Do you live near the quarter-mile oval of Havasu 95 Speedway, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona? If you do, do not miss the opportunity to watch NASCAR Nationwide Rookie Dylan Kwasniewski return to competition in the Lucas Oil Modified Series presented by LoanMart*.
The teenaged NASCAR ‘Rising Star’ is capitalizing a rare weekend off from the NASCAR Nationwide Series to race with the Lucas Oil Modified regulars in the Best in the West 75 presented by Hoosier Tire West tomorrow night.
Kwasniewski, the only driver in NASCAR history to win both the K&N Pro Series West and East championships (2012 ,2013), is eleventh in the point standings in his rookie season in the Nationwide Series for Turner Scott Motorsports.
Dylan is an incredibly talented young driver. He’s an asset to any series and we’re delighted to have him back with us this weekend,” Lucas Oil Modified Series promoter Greg Scheidecker said.
Kwasniewski will be driving the 9X car for Chris Bray’s Phil’s Phabrication team.
The spectator gates will open at 4 p.m. and racing gets under way at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, handicapped and military and $6 for children and juniors 6 to 16.
*The Lucas Oil Modified Series presented by LoanMart is supported by a potent marketing concept known as “Team Lucas” whose members include General Tire, GEICO, E3 Spark Plugs, Optima Batteries, Ole Smoky Moonshine, iON Cameras, Speedco Truck Lube and Tire, BILSTEIN Shocks, LoanMart and SuperClean.Detailed information on the series is available at www.LucasOilModifieds.com.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - James Bickford went from a 25th-place finish in his NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut to winning his first career race and now top rookie honors in the series.
James Bickford clinched the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR
K&N Pro Series West with two races remaining on the 2014 schedule.
(Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)
The 16-year-old Napa, California, native has clinched the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title with two races remaining in the K&N West. Bickford holds a 32-point advantage over Rich DeLong III with events at All American Speedway in Roseville, California, and Phoenix International Raceway remaining in season.
Bickford, driving the No. 6 Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil/Eibach Ford, began the 2014 season with a tough outing at Phoenix and a 15th-place finish at Califonia's Irwindale Speedway through the first two events. He finished 10th in the season's third event at California's Stockton 99 Speedway and from there would go on to post seven top fives and nine top 10s in his next 10 events, including his first career win at State Line Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho, on July 12.
Bickford is the third consecutive driver and fifth overall to earn the rookie title driving for car owner Bob Bruncati, who is known for providing an opportunity for young drivers to showcase their talent in the series. He joins current teammate Dylan Lupton (2013), Austin Dyne (2012), Luis Martinez Jr. (2010) Jason Bowles (2007) as drivers who have garnered the top rookie owners for Bruncati.
Past drivers to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honor in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West include Derrike Cope, Chad Little, Bill Sedgwick, Rick Carelli, David Gilliland and Dylan Kwasniewski.
Bickford will be honored for his Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award at the NASCAR Touring Series Awards on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The K&N Pro Series East vs. West rivalry drew a sizable car count of forty-four. Representing the East, Brandon Jones from Atlanta, GA started the battle from eighth yet emerged as another first-time winner in the Autolite Iridium XP 150. The 17-year-old is the eleventh different winner in eleven meetings at Iowa between the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West.
Brandon Jones celebrates in Victory Lane Friday at Iowa Speedway after winning the Autolite
Iridium XP 150, his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series win. (Getty Images for NASCAR)
It was Jones' twentieth career K&N Pro start. His 2014 already included a third-place run in the K&N Pro East opener at New Smyrna (Florida) Speedway and a runner-up at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. He was also in contention for the win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway when his last-lap attempt to pass for the lead also collected Nick Drake and opened the door for Jesse Little to grab the victory.
Kenzie Ruston also an East driver finished in second place and eclipsed her own mark of third-place -- which she did twice -- as the highest finishing female in series history.
Greg Pursley finished ninth. As the highest finished West driver, he was credited with a victory for the K&N Pro West.
