Santee, CA (March 19, 2001) Counting them down one at a time, the AC Motorsports Team is working on their goal to win the 2001 NASCAR Winston West Series Championship and this weekend proved they are definitely a team to beat.
Straight off the truck the #12 car was fast. Austin Cameron and the team went to Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California, with a car ready for competition and a driver with a focus to win. The day started early with 2 morning practices and Austin running in the top 5 for both sessions. Then came qualifying at 1:15. Cameron was slated to qualify 24th in the group of 30 drivers. As Austin was on the line to make his run the car would not turn over. The crew quickly identified the problem, which was found to be a short in the kill switch, and with 2 cars remaining the team got the car up and running and Austin pulled in the fastest lap of the day putting him on the pole for the 200 lap event with a speed of 92.526mph and a lap time of 19.454 around California’s fastest ½ mile race track.
Cameron started the race from the front and quickly placed himself in a comfortable 2nd position for the 200 lap event knowing it would be a long race with the threat of many cautions. Austin ran the car smoothly in the top 5 for the first half of the race saving the car for the end. The team made a pit stop under yellow at lap 101 for 4 tires and a full load of fuel. The #12 AC Motorsports crew did a flawless job in the pits getting Austin out in record time. From there on out it was up to the driver and he did his job perfect. Austin ran his race, and in the end came up with a 2nd place finish, he ran a smart final 20 laps and was sure to bring home the car in a great finishing position with virtually no damage. In the post race interview for the fans Austin gratefully thanked Creative Touch Interiors, Cement Cutting Inc., McMillan Realty S.D., Hawthorne Machinery, Pure Adrenaline, Carter Collision, Crower, Penske, Willwood, Ron’s Rearends, and Pell Mell. “If it wasn’t for our sponsors we wouldn’t be able to run a season like we have been”, said Austin. “Their support gets us out here and keeps us competitive.” The Bakersfield race will be televised. We will keep you informed with the date and time as it becomes available. Races are slated to begin airing later this month.
