Tidrick gets 1st Late Model Challenge Series win of the year

YAKIMA, Wash. –B.J. Tidrick, using lessons learned throughout two solid days of racing at Yakima Speedway, held off the West Coast’s hottest late model driver, Gary Lewis, for his first ARCA West Circle K Late Model Challenge Series victory of the 2008 season on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Taking the lead as Lewis was forced to gather his car after contact with lapped traffic exiting turn No. 4, Tidrick’s International Parking Management Ford Fusion race team made the right adjustments during the 100-lap break and led nearly three-quarters of the races 150 laps for the win in the NAPA Auto Parts 150.

“I knew Gary was going to make it tough on us,” Tidrick said, “but we were able to get it done at the end and get the win.”

Following Lewis’ Sunbelt Rentals Chevrolet Impala to the stripe was Mike Longton, Yakima’s late model points leader in the highly competitive local division, current ARCA West LMCS points leader, Wes Rhodes and current ASA Northwest Tour points leader, Brad Stanwood.

Tidrick’s win netted the Yakima native more than $2,300 in prize money as he earned a bonus put up by seven West Coast engine builders in the 3rd annual LMCS Engine Builders Challenge. Tidrick’s Ford is powered by famed Cope Brothers Machine Shop technology as it bested engines in the field from the likes of A.C. Nutter, Somers Machine Inc., Jeff Bird Racing Engines, Freight Train Racing Engines, T-Mac Performance and Powerhouse Machine.

Adding to an emotional gathering for the Tidrick family in victory circle was the fact that Sunday’s win marked his second strong performance of 2008 at his home track.

Back in April Tidrick lost his mother just days after wining the 43rd Annual Yakima Speedway Apple Cup over a strong field that included Longton and 2007 ARCA West LMCS Rookie of the Year and fellow Yakima standout, Erick Hargraves.

With his father, Brad Tidrick, nervously pacing in the pit area as he fretted on a fading battery his young son, B.J. calmly matched Lewis and Longton line for line around the half-mile en route to the victory.

“Oh man I hated to keep running all those caution laps there at the end with a battery going dead,” B.J. Tidrick said. “And with that they threw the red flag and I was hoping just get it started. While I was sitting there I started praying to my Mom and asking her to help me get through to the end and here we are.”

Longton, behind the wheel of his Nob Hill Auto Sales Ford Fusion, jumped out to an early lead over Jay Sauls, but could not hold off Lewis who moved to the point by lap 10. By lap 40 Tidrick had disposed of Longton and settled in behind Lewis as the two began to lap traffic by lap 50.

“We know that having home track advantage can help us here at Yakima but lately it seems like where ever Gary Lewis goes that’s a home track for him as well,” Longton said. “He and B.J. had really good cars tonight and we know we can come back in here for the Fall Classic and see what we can do with them at that race.”

Shelby Thompson, who led the most laps of the weekend’s first main event, the NAPA 125 for the ASA Northwest Tour, grabbed the Mechanix Wear Pole Award and based on a six-car invert, weaved his way through traffic to the fourth position by lap 48.

As lap 50 near completion, Lewis came to the tail end of the lead lapped cars. Battling for position and the chance to stay on the lead lap, Todd Walters and Brad Rhoads made contact that sent Walters into the side of Lewis’ car with both sliding sideways down the front straight. Tidrick was able to clear the sliding Lewis for the lead just as the yellow flag came out and maintained the point for the remainder of the evening.

Yakima Speedway challenged many drivers during the course of the day as breezy conditions and fall-like weather hampered set-ups and mechanics of several cars.

2008 Port City Racecars Rookie of the Year and current second place points holder, Jared Vorse, spent most of his afternoon changing a motor on the Knight Fire Protection Chevrolet, barely making the final 15 minutes of the day’s practice sessions.

Vorse’s teammate Rhodes, struggle with gear problems during the first 45-minute practice session and was forced to spend considerable time behind the wall for repairs before making it out for the 15 laps of the second afternoon practice run.

Both drivers recovered for top-10 finishes setting the table for a winner take all showdown in the season’s final race. Vorse has locked down the Rookie title over his teammate, Dan Rhodes, but will be out to close a nearly 50-point lead on Wes Rhodes over the course of the season’s final 200 laps of racing.

The ARCA West Circle K Late Model Challenge Series returns to action on Sept. 13 at Wenatchee Valley’s Super Oval for its annual Wenatchee 200 weekend and the conclusion of the 2008 season. Drivers expected to challenge local stars Garrett Evans, Marty Wason, Todd Walters and Brent Harris include ARCA’s most recent winner at WVSO, Jason Jefferson, Josh Roberts, current points leader, Wes Rhodes and many more.

For more information visit www.latemodelchallenge.com

ARCA West Circle K Late Model Challenge Series

Sunday, Aug. 31 at Yakima Speedway (half-mile)

Yakima, Wash.

Finish/Start/Car No./Name/Hometown/Manufacturer/Laps

1) (4) 72 B.J. Tidrick, Yakima, WA, Ford 150 Running

2) (3) 73 Gary Lewis, Snohomish, WA, Chevrolet 150 Running

3) (2) 37 Mike Longton, Moxee, WA, Ford 150 Running

4) (8) 6 Wes Rhodes, Yelm, WA, Chevrolet 150 Running

5) (7) 20s Brad Stanwood, Portland, OR, Chevrolet 150 Running

6) (14) 19 Korbin Thomas, Williams Lake, BC, Chevrolet 150 Running

7) (5) 51 Erick Hargraves, Toppenish, WA, Pontiac 150 Running