WMRA Championship Up For Grabs Options

[Guest_WMRA news_*]

Since 1946, many, many midget racers have strived to become the Washington Midget Racing Association champion but only twenty-nine people have ever been able to capture the prestigious crown. This year another tough group of contenders are working toward that goal.

The 2007 WMRA champion and winner of eight feature events, Evan Margeson is back in the Harold and Verda Beal entry, but schedule conflicts might impede a shot at a second title. “We would sure love a second championship and we are working hard for that but we may miss a race or two.” said Margeson, who already has two top three finishes this year and sits just three points out of first in the WMRA points race.

After spending last summer in Ohio, 2006 WMRA champion, Spence Gatrell is back with a new car and engine and planning on running the full schedule. So far the combination has proven very fast, with a third place finish at the last race at South Sound Speedway in Rochester, WA., after a disappointing accident on the first lap of the feature left him on the sidelines of the first race of the 2008 season.

Perhaps the favorite for the title this year is Brea Lopez. Voted the 2007 WMRA Most Improved Driver, Lopez already has a second place finish in the 2005 championship and a third place last season. She is back in the Dan Press car and pushing for the WMRA title. Currently in third place in the WMRA standings she is only thirteen points out of the lead.

Another frontrunner is Tony Seidelman. Tony, in the Randy Manners #44 won the first race of the year, also at South Sound. An accident in a heat race at the last event left Tony watching from the sidelines at feature time which gives the team a little distance to make up. “That crash was certainly a setback but we have a great car this year and I think we can get ourselves right back in the hunt.” stated Seidelman, “I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Never in the history of the WMRA has a rookie won theWMRA title but there are a few young racers looking to change that this year. Mark Atkinson, the current points leader, became the first rookie in over twenty years to win a WMRA feature, in only his second WMRA start. “It is great to get a win so soon but I know it is going to be a long season and there is a lot of tough competition here, tougher than any type of racing I have ever been involved in.” said Atkinson.

Other rookies that intend to run the full schedule include Mitch Hoffses in the Karl Hoffses #5. He had some car problems at the first race but looked impressive the next time out and can easily be a threat as the season progresses. It’s hard to call Quick Rick Brown a rookie with all his wins and championships at the sprint car level of the sport. As the driver of the Tom Maples #98, substituting for an injured Chris Petersen, he has certainly lived up to his nickname so far this year. Kerstin Smutny has shown great potential and has improved greatly in her two WMRA starts. In addition to two good runs at South Sound she got a top ten finish at her first ever USAC West feature, at Altamont Speedway in April.

WMRA Top Ten

1. Mark Atkinson ® 281
2. Evan Margeson 278
3. Brea Lopez 268
4. Spence Gatrell 254
5. Rick Brown ® 231
6. Darren Linder 230
7. Kerstin Smutny ® 219
8. Tony Seidelman 206
9. Mitch Hoffses ® 171
10. Dave Hoene 50


For more information on the WMRA contact Glen Seidelman at glenrace@hotmail.com or 253 535-5849.