MENNE MOTORS TO FIRST NST VICTORY IN BAXTER AUTO PARTS / AUTO VALUE GRAND RE-OPENING

Portland, OR. August, 4. Dan Menne of Fort Jones, CA collected his first
hy-per-lube Northern Sprint Tour feature win Friday night at the new
Portland Speedway clay half-mile.

Menne bested 35 other drivers in qualifying, and set an initial track record
of 18.165 to christen the new clay surface. Qualifying was close as the
drivers learned to negotiate the new track, the top ten were all in the 18
second bracket. Menne also picked up the victory in the Trophy Dash over
Jay Smith, Rick Fauver, Jayme barnes, Shawna Wislkey, and Chad Hillier. Heat
race victories went to Chad Hillier, Scott Adams, Tim Levine, and Pat
Desbiens.The top four from each heat made it to the 30 lap feature, while
the remaining 18 cars wereleft to battle in a 15-lap "B" main event. The "B"
main ran green, white, checker as the drivers quickly adapted to the surface
and found racing room inside and out. Donnie Frye, Jeff Thompson finished
one-two, to transfer into the "A" main.

Dan Menne, by virtue of his fast time and Trophy Dash win, started the
30-lap main event on the pole. On the parade lap, the 20 NST Sprint Cars did
a 4-wide salute to the near capacity crowd that came to see the new era of
dirt track racing at Portland Speedway. As the green waved, Menne quickly
established the early lead over Jay Smith, Rick Fauver, and Shawna Wislkey
up from her sixth starting position. During the first 9 laps, cars battled
throughout the field for position, as the field started to string out, the
bottom groove started to come in and become the quick way around. Two-time
and defending NST cahmpion brought out the first yellow on lap 10 as she
tried to make a pass of Rick Fauver for third. Wilsky's car washed up the
track and spun. She was able to restart at the back of the field. The action
stayed green until the #21 of Jay Smith broke and came to a rest against
the turn 2 wall. On the restart, Menne again quickly established a big lead
over Fauver. Fauver was able to close in on Menne after several laps under
green, but he was unable to find a way around, as Menne worked the traffic
and mastered the new half-maile. On lap 26, Menne had the race in hand when
the action was red-flagged for a dual flip in turn four. Tim Levine and
Shawn Rice got together coming out of the turn and both cars did and ariel
purowhet and where unable to continue. Neither driver was hurt. When the
action resumed, the field was given a green, white, checker, due to time
constraints. No one had anything for Menne as he claimed his first NST
victory after more than 5 years of trying. Fauver finsihed second, with
Jayme Barnes coming home in third, Chad Hillier in fourth, and Jay Cole
rounding out the top five. A jubuliant Menne in victory lane exclaimed,
"This has been a long time coming, we've worked hard. I cound'nt be more
proud of my team and sponsors!" Menne also added, "The track was fantastic,
we had heard rumors that it would not be raceable, but it was very smooth
and in great condition. My hats off top to the track for getting this event
together."

The next event at Portland Speedway is the Pennzoil World of Outlaws August
25,26. Tickets are still available for this inaugural event by calling
800-425-4832. For all the latest news and information about Portland
Speedway, log on to www.portlandspeedway.com

Northern Sprint Tour

Fast time: Dan Menne 18.165
Trophy Dash: Dan Menne, Jay Smith, Rick Fauver, Jayme Barnes, Shawna
Wilskey, Chad Hillier.

Heat #1: Chad Hillier, Dan Menne, Glenn Borden Jr, Gary Lynch, Tony Smith
Heat #2: Scott Adams, Jay Cole, Rick Fauver, Shawna Wilskey, Greg Brown
Heat #3: Tim Levine, #24a, Jay Smith, Barry Martinez, Bryon Harvey
Heat #4: Pat Desbiens, Travis Hawthorne, Rick Smith, Jayme Barnes, #28B

B Main event: Donnie Frye, Jeff Thompson, #76B, Shawn Rice, Gus Cooper,
Ronny Wilson, Jay Fullman, Bryon Harvey, Kirk Haefs, Jim Cress.

A Main event: Dan Menne, Rick Fauver, Jayme Barnes, Chad Hillier, Jay Cole,
Donnie Frye, Jeff Thompson, Greg Brown, Rick Smith, Travis Hawthorne, Barry
Martinez, #24A, Pat Desbiens, Gary Lynch, Glenn Borden Jr, Shawna Wilskey,
Shawn Rice, Tim Levine, Troy Helm, Jay Smith.