From Andrew Kunas
PORTLAND, Ore. – The IXL Metal Conditioner NorthWest Wingless Tour will close its second season of racing action this Saturday with the annual Lebanon Fall Classic at Willamette Speedway. Theo McCarty and Doug Kammerzell will look to wrap up their first season titles with the NWWT in the traditional non-wing 360 sprint cars and the open midgets, respectively.
McCarty, from Hillsboro, Ore. has a 36-point cushion over Vancouver, Wash.’s Mike Romig going into the finale. Despite no main event victories, McCarty’s consistency has put him at the top of the point standings as he has finished in the Top 10 in every main event except one, including earning a strong second place finish at Willamette on July 30th.
For the sprint cars, some extra money is on the line at the Fall Classic, which was won by Shane Forte’ last year. With additional sponsorship money, the winner of the main event on Saturday will receive $1,200 and second place will earn $800.
Kammerzell, from Arlington, Wash. is looking to become the second straight Washington driver to win the championship in the midget car division which runs primarily in Oregon. Kammerzell has one win to his credit, and it came at Willamette Speedway on July 30th. He also ran well at Southern Oregon Speedway, nearly winning there on August 14th.
Mitch Hoffses of Beaverton, Ore. currently sits second in the midget car points standings, just 14 tallies behind Kammerzell going into Saturday’s events.
There tight points battles throughout the standings in both divisions. While Tony Offutt is solidly in third place in the sprint car points standings, Dylan Olsen sits a mere two points ahead of Kyle Mehner for fourth place and Bill Winsley is just two points ahead of Mike Gable and six ahead of Corey Esteban for sixth place. In the midget car division, Hoffses has second place in the standings but is only six points ahead of both Pete Bittrolf and Allison Journey, who are tied in third place.
There have also been no repeat main event winners this year in either division for the IXL Metal Conditioner NorthWest Wingless Tour. Mark Nichols scored his first career sprint car main event win at Willamette Speedway back on July 30th.
Several cars are expected for the season closing event, which has drawn interest and many phone cars from teams around Oregon and also Washington. A general meeting for all NorthWest Wingless Tour members is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Willamette Speedway, with the NWWT strongly encouraging all members to attend if possible.
More information on the IXL Metal Conditioner NorthWest Wingless Tour can be found online athttp://www.nwwinglesstour.com.