Earlier this year I convinced my boss, the sports editor, that there was an audience for auto racing in this area. (Well, “convinced” isn’t really right, “whined and begged” is probably closer to the truth).
And I said the Internet was the way to go. I still get some stories in the paper, like my feature on Snohomish sprint car driver Robby Vaugh (CLICK HERE to read), but the Web’s big advantage is unlimited space for a single topic like auto racing.
Second, I’d like to thank you for providing feedback, asking questions and being part of the journey over the past three months.
Mid-week notes Posted at 11:18 pm by Scott Whitmore In no particular order, here they are:
Mid-season classic?The NASCAR All Star race is this Saturday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.
I pulled a bunch of information for the event off the NASCAR media site. You can find it under “national/international racing” or by CLICKING HERE
Be afraid, be very afraid: This weekend marks the return of the 60 Minutes of FEAR to Evergreen Speedway in Monroe.
Saturday’s figure-eight endurance race doesn’t figure into the points battle — all entrants get an equal number — but it is a highlight of the season for both the fans and the racers who compete.
Defending super stock division champion John Zaretzke said he will being taking his chances in the “X”, returning to a style of racing he enjoys quite a bit.
NASCAR goodies Posted at 2:45 pm by Scott Whitmore Guess what I got in the mail Monday?
My copy of the NASCAR Camping World Series West media guide. Man, that is a mouthful to say, much less type. But that means the return of the West series to Evergreen Speedway is coming.
If you don't know, the Camping World series -- one division on each coast -- are one step below the three national series (trucks, Nationwide and Cup). In theory, a driver should start on a local NASCAR home track, then move up to the Camping World series before breaking into the big-time.
The truth is a lot of the drivers will never make the jump up and are running for fun or because the level of competition is better than they could get at their local track. Still, there are quite a few who will try to become the next Big Thing in NASCAR. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
The best car doesn’t always win, or the best driver. But, put a good car together with a driver confident in: (1) his or her own abilities, (2) the car and (3) the crew, and you’ve got a potential trophy waiting.
I saw two winning drivers brimming with confidence this weekend, one locally and one nationally.
I also saw a driver who appeared to be struggling with that intangible.
Naima Lang won his second straight, and third overall, super stock feature main on Saturday at Evergreen Speedway.
Lang, who went three years racing in the top-tier division before recording his first win, has benefited from being reunited with an old and trusted friend.
“I just can’t thank Jesse Jensen enough for helping me out and giving me this race car,” Lang said after the race. “There’s not enough words for that.” ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
For complete Evergreen Speedway results, (CLICK HERE).
For Skagit Speedway's May 10 results, (CLICK HERE)
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By Scott Whitmore, Herald Writer
MONROE — Naima Lang went winless in his first three years racing in the super stock division at Evergreen Speedway.
Four races into his fourth season competing in the top-tier division, he has three wins. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
May 10
Associated Press
Indy memories Posted at 11:38 pm by Scott Whitmore The Indy 500 is one of those signature races -- like the Daytona 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix -- that has come to symbolize a particular type of racing, at least in my mind.
I can remember sitting in the backyard one year -- I grew up not too awful far from Indianapolis -- and listening to the race on the radio while my Dad washed his car. Late May can be pretty warm in Northern Illinois (Ed: and this year mid-April to early May can be pretty cold in Western Washington).
My favorite open-wheeler in those days was Bobby Unser, and I was thrilled when he won the 500 in 1968. He also won it in 1975 and 1981.
Speaking of fathers and sons, and grandfathers, how would like to be young Marco Andretti, with father (and car owner) Michael and grandfather Mario (see above photo) guiding you? Mario, of course, won the 500 in 1969. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
I finished up and turned in a feature story on Robby Vaughn, the Snohomish sprint car driver who beat Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart at last year’s Kahne Foundation Sprint Car Challenge at Skagit Speedway.
