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 MONROE,
WA (March 29) -- When Pete Harding won the season-opening race in the
NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, he did so competing on
Hoosier racing tires and begins the Hoosier-era in the NASCAR Elite
Touring Division. The first of 14 races in the series was contested
Saturday at Washington's Evergreen Speedway with Harding taking the
win after starting tenth in the field. The Surrey, British Columbia
driver led the final 28 laps of the 125-lap BIG O TIRES 125 en route
to the win.
Twenty-six cars started the race that had Jeff
Jefferson capturing fast time. His lap of 22.860 seconds around the
5/8-mile track was tops among the field. Series rules had the Bud Pole
winner starting sixth after the invert.
The race featured three lead changes among four
different drivers. Those leading during the race were: Kelly Mann
(1-34), Kevin Hamlin (35-63), Jeff Jefferson (64-97), and Pete Harding
(98-125). A total of 19 of the 26 starters were running at the end of
the race. Harding collected $2,100 for his 16th series win.
Following Pete Harding to the finish line was Kevin
Hamlin who started 7th and pocketed $1,700. Jason Jefferson took home
third place honors along with a $1,400 paycheck. Jefferson also earned
the Rookie of the Race Award. Rounding out the top five was Chris Hart
in fourth and John Bender in fifth. Bender also earned the Powerade
Move of the Race Award for his fifth place finish after starting 18th.
The next race on the NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest
Series is April 26th at Tri-City Raceway in West Richland, WA.
The Northwest Sprint Car Racing Association also raced
Saturday at Evergreen Speedway. Heat race winners were Jim Risher,
Craig Deaver and Trevor Montgomery. Allen Goetz won the 4-lap Dash. In
the 35-lap A-Main, Trevor Montgomery was the winner followed by Drew
Church, Michael Newman, Allen Goetz and Mike Basher. The race ended
with a last lap pass by Montgomery around Church in the final corner
to capture the exciting win. Hoosier tires are also the exclusive tire
for the Northwest Sprint Car Racing Association.
Hoosier Racing Tire is proud to partner with NASCAR to
exclusively provide tires for the Northwest Series for the 2003
season.
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