HELLMUND CAPTURES WIN IN DEBUT RACE IN NASCAR WINSTON WEST SERIES

Source: NASCAR Media Relations
Date: 05/21/2001

C T Hellmund made his debut in the NASCAR Winston West Series in a big way - winning the Salinas 250 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 20.

The 31-year-old driver from Austin, Texas, had competed in a variety of racing divisions -including late model stock cars, modifieds and open-wheel cars - prior to making his first start in the West's oldest stock car racing circuit.

The victory netted Hellmund $16,660 in prize money and special awards - including the Clevite Engine Builder Award and the Gatorade Front Runner Award, for leading the mast laps. He led the way in his Suzuki Motorcycle & ATV sponsored Pontiac for 27 of the 69 laps around the picturesque 2.238-mile Monterey, Calif., road course - taking the lead for the final time on lap 63. Hellmund crossed the finish line with a margin of victory of 4.177 seconds, while setting a new race record with an average speed of 71.244 mph.

Eric Norris of Dallas took second in the JaniKing/Ultra Wheels Ford. After nabbing his eighth career Bud Pole Award in time trials with a lap of 85.729 mph behind the wheel of the Team Walker/Ringers/NAPA Chevrolet - Sean Woodside of Saugus, Calif., charged to third in the late stages of the race. Woodside won a three-wide battle across the finish line - with Brendan Gaughan of Las Vegas taking fourth in the NAPA/Martin Senour Chevrolet and Mark Reed of Bakersfield, Calif., fifth in the FoodsCo Pontiac.

Rounding out the top 10 finishers were Scott Gaylord, Brandon Ash, Steve Portenga, Hershel McGriff and Matt Dillard. The race featured eight lead changes among six drivers -Hellmund, Woodside, Gaughan, Reed, Gaylord and Ash. The pace around the twisting track was slowed by just four cautions for 10 taps.

With his top-five finish, Reed maintained his lead in the NASCAR Winston West Series championship standings. He has 1,105 points - followed by Gaughan with 1,082 and Austin Cameron of El Cajon, Calif., with 1,036. Portenga is fourth with 995 and Gaylord is fifth with 977. Close behind is Norris with 975 - followed by Johnny Borneman with 950, Woodside with 925, Kevin Richards with 916 and Ash with 900.

Reed also leads the chase for the Rookie-of-the-Year Award. He tops the freshman class With 67 points over Borneman with 60. Tim Woods III is third on the list With 48, followed by Ross Thompson with 40. Trailing them are Tony Schmidt and Scott Lynch each with 17, Brett Thompson with 11 and Dennis Hannel with 10.

The series features a three-way battle for the Manufacturer;' Championship this season. Pontiac has edged in front With 47 points and three wins over Chevrolet With 45 points and three wins, also. Ford is close behind with 41 points and one win.

The next event on the NASCAR Winston West Series schedule is the Kansas 100 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas on June 2. It will mark the inaugural event on the new 1.5-mile superspeedway.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend