archive2008

'08 NP4A Summer of Excitement

Northwest Pro4 Alliance defending champion, Kameron McKeehan, proves '07 was no fluke.

His "under the radar" style consistanly put him near the front of each race and atop the '08 season standings.

FINAL Point Standings

Pos.

Car#

Name

Total

1 41

Kameron McKeehan 456

2 10

John Grosvenor

445

3 6

Rob Powers 435

Kurt Madsen 413

5 72

Terry Rennick 412

Steve Thompson

407

Cody Stewart ®

390

Wayne Dillon

380

Matt Melby

317

10 11

Bud Rumsey

299

11 3

Tom Keehan ®

286

12 2

Johnny Rumsey

285

13 09 Renny Marose®

281

14 80 Travis Allen

280

15 72x Secord/Cronk

273

16 20

John Jackson

262

17 24

Neal Latham

257

Eric Kaas ®

242

55 Kale Freedman

227

02 Dan Hale

226

21 Tiplady/Koepping

199

18 Chris Celorie ®

189

Rob Golden ®

187

Ron Rohde

173

Ken Chandler

171

Jeff Jones

109

Joe Barton

109

Casey Tillman

108

Jeff Swanson

105

Shaun Tubbs

Bob Quarterman

32 10f Jordan Fitch

21x Kyle McGrady

Bob Winker

Doug McMillian ®

Brandon McLean

John Peterson

DJ Lyons

39 24x Craig Dirksen

Todd VanDiest ®

Tom Plybon ®

Jeff Raver

Jim Bailey

Kevin Koepke

Jeff Goades

Dan Bedwell

Paul Welch ®

Pat Young

Kyle Latham

Phil Floria

George Gorton

David Thomas

13 Brad Carpenter

Rookie of the Year

McKeehan Double Champion

POST FALLS, IDAHO – September 7, 2008 – Lewiston, Idaho’s Kameron McKeehan claimed his second championship title of the season finishing second in the Late Model 4 main event Saturday night at Stateline Speedway to lock up another championship title.

McKeehan, who defended his title in the Northwest Pro 4 Alliance this season at four different tracks, won the point awarding heat race and led the opening portion of the 30-lap main event, finishing second to clinch the title for the Late Model 4’s at Stateline Speedway.

Title contender Ron Rohde won the event, but fell short of the championship, taking second 17-points behind McKeehan. John Jackson finished third in the event and points. Dash winner Travis Allen of Spokane took fourth in the race and standings. McKeehan’s father Kevin, a former champion, drove the car for one race early in the season to help keep points. McKeehan also won the championship in 2002, and 2004. Six of the top ten drivers in the points are based in Lewiston.

Season Winners

#03 Steve Thompson - South Sound Speedway

#72 Eddie Secord - Stateline Stadium & Speedway

#10 John Grosvenor Wenatchee Valley Super Oval

#1 Kurt Madsen Meridian Speedway

Thompson Wins NORTHWEST PRO4 ALLIANCE '08 Opener!

Rochester, WA, May 24th — For the second season in a row, Steve Thompson of West Richland, WA scored the win in the Rockett Brand Racing Fuel 100 held at South Sound Speedway.

Defending FSCRA Champion, Wayne Dillon, got the night started by taking the Hi-Way Auto Fast Time Award at 14:319 and drawing a pill for a 14-car inverted start.

The sixteen fastests cars were locked into the Rockett Brand 100, so the night began with the B-feature that would send the top four to transfer to themain event. Impact Racing’s Rookie of the Year contender Cody Stewart would inherit the pole when Kevin Koepke developed engine trouble and left the track. At the drop of the green, Stewart took charge of the race and lead all 15 laps to take the win. Langely, BC, Canada driver, Craig Derksen, would drive to second ahead of Tom Keehan, who after a slight crash still took third. Rob Golden would get the final transfer spot.

