FONTANA, Calif. (April 28, 2001) - Brendan Gaughan earned his third NASCAR Winston West Series career victory at California Speedway by powering his No. 16 NAPA/Martin Senour Chevrolet Monte Carlo across the stripe with a spectacular late race charge. The Pontiac Widetrack Grand Prix 200 was the opening race in the annual NAPA 500 weekend that features the NASCAR Busch and Winston Cup Series events. The win bumped Gaughan from eighth to third in the series point standings -- just 79 points shy of first place. With five of twelve races on the 2001 schedule complete, Gaughan and Orleans Racing are now back in the hunt for a second consecutive title.
Gaughan's success also marked the first time a Winston West driver has taken the checkered at this prestigious race. Past winners include Ken Schrader, Ricky Craven, and Johnny Benson who are all seasoned Winston Cup regulars.
"I've always loved the big tracks, but we were never able to win one," said Gaughan of Las Vegas, Nevada. "Something always happens. Since Las Vegas Motor Speedway is in my backyard, I've always felt more comfortable on the bigger tracks. But our first two wins came on short tracks (Mesa Marin and Evergreen), even though I don't have as much experience on them. I'd like to say winning here was due to experience, but I think I'll just call it luck. Today was our day."
Midway through the 100-lap race, an untimely pit stop put the reigning Winston West champion at the tail end of the lead lap. "We went in for a pit stop just as a yellow (flag) was thrown," explained Gaughan. "I didn't roll back out because Shane Wilson (crew chief) said we couldn't go another lap without fuel. So we got gas and tires, but we were the last car on the lead lap when we got back out. It was all about gas mileage and pit strategy today.
"The car was a little loose with that new set of tires," added Gaughan. "We made air pressure and track bar adjustments and then started pulling away. We worked our way back from 12th, and gained track position with a good pit stop. The car was fast. When I was chasing (leader) Jon Wood, I tried to loosen him up a little and sneak in behind him. But in the end, I got some traffic help and was able to draft to him. We both went low and I was able to get by, but Jon did a great job of holding me off."
Gaughan crossed the finish line with a 1.072 second margin of victory ahead of Wood in the No. 50 Ford. Austin Cameron in the No. 12 Monte Carlo rounded out the podium finishers.
"This NAPA Chevy was really strong," added Gaughan. "The crew worked really hard on this car and they did everything right. It's a brand new racecar built solely in our Orleans Racing shop in Las Vegas. Orleans Racing builds everything we've got. They put together one heck of a racecar. This car was done on Monday - six days ago. They did a great job. We're all fired up."
"At the beginning of the season, if I could pick one race to win, it would be the Winston West race on the NAPA 500 weekend at California Speedway," added team owner, Bill McAnally. "It's not only a huge happening for the regional owners that regularly attend the West races, but for NAPA Auto Parts store owners from all over the country. They give us a ton of support. It was really great to win it for all the NAPA folks around the country."
In two weeks, the NASCAR Winston West Series moves to Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, Caifornia for Round 6 on May 12.
