May 19, 2001 is the weekend for the NASCAR Winston West Series to return to the prestigious Laguna Sega Raceway. Last year was the first year in many years for NASCAR Winston West Series to compete at that track. Laguna Sega is one of the most fun and challenging courses to drive on the Winston West Schedule.
Steve Portenga said " I really enjoy running a road course like Laguna Sega, Sears Point and the Streets of LA, I find you can’t settle into a groove like an oval track. On a road course you make one small wrong move and you’re on your way to the back. Last year when we raced at Laguna Sega Murphy’s law sure applied (What could go wrong did). We are very excited to return with what we have learned and changed strategy in the team. Our goal is to run a consistent race and gather points. Right now, those results look pretty good. We are fourth in points and on the move forward.
“Team Portenga is made up of dedication, drive, sacrifice and talent. I am very proud of our team.
“Windi Yarbrough and I are getting married the end of May, and adding a win at Laguna Sega would make May a perfect month. We will reside in Bakersfield, Calif. "
Portenga got his start in NASCAR Racing in 1988 earning Rookie of the Year Honors and a NASCAR Winston Racing Series Track Championship at Silver State Raceway in Carson City, Nevada. A 2-year veteran of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, he earned honors as the youngest rookie to finish in the Top 5 in a race as well as the highest placing youth in the series (13th of 103 competitors in 1995). Portenga is the 1992 NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series Rookie of the Year and two-time Series Champion (1994 & 1998).
