ELLENSBURG — Central Washington’s women’s basketball team, which will play its first season under coach Shawn Nelson, has been picked to finish seventh in the GNAC in a preseason poll of conference coaches.

The Wildcats have four starters and nine letter winners returning from last season’s 7-18 team that was only 2-16 in GNAC play, including scoring leader Sophie Russell (10.4 ppg).

Nelson, who went 201-70 over eight seasons at Carroll College, brought 5-foot-7 senior Alex Dunn and 5-9 sophomore Jessica VanDyke from the Helena, Mont. school.

The new coach’s first recruiting class also includes five freshmen and 6-2 sophomore Sara Paponjak from Whatcom Community College

2011-12 GNAC coaches poll with last season’s record: 1, Alaska Anchorage (27-7); 2, Seattle Pacific (20-9); 3, Northwest Nazarene (14-13); 4, Western Washington (26-4); 5, Simon Fraser (7-17); 6, Western Oregon (11-16); 7, Central Washington (7-18); 8, MSU Billings (16-12); 9, Saint Martin’s (15-12); 10, Alaska Fairbanks.

AUTO RACING

MacDonell wins Pro Comp

PARKER — Tavis MacDonell of Stettler, Alberta, captured the Pro Comp finals in Sunday’s Washington State Championships at Renegade Raceway.

MacDonell bested Matt Driscolll of Pasco, running a 4.39 ET to Driscoll’s 4.49.

Selah’s Shawn Herbst won the Super Pro finals during Renegade’s last event of the season. Denise Jarneke (Pro), Larry Widhelm (Sportsman) and Ryan Widhalm (Junior) were also winners.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Pro Comp — Winner: Tavis MacDonell 4.39 ET. Runner-up: Mattt Driscoll 4.49 ET.

Super Pro — Winner: Shawn Herbst 8.96 ET, 149.62 mph. Runner-up: David Hill 7.53 ET, 177.93 mph.

Pro — Winner: Denise Jarneke 10.12 ET, 131.57 mph. Runner-up: Pat Neveu 10.15 ET, 131.31 mph.

Sportsman — Winner: Larry Widhelm 12.71 ET, 102.31 mph. Runner-up: Chad Dickinson 13.30 ET, 101.52 mph.

Junior — Winner: Ryan Widhalm 8.15 ET, 69.25 mph. Runner-up: Mason Watts 13.14 ET, 48.20 mph.

COLLEGE RUGBY

CWU, tourney highlights on SWX

ELLENSBURG — Highlights of the Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference Sevens tournament which will include Central Washington’s team, scheduled for Sunday at Memorial Stadium in Seattle, will be aired on SWX, according to a university release.

Broadcasts have been scheduled for 8 p.m. on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25.

Rugby is a club sport at CWU, meaning it is not funded by the university.

Among other teams scheduled to compete in the tournament are the Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Eastern Washington and Western Washington.

GOLF

Anderson scores ace at Mt. Adams

TOPPENISH — James Anderson recorded his second career hole in one during a round Sept. 30 at Mount Adams Country Club.

The 80-year-old Anderson aced the 172-yard eighth hole using a 5-wood.

Bob Cheney, Bruce Damaskos and Cal Anderson witnessed the shot.

PARKER, Wash. — Tom Burke of Yakima captured the Super Pro competition during the first day of the Washington State Championships at Renegade Raceway on Saturday.

Burke turned back Chantel Heffington for the Super Pro win during Saturday’s events, which pulled in 150 racers from throughout the Northwest and Canada. Pat Nevue won the Pro division.

Shawn Nault of Anchorage, Alaska, ran Saturday’s low ET of 4.32 with the Arctic Thunder Nitro ‘Cuda Funny Car. Matt Driscoll of Pasco set low ET in Pro-Comp at 4.49.

Today’s competition will be the final event of the season. Gates open at 9 a.m. with racing 1 p.m.

SATURDAY RESULTS

Super Pro — Winner: Tom Burke, 8.150 ET, 174.92 mph. Second: Chantel Heffington, 7.402 ET, 176.71 mph.

Pro — Winner: Pat Nevue, 10.001 ET, 130.69 mph. Second: Tim Lewis, 9.220 ET, 147.37 mph.

Sportsman — Winner: Bruce Nickerson, 13.211 ET, 99.68 mph. Second: Jesse Nevue, 15.019 ET, 90.29 mph.

Junior Dragster — Winner: Courtney Widhalm, 8.046 ET, 81.43 mph. Second: Jake Nickerson, 11.059 ET, 57.49 mph.

Mopar — Winner: Bruce Nickerson, 13.177 ET, 100.50 mph. Second: Dan Ridgley, 12.585 ET, 103.75 mph.

