Richards Takes INSSA Victory

POST FALLS, Idaho – Former INSSA Series champion Kevin Richards of Newman Lake, Washington returned to victory lane Friday night. Richards battled to the front of the 18-car field to win the INSSA 100-lap race at Stateline Speedway in preparation for Saturday’s ASA AERO Exhaust Northwest Tour showdown.

Richards, who set fast time, had to work his way from the rear of the field after being involved in a lap six crash on the backstretch. Richards’ teammate, Brandon Riehl, also had to work his way from the back after arriving at the track late due to travel problems.

On the restart, Riehl led the way with Richards in tow as the duo charged to the front. Riehl passed race leader Jeff Little on lap 19 to take the lead. Richards quickly caught Riehl and proceeded to pressure him finally taking the top spot on lap 41 after bumping, nudging and pushing Riehl around the track for 20-laps.

Richards led the final 59 laps to take the win followed by Riehl and Andy Brown who stayed in the top five the entire race. Dave Garber, who also rallied from the back, took fourth along with Jack Morse in fifth.

The race was slowed by eight cautions for spins and debris. Hayden, Idaho’s Darren Rupinski slipped to seventh with handling problems after running in the top five the majority of the race.

John Mandere won the B Dash. Steve Parrish won the B Heat. Brown won the fast dash and heat race.

Richards, Riehl, and Brown are expected to race Saturday’s ASA Northwest Tour 150-lap race. Richards will drive a team car to Riehl. Also joining the field is Dave Garber, along with 2004 INSSA Champion and brother Dan Garber in the field. INSCA Winged Sprint Car Rookie of the Year and current points’ leader Tony Berry will also compete.

John Jackson won the Late Model 4 race. Justin Robideaux won the Early Stocks 20-lap feature.

Saturday the ASA AERO Exhaust Northwest Tour returns as the series counts down to the championship at Yakima Speedway. Three drivers are in chase of the title with others looking for wins in the second Access Road Solutions 150. Northwest Legends will also be on track. General admission is $20; kids under the age of six are free. Events start at 6pm.

The wild, wacky, unpredictable action of Wednesday Night Fever continues every Wednesday at 6pm with the cars and superstars of the Road Runners, Fever 4’s, plus the wild and crazy Bump to Pass division. Adults are just $5.75; kids under the age of nine accompanied by adults are free.

INNSA

Fast Time – Kevin Richards, 13.278. Trophy Dash -- A) Andy Brown; B) John Mandere. Heat – A) Brown; B) Steve Parrish. Main -- 1) Richards; 2) Brandon Riehl; 3) Brown; 4) Dave Garber; 5) Jack Morse; 6) Mandere; 7) Darren Rupinski; 8) Kameron McKeehan; 9) Rob Reinbold; 10) Dan Yonke.

Late Model 4's

Fast Time – Jeff Smyth, 14.078. Trophy Dash -- A) Brad Carpenter; B) Tom Plybon. Heat – A) Jennifer Rasmussen; B) Tom Plybon. Main -- 1) John Jackson; 2) Smyth; 3) Kevin McKeehan; 4) Carpenter; 5) Rassmussen; 6) Travis Allen; 7) Dan Bedwell; 8) Ron Stocker; 9) Andrew McKee; 10) Ron Rhode.

Early Stocks

Fast Time – Justin Robideaux, 15.14. Trophy Dash – 1) Will Krasselt. Heat – 1) J. Robideaux. Main -- 1) J. Robideaux; 2) Gil Rapp Jr.; 3) Krasselt; 4) Ralph Bielenberg; 5) Amanda Robideaux; 6) Allen Tuckness.