BILES CAPTURES SECOND CAREER WIN ON RAYBESTOS BRAKES NORTHWEST SERIES, NASCAR TOURING

Source: Scott Hara
Date: 08/07/2000

KALISPELL, Mont. (August 5, 2000) - Shane Biles, Woodinville, Wash., picked up his second career win on the Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, claiming the checkered flag at Kalispell Raceway Park in the Parts Plus 125 presented by Craftsman. Biles held off the hard charging duo of Chris Hart and Joe Benedetti. Kevin Hamlin and series points leader Ken Kaltschmidt rounded out the top-five.

Biles started on the pole as a result of a six-car invert and grabbed the lead from Garrett Evans on the first lap. While Biles seemed to have things under control most of the night, there was a fierce battle for second place most of the night. First Evans fought hard to hold off Kaltschmidt.

Evans finally gave up the position on lap 58. Hart and rookie John Zaretzke followed through the hole opened by Kaltschmidt. Next it was Hart putting the pressure on Kaltschmidt. In some great short track rubbing, Hart was able to loosen up Kaltschmidt enough to get by him on lap 74. Zaretzke and Benedetti took advantage of the opening to move into third and fourth place.

Zaretzke started working on the back bumper of Hart, moving to the inside of Hart on lap 75. Hart refused to give up the position, hanging on on the outside groove. The two-battled side-by-side for four laps before Zaretzke spun coming off of turn four, bringing out the caution and giving everyone a chance to catch their breathe.

Hart and Benedetti, with Biles now within their reach, engaged in the battle for second. In spite of throwing every trick in the book at Hart, Benedetti was unable to complete the pass before the checkered flag flew on lap 125.

"I've got to say a special thanks to the crew here," said Biles in victory lane. "They work harder than any other team out here. We've tested different motor combinations this year and it paid off tonight. It was a great setup by my crew chief Renee Angel. Thanks for having us in Kalispell."

"We had a good race going," said Hart. "For some reason my car is not very good coming off cautions but under long green flags I could get a run on them."

"I worked pretty hard on the back end of the 5 car (Hart)," said Benedetti after the race. "But I didn't want to turn him around. He was pretty slow on the restarts, but he is a smart guy and drove defensively. I did just about everything that I thought was tasteful to get by him."

Gary Lewis claimed his fifth Bud Pole award of the season. Biles won the Gatorade Frontrunner Award. Gaylon Stewart was the Totem Travel Rookie of the Race, finishing 7th. The race was slowed by five caution flags for 41 laps. The average speed was 49.148 mph.

The Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series travels next to South Sound Speedway in Tenino, Wash., for the Pepsi 125 on August 12.

NOTES OF INTEREST:

Kevin Hamlin brought his car home in fourth place despite running the last 85 laps of the race on seven cylinders.

Rookie Matt Kelley stepped into the car of injured Bill Lawrence. Lawrence gave his ride to Kelley after Kelley's car developed a fuel pick-up problem during practice. Lawrence attempted to practice earlier in the day, but a back injury prevented him from continuing. Kelley had the car up to fifth place before spinning on lap 99.

Shane Biles became the only person other than Tom Sweatman to lead a lap at Kalispell Raceway Park in Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series action.

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