This was also the week my June column for Sports Northwest Magazine was due. The May issue is on newsstands now (and anyone who finds one, let me know where you got it because Mom and Dad want one).
The June magazine column is on the 37th annual Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup, which will be June 19-21 at Skagit Speedway. Between the Vaughn story and the magazine column I had a whole lot of sprint car going on this week.
Anyway, on to the cop-out, er, the predications.
To make it simple on myself I’m going with an all-defending champions line-up, with one exception.
NASCAR on KOMO Posted at 9:24 am by Scott Whitmore Sometime back a reader asked me to look into why our local ABC station, KOMO TV channel 4, did not air the pre-race show for the Nationwide race in Talladega on April 26.
Instead of DW and the crew, local viewers were shown a repeat of "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody."
I tried calling, but KOMO's phone system sent me into what I will politely term "voice mail purgatory," so I took a chance and sent an email.
Lo and behold, my email was answered on Wednesday. Here is what Doreen Kaylor from KOMO wrote:.
"Due to time zone differences between Talladega and the Puget Sound area, the NASCAR Nationwide Series pre-race show was scheduled at the same time as ABC’s children’s programming on the West Coast. Broadcasting the pre-race show would have meant pre-empting “The Suite Life of Zach & Cody.” ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
NASCAR goodies Posted at 9:12 am by Scott Whitmore Remember I told you I was working on getting you some goodies off the NASCAR media site?
Well, here goes. These are a couple of "widgets" with the latest NASCAR Cup standings and some videos. Hopefully I did it right and y'all will be able to see them.
That is the sound of a blogger who realized he forgot to include the points leaders for the Super Figure 8 and Stinger 8 divisions at Evergreen Speedway in Wednesday's post.
So, here they are:
Super Figure 8:1. John Carlson, 170; 2. Nick Gunderson, 165; 3. Ricky Deitz, 135; 4. Bill Wade, 132; 5. Ryan Gunderson, 131.
I'll take potpourri for $800, Alex Posted at 2:04 pm by Scott Whitmore Once again, it’s time to take a quick trip through my notebook and email inbox. In no particular order, here’s what I’ve got for you on (another) gray and cool day.
Correction: First off let me apologize to Mike and Jeff Holden. In the Evergreen Speedway notebook from last Saturday (click here) I transposed their car numbers. That’s now been fixed to reflect that Mike Holden drives the No. 11 car and Jeff Holden is in the No. 12.
Help Nikki and Mindy: As many of you know, Evergreen Speedway bomber division driver Nikki Bristol and mini-stock driver Mindy Harriss are taking part in the “Walk for the Cure” to fight breast cancer.
The three-day, 60-mile walk is in September and each walker has to come up with $2,200. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
May 5
Auto Imagery Inc. for Associated Press
What we learned: guest edition Posted at 10:22 pm by Scott Whitmore Plenty of action this weekend at home and away, and I’m going to add a post later today or early tomorrow addressing some of the goings-on in Richmond.
But for now, let’s see how we did with the weekend’s picks.
NASCAR, NHRA, ARCA
My Guest Predictor, Diana Moss, started off strong with the correct pick of Denny Hamlin winning Saturday’s Nationwide race in Richmond.
And she was right in picking Joey Logano to win the ARCA Re/Max race on Sunday in Rockingham, N.C. (Ed: Local drivers Tayler Malsam of Monroe and Nick Tucker of Bremerton finished 14th and 16th, respectively).
But then things didn’t quite work out the rest of the way.
Clint Bowyer scooted past Diana’s pick, Dale Earnhardt Jr., when Junior and Kyle Busch tangled late to get the win in Sunday’s Cup race in Richmond. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
Getty Images for NASCAR
Deal or no deal? Posted at 10:22 pm by Scott Whitmore One of the greatest concepts in motorsports is “the racing deal.”
That’s the catchall explanation for something that happens that is not intentional or the fault of any one driver.
