Yakima Speedway to honor champs

YAKIMA, Wash. - Officials at Yakima Speedway, an American Speed Association-sanctioned race track, have announced that the 2008 Awards Ceremony and Championship celebration will take place November 8 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Yakima.

Evening festivities get underway at 6 p.m. with a no-host social hour.

Dinner follows with recognition of the top-10 drivers in seven racing divisions, presentation of special awards including sportsman of the year and mechanic of the year, the honoring of seven divisional champions and other highlights getting underway at 8 p.m.

Live music and dancing until Midnight wraps up the Saturday evening affair.

Among those being honored will be 2008 Yakima Speedway late model champion and winner of the 21st Annual Fall Classic, Mike Longton.

After nine years of trying Longton finally put together a magical season at the famed .500-mile facility in route to his first career speedway title. The Moxee, Wash. native bested former Tri-City Raceway champion, Mike Zamora, for top honors in the prestigious division.

Longton’s dominance at the Speedway led to three wins (Race of Champions, Limited Late Models and Super Late Models) during the Fall Classic weekend as he became the second local driver in as many years to win the Super Late Model 200-lap event.

Also being honored will be the father and son team of Brian and Mike Pepper.

Brian bested his father Mike by a mere 13 points in route to his first-ever track championship in the Super Stock division. Buck Noel Jr. finished a close third, just 19 points out of first place as the Super Stock class had the tightest points race of the season at Yakima Speedway.

Other champions that will be celebrated include Mel Patnode (Hobby Sportsman), Cord Jackman (Youth Hornets), Donnie Stevens (Bump to Pass), Terry Cook (Hornets), and Tyson Ritcher (Hobbies).

Tickets to the 2008 Yakima Speedway Awards celebration can be purchased at the door from the Clarion Hotel staff.

Clarion packages include a $30 ticket providing admission to the social hour, dinner and entertainment or a $10 ticket that covers the awards presentation with entertainment to follow. An opportunity for hotel/evening accommodations is also available.

For more information contact Yakima Speedway Technical Director, Steve Conduff, at (509) 972-8236.