SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (February 26, 1998) -- Kevin Harvick, of Bakersfield, CA picked up his first career NASCAR Winston West Series victory and moved in to the series points lead at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 25.
Harvick started on the pole in his Spears Manufacturing Chevrolet Monte Carlo after setting fast time in time trials with a speed of 163.820 mph around the 1.5 mile oval to claim the Bud Pole award.
Starting the 100 lap event from the pole, Harvick immediately took charge, and attempted to pull away from the pack. Four cautions in the first half of the race slowed the pace and allowed the field to bunch up behind the leader. Harvick was able to maintain the lead until he headed to the pits on lap 46 under caution. Brendan Gaughan in the Orleans Chevrolet worked his way from ninth starting position into second by lap 40 while the biggest charge through the field was accomplished by Gary Smith who was forced to take a provisional to start 32nd and then by lap 60 was in the runner-up position. When Harvic relinquished the lead T.J. Clark took over briefly on the point before he also pitted his 30th starting Mountasia/ASE Chevrolet. Jeff Davis then inherited the lead on lap 49 and held on through the halfway mark to claim the Gatorade Front Runner Award on lap 56.
One lap later Harvick charged back into the lead while Davis began to fade back in the field. Series rookie Tony Toste of Pismo Beach, CA worked his way into second spot as the laps began to wind down followed by Jerry Glanville of Roswell, GA in the Unifirst Uniforms Ford. When a caution came out with one lap remaining it was a dash to the white and yellow flags and Harvick was the leader as they crossed under the flagstand. Toste ended up in second with Glanville right on his bumper to nab third. Fourth went to Randy Nelson of El Cajon, CA in the Rhino Linings Ford with Boris Said of Carlsbad, CA in the Federated Auto Parts Ford rounding out the top five.
In the NASCAR Winston West Series points standings, Harvick is now the front runner with 314 points followed by Sean Woodside at 298, Gary Smith and Kelly Tanner are tied for third at 296 and Butch Gilliland is fifth with 295.
