NW Motorsports: Thompson busy preparing
Shelby Thompson still has strong memories of his last run in a late model stock car. Late in last November’s Las Vegas BullRing Fall Classic, the Spokane native was running second and battling Sprint Cup series hot shoe, Kyle Busch, for position when both cars went spinning. The resulting contact relegated Thompson to a 17th-place finish and began the long hibernation towards 2008.
Flash-forward to this weekend and Thompson is ready to battle some of racing’s top talent once again.
The 22-year old plans to take part in the 42nd Annual Yakima Speedway Apple Cup and could be a favorite to add his name to a prestigious list that has captured a win in the traditional kick-off to late model racing in the Northwest. Among those who have won the event in the past include Chad Little, who achieved the feat back in the mid-1980s.
“I’d love to add my name to the list of drivers who have won that event They have this T-shirt that shows all the people who have done it and it’d be cool to be on that shirt. It is definitely a goal of ours when we unload this weekend,” Thompson said.
Calling the shots this season for Thompson will be former NASCAR West Series driver and championship crew chief, Kevin Richards of Newman Lake. Having a wealth of knowledge to work with may open doors for victory in 2008, according to Thompson.
“Kevin is a fun guy to be around at the shop and the racetrack. We get along really well and he has so much knowledge to share with our team. It’s been really cool to have someone like that to turn to and talk about set-ups and changes to the car.
“He (Richards) wants to win as bad as we do as a team and we know there’ll be opportunities to do that this season with him onboard all year.”
Racing for Yakima Speedway’s Apple Cup gets under way Saturday with the 150-lap main event to be held Sunday afternoon. For more information log on to www.yakimaspeedway.us.
Strong field expected
The Northwest Modified Series will be well-represented at the Apple Cup led by former champion, Blaine Sneva. A fixture of Modified and other forms of racing, the Sneva family is entering its 62nd season of motorsports competition
Sneva will be back behind the wheel of the fan favorite No. 64 “Pink Lady” in hopes of capturing his first career Modified Apple Cup title.
Also expected to compete for the Modified crown will be Frankie Volz Jr., Chris Ochs, Tim Sawyer, Rick Gemino and a strong turnout of fellow NW Modified drivers. When combined with Wenatchee’s modified group this should be one of the largest Modified main events in years and a rare opportunity to see the lightning-quick machines on the half-mile Yakima oval.
Weather forces changes
Inclement weather forced Stateline Speedway to move back by a week their annual Racer’s Jamboree, which had been scheduled for last weekend.
This weekend the facility will host race cars for practice and non-points racing Saturday afternoon. Expected to take part in the event will be Street Stocks, Late Model 4’s INSCA Winged Sprint Cars, Early Stocks and many more. Picture Day has also been moved to this weekend due to last Saturday’s snowfall.
Qualifying begins at 4 p.m.
The facility kicks off its Wednesday Night Fever schedule on Wednesday. This will be the 18th year under the leadership of Walt and Joe Doellefeld at the Post Falls site.
For more information contact Stateline at (208) 773-5019.