Buckle up for Summer Showdown at Evergreen Speedway

Evergreen Speedway is planning to pull out all the stops during this year's two-day Summer Showdown NASCAR racing event.

NASCAR drivers from all across North America will converge on the track at Evergreen Speedway (14405 179th Ave. S.E.) in Monroe to compete in the 2015 Summer Showdown event.-á

Qualifying rounds will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, for NASCAR super late models, street stocks and NASCAR mini stocks.-á

Opening ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m., followed by the NASCAR street stock and mini stock main events and the NASCAR super late model 25-lap heat races.-á

The super late model heats will determine 24 locked-in positions for the Summer Showdown.

Engines will begin to roar at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, with the Northwest Pro4 Alliance qualifying rounds. At 4 p.m., drivers will compete for the final spots in the Summer Showdown, and at 5:30 p.m., the Pro4 Alliance main event will begin.-á

Opening ceremonies for the 200-lap Summer Showdown main event will begin at 6:30 p.m., and at 6:45 p.m., it's off to the races.-á

Limited-time pricing for seats in the reserved seating areas in the main grandstand is $40 for both days. -á -á

Race fans can also visit the track from 4 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, for practice rounds, which are open to the public and free to attend.-á

This year's Summer Showdown event will offer the richest purse for super late models in the history of Evergreen Speedway, awarding more than $150,000 in prizes throughout the event. So far, more than 60 drivers have signed up to compete.-á

"There are only four races a year on our big five-eighths-mile track, and this is one of those,GÇ¥ said Evergreen Speedway Marketing Director Traci Hobbs. "So that's what attracts the drivers and teams.GÇ¥

To get the city of Monroe in the spirit of racing, Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas will formally proclaim the week of June 22 through June 28 as "Speed Week.GÇ¥-á

A top-10 NASCAR home track, Evergreen Speedway is operated by Doug and Traci Hobbs through their company, High Road Productions. In addition to racing, Summer Showdown will feature live music, vendors, sponsor midways, food, a star-studded performance of the National Anthem and possibly a military fly-over.-á

Keeping in line with an ongoing Seahawks theme, Traci invited "Momma LynchGÇ¥ to be the 2015 Summer Showdown grand marshall. Mother to famed Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, Delisa "MommaGÇ¥ Lynch is well-known for her down-to-earth ways and community outreach. -á -á

Every year, Traci seeks to achieve a high degree of "wow factorGÇ¥ with her National Anthem performers, and this year will be no different. Previous National Anthem performers have included Geoff Tate from Queensryche, Roger Fisher from Heart and the Washington Husky Marching Band Alumni Association.-á

For more information about Summer Showdown, call 360-805-6100 or visit www.evergreenspeedway.com.

To comment on this story, write to editor@monroemonitor.com.-á