NEWS & NOTES
Ø The race … The Minnesota 150 is the fourth race on the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series schedule for 2007. It is the first visit to the state of Minnesota in the 53-year history of the series.
Ø The track … Elko Speedway is a high-banked, 3/8-mile paved oval with a rich 40-year racing heritage. It is located near Elko, Minn., south of Minneapolis.
Ø First combo race for Grand National Division … This event is the first of two back-to-back combination races for the NASCAR Grand National Division, which is comprised of the West Series and the Busch East Series. After this race, the division heads to Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. This weekend marks the first time for the West Series and Busch East Series to compete in the same event for championship points. Top competitors from each series, meanwhile, have faced off in post-season action for the past four years in the prestigious NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.
Ø Competing for spot in prestigious All-Star event … In addition to the honor of winning the first-ever NASCAR Grand National combination race, the race winner will also be assured of a starting spot in the 2007 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. Only Grand National race winners and champions of the NASCAR Developmental Series will be locked in to the field. All others must race their way in.
Ø Dominant in qualifying … Mike Duncan (No. 9 Lucas Oil/Ron’s Rear Ends Chevrolet) is three-for-three in qualifying with three Bud Poles in the first three West Series races this season. Duncan, who is seventh on the list of Career Bud Pole winners in the West Series with 19 career poles, dominated qualifying in series action en route to winning back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005.
Ø Milestone in money won … Duncan is poised to become the third driver in West Series history to surpass the $900,000 mark in winnings. With $898,748, he trails series leader Austin Cameron with $982,541 and Scott Gaylord with $921,748.
Ø David jumps out to solid lead early … With podium finishes in the first three races this season, Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Ford) has quickly established a significant 70-point lead in the championship standings. The series veteran from Modesto, Calif., had a career-best season last year – finishing second in the standings with two wins, six top-five and nine top-10 finishes.
Ø Advance media visit … David was one of four NASCAR Grand National Division drivers to visit Elko Speedway for an advance press conference with the media on May 9. Joining David for the special media visit were fellow West Series driver Andrew Myers (No. 44 Toyota of Escondido/NEO Chevrolet) and Busch East Series competitors Sean Caisse (No. 44 Casella Waste Systems Chevrolet) and Chase Austin (No. 66 Homelife Communities Dodge).
Ø This Week’s Series Leaders … Through three races of the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series season:
· Points leader – Mike David, 520
· Money won – Mike David, $22,456
· Laps led – Mike Duncan, 141
· Laps completed – Mike David, 513; Tim Woods III, 513
· Average finish – Mike David, 2.0
· Victories – Mike David, 1; Joey Logano, 1; Scott Lynch, 1
· Poles – Mike Duncan, 3
· Top-five finishes – Mike David, 3
· Top-10 finishes – Mike David, 3; Tim Woods III, 3
· Races led – Mike Duncan, 3
TOP 10 IN CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS, THEN AND NOW
2007 2006 (After three races)
Driver Points Wins Driver Points Wins 1. Mike David 520 1 1. Mike David 481 1
2. Tim Woods III 450 0 2. Steve Portenga 466 0
3. Jason Bowles 419 0 3. Peyton Sellers 448 0
4. Johnny Borneman 409 0 4. Jim Inglebright 439 0
5. Brett Thompson 399 0 5. Eric Holmes 433 0
6. Andrew Myers 398 0 6. Spencer Clark 423 0
7. Eric Hardin 378 0 7. Brett Thompson 412 0
8. Mike Duncan 376 0 8. Mike Duncan 410 0
9. Ryan Foster 376 0 9. Brian Ickler 371 0
10. Alex Haase 371 0 10. Daryl Harr 369 0
Fast Facts
What: Minnesota 150
NASCAR Grand National Division, Combination Race
Where: Elko Speedway, Elko, Minn.
When: 9:00 p.m., Friday, May 18.
Track layout: .375-mile paved oval.
Distance: 150 Laps, 56.25 miles.
Posted Awards: $133,817
TV: HDNet
SPEED (Enhanced replay, May 30, 12 p.m. ET)
2006 winner: Inaugural event.
2006 polesitter: Inaugural event.
Records: To be established.
Pre-race schedule: Friday – Practice, 1:15-3:15 p.m. Qualifying,
7 p.m. Note: All times subject to change.
NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series Top 10: 1. Mike David 520, 2. Tim Woods III 450, 3. Jason Bowles 419, 4. Johnny Borneman 409, 5. Brett Thompson 399, 6. Andrew Myers 398, 7. Eric Hardin 378, 8. Mike Duncan 376, 9. Ryan Foster 376, 10. Alex Haase 371
Track Contact: Jill Frischmann,
(952) 461-7223
ENTRY LIST Entry List MINNESOTA 150 NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION Elko Speedway May 18, 2007 1. 0 Phil Bonifield, Napa Calif. Red Line Synthetic Oil Chevrolet
2. 1 Jim Inglebright, Fairfield Calif. Jelly Belly Chevrolet
3. 2 Mike David, Modesto Calif. Bennett Lane Winery Ford
4. 03 Rogelio Lopez, Mexico City Mexico Lucas Oil/Telmex Chevrolet
5. 3 Blair Addis, Greenville S.C. Dick James Law Firm Chevrolet
6. 4 Jesus Hernandez, Fresno Calif. * SPONSOR TBA Chevrolet
7. 5 Eric Hardin, Anahiem Calif. Alta Dena Dairy Chevrolet
8. 7 Pierre Bourque, Ottawa Ont. Driving Canada.com Dodge
9. 8 Johnny Borneman, Ramona Calif. Twisted X Boots/Red Line Oil Ford
10. 09 Lloyd Mack, Los Angeles Calif. * Midgley Racing Chevrolet
11. 9 Mike Duncan, Bakersfield Calif. Lucas Oil/Ron's Rear Ends Chevrolet
12. 10 Joey Logano, Middletown Conn. * Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet
13. 11 Jeffrey Earnhardt, Mooresville N.C. * SPONSOR TBA Chevrolet
14. 12 German Quiroga, Mexico City Mexico * Raintree Vacations/Telcel Chevrolet
15. 14 Andrew Myers, Newport Beach Calif. Toyota of Escondido Chevrolet
16. 15 Jack Sellers, Sacramento Calif. Aramark Chevrolet
17. 16 Brian Ickler, San Diego Calif. NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet
18. 18 Moses Smith, Tempe Ariz. * Hasa Pool Products Chevrolet
19. 20 Eric Richardson, Bakersfield Calif. * GreenFrogRoastingCo.com Chevrolet
20. 21 Ryan Foster, Anderson Calif. * Golden Gate Meat Chevrolet
21. 22 Jason Bowles, Ontario Calif. * Sunrise Ford/Turbo Torq Ford
22. 26 Scott Bouley, Thomaston Conn. Signs & Shirts Chevrolet
23. 27 Bobby Hillis, Phoenix Ariz. Pepsi/Wal-Mart Ford
24. 30 Jeff Anton, Russell Mass Baran Institute/Engineered Floors Chevrolet
25. 32 Ruben Pardo, Mexico City Mexico Super Cuts Dodge
26. 35 Eric Holmes, Escalon Calif. Waste Management Recycle America Chevrolet
27. 37 Michelle Theriault, Bristol Conn. * Glock Inc. Chevrolet
28. 40 Matt Kobyluck, Uncasville Conn. Mohegan Sun Resort Chevrolet
29. 43 Tim Schendel, Sparta Wis. * Matthews Archery/Texpar Energy Dodge
30. 44 Sean Caisse, Pelham N.H. Casella Waste Systems Chevrolet
31. 51 Jonathan Smith, Beacon Falls Conn. * SPONSOR TBA Chevrolet
32. 52 Jamie Hayes, Norlina N.C. * J.L. Hendrick Management Co. Chevrolet
33. 54 Tim Woods, III, Chino Hills Calif. Chino Hills Ford Ford
34. 57 John Freeman, Huntersville N.C. Kenwood/Freeman's Stereo & Video Chevrolet
35. 58 Jonathan Cash, Oxford N.C. * Strutmasters.com Ford
36. 61 Mike Olsen, North Haverhill N.H. Little Trees Chevrolet
37. 63 John Salemi, Nashua N.H. John Salemi Racing Chevrolet
38. 64 Chase Austin, Eudora Kan. * Homelife Communities Dodge
39. 65 Stan Silva, Jr, Castroville Calif. * A&S Metals/Stan Silva Jr Trucking Chevrolet
40. 66 Justin Lofton, Westmorland Calif. Lofton Cattle/Cometic/Klotz Ford
41. 71 Daryl Harr, St Albert AB WestWorld Computers Chevrolet
42. 76 Jerick Johnson, Faribault Minn. American Legion Chevrolet
43. 77 Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge Colo. * King Taco Ford
44. 81 Brett Thompson, Jerome Idaho Thompson Motorsports Chevrolet
45. 83 Peyton Sellers, Danville Va. Sellers Racing Inc. Chevrolet
46. 84 Dion Ciccarelli, Severn Md. Operation Gratitude Chevrolet
47. 88 Alex Haase, Las Vegas Nev. * Motorway Auto Group of El Paso Chevrolet
48. 91 Richard Jarvis, Jr., Ocean City Md. * Herring Creek Blds/Hudson Chevrolet
49. 92 Marc Davis, Mitchelville Md. * Joe Gibbs Driven Chevrolet
50. 99 Bryon Chew, Mattituck N.Y. Buzz Chew Chevrolet Chevrolet