The Northwest Pro4 Alliance has a Provisional starting program that allows two drivers to move into the feature based on their perfect attendance during the 2007 season. Travis Allen and Johnny Rumsey took provisional's. South SoundSpeedway also used their host track provisional to allow local driver Renny Marose to join the field.

With the Rockett Brand Racing 100 field set, Lewiston, Idaho’s Ron Rohde brought the 23-car Pro 4 field around for the start and led the first nine laps. Then, Rob Powers took his turn at the front and led until lap 22. He was passed by the defending Alliance champ Kameron McKeehan for just one lap. Powers was back into the lead on lap 24, with West Richland, Washington’s SteveThompson close behind him. On lap 36, Thompson took the lead away from Powers as his brakes began to fade, and then contact between Powers and Kurt Madsen would see Powers spin wildly. A break at 50 laps saw the cars refueled with Rockett Brand 111, and return to the track for the remaining 50 laps. McKeehan held second and would contend for the

lead as the laps ran down. The line-up would stay the same, as only a couple of yellows for spins by Neal Latham and Rob Golden would slow the pace. At the line it was Thompson the winner, McKeehan second and John Grosvenor in third.

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California’s Eddie Secord Grabs Alliance Win

Northwest Pro4 Alliance Media/Bob Coply 6/22/08

Post Falls, ID – Under heavy overcast and a threat of rain the Northwest Pro4 Alliance Summer of Excitement Series was able to get the Northwest Connecting Rod Northwest Pro4 Nationals in the record book.

A field of thirty of the finest four cylinder late models filled the pits at Stateline Stadium Speedway and their stout hearted fans were treated to an action packed event that saw California’s Eddie Secord score the win in the number 72x Renegade Racing Grand Prix owned by Brooks, OR Terry Renneck who by the way finish fourth in the sister car 72. Wayne Dillon of Rochester grabbed Hi-Way Auto Fast Time award for the second race in a row while Utah’s Kurt Madsen in the California based Garrett Doyle Performance Honda won the A dash. Rob Golden would score the win in the B Dash. Heat race action saw Tom Plybon, Tom Keehan and Rob Powers all score wins. B Main action would see Boise , ID driver Kenny Chandler drive to the win and transfer spot ahead of Dan Hale, Renny Marose, Neal Latham and Travis Allen rounding out the top five, Casey Tillman, Golden, Dan Bedwell and Robert Quarterman would finish out the field.

The Northwest Connecting Rod Northwest Pro4 Nationals could be summed up as nothing short of 75 laps of continuous action as John Jackson would lead lap 1 only to give way to defending race winner John Grosvenor who would lead up to lap five when a oil leak forced the black flag of starter Troy Blanton to send him to the pits. Secord would take over the point holding off challenges from Jackson, Ron Rohde and the eventual runner up Steve Thompson to score his first Alliance win. Rob Powers in the Mike Bailey owned Ford would make a late race run to take third ahead of Rennick who was in a tight battle with Jackson . Rohde after contact with the back strait wall would hold on to sixth ahead of Kameron Mckeehan who had to race his way back to the front after a lap one spin and another late race tangle that emanated fast timer Dillon. One lap down Bud Rumsey would place eighth with Impact Racing Rookie of the race Cody Stewart ninth ahead of Johnny Rumsey who would round out the top ten. Fourteen of the 21 starters would finish the event with local driver Doug McMillan suffering major damage as his car made heavy contact with the back strait wall on lap 9. Veteran late model driver Darren Shaw who now resides in North Carolina and serves as a crew chief on the Hooters Cup made an appearance in the CelorieTrucking #18 only to fall victim to oil pressure problem that ended his night on lap 18.

Round three of the Northwest Pro4 Alliance Summer of Excitement Series heads to Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on July 19th where the finest four cylinder late models will go at it again at one of the nicest tracks in the Northwest.

