DAY ONE OF THE 2008 APPLE CUP

YAKIMA, Washington -- The 42nd Annual Columbia Asphalt Apple Cup’s first day was not without drama. Yakima Speedway’s .500-mile oval proved once again a track that is almost too tough to handle.

The Apple Cup 150 on Sunday could be as heated as some of the drivers were today. There was a lot of bumping and grinding amongst the 25-cars in the two 25-lap qualifier races. A great field of northwest late model stock car racers will take the green for the start of the 150. If there are emotions that carry over things could prove to be interesting.

The top two qualifying positions were locked up via time trials for the Late Model Class. Mark Owens (Kalispell, MT) will be on the pole with Mike Longton (Moxee, WA) on the outside. The remainder of the lineup was decided by the two 25-laps heats. Starting third behind Owens will be winner of heat two BJ Tidrick (Yakima, WA). By virtue of winning the first heat, Pete Harding (Surrey, B.C., Canada) will start fourth.

The Northwest Modifieds have brought a strong field of open wheeled racers for the second year. Their respective 50-lap main will feature former late model racer Shane Mitchell (Orondo, WA) on the pole with Blaine Sneva (Coeur d’ Alene, ID) second.

The local Super Stock division at Yakima Speedway started their 2008 season with defending champion Buck Noel Jr. (Selah, WA) the fastest qualifier. The heat race winner Tony Huffines (Selah, WA) is expected to give Noel a run in the 35-lap main on Sunday.

In the new local division, the Hobby Sportsman, Jerry Walker Jr (Yakima, WA) got fast time with Don Klang (Yakima, WA) winning the first heat and Bryan Moser (Yakima, WA) the second.

Day two gets started at 8:30am with practice for all classes. 1:00pm is when the main event action begins for all four divisions with the 42nd Annual Columbia Asphalt Apple Cup 150 being the final event of the two day extravaganza.

Results of Day One of the 42nd Annual Columbia Asphalt Apple Cup:

April 12, 2008:

Hobby Sportsman

Fast Time: Jerry Walker Jr. (Yakima, WA) :23.551 seconds

A-Dash: Bryan Moser (Yakima, WA); B-Dash (Chris Richter (Union Gap, WA)

Heat #1 (10-laps): Don Klang (Yakima, WA); Barry Mueller (Yakima, WA); C. Richter; Terry Taylor (Yakima, WA); Tyson Richter (Union Gap, WA); Rich Haysman (Greenwater, WA)

Heat #2 (10-laps): Moser (Yakima, WA); John Raney (Yakima, WA); Mel Patnode (Selah, WA); Randy Marshall (Moxee, WA); Walker Jr.; Reese Kastle (Yakima, WA); Jeff Stevenson (Cowiche, WA)

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