ROSEVILLE, California -- Byron Gonzales of Carmichael captured the Westcar Late Model points championship, while Gary Glenn of Orangevale became the series only repeat winner as the series capped off the season at All American Speedway in Roseville, Ca.
The top 16 qualifers were separated by a mere .28 in lap times in a closely-wound field of drivers.
Melissa Davis of Santa Rosa entered the event with an eight-point advantage over Gonzales in the points standings.
Bobby Butler of Sacramento led the field to green and led the opening nine laps before being overtaken by Guy Guibor of Manteca.
Glenn, who started third, worked up to passing Guibor on the inside in traffic on lap 21.
The race stayed green for the first 32 laps, until unrelated spins by both Tim Bost of Paradise and Andy Livengood of Richmond brought out the caution.
Gonzales had moved up to the third position at that point, with Davis still trailing deep in the field from her 13th starting position.
Glenn got away from Guibor on the restart, and Gonzales challenged for the second position in a heated duel before taking it on lap 43.
Glenn stretched the lead out to more than a straightaway as Gonzales battled Guibor, but Gonzales slowly closed the gap after moving into second.
A series of six caution periods over the final 40 laps played to Glenn’s favor.
“My car was getting tight on long runs,” Glenn said. “The car was too tight so I couldn’t run the highside or I’d push into the marbles.”
“The cautions killed me,” Gonzales said. “I would have gotten him on the long runs but I didn’t have a chance on the restarts.”
Davis saw her chances for a championship evaporate when she had spins on both laps 71 and 86. She finished the race 14th.
John Moore of Granite Bay slipped by Gonzales in the closing laps but both stayed on the bumper f Glenn to the checkers.
Glenn’s win made him the only repeat winner in the nine race inaugural campaign.
“I was just hoping I could hold off Byron,” Glenn said. “I wish I had a few more wins this year but blew some motors.”
Gonzales was presented a check for $2500 for his championship. Gonzales said that he entered this race planning on driving conservatively.
“The big picture is what we had in mind all year,” Gonzales said. “Melissa was the last thing on my mind. The last few laps I ran very conservative.”
Davis reflected on the difficulty in qualifying for the race and considered that what cost her the race.
“To be .11 off and be starting 13th, that’s what’s tough,” Davis said. “Hopefully we’ll figure out qualifying.”
“It was very frustrating because we were all evenly matched and it was hard to make a pass.”
Davis also needed the long runs that never came.
“Every time I got a run on the outside groove there would be a yellow,” Davis said. “Normally I try to relax and stay smooth and let the leaders take each other and it didn’t happen.”
“It feels great to finish on a high note,” Gonzales said. “I appreciate everyone who supports our racing and comes out here.”
Gonzales won the Scott Performance Wires Dash for Cash. Rich Lawlor of Sparks, Nv won the Scott Performance Wires Fast Time.
Sponsors for WESTCAR's 2005 season include the Peppermill, Scott Performance Wires, Xbox, Amsoil, California Door and Frame, Sierra Racing Products, Circle Track Steering, Competition Carburetion, Jim Courage Pools, Fensler Racing, DPI, F.R.E., JME, John L. Sullivan, Perry Racing and Plaza Hotel.
Westcar is online at www.westcarseries.com
John Moore Granite Bay, Ca $700
Byron Gonzales Carmichael, Ca $625 + $100 Scott Performance Wires Dash
Rich Lawlor Sparks, Nv $500 + $100 Scott Performance Wires Fast Time
Guy Guibor Manteca, Ca $450
Scott Chappell Lodi, Ca $425
Mark Holeman Los Altos, Ca $400
Kyle Cattanach Redding, Ca $375 + $100 Courage Pools Hard Charger
Bobby Butler Sacramento, Ca $350
Chuck Glick Citrus Heights, Ca $325
Christina Davis Santa Rosa, Ca $300
Steve Daniels Orangevale, Ca $290
Dan Knight Ukiah, Ca $280
Melissa Davis Santa Rosa, Ca $270
Pete Anderson Jr. Stockton, Ca $260
Travis Combs Sacramento, Ca $250
Chet Danburg Carson City, Nv $240
Tim Bost Paradise, Ca $230
Andy Livengood Richmond, Ca $220
Kenny Crome Reno, Nv $210
DNQ: Troy Shirk, John Callas, Dan Cherry, Paul Spencer, Steve Vance
Lap leaders: Butler, 1-8, Guibor 8-21, Glenn 21-100
Cautions: Seven
