Rebel Jackson Memorial at Ephrata Raceway Park, Ephrata, Wash Pre-Race
By BZ ZELLER
EPHRATA – The top pointed NSRA/ASA drivers and teams will travel this weekend to Ephrata Raceway Park, Ephrata, Wash., to compete in the annual Rebel Jackson Memorial.
With only 31 points separating the four drivers atop the standings, the Jackson Memorial may provide a role to who is crowned the 2010 season champion.
Two-time defending champ Matt Hein, Roseburg, Ore., again finds himself leading the points race, but only by a narrow 4-point margin over surging Sierra Jackson, Middleton, Ida. Hein, ironically won the event in Ephrata last year. Jackson is fresh off wins at both Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, Ida., and the Art Pollard Memorial in Roseburg. Jackson recorded her first NSRA victory by capturing the Jackson Memorial in 2008. Andy Alberding, Winston, Ore., is in third place, trailing by just 23 points. Alberding is a two-time Jackson Memorial winner. Cory Lockwood, another young Idaho racing sensation, stands fourth in points.
Chris Schmelzle, Todd Coleman, Randy DuBois, Justin Mack, Greg Middendorf and Matt Mansell are all in the top ten in points and expected to race at Ephrata.
The event is in honor of the late Rebel Jackson Sr., who was a pillar in the local racing community. He started racing in 1948 and went on to notoriety as a driver, sponsor and car owner. He was the first inductee into Spanaway Speedway’s Hall of Fame. Jackson came out of retirement at age 62 in 1993 and was killed in an accident while racing his super-modified at Portland Speedway. His son, Rebel Jackson Jr. was the winner of the race. The memorial race began in 2003.
Craig Deaver, Sumner, Wash., is slated to make his first NSRA/ASA appearance of the year on Saturday. Frequent NSRA competitor Drew Church is also expected to be on hand. Mike Fought, Jatender Veenstra, Whitney Nolan, Adam Smith, Joe Smith, Donnie Kudrna, Bob Witte and Kevin Witte could be local Ephrata entries to add to the NSRA touring contingents.
(You can reach NSRA publicist BZ Zeller at Stock23@aol.com)
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