RENEGADE RACEWAY

Weekend racing — Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 9 a.m., racing at 1 p.m. Washington State Championships, Pro Comp, Funny Car Match Race, Big Bucks Shootout and King of the Track. Summit Championships in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, High school, Junior.

Where: 1395 No. Track Road, Wapato.

Track information: 877-4621 or www.renegaderaceway.com

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

Hollywood Casino 400

Site: Kansas City, Mo.

Schedule: Today, practice (ESPN2, 9:30-11 a.m.), qualifying (ESPN2, 2-3:30 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, 9:30 a.m.-noon); Sunday, race, 11 a.m. (ESPN, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.).

Track: Kansas Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).

Race distance: 400.5 miles, 267 laps.

2010 winner: Greg Biffle.

Next race: Bank of America 500, Oct. 15, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.

Website: www.nascar.com

NASCAR NATIONWIDE

Kansas Lottery 300

Site: Kansas City, Mo.

Schedule: Today, practice (ESPN2, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 7-8:30 a.m.), race, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2, noon-3:30 p.m.).

Track: Kansas Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).

Race distance: 300 miles, 200 laps.

2010 winner: Joey Logano.

Next race: Dollar General 300, Oct. 14, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, N.C.

Website: www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Japanese Grand Prix

Site: Suzuka, Japan.

Schedule: Today, practice, qualifying (Speed, 10-11:30 p.m.); Saturday, race, 11 p.m. (Speed, 11 p.m.-1 a.m.).

Track: Suzuka International (road course, 3.61 miles).

Race distance: 191.12 miles, 53 laps.

2010 winner: Sebastian Vettel.

Next race: Korean Grand Prix, Oct. 16, Korea International Circuit, Yeongam, South Korea.

Website: www.formula1.com

— Staff and wire reports

Win snaps Lynnwood driver’s bad luck at Speedway ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Naima Lang has for years come to the Yakima Speedway’s signature events with a car good enough to win. And his credentials at Monroe’s Evergreen Speedway suggest his part in the deal is pretty good, too.

But it just didn’t happen.

“It’s hard to say why, except that is was a lot of bad luck,” he theorized. “We’re good every year coming in here and then something happens — you name it, we’ve broken it.”

Naima Lang celebrates after his victory in the 24th Annual Fall Classic at the Yakima Speedway Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 in Yakima, Wash. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

But on Sunday night at the 24th annual Fall Classic, the only thing Lang broke was that run of bad luck.

Overtaking Snohomish’s Jason Fraser with 16 laps remaining, the 42-year-old racer from Lynnwood kept a wild finish behind him and won the three-hour, 200-lap season finale for Northwest racing.

“All these great drivers here … Man, I still can’t believe it,” Lang said of his breakthrough victory. “I’ve been coming here seven, eight years and never been in the circle until today. To finally do it is the perfect finish to an awesome year.”

Coming off a dominant Late Model championship season at Evergreen Speedway’s 3/8-mile oval, where he won 11 main events and eight in a row, Lang held off another fast closer, Monroe’s Kelly Mann, for the $7,500 win over the 31-car field.

Canadian Pete Harding, who nearly missed the start after being hospitalized for kidney stones Saturday night, staged a late rush for third place, and Wapato’s J.C. Wofford was the top local finisher in fourth.

Given Lang’s history of bad luck here, it probably felt like more of the same when, early in the race, the front latches on his hood broke and it flew up on his windshield.

“Something like that happens and you think, ‘Oh boy, here we go.’ But fortunately there was a quick yellow and we got it worked out,” he said. “In the second half I felt the car really coming on. I knew we had something and it was just whether or not we could get around Jason.”

Fraser, the Speedway’s 2009 Apple Cup winner, led 65 laps during the first half before relinquishing the lead to Wofford. After a full-field break at the midpoint for fresh tires and fuel, he seized the lead back on lap 110 and appeared in command.

But when Fraser’s sharpness fell away, Lang pounced on lap 184 and he pulled Mann with him.

“We were great on short runs, but on long runs we were a lot better,” said Mann, whose previous best at the Fall Classic was third in 2005. “We tried to take it easy and stay out of trouble in the second 100. We managed that and then really came on. A few more laps and maybe we would’ve had something for Naima.”

Wofford, who claimed his first Late Model win at the Speedway this season in a 50-lapper, enjoyed a remarkable run against the region’s heavyweights.

Starting on the outside of row three, Wofford pushed his No. 100 racer — a triple-digit number passed down through generations of Wofford drivers — into the lead on lap 82. He was quickly overtaken by Lang but he never got frazzled in the volatile second half.

