NWS: Magic Valley: Race notes

JOHN BENDER WINS NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, NORTHWEST SERIES PEPSI 125

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (June 11, 2005) -- John Bender went wire-to-wire to win the Pepsi 125 at Magic Valley Speedway in Twin Falls, Idaho. Bender, out of Snohomish, Wash. took advantage of an eight-car invert giving him the pole position and he never looked back to win the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series event.

Brandon Riehl, the race's Bud Pole winner, started eighth and moved through the pack to finish second. Riehl patrolled the 1/3-mile track in 14.337 seconds giving him a lap speed of 82.863 mph during qualifying.

Gary Lewis came in third while Jeff Barkshire and Joe Benedetti rounded out the top five.

The Northwest Series is back in action next on July 9 at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash.

Weekend racing stats:

Failed to Qualify: (9) Roger Habich (#76), Dennis Wurtz (#14), Martin Sokulski * (#89), Rod Schultz, Sr. (#01), Ed Watson (#55), Michael Merry (#29), Darren Trimble * (#81), Ed Thomsen * (#1), Mike Longton * (#37).

Time of Race: 0 hrs., 39 mins, 27 secs
Average Speed: 62.738 mph
Margin of Victory: .636 Seconds

BUD POLE AWARD: Brandon Riehl, 69 Aero Turbine/Darrels Economy Muffler Chevrolet

FEATHERLITE "MOST IMPROVED DRIVER" AWARD: Gary Lewis, 73 Nutter Racing Engines/Victory Circle Chassis Chevrolet

POWERADE "POWER MOVE OF THE RACE" AWARD: Pete Harding, 39 L.P. Body Shop / Yale Forklift Chevrolet

Lunati "Crew Chief of the Race" Award: Steve Craig, 18 Oso Lumber/Reece Asphalt Chevrolet

Caution Flags: Laps 18-21; 23-26; 85-90; 108-112; 114-119. 5 for 25 laps.

Lap Leaders: John Bender 1-125.

Total Laps Led: John Bender 125. 0 changes involving 1 drivers.

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