July 10th marked points race #6 for the I-5 QMC.  39 cars signed in to compete at the Grays Harbor Mini Speedway.  A torrential downpour as the second round of heats got underway delayed the program, and it was decided by the racers to go direct into the mains when the rain stopped.

 

Water and clay, when worked in, make for a hooked up track, and the speeds showed.  Several drivers used it to their advantage, and the action was exciting.

 

In Jr Novice group A, McKenzie Journey jumped out to an early lead and looked to lead the entire event.  Dylan Volz chased her for the first four laps, but didn't have anything for her.  On lap five, Ryan Mottner passed Dylan and set his sights on McKenzie.  Two laps later, pole sitter Jeremiah Mueller got back in the game and passed Dylan and Ryan.  While he was searching for a faster line to overtake McKenzie, Ryan Mottner had found his groove again, and with ten laps to go passed Jeremiah for second and gave chase.  The crowd was on their feet as the two drivers were bumper to bumper.  It was a classic boy vs. girl - and the crowd was going wild.  On the final corner, Ryan made his move, and came home with the victory.  It was Ryans first ever A-main win, and he did it in grand style, making it a clean sweep of the day by winning his heat race as well.  McKenzie came home a jubilant second, and Dylan Volz finished third.

 

In Jr Novice group B, Autumn Johnson was determined to vindicate the girls.  She started inside row 2, got a great start, and led the entire race.  Several cautions slowed the pace, but in the end, second place belonged to Riley Watkins, and third was Kailey Schlenz.  It was a great boost for all three drivers, as they are really starting to show their improvements.

 

Jr Honda was another barnburner.  Janell McPeake started on the poll and looked to dominate the race.  The only thing keeping her from overtaking the field was the cautions.  Tucker Sprague gave chase and with six laps to go, made his move.  Unfortunately for Tucker, he was a little late into the corner, and a call sent him to the back.  A restart lined up Nicki Hartman behind the leader, putting her within striking distance.  Two laps later, Nicki passed for the lead and Cassidy Forler followed.  Janell fought back and when the checkers fell, it was Nicki in the lead, followed by Janell, with Cassidy rounding out the top three.

 

A hooked up track kept the field in Sr Honda bunched up tight, and with the additional weight of the cars and the smaller motors, the running order barely changed the entire race.  Nikolas Larson got a great start from outside row two, and never looked back.  Allison Journey gave it her all, but had to settle for second.  Ariel Biggs had a great run, coming from her seventh place starting position to finish third.

 

In Heavy Honda, first year driver Jessie Olson started on the poll, and proceeded to lead the entire race to win the event.  Serina McPeake overcame a four car invert to finish second, with Cassy Olson coming home third, making it an all girl sweep of the top three.

 

In the lightning fast Lt 160 division, Garret Johnson had been quietly building his confidence over the past few races.  He started on the poll, and never looked back.  Allison Journey had several restart opportunities to take advantage, but Garret never faltered.  TJ Hartman got shuffled to the back on the initial start, and while working his way through traffic, damaged his front end by hitting a car that had come to a stop on the backstretch.  Restarting at the back with nine laps to go, he took over second place with five to go, but it was all in vain. Garret led the entire 25 laps to win his first ever Lt 160 race.  TJ finished second, with Allison Journey crossing the line in third. 

 

In Jr ½, James Alexander started on the poll and led the first 8 laps until he spun, handing the lead to DJ McPeake.  6 laps later DJ got loose and the field went by.  Logan Forler then proceeded to set the pace while DJ worked his way back up front.  A late pass by DJ sent him to the rear once again, and on the restart, Logan's motor expired in a big way - oiling down the track.  TJ Hartman then inherited the lead, but DJ's car was too strong on the hooked up track.  He made a move with 7 laps to go and checked out to pick up his first ever Jr ½ A-main win.  TJ followed in second, with David White in third.