RICHARDS LUCKY AT VEGAS

Source: Janet Peery / RacingWest.com
Date: 09/26/1999

When the green flag dropped for the start of the Gold Coast 150 Brendan Gaughan took no time in gaining a 5-car lead on the rest of the field. With Tony Toste running second and David Starr third.

Jack Sellers, veteran driver of the No. 15 Bear Automotive/Virtual Trends Chevrolet pulled off the track early with engine trouble. Crew chief, John Krebs said there was no oil pressure and pulled the car out of the race.

The caution flag waved when the No. 5 of Bobby Gerhardt spun in turn 4. Taken to the infield care center Gerhart was released.

When the green came back out Steve Portenga, Jason Small, Butch Gilliland and David Gilliland were showing their muscle passing cars on every lap. The younger Gilliland had moved up 5 positions before a faulty oil-line put an end to what was turning out to be a very impressive run. Said Gilliland, "We are disappointed, we had a car that would have given us a top-ten, I felt confident as a driver and was comfortable on the track, the Hoosiers were awesome, but this just wasn't our day. We are looking forward to next year when we run for Rookie-of-the-Year."

This yellow may have been a critical turning point of the race. Gaughan had shown he had the car and skills to be a potential race winner. He definitely did not want to see a caution.

From about lap 68 on Kevin Richards dominated the race, with a very large lead over the rest of the field. Austin Cameron, Gaughan and Butch Gilliland did their best to chase him down, but there was not a car on the field that had anything for the No. 85 of Richards.

This is the second win for Richards. He has now won a short track and super-speedway.

Second place went to Cameron, pole-sitter Gaughan grabbed third, past Winston West champion Butch Gilliland took 4th and Joe Bean held on for the 5th place finish.

The rookie battle has tightened as Sammy Potashnick of the No.65 and Jason Small of the No. 14 finished 8th and 13th respectively. Those in the know have watched in amazement at the skills of these two youngsters. They are the future of NASCAR and have gained the respect of the veterans as they have shown skills normally seen in drivers with much more experience.

The next chance for fans to see the NASCAR Winston Cup style cars of the Winston West will be at Mesa Marin Raceway. Considered the Bristol of the west, it is a tough little track with a lot of action. If you have been to Mesa Marin, chances are you will not miss the October Classic, if you have never been to Mesa Marin, remember what that last night race was like at Bristol? Well the same action goes on here, but you don't need to go so far!

Come on out to Bakersfield, the last time the Winston West will race on US soil before they go to their last race of the season at the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan.

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