Gov. Gregoire Featured in Drag Race Pre-Event

(KENT, Wash) – The largest automobile motorsports race in the state will now have the most exciting pre-function to go with the fastest cars in the quarter-mile.  Governor Chris Gregoire headlines the inaugural Pacific Raceways Rainier Cup on Wednesday, August 1.  The event is a prelude to the 25^th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals Presented by Super Start Batteries taking place August 3-5 at the historic Kent track.

This invite-only race will feature guest rides in a two-seat, 160-mile per hour Super Comp dragster and a Super Gas car from the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School.  In conjunction with Operation Ward 57, the event will honor a wounded soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McCord in Tacoma. 

In addition to the Governor, other local elected officials signed up to race down the quarter-mile include King County Councilmembers Pete von Reichbauer, Reagan Dunn, and Larry Phillips, Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis and Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke.  The event is sponsored by Epic Seats, Griot’s Garage, Columbia River Advisors, Parker Paint, AAA Washington, Scarff Ford, and Roundup Media.

Pacific Raceways is the 15^th stop on the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, the only major automobile racing series to run in the Pacific Northwest.  It is also the third race in a grueling three-week western swing that included stops in Denver, CO and Sonoma, CA.  The Full Throttle race features professional classes of Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and six sportsman categories.  Qualifying takes place on Friday and Saturday with final eliminations on Sunday.  The entire event will be broadcast on ESPN2. Gates open at Pacific Raceways each day at 7:30 a.m.

Located on 320-acres in unincorporated King County, Pacific Raceways is the largest motorsports facility in the state.  In addition to its national event drag strip, the raceway has a 2.25-mile road course, a karting facility, and a motocross track.  The King County Council recently approved a pathway for the raceway’s privately financed $130 million improvement and redevelopment plan.  When approved, the revamped facility, including a world-class motorsports business park, will create up to 1,000 living wage jobs and an additional tens of millions of dollars in regional economic impact.  Locally owned by the Fiorito family since 1960, Pacific Raceways is conveniently located off SR-18 at the SE 304^th Street exit.