FINISHING ORDER

1st 72x Eddie Secord, North Hills , California

2nd 03 Steve Thompson, W. Richland , Washington

3rd 6 Rob Powers, Meridian , Idaho

4th 72 Terry Rennick, Brooks , Oregon

5th 20 John Jackson, Lewiston , Idaho

6th 29 Ron Rohde, Lewiston , Idaho

7th 41 Kameron McKeehan, Lewiston , Idaho

8th 11 Buddy Rumsey, Prosser , Washington

9th 9 Cody Stewart, Tacoma , Washington

10th 2 Johnny Rumsey, Peosser , Washington

11th 02 Dan Hale, Bonney Lake , Washington

12th21 Jerry Koepping, North Bend , Washington

13th 5 Wayne Dillon, Rochester , Washington

14th 09 Renny Marose, Tacoma , Washington

15th 1 Kurt Madsen, Herriman , Utah

16th 3 Tom Keehan, Tacoma , Washington

17th 18 Darren Shaw, Cyruss , North Carolina

18th 24 Neal Latham, Boise , Idaho

19th 22 Doug McMillian, Clarkson , Idaho

20th 33 Ken Chandler, Boise , Idaho

21st 10 John Grosvenor, Puyallup , Washington

B Main Finishing Order

1st 33 Ken Chandler, Boise , Idaho

2nd 02 Dan Hale, Bonney Lake , Washington

3rd 09 Renny Marose, Tacoma , Washington

4th 24 Neal Latham, Boise , Idaho

5th 80 Travis Allen, Spokane Valley , Washington

6th 92 Casey Tillman, Kuna , Idaho

7th 6x Bob Quarterman, Granit Falls , Washington

8th 84 Rob Golden, Puyallup , Washington

9th 82 Dan Bedwell, Rathdrum , Idaho

10th 15 Tom Plybon, Spokane , Washington

11th 21 Jerry Keopping, North Bend , Washington

12th 2 Johnny Rumsey, Prosser , Washington

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Wild Night at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval

7-23-08NP4A Media/Bob Coply

Boise, ID – The Northwest Pro4 Alliance made its first visit to Wenatchee Valley Super Oval on July 19th and 28 of the

fastest four cylinder late models in the country signed into the pits with one thing on their minds – winning!

The Super Oval was round three of the Summer of Excitement Series, the championship points race was very close, and many of the top teams were ready to give their all in an effort to win the title.

Bad luck struck early for Langley, BC, Canada’s Craig Dirksen, as engine problems eliminated the Ford in practice

along with Lewiston, ID, driver John Jackson who bent some valves in his Ford engine.

With this being the Alliance’s first visit at WVSO, John Grosvenor of Puyallup, WA, not only turned in the Hi Way Auto Fast Time, but set a new track record at 13:577. Wayne Dillon of Rochester, WA, would win the Trophy Dash over Kale Freedman of Meridian, ID, by less than a foot in a finish that brought the fans to their feet. Heat race action saw Travis Allen of Spokane Valley, WA, take the win in the C-Heat while Neal Latham of Boise, ID, took the B-Heat. Utah’s Kurt Madsen won the A-Heat.

With a full moon shining over the fast quarter-mile oval, the fuse was lit when Northwest Pro4 Alliance flagman, Troy Blanton, dropped the green on a 26-car field. Terry Rennick would take the early lead, but teammate Eddie Secord, back in the 72x car after his win at Stateline. He was coming up through the field strong until contact between two cars in the middle of the pace left North Bend, WA, driver Jerry Koepping facing the oncoming leaders. Heavy contact with Koepping would eliminate Secord and damage SteveThompson and John Grosvenor.

After the track clean-up there were a few more spins, a couple more wrecks, and some very close racing that saw Grosvenor use lapped traffic to get by Madsen for the lead. About the time we thought the race would finish, another spin set the field up for a green/white restart followed by Grosvenor passing under the checkered flag first. Rob Powers of Meridian, ID, took second ahead of Kameron McKeehan of Lewiston, ID. Rounding out the top five were rookie star Cody Stewart and Kurt Madsen.

