CAMERON DISPLAYS DOMINANCE IN WINNING NAPA 200 AT ROSEBURG

Source: NASCAR Public Relations
Date: 09/22/2003

ROSEBURG, Oregon -- Austin Cameron is beginning to show the dominance he displayed last year in the NASCAR Grand National Division, Winston West Series. A year ago he won five of the 10 races on the 2002 schedule. Cameron, who was sidelined earlier this year after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer, has won two of four races since his return to competition.

His most recent victory came with a wire-to-wire win in the NAPA 200 on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, Ore. It marked the second consecutive year for Cameron to win the event.

"I can't say enough about Bill McAnally and NAPA Auto Parts and NAPA Belts & Hose," Cameron said of his car owner and sponsors. "They're the ones that made this possible. They kept the seat open for me."

In comparing this victory to last year's win, Cameron admitted this one was much more emotional. "Going through the whole battle with cancer and missing four races and not being able to be in contention for the points championship like we should be . it's been tough," he said. "But I think we' re doing pretty good in owner points and that means a lot to me to get NAPA up there. "

In addition to scoring his second win, Cameron also notched his third consecutive Bud Pole Award at Roseburg. He led 12 other drivers in eclipsing the previous track record, lapping the half-mile oval at a speed of 118.632 mph.

While Cameron had a nearly flawless race, many of his competitors encountered various woes. Steve Portenga, who led the championship standings for much of the season, finished eight laps off the pace in 10th. Other drivers in the top 10 of the point standings who found themselves finishing multiple laps behind the leader after visiting the pits for mechanical repairs included Kevin Richards, Mark Reed and Brett Thompson. Misfortune struck twice for Scott Gaylord, who was initially sidelined by problems with a rear gear and then dropped out with engine trouble.

Cameron's eighth career series win did not come without some strong challenges, meanwhile. Series rookie Scott Lynch shadowed the leader through much of the event, waiting for an opportunity to seize the top spot. Mike Duncan was close behind in third for much of the race, before eventually slipping to the inside of Lynch on lap 165.

Cameron crossed the finish line with a margin of victory of 4.176 seconds, at an average speed of 84.309 mph. The win netted him $8,241 in prize money and posted awards.

Although it was his first wire-to-wire win, the 26-year-old El Cajon, Calif., competitor said he was not surprised by the accomplishment. "That's what I expect every day," Cameron said with a chuckle. "Whether or not that happens is a whole different story. I come out here to win. We don't have a chance to win the driver's championship, so I'm here to win it for NAPA and it's all out."

Second place went to Duncan of Lamont, Calif., in the Lucas Oil Chevrolet. Lynch of Burley, Idaho, was third in the Yerf-Dog/Orleans Dodge. Finishing fourth was Jim Inglebright of Fairfield, Calif., in the Jelly-Belly Chevrolet - the last car on the lead lap. Gene Woods of Ontario, Calif., came home fifth in the Auto Trader Magazine/CNWB.com Dodge. Rounding out the top 10 were Richards, Kevin Culver, Tim Woods III, Dan Obrist and Portenga.

His third-place finish was enough to vault Lynch into the lead in the championship standings, with 1,550 points. Portenga is second with 1,532, followed closely by Duncan with 1,521. Despite his problems, Gaylord retained fourth in the standings with 1,441 points - followed by Richards with 1,430. Inglebright at 1,387, Reed at 1,372, Thompson at 1,362, Johnny Borneman at 1,359 and Gene Woods at 1,255 complete the top 10.

Lynch continues to dominate the chase for the Raybestos Brakes Rookie of the Year Award. He has a commanding lead with 98 points, followed by Gene Woods with 78 and David Eshleman with 63 points.

The next event on the Winston West Series schedule is the Phoenix 150 at Phoenix International Raceway on Oct. 5.

See Also .:

• Austin Cameron Driver Card
• Douglas County Speedway Track Page

News Index | E-mail to a Friend