The Autolite Iridium XP 150 will air on FOX Sports 1 on Friday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m.
Caution Flags: Laps 19-23; 61-66; 72-75; 130-138. 4 for 24 laps.
Lap Leaders: Jesse Little 1-24, Brodie Kostecki * 25-49, Ben Rhodes * 50-74, Sergio Peña 75, Cole Custer 76-140, Sergio Peña 141, Brandon Jones 142-150.
Total Laps Led: Cole Custer 65, Brodie Kostecki * 25, Ben Rhodes * 25, Jesse Little 24, Brandon Jones 9, Sergio Peña 2. 6 changes involving 6 drivers.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will hit the road course next week with the Bully Hill Vineyards 125 at Watkins Glen International in New York on Friday, Aug. 8.
The next event for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will be the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 at Evegreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, on Saturday, Aug. 16.
James Bickford celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 Saturday
night at State Line Speedway in Idaho. (William Mancebo/Getty Images for NASCAR)
James Bickford showed Saturday night he's a fast learner. And a fast driver.
The Napa, California, driver in just his seventh NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race, passed former champion Greg Pursley with four laps to go in the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 at State Line Speedway to go en route to capturing his first career win.
Pursley finished second -- .725-seconds back of Bickford's No. 6 Interstate Plastics/Sunrise Ford on the quarter-mile oval -- and Brandon McReynolds was third. Braeden Havens, who won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award earlier in the day, finished fourth and David Mayhew rounded out the top five.
Bickford, who turned 16 in March, is the cousin of four-time NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. His previous best finish was a
fourth-place run at Iowa Speedway in May.
James’ father, Tom, is John Bickford’s brother. Gordon,
42, was reared by stepfather John Bickford from the time he was a
Vallejo toddler.
James Bickford drove to his first victory in his seventh career NASCAR K&N Pro
Series West race Saturday night. William (Mancebo/Getty Images for NASCAR)
James, who won the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model championship at All American Speedway in his rookie year in 2013, drives for Bob Bruncati Racing in the No. 6 Sunrise Ford. He replaced driver Derek Thorn, who is the reigning K&N West champion.
After Hannah Newhouse’s first year in a full-time super late model series in 2013, it’s time for the next step in her career. The 16-year-old from Twin Falls will be running the full Spear’s SRL Southwest tour series under JD Motorsports in the No. 61.
Newhouse is familiar with the new series and team as she made her debut In the SRL and with JD Motorsports last season at Pike’s Peak International Raceway in the No. 79 tour car. The schedule consists of 11 races at a total of six different tracks. The SRL contains some of the West’s best competition, but Newhouse feels that she is up for the challenge.
“I’m really excited for this season and what it holds. Mike Doss has an amazing program and I’m thrilled to be part of the team this year and to get the chance to race and really prove myself in the SRL,” Newhouse said.
She will join 17-year-old Jeremy Doss as a teammate for the year as Doss returns for his second year in the series. Doss collected 2nd in points, Rookie of the Year, and Young Gun Honors in last year’s chase for the championship in the SRL. Mike Doss, owner of JD motorsports and father of Jeremy Doss, is excited as well to have Newhouse join his team.
“I am looking forward to having Hannah be on our team full time this year," Doss said. "She really impressed me when she ran for us previously and I feel we can really take her potential to the next level by competing in this series."
Newhouse, who raced for Thompson Motorsports in 2012 and 2013, is sad to be parting ways with the team but looks forward to the new adventure.
“I owe a ton to the team and Thompsons for all they’ve done for me. I wouldn’t be near as successful as I am without their help and all the opportunities they have given me,” Newhouse said.
Newhouse raced the Whelen All-American series in 2012 where she collected six wins, 10 poles, and third in points. She returned the following year under Thompson Motorsports and competed full-time In the ASA Pro Trucks and Rocky Mountain Challenge series. She collected fourth in points and Rookie of the Year in the RMCS and 2nd in points in the ASA Pro Trucks with one win, five poles and one track record.
