Greg Pursley set a track record in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West qualifying on the road course at Sonoma on Friday to win the pole for the Pick-n-Pull Racing To Stop Hunger 200.
"Defending Series Champion Sets Record On Road Course"
The defending series champion turned a lap of 77.331 seconds (92.641 mph) around the twisting 1.99-mile road course, eclipsing the record of 77.887 seconds set by David Gilliland in 2007.
Pursley's teammate Dylan Kwasniewski, who leads the championship standings, was second quickest - with a lap of 77.981 seconds (91.869 mph). Three-time series champion Eric Holmes was third quickest, followed by Michael Self and David Mayhew. Derek Thorn, David Gilliland, Cameron Hayley, Johnny Borneman and Austin Dyne completed the top 10.
While it marks Pursley's second pole this season and the 13th of his career, it was his first at Sonoma.
"It's unbelievable," Pursley said of his record run. "Practice went really well today. It's probably the best car I've had here."
Pursley, who drives the No. 26 GPM/Star Nursery/Real Water Ford for car owner Gene Price, has one top five in four starts at Sonoma - a fourth-place finish in 2011. In two previous road course events this season, Pursley won at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah and finished third at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway.
This event is the eighth on a 15-race schedule this season. It is the third of four road course races on tap for the series in 2012.
The Pick-n-Pull Racing To Stop Hunger 200 is set to go green start at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
1 26 Greg Pursley, Newhall, Calif. GPM/Star Nursery/Real Water Ford 77.331 92.641
2 03 Dylan Kwasniewski, Las Vegas, Nev. Royal Purple/Rockstar Ford 77.981 91.869
3 20 Eric Holmes, Escalon, Calif. NAPA Auto Parts Toyota 78.022 91.820
4 21 Michael Self, Park City, Utah Rockwell/Golden Gate Meat Chevrolet 78.073 91.760
5 17 David Mayhew, Atascadero, Calif. Madorom/Steak & Grape Chevrolet 78.340 91.448
6 6 Derek Thorn, Lakeport, Calif. Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil/Eibach Ford 78.574 91.175
7 25 David Gilliland, Riverside, Calif. Pick-N-Pull Chevrolet 79.021 90.659
8 24 Cameron Hayley, Calgary, Alberta * Cabinets by Hayley Toyota 79.024 90.656
9 61 Johnny Borneman, Ramona, Calif. Red Line Oil Chevrolet 79.395 90.232
10 9 Austin Dyne, Malibu, Calif. * William Rast/Sunrise Ford/Lucas Ford 79.532 90.077
11 22 Jonathon Gomez, Twin Falls, Idaho Century Boatland Chevrolet 79.818 89.754
12 31 Eric Norris, Dana Point, Calif. Kickstart Kids Chevrolet 79.925 89.634
13 65 Stan Silva, Jr., Castroville, Calif. A&S Metals/Stan Silva Jr Trucking Chevrolet 79.930 89.628
14 1 Jim Inglebright, Fairfield, Calif. Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet 80.132 89.402
15 14 Travis Milburn, Eagle, Idaho Cooks /Holleran's Perf. Ford 80.290 89.227
16 19 Kyle Heckman, Nipomo, Calif. * MMI Services/Ron's Rear Ends Chevrolet 80.324 89.189
17 12 Austin Cameron, El Cajon, Calif. AC Motorsports Toyota 80.466 89.031
18 86 Tim Spurgeon, Danville, Calif. * Kleen Blast/David's Racing Products Ford 81.006 88.438
19 51 Carlos Vieira, Atwater, Calif. * 51 FIFTY Energy Drink Toyota 82.234 87.117
20 88 Jessica Brunelli, Hayward, Calif. * Pick-N-Pull Chevrolet 82.894 86.424
21 90 Chris Evans, Portland, Ore. * GASS Toyota 82.919 86.398
22 52 Ryan Philpott, Tracy, Calif. 51 FIFTY Energy Drink Ford 83.262 86.042
23 5 Dylan Hutchison, Fair Oaks, Calif. * Bay Bio Diesel/Johnnie Walker Chevrolet 85.419 83.869
24 36 John Wood, Eagle, Idaho Pegasus Transport & Towing Dodge 85.606 83.686
25 04 Hershel McGriff, Bridal Veil, Ore. Park Corporation Chevrolet 85.938 83.362
26 44 Tommy Regan, Tracy, Calif. * Ultra Lube Toyota 86.135 83.172
27 15 Jack Sellers, Sacramento, Calif. Bay Bio Diesel Chevrolet 86.544 82.779
28 07 Daniel Graeff, Miami, Fla. * Children's Tumor Foundation Ford 86.887 82.452
29 38 Dave Smith, Novato, Calif. Sonoma Harvest Critelli Olive Oil Ford 648.520 11.047
30 47 Scott Ivie, San Ramon, Calif. MSI Development Inc. Toyota No Time