It may have been a rough night, but the WVSO fans got to see the four-cylinder late models roll in with a big, fast and clean field of racecars and professional race teams for the first time; and, based upon all the reports we have reviewed, they LOVED the show.

The Northwest Pro4 Alliance Championship night will be August 30th at Meridian Speedway in Meridian, ID.

THE SUPER OVAL 75 RESULTS

1st - 10 John Grosvenor, Puyallup , WA

2nd - 6 Rob Powers, Meridian ID Fast Time: 10 John Grosvenor 13:577 (NTR)

3rd - 41 Kameron McKeehan, Lewiston ID

4th - 9 Cody Stewart, Tacoma WA

5th - 1 Kurt Madsen, Salt Lake City UTC Heat

6th - 8 Matt Melby, Hood River OR 80 Travis Allen, Spokane Valley WA

7th - 3 Tom Keehan, Tacoma WA 2 Johnny Rumsey, Prosser WA

8th - 80 Travis Allen, Spokane Valley WA 21 Jerry Koepping, North Bend WA

9th - 09 Renny Marose, Tacoma WA 26 Jeff Swanson, Buckley WA

10th -16 Bob Winker, Lewiston , ID 84 Rob Golden, Puyallup , WA

11th -03 Steve Thompson, W.Richland WA16 Bob Winker, Lewiston , ID

12th -11 Bud Rumset, Prosser WA 19 Todd VanDiest, Bonny Lake WA

13th -65 Eric Kaas, Federal Way WA 32 Jeff Raver, Prosser WA

14th -55 Kale Friedmann, Meridian ID

15th -72 Terry Rennick, Brooks ORB Heat

16th - 2 Johnny Rumsey, Prosser WA24 Neal Latham, Boise ID

17th -84 Rob Golden, Puyallup , WA 09 Renny Marose, Tacoma WA

18th -26 Jeff Swanson, Buckley WA 72 Terry Rennick, Brooks OR

19th -02 Dan Hale, Booney Lake WA 65 Eric Kaas, Federal Way WA

20th -19 Todd VanDiest, Bonny Lake WA 3 Tom Keehan, Tacoma WA

21st -24 Neal Latham, Boise ID 11 Bud Rumset, Prosser WA

22nd - 5 Wayne Dillon, Rochester WA 8 Matt Melby, Hood River OR

23rd -32 Jeff Raver, Prosser WA 02 Dan Hale, Booney Lake WA

24th -21 Jerry Koepping, North Bend WA

25th-72x Eddie Secord, Oak Hills CAA Heat

26th -17 Jeff Jones, Tacoma WA1 Kurt Madsen, Salt Lake City UT

DNS-24x Craig Derkson, Langley BC, CAN. 10 John Grosvenor, Puyallup , WA

DNS-20 John Jackson, Lewiston ID 5 Wayne Dillon, Rochester WA

03 Steve Thompson, W.Richland WA

55 Kale Friedmann, Meridian ID

Trophy Dash 6 Rob Powers, Meridian ID

5 Wayne Dillon, Rochester WA 9 Cody Stewart, Tacoma WA

55 Kale Friedmann, Meridian ID 41 Kameron McKeehan, Lewiston ID

41 Kameron McKeehan, Lewiston ID 72x Eddie Secord, Oak Hills CA

10 John Grosvenor, Puyallup , WA

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Madsen Takes Season Finale at Meridian Speedway

story by Brian Calkin of the Idaho Racing News

The Labor Day weekend started off with a big race night at ASA member track, Meridian Speedway. There were only four classes racing on Saturday night but there were over 120 cars in the pits.

The Late Model Lites came out in full force to the tight quarter mile oval with the last race night for the 2008 season of the Northwest Pro4 Alliance. Cars and drivers came from all over the west to ace at Meridian Speedway.

