ROCKLIN, California -- Sarah Fisher and the #20 NASCAR Select by NAPA Filters/Dominos team continued on their race toward their goal of the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title by finishing 8th at Irwindale Speedway for the King Taco 150. The team also jumped three positions in the chase for the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series championship from 15th to 12th in the overall point standings.
The extreme temperatures during qualifying and the brief rain didn’t dampen the #20 NASCAR Select by NAPA Filters team efforts. With every lap during practice, Fisher’s lap times kept getting better and better. Track conditions kept changing and the team qualified the car in 21st. At the 75-lap break, Fisher was just outside of the top ten on the score board. With 25 laps to go of the 150-lap race, Fisher was on the move and in 9th. During the last ten laps, Fisher was able to pilot the #20 NASCAR Select by NAPA Filters Chevrolet to 8th and took the checkered flag. This was the teams first top ten finish of the season.
“I’m on cloud nine,” said Fisher. “This was a great effort by the BMR team. We didn’t let our starting position hold us back from our goal of a top-ten finish. I had some help from a driver who’s won at Irwindale in the West Series more than anyone else, Austin Cameron. He helped me find my rhythm around the track.”
“The #20 NASCAR Select by NAPA Filters Chevrolet was tight the first 75 laps,” continued Fisher. “We came in at the break and the team went to work making changes. Our crew chief, Mario Isola said he changed everything but the color of the car. Whatever they did really worked because we were able to keep on the move toward the front. The BMR team did a great job and I am looking forward to our next race at Evergreen Speedway.”
The next race for the #20 NASCAR Select by NAPA Filters/Dominos team will be at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington Saturday July 30th. The race will be shown on SPEED Channel on August 26th at 2:30 pm EST. Check your local listings.
Fisher is participant of the Drive for Diversity Initiative and part of the driver development program between Bill McAnally Racing and Richard Childress Racing. For more information on Bill McAnally Racing (BMR), Richard Childress Racing (RCR), and the Driver for Diversity Iniative (D4D) logon to www.billmcanallyracing.com.