Racing deals often happen when two cars are racing side-by-side, or vying for the same position on the track. Maybe one driver goes a little high, one a little low … or one lifts too early or too late … one gets loose, etc.
The end result is all too often one, or both, cars wrecking.
Afterwards both drivers will explain what they saw and what they did, what they think the other driver did or could have done, and then chalk it up to being — yes indeed — a racing deal.
It’s not limited to big-time racing, either. You’re as likely to hear the term used at Evergreen Speedway as you are at Daytona.
In fact, I wish we could expand the concept to everyday life and not just the track. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
May 4
Historic night at Evergreen Speedway Posted at 2:34 pm by Scott Whitmore I just got done posting my Evergreen Speedway package: a race story, a notebook and the results at right under the local racing section..
Although the weather didn't look promising at first, it cleared up and there was a great night of racing.
And some history was made
Congratulations to Naima and Jill Lang for winning the super stock and bomber division main events, respectively.
Speedway announcer Kelly Hale told me after the race they believed it was the first time a husband and wife had each won a main event on the same night at Evergreen.
Both the bomber and super stock mains had just one caution flag, so the racing was fast. Also, the speedway crew promised at the start of the season that they would be working hard to keep the program moving, and Saturday night they delivered on that promise.
I was walking to my car after taking time to talk to the Langs before 10:30 p.m.
Programming update Posted at 9:28 am by Scott Whitmore NASCAR's media site has a big notice on it that says the Nationwide race at Richmond tonight will air on SPEED and ESPN Classic at 4 p.m. PDT.
ESPN2 will join the race upon the conclusion of NBA playoff action, and will re-air the race in its entirety immediately following the conclusion.
Fearless predictions: Guest edition Posted at 9:18 am by Scott Whitmore Today for a change of pace I’ve asked Diana Moss, a frequent commenter, to join me in making picks for this weekend.
In addition to keeping me honest when I goof up on a name (Ed: which happens much too often, by the way.), Diana gave me the tip on Carl Skerlong, the Mukilteo driver competing in the Champ Atlantic series this year.
Diana picked ALL the national races this weekend, including the ARCA/Re/Max series and the NHRA.
Since I only need the Sprint Cup for my self-declared Grand Slam of Prognostication, I’ll just pick the Richmond Cup race and the locals at Evergreen Speedway.
Guests first.
Diana’s picks are taken verbatim from an email she sent me, although I’ve taken the liberty to make a comment here or there.
NASCAR at Richmond
Nationwide-Lipton TEA 250 — Denny Hamlin or Kyle Busch.
Sprint Cup-Dan Lowry 400 — Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Richmond May 2006, last Cup win). ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
May 1
Get ready for the weekend Posted at 11:37 pm by Scott Whitmore This job has some benefits, which don't really make up for the low pay, but I'm sure you're not worried about that.
Anyway, one of the bennies is getting to register on the NASCAR media Web site, which is loaded with goodies. There are photos, graphics, stats, video, podcasts, etc.
I'm working with the paper's Web-savvy techs to figure out a way to get some of that racing goodness to you, but in the meantime, below is the "NASCAR News" preview for Richmond, which is also available on YouTube.
But don't just sit inside and watch racing -- get out to your local track and see it, smell it and feel it.
Do what I do: tape the races on your VCR (or if you've got the money -- which I don't (see pay joke above) your TiVo or DVR) and watch them later. You can skip through the commercials, turn down the announcers, etc. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
April 29
Evergreen Speedway season points updated Posted at 4:47 pm Evergreen Speedway's season points lists have been updated for all divisions. Check out www.evergreenspeedway.com and pick "standings."
Saw this on the Web today and thought I'd share it. Its a crash and flip of a LeMans Series car at the track in Monza. The announcers are pretty calm about it all, but my favorite line is when the one says "How he missed that Audi, we'll never know."
