GILLILAND SCORES FIRST CAREER SERIES VICTORY

BAKERSFIELD, California - A series of pit stops during a late-race caution gave rookie David Gilliland just the advantage he needed to overcome a dominant Mike Duncan and capture his first career victory in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series on March 27.

Although Duncan led the first 120 laps of the Lucas Oil 150 at his hometrack of Mesa Marin Raceway, he found himself at the back of the pack of lead-lap cars in the late stages of the event. He chased down Gilliland in the final laps, but had to settle for second when the caution flew during the white flag lap.

"Our pit strategy paid off for us tonight," Gilliland said from victory lane. "This car was awesome. I've got to thank my crew chief Bob Johns for the strategy in the pits with the tires. He had the pressures just right."

Gilliland was quick to acknowledge Duncan's strength during his celebration. "Duncan had a real great car; he was fast all day. He's definitely not the guy you want to see in your mirror at the end, but I knew he would race me clean."

Duncan, who was also dominant in winning last year's season finale at Mesa Marin Raceway, had again made it clear to his competitors that his Lucas Oil Chevrolet was again the car to beat. After winning the Bud Pole Award with a lap of 93.867 mph in qualifying - the Lamont, Calif., competitor charged away and left his foes to chase after him.

Cameron charged from his starting position on the outside of the front row and appeared to be the only car capable of keeping tabs on the leader. They were trailed by defending series champion Scott Lynch and veteran driver Scott Gaylord. Gilliland, meanwhile, spent much of the first 100 laps battling with Jason Small for the fifth spot. The action behind them heated up as well, as drivers were contending for a top-10 position. Making a charge toward the front was Mike David, who had qualified fourth but had to start at the back of the field after missing the drivers' meeting.

Duncan remained in command until the fifth caution of the evening flew on lap 119. He and Cameron subsequently stayed out, while all but one of the eight other cars on the lead lap quickly headed for the pits. Duncan and Cameron made their pit stops a lap later and returned to the track at the back of the lead-lap cars.

Carl Harr, who opted not to pit, paced the field to the restart. Lynch took the lead several laps later, but soon gave way to Gilliland on lap 137. Duncan, meanwhile, roared to the front and soon began to close in on the lead spot. That effort was momentarily stalled when the caution was displayed on lap 145, setting the stage for a green-white-checkered finish. Duncan mounted a furious charge at the restart, but a caution during the white flag lap brought his effort to an end.

Gilliland's victory in the Honda Cars of Corona Chevrolet netted the Riverside, Calif., driver $6,000 in prize money and special awards, including the POWERade Power Move of the Race Award.

Following Duncan across the finish line to take third was Lynch of Burley, Idaho, in the Yerf-Dog/Orleans Racing Dodge. Gaylord of Lakewood, Colo., finished fourth in the Oliver Gravity Separators/Denver Seminary Chevrolet - followed by David of Modesto, Calif., in the Injury Helpline.com Ford. Rounding out the top 10 were Small, Nick DeFazio, Daryl Harr, Carl Harr and Tony Gomez.

David holds a slim one-point lead over Duncan in the chase for the series championship - 320-319. Gilliland is third in the championship standings with 310, followed by Gaylord with 306 and Cameron with 302. Sixth through 10th are Tim Woods III at 274, Carl Harr at 264, DeFazio at 264, Lynch at 257 and Daryl Harr at 248.

Gilliland - whose father, Butch, won the series championship in 1997 - has jumped into an early lead in the battle for the Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Award. Gilliland leads with 20 points, followed by DeFazio with 16, Carl Harr with 15, Jose Luis Ramirez with 12, Daryl Harr with 12, Brian Richardson with 10, Tavo CT Hellmund with nine, Alfredo Tame with three and Takuma Koga with two.

The next event on the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series schedule is slated at California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on May 1.

See Also .:

• David Gilliland Driver Card
• Mesa Marin Raceway Track Page

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