DACONO, Colorado — Rookie Paulie Harraka held off a fierce charge by Jim Warn in the closing laps of the Toyota/NAPA 150 at Colorado National Speedway on Saturday to capture his first career win in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.
Harraka - a 19-year-old from Fairlawn, N.J., who is a participant in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program - will be entering his sophomore year at Duke University this fall.
He ran second to his teammate Eric Holmes through the first half of the race on Saturday. Another series rookie, Blake Koch, used the high groove to charge by Harraka for second and then sailed on by Holmes on lap 82. Jason Bowles moved to the point on lap 99, only to have Harraka get by him 10 laps later. Harraka then held off repeated charges by Warn to take the victory.
Following Harraka and Warn across the finish line was Moses Smith, followed by Greg Pursley and Jeff Jefferson. Rounding out the top 10 were Travis Milburn, Jamie Dick, Johnathan Hale, Holmes and Phil Dugan.
Bowles and Holmes, who were one-two in the championship standings coming into the event, both encountered problems. Holmes finished two laps down in ninth place after making a pit stop and Bowles finished four laps down in 13th after also making a pit stop. Holmes was able to narrow the lead by Bowles to 37 points, with two races remaining to decide the title.
UNOFFICIAL
NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES WEST-TOYOTA / NAPA 150 Results
Saturday
At Colorado National Speedway
Dacono, CO
Lap length: 0.375 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (2) Paulie Harraka, Fairlawn, N.J., Toyota, 150 laps, 62.496 mph, $7,825.
2. (8) Jim Warn, Aurora, Ore, Chevrolet, 150, $5,750.
3. (10) Moses Smith, Tempe, Ariz., Toyota, 150, $3,050.
4. (9) Greg Pursley, Newhall, Calif., Chevrolet, 150, $2,650.
5. (5) Jeff Jefferson, Naches, Wash., Chevrolet, 150, $2,075.
6. (12) Travis Milburn, Eagle, Idaho, Chevrolet, 150, $2,300.
7. (11) Jamie Dick, Albuquerque, N.M., Chevrolet, 150, $2,200.
8. (13) Johnathan Hale, Rio Linda, Calif., Chevrolet, 149, $2,100.
9. (1) Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif., Toyota, 148, $4,125.
10. (15) Phil Dugan, Meridian, Idaho, Chevrolet, 148, $2,000.
11. (14) Wes Banks, Oakdale, Calif., Ford, 148, $1,950.
12. (17) Jack Sellers, Sacramento, Calif., Chevrolet, 148, $1,925.
13. (7) Jason Bowles, Ontario, Calif., Ford, 146, $1,900.
14. (3) Blake Koch, West Palm Beach, Fla., Chevrolet, 146, $1,875.
15. (4) Brett Thompson, Jerome, Idaho, Chevrolet, 145, $1,850.
16. (6) David Mayhew, Atascadero, Calif., Chevrolet, 70, accident, $1,825.
17. (16) Jim Marchino, Modesto, Calif., Dodge, 3, transmission, $1,300.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 53 minutes 17 seconds
Margin of Victory: .219 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: E.Holmes (80.159 mph, 16.617 seconds)
Caution Flags: 3 for 17 laps.
Lead Changes: 3 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: E. Holmes 1-81; B. Koch 82-98; J. Bowles 99-108; P. Harraka 109-150.
Standings: 1. J. Bowles, 1823; 2. E. Holmes, 1786; 3. G. Pursley, 1667; 4. P. Harraka, 1634; 5. D. Mayhew, 1609; 6. M. Smith, 1526; 7. B. Thompson, 1517; 8. B. Koch, 1502; 9. J. Warn, 1332; 10. J. Dick, 1199.
