The Northwest Super Late Model Series Makes Debut at Magic Valley Speedway
For Immediate Release: Northwest Super Late Model Series Media Relations
Story: K.P.
Spokane, WA - The Northwest Super Late Model Series (NWSLMS) will head to Magic Valley Speedway (ID) for the $5,000-to-win “Magic Valley Pipe & Steel Spud 150” on July 10th. This will be the first time the series has visited the NASCAR sanctioned 1/3-mile asphalt oval in Twin Falls, ID, in the series eighth season. The event is a rare appearance for the series in Southern Idaho, as the only other event in the region was at Meridian Speedway (ID) in 2017.
The “Magic Valley Pipe and Steel Spud 150” has received an abundance of support from local teams. One of those teams is Trevor Cristiani Racing, based out of Boise, ID. Trevor was the 2019 NWSLMS Champion and will be making his second series start of the 2021 season. Cristiani is sponsoring the Lap 100 leader to the tune of $100, as well as $200 for the Fast Time Qualifier. Cristiani won one of two Super Late Model events at the track in 2020 and is excited to see the Northwest Super Late Model Series visit the Southern Idaho area and Magic Valley Speedway (MVS).
“I really enjoy racing MVS and would like to see the “Tour” make it down south a little more, if it was a possibility in the future”, Cristiani explained. “I think it gives an opportunity for drivers in the local area to compete with some of the most competitive drivers in the Northwest, so I felt if I could contribute in some way to help get more teams interested in coming, it helps all involved.”
Cristiani anticipates some great racing this weekend and would like to take home the $5,000 victory himself. But Cristiani would be happy to make the podium and continue to make improvements with his race team.
“MVS creates some great racing”, Cristiani stated. “The track was recently paved, so it has a ton of grip, which makes it a very fast paced race. As much as I like to win, I always shoot for the podium and pay attention to things that could help my program continue to develop.”
To win Saturday night, Cristiani will have to defeat Track Owner and General Manager Eddie McKean. McKean has won all four Super Late Model features in 2021, and was the 2002 NASCAR Southwest Tour Series Champion, not to mention a three-time MVS Track Champion. He was also excited to see the series visit MVS, with the help of local sponsors.
“We have people that just want to help out with Super Late Model (SLM) racing”, McKean began. “We didn't have any SLM races scheduled in 2020 and I had some interest late in the season, so I added two SLM dates with a lot of praise from the drivers. So, I decided to schedule five or six in 2021. The Northwest Tour race just makes it that much bigger. Since our repave (in September of 2016), this track is really conducive to side-by-side racing.”
Another team that is stepping up their involvement in the event is Zach Telford Racing (ZTR). Telford is coming off a top-10 in the Slinger Nationals at Slinger Super Speedway on Tuesday but will be making his first start in the Northwest Super Late Model Series. His team will be offering an extra sponsorship of $100 for the “Out a State Tow Last 5”. Telford is excited to have the series at Magic Valley, as it helps him improve as a driver.
“I enjoy the competition of series such as the Northwest Super Late Model Series, in that it really helps me grow as a driver”, Telford stated. ”My goals are to just drive to mine and my cars ability, and bring her home in one piece.”
Gibson Diesel Performance will be putting up an extra $500 when it comes to Saturday nights race. It will be distributed between the lap leader on Lap 50 ($100), “Fastest Lap of the Race” ($200), and the most laps led ($200). The Trevor Cristiani Racing Team will see Gibson Performance Diesel backed drivers Nick Gibson (#11) and Tyler Bailey (#99) in action. Both Southern Idaho drivers have strong records at the 1/3-mile oval.
Infrequent Northwest Super Late Model Series driver Dylan Caldwell will also be looking to score a victory at the popular facility. Caldwell has seen touring series success at Magic Valley, albeit in a Modified. Caldwell was a Magic Valley winner in the Speed Tour Modifieds in 2020 and would love to add a win in his Super Late Model as well, at a track he really enjoys.
“It's an absolute blast to race at Magic Valley Speedway”, Caldwell explained. “It has two fast grooves and always provides killer Late Model racing! Eddy and the crew had an amazing repave job done a few years ago, now and it seems to just get better and better every time we go there.”
With all the local talent participating this weekend, the series regulars will have their hands full. Garrett Evans will lead the travelling teams into Magic Valley Speedway as the championship leader. Evans won in his last Super Late Model start at Magic Valley, but that event was a dozen years ago. He also has four NASCAR Northwest Tour Series victories there, one of which was incredibly special. He knows if he is going to get the first NWSLMS win at Magic Valley, Eddie McKean and the other track regulars will be tough to beat.
“I’m looking forward to going back to Magic Valley”, Evans stated. “I got my 50th Northwest Tour win there, and that was very special. Eddie and his family have made Magic Valley a first-class facility. Eddie is a former NASCAR Southwest Tour Champion and definitely knows how to get it done. It's great to see that the older gentlemen can still get it done. It should be a great race and I hope to see old friends when we get there.”
Evans will be joined by series regulars such as Bryce Bezanson, Max Schroeder, Kole Raz, Christopher Kalsch and part-time competitors Tayler Riddle and Randy Marshall Jr., looking to knock off the local contingent. Five states are represented on the weekend’s pre-entry, which include Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Nevada.
The NWSLMS will visit the 1/3-mile oval for the first time in its history. The winner will receive $5,000 for their efforts. In addition to the winner’s purse, lap leader money will also be awarded. Trevor Cristiani Racing will put up an extra $300, with Gibson Diesel Performance handing out another $500 in bonus monies. ZTR will sponsor the “Out a State Tow Last 5” and Franks Radio Service will pony up $1,275 for positions 9-18. Joe’s Racing Products will add another $150 in cash for the sixth-place finisher, making it one of the richest events of the season for the NWSLMS. Qualifying for the NWSLMS, and the tracks local divisions, will commence at 6:15 pm (PST). Opening Ceremonies are slated for 7:45 pm, with Main Events to follow. The NWSLMS is scheduled to hit the grid at 9:00 pm for the “Magic Valley Pipe and Steel Spud 150”. It is Round #5 of the 2021 championship season.
Pre-Entry Roster:
7 Bryce Bezanson Snohomish, WA
09 Thane Alderman Las Vegas, NV
11 Nick Gibson Nampa, ID
15 Tayler Riddle Naches, WA
17 Max Schroeder Tacoma, WA
17 Zach Telford Middleton, ID
19 Eddy McKean Jerome, ID
22 Kris McKean Jerome, ID
26 Randy Marshall Jr Moxee City, WA
26 John Newhouse Twin Falls, ID
33 Christopher Kalsch Hillsboro, OR
36 Jeff Hillock Cedar Hills, UT
40 Dylan Caldwell Nampa, ID
42 Kole Raz Lake Oswego, OR
51 Larry Hull II Meridian, ID
64 Garrett Evans E Wenatchee, WA
90 Trevor Cristiani Boise, ID
99 Tyler Bailey Boise, ID
