Knowles, Preston Win Big on Tri City Short Track

SPOKANE-WA

After unforeseen circumstances saw the cancelation of the 2nd race of the year at Tri City Raceway, the Diamond of the Desert roared back in style on Memorial Day Weekend with the first of 2 CRASHFEST events of the year. Two local classes that once called Hermiston Raceway home just 30 minutes south, Hornets and Bombers, came out to play on the infield ¼ flat track at Tri City.

The Hornets came out first, bringing over 10 cars for the 30 lap exhibition, and they didn’t disappoint. A fitting front row saw the Kyle and Kyle show, Franklin and Suchy, lead to the green on a weekend that had been marred by the tragic loss of NASCAR Icon Kyle Busch. Franklin broke to the lead early while Suchy fell to 5th , having just needed to repair the car after his heat race moments prior. David Knowles drove through the field

making passes both inside and outside, and soon challenged Franklin for the lead. Knowles navigated lapped traffic and managed to hold a sizeable lead through the main, and held off a late restart to grab the win. Franklin held on for 2nd , while Suchy managed to come back to 3rd . All 3 drivers expressed intention to race again in July. Robert Franklin Jr and Cody Denton won the heat races.

The Bombers, a class similar in spirit to Hornets, but V8 instead of 4 cyl, were next. A couple early cautions saw the race take a moment to get going, but in the end it was multi-time Champion at Hermiston Kedric Preston grabbing the clean sweep for the night. Preston got the win holding off his Uncle Ron Wilbur, who turns 80 years old next week. Jake Dudney came back from an earlier incident to round out the podium.

The night didn’t end there for Kedric Preston, as he also won the nights main event , the famous Bump to Pass Boat Race. The rules are simple, last entrant with a boat wins. And Preston did just that, outlasting the 6 car field for his 2 nd straight win in the event. Chance Crowder, who finished 2nd in the boat race, won the standard Bump to Pass main event.

The night also saw the Tri City return of the World Famous Mr Dizzy. The 57 year old legendary stuntman performed two of his most iconic stunts for the raucous TCR crowd, the famous car stacker jump, and the sizzling hot Van explosion. As always we remind you Mr. Dizzy and his crew are trained professionals, and please do not try any of the performance at home.

Tri City will now begin preparing for the return of the ARCA Menards Series West for the 3rd straight year. June 6th will mark the Greg Biffle Memorial, in memory of 1995 Track Champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominee Greg Biffle. Biffle had competed in the previous two ARCA races at the track, and was determined to compete again this year before his tragic passing in December. Hobby Stocks and Mini Stocks will also see the

track as racing returns to the Torturous Tri Oval.