“I’ve grown so close to everyone at Thompson Motorsports. They’ve become my second family and I really hope to get a future opportunity to work with them again,” said Newhouse.
Hopes for Newhouse are to get the chance to run some NASCAR K&N West for Thompson Motorsports this season. If sponsorship is acquired, Newhouse wants to make select starts in the K&N Pro Series West.
Also, Newhouse plans on trying to run the full Rocky Mountain Challenge Series as well as some of the money races such as the Southern Idaho 200 and Montana 200 to gain further seat time and exposure.
James Bickford (age 15) won the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model championship at All American Speedway in his rookie year in 2013. He has been chosen to race the 2014 season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
Driving for Bob Bruncati Racing in the No. 6 Sunrise Ford, he will replace Derek Thorn, who is the reigning K&N West champion.
Sponsor James Bickford after the driver wins the NASCAR
Whelen All American Series Late Model Championship
(Sept. 14, 2013. Jeannie Broussal Photo)
In 2013, Bickford, whose cousin is NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, made the transition to racing Late Models in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series at All American Speedway in Roseville. After only four starts, he racked up his first Late Model win on May 11, 2013.
Driving the No. 25 Chevrolet sponsored by Buffship.com, Red Line Oil, Eibach Springs, Catchyoureye.com, Cooke Orthotics, Alpine Stars, and Piner’s Welding Supply, Bickford is the youngest driver in the 58-year history of All American Speedway to win a Late Model Series race and championship.
Bickford has been adamant about racing in the K&N Series. He had hoped to race a couple of races last year. He had a car and everything but a motor. Last fall, Bob Bruncati reached out to Bickford about driving one of his K&N West Series cars.
On Dec. 5, Bickford went to Toyota Speedway at Irwindale to test for Bruncati.
“The test at Irwindale was phenomenal,” Bickford said. “I didn’t know anything about the track except for racing it on a simulator on my computer. I went out and on the first lap I thought it was pretty easy. I went full throttle. It was a lot different than racing my Late Model. At the end I ran a really fast lap (18.41), and I came close to beating the K&N Series track record at the track.”
Back in 2005, pre-teen Cameron Hayley competed in both Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta karting seasons; winning both Jr. 1 championships and becoming the first Alberta Jr. 1 champion.
Calgary’s Cameron Hayley remains Canada’s top stock car prospect after the 17-year-old finished second overall in the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship. He has been named by NASCAR as one of the "NEXT NINE" to watch!
The 2013 K&N Pro Series season marked another year of records being set. Gray Gaulding, who raced the full schedule in the K&N East, set a couple of records while competing in three K&N West races. He won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award by Coors Brewing Co., at Kern County Raceway Park to become the youngest pole winner in series history at the age of 15 years 8 months 16 days. And he won the season finale at Phoenix International Raceway to become the youngest race winner in the series at 15 years 8 months 30 days of age.
Cameron Hayley Motorsports - NASCAR Champions breakfast - Charlotte, N.C
(Driver Haley is standing on the left; Driver Greg Pursley is
sitting on left; Team Owner Gene Price is sitting in the middle)
Born July 21, 1996, seventeen-year-old Cameron Hayley’s 2013 season was productive. He finished second in the K&N Pro Series West and captured the Most Popular Driver title along the way.
“Racing is my life. When I am not on the track I am always thinking about it. Ever since I was little and I got my first go-kart, I have been living, breathing and eating race cars.” (Cameron Hayley’s Website)
Career Highlights
Won NASCAR K&N Pro Series portion of inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach in 2013.
Finished second in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West debut at 15 years of age.
Youngest driver to compete in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (15 years 23 days at Montana 8/13/11).
