“Night of Champions” - Gives National Birth to Up and Coming Racing Talent

This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend Evergreen Speedway’s Annual “Night of Champions” event. A night where the winners of the previous year’s racing season are honored. It was a great evening with over 700 automotive enthusiasts from the Pacific Northwest in attendance celebrating racing culture.

About Evergreen Speedway

Based in Monroe, Washington and founded in 1954, Evergreen Speedway has catered to automotive enthusiasts in the PNW for over 60 years. Today, it is recognized as the marquee racing facility in the Northwest region; hosting over 130 events annually and attracting over 270,000 fans every year. Evergreen Speedway hosts almost every type of racing event from NASCAR and drag racing to rallycross and drifting; with notable National events featured in the Formula Drift series and Redbull Global Rallycross series.

“Night of Champions” 2017

In this year’s “Night of Champions” event, Evergreen Speedway honored the top 10 in each of the Evergreen NASCAR Classes and Top 5 in the Evergreen Drift Pro Am and Grass Roots classes for 2017. With over 700 people in attendance, the “Night of Champions” has grown to become the largest NASCAR and Short Track banquet in the country.  This year’s Champions included:

Evergreen Drift Bardahl Pro-Am Champion: Patrick Heald

Evergreen Drift Bardahl Grassroots Champion: Matthew Rusiecki

Foster Press Mini Stocks Champion: Brad Thomas

Speedway Chevrolet Super Late Model Champion: Trenton Moriarity

Les Schwab Street Stocks Champion: Roger Drake

Evergreen Speedway Outlaw Figure 8 Champion: Chris Curtis

Monroe Grocery Outlet Super Stock Figure 8’s Champion: Quenton Borreson

• Buzz-In Stinger 8 Champion: Cody Hoopes
• Interstate Batteries Hornets Champion: Dawson Cox
• 2017 Rookie of the Year: Dario Retych

We were especially excited to catch-up with Evergreen Drift Pro-Am Champion Patrick Heald of Heald Racing during the event. As an up-and-coming Formula Drift competitor; Heald was able to win the Evergreen Pro-Am series in his first full year of drift competition. An accomplishment that few are capable of doing and that took many (including Heald) by surprise: “I would say that as a team we were hoping just to break into the top 10 for the 2017 season. I am still amazed that we placed 1st in 2017!” stated Heald.

With the successes of 2017, the talented driver earned a license to compete on a National Level next year in Formula Drift Pro-2. An opportunity Heald fully intends to take. “2018 is going to be a big one for the Heald racing program. We will be moving up into the Formula Drift Pro 2 series, which will be a big jump for us. I think over anything else it will be a great learning opportunity. We have a great team of guys and I am sure whatever the outcome we will have a great time and grow together. We are really looking forward to competing in the full Pro 2 series in 2018.”

Despite now moving on to bigger things on a National Scale, Evergreen Speedway and the PNW will always be home to him, and seems to be a fanbase he’ll always be a part of. Heald reflected fondly as we spoke about the fans at home. “My favorite aspect of the drift scene in the PNW is the amazing people, we have a great fan base in the PNW, rain or shine they are out at the events cheering on their favorite drivers, coming out into the pits and hanging out with us. It is such a fun motorsport to be involved in... it’s almost like a family. ”

It’s because of young drivers like Heald that we love attending events like the “Night of Champions.” In a world where technology is driving everyone towards self-driven cars and automation. It’s nice to find a shared place that encourages safe enjoyment of motorsports and celebrates young, talented drivers.  If you’re an auto enthusiast, make sure to check out Evergreen Speedway this year and follow Patrick Heald as he takes Formula Drift Pro-2 by storm.