By Ben Deatherage
Boise, Idaho- 2016 will see the return of the Royal Purple NSRA Pavement Sprint Cars to the Pacific Northwest. It will mark the 25th season that the organization has sanctioned Sprint Car events on some of the most exciting paved ovals in the country. Ten events are on tap for the upcoming campaign during the months of May to September at seven different race tracks in the states of Idaho and Washington along with one event in the scenic Canadian province of British Columbia.
The whole season kicks off at Washington’s Ephrata Raceway Park on May 14th for the Rebel Jackson Memorial. The Jackson name is connected to a fair amount of success with the NSRA. Rebel Jackson Jr. won Supermodified titles in 1992 and 1993. It also marks the first time since 2011 that the series has visited the famed ¼-mile oval and the only venture to the facility in 2016.
June 3rd and 4th will be the Diamond Cup weekend at Meridian Speedway. The event goes as far back as 1989 and is one of the biggest events in the state of Idaho. Andy Alberding won the most recent edition last year. Later that month the NSRA will travel north for their only trip to State Line Speedway. Competing for the coveted Super Shoe these drivers will look to conquer the Idaho Panhandle ¼-mile banked oval on June 25th.
Late July will witness the NSRA team up with the national touring King of the Wings Series. A rare weekday show will take place on Thursday the 21st at Meridian for the Pink Lady Classic. This will be a non-point affair. Capping the weekend off will be two must see events. Saturday the 23rd will be the only trip to Monroe, Washington’s Evergreen Speedway for the Rory Price Memorial and the tour will travel over the Cascades to the Wenatchee Valley Super Oval, on Sunday the 24th, in the Thunder In The Valley show.
August 12th and 13th will be a doubleheader at Western Speedway located on gorgeous Vancouver Island. Located just outside of the provincial capital city, Victoria is host to the historic Daffodil Cup. This race goes as far back as 1961 and is one of the crown jewels in the racing world of the Pacific Province.
The final race weekend is scheduled for September 16th and 17th. The 16th, on a Friday, is reserved for the Tom Elliott Sportsman Classic while Saturday night is the evening where the point standings champion will be crowned.
Be sure and stay up to date with the NSRA by visiting the series website at www.nsraracing.com. Also check out the official Facebook page and click “Like” to follow the tour via your favorite electronic devices.
Royal Purple is the proud title sponsor of the NSRA Pavement Sprint Car Series. Royal Purple manufactures high performance lubricants for most automotive, industrial, marine, motorcycle and racing applications. It is considered the best synthetic motor oil by many end users. For more information or to find a store that carries these wonderful products log on to www.royalpurpleconsumer.com.
2016 Royal Purple NSRA Sprint Car Schedule:
May 14th-Ephrata Raceway Park-Ephrata, WA-Rebel Jackson Memorial
June 3rd-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Diamond Cup
June 4th-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Diamond Cup
June 25th-State Line Speedway-Post Falls, ID-The Super Shoe
July 21st-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Pink Lady Classic (co-sanctioned with King of Wings)
July 23rd-Evergreen Speedway-Monroe, WA-Rory Price Memorial (co-sanctioned with King of Wings)
July 24th-Wenatchee Valley Super Oval-Wenatchee, WA-Thunder In The Valley (co-sanctioned with King of Wings)
August 12th-Western Speedway-Victoria, BC-Daffodil Cup
August 13th-Western Speedway-Victoria, BC-Daffodil Cup
September 16th-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Tom Elliott Sportsman Classic
September 17th-Meridian Speedway-Meridian, ID-Championship Night
Former Royal Purple NSRA Sprint Car Champions:
1991- Allen Goetz
1992- Allen Goetz
1993- Allen Goetz
1994- Myron Gemmer
1995- Rick Brown
1996- Rick Brown
1997- Trevor Montgomery
1998- Trevor Montgomery
1999- Trevor Montgomery
2000- Trevor Montgomery
2001- Craig Deaver
2002- Rick Brown
2003- Pat Bliss
2004- Rick Brown
2005- Rick Brown
2006- Jeff Montgomery
2007- Andy Alberding
2008- Matt Hein
2009- Matt Hein
2010- Andy Alberding
2011- Sierra Jackson
2012- Andy Alberding
2013- Andy Alberding
2014- Matt Hein
2015- Matt Hein
Former NSRA Supermodified Champions:
1987- Davey Hamilton
1988- Davey Hamilton
1989- Davey Hamilton
1990- Don McLeod
1991- Rick Veenstra
1992- Rebel Jackson Jr.
1993- Rebel Jackson Jr.
1994- Billy Kelly
1995- Billy Kelly