K&N Pro Series West WINS: 1 – Roseville (2013)
K&N Pro Series West POLES: 6 – Stockton, Lebanon, Sonoma, Iowa, Monroe, Spokane (2013)
NASCAR fan and occasional iRacing competitor Ricky Hardin (middle) won the
NASCAR Champions iRacing Challenge finale over runner-up Ryan Preece (right) and
third-place Tyler Hudson. (Scott Hunter/NASCAR)
Fans and champions competed side-by-side in the first NASCAR Home Tracks Champions Challenge presented by iRacing.com Wednesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
NASCAR fan and occasional iRacing competitor Ricky Hardin, of Fort Mill, S.C., edged NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece to win the final event that was competed in NASCAR Sprint Cups Series Generation-6 cars on the 1.5-mile oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“It was a lot of fun to race against these guys,” said Hardin. “To be completely honest, the key for me was starting up front and being able to stay there. iRacing is something I enjoy doing as often as I’m able.”
Preece recorded the fastest lap en route to his runner-up finish.
“It was a fun time to relax and enjoy ourselves,” said the Berlin, Conn., driver. “iRacing is really a great tool to get the feel of a track you haven’t been to before or stay sharp during the offseason.”
NASCAR iRacing.com world champion Tyler Hudson, of Houston, Texas, finished third in the championship race.
Throughout the afternoon, all of the NASCAR touring and weekly series champions – Dylan Kwasniewski (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East), Derek Thorn (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour), Ander Vilariño (NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1), Rodrigo Peralta (NASCAR Toyota Mexico Series), Lee Pulliam (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series) and Preece – raced on ovals and road courses around the world.
The unique experience was held on the iRacing simulator pods at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. iRacing.com is the world’s premier motorsports racing simulation which allows drivers, race fans and gamers alike to hone their skills and enjoy the thrill of the racetrack from the comfort of their home.
Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
The event is part of a weeklong series of special activities in the Charlotte area for drivers and track representatives leading up to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards on Friday, Dec. 13, and the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards on Saturday, Dec. 14. Both ceremonies along with a Red Carpet pre-show will be streamed live on www.nascarhometracks.com. Coverage will get underway at 5 p.m. ET each evening.
Later Wednesday evening, the series champions will be honored at a special dinner affair in The Hall of Honor inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Papa John's, Pepsi Max and Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation Partner to help kids with cancer! Are you going to the Next NASCAR Race in Phoenix?
Each time you order one large Papa John’s 2-topping pizza and a two-liter Pepsi-Cola product, for just $11; One dollar will be donated to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation .
Note: This offer is valid in Phoenix, AZ only! Use Promo Code "JEFF11."
Hayley Earns First Career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Win
Cameron Hayley captured his first K&N Pro Series West checkered flag Saturday
in Roseville. (Victor Decolongon/Getty Images for NASCAR)
ROSEVILLE, Calif. (Oct. 12, 2013) – Cameron Hayley out-dueled polesitter and race leader Derek Thorn following the ninth and final restart of the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 Saturday night at All American Speedway to earn his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West victory.
Hayley, a 17-year-old from Calgary, Alberta, battled Thorn for five laps following the last restart and made the decisive move on Lap 146 to pull ahead of Thorn and pull out his first win in a points race.
After five runner-up finishes, the breakthrough victory came in Hayley’s 32nd career start.
Thorn, who earned his fourth career Coors Light Pole Award earlier in the evening, held on for second while Eric Holmes crossed the line third. Michael Self and Greg Pursley brought home the top five.
Patrick Staropoli, Dylan Hutchins, Shane Golobic, Daryl Harr and Luis Tyrell completed the top 10 finishers.
Hayley, a member of the NASCAR Next driver group, first visited Victory Lane in a NASCAR K&N Pro Series car in the inaugural non-points UNOH Battle At The Beach on the short track at Daytona International Speedway this past February.
The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 will air on FS1 on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 12 p.m. ET.
The next event on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule will be the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif., on Oct. 26.
Lap Leaders: D. Thorn 1-64; E. Holmes 65; D. Thorn 66-79; E. Holmes 80; D. Thorn 81-104; E. Holmes 105-108; D. Thorn 109-130; E. Holmes 131; D. Thorn 132-145; C. Hayley 146-150.
