ALGER, WA – ………. first you must finish!  Race #4 of the 2019 Washington Modified Tour season was held Saturday night at Skagit Speedway and Lane Zerbin was 14 laps away from running a perfect night.  The Victoria, British Columbia driver began his night with a Heat race victory.  In the Feature, Zerbin jumped out to the race lead before the end of the first lap.  “I started outside pole.  As soon as I rolled out I knew I was in the right position to start this race.  There was a nice cushion on the top so that was the line (on the track) I took advantage of.”  Zerbin had built close to a two-second lead when the first caution flag flew for a single car spin.  “This car is as good as it’s ever been.  I could drive it almost anywhere I want.”  On the restart the driver of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd./C-Force Marine #81 Modified took the high line once again and pulled away from the field.  “The track was pretty pristine.”  Another caution slowed the field but Zerbin again took control of the Feature on the restart.  “I knew I was quicker than most of the guys.  Most were running low so if I caught lapped traffic there wouldn’t be an issue.”  Approaching the halfway point of the Feature there would be an issue with the front straight wall.  “Part of the steel wall was peeled out.  I just missed it coming around.”  Zerbin’s big lead was gone again.  “I really didn’t want that (yellow) flag.  It’s unfortunate but that’s how it goes.”  After the quick-fix of the wall, drivers were back racing once again.  “On the restart someone got into my right rear and cut the right rear tire down.”  Any chance for Zerbin winning the Saturday night Feature quickly evaporated.  Zerbin headed to the pits for a quick tire change and was back on the track.  His return did not last long.  “Someone got into my left front and knocked the toe-out (on the restart).  It was at this point I decided to call it a night.”  Zerbin, who had the fastest car in the Feature, was credited with an 18th place finish.“We got the speed.  We just need some luck to get to the finish.  If that happens maybe we can start picking up a few wins.”  Warren, Oregon’s Jeremy Martin was the Saturday night Feature winner.  Four Canadians finished in the top-6.  Zerbin figures it could have been a British Columbia sweep of the podium.  “If I didn’t fall out, I believe the top 5 finishers (in Skagit) would have all been Canadians.” Graham Cook, and Jason Beaulieu finished second and third.   Lawrence O’Connor finished fourth and Chris Beaulieu was sixth.  Jason Beaulieu ran in the NPP Late Model Series (2004 – 09) and was the 2007 Champion.  Cook (2004 – 08) and Chris Beaulieu (2006 – 12) were also competitors in the Alberta based NPP Series.  Next race for Lane Zerbin and the Team NPP #81 Modified is Saturday, May 18th at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington.

>SATURDAY, MAY 11th
FEATURE RESULTS
1. #99 Jerermy Martin – Warren, Oregon
2. #75 Graham Cook – Parksville, British Columbia
3. #90 Jason Beaulieu – Campbell River, British Columbia
4. #27 Lawrence O’Connor – Port Hardy, British Columbia
5. #14 Kyler Moore – Seabeck, Washington
6. #91 Chris Beaulieu – Campbell River, British Columbia
7. # 7 Kevin Smith – Sedro Wooley, Washington
8. #97 Tyson Blood – Olympia, Washington
9. #12 BJ Wild – Redmond, Oregon
10.#51 Craig Moore – Seabeck, Washington
11.# 8 Rick Smith – Mt. Vernon, Washington
12.#67 Mike Steltz – Snohomish, Washington
13. #65 Ben Gunderson – Sedro Wolley, Washington
14.#45 Tiana Berkeley – Redmond, Oregon
15.#25 Jeff Blanton – Sedro Wolley, Washington
16.#10 Dan Butenshoen – Mount Baker, Washington
17.# 4 Roger Drake – Arlington, Washington
18.#81 Lane Zerbin – Victoria, British Columbia
19.#15 Adam Holtrop – Birdsview, Washington
20.# 4 Jeff Jansma – Clear Lake, Washington
21.#22 Mel Decker – Sedro Woolley, Washington