Aug. 1 - 3
Nestled among tall evergreen trees just a few miles from downtown Kent, Seattle Int'l Raceway has hosted the Northwest Nationals since its inception in 1988. The multipurpose facility, which first hosted the Fallnationals from 1974 through 1980, is the last stop on the tour's annual three-race Western swing, marking the end of what many consider the toughest three weeks of the season.
In its short nine-year history, the Northwest Nationals has had its share of first-time national-event winners. Michael Brotherton scored his first and only Top Fuel win in 1992, and in 1993 Pro Stock rookie Kurt Johnson broke through for his first victory. In 1994, Steve Schmidt followed suit with his first Pro Stock win, and a year later, Top Fuel rookie Ron Capps drove Roger Primm's dragster to a surprising victory.
Though there were no first-time winners last year, there was a rookie winner, Mike Edwards, who won for the second time in 1996 in Pro Stock. Edwards, a winner at the Slick 50 Nationals in March, defeated Jim Yates in the semifinals in what was the quickest race in the class' history, 7.00 to 6.99, before beating Johnson in the final.
Joining Edwards in the winner's circle were Shelly Anderson in Top Fuel and John Force in Funny Car. Anderson defeated Mike Dunn in Monday's rain-delayed final for her second win of the season, and Force beat teammate Tony Pedregon in the final for his ninth win in 13 races and fourth Northwest Nationals title.
Seattle Int'l Raceway
HOW TO GET THEREThe track is 10 miles east of Kent on Highway 18, 10 minutes from Interstate 5. From Interstate 5, use exit 142A (Auburn Exit) and travel east 10 miles on Highway 18, following the signs to the track. From other points, use Highway 18.
