The Kenworth Northwest Points Series - Region 9 Race at I-5 QMC

Two days of racing at The Grays Harbor Mini Raceway brought the best drivers from Region 9 to Elma, WA this past weekend.  141 cars were on hand to test their skills in the last major race before the QMA Dirt Grands National event in August.  The car count set a new record for drivers signed in to compete on the 1/20th mile clay oval.  Heat races were ran Saturday morning, the finishing orders establishing the lineups for the lower main events.  Perfect track conditions, excellent drivers, and a well organized staff for the event, resulted in all of the lower mains being completed early Saturday evening.  When Saturday's racing was complete, 35 races were finished, setting the stage for Sunday's A-Main events.  Racers awoke Sunday morning to a beautiful day, making for brisk sales in the snack bar, but adding to the workload for track prep crews as the struggled to keep moisture in the surface.  The pace slowed just a little, and in the end, everyone was treated to some great racing.  The track surface gave the racers at least 2 grooves to run, and made for some great racing.  As the drivers worked their way through traffic, the crowd cheered.  Jr Honda driver, Riley Watkins, received the biggest round of applause on Saturday after his spectacular end over end flip.  As soon as he came to a stop, he looked to the crowd and gave them a reassuring 'thumbs up'.  The crowd roared their approval AND relief that he was alright.  Riley was able to continue but failed to transfer from the lower main.  According to his dad, that was alright with Riley, as he is now eligible to receive the coveted 'rollover trophy' at the end of the year banquet.

In Jr Novice, Cale Woodske made his first trip to the Grays Harbor Mini Raceway a memorable one, capturing the win.  He started on the pole and never looked back - leading every lap for the win.  Nathan Garske chased him but fell just short, finishing second.  Home track driver Curtis Johansson rounded out the top three.  Kyle Blankenship won the B-Main event, and was able to make his way up to fourth in the A-Main before the laps ran out.

Blake Wood picked up the win in Sr Novice.  Starting outside row two, he took over the lead on lap four and never looked back.  Ryan Racimo followed him every lap but could never get close enough to capitalize, settling for second.  Annika Johanson worked her way from the back to finish third.

25 cars signed in for Jr Honda, relegating an E-Main event to slot the cars.  Wyatt Gardner picked up the win in the A-Main, leading every lap from the pole, and never being challenged.  Home track drivers Zachary Gee and Dylan Volz both won their heat races Saturday, slotting them into the A-Main, but they could never get close enough to make a pass on Wyatt.  Zachary crossed the line in second, with Dylan taking third.  Joseph Bianchi won the E-Main, and had a great run up through the alphabet before his run ended in the B-Main.  Spencer DeMarsh won the D-Main and transferred all the way through to the A-Main.  Colton Johansson was the C-Main winner, and Seth Cooper took the B-Main event.

The closest race of the day was Sr Honda.  AJ Butler came from the B-Main to take the A-Main win by inches, overtaking home track driver Garret Johnson on the final straightaway, and pulling off the upset.  Garret led 39 of the 40 lap main event, but could not close the deal, settling for second place in a heart breaker.  Hunter Taylor watched it all unfold from third.  26 cars made for a D-Main event in Sr Honda, with Kyle Nations winning. Austin Hoye took the C-Main and transferred all the way through to the A-Main.  AJ Butler won the B-Main, and pulled off the upset in the A-Main.

In Hvy Honda, Missy Geary made her first trip of the year to the dirt track a memorable one, winning the A-Main from her fifth place starting position.  She survived several restarts, as several drivers took their turns trying for the lead.  When the 40 laps were complete, Rachel VanKopp crossed the line in second, with home track driver Allison Journey in tow for third.

9 cars filled the field for Jr Stock, and in the end, Seth Cooper showed he may be the car to beat this year in the division.  He took over the lead just past midway through the race and survived several restarts to take the A-Main win.  Chance Crum was once again at a loss for words as he led most of the race, came from the back several times after spinning out, and fell just short of the win by finishing second.  Dawson Loehner finished a solid third.

Aaron Stowe and Gracin Raz finished first and second, respectively, in the Sr Stock division.  Track time for the Grands was the goal, and each will be at the front of the field for sure in August.

Lt Mod is one of the divisions that can frustrate a handler to no end.  The cars can be very hard to start, and then once they get going, the races usually involve many cautions, adding to even more pushing to start.  On this day, the class was marred even further by the fact that only 3 cars entered, and none of them finished the race.  The 3 spin rule, and the final car pulling off the track under green, resulted in each driver receiving a DNF.  Peter Link was credited with first, Chance Crum second, and Keegan Walmer third.

Hvy Mod saw Michael Millard taking first, and Aaron Stowe credited with second after spinning three times - resulting in a DNF.

20 cars signed in to Lt 160, resulting in a C-Main event, the largest count of the year for the lightening fast class.  Nik Larson started on the pole and checked out on the field for the A-Main event win.  Several drivers tried, but after 40 laps were complete, Keegan Walmer had worked his way from last place to finish second.  Kylie Van Anberg rounded out the top three.  Chance Crum pulled triple duty this weekend and won the C-Main event.  Liam Ryan traveled all the way from British Columbia to capture the B-Main event win.

Matt Henderson continued his reign at the top of Heavy 160, winning the A-Main.  He took over the lead with 9 laps to go from Brandon Barlow, and never looked back.  Brandon had started on the pole and led most of the race, but had to settle for second.  Missy Geary crossed the line in third.  David Peppel won the B-main in the division.

The Briggs W/F class needs a driver that can utilize patience and throttle control.  This weekend saw the highest car count of the year for the class, and relegated a B-Main event.  Matt Henderson took over the lead mid way through the 40 lap event and led the rest of the way to take his second A-Main win of the day.  In what seemed like deja-vu, Brandon Barlow started on the pole but finished second to Matt once again.  While the leaders were running their race, the passing behind them had the crowd on their feet.  When the dust settled, Liam Ryan had worked his way from last place to finish second.  Nik Larson won the B-Main.

In what can only be described as utter disappointment, the car and driver that led every lap of Jr ½ class and carried the checkered flag, had the win taken away from him as he came up light at the scales.  For the second time of the day, Garret Johnson drove a perfect race but came up without the win.  This time he could not meet the weight requirements, handing the win to Karly Logan.  Karly had worked her way from fifth place and challenged several times for the lead.  Gordon Jermann traveled from Oregon to cross the line third, but was credited with second after the DQ.  David White was a DNF, but was credited with third.

Racing resumes June 17th at The Grays Harbor Mini Raceway with round six in The Kenworth Northwest Points Series.  Hot laps get underway at 9:00AM, with racing at 10:00.  Make your way down to I-5 Quarter Midget Club to watch some great racing action, wonderful family entertainment, and the future of The Grays Harbor Raceway.  As always, admission is free, and we would love to see everyone out there cheering on their favorite drivers.  See you in Elma!

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