Rallying from seventh with 50 laps left, Wofford held third for 10 late laps before settling for fourth. In last year’s Fall Classic he finished 25th.

Naches’ Owen Riddle, the Speedway’s three-time reigning Late Model champion, started on the inside pole and led the first 21 laps before engine failure ended his day early.

Defending champion Shane Harding got as high as third in the second half before a broken axle shut him down with 15 laps left.

Selah’s Mel Patnode’s capped off a huge year, bookending his Street Stocks win in the Apple Cup last April with a 75-lap victory in Sunday’s Street Stocks finale. In between he captured the inaugural West Coast Promoters Street Stocks series title.

There were three lengthy delays during the final 25 laps, but each time Patnode powered away and eventually won by nearly two seconds over Bryon Goetz.

In Hobby Stocks, Jeff Stevenson won the 50-lap main event over runner-up Buck Noel Jr. and Terry Cook.

Sunday’s main events

SUPER LATE MODEL

200 laps — 1, Naima Lang; 2, Kelly Mann; 3, Pete Harding; 4, J.C. Wofford; 5, Jason Fraser; 6, Cameron Hayley; 7, Christopher Kalsch; 8, Darrell Tidrick; 9, Clint Hobart; 10, Zack Moran; 11, Austin Hoye; 12, Joey Tanner; 13, Shane Harding; 14, Chris Eggleston; 15, Garrett Evans; 16, Jeff Knight; 17, Dan Lowther; 18, Paul Dart; 19, Dan Obrist; 20, Fred Hall; 21, Jake Bissett; 22, Brian Levant; 23, Robert Mears; 24, David Smick; 25, Mark Sundberg; 26, Shane Mitchell; 27, Randy Marshall Jr.; 28, Duke Langley; 29, Owen Riddle; 30, Mitchell Kleyn; 31, Tayler Riddle.

STREET STOCKS

75 laps — 1, Mel Patnode; 2, Bryon Goetz; 3, Richard Peters; 4, Ron Stewart; 5, Shane Brim; 6, Andy Beaman; 7, Kelly Hellewell; 8, Randy Pugh; 9, Chad Hinkle; 10, Joe Kneeland; 11, Richie Balderson; 12, Tom Pinkowsky; 13, A.J. Baxter; 14, Will Whitlow; 15, Curt Adams; 16, Garrett Sisk; 17, Barry Mueller; 18, Gary Flammang; 19, Jimmy Zorrozua; 20, Jamison Armstrong; 21, Josh Wilson; 22, Daniel Mears; 23, Ben St. Mary; 24, Bill Rutherford; 25, Chris Hart; 26, Kevin Carver; 27, Todd Connell; 28, Cameron Bruggman.

HOBBY STOCKS

50 laps — 1, Jeff Stevenson; 2, Buck Noel Jr.; 3, Terry Cook; 4, Rory Coleman; 5, Kevin Bull; 6, Ken Mullins; 7, Don Klang; 8, Mike Hill; 9, Jeff Wilkinson; 10, Bobby Stewart Jr.; 11, Morgan Morrison; 12, Tyson Richter; 13, Chris Marang; 14, Eric Zahler; 15, John Fortenberry; 16, Chris Morrison; 17, Ed St. Mary; 18, Lucas Valdez; 19, Brian Pepper; 20, K.C. Valentine; 21, Chris Richter Jr.; 22, Ron Morton; 23, Jerry Walker Jr.; 24, Darrell Tidrick; Kyler Conduff.

Veteran passes cars, kidney stone on way to third place ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — If Pete Harding didn’t convince everyone he could still mix it up with the young guns by winning this year’s Apple Cup, then he settled the question completely Sunday night.

That he fought his way into third place at the Fall Classic’s 200-lap season finale at Yakima Speedway was impressive.

That he was even there was amazing.

Pete Harding (39), races his way through the field at the 24th Annual Fall Classic at the Yakima Speedway Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 in Yakima, Wash. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Having trekked down from Surrey, British Columbia, on Thursday for the 24th annual event, which he won in its inaugural year, the 60-year-old Harding was primed for a great weekend as a driver and father of the defending champion, Shane.

Primed, this is, until his insides doubled him over in pain on Saturday. As an ambulance was summoned to the Speedway during the qualifying sessions, some feared the fan favorite was having a heart attack.

But Harding knew the problem all too well.

“It’s kidney stones,” he said. “I’ve had six or seven and I knew the pain. I didn’t want people to worry about me, but it did bring an end to my day, that’s for sure.”

But not to his weekend.

After being treated and released from a local hospital on Saturday, Harding was weighed down with pain medication but not wanting to give up on the race.

