ANTELOPE, California -- In the heart of Texas, Steve Portenga piloted the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS/NAPA Belts & Hose Chevrolet across the finish line and recorded the first NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series win at the inaugural Allstate Texas Thunder 200 at Thunder Hill Raceway. Portenga, who is third in the chase for the series championship title, has narrowed the point margin to only 54 points out of first and 13 points out of second.
The #16 NAPA team was third on the score board during the first and second practice sessions but qualified on the outside of row three in 6th. With racing under way, the Portenga made a hard charge towards the front and by lap 57 had moved into fourth. At lap 85, Portenga had put the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet at the top of the board and maintained the position thru lap 105. Portenga would relinquish the lead at lap 106 to the #88 of David Gilliland but would regain the lead two laps later. At lap 127, Gilliland once again made a successful challenge for the lead but Portenga took the position back at lap 128. With at least a four car length lead, Portenga would win the inaugural NASCAR West Series, Texas Thunder 200.
“We really needed this win,” said Portenga. This is the third win this season for Portenga and the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS team. “I wish we had more than just one race left for the season. We worked ourselves in a position of being the underdog to win the championship but the underdog prevailed at this race. We next head to my hometown track at Mesa Marin in Bakersfield. It’s all going to come down to that one race.”
“BMR has prepared a great car for Mesa Marin,” continued Portenga. “It’s the car we recorded our two wins with this season. We’ve won the first series race at Texas and it would be great to win the very last West Series race ever to be run at Mesa Marin. The championship is still up for grabs.”
The next NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series race will be on Saturday, October 15 at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California. The race will be televised live on HDNet. Check you local listings. For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please logon to www.billmcanallyracing.com.
