NWS: Top ten after Magic Valley

NASCAR TOP 10 AT A GLANCE

A look at the NASCAR Elite Division, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series Top 10 drivers

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 30, 2003) - The following is a glance at the NASCAR Elite Division, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series Top 10 in the series championship standings heading into the Keglers' Casino "125" at Wenatchee Valley Super Oval July 5. The race in Wenatchee, Wash. will be race 7 of 14 on the NASCAR Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series schedule and the first of three events on consecutive weekends during July.

No. 1 - Chris Hart (No. 5 Yakima Implement Chevrolet), Hart Racing. Last week's ranking: 2nd. Hart scored fourth top five finish of the season with his 4th place effort at Magic Valley Speedway. Hart tops the NASCAR Top 10 for the first time this season and leads Bender by 30 points heading into the event at WVSO were he finished 2nd back in May.

No. 2 - John Bender (No. 18 Big Daddy's Bar & Grill Chevrolet), Kearney Racing. Last week's ranking: 1st. Bender drops to second in the NASCAR Top 10 after a 13th place finish at Magic Valley Speedway. Bender is the only driver visit victory lane more than once this season. He has wins at Evergreen and Yakima. Bender finished 18th at WVSO back in May.

No. 3 - Jeff Jefferson (No. 42 Morgan Transport Chevrolet), Allison Racing. Last week's ranking: 3rd. Jeff Jefferson finished 6th at Magic Valley Speedway after missing the set up. On the season he has one win, two top five and four top ten performances. Jefferson has been in the NASCAR Top 10 for five straight races.

No. 4 - Jason Jefferson (No. 97 Northwest Dodge Dealers Dodge), Simonson Racing. Last week's ranking: 4th. Jason Jefferson maintains the fourth place position in the NASCAR Top 10 for the third consecutive race. This Victory Circle Chassis Rookie-of-the-Year leader has one win on the season with four top five finishes. Jefferson finished fifth at Magic Valley Speedway June 14. Jefferson has held the top spot in the standings for one race and never dropped lower than fourth.

No. 5 - Joe Benedetti (No. 2 Racecals Pontiac), Benedetti Racing. Last week's ranking: 5th. Benedetti had a third place finish at Magic Valley Speedway June 14 and finds himself in the NASCAR Top 10 for the sixth straight race. Benedetti has been as high as second in the championship standings this season. Benedetti has four top ten finishes in six starts this season.

No. 6 - Gary Lewis (No. 73 Sign Factory Pontiac), Lewis Racing. Last week's ranking: 6th. Lewis maintains the sixth spot for the second consecutive race after his thrilling victory at Magic Valley Speedway June 14. Lewis closes the gap in the point standings and only sits 74 points out of the first place. On the season Lewis has one win and four top ten finishes.

No. 7 - Steven Howard (No. 38 B&R Plumbing Chevrolet), Howard Racing. Last week's ranking: 7th. Howard tallied an 11th place finish at Magic Valley Speedway June 14 to maintain the 7th position in the NASCAR Top 10. On the season Howard has four top ten performances in six starts. Howard has also maintained his place in the NASCAR Top 10 for six consecutive races. Howard has completed 751 laps out of 752 laps run this season.

No. 8- Kevin Hamlin (No. 33 Bowmans Electro Painting Chevrolet), Hamlin Motorsports. Last week's ranking: 8th. Hamlin maintains the 8th spot in the NASCAR Top 10 for the second consecutive race after a disappointing 15th place finish at Magic Valley Speedway June 14. Hamlin dropped to 142 points behind point leader Hart. Hamlin has three top five and three top ten finishes in six starts this season.

No. 9 - Jeff Bailey (No. 27 Frank & Son Auto Body Chevrolet), Bailey Racing. Last week's ranking: 10th. Bailey finished 18th at Magic Valley Speedway June 14 after winning his first career Bud Pole Award. Bailey has one top five and two top finishes in six starts this season. Bailey also competed in his first Featherlite Southwest Series race on the road course at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. where he started 41st and finished 8th collecting the Powerade Power Move-of-the-Race.

No. 10 - Pete Harding (No. 39 LP Body Shop Chevrolet), Harding Racing. Last week's ranking: 11th. Harding had another disappointing outing after an accident on lap 108 left the former champion sidelined and a 22nd place finish at Magic Valley Speedway June 14. Harding has one win and two top ten finishes in six starts this season. Harding finished 7th at WVSO back in May.

Fast Facts

NASCAR Top 10 this week: 1. Chris Hart, 928; 2. John Bender, 898; 3. Jeff Jefferson, 898; 4. Jason Jefferson, 896; 5. Joe Benedetti, 859; 6. Gary Lewis, 854; 7. Steven Howard, 801; 8. Kevin Hamlin, 786; 9. Jeff Bailey, 760; 10. Pete Harding, 741.

Races at No. 1: Pete Harding (1), Jason Jefferson (1), John Bender (2), Jeff Jefferson (1), Chris Hart (1).

New arrivals in the NASCAR Top 10 this week: Pete Harding (10th).

Most weeks in the NASCAR Top 10: Five Drivers tied at six races.

Biggest mover among the Top 10: Chris Hart (2nd to 1st).

Dropped out of the NASCAR Top 10 this week: Kelly Mann (18th)

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