“I love racing here and the people have been so good to us. It wouldn’t have felt right not racing,” Harding said. “I was a little shaky this morning, but I still wanted to race.”

P. Harding

Problem was, with no qualifying session he was forced to start in the back of the 31-car field. And with the Northwest’s top drivers coming in chasing a $7,500 winner’s check, that’s some field.

But Harding has 40 years of racing savvy and a ton of success here on a half-mile oval he calls his home track. It took just 92 laps for him to take the lead.

After a mid-race break for tires and fuel, Harding’s machine was then noticeably off the pace and he drifted back to eighth with 50 laps to go. So, given the circumstances, time to just ease off and wheel it in, right?

Not Pete.

Still out of serious contention when racing resumed following a red-flag stoppage on lap 188, Harding’s familiar yellow machine suddenly gained spots at will over the final 10 laps and put him into the trophy circle with winner Naima Lang and runner-up Kelly Mann.

“I was hanging on for dear life, but those yellows near the end helped tightened things up,” Harding said. “It’s been a long day and boy do I feel weak. Today the car was way better than the driver, that’s for sure.”

Photos from the 24th annual Fall Classic on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011 at Yakima Speedway in Yakima, Wash.

Click here for information on purchasing any of these photos.

2011 Naima Lang

2010 Shane Harding

2009 Joey Tanner

2008 Mike Longton

2007 Erick Hargraves

2006 B.J. Tidrick

2005 Jeff Barkshire

2004 John Zaretzke

2003 Ken Kaltschmidt

2002 Garrett Evans

2001 John Bender

2000 Garrett Evans

1999 Pete Harding

1998 Pete Harding

1997 Pete Harding

1996 Ron Eaton

1995 Kelly Tanner

1994 Garrett Evans

1993 Rick Schultz

1992 Ron Eaton

1991 Martin Rosler

1990 Chris Hart

1989 Ron Eaton

1988 Pete Harding

YAKIMA, Wash. — In the last two years, Owen Riddle has placed fourth, third and second in the Yakima Speedway’s marquee events, the Apple Cup and Fall Classic.

Aiming to take that trend to the top, the Naches driver raced his way to the inside pole position for today’s 200-lap Super Late Model finale in the 24th annual Fall Classic.

On the outside of Riddle will be Wenatchee’s Shane Mitchell, the winner of Saturday’s second 30-lap qualifying heat.

Riddle, a three-time reigning champion of the Speedway’s Late Model series, finished second in this year’s season-opening Apple Cup, fourth in last year’s Fall Classic and third in the 2010 Apple Cup.

While lacking a top-five finish in the Fall Classic, Mitchell has huge Apple Cup credentials, having won the 2004 title with runner-up placings in 2005 and 2010.

Jason Fraser and Kelly Mann will start in the second row with defending champion Shane Harding in the fourth row.

Craig Forney of Auburn won Saturday’s 100-lap Northwest Pro-4 Alliance main for the second year in a row. Steve Thompson of West Richland finished second and Prosser’s Rick Thompson was third in the 24-car race.

Today’s opening ceremonies are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. with three main events to follow — Hobby Stocks (50 laps), Street Stocks (75 laps) and the Super Late Model 200-lap finale.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

SUPER LATE MODEL

B Dash: Mark Sundberg, Cameron Hayley, Dan Obrist, Jake Bissett. A Dash: Jason Fraser, Randy Marshall Jr., Brian Levant, Owen Riddle.

Qualifying Heat 1: Owen Riddle, Jason Fraser, Joey Tanner, Shane Harding, Randy Marshall Jr., Chris Eggleston, Christopher Kalsch, Alex Lessor, Jeff Knight, Darrell Tidrick, Mark Sundberg, Mitch Kleyn, David Smick, Duke Langley, Paul Dart, Clint Habart.

Qualifying Heat 2: Shane Mitchell, Kelly Mann, J.C. Wofford, Brian Levant, Tayler Riddle, Naima Lang, Garrett Evans, Jake Bissett, Austin Hoye, Cameron Hayley, Zack Moran, Robert Mears, Dan Lowther, Dan Obrist.

HOBBY STOCKS

Fast time: Buck Noel Jr. 23.002. B Dash: Rory Coleman, Ed St. Mary, Chris Richter Jr., Chris Morrison. A Dash: Kyler Conduff, Lucas Valdez, Buck Noel Jr., Mike Hill.

