MONROE, Washington -- Mike Duncan battled David Gilliland to become the first driver in more than 20 years to win a 200-lap NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series race from the pole position at Evergreen Speedway.
Duncan's win in the Coors Light 200 on Saturday marked his first victory of the season and his fourth career win in the series for the defending champion.
Although Duncan won the Bud Pole Award with the fastest lap in qualifying, Gilliland charged out front and led the early laps. The two battled back-and-forth for the top spot throughout the event, with Duncan taking command for good on lap 118. Gilliland closed in on Duncan at one point, but could not pressure him enough to get by.
Scott Lynch, who leads the championship standings, finished third - followed by Tim Woods III and series rookie Andrew Lewis. Mike David and Scott Gaylord were sixth and seventh. Rounding out the top 10 were Chris Schmelzle, Daryl Harr and Ed Watson - all of whom finished on the lead lap after receiving the beneficiary award during cautions in the event. The beneficiary award was part of changes to race procedures announced this week for the NASCAR Grand National Division.
Also finishing on the lead lap was Sarah Fisher, who qualified third and led seven laps.
COORS LIGHT 200
NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series
Monroe, Wash. July 30, 2005
MONROE, Wash. - Final leaders of Saturday's $117,595 NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series stock car race with driver's starting position in parenthesis, hometown, make and model of car, laps completed, winner's average speed, reason out if any and prize money.
1. (1) Mike Duncan, Bakersfield Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, 68.085 mph, $8,467
2. (2) David Gilliland, Riverside Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, $5,967
3. (8) Scott Lynch, Burley Idaho, Dodge Intrepid, 200, $4,767
4. (13) Tim Woods, III, Chino Hills Calif., Ford Taurus, 200, $5,167
5. (6) Andrew Lewis, Corona Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, $2,917
6. (11) Mike David, Modesto Calif., Ford Taurus, 200, $3,467
7. (12) Scott Gaylord, Lakewood Colo., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, $3,067
8. (15) Chris Schmelzle, Victoria BC, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, $2,217
9. (9) Daryl Harr, St Albert Alberta, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, $2,867
10. (5) Ed Watson, Mt Vernon Wash., Ford Taurus, 200, $1,967
11. (3) Sarah Fisher, Indianapolis Ind., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 200, $2,617
12. (10) Jason Jefferson, Naches Wash., Ford Taurus, 196, $1,767
13. (7) Andrew Myers, Huntington Beach Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 195, $1,717
14. (16) Tim Smith, Roseville Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 195, $1,667
15. (17) Jack Sellers, Sacramento Calif., Pontiac Grand Prix, 193, $1,617
16. (14) Brett Thompson, Jerome Idaho, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 191, $2,317
17. (18) Takuma Koga, Nagoya Japan, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 190, $1,517
18. (4) Steve Portenga, Sparks Nev., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 130, Rear End, $2,217
19. (19) Travis Powell, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 91, Overheating, $1,000
Did not qualify: (0)
Race Statistics
Time of race: 1 hour 52 minutes 48 seconds
Margin of victory: 1.604 seconds
Caution flags: 6 for 42
Lead changes: 7 among 3 drivers
Lap leaders: Mike Duncan-grid, David Gilliland 1-64, Duncan 65-69, Gilliland 70-87, Duncan 88-109, Gilliland 110, Sarah Fisher 111-117, Duncan 118-200.
NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series Championship Standings: 1. Scott
Lynch 1,009, 2. Mike Duncan 961, 3. David Gilliland 916, 4. Steve Portenga
907, 5. Mike David 870, 6. Brett Thompson 798, 7. Tim Woods III 789, 8.
Scott Gaylord 777, 9. Andrew Lewis 771, 10. Andrew Myers 755