What we learned: ‘Dega, Kansas, Monroe and Spain Posted at 12:24 pm by Scott Whitmore After Sunday’s Cup race at Talladega, third-place finisher Denny Hamlin told an interviewer that it was a great race and if you didn’t like it, you don't like racing.
Well …
I watched it on tape, and Hamlin certainly had a good time, as he ran up front most of the race and appeared to be the best at the “Talladega Two-Step” — the nose-to-tail linking of two cars that produced about six extra miles per hour for both.
Shortly after the race I checked my email and there was a message from NASCAR titled “Restrictor Plate Competition up … again.” NASCAR wanted me to know there were more lead changes between more drivers on Sunday than at Daytona in February, and the 52 lead changes this year was more than either race at ‘Dega last year.
Sorry, NASCAR, but I’m not a fan of the hard sell. And the fascination of watching two long lines of cars go round and round the track went away pretty quick. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
April 27
Racing goodness galore Posted at 2:17 am by Scott Whitmore Whew! These long Saturday nights are eating me up!
If I was getting paid I'd hire an assistant.
I've got an Evergreen Speedway story in the local racing section, and there is a ton of national/international news including results from the Nationwide and Craftsman Truck races, lineups, and notebooks.
My Carl Skerlong feature is slated to run in Monday's paper (fingers crossed it makes it).
I'll also have a short story or post in the next day or so on the passing of Otto Hafenscher, a longtime fixture at Evergreen Speedway. I had the chance to meet and talk to his widow and Keith, one of his two sons, at the track on Saturday. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
Whatever you like — trucks, late models, dragsters, open-wheel — it’s happening this weekend.
I’m going to be stubborn with my local picks, and go for who’s due with the national/international ones. (Note: once again I'm not going to try to pick the NHRA Summer Nationals ... just don't know enough).
Here we go:
Evergreen Speedway
The top-tier super stocks didn’t run last weekend because of the weather. Defending champion John Zaretzke was my pick for last week, and he should have his new car ready, so I’ll go with him again. But watch out for Naima Lang in No. 00 … he’ll be up front, too.
Steve Peters was my pick last week to win the super figure eight main, but he finished a few laps short of winning after clipping a car in the intersection. This week I say he gets it done, although The Cowboy and Rick Deitz and are going to be right there. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
April 24
Courtesy WWRA
Sunday racing at Monroe Posted at 10:32 pm by Scott Whitmore Interested in racing but not sure how to get started? Or maybe you’re on a budget?
Or perhaps Saturday night racing just doesn’t work into your busy schedule.
I’ve got a suggestion for you.
You need to check out the Western Washington Racing Association (WWRA), which races on Sundays at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.
The WWRA has been around in one form or another since 1957, and has been racing at Evergreen since 1978. WWRA divisions include the Coyotes, Lightning Trucks, Road Runners, Sky Valley Stocks, Thunder Cars and Tornado Trucks.
Note: With names like that, you’ve got to believe the racing is fun!
WWRA membership costs $30 and car registration is $30. Pit passes are $25 and $30. Races are on Sundays, generally at Evergreen Speedway, from 1:30-5 p.m.
For more information — including car rules by division — check out the WWRA Web site at www.wwra.net. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
April 23
Mid-week update: Tour race canceled Posted at 1:19 pm by Scott Whitmore If you were planning on heading to Yakima this Saturday for the Northwest Tour opener better make some other plans.
Tour director and Yakima manager Ron Bennett announced Wednesday that the scheduled 125-lap race was canceled due to an unfavorable weather forecast.
More details are listed in the Local racing notes item under “local racing.”
For those who wondered, Carl Skerlong of Mukilteo finished a lap down and dead last in last Sunday's Champ Atlantic Grand Prix of Long Beach. Skerlong, who started third, was bumped into a tire barrier by the pole sitter, Jonathan Bomarito, and had to head to the pits for a new nose.
Expect to see my feature story on Skerlong in the near future.
