The I-5 Quarter Midget Club kicked off its 8th season this past Saturday at the brand new Grays Harbor Mini Raceway facility in Elma, Wa.  Family and friends showed up to see what all the fuss has been about.  The club and the new track have been getting a huge amount of attention from all around the country.

 

The new facility worked flawlessly as 34 racers took to the track for their first round of competition of the 2004 season.  Everyone was excited as the day began and the competition heated up with several new drivers showing their talents to the veterans on the 1/20th mile clay oval.  We even had a family travel all the way from the Tri-Cities area to check out and compete on the new track.

 

In the Jr Novice Group 1 A-Main, Autumn Johnson held true to her words by leading the boys to the checkers, with Dylan Volz and Cale Shute in hot pursuit.  Right before Autumn went out she told her mom she was going to win.

 

In Jr Novice Group 2 A-Main, Josiah Volz proved that practice makes perfect by winning his A-Main as well as both of his heat races.  6 year old McKenzie Journey finished second, with Ryan Mottner rounding out the top three.

 

Nicki Hartman picked up her first ever Jr Honda A-Main win and completing the second clean sweep of the day by winning both of her heat races as well.  It wasn't easy for her though as Janell McPeake came back from an early race spinout to finish second, and Shyan Zammito finishing third in their first ever Jr Honda race, making it an all girl sweep of the top three.  Girls Rule!

 

In Sr Honda, Allison Journey battled her way to an A-Main win, leading the boys in a very tough Sr Honda race.  She was all smiles as her family travels all the way from Springfield ,OR, and winning makes the long trip home more of a pleasure.  Stephen Courson and Nikolas Larson hung in to finish second and third, respectively.

 

Lt 160 was exciting with several drivers moving up to the upper class and looking to have a shot at taking away a win from 4 time defending Champion TJ Hartman.  TJ's experience showed as he continued his win streak by taking the third clean sweep of the day.  Nikolas Larson and Allison Journey rounded out the top three.

 

The Alcohol burning Jr 1/2 A-Main was just starting to heat up when leader DJ McPeake spun on lap five. Third place Seth Hespe ran out of room avoiding the spun car, hitting DJ head on, ending both of their days.  TJ Hartman collected the win and his second clean sweep of the day.

 

Racing action continues May 8th at Grays Harbor Mini Raceway, when the kids take to the track once again to have some fun with their friends and family.  Heat race action starts at 10:00 AM and admission, as always, is free

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JR NOVICE (GROUP 1):

    1st - Autumn Johnson

    2nd - Dylan Volz

    3rd - Cale Shute

    4th - Alex Oster

    5th - Jeremiah Mueller

   

JR NOVICE (GROUP 2):

    1st - Josiah Volz

    2nd - McKenzie Journey

    3rd - Ryan Mottner

    4th - Kailey Schlenz

 

JR HONDA:

    1st - Nicki Hartman

    2nd - Janell McPeake

    3rd - Shyan Zammito

    4th - Tucker Sprague

    5th - Kaitlynn Journey

    6th - Dillon Courson

 

SR HONDA:

    1st - Allison Journey

    2nd - Stephen Courson

    3rd - Nikolas Larson

    4th - Angie Magnuson

    5th - Serina McPeake

    6th - Ariel Biggs

    7th - Andrea Lytle

    8th - Garret Johnson

    9th - Austin Hespe

 

LT 160:

    1st - TJ Hartman

    2nd - Nikolas Larson

    3rd - Allison Journey

    4th - David White

    5th - Hannah Shute

 

JR 1/2:

    1st - TJ Hartman

    2nd - Seth Hespe   

    3rd - DJ McPeake

    4th - James Alexander

    5th - Ryan Styger (DNA)