Ethan Ebert Holds off Jefferson Racing Teammate for “Apple Cup” Win

Ethan Ebert Holds off Jefferson Racing Teammate for “Apple Cup” Win 

Spokane, WA – Jefferson Racing came to play in this year’s 57^th annual Bonney’s TYM Tractors “Apple Cup 125” at Tri-City Raceway RMEC (WA), leading every lap of the Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by Knottical Marine season opener. The victory was unlike the track’s “Fall Classic 200”, and the 2025 season finale for the NWSLMS, where Ethan Ebert did not grab the lead for the first time until less than 10 laps to go. Sunday, Ebert, and teammate Kole Raz battled at the front of the field the entire event, with Ebert scoring the rich $10,000 victory in an exciting brawl to the finish over Raz and Evergreen Speedway’s (WA) most prolific Late Model champion, Naima Lang.

(Ethan Ebert (Left) and Kole Raz (Right) celebrate their 1-2 finish, Photo by Amber Taylor, 2026)

“Dude, it’s just crazy”, Ebert exclaimed in Victory Lane! “That was a crazy race! Kole and I were up front dominating the whole race in our Port City Racecars and that’s how you do it baby!”

The win was Ebert’s second in-a-row in a Super Late Model at the ½-mile triangular paved facility, taking home a combined $20,000 for his efforts. The Tucson, AZ driver finished fifth in Saturday’s Pro Late Model race but would not be denied in Sunday’s weekend finale, grabbing the lead from teammate Raz after a lap 75 caution. Raz tried repeatedly to take the lead back from his teammate, never falling more than two car lengths back. A strong charge in the final 10 laps saw Raz get to the inside on multiple occasions but was unable to finish the move.

“I had no idea that anyone else was on the racetrack other than Kole”, Ebert recalled. “It was crazy being in front of him, because that’s a name that if he is behind you, he is gonna get around you. It’s not if, but when. Being able to learn from him and his brother Gracin, who is an awesome driver as well. Just being able to learn from that awesome family is such an honor. It is just amazing that we are here.”

Ebert continued, “I just want to thank my whole entire family for travelling and all of Tri-City for coming out. I want to thank Star Stream, Friends of Jacklyn, Elevate Media, Port City Racecars, and Jefferson Racing especially.”

The day began with Wyatt Gardner setting a New Track Record, with a time of 17.645 seconds, at just over 102 MPH. Ethan Ebert showed his strength qualifying second. Zach Telford, in a new P1 Chassis, was third followed by Kole Raz, Kasey Kleyn, Johvan Dillon, Scott Walker, and Jason O’Neil who rounded out the redraw participants. Raz would draw the lucky number one pill with Ebert sitting alongside. Walker, Dillon and Telford would make up the top five. Kasey Kleyn, Wyatt Gardner, and Max Schroeder would make up the remainder of the redraw participants, after O’Neil had to make last minute repairs on his Super Late Model.

Raz jumped to an immediate lead, as differing strategies impacted the running order. Multiple teams chose to conserve and plan for pit stops for refueling, without a halftime break. Others were hard on the throttle, making for an interesting construct for the event. Telford and Lang charged to the front early, grabbing third and fourth, as Gardner followed into the top five by lap 20. Lang dispatched Telford from third on lap 26 before the first caution came out on lap 27, for a spinning Ryan Phipps. 

Telford reclaimed the podium position on the restart before slowing to a stop in Turn 2, with apparent motor issues on lap 30. Several cautions dotted the next dozen laps before the field regained its’ footing. Raz continued to lead, as Ebert followed closely, with Wyatt Gardner also a part of the three-car breakaway. Lang cruised in fourth with Kasey Kleyn leading the next set of drivers ahead of Bryce Bezanson and Johvan Dillon. The halfway point on lap 63 found 18 teams still on the lead lap and when the caution flew on lap 75, for an incident between Dave Garber and Ryan Phipps, the complexion of the race changed.

The restart found Raz and Ebert battling side by side before Ebert was finally able to clear Raz, with Lang getting back by Gardner for third. Tayler Riddle began his charge, after running near the rear of the field and taking fuel, grabbing seventh from Bezanson on lap 78. Kleyn got by Gardner for fourth on lap 85, as he turned up the wick, attempting to chase down the lead trio. Raz was putting pressure on Ebert when Scott Walker ran out of fuel on lap one hundred, bringing fuel milage into question. By lap 110, Lang had chased down the top duo, making it a three-car fevered battle for the top spot, but the action slowed when Kleyn spun in Turn 2, setting up a sprint to the end.

(Photo by Amber Taylor, 2026)

Ebert chose the outside line for the restart with Raz, Lang, Gardner, and Dillon the top five. Ebert took several laps, but was able to finally clear Raz, with Riddle jumping into the top five behind Gardner. With just seven laps to go, Raz turned up the heat, nudging his teammate looking to take the top spot. Lang was working the high side behind the duo as the laps counted down. Raz would get inside Ebert on multiple occasions but could not pull even with his teammate. When the checkered flew, Ebert secured the second marque victory of his burgeoning short track career. Raz settled for second with Lang, Gardner and Riddle completing the top five.

Raz was only slightly disappointed in Victory Lane but praised his young teammate for the win.

“The kid did a helluva job,” Raz stated. “It’s been really fun to learn with him and try to give him my tips as I could, but I may have given him a little too much. But it is just fun racing like that with good people and Jefferson Racing one, two, and Port City. It’s just great for everyone across the country. I had a blast. I just couldn’t put the power down with this crate motor and compete it (the pass) once I did move him.”

The next event for the Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by Knottical Marine with be at Mode Stadium Stateline Speedway (ID) on May 16^th for the “SLS 150” It will be the series 10^th visit to the ¼-mile facility where Haeden Plybon scored the victory last May.

Results: 1. Ethan Ebert, 2. Kole Raz, 3. Naima Lang, 4. Wyatt Gardner, 5. Tayler Riddle, 6. Johvan Dillon, 7. Jason Jefferson, 8. Kasey Kleyn, 9. Bryce Bezanson, 10. Max Schroeder, 11. Jason O’Neil, 12. Andy Beaman, 13. Ken Bonney, 14. Bud Rumsey, 15. Mike Burkhardt, 16. Christopher Kalsch, 17. Scott Walker, 18. Dave Garber, 19. Ryan Phipps, 20. Zach Telford, DNS Patrick Mullins, DNQ. Randy Marshall Jr., DNQ. Garrett Archer

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES

The Northwest Super Late Model Series is the premier regional touring Super Late Model series in the Northwest. The series has many valued partners including Knottical Marine, RaceCals, Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, Penske Racing Shocks, Five Star Bodies, AFCO Racing / Longacre Racing Products, Franks Radio Service, Jefferson Racing, Zero Handicapped Golf Cars, Atomic Screen Printing, Port City Racecars, In Front Motorsports, Peltier Racing, and Short Track Heroes. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Story: K. Peters, NWSLMS Media