News and Notes Previewing the NWSLMS Summer Showdown

Event: The 13^th annual “Summer Showdown 200” will take place at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA on July 17 – 19. This will be Round #4 of the seven-race season for the Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by Knottical Marine (NWSLMS). It will pay $30,000 to the winner, with $2,000 to start the feature. 28 Super Late Models (SLM) are currently entered for this weekend’s action. The Super Late Models will be joined by the Pro Late Models (PLM), Legends, and Street Stocks on Friday. The Northwest Pro 4 Trucks, Legends, and Mini Stocks join the NWSLMS on Saturday, with Thursday a Practice Day for the SLM and PLM.

Championship Standings: 2023 NWSLMS champion Haeden Plybon (144 points) leads Ken Bonney (128), Ryan Phipps (124), Jason O’Neil (121), Terry Halverson (117), Christopher Kalsch (110), Kasey Kleyn (100), Zach Riehl (95), Johvan Dillon (92), and Gabe Sessler (90) in the standings. Phipps leads the Rookie-of-the-Year standings followed by Halverson, Dillon, Sessler, and Wyatt Gardner. Zach Reihl, Johvan Dillon, and Haeden Plybon have wins in 2025. 37 teams have scored championship points.

Championship Leader: Haeden Plybon is coming off a win in the last event on the NWSLMS schedule. But he is also looking to make it two wins in-a-row at Evergreen Speedway, after winning the “Mark Galloway Shootout”, on the 5/8-mile oval, in his Pro Late Model. Plybon is a fan of the track and is excited to return to the site of his most recent win.

“This track is special in its own way, from the big sweeping corners to the abrasive surface. You are carrying a lot of speed at this big track. You have to bring your “A” game because it's not too forgiving. Our recent results on the 5/8 definitely makes me excited going into the weekend”, Plybon stated. “We've had good speed each time we've came to Evergreen, and I feel we will have a fast race car for this year’s “Showdown”. With this year’s big purse, it is definitely going to draw some attention. And with 200 long laps of hard racing, I'm sure the end will bring a tight battle.”

Perfect Attendance - Showdown: Only two drivers have attended all 12 “Summer Showdowns” since its’ inaugural affair in 2012. Doni Wanat and Naima Lang are those two drivers. Lang is an eight-time Late Model track champion at the facility and has two top five and three top 10 finishes in the “Showdown”. His best finish was a fourth in 2014. Wanat was the 2018 NASCAR State of Washington Regional champion, racing at Evergreen Speedway. His “Summer Showdown” record finds five top 10 finishes with two sixth place results in 2013 and 2023. Both are entered this weekend.

Last Hurrah?: Doni Wanat has attended all 12 “Summer Showdown” events, but this may be his last attempt at winning the $30,000 prize. The veteran racer will be moving to Florida soon, but the chance to improve his results may be too much of a lure to keep him away.

“It is normally a great event, but mainly what keeps me coming back for the race is just wanting more, a better result or a win”, Wanat admitted. “I am currently splitting time between Florida and Washington. I am not sure if this one will be my last, or if I will be able to give it one or two more shots after this year. The guys and I are definitely putting in some extra effort, leading up to this 2025 edition.”

Previous Winners: Two previous winners are on the expected entry list. Owen Riddle (2021) and Kole Raz (2023) will seek to become only the second multi-time winners of the event. Former event winners include Pete Harding (2012), Jay Sauls (2013), Cameron Hayley (2014), Bubba Pollard (2015), Tayler Riddle (2016), Preston Peltier (2017 – 2019, 2022), Riddle (2021), Raz (2023), and Derek Thorn (2024).

Go For Two: Owen Riddle will make his eighth start in the “Summer Showdown”, after winning in 2021. He has a long list of wins including three “Montana 200” triumphs (Montana Raceway Park), three “Apple Cup” wins (Yakima Speedway), a “Mark Galloway Shootout” victory (Evergreen Speedway), a “Wenatchee 200” win (Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval), and a “Chilly Willy 150” conquest (Tucson Speedway). His last NWSLMS start resulted in a win in the “Neal Newberry 125” at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval (WVSO). A second “Showdown” win would be big, but admittedly difficult.

