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  1st Place: #0 - Brett Young | |
 2nd Place: #02 - Ron Larson |
 3rd Place: #38 - Lee Thomas |
WESCAR Kuhmo Tire OKTIRE Challenge Series - Aaron Switzer 100 Results:
May 27, 2006,
PGARA Speedway - Prince George, B.C.
Earlier in the evening the fast qualifier position was earned by Prince George driver Brett Young in his Chieftan Autoparts Fountain Tire Leavitt Machinery #0 Monte Carlo with a 16.850 second laptime. Notably second fastest was Lee Thomas of Fort St. John who was 0.128 of a second slower in his #38 Pontiac who also broke into the 16 second bracket with a 16.978. Only 0.343 seconds separated the top 5 qualifiers. Also notable was rookie Dave Olson who was second fastest in practice and qualified 4th with a 17.141 lap.
The WESCAR wheel that was used in 2004/05 was eliminated for determining the inversion of the field of cars. A complete inversion was used, however, the rookies Dave Olson and Dallas Mayert were started in the back. Ron Larson #2 started up front with Darcy McKewon #92 on the outside of the front row. Larson has suffered in qualifying with a rough running motor and the crew had found the ignition module to be the problem. When the green flag dropped the #2 Larson created a lead of 5 car lengths within the first lap.
On lap 25 a caution flag flew with #5 Bobby Williams trailing the leading #2 Larson. The #71 of Dave Olson who was running 8th when the yellow flag came out dropped into the pits with what appeared an overheated engine. On lap 34 the green flag returned with Larson out front and the #5 battling the #38 of Lee Thomas for the 2nd spot. Lee Thomas was able to hold the 2nd spot as #23 Peter Ernst joined the front 4 as they snuck away from the rest of the pack. On lap 57 the #52 Napa Chevy of Garnet Grimard who won this race in 2005 dropped out due to engine problems.
As the race progressed Brett Young #0 hung back with the #6 of Sheldon Mayert but on lap 69 the #0 passed the #23Ernst car moving into 4th and started his drive to the front. On lap 80 #0 Young slid by on the outside of the #5 Williams coming off turn 4 and 6 laps later Young passed the #38 Thomas continuing his march forward. Brett Young had done his homework, the crew had taken the time in pre-season to prepare for the opening 100 lap event. On lap 95 the #0 Young fought past the #2 Larson car moving himself into the lead. Young had saved his tires and when the time came he pushed his ride a little harder and succeeded in moving into the lead position. On the last lap with #0 Fountain Tire Young in the lead the #5 Williams in 4th made an attempt on the inside of turn 4 to get underneath the #38 Thomas and they tangled together as they crossed the finish line with #38 in 3rd with the #2 Larson in 2nd just ahead. Brett Young performed the reverse direction .Alan Kulwicki Victory lap. in his Fountain Tire Monte Carlo to the cheers of the race fans on the perimeter of the track.
Watch for more racing action in the WESCAR OKTire Challenge Series when the teams and their haulers arrive at Terrace Speedway in Terrace on June 3,2006. for the second race of the series. You can hear races announced live on 99.3 the Drive as they broadcast 5 of the 8 races in the WESCAR OK Tire Challenge Series with Ron St.Clair covering the lap by lap action.
1. #0 Brett Young – 16.850 (New Track Record)
2. #38 Lee Thomas – 16.978
3. #6 Sheldon Mayert – 17.137
4. #71 Dave Olson - 17.141
5. #52 Garnet Grimard – 17.193
6. #23 Peter Ernst - 17.203
7. #5 Bob Williams - 17.307
8. #92 Darcy McKeown – 17.401
9. #43 Dallas Mayert – 17.481
10 #02 Ron Larson – 17.568
Main Event Finish, Car, Driver, Home Town, Laps Completed:
1. #0 Brett Young, Prince George, 100
2. #02 Ron Larson, Quesnel, 100
3. #38 Lee Thomas, Fort St. John, 100
4. #5 Bob Williams, Prince George, 100
5. #23 Peter Ernst, Quesnel, 100
6. #6 Sheldon Mayert, Prince George, 99
7. #92 Darcy Mckeow, Terrace, 99
8. #43 Dallas Mayert, Prince George, 59
9. #52 Garnet Grimard, Williams Lake, 57
10 #71 Dave Olson, Hixon, 29
// Fast Qualifier: #0 Brett Young, 16.850 seconds
// Margin of victory, 2.586 seconds
// Race Running Time: 33:04
WESCAR Kumho OK Tire Challenge Series/media rep.