Evergreen Speedway Super Speedway of the West! – Northwest's Destination for Motorsports!
It was Frontier Communications Family Night at Evergreen Speedway this past Saturday, featuring the Evergreen Speedway Street Stock Invitational event, along with the Foster Press Mini Stocks, the Interstate Battery Hornets, Outlaw Figure 8’s and the return of the Vintage Modifieds.
Qualifying was held in all the classes. Chris Curtis took the top spot in the Outlaw F8’s, Trenton Moriarty in the Mini Stocks, Cullen Hubbard in the Hornets, Mike Clother in the Vintage Mods and Chad Hinkle turned a lap of 17.497 for the pole position in the Street Stock Invitational.
Heat race victories went to Seth Funden in the F8’s, Scott Burby in the Mini Stocks, Mark Hubbard in the first Hornet heat with Cullen Hubbard getting the win in the second heat race. The Street Stock’s ran two heat races as well, with Chad Hinkle getting the win in the first 8-lap heat, and one of the members of the Top 60 Drivers of Evergreen Speedway Dave Lund picked up the win in the second heat.
The Vintage Modifieds race was interesting due to the fact that long time racer Vern Huson out of Wenatchee was behind the wheel of the #77 car. Huson was a former champion when Spanaway Speedway was in existence. In fact, Vern raced claims to have started racing “Two years before Ron Eaton did!” Vern purchased a car from Bobby Wheeler Jr in July, and ran it for the first time at the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval. In the VMRA heat race, Vern took the checkered flag. Vern mentioned prior to a practice session that this was his first time racing at Evergreen Speedway. When asked what he thought about the track, Vern replied “I like it well enough, it’s just that huge tire before you go into turn 1 that throw’s me for a loop!”
A moment of silence was observed in opening ceremonies for the tragic loss of 3 firefighters battling the Okanogan Complex Fires in Eastern Washington. The crowd showed it’s appreciation when any firefighters, public safety officers and military veterans or active military were asked to remain standing.
Main events rolled off after the heat races. The Outlaw Figure 8 division were up with a 25 lap main. Chris Curtis and John Carlson are in a tight battle for the season championship with only 1 point separating them. Seth Funden started the race on the pole and led the race with Curtis right off his back bumper. The 2 cars pulled away, with Carlson in 3rd place a half lap back. Curtis and Carlson collided in the intersection, with Curtis being unable to continue. Funden wins the race for his second win of the season. Rich Groshong making his first run in an Outlaw car took 2nd with Carlson finishing 3rd.
The Foster Press Mini Stocks took to the track for their 25 lap main. Trenton Moriarty had his season long win streak broken last time out due to a flat tire, so he was looking to get back to the winners stage. Moriarty got the lead early in the race and appeared to be cruising to yet another victory when going into turn 3 about half way through the race a mechanical issue caused the 24 car to spin and ended Trenton’s night. Scott Burby finally got his first win of 2015 over a hard charging Michael Fritz and Devin Kessler. “I wish I could have got this win by racing Trenton” Burby said at the Angel of the Winds Victory Stage. “But it’s nice to finally get this monkey off my back. Thanks to Central Welding Supply and Squiers Machine for all their help”
The Interstate Battery Hornets had a thrilling race for 25 laps on the road course. It’s so much fun to watch the fast cars start at the back of the pack and work their way to the front. 20 cars started the race. On lap 3, it seemed like 15 of the 20 cars all tried to cram into the short chute part of the course that transitions from the 1/5 mile flat track to turn 3 on the 3/8’s! Once that traffic jam was sorted out, last season Champion Scott Hunt took his #22 car to the front in a classic race with Cody Hoopes. Points leader Mike Ridley finished 3rd.
The Vintage Modifieds took to the 3/8’s for their 25 lap main event. The race was halted early due to an incident involving John Mustered and Vern Huson in turn 2. Bobby Wheeler got the win with Robert Rux in 2nd and Kyten Jones picking up 3rd.
The final main event of the night was for the Evergreen Speedway Street Stock Invitational. 18 cars started the main, a mix of regular Les Schwab Street Stock drivers and Limited Late Model cars from Eastern Washington. The race was slowed down considerably by numerous cautions, either from incidents on the track or mechanical issues. Speedway Officials reduced the race from its original 75 lap length down to 50 laps due to the curfew. In the end, Marysville’s Dave Lund drove his #21 car to the checkered, with Doug Porior taking second and Richard Kerr getting the third place trophy.
The Evergreen State Fair starts on Thursday, August 27th, and as usual, Evergreen Speedway kicks it up several notches! The Northwest Truck Pulls and Fireworks Show kicks off the fair schedule on the 27th. On Friday the 28th, it will be the Super Cross Summer Shootout starting at 6:00 pm. Saturday the 29th will see the Figure 8 track get it’s time to shine, as the Monroe Grocery Outlet Super Stock Figure 8’s will highlight the evening, along with the Buzz Inn Steakhouse Stinger 8’s, Interstate Battery Hornets, the NW Pro 4 Trucks and the return of the FSCRA Super 4’s.
Sunday will feature the Evergreen Drift-Pro AM Championship running from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Check out the great ticket prices available by getting onto www.evergreenspeedway.com that include both fair and race admission. Getting your tickets online are the best way to reserve your favorite seats for all the great events during the fair.
Steve Mortland