“Being fortunate enough to become the second multi-time winner of the event would be nothing short of amazing, however, I know there's still a lot of hard work and effort left to be put in, if that's going to be a possibility. Winning isn't easy in any racing, let alone a marque event like the “Summer Showdown”, Riddle explained. “But to be honest, we have a horrible track record at the “Showdown”. It's a long race and a very long weekend, where a lot of things can go wrong along the way. Working hard in the shop, preparing the car as best as possible, I feel will give us a great opportunity to be in contention at the end, and hopefully compete for the win.”

Go For Two Too: Kole Raz has been racking up big wins over the last four racing seasons. The “South Sound 200” at South Sound Speedway (WA), the “Wenatchee 200” at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval (WA), the “Mark Galloway Shootout” win at Evergreen, as well as the “Summer Showdown” add to his list. The “Chilly Willy 150” at Tucson Speedway (AZ), the ARCA Menards Pro Series West event at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway (CA), the “Salted Architectural Metals 150” for the SRL at Colorado National Speedway (CO), and the “Star Nursery Classic” for Super Late Models at the Bullring at LVMS (NV) continue the trend. A second win in the “Showdown” would be a huge accomplishment for the team.

“It would mean a lot”, Raz stated in regard to claiming a second win. “Any race back home means the world to me, especially Evergreen. Growing up and racing next door at WQMA, while always dreaming of running at the big track. It's always been close to my heart.

The former Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist continued, “To have a chance to win it twice would rank pretty high up, when you take a step back and look at the list of drivers that have won there. It's a spectacular event! The Hobbs family always knocks it out of the park with hospitality for us drivers, and stellar entertainment for the fans.”

Series Winners: Eight previous NWSLMS winners are entered in this weekend’s “Summer Showdown”. They include Kasey Kleyn, Jan Evans, Owen Riddle, Johvan Dillon, Max Schroeder, Randy Marshall Jr., Haeden Plybon, and Doni Wanat. Additional Super Late Model touring series winners include Terry Halverson, Jace Hansen, Buddy Shepherd, Michael Atwell, Kole Raz, and Dave Garber.

Long Tow: Michael Atwell will make the long trip from Naples, FL to attend his second “Summer Showdown”. His first visit in 2023 resulted in a ninth-place result. Atwell is coming off a $25,000 win in the “Rattler 250” at South Alabama Speedway (AL) and is looking forward to his return to Evergreen, in the Chris Davidson Racing, Senneker Performance Super Late Model.

“I’m very excited to be back at Evergreen”, Atwell stated. “We struggled the first time with some gremlins in the car, but I really enjoyed the track. Being big and flat, it makes it a very unique place to race. I think we all show up to win no matter where we go, but being able to add the “Summer Showdown” to my resume would be huge, for not only me, but the team that works their tails off to always try and give me the best piece they can.”

Almost Long Tow: Spire Motorsports driver Tristan McKee will make his Super Late Model debut this weekend, travelling from Kannapolis, NC. He will be in a new P1 chassis Super Late Model out of the shops of Preston Peltier Racing. The pairing originated out the shops of Sigma Performance Services and through team owner Joe Farre’, from Henderson, NV.

“I raced for Sigma (Performance Services) a couple of years ago, in a car that Preston had built for Madera in the Junior Late (Model) class. That is when I first started racing Late Models. Preston built the car and was the Crew Chief, so we have had a relationship with him since then. Last year I raced for Brandon and Dennis Setzer, and they have a good relationship with him as well. So, Preston called Brandon a couple months ago, and he had a “Super” race open, so we gladly said yes.”

Colorado Contender: Jace Hansen has had the hot hand since teaming up with Preston Peltier Racing. Hansen will bring his P1 Chassis to Evergreen, after two previous top 10 efforts. The Greeley, CO racer is a multi-time winner with the SRL Southwest Tour Series and counts double digit Super Late Model wins at his home track, Colorado National Speedway. The 2025 “Chilly Willy 150” winner at Tucson Speedway is coming off a win at his home track and a top five effort at the “Snowball Derby” at 5 Flags Speedway (FL). He hopes to improve this weekend at an event that is challenging for both car and driver.

“Evergreen is such a unique track”, Hansen stated. “I remember people telling me how rough the place was the first time we went up there, and I definitely underestimated that statement! The race has a lot of attrition! Heck, I remember things coming loose on the car that I had never seen come loose before! Between that and the speed, Evergreen is one of my favorite places I have been to thus far!”

