Paul Manka, Steve Kastl and Dan Monroe waged a fierce battle all night long in the Pure Stock division, with each taking a checkered flag in three different races. Kastl and Monroe in early heat race action, and Manka taking the final checkered of the evening in the 20 lap Main Event.
In the Hobby Stock division it was a very competitive evening between defending champion Chris Jeffery and Kevin Washington. In each of the two heat races, Jeffery and Washington battled for the wins, with Jeffery taking the win in both races. In the twenty lap main event, Jeffery and Washington were both forced to start in the back rows, as the invert put them in a starting spot that had them deep in the field.
Jeffery and Washington were able to make their way to the front very quickly, while Harold Emmons and Deborah Hanson were in a close battle for third position. In the early laps, Emmons and Hanson were able to get by Washington for second and third place respectively. However, that was not to be for very long, as Washington worked his way back through the field to contend for the lead with Jeffery. The closing laps saw Washington close the gap on Jeffery and put them in a very close battle for the win, while problems plagued Emmons and Hanson, which allowed first time dirt racers Michael Plunkett and Mike Bales to move up in the final standings. Jeffery takes the win with Washington second, Plunkett third, Bales fourth and Emmons rounding out the top five.
The up and coming class of IMCA type open wheeled modifieds saw a first time driver pitted against a previous track champion. Steve Lang and Craig Moore put together a race for the fans that was sometimes very competitive, and sometimes not so. Craig Moore made the long tow over from Seabeck, WA (just outside Bremerton) to take the wins in both scheduled heat races, but not answer the call for the main event with a possible broken crankshaft that ended his night. Steve Lang, as a first time modified division driver was able to make some laps on the track, and come away with his first win in 2002.
Racing action will continue at State Fair Raceway on Friday, May 17th with Pure Stocks, Hobby Stocks and Modifieds. Gates open at 6 pm with racing to begin at 8. Adults are only $8, Juniors $2 and children 5 and under are FREE. With KIMA TV as the title sponsor of the May 17th events, ladies will be 1/2 price as we celebrate "Ladies Night and the races".
For more information on the racing activities of State Fair Raceway, please call Michael Troy at (509) 248-7160.