Via NWSLMS Media
Wenatchee, WA (May 12, 2019)–Garrett Evans showed that anyone who doubted his abilities to win races as he advances through his 60s would be shown the legend’s true colors. Running near the front early in the 52nd Annual Yakima Speedway Apple Cup 125, Evans pounced at the chance for the lead at the drop of the green flag, then held of challenges from Trenton Moriarity, Chad Hinkle, Tayler Riddle and Mike Longton en route to his second Apple Cup victory in the race’s last three events.
When the dust cleared Hinkle came home with a runner-up finish followed by Riddle, Moriarity and Trevor Christiani.
Evans who ran up front in the early stages, kept Moriarity in check through the races quarter segment. Longton lurked just behind the pair, often challenging for the lead only to be denied by the leaders.
By lap 36 Hinkle had charged into the top-5 running order and continued to head to the front as he blew by Moriarity for third place at lap 45.
Evans built a half-track lead over Riddle and Hinkle as the field headed to the lap 75 break. Only able to make adjustments to the racecar and add fuel, tire management would be key in the closing 50-lap segment.
At the break Moriarity’s team worked on the power steering pump, sending the youngster back out for the 50-lap shootout not sure the team had corrected the problem.
Moriarity found that his car was just fine and settled into a groove chasing Evans for the lead. At lap 80 the former Evergreen Speedway star got by Evans for the top spot in the running order.
Evans, who had been the leader for the much of the first segment, showed that he and his Chevrolet Camaro were ready to work traffic and make a move to get back to the lead. That opportunity came at lap 105 as Evans took an inside line on Moriarity to grab the top spot.
As Evans and Moriarity battled for the lead, Hinkle continued to maintain his presence in third-place.
With ten laps to go the night’s final yellow flag flew giving Moriarity, Hinkle, and Riddle all keeping a watchful eye on Evans as the green flag came back out. Moriarity had his car sliding sideways in the corners to keep up with Evans, which opened the door for Hinkle to jump up a spot to second place and bring Riddle along for third. Cristiani got past Moriarity with three laps to go en route to fourth place.
Over the race’s final two laps Hinkle and Riddle gave Evans everything he could handle but the cagey veteran held the pair off at each challenge to nab his fifth career Apple Cup victory and second in the last three running’s of the prestigious race.
NOTES OF INTEREST:
• Alan Cress made the most of his second start of the season on the NWSLSM as the Oregon veteran brought home an 8th place finish. The run gives Cress two finishes inside the top-10 this season including a top-3 run in the season-opening event at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval.
• With a pair of strong finishes to start the year, Moriarity is on track to challenge for the top spot in the chase for the 2019 series championship.
• Tristan Haider continues to impress in his quest for the Jefferson Pitts Racing Rookie of the Year title. Posting two top-10 runs in his 2019 starts, the Western Washington youngster heads to South Sound Speedway in early June looking for his first career victory.
• Next up for the Northwest Super Late Model Series will be their annual stop at South Sound Speedway on June 1 for the a 125-lap affair.
NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Apple Cup 125
Yakima Speedway, Yakima, Wash.
125 Laps 62.5 Miles
Unofficial Finishing position/Car No./Name/Hometown/Laps completed
1. 64 Garrett Evans East Wenatchee, WA 125 running
2. 38 Chad Hinkle Yakima, WA 125 running
3. 15 Tayler Riddle Naches, WA 125 running
4. 12 Trenton Moriarity Monroe, WA 125 running
5. 90 Trevor Cristiani Boise, ID 125 running
6. 17 Mike Longton Moxee, WA 125 running
7. 32 Mike Holden Clearview, WA 125 handling
8. 91 Alan Cress Stayton, OR 125 running
9. 24 Tristan Haider Olympia, WA 125 running
10. 33 Christopher Kalsch Hillsboro, OR 124 running
11. 12f Chad Fitzpatrick Lake Stevens, WA 121 running
12. 24b Tim Babcock Kennewick, WA 121 running
13. 02 Todd Connell Yakima, WA 121 running
14. 1k Mitch Kleyn Quincy, WA 118 running
15. 15f Jim Franklin, Kennewick, WA 109
16. 11 Ed Thomsen Kennewick, WA 103
17. 65 Tyler Tanner Auburn, WA 86
18. 89 Doni Wanat Woodinville, WA 74
ABOUT THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES
The Northwest Super Late Model Series is the premier regional touring Super Late Model series in the Northwest. The series has many valued sponsors including Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, Port City Race Cars, AR Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Penske Racing Shocks, Jostens, Accelerated Graphics, Five Star Bodies, Longacre Racing Products, Wheel Chill, KRC Power Steering, Atomic Screenprinting and Embroidery, Franks Racing Radio, BLP, Jefferson Pitts Racing, Leonard Evans Used Car Super Store, The Ti Company and Pacific Steel Structures LLC. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook or Twitter. To contact the series please email northwestsuperlatemodels@gmail.com