Lots of national news today, with Kyle Busch saying he won’t be running the truck race in Kansas and former drivers Janet Guthrie and Lyn St. James giving some verbal high-fives to Danica Patrick. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
April 22
Courtesy Greg Galloway
Mark Galloway tributes Posted at 9:23 pm by Scott Whitmore Last Saturday night at Evergreen Speedway I had the pleasure of meeting Greg Galloway, the father of Mark Galloway.
As you may recall, Mark Galloway passed away in January, and the super stock season at Evergreen has been dedicated to his memory.
There was a moment of silence and a memorial lap — Mark’s parents drove his truck, Jill and Naima Lang drove their supers, and former Evergreen driver Darin Stordahl drove the pace car — in his honor at the season opener on April 12.
Mark loved racing. He worked at Speedway Chevrolet in Monroe, and he also was a technician in the super stock division’s crate motor program at Evergreen. He had planned on being part of the Langs’ crew this season.
Anyone guess what I used to watch a lot of as a kid?
I think it’s great Danica Patrick got her first IRL victory — and the first IRL win by a woman — in Japan, but I was of two minds on how to celebrate this historic first.
Patrick is a talented racer, as I observed in seeing her come from the back of the field in St. Pete’s, so somehow getting overly excited over her win seems, well, wrong. I mean, it wasn’t unexpected, was it? She works hard and everyone knew it was only a matter of time.
And less than 24 hours later Simona De Silvestro, the only woman in the 23-car field, earned her first win in the Champ Atlantic race in Long Beach, Calif.
The 19-year-old De Silvestro joined Katherine Legge as the only female winners in Champ Atlantic history — a series that Patrick also raced in, by the way. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
I've lived here since 1998 and I don't think the winter has been the same twice in that time, but nothing like this craziness.
OK -- there was the promised weather rant. Now, does anyone really think we're going racing at either Evergreen or Skagit speedways on Saturday?
You do? Great, I have this watch that I bought on the waterfront in Naples, Italy. It says "Rolodex" on it, but really, its a genuine one-of-a-kind fancy timepiece. I'll sell to you cheap.
Anyway, enough griping and on to the picks.
Evergreen Speedway: I think the winner will be the weather, but in case I'm wrong let's say John Zaretzke wins the super stock main, Jim Foti wins the bomber main, and Steve Peters wins the super figure eight main.
IndyCar/Champ Car: Its two, two, two times the fun this weekend with the open-wheelers running in both Japan and Long Beach, Calif. ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
Revision to Evergreen finishes Posted at 1:06 pm by Scott Whitmore Just got back from walking Maddie the dog in the snow (and what is up with this weather?) and found a press release from Evergreen Speedway in my email inbox.
After review of the film and lengthy discussions with NASCAR, some changes have been made to the finishing order of the April 12 season-opening super stock and bomber division races.
The winners are still the winners, but farther down some positions were shuffled.
My story, which details the changes, is at right under "local racing,"
I'll be back later today with my Fearless Predications, and probably some more complaining about the weather.
Mid-week update Posted at 4:54 pm by Scott Whitmore After a very hectic last week getting ready for Evergreen Speedway's opener, things have been slightly less crazy. Here's an update on what's going on:
1. And the winner is ... Evergreen Speedway's Web sight still lists the results of Saturday's races as "unofficial."
I called today and manager Terry Buell said the speedway is still reviewing the result of the super stock main, in which Naima Lang escaped a wreck involving John Zaretzke and Scott Mann -- who were running 1-2 -- on the restart of the first of two green-white-checkered finish attempts.
Buell said the speedway hoped to have a resolution before the end of the week.
2. A reason to care about Champ Car: Thanks to loyal reader Diana Moss, I had the chance to talk this week to Carl Skerlong of Mukilteo, who is in his second year of racing in the Champ Atlantic series ... [Read More] E-mail | Print | CommentNEW!
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