PURSLEY, A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

Source: PERFORMANCE MOTORSPORTS
Date: 04/17/2002

2002 Rookie of the year contender Greg Pursley showed the grizzled veterans that he is a force to be reckoned with. After posting the fastest lap in practice, 15:75, the # 77 Raley's, King Taco Restaurants, Superior Gear, Lawry's seasoning Ford Taurus started the race in the 5th position. The race at the Las Vegas Bullring was held in two 111 lap segments. The Performance Motorsports Ford was a factor early in the race moving up to the 2nd spot at the halfway break. After the break, Greg stepped up the action by moving into the lead on lap 102. (the halfway break was at lap 99) He remained the leader for 94 laps getting challenged by a number of cars including the # 16 driven by Austin Cameron.

"I felt the car go loose on lap 195 and I figured that we either hit fluid on the track or I had a tire going down" said Greg. " My Crew Chief Larry Nava gave me an awesome car this weekend. I knew that we had a winner from the moment I got on the track. It was a flat tire that hurt us at the end" said a disappointed Pursley. This event will be aired on Monday April 22nd, 2002 at 8:00p.m. Eastern time on the Speed Channel. There will be a great view because the # 77 car had an in-car camera.

A great deal of the success for the team this year has to do with the technical support that the team has been getting from the different vendors the team uses this year. "Our engine program has never been stronger, thanks to Ed Ash. Our shock and suspension program is up to speed thanks to Mike Naake" said Larry Nava. " We get to the track with a couple of set-ups that we can use and thankfully we have been right on target right from the get go.

Greg is currently tied with Mike David for the Stage 8 Locking Fasteners Rookie of the Year award with 19 points. The points system is based on the overall finish of the rookies in each race.

The series now moves to the longest track on the schedule, California Speedway for the Pontiac Excitement Widetrack 200. This event will be held on Saturday April 27th at 9:30 a.m. and will be aired on the Speed Channel Monday April 29th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Also on the racing card from the Las Vegas Bullring was the Mechanix Wear Speedtrucks. Brandon Arciero, driving the King Taco Restaurants, Performance Motorsports # 77 Dodge Dakota made his Speedtruck debut. Brandon drove a good race, kept the truck in one piece and gained valuable driving experience. The next appearance for the Speedtruck will be May 18th at Irwindale Speedway.

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