Alberding breaks through on home track

BZ ZELLER
July 23, 2007


Andy Alberding didn’t just win the 34th annual Art Pollard Memorial. He dominated the event.

The Roseburg driver had never won the Pollard trophy, but captured the victory convincingly Saturday night at the Douglas County Speedway. Alberding began the night already atop the ASA/Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association standings and now leads by a sizable margin.

The driver of the bright red No. 76 started the feature outside the fourth row, moved into third on the second lap, then to second on Lap 3 and darted past Mike Sullivan Jr. on Lap 6 for the lead. Alberding lapped many of the 18-car field and finished a half-lap ahead of runner-up Jake Mann of Monroe, Wash. Roseburg’s Matt Hein, who wrecked earlier in the race program, finished the feature in third after started from the final position.

“My crew had this car set up the best it’s ever been,” Alberding said. “I’m serious. The guys really had this car running perfect tonight.”

Alberding, who already owns the track record (12.494 seconds), easily won the qualifying session with a 12.631 lap. He explained that after his 8-year-old son, Kyle, won his go-cart race in Cottage Grove Friday night, there was added pressure for him to win at the big track.

“Kyle was on me all last night about how I should drive and giving me advice,” Alberding said. “I knew it would be tough at home, after my son got his first win, if I didn’t bring home a win, too.”

He also explained that Saturday’s win, wasn’t just another victory.

“I’ve been coming to this event since I was a little kid,” Alberding said. “As a driver, I’ve ran in it for years and never won. So to win my first Art Pollard, this is pretty special.”

Greg Middendorf of Snohomish, Wash., won the ASA/NSRA trophy dash. Sullivan, from Roseburg, won one of the two heat races.

ASA/NW Sprintcar Series

Fast Time — Andy Alberding, 12.631 seconds.

B Dash — Greg Middendorf.

A Dash — Scott Adams.

Heat 1 — Mike Sullivan.

Heat 2 — Middendorf.

Heat 3 — Alberding.

Art Pollard Memorial Main — 1. Alberding; 2. Jake Mann; 3. Matt Hein; 4. Tony Thomas; 5. Bryan Warf; 6. Justin Mack; 7. Kyler Barraza; 8. Sullivan; 9. Middendorf; 10. Scott Adams; 11. Ray Douglas; 12. Monte Zema Jr.; 13. Larry Davies; 14. Pat Bliss; 15. Matt Elliott, DNF; 16. Todd Coleman, DNF; 17. Sierra Jackson; 18. Frank Volz Sr., DNS, Ray Jones (Canada), Rick Brown (blown motor).