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NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION, WEST SERIES
Source: NASCAR Public Relations
Date: 10/18/2004
- First career win ... Brett Thompson (No. 61 Rich Thompson Trucking Chevrolet) recorded his first career win in the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series with a victory in the STARNURSERY.COM 150 at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 17. His best finish in 37 series starts prior to the event was third at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2002. At Mesa Marin Raceway, the best prior finish for the 27-year-old driver from Jerome, Idaho, was ninth last year.
- Another Bud for Duncan ... Mike Duncan (No. 9 Lucas Oil/Ron’s Rear Ends Chevrolet) scored his seventh Bud Pole Award of the season with a fast-lap of 93.313 mph around the high-banked half-mile track at Bakersfield. It marked his ninth career Bud Pole.
- No pole vault to victory lane ... None of the 12 series races have been won from the Bud Pole position this year. Last season, seven of the 12 races were won by the Bud Pole winner.
- On a roll ... Daryl Harr (No. 71 WestWorld Motorsports Chevrolet) has quietly put together a string of six consecutive top 10 finishes, with his latest being an eighth-place finish at Bakersfield. The 22-year-old Canadian driver from St. Albert, Alberta, is second in the rookie standings and seventh in the overall championship standings.
- Also with a top 10 ... Not to be outdone by his son, Daryl, Carl Harr (No. 02 WestWorld Motorsports Chevrolet) finished seventh at Bakersfield, equaling the career-best mark he recorded earlier this year at Stockton.
- Career mark ... Takuma Koga (No. 09 Design Grand Prix Mouse Chevrolet) turned in a career-best mark at Bakersfield, with an 11th-place finish. His best finish previously was 14th at Monroe in 2002.
- Strong debut ... Rick Ruzbarsky (No. 51 Crystal Pools Chevrolet) turned in a solid performance in his series debut at Bakersfield. He ran on the lead lap most of the event, until a flat tire forced him to pit late in the race. Nevertheless, the Tracy, Calif., competitor finished 12th.
- POWERade Award ... Tim Woods III (No. 54 Chino Hills Ford Ford) garnered the POWERade Power Move of the Race Award at Bakersfield after starting 22nd and finishing 10th. At each Grand National Division event, POWERade presents the award and $1,000 to the driver who advances the most positions.
- Featherlite Award ... After a mechanical problem sidelined him with a 17th-place finish at Colorado, Brett Thompson bounced back to win at Bakersfield. The rebound won him the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award. Featherlite presents the award and $300 at each event to the driver who improves the most finishing positions from the previous event.
- Leading the way ... Mike Duncan has dominated the competition this year in many ways. He has led laps in 11 of the 12 races run so far in 2004.
- Championship hunt ... Mike Duncan has a 63-point margin over Austin Cameron (No. 16 NAPA/NAPA Belts & Hose Chevrolet) headed into the season finale at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 23. Duncan can clinch the 2004 championship by finishing 13th or better at Irwindale.
- Rookie title ... Despite failing to finish the race at Bakersfield due to mechanical trouble, David Gilliland (No. 88 RaceCarCeilingFans.com Chevrolet) was able to clinch the Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Award for 2004.
- Tight battle for positions throughout ... Drivers throughout the top 15 positions in the point standings are locked in tight battles as the series heads to its 13th and final race. Scott Gaylord (No. 00 Oliver Gravity Separators/Denver Seminary Chevrolet) trails David Gilliland by just five points – 1,750 to 1,745 – for third in the standings. Scott Lynch (No. 08 Yerf-Dog/Orleans Racing Dodge) is only 19 markers back at 1,726 points. Meanwhile, one point separates 10th-place Gene Woods (No. 7 Circle K/Monster Energy Drinks Dodge) from Jose Luis Ramirez (No. 17 Del Valle/Rayere Ford) – 1,420 to 1,419.
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