Northwest Super Late Model Series
Plybon Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway
May 10, 2023
Northwest Super Late Model Series will return to Northwest Idaho this Saturday
It will be the seventh time the series has visited the facility, now in its 50th year of operation
Spokane, WA – The Northwest Super Late Model Series (NWSLMS) will return to Northwest Idaho for the third consecutive year on May 20th for the “SLS 125” on the paved ¼-mile oval known as Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway (ID). It will be the seventh time the series has visited the facility, now in its 50th year of operation. The “SLS 125” will pay $3,000 to the winner and will be Round #3 of the NWSLMS season. 17 Super Late Models are entered as of May 16th.
History: In 2021, the Northwest Super Late Model Series returned to Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway for the first time since 2016. Garrett Evans scored his only 2021 series victory that day, eventually leading to his fourth series championship. 2022 found Trevor Cristiani grabbing the rain delayed event win in front of Kaiden Anderson, Nick Gibson, Mike Doss, and Evan Goetz in a 19-car field. 2015 saw two events run with Blake Williams and the late J.C. Wofford the winners. 2016 found Braeden Havens and Garrett Evans scoring victories. Havens is the only former winner entered this weekend.
Track Champions: Multiple Stateline Speedway Track Champions have registered for this weekend’s event. Those include recent champions Haeden Plybon (2020) and Jason O’Neil (2021) as well as Dave Garber, who has scored multiple championships at the ¼-mile oval.
Idaho 200: Two previous winners of the “Idaho 200” have entered this weekend’s contest. Those drivers include Haeden Plybon (2022) and Corey Allard (2021).
Championship: Haeden Plybon leads the championship standings through two events in 2023. Plybon leads with 98 points to Zach Riehl’s 84. Wyatt King is one back with 83 and Max Schroder sits fourth with 81 markers. Doni Wanat rounds out the top-five with 79. The remainder of the top ten consists of Dave Garber (73), Jason O’Neil (71), Garrett Evans (68), Ken Bonney (67) and Andy Beaman (67).
Kulwicki Finalist: Haeden Plybon is a Kulwicki Driver Development Program finalist for the second consecutive year. The Spokane, WA teenager has gotten off to a strong start in 2023, leading the championship standings and grabbing his fourth victory in the last two-plus years in the series. He was the winner of the last event at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval and is hopeful to keep the momentum rolling at his hometrack.
“I sure hope the momentum continues on this weekend. It'd be great to get back-to-back NWSLMS wins. But then again anything can happen, and I just have to hope we are prepared to be the best we can be. I feel like consistency and conserving tires will be a key point in being in contention for the win at the end.
— Haeden Plybon
From the Ashes: Nick Gibson finished the 2022 NWSLMS third in the championship standings. The offseason wasn’t as kind as a fire destroyed most of his race equipment and left him with only one charred racecar for 2023. An unfortunate crash in the season opening “Apple Cup 125” at Tri-City Raceway at RMEC (WA) only complicated the matter, forcing him to miss Round #2 at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval (WA). But with quick work, he returned to racing at Meridian Speedway (ID) scoring a second-place finish in the Speed Tour Super Late Model Series. He now returns to Stateline Speedway where he scored a third in both the NWSLMS and the “Idaho 200” in 2022.
“I'm really excited”, Gibson exclaimed! “We are supposed to be taking my new car. Matt (Alexander) does a great job up there, and me and my crew have a great time every time we race there.”
“Max”imize the Luck: Max Schroeder has been searching for a NWSLMS championship since tying for the championship runner-up position in his rookie season, 2021. His 2022 campaign was littered with bad luck and ended two races short of the seven race schedule, thanks to a concussion in a Friday night Pro Late Model race. Schroeder currently sits fourth in the championship standings, heading to a track that has been short on luck for the Tacoma, WA racer. It is a track he enjoys, and if he can maximize some good luck, a top-three finish, or second series win is not out of the question.
“Stateline hasn't been the best to us in recent years”, Schroeder explained. “We've always been fast there, and I love the track. I think the main thing for us is just maintaining the car throughout the race and making it to the finish. Our goal for this race, and really this whole year, is to finish consistently and cleanly and push towards breaking into that top three. And have fun doing it!”
Experience Rules: Dave Garber is a multi-time track champion at Stateline Speedway, as well as a three-time Inland Northwest Super Stock Association champion. He scored the Pro Late Model track championship at Hermiston Raceway in 2019 and will now return to his home track, seeking his first NWSLMS win.
“It's close to home and I started racing there in 1986”, Garber explained about his relationship to the facility. “It is pretty much my home track and I have had lots of success and many championships there.”
Rookie Leader: Zach Reihl enters Round #3 of the season second in points and leading the Rookie-of-the-Year standings. He ripped off a fourth-place finish at the “Apple Cup 125” and backed it up with a solid eighth in the “Leonard Evans Memorial 150”. Riehl leads Wyatt King by one point and Kasey Kleyn by a comfortable margin after motor issues ruined his day at WVSO. Riehl will now head to a track for which he earned a third-place finish in his only 2022 start, looking for a clean race and a top-three finish.
“I’m hoping to score a top-three at Stateline and have a good strong race with all my competitors.”
Schedule: Friday May 19th will open the weekend with feature events for the Impel Road Runners, Park Model Homes Fever 4, Angel’s Bail Bonds Bandoleros, and the RaceCals Pro Late Models. Saturday will find the Rayce Rudeen Legends, Angel's Bail Bonds Bandoleros, and Johnson Surveying Hobby Stocks in action with the Northwest Super Late Model Series for a full two days of racing action. Admission Gates on Friday open at 5:00 PM and Saturday at 4:00 PM
Livestream: For those unable to attend, the event will be shown LIVE at RacingAmerica.com with a paid subscription. Shari Garber and DJ Everett with headline the weekend’s coverage.
Entry List: (as of 5/16/2023)
1 Kasey Kleyn Quincy, WA
3G Wyatt Gardner Lake Stevens WA
3K Ken Bonney Hermiston, OR
7 Zach Riehl Corbett, OR
11 Nick Gibson Nampa, ID
13 Matt Doyle Wenatchee, WA
17s Max Schroeder Tacoma, WA
22 Evan Goetz Okanogan, WA
22 Garret Sawyer Spokane, WA
23 Corey Allard Sagle, ID
26 John Newhouse Twin Falls, ID
29 Jason O'Neil Spokane, WA
33 Christopher Kalsch Hillsboro, OR
55 Haeden Plybon Spokane, WA
80 Wyatt King Boise, ID
83 Braeden Havens Spokane, WA
93 Dave Garber Spokane, WA
Bottom of Form
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 RaceCals, Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, Gibson Diesel Performance, AR Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Penske Racing Shocks, Five Star Bodies, AFCO/Longacre Racing Products, Atomic Screen Printing and Embroidery, Franks Racing Radio, BLP, Jefferson Racing, Impel Motorsports, and The Ti Company. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook and Twitter.
Story: K. Peters, NWSLMS Media
