ASA NorthWest Late Model Tour

Marysville, WA (June 29, 2009): The iRacing.com American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour was at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington for the 2nd annual NOS Energy Drink ‘Road Course Challenge’ on Sunday June 28. For the second year in a row Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA) won. Also repeating in second was Jason Fraser (Snohomish, WA). First ever road race for third place Brent Harris went better than anticipated by that team.

The only thing different than last year’s top two finish, was the weather. A bright warm sunny day compared to the wet and darkness of a year ago. Lewis’ weekend matched the great weather. Right out of the trailer they were the fastest there. Proving it in Saturday evenings qualifying with a blistering 1:23.034 lap around the 2.25-mile road course. Lewis started the 40-lap feature in the 9th position and by lap 7 was in the lead for good.

There was a break at lap 25 where both Lewis and Fraser made changes to their cars for what was a 10-lap shootout. The race was ended five laps short due to a curfew at Pacific Raceways. When they started the second portion Lewis was not the same speedy self as in the first portion. Fraser kept the pressure on to no avail as Lewis thwarted every attempt. The last turn as they headed to the checkers Lewis made his only mistake of the weekend. Almost losing control on the exit, Lewis had it sideways as Fraser made one last effort but it fell short as Lewis straightened out and won by :0.364 seconds.

“We changed tires around during the break because I blistered a rear tire and we moved it the other side. My car was not good in the last laps and Fraser kept me busy”, said Lewis as he emerged from his car. When asked why he was so much better on the road courses than other drivers Lewis remarked, “I just love racing on the road courses and I have learned to race the tracks, it is so much fun to come here (Pacific Raceways).”

Fraser a bit dejected as he got out of his car stated, “I congratulate Gary he is so tough on the road course. We were penalized for not getting back out for the last segment on time. We discovered a bent suspension piece and had to repair it, I had hit a curbing in the first part of the race.” Continuing Fraser went on to say, “We were getting stronger at the end but just ran out of time.”

Conversely Harris was elated with a podium finish. When asked if they expected this high a finish he said, “No all we wanted to do was finish.” Harris had never raced on a road course before this weekend.

Next up for the iRacing.com ASA Northwest Late Model Tour is a trip to Monroe, Washington for the Washington 500 at Evergreen Speedway. On Saturday July 25 the best Super Late Model Tour racers will take on the monster 5/8-mile oval for 175-laps.  

Official Finish:

iRacing.com ASA Northwest Late Model Tour

NOS Energy Drink ‘Road Course Challenge’

Pacific Raceways (2.25-mile road course), Kent, WA

Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA) 1:23.034 IPM (International Parking Management) ‘Quick Qualifier Award’

35-lap Feature:

Finish Pos – Laps Competed – Name - Hometown

1.  35      Gary Lewis                          Snohomish, WA

2.  35      Jason Fraser                       Snohomish, WA

3.  35      Brent Harris                        E. Wenatchee, WA

4.  35      Pete Harding                      Surrey, B.C.

5.  35      Kelly Mann                         Monroe, WA

6.  35      Jeff Holden                         Everett, WA      

7.  35      Jason Fiorito                       Mercer Island, WA

8.  35      Alan Cress                          Albany, OR         

9.  35      Joe McNeil                           Sumner, WA

10. 35    Ken Sleveland                       Spanaway, WA

11. 34    Joey Tanner                         Portland, OR

12. 33    Amanda MacDonald               Ephrata, WA

13. 31    Brad Stanwood                      Portland, OR

14. 29    Mark Sundberg                     Seattle, WA

15. 15    Mike Longton                       Moxee, WA

16. 12    Harold Raczynski                  Duvall, WA

17. 7       Don Vickery                        Seattle, WA

18. 6       Ed Thomsen                       Pasco, WA

19. DNS  Jody Tanner                         Portland, OR

20. DNS  Shane Biles                         Woodinville, WA

Kent, WA (June 27, 2009): Day one of the two day NOS Energy Drink ‘Road Course Challenge’ for the iRacing.com American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington was good for some and not so for others. Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA) had no problems all day and capped it off with the IPM (International Parking Management) Quick Qualifier Award. Jason Fraser (Snohomish, WA) was a close second. Third quickest Harold Raczynski (Duvall, WA) was a surprise to all.