Heat 1: Tyson Richter, John Fortenberry, Jeff Wilkinson, KC Valentine, Bobby Stewart Jr., Don Klang, Terry Taylor, Greg Taylor, Vern Huson. Heat 2: Rory Coleman, Chris Richter Jr., Ed St. Mary, Morgan Morrison, Jerry Walker Jr., Ken Mullins, Kevin Bull, Chris Morrison, Eric Zahler. Heat 3: Brian Pepper, Lucas Valdez, Darrell Tidrick, Mike Hill, Terry Cook, Jeff Stevenson.

STREET STOCKS

Fast time: Mel Patnode. B Dash: Richie Balderson, Kevin Carver, Josh Wilson, Tom Pinkowsky. A Dash: Chris Hart, Bryon Goetz, Mel Patnode, Chade Hinkle.

Heat 1: Bill Rutherford, Jimmy Zorrozua, Randy Pugh, Barry Mueller, Daniel Mears, Jamison Armistrong, AJ Baxter, Will Whitlow, Cameron Bruggman. Heat 2: Josh Wilson, Joe Kneeland, Garrett Sisk, Richie Balderson, Tom Pinkowsky, Kelly Hellewell, Ben St. Mary, Curt Adams, Kevin Carver, Todd Connell. Heat 3: Andy Beaman, Bryon Goetz, Ron Stewart, Gary Flammang, Chad Hinkle, James Pierce.

NORTHWEST PRO 4’s

B Dash: Lois Pollard, Rob Taylor, Bob Qarterman, Scott Raver. A Dash: Steve Thompson, Craig Forney, Rick Thompson, Eddie Secord

Heat 1: Rob Taylor, Ron Grosevenor, Johnny Rumsey, Jeff Hector, Scott Raver, Bob Qarterman, CJ Hawley, Johnny Rumsey. Heat 2: John Grosvernor, John Jackson, Charles MacDonald, Terry Rennick, John Musser, Kyle Latham, Jeff Raver, Eric Kaas. Heat 3: Bud Rumsey, Matt Melby, Jeff Jones, Rick Thompson, Steve Thompson, Rob Powers, Eddie Secord.

Main event: Craig Forney, Steve Thompson, Rick Thompson, Rob Powers, Jeff Jones, Johnny Rumsey, Ron Grosevenor, Jeff Hector, Terry Rennick, Eddie Secord, Bud Rumsey, Lois Pollard, Kyle Latham, Rob Taylor, Matt Melby, John Grosvernor, Charles MacDonald, Eric Kaas, John Jackson, CJ Hawley, John Musser, Bob Qarterman, Jeff Raver, Scott Raver.

YAKIMA SPEEDWAY

Who’s racing: 24th annual Fall Classic. Super Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, Northwest Pro-4 Alliance.

Schedule — Saturday: Noon start for trophy dashes, heat races, and qualifying. B mains (if needed) followed by Northwest Pro-4 Alliance 100-lap main event. Sunday: 1 p.m. opening ceremonies followed by main events for Hobby Stocks (50 laps), Street Stocks (75 laps) and Super Late Models (200 laps).

Where: 1600 Pacific Ave., Yakima.

Track information: 248-0647 or www.yakimaspeedway.us

RENEGADE RACEWAY

Next racing: Washington State Championships, Oct. 8-9.

Track information: 877-4621 or www.renegaderaceway.com

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

AAA 400

Site: Dover, Del.

Schedule: Today, practice (ESPN2, 11:30 a.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 10:30 a.m.); Sunday, race, 11 a.m. (ESPN, 10 a.m.).

Track: Dover International Speedway (oval, 1.0 miles).

Race distance: 400 miles, 400 laps.

2010 winner: Jimmie Johnson.

Next race: Hollywood Casino 400, Oct. 9, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Mo.

Website: www.nascar.com

NASCAR NATIONWIDE

Onemain Financial 200

Site: Dover, Del.

Schedule: Today, practice (ESPN2, 9:30 a.m.); Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 9 a.m.), race, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN2, Noon).

Track: Dover International Speedway (oval, 1.0 miles).

Race distance: 200 miles, 200 laps.

2010 winner: Kyle Busch.

Next race: Kansas Lottery 300, Oct. 8, Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Mo.

Website: www.nascar.com

NASCAR TRUCKS

Kentucky 225

Site: Sparta, Ky.

Schedule: Saturday, qualifying (Speed, 3 p.m.), race, 5 p.m. (Speed, 4:30 p.m.).

Track: Kentucky Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).

Race distance: 225 miles, 150 laps.

2010 winner: Todd Bodine.

Next race: Smith’s 350, Oct. 15, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas.

Website: www.nascar.com

INDYCAR

Kentucky Indy 300

Site: Sparta, Ky.

Schedule: Saturday, practice (Versus, 9 a.m.), qualifying; Sunday, race, 11:45 a.m. (Versus, 11 a.m.).

