Round 5 of the Kenworth Northwest Points Series got underway this past Saturday after a two week layoff from racing at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway. Several drivers and their families traveled to Langley, B..C., Portland, OR, and Billings, MT. during the off weeks and came home with some valuable experience, and it showed.
Another novice training session during the downtime also employed the opportunity to welcome several new drivers and their families to the prospering organization. Theresa & Sarah Chapin, and their brother Anthony, Kyle Nations, and Bobbi Ohlson, all took part in novice training and graduation and showed they will be a great addition to the group.
54 cars took to the track on Saturday. With the layoff and warmer weather, the track dried out quick, but made for a lot of passing and the drivers showed they are capable of entertaining the fans. The handlers did their best to work through their own demons, but in the end it was the kids who stole the show. Notable standouts included Jr Honda driver Janell McPeake showing why she is the car to beat this year in Jr Honda through her maturity off of the track. Allison Journey getting a heat race win over the boys in Jr 1/2 and the crowd loving every minute of it. Nate Mueller not needing to win to be overjoyed. Austin Hespe showing he has more talent than just driving a race car and entertained the fans over the PA system, and Raina Magnuson being my dancing partner during the awards for her first ever win. This does not even touch on the ever expanding group of girls we see congregating at the track - a mixed set of emotions on that as we all know girls mean trouble!
Jr Novice group 1 A-main had Andy Palmer coming from outside row 2 to win. Colton Johanson chased him but settled for second, and Justin Sample lost the handle on the car after an earlier heat race win to finish third.
Jr Novice group 2 A-main saw Chance Brogan take home the big prize. The biggest struggle for Chance was carrying the trophy that was nearly as big as he is. Joey Palmer ended the race in second, and Nate Mueller was elated with his third place finish - his first podium finish.
Sr Novice saw Raina Magnuson capture her first A-main event win over the competition, but not before Kyle Nations gave her all she could handle. Kyle did an excellent job and finished second, while Bobbi Ohlson showed she will be a contender by finishing third in her first race.
Alex Oster won the Jr Honda B-main by being consistent and patient. With 5 laps to go in the event he passed Kaitlyn Journey for the lead and never looked back. Kaitlyn finished second, Ryan Mottner used his Montana experience to finish third, and Jeremiah Mueller locked up the final transfer position in fourth.
In the Jr Honda A-main, Josiah Volz started on the pole and set a fast pace. He encountered a slow car with 1 lap to go and Janell McPeake took advantage, but couldn't hold it. Josiah got the win, Janell ended up second, and Autumn Johnson had a great run for third, using her Langley, B.C. experience for her best finish of the year.
Sr Honda saw Garret Johnson start on the pole and lead every lap. Jason Reed gave pursuit and ended the race with his best main event finish this season in second, and Ariel Biggs overcame traffic working her way up to third.
Lt 160 found TJ Hartman in victory lane, but not before Austin Hespe chased him for the final 15 circuits, settling for second. Allison Journey had a great run from her sixth starting position to finish third.
Hvy 160 had Andrea Lytle leading from the pole until she spun with three laps to go. Cassy Olson took over the lead on the restart and crossed the stripe first for the win. Serina McPeake finished second, and Jessica Sprague took home third.
Jr 1/2 is all about throttle control. On a dry slick track, being fast means slowing down. TJ Hartman won the race, Allison Journey finished second, and Seth Hespe finished third.
Racing resumes June 11th and 12th for the 4th Annual Mudslinger Shootout brought to you by the I-5 QMC and LINEX. Drivers compete for savings bonds and custom embroidered jackets to the winners.
Racing gets underway at 10:00 AM. See you there -
The I-5 QMC @ The Grays Harbor Mini Raceway......
Where the Legend Begins!
JR HONDA B MAIN:
1st - Alex Oster
2nd - Kaitlyn Journey
3rd - Ryan Mottner
4th - Jeremiah Mueller
5th - McKenzie Journey
6th - Kailey Schlenz(DNF)
7th- Riley Watkins(DNf)
JR NOVICE (GROUP 1) A MAIN:
1st - Andy Palmer
2nd - Colton Johanson
3rd - Justin Sample
4th - Dylan Boman
5th - Zachary Gee
6th - Tanner Olson(DNF)
JR NOVICE (GROUP 2) A MAIN:
1st - Chance Brogan
2nd - Joey Palmer
3rd - Nate Mueller
4th - Tucker Holcomb
5th - Layne Buchanan
6th - Theresa Chapin
SR NOVICE A MAIN:
1st - Raina Magnuson
2nd - Kyle Nations
3rd - Bobbi Ohlson
4th - Tyler Palmer
5th - Christina Buchanan
JR HONDA A MAIN:
1st - Josiah Volz
2nd - Janell McPeake
3rd - Autumn Johnson
4th - Dylan Volz
5th - Kaitlyn Journey
6th - Ryan Mottner
7th - Jeremiah Mueller
8th - Alex Oster(DQ)
SR HONDA A MAIN:
1st - Garret Johnson
2nd - Jason Reed
3rd - Ariel Biggs
4th - Angie Magnuson
5th - Delaney Brogan
6th - Jessie Olson
7th - Tyler Graddy
8th - McKen'a Brogan(DNF)
LT 160 A MAIN:
1st - TJ Hartman
2nd - Seth Hespe
3rd - Allison Journey
4th - Angie Magnuson
5th - Ariel Biggs
6th - Garret Johnson
7th - Nicki Hartman
8th - Hannah Shute
9th - Tucker Sprague(DNF)
10th - David White(DQ)
HVY 160:
1st - Cassy Olson
2nd - Serina McPeake
3rd - Jessica Sprague
4th - Andrea Lytle
5th - James Alexander(DNF)
JR 1/2/BRIGGS WF:
1st - TJ Hartman
2nd - Allison Journey(DNF)
3rd - Seth Hespe(DNF)