Lewis once again showed his mastering of the road course. Every practice session he took part in he was the fastest. Lewis did skip the final practice not wanting to take any chances.

The day was not as smooth for some. Joey Tanner (Portland, OR) missed turn two ending in the tire barrier suffering significant damage to the right front. His Tidrick (Yakima, WA) led team was looking at an all nighter to get the car race ready for Sunday’s 40-lap feature.

Shane Biles’ (Woodinville, WA) day was very short with a motor problem early in the first practice sending him scurrying to see if it could be fixed. Mike Longton (Moxee, WA) lost control at the beginning of his qualifying attempt. The damage was enough to not let him to continue qualifying.

Just about everyone had some sort of issue during the day. Most if not all were solvable.

The only thing that did not go well for Lewis was the roll of the dice for the invert to be used for the start of Sunday’s feature. Rolling an eleven Lewis will have to be very cautious and patient to get back up front where he has been accustomed to.

Qualifying Results:

Gary Lewis 1:23.034, Jason Fraser, Harold Raczynski, Pete Harding, Kelly Mann, Brent Harris, Jeff Holden, Mark Sundberg, Joe McNeil, Jason Fiorito, Ed Thompson, Amanda MacDonald, Don Vickery, Jody Tanner. Did not qualify but will be expected to make the 40-lap feature are Mike Longton, Joey Tanner, Alan Cress, Ken Sleveland and Brad Stanwood. Shane Biles is questionable.

There is one more practice session scheduled for Sunday morning followed by the 40-lap NOS Energy Drink ‘Road Course Challenge’ at approximately 3:00pm.

Marysville, WA (June 25, 2009): On Saturday and Sunday June 27 & 28 the iRacing American Speed Association Northwest Late Model Tour starts the second half of the 2009 season. The second annual NOS Energy Drink ‘Road Course Challenge’ at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington will be a turning point for many of the series regulars. With two days of turning left and right on the 2.25-mile, 10-turn course, the drivers in the championship chase will be tested mentally and physically.

With five races remaining in the 2009 ASA NWLMT season the road course will be very pivotal towards the fist ever series championship. The predominate circle track series has many in this seasons chase heading onto a road course for the first or second time in their respective racing careers.

With three 50-minute practice sessions on Saturday prior to qualifying there will no time for errors. For the first time road course racers their time will be spent learning the track. While those with some experience at PR will still have to spend time re-familiarizing themselves to the tricky undulating course.

Sunday starts with a 50-minute practice session followed by the 40-lap feature. This years feature will be divided with the first portion being 30-laps. Teams will go to work on adjustments and adding fuel for the final 10-lap shootout.

Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA) winner of last year’s rain delayed and darkness shortened ASA Northwest Tour feature at PR is returning to defend his road racing prowess. Lewis has won twice at PR and once on the road course at Portland International Raceway during his tenure as a Super Late Model Stock Car driver. A win for Lewis will bode well in his quest for the ASA NWLMT championship. Lewis has won NASCAR & ARCA West championships during his storied career.

Last years second place finisher of this event Jason Fraser (Snohomish, WA) started his racing career at Pacific Raceways albeit on a Speedway Motorcycle. Fraser turned to stock car racing six years ago. During the first half of the six years it was a big learning curve to overcome. Once Fraser got over the hump his racing skills started to take over and the top finishes also started.  Fraser has more laps on the 2.25-mile course than any of the regular stock car drivers. He felt after last year’s race that if it was not shortened due to darkness he had something for event winner Lewis, “I was getting faster with each lap. If we were able to go all 40-laps I definitely had the car to beat him”.

A regular circle track racer with road racing experience is entered. Pete Harding (Surrey, B.C.) has the many laps on the 10-turn circuit. Harding has struggled this season at the circle tracks the series has raced at. Harding is coming off a win this past weekend in an ARCA West Late Model race on the .500-mile oval at Vernon, B.C.  

The 2009 season point leader Brent Harris (E. Wenatchee, WA) is among those with little road course knowledge. Harris is still looking for that elusive win. His goal this weekend is survive and finish in the top five maintaining his point lead.

