ALGER, Wash. – May Day will be forever remembered at Skagit Speedway as the return of the fans to the grandstands after COVID-19 forced racing without a crowd last season.
Operating at 25 percent capacity, the rowdy crowd enjoyed a great night of racing with Eric Fisher, Justin Youngquist, Garrett Thomas and Howard Vos scoring opening night wins.
The Budweiser 360 sprint cars saw Fisher make yet another appearance in Sage Fruit victory lane on opening night.
Fisher took the race lead from Jesse Schlotfeldt, and at times it looked like he had built an insurmountable advantage.
A late caution with just a handful of laps remaining brought the field back together, and Schlotfeldt made a late run at Fisher, using the middle of the track in turns one and to keep Fisher close, but not enough to make the big move to retake the lead.
In the end, it was Fisher winning ahead of Schlotfeldt and Jason Solwold. Corby Fauver set fast time, with heat wins going to Schlotfeldt and Lance Sargent.
Youngquist debuted the Dynes Racing sprint car in Sage Fruit victory lane with the Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprints.
After winning his heat race, Youngquist started from the pole and led all 25 laps, turning away a strong charge from Kelsey Carpenter over the final five laps to secure the win.
Carpenter had to rally from the back of the field to take second after an opening lap wreck.
Cory Swatzina overcame mechanical issues in his heat race to finish third. Carpenter was quick time. Bill Rude joined Youngquist as a heat race winner.
The race out front in the NW Focus Midget main event was dynamite on Saturday night.
Thomas worked hard to sneak the lead away from Travis Jacobson on lap 15, bringing Jared Peterson with him as they rolled the low groove into the top two spots.
Peterson dogged Thomas lap after lap, getting underneath to take the lead from a brief second as the pair crossed to complete lap 23, but Thomas was not to be denied, making a strong move to repass Peterson and jump back into the top spot, and then Sage Fruit victory lane two laps later.
The top three ended up as Thomas, Peterson and Nick Evans. The three heat wins went to Jacobson, Thomas and Jamee Gardner.
In the Outlaw Tuner class, Vos came out on top of a spirited battle for the win.
Vos took the lead from Colin Sims on lap six to secure the win ahead of Jeremy Swann and Jon Gunderson. Vos and Gunderson won the heats.
The finish:
360 sprint cars: Eric Fisher, Jesse Schlotfeldt, Jason Solwold, Chance Crum, Brock Lemley, Lance Sargent, Corbyn Fauver, Bailey Sucich, Travis Jacobson, Ashleigh Johnson.