PHOENIX, Ariz.-- Ken Schrader won a duel with a couple of young guns of the West to take the victory in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series United Rentals 150 at Phoenix International Raceway on Jan. 25.
Schrader, a regular in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, outgunned Austin Cameron and Clint Bowyer to score his ninth series win and his second consecutive victory in the Phoenix season opener for the West Coast series.
Relegated to 19th on the starting grid after inclement weather washed out qualifying on Saturday, Schrader quickly charged forward in the field. He was up to fifth in 20 laps and in second by lap 40.
Cameron had taken the early lead over defending series champion Scott Lynch, who started from the pole position at Phoenix for a third consecutive race. Cameron set the pace through lap 57, before he and Schrader swapped the top spot back-and-forth. Schrader eventually prevailed and led the way until all the leaders made pit stops during a caution on lap 79. Although Mike David took the lead during the exchange, Schrader quickly charged back out front.
One of Schrader's biggest challenges of the day came from Busch North Series regular Dale Quarterley, who had made the trip west along with Matt Kobyluck. Quarterley had lost a lap to the leaders due to a flat tire and on lap 107 challenged Schrader to get back on the lead lap. Their battle allowed Cameron to get by for the lead and left Quarterley sidelined for the day.
Bowyer, who had also slipped by Schrader, quickly mounted a charge on Cameron. Bowyer dove to the inside and was credited with leading laps 114 and 115, but Cameron battled back on the outside. As the pair raced through turns one and two, Bowyer spun to the inside of the track. Schrader took advantage of the action to take command and set sail to the checkered flag and winnings of $13,375.
Cameron of El Cajon, Calif., held on for second in the NAPA/NAPA Belts & Hose Chevrolet, with Kobyluck of Uncasville, Conn., close behind for third in the Mohegan Sun Resort Chevrolet. David of Modesto, Calif., was fourth in the Injury Helpline.com Ford - followed by Jim Inglebright of Fairfield, Calif., in the Cabinet Jack/TOE Performance/Red Line Oil Ford. Tim Woods III had a career-best sixth-place finish, followed by Scott Gaylord. Bowyer, who had lost a lap after his spin, finished the race in Schrader's wake, to take eighth. Brandon Ash was ninth, followed by Mike Duncan.
The top finishing rookie, among a talented field of nine freshman drivers, was David Gilliland in 11th.
The race featured 11 lead changes among six drivers - Schrader, Cameron, David, Bowyer, Lynch and Duncan. The event was slowed by five cautions for 24 laps.
The next event on the NASCAR Grand National Division, West
Series schedule is slated at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., on
March 27.
