Previewing the Northwest Super Late Model Series Idaho 208 at Meridian
Event:
The Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by RaceCals will visit Meridian Speedway (ID) for the third time in its history on August 10th. Brooke Schimmel was the winner in 2017, and Haeden Plybon took the win in last season's “Idaho 208”. It will be the second time the series has participated in the “YMC Mechanical Idaho 208” which is traditionally the richest annual event at the ¼-mile facility. It will be the 10th annual running of the “208” and will pay $10,000 to the winner. It will be Round #7 of the 10-race NWSLMS schedule.
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History:
The first “Idaho 208” was run in 2015 as an ARCA Menards Pro Series West race, as were the first five editions. NASCAR Cup Series star and 13-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner Noah Gragson won the first “NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 208” over a 23-car field. Third-year NASCAR Cup Series driver Todd Gilliland landed in Victory Lane in 2016, defeating a 21-car entry. Michael Self beat Gilliland in the third edition with 21 cars in attendance. Popular NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Hailie Deegan used a bump-and-run move on the last lap to grab the victory in 2018 as 15 “West” cars made the start. Former NASCAR Truck Series competitor Derek Kraus beat an 18-car field in 2019, leading 100 laps of the 221 extended lap affair. Three of the five “West” races ran beyond the scheduled distance.
In 2020, the Super Late Models took center stage with 2018 Spears SRL Southwest Tour Series champion Jeremy Doss beating Pacific Northwest Legend Garrett Evans, when 25 Super Late Models started the feature event. Preston Peltier took home $20,000 the following year, beating Zach Telford to the finish line after 18 cars took the green. In 2022, the Speed Tour Super Late Model Series headlined the event and Kyle Tellstrom took the $20,000 win over 23 Super Late Models in the “NAPA Auto Parts Idaho 208”. The Northwest Super Late Model Series sanctioned the event for the first time in 2023 with 31 Super Late Models on hand. Aubree Cristiani led the first 139 laps before a spin handed Haeden Plybon the lead. Plybon would go on to score a $10,000 victory.
Championship Standings:
Kasey Kleyn currently leads the championship standings for the NWSLMS. Kleyn will miss his only race of the season this weekend, as he will be at Tri-City Raceway RMEC for the pre-scheduled ARCA Menards Pro Series West race. Kleyn leads Ken Bonney with a 298-to-246 point margin. A total of 55 championship points are possible during this weekend’s action. Christopher Kalsch is not out of championship contention with 235 points, sitting third. Andy Beaman (195) and Dave Garber (192) round out the top five. Eric Rhead (158), Jess Havens (158), Jason Jefferson (125), Scott Walker (120), and Zach Riehl (119) make up the top 10 in the standings.
Solid Field:
22 Super Late Models are currently entered for this weekend’s event, travelling from four different states; Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. There are no former series champions on the roster. Two competitors have NWSLMS victories. including Jason Jefferson and Kyle Tellstrom. Tellstrom was the 2022 “Idaho 208” winner. Jefferson is coming off a big win in the “Montana 200” at the Mission Valley Super Oval (MT).
Race Procedure:
A maximum of 26 teams will start the “Idaho 208”. 20 will qualify directly into the feature event. As needed, there will be two NWSLMS Provisionals based on the 2024 championship standings. Two Promotor Options will be added, as needed. Two starters will come from the 40-Lap “B”-Main, if required. The “YMC Mechanical Idaho 208” will feature a halfway break at lap 104. The teams will have 15 minutes to make adjustments. It will be a four-tire race.
Former Winner:
Kyle Tellstrom is the only former “Idaho 208” winner entered in this weekend’s event. Tellstrom was the winner in 2022 and is coming off a victory in the “Idaho 200” just over a week ago. Mechanical issues plagued Tellstrom in the 2023 “208” however, and he didn’t even make a qualifying effort. The multi-time Meridian Speedway track champion feels he has a strong shot at bringing home the $10,000 prize this year, if they can get the car handling correctly.
“Meridian can get tight in traffic, but mainly you have to keep the right front tire on the car and not cook it”, Tellstrom explained. “You are always turning there, and on long runs, a tight race car is no fun.”
Oh, So Close:
Zach Telford finished second to Preston Peltier in the 2021 version of the “Idaho 208”. He returned to finish second in last season’s edition to Haeden Plybon. He made his first start in the event in 2019, finishing ninth in the ARCA Menards Pro Series West event at the age of 15. A year later he finished seventh in his Super Late Model. This year, it is his goal to cross the line first and grab the richest victory of his career.
