Monroe, WA- The Gilliland Family did it again this past Saturday night at Evergreen Speedway as for the 52nd time in the 62-year history of the “Super Speedway of the West”, a third generation racer made it to the victory stage in the running of the K&N Pro Series West NAPA Presented by Toyota.
16-year old Todd Gilliland joined his father David and Grandfather Butch as winners at the historic .646-mile oval in his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry with a wire to wire victory. Fresh off a victory at Iowa Speedway, Gilliland drove his Bill McInally Racing Camry to a 4-car length win over fellow BMR teammates Chris Eggleston and Riley Herbst, giving car owner McInally a top 3 sweep. With his 5th win in 9 races, Gilliland now holds a 12-point lead in the series points race over Ryan Partridge who finished 5th. Gilliland also won the Coors Light 21-Means-21 Pole award as the events fast qualifier.
Another important race was on the schedule at Evergreen featuring the Speedway Chevrolet Super Late Models with the running of the Mark Galloway 150 Shootout. This race had to be rescheduled from earlier in the season due to a rain out. 22-cars lined up for the prestigious race that featured former Galloway winners Naima Lang (who won the inaugural Galloway 150) and Tyler Tanner. Defending series Champion Mike Holden led qualifying with the 2016 Summer Showdown winner Tayler Riddle a tick behind.
Jeff Knight started on the pole due to the invert, and from the drop of the green Knight continued where he left off the last time the cars ran on the big track. Knight dominated the first 50-laps until a caution came out. On the restart, Tyler Tanner got the jump on Knight right behind him and Riddle in the 3rd spot. The race survived several yellows up until the break at lap 100.
On the restart after teams changed tires and made their adjustments and a tank full of fuel, Tayler Riddle proved why he’s the Showdown Champion with a premier restart and cross over move to take the lead for good, leading Tanner and eventual 3rd place finisher Mike Holden to win the Galloway 150 Shootout.
The Les Schwab Street Stocks took to the 3/8’s oval for a 30-lap main event, with Roger Drake returning to the winner’s podium. Chuck Richard had his best effort of the season with a strong 2nd place finish and Steve Woods continuing to impress with his 3rd place run.
The Foster Press Mini Stocks started off the night with a 30-lap main event. Nat Barber continued his dominance in the division with win #7 on the season. Michael Fritz finished 2nd and Brad Thomas brought his #5 car home in 3rd.
This Saturday night at Evergreen Speedway will honor the Buzz Inn Steakhouse Stinger 8 division with the running of the Stinger 8 Nationals. Also taking to the track will be the West Coast Late Models, Monroe Grocery Outlet Super Stock Figure 8’s, Outlaw Figure 8’s, Northwest Pro-4 Trucks and Interstate Battery Hornets