LONGTON FOLLOWS FRIDAY’S WIN WITH A SATURDAY WIN

Source: Yakima Speedway Media Relations/se
Date: 10/12/2008

YAKIMA, Washington — Day two of the three day Fall Classic at Yakima Speedway was capped off with a Limited Late Model 125-lap main event. Mike Longton (Moxee, WA) once again dominated the race as he did at Friday’s Race of Champions. Erick Hargraves (Coeur d’ Alene, ID) matched his second on Friday. Naima Lang (Lynnwood, WA) came on strong in the latter stages to finish third.

By lap 50 of the 125-lap main Longton proved that the previous night’s run-away win was no fluke. Winning by a full straight Longton climbed from his car and said, “Like last night once I got out front the car was real good, no make that great.” When asked if three in a row is doable (referring to Sunday’s Fall Classic 200) Longton stated, “As long as I have no part failures. I feel very strong in this car and our setup is right on.” Longton was alluding to Gary Lewis’ (Snohomish, WA) same circumstance at last years Classic. Lewis won the Race of Champions and the Limited Late Model Mains. A drive line failure cost him a chance at the three-peat.

Hargraves’ comments after the race were, “I need a lasso to stop Longton. I am glad to be back on the podium. Our work is cut out for us to repeat last years win of the Fall Classic.”

Lang running with a crate motor was moving through the field in the last 50-laps. Running out of laps Lang had Hargraves in his sights. “As long as I can keep the rpm’s up this car just gets stronger,” said Lang.

The Hobby Stock class held their annual race on the fabled .500-mile oval. Twenty cars took to the track for their 60-lap main. Randy Marshall Jr. (Moxee, WA) took the lead holding off many challengers.

Marshall had his hands full holding off Mel Patnode (Selah, WA) for the final 15-laps. Patnode did everything he could to get Marshall to make a mistake to no avail. Patnode finished a close second with John Raney (Yakima, WA) a distant third.

The second day of the three day extravaganza included qualifying for the 200-lap Bud Clary Toyota of Yakima Fall Classic. Twenty Eight cars took times with Longton being the fastest giving him the pole position for the start of the race. Second quick was Hargraves. They each have the option to fall to the rear of the field for the start of the 200. If either of them wins there is a $2,000.00 bonus added to the winner’s share of the large purse. Longton also has a chance at another $1,000.00 for being a first time Fall Classic winner. Add in the Ashley Bergman Memorial $1,000.00 to the winner, it could be either of duo’s largest pay day.

The Street Stock class also qualified for their 75-lap main on Sunday.

Thirty Nine took times. Mike Easley (Tumwater, WA) was the quickest.

Sunday October 12th starts at 10:00am with practice. The racing gets underway at 1:00pm. Street Stocks have a 75-lap main followed by the 200-lap Fall Classic for the Late Models.

2008 Fall Classic Official Results:

Saturday October 11, 2008

Yakima Speedway – Yakima, WA

Hobby Stock 60-Lap Main (.500-mile oval): 1-Randy Marshall Jr (Moxee, WA); 2-Mel Patnode (Selah, WA); 3-John Raney (Yakima, WA); 4-Aaron Haley (Naches, WA); 5-Steve Kastl (Yakima, WA); 6-Paul Heuvel (Oldtown, ID); 7-Mike Valcich (Yakima, WA); 8-Brendan Tarr (Spokane, WA); 9-Randy Pugh (Moses Lake, WA); 10-Tom Wentz (E. Wenatchee, WA); 11-Bobby Stewart Jr (Yakima, WA); 12-Ben St Mary (Moxee, WA); 13-Billy Benge (Yakima, WA); 14-Tyson Richter (Naches, WA); 15-Trevin Tarr (Spokane, WA); 16-Jesse Vincent (Yakima, WA); 17-Jeff Stevenson (Cowiche, WA); 18-Reese Kastl (Yakima, WA); 19-Terry Taylor (Yakima, WA); 20-Kevin Taylor (Yakima, WA) Limited Late Model 125-Lap Main (.500-mile oval): 1-Mike Longton (Moxee, WA); 2-Erick Hargraves (Coeur d’ Alene, ID); 3-Naima Lang (Lynnwood, WA); 4-Shelby Thompson (Spokane, WA); 5-Jason Fraser (Snohomish, WA); 6-Billy Weber (Tacoma, WA); 7-Travis Bennett">Travis Bennett (Ellensburg, WA); 8-Mark Owens (Kalispell, MT); 9-Mike Obrist (Gresham, OR); 10-Chris Hart (Yakima, WA); 11-James Mugge (Everett, WA); 12-Gary Lewis (Snohomish, WA); 13-Dan Obrist (Portland, OR); 14-JJ Hamilton (Centralia, WA); 15-Doug Davidson (Monroe, WA); 16-Brad Stanwood (Portland, OR); 17-Andy Brown (Spokane Valley, WA); 18-Zach Niesner (Ellensburg, WA); 19-Joe Constance (Mukilteo, WA); 20-James Spiering (Duvall, WA); 21-Amanda McDonald (Ephrata, WA); 22-Brad Rhodes (Pasco, WA); 23-Dan Lowther (Boise, ID); 24-Agni Howell (Kalispell, MT); 25-Ken Olson (Naches, WA); 26-Chuck Dills (Ellensburg, WA); 27-Chris Schlaht (Happy Valley, OR); DNS Owen Riddle (Selah, WA)

Sunday October 12, 2008 Starting Order for the Fall Classic 200-Lap

Main: 1- Mike Longton; 2-Erick Hargraves; 3-Shelby Thompson; 4-BJ Tidrick; 5-Zach Niesner; 6-Jay Sauls; 7-Gary Lewis; 8-Troy Ermish; 9-Rick Suran; 10-Jason Fraser; 11-Kriss Clark; 12-Dan Obrist; 13-Kelly Mann; 14-Travis Bennett; 15-Jim Johnson; 16-Ken Olson; 17-Scott Walker; 18-Mark Owens; 19-Billy Weber; 20-Mike Obrist; 21-James Mugge; 22-Pete Harding; 23-Duke Langley; 24-James Spiering; 25-Chuck Dills; 26-Brad Stanwood; 27-Agni Howell; 28-Amanda McDonald; 29-Naima Lang; 30-Joe Constance

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