Oh, So Close Two:
Aubree Cristiani came into the 2023 version of the “Idaho 208” riding momentum from a top five finish in the “Idaho 200” at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway (ID). She proceeded to dominate the “Idaho 208”, leading the first 139 laps in front of a stellar field. A spin while leading however, put the brakes on her effort. The former Modified star recovered to finish fourth at the end of 208 laps in her Trevor Cristiani Racing (TCR) Chevy. She hopes to have another strong effort in 2024, despite limited time in a Super Late Model.
“The race was crazy last year, and every single leader at one point faced adversity”, Cristiani recalled. “We had a really strong performance, and my husband (Trevor Cristiani) prepped a great car. I haven't raced on slicks or even been on the track at Meridian since last year’s “208”. I am excited to get back and hopefully have another great showing and be able to be on the front chute when it’s all said and done.”
Last Hurrah Part Deux?:
At the conclusion of 2023, John Newhouse sold his Late Model equipment and planned to retire from Late Model racing. But on July 27th, he returned for the “Idaho 200” at Finlay Stadium Stateline Speedway. The return led to a solid fourth-place effort in a field of 41 entries, in a car owned and prepared by Trevor Cristiani Racing. With the partnership leading to immediate success, the duo will return for this year’s “208”.
“TCR, Trevor Christiani Racing, is whose car we are racing for in both the “200” and the “208”, Newhouse stated. “He will prep the car, and we are confident we will have a hotrod when we unload. The “Idaho 200” last week was the first race for him and me with that car. So, it was not a bad outing! He owns and maintains the car and I'm just there to drive it. Our goal for the "Idaho 208” is winning, 100%. We never show up to race unless we feel like we have a shot of winning!”
Champions Pedigree:
Johvan Dillon will make his debut in the Northwest Super Late Model Series, as well as Super Late Model racing this weekend. Dillon is the son of former NASCAR Elite Division Northwest Tour champion John Dillon. Johvan began his racing career in Kart racing. He made his debut with stock cars in 2023, scoring five wins over the last year-and-a-half. He is coming off an 18th-place run in the “Idaho 200” at Stateline Speedway, making his way through the Last Chance Qualifying race. He will seek to continue to gain big race experience, after completing 199 of 200 laps in the “Idaho 200”
“I feel like the "Idaho 200" prepared me in a couple ways”, Dillon began. “One, because of the number of laps I totaled between the races and practice. Secondly, because you have to be so aware of your surroundings, because it seems like someone is trying to wreck in front of you every lap.”
Live Stream:
For those unable to attend this weekend’s “Idaho 208”, the event will be live streamed on Racing America. DJ Everett will lead the efforts behind the microphone, with Shari Garber working the cameras.
Schedule:
Friday’s action (August 9th) on Walking Sombrero Taco Night features the Zamp NASCAR Late Models and Motorplex at the Mill Pro-Late Models in a 75-lap shootout. The NASCAR Modifieds, NASCAR Trucks, Project Filter Mini Modifieds, and Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets will also be on hand. Admission Gates open at 4:45 PM with the first Green at 6:30 PM. Saturday features the Northwest Super Late Model Series in the “YMC Mechanical Idaho 208”. Also on the card are the NASCAR Trucks, Boise Bath and Kitchen Company Mini Stocks, Project Filter Mini Modifieds, and Trammel Construction Stingers. Admission Gates open at 4:45 PM with Racing at 6:30 PM.
Expected Entry: (22 as of 8/07/2024)
01 Hunter Gates – Nampa, ID
3B Andy Beaman – Selah, WA
3K Ken Bonney – Hermiston, OR
3T Skip Taylor – Melba, ID
5 Ryan Phipps – Burley, ID
9 Donovan Barr – Nampa, ID
11 Johvan Dillon – Meridian, ID
17 Zach Telford – Middleton, ID
21 Kyle Latham – Nampa, ID
22 Andrew Palmer – Meridian, ID
26 John Newhouse – Twin Falls, ID
33 Christopher Kalsch – Hillsboro, OR
40 Dylan Caldwell – Nampa, ID
63 Dan Lowther – Boise, ID
66 Eric Rhead – W Bountiful, UT
77 Scott Murphy – Spokane, WA
80 Wyatt King – Boise, ID
81 Ray Clever – Boise, ID
91 Kyle Tellstrom – Boise, ID
93 Dave Garber – Spokane, WA
96 Aubree Cristiani – Meridian, ID
97 Jason Jefferson – Naches, WA
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, Penske Racing Shocks, Five Star Bodies, AFCO Racing / Longacre Racing Products, Franks Racing Radio, Jefferson Racing, Impel Motorsports, The Fan’s Connection LLC, Northwest Road and Drive, and The Ti Company. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook and Twitter.
-Story: Kevin Peters, NWSLMS Media
-Photo Credit: Shari Garber, NWSLMS Media
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