Auggie Vidovich, of Lakeside, Calif. captured the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division feature while Mike Olsen, of North Haverhill, N.H. was the NASCAR Grand National Division winner in Saturday night’s third annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.
Vidovich, who started eighth, dominated the final 50-lap segment of the 125-lap AutoZone Elite Division main event after taking advantage of the double file restart at lap 76 to pass Rip Michels for the lead. Michels, a former track champion at Irwindale, surrendered second when he spun after contact Lamar on lap 89. Lamar took up the challenge but was eventually left 1.738 seconds behind. M.K. Kanke gave the Southwest Series a sweep of the top three positions, while Eddie Hoffman of the Midwest Series was fourth and Gary Lewis of the Northwest Series took fifth after starting 34th. Michels recovered to place sixth, with Chris Davidson, Wilbur Bruce, Pete Harding, and Jim Pettit II completing the top ten.
Vidovich, who has come close to Southwest Series victories at Irwindale but never succeeded, exclaimed in victory lane, “I’ve hated this track at times but I love it tonight!” He credited his Centrifugal Technologies Chevrolet crew for the chassis adjustments at the break which loosened up the car and propelled him to victory.
Starting from the outside of the front row, Michels led all but one lap of the first segment. Vidovich was second at the race’s mandatory competition break, followed by Lamar, Kanke, and Hoffman. With the top four cars from the AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series, the home team easily defeated the Midwest Series for the event’s “team” title by a margin of 1300 points to 997. The Northwest Series was third and the Southeast Series fourth in the team standings, which are based on the running order at the break.
The victory by former Busch North Series champion Olsen in the 150-lap Grand National Division race came after a race of dramatic changes of fortune that produced 14 lead changes among five drivers. David Gilliland of the West Series was second, .828 seconds behind, followed by Busch North drivers Matt Kobyluck, Ryan Moore and Sean Caisse. Scott Gaylord of the West Series was sixth after starting 31st, with Andy Santerre, Steve Portenga, Joey McCarthy, and Brett Thompson rounding out the top 10.
“It went wrong for a lot of guys but it went right for me,” Olsen said of the frantic final 50 lap segment, which was marked by repeated caution periods. After starting outside the front row and leading one lap, he faded to eighth at the 100-lap break but came roaring back after adjustments by the Little Trees Chevrolet crew. “I got up to third and I was going to wait, and then we started having the cautions. From that point on my car got on the bottom and I got good forward bite,” he added.
Olsen’s biggest break came on lap 136 when the leaders checked up in turn four for a caution flag and Mike Stefanik spun after contact with Olsen. Stefanik had come from 22nd at the start to take the lead a lap earlier.
The 100-lap break found Gilliland the leader, but Busch North Series entries filled seven of the top ten places to produce a third straight “team” title for the east coast contingent, 1848 points to 1717 for the West Series. Individually, Moore led 60 laps, Gilliland 42, Caisse 34, Olsen 13, and Stefanik one.
Unofficial Results
NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown
NASCAR Grand National Division
Irwindale Speedway November 12, 2005
(showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, driver name, hometown, manufacturer, laps completed, reason out-if any and money won)
1. (1) Mike Olsen, North Haverhill N.H., Chevrolet, 150, $31,500
2. (8) David Gilliland, Chino Hills Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $17,300
3. (10) Matt Kobyluck, Uncasville Conn., Chevrolet, 150, $16,000
4. (6) Ryan Moore, Scarborough Maine, Chevrolet, 150, $15,000
5. (2) Sean Caisse, Pelham N.H., Chevrolet, 150, $14,750
6. (31) Scott Gaylord, Lakewood Colo., Chevrolet, 150, $10,500
7. (12) Andy Santerre, Cherryfield Maine, Chevrolet, 150, $13,000
8. (5) Steve Portenga, Sparks Nev., Chevrolet, 150, $8,800
9. (3) Joey McCarthy, Randolph N.J., Chevrolet, 150, $12,000
10. (16) Brett Thompson, Jerome Idaho, Chevrolet, 150, $7,500
11. (23) Johnny Borneman, Ramona Calif., Ford, 150, $7,250
12. (28) Sarah Fisher, Indianapolis Ind., Ford, 150, $7,250
13. (29) Andrew Myers, Newport Beach Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $6,500
14. (26) Rick Ruzbarsky, Tracy Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $6,250
15. (11) Mike David, Modesto Calif., Ford, 150, $6,000
16. (27) Jack Sellers, Sacramento Calif., Pontiac, 150, $5,500
17. (25) Jeff Anton, Russell Mass., Chevrolet, 150, $9,500
18. (15) Daryl Harr, St. Albert Alberta, Chevrolet, 149, $5,500
19. (30) Kip Stockwell, Braintree Vt., Chevrolet, 148, $9,500
20. (19) Tim Smith, Roseville Calif., Ford, 144, $5,500
21. (21) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 138, $9,000
22. (14) Tim Woods, III, Chino Hills Calif., Ford, 138, Overheating, $5,000
23. (13) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley Mass., Chevrolet, 133, Accident, $9,000
24. (9) Mike Duncan, Lamont Calif., Chevrolet, 128, $5,000
25. (18) John Salemi, Nashua N.H., Pontiac, 128, $9,000
26. (22) Joe Masessa, Franklin Lakes N.J., Chevrolet, 127, Accident, $9,000
27. (20) Andrew Lewis, Corona Calif., Chevrolet, 126, Accident, $5,000
28. (4) Mike Johnson, Salisbury Mass., Ford, 107, Axle, $9,000
29. (24) Takuma Koga, Nagoya Japan, Chevrolet, 103, $5,000
30. (7) Dale Shaw, Center Conway N.H., Chevrolet, 91, Engine, $9,000
31. (17) Bryon Chew, Mattituck N.Y., Chevrolet, 89, Radiator, $9,000
Caution Flags: Laps 26-29; 33-36; 63-66; 90-96; 100; 105; 114; 127; 129; 133; 134; 138; 145. 13 cautions for 28 laps.
