November 17, 2023

 CHAMPION PROFILE - Dalton Olsen, Junior Lightning

 RYAN BLANEY WINS 2023 NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP
From NASCAR Media

The 2023 racing season was Dalton’s seventh season behind the wheel of a race car.

What started out rocky because he was getting used to a brand-new car turned into success with 10 final round appearances between Qlispe Raceway Park and Walla Walla Dragstrip.

This is his third championship in the Junior category with two being In the Junior Thunder class and this third in the Junior Lightning class.

Besides his racing, Dalton enjoys helping his dad drag race, as well as getting more of my family interested into the sport.

Outside of racing I help around our family farm and of course maintain the race cars.

“What made the 2023 season memorable was my parents giving me the opportunity to continue racing against some of the best in the northwest,” Dalton wrote in an email.

He also listed as important, “The friends I have made along the way, and most importantly some of the track photographers such as Doug Crann and Annette Barton that spend their time at our local points races to make sure we have proof of our memories.”

“I want to put out a huge thanks to the Qlispe Raceway Park team, who helped us racers come back to the place many have dedicated our lives to,” Dalton said.

In addition he thanks many of the top hitters in the sportsman pro and super pro classes who have gave him so much information to make me a better racer

Qlispe Raceway Park 2023
Point Leaders: Junior Lightning
Driver...................................... Points
1. Dalton Olson........................ 211
2. Sahara Wendt...................... 184
3. Dakota Fortney.................... 118
4. Allie Upton............................... 92
5. Corban Box.............................. 85

 CHAMPION PROFILE - Haydee Lyman - Junior Street

This is Hydee’s first year racing junior street, although she has been supporting her parents for many years by helping them in the pits.

She was very nervous at first, but after a few times down the track, Hydee was hooked.

She did qualify this year to represent the track for the team divisional finals in Woodburn, Oregon this year. They only send two Junior Street class racers from each track for that event, so it was an amazing opportunity for her to represent Qlispe.

Outside of racing Hydee has done dance for 10 years and has done it competitively for the last 6 seasons. Her passion seems to be at the dance studio, and now out at the track.

It is her outlet.

Hydee is also a Type 1 diabetic warrior that takes life by the horns and doesn’t let anything stop her.

Her pit crew consists of her parents, Heather and Cody Eller, who help and support her. Her mom, Heather, is her co-pilot when she races.

Junior Street Point Leaders

Car #..........Name...................Points
633.............Hydee Lyman .......152
604.............John Sherlock ......122
6948...........Alexander Eller ....89
542.............Sage Clare ..............50
40...............Chevy Jefferson ....32