Not even mother nature could dampen the mood at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway this past Saturday, as track crews and drivers worked through several downpours to complete race number 4 in the Kenworth Nothwest Points Series. A decision was made from the outset to cut the program to one set of heat races instead of the normal two before lining up the main events. Adding to the day was the presentation of the check from Kenworth Northwest, represented by Rick Barry, in what everyone involved hopes to be a long term partnership to market The Worlds Best - Kenworth Trucks, and help the youth of the I-5 QMC realize their dreams.
Not to be underscored, the day was also marked with the presentation of a donation from the former Evergreen Auto Racing Association, a moment that astonished many of those in attendance. Members from the EARA recognized the value of the 1/4 midget organization and intrusted them to carry on the tradition of families and motorsports in the Grays Harbor community.
The day started off with Jr Novice Group 1 driver Zachary Gee making amends for his favorite driver Jeff Gordons downfall Saturday. While Jeff was crashing in the Nextel cup series, Zachary was busy leading every lap of the heat and the main event. The track was hooked up and so was Zachary, and the news of Kasey Kahnes first win helped ease the pain for Zachary of his fallen hero. Justin Sample managed to stay out of trouble during the race and finished second, with Tanner Olson coming home third.
Jr Novice Group 2 found Joey Palmer duplicating the previous races clean sweep of the day, and left Joey smiling from head to toe, which isn't that far for the 6 year old driver. Dylan Boman returned this week and gave chase but fell just short in second place. Chance Brogan found lapped traffic early and waited patiently to make a clean move, ending up with a third place trophy as his reward.
Raina Magnuson raced in Sr Novice and gained some valuable experience before she returns to the upper classes. She showed great car control and will be a contender upon her return.
Kaitlyn Journey led every lap from the pole in the Jr Honda B-Main. Ryan Mottner chased her from second place the entire 20 lap event, Alex Oster battled for third, and Dylan Volz made a pass with 4 laps to go for the final transfer spot to the A-Main.
In the Jr Honda A-Main, Janell McPeake made it 2 weeks in a row for the win, leading every lap from the ouside pole. Josiah Volz was fast early and looked to overtake Janell several times, but could not get close enough to make it count. He finished second, while Alex Oster worked his way through the field and took home third in a great run for him from the B-Main.
Sr Honda drivers heeded the advice from the race officials to clean up their act and ran a green to checkered heat race, and a main event marred by only one caution. It was a drastic improvement from the previous weeks race. Angie Magnuson started on the pole for both events, and led every lap except for the final lap of the main event. Coming off turn 4 to the checkered Ariel Biggs slipped by her at the line for the win. Angie settled for second in a race that she worked the track to perfection, only to come up a foot short at the line. Delaney Brogan and Garret Johnson diced it out for third, with Delaney holding the position for the final two laps to earn the position.
In Lt 160, Allsison Journey served notice in the heat race that she had come to win. Starting from the pole in both events, she checked out on the field and led every single lap to earn her first clean sweep of the class. Garret Johnson gave chase but tangled with some lapped cars and was sent to the rear. A restart had several lapped cars in between Allsison and second place TJ Hartman, but she didn't need the cushion, opening up a 1/2 lap advantage in the final seven circuits. TJ wound up second and Austin Hespe worked his way to third.
Hvy 160 had another double win as Andrea Lytle found the hooked up track to her liking and ended up in victory lane for both the heat and main event. Jessica Sprague gave chase from second, but was no match this day for Andrea. James Alexander tried several lines to advance his position from third, but was spun out on the last lap, handing the position to Cassy Olson who patiently watched from behind.
A rare appearance of the Jr Stock class was made by Portland, OR native Brandon Ahlgren. He gained valuable practice and experience for the 2 day region series race scheduled for later in the year.
On a day when the track was full of moisture making it extremely hooked up, the Briggs World Formula motors propelled the Jr 1/2 class around the tiny clay oval at a blistering pace. Allison Journey started outside the front row and served notice again to TJ Hartman that she meant business on this day. She got a good jump on the start and nearly had TJ cleared in the first corner, but his experience kept her hung on the outside. She battled from the outside line for 3 laps before she decided to get in line and try a different approach. Her hard fought battle was all for not though as a clear line to the wall was all TJ needed to take the lead for good and win his third Jr 1/2 main event of the year. Allison settled for second, while Seth Hespe battled an ill handling car in third.
Racing will resume June 4th at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway, when the drivers take to the track in race number 5 of the Kenworth Northwest Points Series. Heat race action gets underway at 10:15AM, and as always, admission is free.
See you there............I-5 QMC @ The Grays Harbor Mini Raceway..........
Where the Legend Begins!
JR HONDA B MAIN:
1st - Kaitlyn Journey
2nd - Ryan Mottner
3rd - Alex Oster
4th - Dylan Volz
5th - Brandon Ahlgren
6th - Autumn Johnson
7th - Kailey Schlenz
8th - Riley Watkins(DNA)
JR NOVICE (GROUP 1) A MAIN:
1st - Zachary Gee
2nd - Justin Sample
3rd - Tanner Olson
4th - Colton Johansson
JR NOVICE (GROUP 2) A MAIN:
1st - Joey Palmer
2nd - Dylan Boman
3rd - Chance Brogan
4th - Andy Palmer
5th - Nate Mueller
6th - Tucker Holcomb
SR NOVICE A MAIN:
1st - Raina Magnuson
JR HONDA A MAIN:
1st - Janell McPeake
2nd - Josiah Volz
3rd - Alex Oster
4th - Kaitlyn Journey
5th - Ryan Mottner
6th - McKenzie Journey
7th - Dylan Volz
8th - Jeremiah Mueller(DNF)
SR HONDA A MAIN:
1st - Ariel Biggs
2nd - Angie Magnuson
3rd - Delaney Brogan
4th - Garret Johnson
5th - Tyler Graddy
6th - Jason Reed
7th - McKen'a Brogan
8th - Jessie Olson
LT 160 A MAIN:
1st - Allison Journey
2nd - TJ Hartman
3rd - Austin Hespe
4th - David White
5th - Ariel Biggs
6th - Tucker Sprague
7th - Angie Magnuson
8th - Garret Johnson
9th - Hannah Shute
10th - Nicki Hartman
HVY 160:
1st - Andrea Lytle
2nd - Jessica Sprague
3rd - Cassy Olson
4th - James Alexander(DNF)
5th - Serina McPeake(DQ)
JR STOCK:
1st - Brandon Ahlgren
JR 1/2/BRIGGS WF:
1st - TJ Hartman
2nd - Allison Journey
3rd - Seth Hespe