The Kenworth Northwest Points Series - Race #1

The first race of the season is in the books for the I-5 QMC. The Kenworth Northwest Points Series opened up 2006 with a glorious day at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway in Elma, WA. 52 cars signed in, along with four additional cars hitting the track for Jr Novice training. The Sr Novice drivers completed their graduation race, and will start competing next weekend. Class sizes continue to rise, relegating a C-main event for Jr Honda and a B-main event in Sr Honda.

In Jr Honda, Riley Watkins captured his first A-main win, accomplishing his off season goal at the very first race of the year. He did it in style by making a clean sweep of the day, winning his heat race as well. Ryan Mottner settled for second, while Dylan Boman showed he is going to be strong this year running third in the A-main event after transferring all the way from the C-main. The C-main was won by Chance Brogan, and winning the B-main was Zachary Gee.

Sr Honda was won by Garret Johnson after a great battle with eventual second place finisher Jason Reed. A mid race yellow flag gave Garret the opportunity he was looking for and he took over the lead on the restart. Kaitlyn Journey finished a strong third in her debut without the restrictor plate. Sarah Chapin carried her very first checkered flag by winning the B-main event.

TJ Hartman showed the Lt 160 class he's not ready to relinquish his 6 year hold on the top spot. A clean sweep of the day didn't come easy for him however, as he needed a little help from lapped traffic to catch eventual second place finisher Nicki Hartman. She had checked out from the pole, and looked to score a win over her older brother, but it was not to be. Janell McPeake chased both of them and came home third.

Allison Journey made the move to Heavy 160 in grand fashion, garnering her first ever clean sweep by winning the heat race as well. Tyler Graddy started on the pole, but couldn't hold her off. He led all but the final two circuits where he found a lapped car breaking his rhythm and had to settle for second. Cassy Olson started third, and finished third.

Allison Journey completed her second clean sweep of the day by winning in the new for 2006 class - Briggs W/F. This same engine made its debut last season in the Jr ½ class, and the success of the engine platform led to the introduction of a stand alone class. Austin Hespe stepped up to run the higher horsepower class and finished second, with Jessie Olson coming in third.

Round 2 of the Kenworth Northwest Points Series gets underway April 29^th at the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway. Hot laps get started at 9:15AM, with racing at 10:00. As always, admission is free. See you in Elma!

The I-5 QMC at The Grays Harbor Mini Raceway............
Where the Legend Begins!
 

Race results not official
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