Lap Leaders: Mike Olsen grid, Sean Caisse 1, Mike Olsen 2, Sean Caisse 3-35, Ryan Moore 36-66, David Gilliland 67-103, Ryan Moore 104, David Gilliland 105-106, Ryan Moore 107-134, David Gilliland 135, Mike Stefanik 136, David Gilliland 137, Mike Olsen 138, David Gilliland 139, Mike Olsen 140-150.
Total Laps Led: Ryan Moore 60, David Gilliland 42, Sean Caisse 34, Mike Olsen 13, Mike Stefanik 1. 14 lead changes involving 5 drivers.
Unofficial Results
NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown
NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division
Irwindale Speedway November 12, 2005
(showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, driver name, hometown, manufacturer, laps completed, reason out-if any and money won)
1. (8) Auggie Vidovich, Lakeside Calif., Chevrolet, 125, $13,300
2. (6) Burney Lamar, Kernersville N.C., Chevrolet, 125, $10,000
3. (5) M K Kanke, Frazier Park Calif., Chevrolet, 125, $8,000
4. (10) Eddie Hoffman, Wheaton Ill., Chevrolet, 125, $8,750
5. (34) Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $9,000
6. (2) Rip Michels, San Fernando Calif., Chevrolet, 125, $7,650
7. (12) Chris Davidson, Pearland Tex., Chevrolet, 125, $7,500
8. (15) Wilbur Bruce, Tacoma Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $7,250
9. (20) Pete Harding, Surrey B.C., Chevrolet, 125, $7,000
10. (37) Jim Pettit, II, Prunedale Calif., Ford, 125, $6,250
11. (22) Greg Voigt, Santa Barbara Calif., Chevrolet, 125, $6,000
12. (31) Josh Bauer, Random Lake Wis., Chevrolet, 125, $6,925
13. (35) Robert Richardson, II, Chevrolet, 125, $6,200
14. (16) Justin Diercks, Davenport Iowa, Chevrolet, 125, $6,600
15. (11) John Bender, Snohomish Wash., Chevrolet, 125, $6,000
16. (9) Nick Joanides, Woodland Hills Calif., Chevrolet, 125, $6,400
17. (24) Dusty Williams, Garden City GA., Chevrolet, 124, $5,800
18. (25) Dexter Bean, Westby Wis., Chevrolet, 124, $6,200
19. (14) Jeff Jefferson, Yakima Wash., Chevrolet, 124, $5,600
20. (30) Greg Pope, Monroe N.C., Chevrolet, 123, $5,500
21. (32) Greg Fowler, Erie Colo., Chevrolet, 123, $6,000
22. (7) J.R. Norris, Mulga, Ala., Ford, 116, Handling, $5,500
23. (17) Steve Carlson, West Salem Wis., Chevrolet, 107, $6,000
24. (29) Andrew Morrissey, Deforest Wis., Chevrolet, 107, Accident, $6,000
25. (1) Nick Lynch, Burley Idaho, Chevrolet, 107, Accident, $5,700
26. (26) Tim Schendel, Sparta Wis., Chevrolet, 106, Accident, $6,000
27. (23) Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet, 105, $5,500
28. (19) Eddy McKean, Jerome Idaho, Pontiac, 98, Accident, $5,000
29. (4) Thomas Martin, Auburn Calif., Chevrolet, 97, Accident, $5,000
30. (21) John Dillon, Boise Idaho, Chevrolet, 97, $5,500
31. (36) Jeff Bailey, Kennewick Wash., Chevrolet, 84, Suspension, $5,500
32. (27) Jeff Fultz, Cincinnati Ohio, Chevrolet, 83, Rear End, $5,500
33. (13) Kevin Prince, Wilmington N.C., Chevrolet, 79, Accident, $5,500
34. (18) Brent Kirchner, LA Crosse Wis., Chevrolet, 74, Accident, $6,000
35. (28) Garrett Evans, East Wenatchee Wash., Chevrolet, 66, Engine, $5,500
36. (3) Greg Pursley, Canyon Country Calif., Chevrolet, 37, Accident, $5,000
37. (39) Jeff Barkshire, Auburn Wash., Dodge, 37, Brakes, $5,625
38. (40) Eddie Stivers, III, Chevrolet, 35, Engine, $5,500
39. (33) Terry McMahan, Asheville N.C., Chevrolet, 34, Accident, $5,500
40. (38) Justin Wakefield, Woodstock GA., Ford, 0, Did Not Start, $5,500
Caution Flags: Laps 4-8; 30-33; 39-51; 74-75; 80; 84; 89; 90; 96; 98; 100; 107; 115. 13 cautions for 33 laps.
Lap Leaders: Nick Lynch 0, Rip Michels 1-52, Burney Lamar 53, Rip Michels 54-75, Auggie Vidovich 76-125.
Total Laps Led: Rip Michels 74, Auggie Vidovich 50, Burney Lamar 1. 4 lead changes involving 3 drivers.
