22 August 2016 Kent, WA – Continuing on from the hot weather the Pacific date for the NW Division 6 qualifying began.  Along with the division race the sportsman finals from the NW National rain out was on the docket and a whole different set of conditions to deal with.

As for the reminders about staying cool and hydrated, it was everywhere. Bottles of water were in hand and a cool towel around the neck. Also seen where more “bumpershoots” than on a rainy day in the northwest. Having endured the heat on Friday and Saturday, Sunday the marine cloud layer brought out the coats and sweatshirts much to the joy of all.

Now all the data gained in the heat is out the window with as much as a twenty degree drop from the previous days. In the heat Saturday though the sportsman finals were run and Chuck Glanz took the Top Dragster class and local racer Brian Phillips home the Top Sportsman “Wally” in Super Stock, second generation racer Cody Lane added to his trophy case, also up from Tigard, Or. Steve Laskowske grabbed the Super Gas win and from further away Jerry Denton from Tempe, Az. will long haul the “Wally” from Super Street and what had to be the best winner after over four decades of racing Tory Lea got his first “Wally” running in Super Comp.

Congrats to the National event winners now on to Sunday. As mentioned it felt good to have a jacket on and no umbrellas in sight. There was great side by side racing as the best of the division went rounds as the temp rose to a very comfortable shirt sleeve day. For those in the stands it could not be better soaking the sun and racing.

In what had to be the highlight even before the finals for the division race began is local history. I know it did not happen on the same day as normal finals at a NHRA event nor did it happen on the same date but under the heading “Protect The Harvest NW Nationals” class winners list will be father and son Jeff and Cody Lane from nearby North Bend.  None the less it is rare indeed for a father and son to win at the same national event; great job you two and your crews.

Link for images of the event, organized into FOUR albums – over 2,000 images! – click here.

Also ahead of the list Jeff can claim winning a National and Divisional “Wally” on the same day. On to the winners with a great big “Thank You” to Pam Gorman for keeping my info straight:

Top Alcohol Dragster: Garrett Bateman
Top Alcohol Funny Car: Chris Marshall
Competition Eliminator: Jeff Lane
Super Stock: Rick McKinney
Stock Eliminator: Greg Kielman
Super Comp: Trevor Harkema
Super Gas: Greg Hehr
Super Street: Jeff Jackson
Top Sportsman: Shawn Herbst
Top Dragster: Tony Burton
Sportsman Motorcycle: Danny Patridge
Super Pro: John Chitwood
Pro: Dennis McGinnis

18 August 2016 Kent, WA – It’s not normal in Eastern Washington – the dry part of the state gets rain, but it can happen. Thus the rain-out phase went into action for the NHRA Division Six event held earlier this season in Spokane. The racers and powers that be agreed that completing the event at Pacific Raceways would fit so here we are.

The weather was every bit like the east side of the Cascade Crest in the summer time, with temps well into the 90’s – that is not the norm for the west side for those that reside here so hydration and shade became the point put out over the PA and track personnel.

For those that go to Spokane in the summer time it had to feel like home and how to deal with the heat. As those that race in these conditions know the settings for a baseline then put it to work on the record setting and quite normal prepped track by Pacific’s drag crew. Those that had it laid down some dead on their dial and cutting down the tree with triple zeros.

Lots of great images of these amazing machines in the heat – click here to go to the photo album.

WINNERS

Competition Eliminator: Brian Hyerstay
Super Stock: Darcy Clarke
Stock: Jody Lang
Super Comp: Mike Shannon
Super Gas: Dave Kelly
Super Street: Josh Dalrymple
Top Dragster: Nick Axtman Jr.
Top Sportsman: Mike Williams
Sportsman Motorcycle: Cody Cumpton