By: NPP Late Model Series    
July 26 2018 

Elma, Washington – Team NPP is back in action south of the border this weekend in Elma, Washington. Grays Harbor Raceway hosts the 19th annual Shipwreck Beads Modified Nationals on Friday and Saturday night. Lane Zerbin enters the race weekend on a bit of a hot streak. The Victoria, British Columbia driver has two podium finishes in his last three appearances at the Washington track. Last weekend Zerbin was involved in of one of the closest finishes at Grays Harbor Raceway in years.

Zerbin finished second in the Northern Provincial Pipelines/Alien Race Car #81 Modified, a mere 8/1000 of a second behind race winner Kyler Moore (Seabeck, Wa.). “The new car is handling really good,” says Zerbin, “I fell back a little in the main but fought back, took the lead with five laps to go and almost won it. I’m feeling pretty good about this weekend.”

The Shipwreck Beads Modified Nationals is the crown jewel race of the Washington Modified Tour. “This is the big west coast race of the year for Modifieds,” explains Zerbin, “over forty cars will be here fighting to get into Saturday night’s Main event.”

Twenty four cars will run the Saturday night Feature. “You need to perform well in the heat races and collect as many points as you can (on Friday night) to lock yourself into the Main.” Zerbin finished 5th at last year’s Nationals. “Friday night pretty much determines Saturday,” explains Zerbin, “last year I had one bad Heat. I did lock myself into the Saturday night Feature but I started fourteenth. If you can lock yourself into the top 8 you have a way better chance at succeeding. Finishing first or second in both heat races guarantees a top 8 starting spot.”

Only the top 16 drivers in points from Friday night heat races are guaranteed a starting spot in the Saturday night Feature. The remaining eight spots are filled through transfers from Saturday night consolation races.