2013 DIRT CUP AT SKAGIT SPEEDWAY PREVIEW

by Kelly Hart

(Alger, WA) 6/18/13

Racing teams from all over the country and fans from many countries are eagerly anticipating the 42^nd running of the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway. The $20,000 to win event runs Thursday through Saturday June 20^th through 22^nd.

The field is led by three-time champion Jonathan Allard of Chico, California and two-time champion Shane Stewart from Bixby, Oklahoma. Stewart is driving the Kick It for Cancer car sponsored by NASCAR star Jeff Gordon and owned by Paul Silva. Allard is looking to become just the third driver with 4 or more wins in the event. Stewart and Allard will be challenged by two-time World of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers from Clovis, California and former World of Outlaws drivers Chad Hillier of Burlington, WA and Toni Lutar from White Rock, British Columbia. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. from Texas climbs aboard the former Dirt Cup winning Rudeen Racing #26 car. Another Texas driver expected to compete is Travis Rilat. California drivers Rico Abreu, Peter Murphy and Kyle Hirst are on their way north.

One the hottest drivers in the country over the last three years primarily at shows in the Northwest has been Travis Jacobson of Lake Stevens, WA. In addition to winning last year’s World of Outlaws Saturday night race at Skagit Speedway, Jacobson is the 3-time defending Summer Nationals winner as well. Former Golden Driller winner Brock Lemley is in the field as well as 4-time 410 Sprint track champion Jesse Whitney from Stanwood, WA and 2012 track 410 champion Eric Fisher from Mount Vernon, WA. Jacobson, Lemley, Fisher and Hillier have all won main events at Skagit Speedway in 2013.

Looking over the racing schedule for all three days, Thursday night features the 410 Sprints and Dwarf Cars. Dwarf Cars from clubs in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon are expected with over 30 entries expected. On Friday night there will be 410 Sprints, Dwarf Cars and Outlaw Tuners. For the grand finale on Saturday it is 410 Sprints, Outlaw Tuners and the Shipwreck Beads Modified Series cars.

There is plenty to take in at Skagit Speedway during the Dirt Cup. On Wednesday night everyone is welcome to the free to the public Fan Fest party in the Parking Lot. It starts at 4pm and runs until 7pm. The band The Unknown will be playing Classic Rock and there are radio broadcasts, vendor booths, food booths, race cars and race driver interviews going on the whole time. On Saturday at 10am is the Kick It for Cancer kickball game featuring drivers racing at Dirt Cup. The annual National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Auction takes place at 1pm on Saturday also.