ANTELOPE, California — Paulie Harraka and the No. 12 NAPA Gold Filters Toyota team from Bill McAnally Racing goal to move up to second to finish the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season were dashed when he was collected in a wreck at lap 107. The series concluded the season at Phoenix International Raceway on November 13th. The 3 Amigos Tequila “125” was a featured race that weekend that also included the three top national touring series of NASCAR.
The NAPA Gold Filters Toyota Camry was mid-pack on the starting line to begin the 125 lap race. Harraka commented during the second of eleven cautions, that the car had become much better during the race than during qualifying. It showed on the race pylon as the No. 12 gained six positions by lap 26. Before pitting at lap 36 under the third caution of the race, Harraka radioed in that the car was tight in the corners. The team led by veteran crew chief Duane Knorr went to work adding fuel and making a few adjustments to improve the handling of the car. Harraka restarted in 30th. At lap 41, the No. 12 was in 17th. When the bulk of the field headed to the pits at lap 44, Harraka inherited the lead. After leading two laps, he dropped into second when Patrick Long took the lead. He hung on to that position as cars went three wide behind him. After some door to door racing, David Mayhew got by him and dropped the No. 12 NAPA Gold Filters Toyota into third at lap 57. Harraka stayed in the top five until he pitted at lap 65 for fresh right side tires. Harraka would return to pit road at lap 71 for a right front flat. Back underway, the NAPA Gold Filters Toyota would move thru race traffic going from 24th to 15th by lap 105. Two laps later, Harraka would be collected in a multi-car wreck that would red flag the race and end the team’s night at PIR.
"Running up front with our NAPA Gold Filters Camry was great,” said Harraka. “Unfortunately, we got caught up in a wreck as we were coming through the field after our pit stop. It was definitely the hardest hit I've ever taken. Fortunately, thanks to my Simpson Safety Equipment and the hard work of NASCAR, I'm okay. I can't wait to get back into a race car."
The sophomore driver finished the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season third in the championship point standings.
Look for Harraka to return to pilot the No. 12 NAPA Gold Filters Toyota Camry in January. He is guaranteed a secured starting spot in the NASCAR/Toyota All-Star Showdown as a race winner during the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The event will return to Toyota Speedway on January 28 – 29, 2011.
The 3 Amigos Tequila “125” can be seen on SPEED Channel on November 18th at 3 pm pacific from Phoenix International Raceway.
For more information on Bill McAnally Racing and our race partners, please visit our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com. Bill McAnally Racing is now on Facebook. Become a fan and stay up to date with the latest happenings with your favorite BMR race teams.
Become a fan of Paulie Harraka on Facebook and you can now follow him on Twitter. Harraka continues as the Ambassador for Childhelp. For more information, follow the link at www.PaulieHarraka.net.
