Under threatening skies, the I-5 QMC squeaked in another day of racing as 48 cars turned out for round 3 of the Kenworth Northwest Points Series at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway. It could not have been planned any better as a small rain shower hit just as the second round of heat races ended. It was just enough moisture to tack up the track for the mains, as the surface had started to go dry slick. That left the handlers scratching their head about set-up and tire choice, and placed the burden squarely on the drivers shoulders.
Colton Johansson showed Jr Novice group 1 the way to victory lane taking a heat race win and leading every lap of the main event. Zachary Gee struggled to find traction on the high groove in the heat races, but redeemed himself in the main by coming from the back of the field to finish second ahead of Chance Brogan in third.
Joey Palmer won both heat races in Jr Novice group 2, but came up just short in the main event finishing second behind Justin Sample. Tucker Holcomb proved that his car is more than just for show, as he took his immaculately prepared machine to a third place finish, showing that he is going to be a force in the group.
Jr Honda once again filled out a B-main field. Josiah Volz led from the pole until he found lapped traffic. Tangling with another car, he had to restart on the tail, leaving Autumn Johnson to pace the rest of the way and win the event. Ryan Mottner crossed the line second, Kailey Schlenz third, and Josiah worked his way back to fourth for the final transfer spot to the A-main.
Janell McPeake won her first A-main of the year, leading every lap from the pole. Her experience shows and makes her the one to beat this year in Jr Honda. Kaitlyn Journey has come out of her shell this year as well and was hard on the gas finishing second. Ryan Mottner finished up a great run from the B-main to a third place finish in the A-main.
Sr Honda continues to be a battle ground. All of the cars so evenly matched tests the skills of the drivers, and making your way through traffic requires patience and give and take -something that was apparently forgotten about Saturday. Twenty-one yellow flags were thrown for the day, thirteen in the main event alone, accounting for drivers completing only 19 of the 25 scheduled laps before the 20 minute time limit was called. Jessie Olson led every lap for her first main event win this season, Ariel Biggs finished second, and Garret Johnson held off the rest of the field for third.
TJ Hartman continued his streak of wins in Lt 160, but the field is getting closer. Austin Hespe fell into line behind TJ on the start and worked traffic to finish second ahead of Angie Magnuson, who had a great run in third. Only 2 cautions slowed the pace, and the fans were once again treated to a great display of talent watching all of the drivers run a blistering pace around the tiny bull ring.
Serina McPeake won her second race in a row, waiting until there were four laps to go to make her move on Andrea Lytle, who had led from the start. Jessica Sprague continues to improve in her first season of competition by taking home second just ahead of Cassy Olson.
In Jr 1/2, TJ Hartman made it a clean sweep of the day, but not before he and Seth Hespe put on a great display of side by side slicing and dicing during the heat races, proving that you don't need to touch a driver to pass someone. Seth finished second in the main, and Allison Journey finished third, continuing to get closer as she gains experience in her first season in the faster class.
Racing on the 1/20th mile clay oval continues May 14th as the drivers return for round 4 of the I-5 QMC Kenworth Northwest Points Series. Heat race action starts at 10:15 and as always at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway - admission is free "where families learn and grow together".
See you in Elma.......
JR HONDA "B" MAIN:
1st - Autumn Johnson
2nd - Ryan Mottner
3rd - Kailey Schlenz
4th - Josiah Volz
5th - McKenzie Journey
6th - Cale Shute
7th - Riley Watkins
8th - Jeremiah Mueller
A MAINS:
JR NOVICE (GROUP A):
1st - Colton Johansson
2nd - Zachary Gee
3rd - Chance Brogan
4th - Andy Palmer
5th - Tanner Olson
JR NOVICE (GROUP B):
1st - Justin Sample
2nd - Joey Palmer
3rd - Tucker Holcomb
4th - Nate Mueller
JR HONDA:
1st - Janell McPeake
2nd - Kaitlynn Journey
3rd - Ryan Mottner
4th - Josiah Volz
5th - Alex Oster
6th - Autumn Johnson
7th - Dylan Volz
8th - Kaily Schlenz
SR HONDA:
1st - Jessie Olson
2nd - Ariel Biggs
3rd - Garret Johnson
4th - Angie Magnuson
5th - Delaney Brogan
6th - Raina Magnuson
7th - McKen'a Brogan
8th - Jessica Bryant
9th - Jason Reed
LT 160:
1st - TJ Hartman
2nd - Austin Hespe
3rd - Angie Magnuson
4th - Ariel Biggs
5th - Hannah Shute
6th - Nicki Hartman
7th - Allison Journey
8th - Garret Johnson
9th - Tucker Sprague
10th - David White
HVY 160:
1st - Serina McPeake
2nd - Jessica Sprague
3rd - Cassy Olson
4th - Andrea Lytle
5th - James Alexander
JR 1/2/Briggs WF:
1st - TJ Hartman
2nd - Seth Hespe
3rd - Allison Journey