Joining Harris in the little experience category is second in points Mike Longton. Longton hopes to parlay his two victories this season into a win at PR on Sunday. Longton trails by just 12-points in the season’s championship chase.

Many of the Northwest’s elite Super Late Model Stock Car racers are entered. Mark Sundberg (Seattle, WA), Brad Stanwood (Portland, OR), Jeff Holden (Everett, WA), Mike Kenyon (North Bend, WA), Kelly Mann (Monroe, WA), Shane Biles (Woodinville, WA) and Jody Tanner (Portland, OR) to mention a few of the many pre-entered.

The battle for the coveted Port Cities Racecars ‘Rookie Challenge’ has three newcomers to Super Late Model racing and with no experience on the road course. Current leader for the title Joey Tanner (Portland, OR) was a late model dirt racer until this season. Amanda MacDonald (Ephrata, WA) is a student at Central Washington University studying to become an educator. Alan Cress (Albany, OR) is in the midst of the learning curve of racing with a traveling series.

It all starts on Saturday June 27 with backgates opening at 7:00am with the first of the three practice sessions scheduled for 10am. The practice sessions will be intermingled with practice for the US National Extreme Karts. Qualifying for the NOS Energy Drink ‘Road Course Challenge’, will end the day.

Sunday June 28 the action starts with backgates opening at 8:00am. A 50-minute test session is followed by opening ceremonies at 12:30pm. Always popular with fans is an autograph opportunity that will be at 12:45pm. The 40-lap NOS Energy Drink feature will follow the Kart feature at approximately 3:00pm.

The weekend will be full of activities for the race attendee, with live music on the Car Toys Aftershock Stage, vendor booths and great food.

For track and event information contact Pacific Raceways at 253-639-5927. For ASA NWLMT information contact 253-312-1080.

Pre-Registered Racers as of 6/24/09

Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA)

Brent Harris (E. Wenatchee, WA)

Jason Fraser (Snohomish, WA)

Mark Sundberg (Seattle, WA)

Jason Fiorito (Seattle, WA)

Kelly Mann (Monroe, WA)

Ken Sleveland (Spanaway, WA)

Ed Thompson (Pasco, WA)

Don Vickery (Seattle, WA)

Jody Tanner (Portland, OR)

Shane Biles (Woodinville, WA)

Brad Stanwood (Portland, OR)

Alan Cress (Albany, OR)*

Ricki Machin (Eugene, OR)

Joey Tanner (Portland, OR)*

Mike Longton (Moxee, WA)

Pete Harding (Surrey, B.C.)

Mike Kenyon (North Bend, WA)

Amanda MacDonald (Ephrata, WA)*

Harold Raczynski (Duvall, WA)

Jeff Holden (Everett, WA)

Joe McNeil (Sumner, WA)

*2009 Port Cities Racecars ‘Rookie Challenge’

SNOHOMISH, Wash. (June 24, 2009)-Gary Lewis grew up driving race cars that
turned left only. From Evergreen Speedway Bombers and Super Stocks to
Super Late Models in NASCAR, ARCA and the ASA Northwest Late Model Tour,
Lewis has conquered nearly every track he’s competed on in his driving
career but until 1999 had little experience on road courses.

When NASCAR introduced road course racing to its Northwest and Southwest
Series schedules Lewis showed his ability to adapt to right and left hand
turns with wins at Portland International Raceway and strong runs at Sears
Point’s Infineon Raceway and later Pacific Raceway-site of this week’s
stop for the ASA Northwest Late Model Tour and the running of the NOS
Energy Drink Late Model Shootout.

Lewis jumps at the chance to return to the challenges of road course
racing this weekend even if he’s unsure how he’s been able to adapt to the
concept of turning two different directions in the same race, he said.

“I don’t know for sure (how we’ve been able to adapt to road racing) but I
do know I just love to bang through the gears while speeding up and
slowing down. Road course racing is an art form and is very difficult. I
love the challenge and the speed it presents.”

Speeds at the end of the front straightaway at Pacific can climb to nearly
175 mph; faster than any stretch on Northwest circle tracks, Lewis added.
That sensation of high-speed can get a driver’s attention, he noted.

“Well when you get up over 160 mph the sound of everything around you
starts to change and when you get close to 180 mph it looks like the body
on the race car is going to rip off the car itself.”