The race … The BI-MART Salute to the Troops 125 is the ninth event in a 13-race series 2009 schedule this year for the NASCAR Camping World Series West. It is the second of three road-course races.
The procedure … The starting field is 28 cars, including provisionals. The first 24 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 63 laps (125 miles).
The track … Portland International Raceway is a 1.98-mile road course. The track hosted one NASCAR Camping World Series West event in 1986, with Hershel McGriff taking the win.
The records … Qualifying: Derrike Cope, Aug. 24, 1986, 98.440 mph, 71.310 seconds.
McGriff returns … Hershel McGriff will be back as the defending race winner at Portland International Raceway. The legendary driver, who last competed in the series in 2002, returned this season at the age of 81 to race the three road-course events. McGriff was originally from Bridal Veil, Ore., but later moved to Green Valley, Ariz.
New leader … Jason Bowles (No. 6 Sunrise Ford.com Ford) has taken over the lead in the championship standings. He has a 24-point edge over Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota), who had led the points since June 21, 2008.
Tight points battle … The points battle is tight throughout the top 10 in the championship standings. Only 112 points separate the six drivers in fourth through ninth in points.
Rookie challenge even … The battle for this year’s Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award is even after eight events, with Paulie Harraka (No. 12 NAPA AutoCare/Adaptive One Brakes) tied with Blake Koch (No. GodSpeaks.com Chevrolet) at 74 points each.
Fast Facts
The Race: BI-MART Salute to the Troops 125
The Place: Portland International Raceway, Portland, Ore.
The Date: Sunday, July 19
The Time: 2:00 p.m. PT
TV Schedule: SPEED July 30, Noon PT
Track Layout: 1.98-mile road course
Race Purse: $122,340
2008 Winner: Event not held
2008 Pole: Event not held
Schedule: Saturday: Practice 1-2 p.m., 3-4 p.m. Sunday: Time Trials 11 a.m.
Track Contact: Brian Gladden
(503) 484-6617
briangladden@comcast.net
NASCAR Contact: Kevin W. Green
(661) 392-8543
kgreen@nascar.com
