By: Gord Craig/NPP Late Model Series
April 22 2019
Alger, Washington – Lane Zerbin kicked off the 2019 race season Saturday night with a second place finish at Skagit Speedway. A broken shock mount and a flat right-front tire stopped his run to victory lane. The Victoria, British Columbia driver kicked off the race night with a fourth place finish in his Heat. “Car was a bit to free to start off the night,” admits Zerbin, “the adjustments we made sure helped us in the main.”
Zerbin started the Feature in eighth. Two caution flags flew before five-laps were even complete. “The yellows actually helped me out,” admits the driver of the Northern Provincial Pipelines/C-Force Marine #81 Modified, “they allowed me to get into better (track) position to charge to the front.” By lap seven, Zerbin had made his way up to second. Leading the Feature was the only other Canadian in the field, former NPP Late Model Series competitor Chris Beaulieu**. “As soon as I got near the front I knew that Chris and I had the faster cars. We kind of just hit a groove.”
Both Beaulieu and second place Zerbin built-up a commanding three-second lead on the rest of the field. The race lead would eventually change hands. “We caught lapped traffic,” says Zerbin, “I pounced when I saw Chris get slowed-up.” Zerbin took over the race lead with 10 laps remaining. “I got by him on the top and took off from there.”
Zerbin had the fastest car on the track in the Feature. “Car was running really good. I know we had a pretty good lead over Chris.” Zerbin had built up a three-and-a half second lead over Beaulieu. That big lead was then put to the test. “With two laps to go I broke a right front shock mount. So I had to ease up a bit.” Zerbins lead began to evaporate.
“I could hear a car behind me. I didn’t know if it was Chris or not.” With the white flag flying Zerbin was desperate to hold onto first place. “I was pushing on a lapped car and popped the right front. The car shot up the track in turn four.” Beaulieu regained the lead on the final corner and drove to victory. The two British Columbia drivers took the top two spots in Washington at the Skagit Speedway season opener. “It stings a bit to lose the race this way but we are pretty happy with the strong start to the season.”
For the first time in several seasons Zerbin will be racing back to back weekends. Zerbin and Team NPP compete next at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington on Saturday, April 27.
**Campbell River, BC's Chris Beaulieu finished 5 th in the 2012 NPP Late Model Series points chase. His father Jason won the 2007 NPP Late Model Series Championship.
Northern Provincial Pipelines Ltd., based in Edson, Alberta has been a proud sponsor and supporter of motorsports for over two decades.