TRACY, Calif — Jason Fensler captured his first career victory in the NASCAR Camping World Series West with a win in the Golden State Steel & Stair 200 at Altamont Raceway Park on Saturday.
Fensler, who has spent the season on top of the pit box making calls for the Speed Wong Racing team, made the most of the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a second entry by the team on his home track. It marked just his fourth race in the series, with a start in this event last year and two races in 1993.
Fensler of Wilton, Calif., battled his way to the front on lap 160 and pulled away for the win, while previous front runners encountered problems. Eric Holmes led 131 laps and appeared headed to a victory that would pad his lead in the championship standings, but went to the pits with a flat tire on lap 133. His rival, Mike David, took over the lead – but also encountered problems and later had to pit with a flat tire.
After Holmes encountered trouble, it appeared that second-place running Jason Bowles would wrestle the points lead away with a strong finish. But Bowles faded with a flat tire and ended up in 19th, following a second flat tire.
Although David Mayhew suffered two flat tires early, he was able to battle back to gain a runner-up finish. Series rookie Jeff Barkshire was third, followed by Holmes and Austin Cameron.
Holmes retained his lead in the championship standings, with a 68-point margin over Bowles – 1,933 to 1,865. Barkshire is third with 1,837, followed by David with 1,749 points and Jim Inglebright with 1,706.
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES WEST-GOLDEN STATE STEEL & STAIR 200 Results
Saturday
At Altamont Raceway Park
Tracy, CA
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (8) Jason Fensler, Wilton, Calif., Ford, 200 laps, 55.753 mph, $6,500.
2. (15) David Mayhew, Atascadero, Calif., Chevrolet, 200, $6,000.
3. (3) Jeff Barkshire, Auburn, Wash., Dodge, 200, $4,015.
4. (2) Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., Toyota, 200, $4,050.
5. (6) Austin Cameron, El Cajon, Calif., Toyota, 200, $3,250.
6. (12) Johnny Borneman, Ramona, Calif., Chevrolet, 200, $3,000.
7. (14) Jason Patison, Corona, Calif., Ford, 200, $2,850.
8. (18) Paulie Harraka, Wayne, N.J., Toyota, 200, $2,250.
9. (10) Daryl Harr, St Albert, Alberta, Chevrolet, 200, $3,200.
10. (16) Mike Gallegos, Wheat Ridge, Colo., Chevrolet, 200, $2,500.
11. (7) Moses Smith, Tempe, Ariz., Toyota, 200, $2,250.
12. (23) Jim Warn, Aurora, Ore, Chevrolet, 200, $2,200.
13. (9) Ryan Philpott, Tracy, Calif., Ford, 200, $1,650.
14. (11) Terry Henry, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 200, $1,625.
15. (20) Jim Inglebright, Fairfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 200, $2,100.
16. (21) Wes Banks, Oakdale, Calif., Ford, 200, $1,575.
17. (4) Mike David, Modesto, Calif., Toyota, 199, $2,650.
18. (22) Jeff Jefferson, Naches, Wash., Chevrolet, 196, $2,000.
19. (1) Jason Bowles, Ontario, Calif., Ford, 196, $3,450.
20. (28) Pat O'Keefe, Pleasant Hill, Calif., Chevrolet, 194, $1,400.
21. (17) Josh Bews, Roseville, Calif., Ford, 192, $1,375.
22. (19) Paul Pedroncelli, Jr., Sonoma, Calif., Chevrolet, 158, suspension, $1,350.
23. (5) Auggie Vidovich, Lakeside, Calif., Chevrolet, 149, steering, $1,325.
24. (24) Ross Strmiska, Stockton, Calif., Chevrolet, 89, accident, $1,300.
25. (13) Todd Souza, Aromas, Calif., Chevrolet, 83, radiator, $1,275.
26. (25) Jamie Dick, Albuquerque, N.M., Chevrolet, 49, engine, $1,750.
27. (27) Jack Sellers, Sacramento, Calif., Chevrolet, 12, overheating, $1,225.
28. (26) Johnathan Hale, Rio Linda, Calif., Chevrolet, 8, vibration, $1,200.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 47 minutes 37 seconds
Margin of Victory: .510 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: J.Bowles (99.448 mph, 18.100 seconds)
Caution Flags: 11 for 64 laps.
Lead Changes: 6 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: J.Bowles 0; E.Holmes 1; J.Bowles 2; E.Holmes 3-132; M.David 133-151; A.Cameron 152-159; J.Fensler 160-200.
Standings: 1. E.Holmes, 1933; 2. J.Bowles, 1865; 3. J.Barkshire, 1837; 4. M.David, 1749; 5. J.Inglebright, 1706; 6. A.Cameron, 1670; 7. M.Smith, 1658; 8. J.Borneman, 1590; 9. D.Mayhew, 1586; 10. J.Warn, 1509.
