Gaughan needs 185 points to clinch the NASCAR Winston West Series championship at Bakersfield. He can do it by winning the race and also leading the most laps. If he finishes 23`d or better in the two remaining races, Gaughan will win the title.
While Gaughan continues to hold the best average finish in the series so far this season, with a 3.8, several other drivers have improved on their average in recent races. Dotter has an average of 8.3, while Steve Fortenga has an 8.8 average.
With the $10,000 he is to receive for leading the second leg of the schedule, Gaughan will surpass the $100,000 mark in winnings this season.
Mike Duncan is leading the standings in the chase for the Rookie-of-the-Year Award as he attempts to become the second consecutive driver from the Bakersfield area to win the title. Jason Small won the title last year, Drivers celebrating birthdays during the month of October include Jerry Glanville, who turned 59 on the 14'th; Sean Woodside, who turns 30 on the 16th; Eric Holmes, who turns 26, also on the 16th; St. James Davis, who turns 57 on the 24th and Andy Coyle, who turns 43 on the 28th.
STATS OF THE WEEK: Three of the six 250-lap races at Bakersfield were won from the Bud Pole position. Two were won, meanwhile, from the third starting spot.
