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SKAGIT SPEEDWAY SET TO OPEN 55^TH SEASON

(Alger, WA) 4/14/09 by Speedway Media Team

The 2009 Foothills Toyota Tundra Racing Series kicks off this Saturday night at Skagit Speedway. Defending champions return in all three Sprint Car divisions, and the Outlaw Hornet champ will be back after taking the first month of the season off.

Kicking things off is Haggen Food and Pharmacy Opening Night. Skagit Speedway wants to thank Haggen for their continued support of racing in the Northwest and their continued strong partnership with us.

In the Associated Asphalt Outlaw 410 Sprint division defending Champion Barry Martinez will be gunning for his 3^rd title in 5 years. His task won't be easy though with young guns Colton Heath, Nick Engberg and Eric Fisher nipping at his heels. Expect to see Travis Rutz splitting time in the family car as well as in Rudeen Racing's potent #26 car for special events. Quick Rick Fauver has teamed up once again with former partner Bob Reynolds for what could be a serious championship contender. Jason Bloodgood returns as does brother-in-law and 2007 season champion Brock Lemley teaming up once again with the Kentch Brothers Racing team. Forty four drivers earned points in last years Outlaw 410 division.

With every one of the top 5 teams returning to joust for the Budweiser 360 division Championship, you can bet that returning Champion Brian Kirkpatrick has his work cut out for him. Kirkpatrick, along with father Danny return in their 5k and 7k machines, with veteran Alan Munn, "Mad" Mack Brown and Michael Harris all due back. Cory Chamberlain returns to his team, while "Rocket" Rod Perkins is far from heading to the rocking chair after missing most of last year with an injury from an early season accident. Adding to the mix are Martinez and last years Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprint Champion Kelsey Carpenter, plus Bloodgood and Lemley and you've got a volatile mix of teams looking to take home the hardware each week.

There is a good returning mix of drivers in the Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprint division. Carpenter will return to defend his title against talented drivers such as Marcus Schutte, Bill Rude, Steve James, Paul Burdick, Ryan Nootenboom and Devin Barnes.

Last years defending Outlaw Hornet Champion Ben Gunderson says he is taking the first month of the season off, opening the door for former US Hornet Nationals Champion Cory Swatzina and former class champions Mike Powers, Jr. and Greg Hibma to return to the front of the points battle. Toss in veterans Ken "Splat" Higby, Wendy Johnson, Fast Freddy Vela, Scott Naylor, Ashley Lewellen and Tyler Ketchum along with the usual 30 other race teams and the Hornet's Nest will be buzzing in 2009

Season highlights include the premiere Outlaw 410 Open Comp race in the Northwest, the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup June 18^th through 20^th with the Haggen Food and Pharmacy party on Wednesday June 17th. The 360 Nationals return on July 31^st and August 1^st. Midseason Championships and Les Schwab Tire Dealers Fireworks boom on July 11^th. The World of Outlaws and 3-time defending champion Donny Schatz roll into town on September 4^th and 5^th preceded by the first ever appearance of the Western All-Stars and I-5 Late Model Showdown on September 3^rd. Season Championships and the season ending Fireworks Extravaganza are slated for September 19^th presented by Coach Corral.

All of us at Skagit Speedway look forward to seeing you in this, our 55^th season of operation.

http://www.skagitspeedway.com

Brian 

"TURN AROUND; MATE !"