Track: Kentucky Speedway (oval, 1.5 miles).

Race distance: 300 miles, 200 laps.

2010 winner: Helio Castroneves.

Next race: IndyCar World Championships, Oct. 16, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Website: www.indycar.com

Canadian father, son hold both of Speedway’s coveted titles ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — It may take Canadian Pete Harding five hours of steady freeway driving to roll his hauler into town for races at Yakima Speedway, but he is in every other sense at home here.

“We call dad Mr. Yakima,” says Pete’s son, Shane. “He has always said Yakima is his home track. It may not look that way on a map, but that’s definitely how he feels.”

For good reason.

Shane Harding drives in the 23rd Annual Yakima Speedway Fall Classic in Yakima, Wash., Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Harding won the inaugural Fall Classic in 1988 — the first of a dozen major-event titles earned on the half-mile oval — and returns this weekend for the 24th edition as the reigning champion of Yakima Speedway’s other marquee event, the Apple Cup.

But the Harding show is now a double feature.

The Fall Classic’s defending champion and the driver Pete says is clearly the one to beat in Sunday’s 200-lap Super Late Model finale is his son.

“Oh definitely. Shane is the guy to beat,” Pete says with no hesitation. “He knows the track, he won last year and he’s got a great car.”

Make no mistake, despite residing 10 miles north of Blaine, Wash., in British Columbia, these Harding boys know the track like they grew up here. As far as racing goes, Shane did.

Pete Harding drives in the Apple Cup at the Yakima Speedway Sunday, April 9, 2011. (Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic)

“My earliest memory of Yakima was actually the first Fall Classic,” Shane says of the 1988 event. “I was 10 years old and they set me up as a lap counter. It was 125 laps and there were some scoring issues that took hours to sort out. I was sure dad had won it and he did.”

What followed has been a career of dominance at Pete’s home away from home.

Already with nearly 20 years experience racing mostly six-cylinder machines on quarter-mile tracks, Pete immediately thrived in more powerful cars on Yakima’s larger, flatter oval. He has won a record four Fall Classic titles, captured three Apple Cups and five NASCAR Northwest Tour races here.

Pete’s blockbuster year was 1999 when he bookended his Northwest Tour championship with victories in the Apple Cup and Fall Classic.

“This style of track has really suited me,” says Pete, who owns Harding Forklift in Surrey, British Columbia. “Yakima has definitely been my best track over the years and it has always felt like my home track. I have so many fond memories there.”

Even with a heavy resume stuffed full of victories and thrilling duels, Pete’s fondest memory may be a race he didn’t even finish. Just 25 laps into last year’s Fall Classic, Pete’s yellow No. 39 racer ended its day on the hook of a tow truck following a breathtaking backstretch wreck.

From the infield, Pete then watched Shane dominate the 200-lap race and claim the biggest victory of his career.

P. Harding

“I was out of the race, and that turned out to be a fortunate thing, really,” he says. “It was a tough race with tremendous competition, and to sit back and watch Shane win it was such a wonderful thing. As a father, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Shane had the same fatherly glow, making good on a promise to take his daughter to Disneyland if he won the Fall Classic.

“My wife said you can’t promise things like that,” Shane says. “I was confident it was going to be a good race for us, but of course we already had the tickets booked. What she didn’t know is we planned the trip for the next week. After I won, she said, ‘Daddy, when are we going to Disneyland?’ I said, ‘Now!’ That whole week turned into a big family adventure and that’s what I’ll always remember.”

S. Harding

When the Hardings returned to Yakima for this year’s season-opening Apple Cup, the day was like a wild ride on Space Mountain.

It had been 10 years since Pete’s last major win in Yakima and the dry spell appeared to be over as he took a strong lead into the final circuit of the 125-lap race. But suddenly, in turn 1, he was forced to check up with his line blocked.

It was Shane’s No. 29 car.

Down a lap and battling a broken throttle pedal, Shane had briefly spun off the racing surface and was re-entering the track. He dipped directly into Pete’s line, allowing Korbin Thomas to run clear on the high side and dash to the apparent victory.

Pete settled for second and quickly consoled his son, who was nearly speechless.

“I assumed the yellow was out. There were just no words to describe how I felt,” Shane recalls. “For a while it looked liked we had the car to beat, and in an instant we were barely able to run. Then that last lap … I would’ve felt bad if I cost anybody the win, but for it to be my dad …

“Thankfully it all worked out.”

It worked out because Thomas failed a post-race engine inspection, elevating Pete to first place. It was a gratifying return to the winner’s circle for the 60-year-old veteran.

