ELMA/ROCHESTER, WA – Two NPP race teams compete at two Washington State tracks this Saturday, August 3rd.  Lane Zerbin is racing the Team NPP #81 dirt Modified at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma.  Darrell Midgley races the Team NPP #81 pavement Super Late Model at South Sound Speedway in Rochester.  Because of the Grays Harbor County Fair, the race in Elma, Washington will be starting two-hours earlier (4:00pm) than normal.  Zerbin says the earlier start-time could be beneficial.  “I don’t do too well on heavy (tacky) tracks so this might be a good thing.  The track might be a little drier with the extra sun.”  The Victoria, British Columbia driver has been trying out several different race set-ups on his Northern Provincial Pipelines/C-Force Marine #81 Modified in 2024.  “There really aren’t many opportunities to test (these cars),” admits Zerbin, “the Heat races and Mains are the tests.”

The different set-ups have given Zerbin some good finishes this season.  Unfortunately a flat tire at Grays Harbor Raceway back on July 13th ended Zerbins consecutive run of top-10 finishes.  “We really had a decent Nationals event (in Elma).”  Zerbin finished 6th in the Friday night Feature to extend his top-10 streak to five.  Saturday’s race saw Zerbin start 18th.  He managed to work his way up to 10th before a tire went down (finished 16th).  “We really enjoy running against a full field of competitors.”  Over 20 IMCA Modifieds are expected in the pits for this Saturday’s race.  Zerbin finished 8th at last year’s Elma County Fair event.

Darrell Midgley returns to a track that he hasn’t competed at in 5-years.  In his last appearance at South Sound Speedway (July 3rd, 2019), Midgley crossed the finish line in 5th.  This was his best ever finish in the Northern Provincial Pipelines #81 Dodge.  His previous best was 8th in 2017.

Midgley has a long history at the 3/8 mile paved oval track in Rochester, Washington dating back to the 1980’s and 90’s.  “We won a few here along the way,” indicates the Sidney, British Columbia driver, “it was in the Pro Stock Series.  Just don’t ask me to remember the dates!”  This weekend’s WeCanHelp.org 200 at South Sound Speedway will be Midgleys first event since his 12th place finish at Idaho’s Stateline Speedway back in May.  “Really looking forward to Saturday,” says Midgley, “I’m hearing there will be twenty cars racing here.  We’re going to be on the track for practice Friday (4:00pm-8:00pm).  All the racing (and qualifying) takes place on Saturday.”  South Sound Speedway is celebrating its 51st year of racing in 2024.