Standings: 1. D. Thorn, 554; 2. C. Hayley, 536; 3. G. Pursley, 529; 4. M. Self, 521; 5. D. Lupton, 469; 6. C. Harr, 420; 7. T. Cuzick, 420; 8. D. Harr, 410; 9. G. Thornton, 394; 10. J. Wood, 381.
Fifteen-year-old series rookie Giles Thornton had a career-best fourth-place finish in the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at Colorado National Speedway on July 27, 2013.
Fifteen-year-old NASCAR K&N Pro Series West series rookie, Giles Thornton (http://gilesthorntonracing.com)
In April Giles stated, “I am excited about racing in the full 2013, K&N West Pro Racing Series along with a few selected super late model events. Staying focused consistently and being surrounded with positive role models like Thorne, Crawford, and Sharpe as well as the rest of my team, will be the key to a successful season.”
The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 will air on SPEED on Aug. 1 at 3 p.m. ET.
The next event on the series schedule is the Pork Be Inspired 150 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East-West combination race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa on Friday, Aug. 2.
Cassie Gannis, sponsored by Phoenix Marketing Associates and recent winner of the 2012 NASCAR K&N Series West Most Popular Driver, has another win under her belt; a Top Ten spot in the Peak Stock Car Dream Challenge. Ten contestants were chosen through an online contest where fans voted for their favorite driver. The winner will compete in PEAK's three-day driving school competition, coached by Clint Bowyer, Danica Patrick of Scottsdale and Michael Waltrip, Veteran NASCAR driver.
From July 9 – 11, 2013, the competition between the ten drivers will consist of a three-day on track experience and competition with nine talent evaluation modules. Exclusive TV coverage will air in August 2013 on SpeedTV. The competition will provide an opportunity for one of the ten drivers to become the next Michael Waltrip Racing Development "PEAK Dream Driver". The winner will then compete as a competitively licensed driver in a PEAK-sponsored stock car in a sanctioned race of Sponsor's choosing in the summer or fall of 2013.
Upon receiving a personal phone call from Michael Waltrip, Cassie said, “This is an amazing opportunity for me that Peak and Waltrip Racing is offering! I can’t thank the fans enough supporting me! Michael Waltrip used Twitter to announce the news:
“Michael Waltrip @mw55, "Fantastic job and thank you to the over 700 racers that entered the @peakauto challenge. We have our top 10 for 2013."
The grand prize winner will be selected and entered into an extensive journey including preparation, training and the opportunity to earn his/her license. The winner will also earn his/herspot in a PEAK sponsored stock car with a race team in a sanctioned race to prove that s/he has what it takes to become Michael Waltrip Racing's next stock car driver.
About Cassie:
Cassie Gannis, sponsored by Phoenix Marketing Associates, was recently voted Most Popular Driver of the Year in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West for 2012. Twenty-one year old Cassie Gannis has been a standout since first hitting the tracks at age 10. Ms. Gannis started in the Quarter Midget series, consistently placing in the Top 5 and went on to the Legends Series, earning Rookie of the Year in 2005. In 2007, celebrating her 16th birthday, Ms. Gannis obtained a NASCAR license to race in the NASCAR Super Late Model Series. She became the youngest female driver to ever race at Tucson Raceway Park and place consistently in the Top 10.
By 2008, Cassie was racing “The Bullring” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and placing in the Top 10. Her experience includes racing in Arizona, Nevada and California.
Passionate about community service, Cassie has made it a strong part of her racing endeavors. She is a guest host for the HopeKids of AZ and a board member of the “Breath of Life Grand Prix” event for cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arizona. She is a spokesperson and guest speaker on Teen Driving Safety issues and Car Maintenance Safety (Boys and Girls Clubs of Arizona Community Safety Days, AA of Southern California Safety Events and CHP Designated Driver Program), attends several safety days at military bases in Arizona and California each year (101 Days of Summer Military Tour) and continues to bring attention to issues of health, safety and education. For her commitment to safety and keeping with the highest standards and patriotism, she was awarded the Safety Chesty Award Certificate of Commendation by the Third Marine Aircraft Wing by Thomas L Conant Major General, U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. Cassie continues her work with Rusty Wallace Racing Experience as a professional racecar driver providing NASCAR ride-a-longs for corporate clients in team building exercises.
