HARGRAVES PREPARES FOR BIG PUSH AT HOMETRACK

Source: Doug Pace
Date: 08/29/2008

YAKIMA, Washington — Erick Hargraves, the 2007 ARCA West Circle K Late Model Challenge Series Rookie of the Year, knows that time is running out on his season and a chance to capture his first series championship.

With just 350 laps of racing between this weekend’s NAPA 150 and the September 13 running of the Wenatchee 200, a big move in the points must come at Hargraves’ home track of Yakima Speedway if there is any hope at all, he noted.

“I just try to roll with it all when it comes to the points. We don’t want to push the envelope to hard at Yakima but it’s a track we know and the mindset is to go out there and try win just like we do each week, but more so at home.”

Set-up and handling a tricky and relatively corners are keys to success, according to the 25-year old former Yakima Speedway champion.

“You want to get through the corners just right with your driving line that’s for sure. To win you have to have the stars aligned, get all your ducks in a row and not think about the points.

“My sponsors, Magic Metals, APEX Anodizing, Knobel Electric and everyone that supports this race team will be out there for Sunday’s race so it’s a huge night for them and we want to perform well.”

Practicing in the heat of the day to overcome a cooler racing surface is the challenge each week for racers in the Northwest. Yakima Speedway is one of the toughest facilities to get a set-up to fall in place for the evening runs, Hargraves noted.

“The biggest thing with Yakima is it has so many different characteristics to it that when it comes to finding a line around the place you have to be right. If you don’t get the right groove or set-up it can change the characteristics of your car and how it handles.”

Hargraves is chasing Wes Rhodes and Jared Vorse for the ARCA championship.

Rhodes has had success on the famed .500-mile oval in the past but Vorse will be making his first career start at the Central Washington facility.

“Jared is coming to Yakima having never been there and I hope he has a good car because I want to race with him for the win,” Hargraves said.

“It’s going to be a learning experience for him that’s for sure but he’s a good driver and Wes will be tough there as well so we know the team will have to work hard to be in a position to earn a win.”

Add to the mix Scott Walker, Mike Longton and Owen Riddle-three Yakima Speedway favorites that have mastered the facility over the years and Hargraves knows the night will be special for racing.

It’s the bright orange machine of Gary Lewis that Hargraves and the rest of the field will be watching for, he added.

“With Gary in the race you know he’s there to try and win. He’s the hottest driver on the West Coast right now but I don’t want anyone to just come into Yakima and win because it’s my home. We gave Gary a good run in the Idaho 200 (on August 2) and had a solid run against him last year in the Fall Classic (at Yakima) and the Montana 200 so we know we can run with him.

“Hopefully we have more luck than he does this week. I think for our race team the points for the championship are what they are but to run well against Gary Lewis is a good measuring stick for our team and how we approach the rest of the season heading to the Fall Classic.”

Hargraves became engaged this summer to Jennifer Allard, daughter of former Inland Empire late model driver, Brad Allard. Focusing on an education that will lead to a teaching degree, Hargraves moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to attend North Idaho College and continue his studies.

Racing is winding down for 2008 and may take a different approach in 2009 and beyond now that education, family and other factors have arrived for the former Toppenish, Wash. High School student.

“This year I’ve seen our team grow. My Dad (Rick) and I communicate better and for me it might be time to step back and figure out what I want with the move and all. I’d like to race 14-16 races in 2009 but we may only do six to eight the next couple of seasons and that might be fun while I concentrate on school and a family.

“Right now we’re having fun and soaking all of it up. I’m taking this whole year in since it’s only our second year on a touring series and I’m embracing the move to Idaho. I consider myself pretty lucky to be doing what we do and to have gotten this far after starting out as a 17-year old in Hobby Stocks.”

The ARCA West Late Model Challenge Series runs the NAPA 150 on Sunday, August 31 at Yakima Speedway. For more information log onto www.yakimaspeedway.us or www.latemodelchallenge.com

See Also .:

• Yakima Speedway Track Page

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