Payout: 1. $30,000.2. $15,000, 3. $7,000, 4. $5,000, 5. $4,000, 6. $3,000, 7. $2,800, 8. $2,700, 9. $2,600, 10. $2,500, 11-38. $2,000

Fast Time: Setting Fast Time for the “Summer Showdown” will be a lucrative achievement. NAPA of Ellensburg, WA, courtesy of Travis and Rachel Bennett, will award $1,000 as well as a custom trophy from Joes Racing Products to the Fast Time winner. Another $250 will be awarded from The Lester Brother, while contingency awards will be given from Franks Racing Radios and AFCO / Longacre Racing Products. All told, Fast Time will be worth $1,550 in cash and contingencies.

Schedule:

Thursday July 17:

10:00 AM: Registration, Check-in, Back Gate
11:00 AM: Back Gate Opens
2:00 PM: Pit Meeting
3:00 PM-7:00 PM: PLM and SLM alternating practice
7:30 PM: Complimentary Dinner – Teams
8:00 PM: Qualifying Draw

Friday July 18:

8:00 AM: Registration
9:00 AM: Back Gate Opens
10:30 AM – 11:10 AM: Pit Meeting
11:10 AM – 2:40 PM: Practice - PLM, Street Stocks, SLM, Legends (rotating)
2:50 PM: Qualifying - PLM, Legends, Street Stocks, SLM
4:30 PM: Heat Races – Legends, Street Stocks, Legends B-Main (if needed)
6:00 PM: Opening Ceremonies followed by:

SLM Qualifying Heats, Street Stock Main, Legends A-Main, PLM Summer Shootout 100

Saturday July 19:

8:30 AM: Registration Opens
9:00 AM: Back Gate Opens
10:00 AM: SLM Driver’s Meeting
10:15 AM: Drivers Meeting Other Divisions
10:30 AM – 1:20 PM: Practice - SLM, Pro Trucks, Mini-Stocks, Legends (rotating)
2:00 PM: Summer Showdown Tech Opens, Qualifying Other Divisions
3:30 PM: Heat Races - Mini-Stocks, Legends, Pro Trucks, Legend B-Main (if needed)
5:00 PM: Mains – Pro Trucks, Legends, Mini-Stocks

Opening Ceremonies followed by SLM “Summer Showdown 200”

Pre-Entry – Super Late Models

00 Naima Lang - Lynnwood, WA
1K Kasey Kleyn - Quincy, WA
2 Terry Halverson - Wenatchee, WA
3C Logan Cole - Chehalis, WA
3G Wyatt Gardner - Lake Stevens, WA
3K Ken Bonney - Hermiston, OR
5A Garret Archer - Maple Valley, WA
5E Jan Evans - E Wenatchee, WA
5P Ryan Phipps - Heyburn, ID
7 Tristin McKee - Kannapolis, NC
7D Dawson Cox - Arlington, WA
08 Jace Hansen - Greeley, CO
9 Ethan Ebert - Tucson, AZ
10 Owen Riddle - Naches, WA
11JoD Johvan Dillon - Meridian, ID
14A Michael Atwell - Naples, FL
17s Max Schroeder - Tacoma, WA
22S Buddy Shepherd, Bakersfield, CA
25 Randy Marshall Jr., Moxee, WA
27 Kole Raz, Lake Oswego, OR
33 Christopher Kalsch, Hillsboro, OR
45 Nick Beecher, Marysville, WA
55 Haeden Plybon, Spokane, WA
69 Zandar Peters, Spanaway, WA
89 Doni Wanat, Woodinville, WA
93 Dave Garber, Spokane, WA
94 Brandon Brock, Stanwood, WA
98 Greg Bennett, Seattle, WA

ABOUT THE NORTHWEST SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES

The Northwest Super Late Model Series is the premier regional touring Super Late Model series in the Northwest. The series has many valued partners including Knottical Marine, RaceCals, Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, AR Bodies, Penske Racing Shocks, Five Star Bodies, AFCO Racing / Longacre Racing Products, Franks Radio Service, Jefferson Racing, Champion Auto Group, Atomic Screen Printing, Zero Handicap, The Lester Brothers, Joes Racing Products, and The Ti Company. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Story, Photo credit: Kevin Peters, NWSLMS Media