Ebert Cruises to 3rd Straight Tri-City Victory

A year and a half ago, Tuscon, Arizona's Ethan Ebert had never set foot in a Super Late Model. The young gun was focused on Off Road racing, winning a Baja 500 championship. Fast forward to the United States of Americas’ 250th Birthday on July 4, 2026, the now Naches, WA native was parking his Port City Phase II for Jefferson Racing in Victory Lane at Tri City Raceway for the 3rd straight race at the ½ mile Tri Oval. Ebert traded fast laps in practice through the weekend with both Kevin and Keelan Harvick, but as soon as the laps turned competitive, it was all Ebert. Setting quick time at a 17.961, setting the SPEARS Cars Tour West Super Late Model inaugural track record, Ebert set himself up nicely for the 150 lap main event.

Jumping out to the lead early, Ebert set a manageable pace before Tacoma, WA native Max Schroder drove from his middle of the pack starting spot to take a turn up front. Schroder led 12 laps before Ebert got back around him after the competition caution on lap 45. Ebert never looked back, fending off challenges from both Harvicks, along with Kennewick native Tyler Brown, who got as high as 2nd . Ebert led all the way to the end, putting up a total of 138/150 laps led. Keelan, the younger Harvick, finished 2nd , while father Kevin came home 3rd for the final spot on the podium. While Tyler Brown crossed

the line 4th , issues in post race tech relegated him out of the Top 5, moving Wenatchee 200 Champion Dylan Zampa to 4th .

(Photo of #9 Ethan Ebert, by Amber Taylor)

Two local classes also competed to make up 250 total laps of Green Flag racing. The first race was the Mini Stocks for the Liberty 50 presented by Zero Handicap. Tri Cities native Mike Savage led the first half of the race while Spokane invaders Colton Schultz and KC Garber rode behind him. A competition caution saw Schultz get the lead on the ensuing restart with Garber following. Garber stayed within 3 car lengths until a momentary

mechanical issue saw smoke come from the 96 for a corner, but vanish for the remainder of the race. With no pressure out the back, Garber elected to not push it hard and just ride to finish 2nd . Schultz grabbed the win, his first of the season after tough luck the first 2 races. Triston Miller of Couer D’ Alene, Idaho came home 3rd , his first career podium at Tri City Raceway. A great battle to the line for 4th saw Mike Savage fend off Brandom Smith and Matt Pence, who came home 5th and 6th .

The other class in action were the popular Sams Saloon Hobby Stocks for the Stars and Stripes 50 presented by Sams Saloon. Garrett Huffines was on cruise control for the first half of the race before a late caution changed the entire complexion of the 50 lap main event. Younger brother Tyler Huffines got the lead on the restart, bringing Apple Cup champion Robert Hill with him around Garrett. Garrett managed to get back around Hill for 2nd before contact sent Garrett spinning and Hill to the pits with a flat tire. That moved Andy Sole to 2nd for the final restart. Garrett, the eldest of 4 Huffines brothers, 3 who race Hobbies, got back to 2nd on said restart, but had a tire go flat which allowed Sole to get back to the runner up spot behind Tyler, who picked up win #2 on the season.

Garrett managed to bring it home 3rd .

Tri City Raceway prepares now for its 2nd Crashfest of the season on July 18th.. The SPEARS Cars Tour West Super Late Models will now go dormant for a month and a half before the Summer Showdown at Evergreen Speedway. The Cars Tour turns its attention back to the Northwest Pro Late Models for the $25,000 to win Idaho 200 on July 17 and 18.