ELMA, WA – Team NPP is back in action south of the border this weekend in Elma, Washington.  Grays Harbor Raceway hosts the 19th annual Shipwreck Beads Modified Nationals on Friday and Saturday night.  Lane Zerbin enters the race weekend on a bit of a hot streak.  The Victoria, British Columbia has two podium finishes in his last three appearances at the Washington track.  Last weekend Zerbin was involved in of one of the closest finishes at Grays Harbor Raceway in years.  Zerbin finished second in the Northern Provincial Pipelines/Alien Race Car #81 Modified, a mere 8/1000 of a second behind race winner Kyler Moore (Seabeck, Wa.).  “The new car is handling really good,” says Zerbin, “I fell back a little in the main but fought back, took the lead with five laps to go and almost won it.  I’m feeling pretty good about this weekend.”

PHOTO FINISH IN WASHINGTON LAST SATURDAY NIGHT

The Shipwreck Beads Modified Nationals is the crown jewel race of the Washington Modified Tour.  “This is the big west coast race of the year for Modifieds,” explains Zerbin, “over forty cars will be here fighting to get into Saturday night’s Main event.”  Twenty four cars will run the Saturday night Feature.  “You need to perform well in the heat races and collect as many points as you can (on Friday night) to lock yourself into the Main.”  Zerbin finished 5th at last year’s Nationals.  “Friday night pretty much determines Saturday,” explains Zerbin, “last year I had one bad Heat.  I did lock myself into the Saturday night Feature but I started fourteenth.  If you can lock yourself into the top 8 you have a way better chance at succeeding.  Finishing first or second in both heat races guarantees a top 8 starting spot.”  Only the top 16 drivers in points from Friday night heat races are guaranteed a starting spot in the Saturday night Feature.  The remaining eight spots are filled through transfers from Saturday night consolation races.

SHIPWRECK BEADS MODIFIED NATIONALS
>FRIDAY/SATURDAY, JULY 27/28, 2018
5:30pm – Spectator Gates
7:00pm – Racing

UPDATE: Lane Zerbin had a successful opening night at the Shipwreck Beads Modified Nationals at Grays Harbor Raceway. The Victoria, British Columbia driver won his opening Heat race and finished 5th in the second Heat locking himself into Saturday nights Feature event. Because of past Feature wins at the Elma, Washington track, Zerbin also participated in the Race of Champions on Friday night. Early in the Feature Zerbin took over top spot and was briefly the race leader. Collen Winebarger then got by Zerbin to take over the lead. The two drivers then battled hard the remainder of the race. With four laps to go Zerbin made his move to regain top spot. There was contact between Zerbin and Winebarger. Zerbin spun losing out on a potential podium finish. Zerbin finished 12th. “Today (Friday) was a good confidence booster,” exclaimed Zerbin after the Friday night Feature, “tomorrow (Saturday) is the race that counts and I think we have a car to compete for the win and at least a podium finish.”