BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Butch Gilliland wins the Forum Marketing 200 at Mesa Marin Raceway! After sitting on the pole for the race and breaking the track record with a lap time of 18.525, Butch Gilliland took the lead with 2 laps remaining to win his first race of 1999. "We finally won one for all our sponsors", exclaimed Butch, as he shook hands with team owner Richard Hilton. This is the first year the team has had full sponsorship from the Ralphs Grocery Company and their outstanding list of associate sponsors including Coca-Cola.

This win makes it three in a row for Gilliland at this annual spring time event in Bakersfield. Last year Butch won the race after fighting back from a lap down deficit to win. Butch also won this event from the pole in 1997 and sat on the pole in 91, 94' and 96'. "I've been around this race track a few times, said Butch, but you never know in this race what could happen. Anyone can win here." This is the first pole for Gilliland in 1999 as well as the first win for the team. "I didn't think anyone would get in under an 18.600. I guess I was wrong!" "The team did a great job getting this car ready for me", said Butch. "We've really spent some time to make it a good car". Butch lead the field for the first quarter of the race before slowing back to save his car for the end. The team made a series of outstanding pits stops and kept Gilliland out on the lead lap the entire race. In the end Gilliland took the lead lap with barely two laps remaining and brought his #1 Ralphs Red race car to victory circle for the celebration. David Gilliland however had a stroke of bad luck, as he was hit from behind at the start of the race and was pushed up into the turn 4 wall. David was unable to get his car back out on the track to finish the race.

The teams next race will be in Irwindale on Saturday June 19th. This will be the West Series first race at the new state of the art ½ mile oval in Southern California. Butch and the show car will have a number of appearances around the Southern California area to promote the event. The Bakersfield race will be televised on Saturday July 17th at 6:00 pm PST on Speedvision.

Source: Ralphs/Food 4 Less Racing Team
Posted: 6/2/99