LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Jason Fensler, driver of the Team Cass Racing #59 Pick - n- Pull, Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall Chevrolet was looking for another win in Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 in The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"It was very impressive to watch how well the car handled and how Jason drove his heart out driving from the back after the wreck to the front again!"— Terri Cass
After coming off a win from the Toyota/NAPA Auto Care 150 at All American Speedway in Roseville, CA, Team Cass Racing intentions were to continue that momentum in to this race event here in Las Vegas. Practice session went well, Fensler was very comfortable and happy with how the car was handling. Qualifying however went in a different direction went resulting in a disappointing 16th position; Fensler knew he had his work cut out for him. With team spirits still high, Fensler was ready to go out and give it his all.
As the race began, so did the competition, the first caution came on lap 19 in turn four from another competitors spin. Fensler had already begun moving up in the pack now in 9th place. Lap 35 brought out the second caution for the evening with #37 for a flat tire, Fensler moved up three spots to 6th place. Fensler maintained 6th position waiting for that right time to make a move. When another caution came into play on lap 83 for #16 motor blown, the restart gave Fensler that opportunity, jumping into the 5th position, then to 3rd by lap 111.
The Bullring’s 3/8 mile track was in full swing as all the competitors were racing hard to gain positions. Unfortunately, racing hard can cause race incidents and that is exactly what happened. As the top five, 26,03,59,21, and 17 were coming off turn four the 03 got loose and they all checked up, resulting in a multi-car accident on lap 125 on the main straight away as David Mayhew driver of the #17 hits the wall hard, bringing out the red flag. Those involved in the incident were competitors 17,59,23,39, and 38. David Mayhew shook up but got out of his car and waved to the crowd, uninjured.
Amazingly, Fensler escaped with no damage dropping him from 3rd to 12th position on the restart. Patient but ever so aggressive, Fensler dug deep and by lap 150 he was back up to 5th position. When another yellow came out this gave Fensler the opportunity to jump into 3rd place once again. Hungry for the win Fensler battled to take 2nd away from rookie Dylan Kwasniewski driver of the 03 in lap 180. Unfortunately a few laps later the 03 took back the 2nd position. Both competitors raced hard to the end, Fensler takes home 3rd place of the O’Reilly 200 in The Bullring of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Congratulations to Greg Pursley driver of the #26 Gene Price Motorsports taking the checkered flag on lap 200, of which he led all 200 laps.
In speaking with Jason Fensler after the race, one word was all he could say “Frustrating!” Although happy he didn’t damage the car that one word says enough. Crew Chief Roger Bracken stated, “I am very happy how the car ran, everything went great!” and Team owner Terri Cass reinforced that as well, “It was very impressive to watch how well the car handled and how Jason drove his heart out driving from the back after the wreck to the front again!” Jim Cass only had one word, “Amazing!” and smiled.
Team Cass Racing would like to thank NASCAR, O’Reilly Auto Parts and The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Sports for putting on such a great 1st event for the K&N Pro Series, West. And a very special thanks to all our sponsors and partnerships. Pick-n-Pull, a Schnitzer Steel Company, Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall of Las Vegas, Simple Green, MTFX Graphics, AAA Communications, Harris Industrial Gases, and BC Sports.
The O’Reilly Auto Parts 200 will air on SPEED on Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m. ET.
The next event on the 2011 schedule for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will be the Thunder Valley Casino Resort 200 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on Saturday, June 25.