Source — Kathy Gannis
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This special day celebrates both fatherhood and the importance of male parenting.
Of course my favorite NASCAR Father / Son Duo would have to be my very own husband and son.
Moses Smith and his father Paul
"My earliest memories are of my dad working on his street/drag car or building his sand rail in the garage," Moses said. "He was always involved in motorsports as a hobby and I thought it would be cool if I could do it for a living," Smith said.
Paul has always been an all-encompassing family man and constant source of support for his two sons. Moses started working with his father, in a race team garage by the age of three.
However, for second place, the Earnhardts and Pettys tie as favorite NASCAR Fathers and Son.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Dale Earnhardt Jr.
(photo credit = msn.foxsports.com)
Dale Sr. won a record-tying seven NASCAR championships during his career; his 76 wins place him fourth of all time. His career was highlighted by his memorable first victory at the Daytona 500 in 1998. (Sadly, the driver of the No. 3 car died after a crash on the final lap at Daytona in 2001.)
Dale Jr. has carried on his father's driving legacy, making his debut on the Winston Cup circuit in 2000. In 2003, he finished third in the championship standings, and in 2004, Dale Jr. won the Daytona 500 six years to the day after his father's victory there.
Cool fact: When Dale Sr. and sons Dale Jr. and Kerry all competed in the 2000 Pepsi 400, it marked just the second time a father had raced against two sons.
Lee & Richard Petty
Lee, Richard, Kyle, and Adam Petty
(photo credit = nascar.speedtv.com)
Lee Petty was NASCAR's first real superstar, winning three drivers' championships between 1954 and 1959. He also won the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990.
Richard Petty shares the record for most drivers' championships, having won seven between 1967 and 1979. He retired in 1992 with 200 career wins (the most ever) and joined his dad in the Hall of Fame in 1997. (Sadly, the Pettys suffered the loss of Adam Petty, NASCAR’s first fourth-generation driver on May 12, 2000. The young driver was practicing for the Nationwide Series at the New Hampshire International Speedway when his throttle stuck wide open, causing the car to hit the outside wall.)
Cool fact: Both Pettys were named among the Top 50 NASCAR drivers of all time in 1998.
Honorable Mention
Butch Gilliland, the 1997 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion and winner of 13 victories in the division. His then-crew chief, son David Gilliland, currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. David Gilliland still runs an occasional K&N Pro Series race. Butch must have raised him right, because David is one of the most polite and approachable drivers I have had the pleasure of meeting.
NASCAR Race Mom with a very nice David Gilliland at Sonoma Raceway (6/24/2011)
Cool fact: David Gilliland, driver of the No. 38 Ford Fusion for Front Row Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series, had a career-best second-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April 2013, pushing his teammate David Ragan to a surprising win.
Child, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart. Happy Father’s Day!
Griffin Steinfeld on track at Phoenix International Raceway
in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Jerry Boone
Lacking a corporate sponsor, K&N Pro Series Rookie, Griffin Steinfeld's car carries the logo of Our Military Kids. Our Military Kids is a nation-wide charity which raises funds to provide things like special classes, trips and tutoring to the children of parents who are or have been deployed.
“It’s a great program.” Steinfeld said. “It allows kids to do things they may not normally get to do. In some cases it gives them a chance to live their dream…kinda like what I’m doing in the race car.”
About Our Military Kids:
Our Military Kids was founded in 2004 to support children ages 3 to 18 of National Guard and Reserve families that often become financially stretched during a deployment. In 2006 the program expanded to include children of severely injured service members from all branches. The organization provides $500 grants for activities such as sports, fine arts, and tutoring programs that nurture and sustain children while a parent is serving our country overseas or recovering from injury. Our Military Kids is funded by corporations, foundations, private donors, and government grants.
