Thunder in the desert

Teams return to Richland in mid-season battle

By Jim DeFord

RICHLAND, Wash. (June 18, 2005) — The June 18th race at Richland marked the halfway point in the 2005 USSBA season. In the hotly contested stock class we have the #13 boat of Rice/Rice leading by a mere 50 points over Ellis/Hampl, Bright and Sandovahl teams.

For super modified, Peterson/Peterson leads by 80 points over Roberts/Yancey. In Group A-400, 2004 champion Mathews/McPeak holds a slim lead of just 30 points over Hendrickson/Schmitt. Over in the super boat class Nelson/Ensminger in the Piranha machine is eating everything in sight with a 50 point lead over Lautenschlager/Hibbard.

The weather was slightly overcast and a little cool for this time of the year but no one was complaining. Both engines and people operate more efficiently in cooler weather. The track was beautifully groomed and ready. Kudos to all at Tri-City for their efforts.

Two new entries showed for licenses and the #25 boat of Lorenzen/Garrino in the stock class and #34 of Smith/Phil in super modifieds. The day would end early for #25 with two DNFs and a spun bearing. #34 would make it to eliminations and finish a respectable 8th out of 12 boats in that class.

It was Ellis/Weeks proving to be the strong in the stock class taking the win over Rice/Rice and Sandovahl/Weeks who both DNF'd. Bright/Bright, in Rock Chucker were a no-show in eliminations due to a fuel leak.

Peterson/Peterson in Bernin' H20 continued their march to a possible championship in the super modified class. Closest rival Roberts/Yancey are determined and had heir best showing of he season so the next three races should prove exciting in this class as they only trail by 80 points.

Mathews/McPeak hang onto a slim 30-point lead in Group A-400 over Hendrickson/Schmitt with Phieler/Bridges just another 30 points behind. Mathews has a way of picking away and being just fast enough to take the win. He seems to follow the old adage of winning by going only as fast as you have to. Hendrickson and Baze* may have something to say about that at the next race in Marsing.

And we have Tom Nelson in his new competitor-munching Piranha. After his final run, which was fastest of the day at 41.840, I am pretty sure there was steam actually coming off the water. This boat is very fast, very smooth and the team of Nelson/Ensminger will be tough to beat in 2005.

That's not to take anything away from Lautenschlager/Hibbard who are only 50 points off the mark and ready to pounce for any points gains they can as we're off to Idaho and the first official dug track in the United States on July 2nd.

There is sure to be some fireworks. See you there!

*Note: We are in the process of re-calculating the points for the Baze/Dunning team. Thank you for your patience.