’s Chevrolet 150 in Yakima last week, a race won by Pete Harding of Surrey, British Columbia. Hamlin leads Auburn’s Joe Benedetti by 111 points, making it impossible for Benedetti to catch Hamlin if Hamlin takes the green flag.

While Hamlin has said that it was more important for him to finish every race once he took the series lead, Hamlin hardly has raced conservatively.

At the Frank’s Chevrolet 150, he and defending series champion Garrett Evans battled for the lead in the early going before Hamlin lost control of his car and crashed.

“We’re out there to race, not out there to be light-footed,” Hamlin said. “It’s not always about the points. I went farming and the car wasn’t the same after that. It’s not always a good deal. You’re spitting rocks out for a few laps.”

Hamlin said he’s out to win Saturday’s race, as well.

“Hopefully, I can do a burnout because we won the race and the championship,” he said. “We’re so jacked up because of this championship, we’ll definitely do something different from the other drivers’ celebrations.”

After that, Hamlin says he plans to compete in two Featherlite Southwest Series races in October.

Elsewhere in the series, John Bender of Arlington leads Troy Conrad of Puyallup by three points in the Rookie of the Year points chase.

Also, Shane Biles of Woodinville, with a win and two top-five finishes in the past three races, moved from 12th to sixth in the points standings.

In addition, Greg Bennett of Monroe finished 11th at Yakima after starting the race in 21st position. He also took a memorial lap in his car, painted in an American flag paint scheme, in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes.

Evergreen Speedway: A demolition derby and fireworks show are among the activities scheduled Saturday at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe. Also on tap are school bus figure eights, a rollover contest, a bump-to-pass race, Northwest legends and hornets.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.