ROCKLIN, California -- Austin Cameron, driver of the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS/NAPA Belts & Hose Chevrolet and the Bill McAnally Racing team repeated their win from last year at the Stockton 99 Speedway/Dodge Country/Havoline/NAPA AUTO PARTS Grand National Western 150". This weekend's event was the third race for the series held at the speedway since 1984 and the first of two events to be run there in the 2004 NASCAR Grand National Division West Series season.
Cameron started the race in the fifth position but by lap 5, the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet was running in 3rd. There was a halfway break at lap 75 in the 150 lap race event in which the team made only minor adjustments to the car. By lap 87, Cameron was able to make his way through lapped traffic and move into 2nd. The race was red flagged on lap 106 as the #00 of Scott Gaylord found himself in the back straightaway wall. Cameron, with seven laps to go, overtook the race leader in lapped traffic and never looked back. Before a sellout crowd of over 5,000 race fans, #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS team recorded their first win for the 2004 season and would move from 6th to 3rd place in the NASCAR West Series championship fight.
"Tonight was redemption night," said Cameron. "This team has worked way too hard to go without a win this year. We've been so close and so many little things have happened. The team deserves this win. This was all for our sponsor NAPA AUTO PARTS/NAPA Belts and Hose and Bill McAnally Racing because I've had a rough couple of races. I think I earned their respect back and we're back on the road towards the championship the team has been working so hard for. This is a championship caliber team. We've got a lot of races still coming up with a lot of short tracks left on the schedule and that's where we run strong."
Crew chief, Doug George and the #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS team put together a great car for the event.
"We knew we had a good car," said George. "I knew that track position would be very important here with obviously lapped cars being an issue. It was just one of those deals where the yellow flag fell in our favor and the lapped cars kind of worked our way. It is easier to be the second place car when you run into traffic because you can see where the leader is going to try to go and you can get the open spot. The #9 car of Duncan was good. He was able to lead 142 of the 150 laps. The #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet was equally good or we wouldn't have been able to catch him. I'm really happy for the team and Austin after the couple of races we've had. We've always had a competitive car and it's great to get back in the Winner's Circle."
Bill McAnally Racing always gets great support from their sponsors, NAPA AUTO PARTS and NAPA Belts & Hose at the Stockton 99 Speedway race. Over 400 NAPA AUTO PARTS customers, store owners and employees have come out to support the #16 NAPA team at past races and this race was no different.
"It was great to have the NAPA AUTO PARTS crowd here and be able to give NAPA the win they deserve and put this #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS car back in Victory Lane," said team owner, Bill McAnally. "We went back to some of the basics this weekend and kept things real simple. We had a good race car. Austin drove his tail off. Probably couldn't have been done if Austin wasn't in the car getting it done. Thanks again to our sponsors NAPA AUTO PARTS and NAPA Belts & Hose for all their support and faith in our team."
The Stockton 99 Speedway was once described as the 'Bristol of the West'. It is a 1/4 mile track that has a reputation for being a tough track. The #16 NAPA AUTO PARTS team will race a second race at the Stockton 99 on August 14th. The next scheduled race in the NASCAR Grand National Division West Series will be July 18th in Monroe, Washington. For more information on Bill McAnally Racing, consult our website at www.billmcanallyracing.com.