“It sure was nice, coming near the end of a long career,” Pete says. “The young guys are extremely hard to beat, and these long races are demanding at my age. It’s one thing to have a fast car, it’s another to handle the endurance.”

While neither Harding raced much this summer, they have the machines, crews and experience to be major players this weekend. Add the fact that they currently hold the Speedway’s two major titles, and the No. 39 and 29 are at the top of the favorites list.

“We both realize there are targets on our backs,” Shane says. “The Fall Classic is always a big challenge, and it’s one of my favorite weekends of the season. Having won it last year, that adds a little to the challenge.”

And if the challenge comes from your own family?

“I’ve got to be careful, if you know what I mean,” Pete says. “I’ve got to ride home with his mother.”

If you go …

What: 24th annual Fall Classic.

Where: Yakima Speedway, 1600 Pacific Ave.

Who: Super Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, Northwest Pro-4 Alliance.

Schedule — Saturday: Noon start for trophy dashes, heat races, and qualifying. B mains (if needed) followed by Northwest Pro-4 Alliance 100-lap main event. Sunday: 1 p.m. opening ceremonies followed by main events for Hobby Stocks (50 laps), Street Stocks (75 laps) and Super Late Models (200 laps).

2010 winners: Shane Harding (Super Late Model), Mike Van Amburg (Street Stocks), John Rose (Hobby Stocks), Craig Forney (Northwest Pro-4 Alliance).

Ticket and track information: 248-0647 or www.yakimaspeedway.us

YAKIMA SPEEDWAY

Next racing: 24th annual Fall Classic, Oct. 1-2.

Final point leaders — Super Late Model: Owen Riddle 407, Tayler Riddle 351, Christopher Kalsch 339. Sportsman: Buck Noel Jr. 440, Mike Hill 380, Ron Morton 350. Super Stocks: Chuck Roberts 194, Ben St. Mary 178, Rich Peters 177. Pure Stocks: Greg Gargett 583, Rob Allen 501, Chris Marang 482. Bump to Pass: Joe Stevens 607, Peppie Rojas 521, Donnie Stevens 490. Hornets: Josh Washington 636, Joshua Henne 497, Jeff Ball 484.

Where: 1600 Pacific Ave., Yakima.

Track information: 248-0647 or www.yakimaspeedway.us

RENEGADE RACEWAY

Next racing: Oct. 8-9.

Track information: 877-4621 or www.renegaderaceway.com

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

Sylvania 300

Site: Loudon, N.H.

Schedule: Today, practice (ESPN2, 8:30-10 a.m.), qualifying (ESPN2, Noon-1:30 p.m.); Saturday, practice (Speed, 8:30-9:30 a.m.); Sunday, race, 11 a.m. (ESPN, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.).

Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (oval, 1.058 miles).

Race distance: 317.4 miles, 300 laps.

2010 winner: Clint Bowyer.

Next race: AAA 400, Oct. 2, Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del.

Website: www.nascar.com

NASCAR TRUCKS

F.W. Webb 175

Site: Loudon, N.H.

Schedule: Saturday, qualifying, race, noon (Speed, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.).

Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (oval, 1.058 miles).

Race distance: 185.15 miles, 175 laps.

2010 winner: Kyle Busch.

Next race: Kentucky 225, Oct. 1, Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky.

Website: www.nascar.com

NASCAR NATIONWIDE

Next race: OneMain Financial 200, Oct. 1, Dover International Speedway, Dover, Del.

Website: www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Singapore Grand Prix

Site: Singapore.

Schedule: Today, practice (Speed, 6:30-8 a.m.), Saturday, practice, qualifying (Speed, 7-8:30 a.m.); Sunday, race, 5 a.m. (Speed, 4:30-7 a.m., Noon-2:30 p.m.).

Track: Marina Bay Street Circuit (street course, 3.148 miles).

Race distance: 191.97 miles, 61 laps.

2010 winner: Fernando Alonso.

Next race: Japanese Grand Prix, Oct. 9, Suzuka International, Suzuka, Japan.

Website: www.formula1.com

NHRA

Texas Nationals

Site: Ennis, Texas.

Schedule: Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 4-7 p.m.).

Track: Texas Motorplex.

2010 winners: Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Matt Hagan (Funny Car), Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), LE Tonglet (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Next event: NHRA Arizona Nationals, Oct. 14-16, Firebird International Raceway, Chandler, Ariz.

Website: www.nhra.com

INDYCAR

Next race: Kentucky Indy 300, Oct. 2, Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, Ky.

Website: www.indycar.com

— From staff and news service reports

YAKIMA, Wash. — Saturday’s season championship finals at the Yakima Speedway were rained out.

