NWSLMS Returns to WVSO for the Leonard Evans Memorial 150

The “Leonard Evans Memorial 150” will take place at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval (WA) for the 11th time in Northwest Super Late Model Series presented by Knottical Marine (NWSLMS) history. The annual event will take place on Saturday, April 26^th and pay respect to Leonard Evans, the father of four-time NWSLMS champion Garrett Evans, and grandfather to Jan Evans, the 2024 race winner. $5,000 will go to the victor, with another $250 in cash for fast time, thanks to The Lester Brothers. It will be Round #2 of the seven-race season schedule. It will be the series 24th visit to the ¼-mile oval, which hosted the series second event, in 2014.

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Brent Harris was the winner of the inaugural event at WVSO, which was known as the “Apple Blossum 125” that first season. Jan Evans scored his career first series win in the 2024 edition of the memorial event. Haeden Plybon was the winner in 2023, which followed his victory in 2021. Other winners of the “150” include Tayler Riddle (2015, 2018), Shelby Thompson (2016), Shane Mitchell (2017), Gracin Raz (2019), and Evan Goetz (2022). Both Plybon and Evans are entered this weekend.

2024 NWSLMS champion Kasey Kleyn (52 points) leads the NWSLMS championship standings by one point over Zach Riehl (51), with 2023 champion Haeden Plybon (47) in third. Trace Thompson (46), Ryan Phipps (43), Johvan Dillon (42), Wyatt Gardner (42), Ken Bonney (41), Terry Halverson (39), and Andrew Palmer (38) round out the top ten. 25 teams scored points after the season opening “Apple Cup 125” at Tri-City Raceway RMEC.

The Jefferson Racing rookie class will be highly competitive in 2025, with seven teams scoring championship points in the season opener. Ryan Phipps (43 points) leads a close battle over Johvan Dillon (42), Wyatt Garner (42), Terry Halverson (39), and Jess Havens (30). Danica Dart (28) and Gabe Sessler (26) both experienced trouble in the opener and sit outside the top five.

18 Super Late Models are currently expected to compete this weekend, representing three states and one Canadian Province. Drivers from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho will be joined by Victoria BC driver Brandon Carlson. Haeden Plybon, Zach Riehl, Jan Evans, Alan Cress, and Mitch Kleyn (tentative) are former series winners. Dave Garber, Terry Halverson, Brandon Carlson, and Jason O’Neil are former Late Model touring series winners.

Jan Evans is the defending winner of the “Leonard Evans Memorial 150”. Evans’ father Garrett is surprisingly winless after finishing second in 2015 and 2016. Jan was the 2017 NWSLMS championship runner-up and will make his sixth start in the 11th running of the “Leonard Evans Memorial”. The event honors his grandfather, as he remembers his influence over his racing career.

“My grandpa influenced my racing career by being a great father and grandfather, Evans stated. “He worked hard and smart his whole life, and always made sure his family had a strong foundation. That work ethic and support helped set us up to chase our dreams, including my dad’s path, which eventually led to him owning the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval. My grandpa didn’t just build a business; he built opportunities for all of us.”

Ryan Phipps leads the Rookie-of-the-Year standings headed into the “Leonard Evans Memorial 150”, after a career best fifth-place finish, in the season opener. With his strong finish, a change in outlook could be expected. But the Burley, ID racer maintains the same attitude, as the series heads to a facility he loves.

“My mindset is always just appreciation for getting to race and what a blessing it is”, Phipps stated. “Trevor (Cristiani) and the team are great people, which makes it fun. Trevor especially knows I just want to have fun. We are bringing my little boys to run Bandos as well.”

“I love the place”, Phipps stated regarding his thoughts of the ¼-mile facility. “We were good in the Pro Late last Fall. We qualified second but just broke a trailing arm bracket in the race early. The Super race will be challenging, but I look forward to it.”

Alan Cress finished as the NWSLMS championship runner-up in 2018, falling one point short of the title. The Stayton, OR racer has always had an affinity for WVSO, but has still yet to taste victory at the ¼-mile speedway. His last trip found him placing fourth in the “Wenatchee 200”, one position behind Bubba Pollard. In his 28^th Late Model start at WVSO, he hopes to improve his best finish of second, which occurred in his only Pro Late Model series start. He hopes to pick up series win number three at a track he loves.

“I like racing at WVSO because the track lends itself to great racing”, Cress stated. “It has lots of grip, multiple grooves, and good side by side racing. I will be running the blue #91 Oregon Tool Super Late Model, that I ran in the “Wenatchee 200” last year.”

This weekend’s schedule at the Wenatchee Valley Super-Oval features a two-day event, with the Pro Late Models taking center stage on Friday, in the $4,000-to-win “Spring Sizzle 100”. They will be joined by the NW Focas Midgets, Legends and Bandoleros. The NWSLMS will have three practice sessions on Friday. Fan Gates open at 4:30 PM. Saturday will see the NWSLMS joined by the NW Focas Midgets, Bandoleros, and the Legends. Fan Gates open at 4:30 PM with Qualifying for all divisions beginning at 4:35 PM. Opening Ceremonies are slated for 5:45 PM, with racing at 6:00 PM.

For those unable to attend the “Leonard Evans Memorial 150” in person, the event will be shown LIVE on Racing America, with a subscription to their livestream service.

Expected Entry List: (4/23/2025)

2 Terry Halverson Wenatchee, WA
3G Wyatt Gardner Lake Stevens WA
3K Ken Bonney Hermiston, OR
5E Jan Evans E Wenatchee, WA
5P Ryan Phipps Burley, ID
7R Zach Riehl Corbett, OR
11J Johvan Dillon Meridian, ID
14 Brandon Carlson Victoria, BC, Canada
17P Bob Presley Olympia, WA
29 Jason O'Neil Spokane, WA
33 Christopher Kalsch Hillsboro, OR
55 Haeden Plybon Spokane, WA
63 Rowdy Rupinski Hayden, ID
66 Gabe Sessler Snohomish, WA
77 Scott Murphy Spokane, WA
91 Alan Cress Stayton, OR
93 Dave Garber Spokane, WA
Mitch Kleyn, MAYBE

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 Knottical Marine, RaceCals, Hoosier Racing Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, AR Bodies, Penske Racing Shocks, Five Star Bodies, AFCO Racing / Longacre Racing Products, Franks Radio Service, Jefferson Racing, Champion Auto Group, Atomic Screen Printing, Zero Handicap, The Lester Brothers, and The Ti Company. For more information on the series visit www.nwslms.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

-Story, Photo Credit: Kevin Peters, NWSLMS