by Kelly Hart -

It started out as a race called Thunder In The Valley, back in 1990, a reason to give the 360 Sprint cars a race to call their own. After all, the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup had an eighteen year head start on them at Skagit Speedway. Today it is called the Bob's Burgers and Brew 360 Nationals and features a $10,000.00 check to the winner and an overall purse to the whole field of $60,000.00. It is one of the highest paying non-sanctioned purses that 360 Sprint Car racers will run for on the West Coast in 2008.

Over the span of those first 18 years, some very popular and famous drivers have etched their name in the Skagit Speedway record books. Previous winners of the event include one of Skagit Speedway's all-time most winning drivers Marc Huson who won the first event in 1990 and came out of retirement to win it all in 2005. Steve Kent and Jason Solwold are 3-time winners. Rick Fauver and Jay Smith are two-time winners. Some other nationally known drivers such as Roger Crockett, Shane Stewart and Chad Hillier are all winners of the event. Soon to be famous Travis Rutz won in 2006, and other single winners include Jamie Cobby and Bobby Burrow.

This year the only past champions in the field are expected to be Rutz and Rick Fauver. Travis sent a clear message to the field that he is playing to win, as he won both the 360 and Outlaw 410 main event at last weeks Skagit Speedway 2008 Foothills Toyota Tundra Racing Series event. Fauver recently returned to competition in a new car with a new number F1 but historically is very fast in any car he jumps into.

Rutz will have plenty of contenders to deal with. The Giant Killer Jayme Barnes will try to become the first driver in history to win Dirt Cup and 360 Nationals in the same year. Former 360 Nationals podium finisher and notorious big race competitor Barry Martinez will jump in a 360 Sprint for the first time this year. Two-time defending 360 Sprint Champion Steve Kilcup is in the field and he is also a huge big race competitor.

The field is stacked. There could be as many as 50 cars or more at this year�s event. When all is said and done on Saturday night, someone will be $10,000.00 richer and the race fans will go away pleased at the show they've just watched.

This year the 19th annual event is held August 1st and 2nd, this Friday and Saturday. Ticket information and other details for the Bob's Burgers and Brew 360 Nationals are available by calling 360-724-3567.