The top three cars in the class were only separated by 11 points with Kameron McKeehan of Lewiston, Idaho in the lead followed by Steve Thompson of Idaho. With the 35 car turnout, the series saw both a "C" and "B" main run.

The ten-car "C" Main started with Casey Tillman on the pole and Jim Bailey on the outside. They must have liked the lineup because they stayed side by side until a caution flag on lap five restarted them single file with Tillman in the lead. The head start was all Tillman needed to put some space behind him and Bailey, who had to settle

for second. On the last lap Tillman caught lapped checkered flag for the win. Jim Bailey, John Jackson and Johnny Rumsey rounded out the top four to transfer to the "B" Main. Kyle McGrady started on the pole for the 25 lap "B" Main and instantly moved ahead of the pack with Bud Rumsey in second. A caution after lap seven restacked the cars but Bud was unable to mount a challeng. A second caution gave Rumsey a second chance but McGrady again moved away from the others. With the race over half done Brandon McLean moved to second and stayed there until the end of the race. Bud Ramsey and Eric Kaas, and Tom Keehan rounded out the top five. The top four transferred to the 75 lap feature event and the final race of the 2008 Northwest Pro-4 Alliance " Summer of Excitement".

The Northwest Pro4 Alliance 75 lap main started with Terry Rennick of Brooks, Oregon on the pole and his teammate, David Cronk on the outside. At the green Rennick took off with Kurt Madsen on his tail. Points leader Kameron KcKeehan had moved up to third but a wreck on the back stretch stopped all forward movement for the time being. As the race continued the other contenders for the championship were working their way to the front until a wreck on turn one collected both Steve Thompson and Rob Powers who were in second and third in season points. Powers returned to the race after some time in the pits but contention.As the race restarted McKeehan took up his position in third. This gave him a comfortable lead over the other contenders for the title but he could not get around Madsen or Rennick for the race. By lap 40 Kale Freedman moved to third and put the pressure on the leaders. Another caution and a restart gave all the drivers a chance for some strategic passing and holeshots. Wayne Dillon took advantage of this and moved to fourth. Madsen was running in first followed by Freedman and Grosvenor. Dillon and McKeehan were running in fourth and fifth. With four laps to go another spin collected two other cars but Freedman and Madsen were just barely able to avoid the mishap and retain their positions. As the race restarted again for a green white checkered finish Madsen got a good jump but Buddy Rumsey spun and the race finished under yellow. Madsen took the win followed by Freedman, Grosvenor, Wayne Dillon, and McKeehan. Kameron McKeehan's finish gave him the 2008 championship with 11 points ahead of John Grosvenor.

Fast TimeTrophy Dash

"A" Feature ResultsJohn Grosvenor1st Rob Powers

1st Kurt Madsen13.842 sec. 2ndKenny Chandler

2nd Kale Freedman 3rdJohn Grosvenor

3rd John Grosvenor 4thJoe Barton

4th Wayne Dillon

5th Kameron McKeehan

6th Terry Renneck"C" Main"B" Main

7th Shaun Tubbs1st Casey Tillman *1st Kyle McGrady *

8th Joe Barton 2nd Jim Bailey * 2ndBrandon McLean *

9th Matt Melby 3rdJohn Jackson * 3rdBud Rumsey *

10thBrandon McLean 4thJeff Goade * 4thEric Kaas *

11thCody Stewart5thPat Young 5thTom Keehan

12thRob Powers 6thPhil Flora 6thTravis Allen

13thKyle McGrady 7thGeorge Gorton 7thJim Bailey

14thBud Rumsey 8thDavis Thomas 8thJeff Goades

15thJordan Fitch 9thKyle Latham 9thCasey Tillman

16thDavid Cronk 10th Johnny Rumsey 10th John Jackson

17thJohn Peterson(Provisional) 11thNeal Latham

18thKenny Chandler 12thMatt Melby

19thJohnny Rumsey 13thRenny Marose DQ

20thSteve Thompson

21stDJ Lyons

22ndEric Kaas

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