First win gains Pursley Showdown spot … Greg Pursley (No. 26 Gene Price Racing/Star Nursery Chevrolet) captured his first career win in the NASCAR Camping World Series West, with a victory in the Allstate Texas Thunder 150 at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas on March 14. In doing so, he also became the first driver this year to secure a spot in the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. Pursley of Newhall, Calif., won the Super Late Model portion of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in 2007. As in previous seasons, winners of NASCAR Camping World Series events this year will secure a spot in the prestigious postseason event.
A first for Mayhew … David Mayhew (No. 17 MMI/Ron’s Rear Ends Chevrolet) set the fast mark in qualifying at Thunderhill to take his first career Coors Light Pole Award in the NASCAR Camping World Series West. Mayhew of Atascadero, Calif., lapped the .375-mile oval at a speed of 89.203 mph.
Career-best marks … Several drivers had career-best finishes at Thunderhill. A runner-up finish by Moses Smith (No. 16 HASA Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota) topped his previous best mark of third in the season finale last year. Jamie Dick (No. 88 Viva Auto Group/Johnnie Walker Performance Center Chevrolet) notched his first career top-five finish by coming home fourth at Texas. Jonathon Gomez (No. 34 Heritage Cattle / RTD / D4D Chevrolet) was the top finishing Sunoco rookie at Thunderhill, while also matching his previous best finish of eighth.
Talented rookies chase Sunoco Award … Four drivers have registered for this year’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year program. As the top-finishing rookie in the season opener, Jonathon Gomez took the initial lead in the rookie standings. Others competing for the prestigious title include Blake Koch (No. 21 God Speaks.com / DayStar.com Chevrolet) of West Palm Beach, Fla.; Paulie Harraka (No. 12 NAPA AutoCare Center Toyota) of Fairlawn, N.J.; and Bow Carpenter (No. 09 Calpry/Land of Frost Chevrolet) of San Antonio, Texas.
Series return … The Thunderhill event marked a return to the series for Bow Carpenter, who competed in several events in 1999 and 2000.
Record pace … Despite a late-race caution that led to the race distance being extended for a green-white-checkered finish, a record was set for the average speed of the event at Thunderhill Raceway. The average speed of 57.836 mph eclipsed the previous mark established in last year’s race of 54.479 mph.
