JEFF JEFFERSON WINS CELLULAR ONE 125 AT WVSO

Taking the lead on the third lap Jeff Jefferson of Naches, Wash. kept his No. 42 Morgan Transport/Gary Mears Trucking Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the lead for the next 123 laps taking his first NASCAR Elite Division, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series win of the 2003 season in the Cellular One ?125? at Wenatchee Valley?s Super Oval, in East Wenatchee Wash.

In front was the only place to be as nearly every car in the field of twenty-two sustained damage while battling for position.

Chris Hart, of Yakima, Wash. driving the Yakima Implement Chevrolet made several attempts of bump and run tactics in efforts to move into the front position late in the race.

Jefferson held the line repeatedly and raced on two the win.

Kevin Hamlin, of Snohomish, Wash., defending series champion set fast time for the day driving his No. 33 Bowman?s Electro Painting Chevrolet for a Bud Pole Award winning lap of 13.228 seconds.

This was Hamlin?s first Bud Pole Award at Wenatchee Valley?s Super Oval. He would survive many close calls of his own. Starting eight on the grid he came home third for his second podium finish of the 2003 season.

Gary Lewis, of Bothell, Wash., Started his No. 73 Sign Factory Racing Pontiac seventh. On lap eleven Lewis, and Pete Harding, of Surrey B.C. banged doors causing major damage to the Lewis machine.

Lewis fought an ill handling car for the remainder of the race, but still brought it home in fourth position.

Starting twenty-first on the grid the No. 21 Bill Lawrence of Kelowna B.C., could not avoid the bull ring carnage when he and the No. 9 driven by Kelly Mann of Monroe, Wash. hit hard damaging both cars.

Lawrence would race on to a fifth place finish taking the $750 POWERade ?Power Move of the Race? award.