Yakima To Host Season Finally

The American Sprint Car Series Northwest Region is pleased to announce the continuation of a season-ending tradition.

The final two races of the 2009 season — Sept. 25-26 — will be held at the Central Washington State Fair Raceway in Yakima, Wash., a track which has had ties to the top 360 sprint tour in the Northwest for approximately a decade.

“It has really turned into an annual event,” Northwest Region director Greg Burgess said. “It’s just a great family outing.”

The races coincide with the Central Washington State Fair, which runs from Sept. 25 through Oct. 4. Entry into the fair, which costs $12 each day, also allows access to the races.

“We get a lot of people from outside our area come and attend the races and also attend the fair,” said Greg Lybeck, assistant general manager of the state park. “It’s a nice matchup for us, especially that first weekend.”

Although the two ASCS races will likely be the only of the season, approximately $25,000 worth of clay will be added to the track, Lybeck said.

“That’s the value that we see that tour having for our fair in Yakima,” he said. “It’s probably not going to add a ton of banking. I think it’s going to deepen it up.”

Driver Jared Ridge, whose first career race was at the track, said he wishes there were more races there.

“I like Yakima because it’s big and it’s speedy, and it’s pretty racey when it’s good,” Ridge said.

Following the final race of the Sept. 26 event, the Northwest Region will host its season-ending banquet at the fair.