Powell Closes in on Mann for Rookie of the Year

West Richland, WA (Sept 2, 2002)  - The only Sunday race of the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Tour season saw the Race gods snicker then finally smile on The Powell Motorsports USA Team.  Travis Powell worked hard to earn his fourth Rookie of the race and his first top 10 of the year in the “Kingsgate Plumbing 125” at Tri-city Raceway, West Richland WA.

above: Jeremiah Moore, Bill Shaw and Travis Powell celebrate fourth Rookie of the Race award

(photo courtesy of Lynn Marzano-Moore)

Both of the Team’s cars were running well until mid way through the last practice.  Powell’s car developed ignition problems that might have been terminal for his “Rookie of the Year” run. Car Chief and teammate, Bill Shaw jumped out of the 07 car and  with an outstanding effort, the team quickly changed the set up in Shaw’s car and was able to get Travis back on the track before the end of the last practice.

Powell qualified 21^st on the grid and as the race started, he began moving slowly  up through the grid however, as the race progressed, the car became very loose due to a worn right rear tire.  Credit goes to the driving skill of Powell, a good setup and the excellent guidance from his spotter, that Travis was able to avoid the many crashes that ensued during the event and achieved an 8^th place finish, his best so far this season.

After the race Travis gladly accepted the congratulations from several of his competitors and many of the fans who watched the event.

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