The 24th annual Fall Classic is scheduled for Oct. 1-2.

YAKIMA, Wash. — A second-place finish Saturday night was good enough as Greg Gargett clinched the season title in the Pure Stock division at Yakima Speedway.

Jeff Liebert took the lead on the ninth lap of the main event and didn’t relinquish the spot the rest of the race.

Following Liebert and Gargett were Jake Maggard, Joe Estep and Chris Morrison.

In addition to clinching the Pure Stock title, Gargett set fast time and won the Hornets main event.

Mike Hill won the Sportsman main, while Wes Heigh took the victory in Bump to Pass.

Championship Night, featuring the finales for Super Late Models, Sportsman, Hornets and Bump to Pass, is scheduled for Saturday, followed by the Fall Classic on Oct. 1-2.

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Hornets

Fast time: Greg Gargett, 17.113 seconds. B dash: Julie Melville, Jesse Eaton, Troy Place, Michael Beck. A dash: Kyle Wade, Jeff Ball, Tyler Breshears, Gargett. Heat 1: Melville, Eaton, Place, Beck, Brett Connell, Maddie Dickens, Cody Denton. Heat 2: Wade, Joshua Henne, Gargett, Ball, Nathan Voyles, Breshears, Ron Pepper, Josh Washington. Main: Gargett, Washington, Wade, Eaton, Ball, Place, Pepper, Voyles, Connell, Melville, Beck, Dickens, Breshears, Henne.

Pure Stocks

Fast time: Jeff Liebert, 23.996 (new track record). B dash: Jake Maggard, Rob Allen, Greg Gargett, Liebert. A dash: Chris Marang, Joe Estep, Tim Breshears, Mike Denton. Heat: Gargett, M. Denton, Chris Morrison, Allen, Estep, Maggard, Daniel Coble, Breshears, James Emmons. Main: Liebert, Gargett, Maggard, Estep, Morrison, M. Denton, Marang, Breshears, Emmons, Coble, Allen.

Sportsman

Fast time: Lucas Valdez, 23.067 (new track record). B dash: Morgan Morrison, Ken Mullins, Allen Reid, Bobby Stewart Jr. A dash: Mike Hill, Buck Noel Jr., Valdez, Chris Vanamburg. Heat 1: Reid, Morrison, Derek Raptcheff, Eric Zahler, Mullins, Stewart, Gordon Mears. Heat 2: Hill, Vanamburg, Ron Morton, Kyler Conduff, Terry Cook, Noel, Valdez. Main: Hill, Noel, Valdez, Morton, Conduff, Vanamburg, Morrison, Mullins, Stewart, Zahler, Raptcheff, Mears, Reid, Cook.

Bump to Pass

Fast time: Josh Aguirre, 16.666 B dash: Todd Nunn, Shannon Davis, Kellie Zacharias, Dennis Clause. A dash: Josh Aguirre, Ben Briggs, Joe Stevens, Reese Kastl. Heat 1: Zacharias, Davis, Nunn, Clause, Alex Marquis, Cody Denton, Ryan Dressell. Heat 2: Donnie Stevens, Aguirre, Peppie Rojas, J. Stevens, Wes Heigh, Briggs. Main: Heigh, D. Stevens, Nunn, Zacharias, Clause, Dressell, Briggs, Marquis, C. Denton, Aguirre, J. Stevens, Rojas.

YAKIMA SPEEDWAY

Saturday racing: Pure Stocks Season Championship, Sportsman, Hornets, Bump To Pass. Gates open at 4 p.m., racing at 6.

Point leaders — Super Late Model: Owen Riddle 407, Tayler Riddle 351, Christopher Kalsch 339. Super Stocks: Chuck Roberts 194, Ben St. Mary 178, Rich Peters 177. Sportsman: Buck Noel Jr. 415, Mike Hill 355, Ron Morton 325. Pure Stocks: Greg Gargett 526, Rob Allen 459, Chris Marang 438. Bump to Pass: Joe Stevens 568, Peppie Rojas 489, Ben Briggs 438. Hornets: Josh Washington 588, Joshua Henne 467, Julie Melville 442.

Where: 1600 Pacific Ave., Yakima.

Track information: 248-0647 or www.yakimaspeedway.us

RENEGADE RACEWAY

Weekend racing — Saturday: Volksfest Race. Street Legal, Import, All Run. Gates open at 4 p.m., racing at 8. Sunday: National Dragster Challenge, Wally Race, Summit Series. Gates open at 9 a.m., racing at 1 p.m.

Where: 1395 No. Track Road, Wapato.

Track information: 877-4621 or www.renegaderaceway.com