Sunday, July 8, 2007

Bennett Wins ASA Northwest Tour 125 at Yakima July 7th


Bennett Wins ASA Northwest Tour 125 at Yakima

Yakima, WA (July 10, 2007): Travis Bennett (Ellensburg, WA) now knows what it's like to celebrate in the winner's circle of an ASA Aero Exhaust Northwest Tour race. Since 2004 Bennett had finished second five times, even getting to within one point of a championship. Taking the lead on lap 91 and carrying it to the end of the 125-lap Bud Clary Toyota feature on Yakima Speedway’s .500-mile oval.

A relieved Bennett climbed out of the car in victory lane stating, “I was not counting on anything until I crossed the line, after some of the previous tour races we’ve had.” As he realized what had just happened Bennett said, “It’s been a long time coming. It’s so sweet to finally win one of these.”

Bennett had a four-car length lead at the end over Mike Longton (Moxee, WA) who finished in the runner-up position for the second time this season. “I came up on Travis a couple of times but just couldn’t get the push needed to pass him”, said Longton.

Kelly Tanner (Auburn, WA) made it to the podium for the second race in a row with a strong third place finish followed by Ron Eaton (Lakewood, WA) and BJ Tidrick (Yakima, WA) rounded out the top five.

It did not pay to lead the race early with initial leader Jeff Barkshire suffering a flat tire on lap 35 causing a suspension problem putting him behind pit wall. Taking over the lead at that point Brandon Riehl (Boring, OR) looked like he would win his second ASA Northwest Tour race in row. With a 15-car length lead over Bennett, Riehl also had a tire problem sending him sliding off turn 2 on lap 91 giving the lead to Bennett.

After four races this season for the ASANWT there has been a different winner each time.

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