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Greg Pursley rolled to his third career win at Phoenix International Raceway Saturday, but the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West veteran didn't get it without a fight from his new teammate.
Pursley led 56 laps, taking the lead back from Cameron Hayley on Lap 56 en route to winning the Talking Stick Resort 60. Hayley, 16, finished second to give Gene Price Motorsports a 1-2 finish.
POS
DRIVER
1
Greg Pursley
2
Cameron Hayley
3
Michael Self
4
Derek Thorn
5
Sergio Pena
Hayley was coming off a non-points victory in the K&N Pro Series portion of the UNOH Battle At The Beach two weeks ago at Daytona International Speedway. He is in his first year with the team, filling the seat vacated by 2012 West champion Dylan Kwasniewski.
The victory moved Pursley into a tie with Richard Petty for second on the West wins list at Phoenix, one behind Ken Schrader.
Earlier Saturday, Pursley won the Coors Light Pole Award and broke his own track record with a lap of 26.876 seconds (133.949 mph).
Michael Self finished third. Pursley, Hayley and Self briefly went three-wide on a Lap 54 restart before Pursley was able to wrestle the lead back.
Derek Thorn and Sergio Pena finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Gray Gaulding was sixth, followed by DJ Kennington, Brett Thompson, Brandon McReynolds and Taylor Cuzick.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West returns to the track May 4 at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway.
Greg Pursley (26) leads Cameron Hayley (24) during the running of the Talking Sticks Resort 70
at Phoenix International Raceway Friday. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for NASCAR)
He was the youngest winner in the K&N Pro Series West in 2011 and became its youngest champion last season at age 17.
This high school senior is articulate and engaging, traits that entice sponsors along with his success on the track.
He earned the West title by winning three races and scoring 12 top-5 finishes in 15 races, never finishing outside the top 10 in a series race. In fact, he’s registered only four finishes outside of the top 10 in the West Series in 28 starts.
His success goes back to the time he was introduced to racing before he was five years old.
“I just had a true passion for the sport,” Kwasniewski says. “I think my parents saw that there was something. We just furthered my career and then it grew into this.”
His next step is to compete in the K&N Pro Series East division in 2013 for Turner Motorsports.
David Smith says: “Kwasniewski’s rise to the top of NASCAR’s Pro Series West division was meteoric. In 2011, his rookie campaign, he earned a serviceable 1.667 PEER through the first half of the season. In the second half he registered a 3.929 PEER, foreshadowing even more improvement in 2012. Against fields littered with veteran drivers and owners, he won last year’s title with three wins, a 3.8 average finish and a series-best 5.233 PEER. The question you ask is whether he can he come East and do the same thing against a series that is a high competitive jump. I think he can do well, but I think that question does exist. It’s time to see what he can do in a series against kids that are just as good as he is. Can he outthink them? Can he outdrive them?”
Pretty darn proud of my kid!! Thank you to my beautiful daughter for taking time from a busy finals schedule at Cornell to come down and support your brother while he accepted this Championship with Grace and honor, What more could a mother ask for? I am blessed!
Kwasniewski's series debut came in 2011, and he won a pair of races in his first season. But he also finished outside the Top-10 on four different occasions, a product of racing as hard as he could as often as he could.
Kwasniewski's new approach in 2012 – three wins, 12 Top-5s and all 15 of his finishes in the Top-10 – earned him his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship. And with it, he became the youngest champion in the history of the series.
“To get this championship was great. With my age and the tracks I had to run at before, I never had a chance to run for championships anywhere,” said Kwasniewski, of Las Vegas, Nev.. “This was our first try. We won a lot of races before, but I had to go into a season with a little different driving style. If it meant finishing second versus trying to win and maybe wrecking if I wanted to win the championship, then that was what I was going to do.”
Dylan Kwasniewski won this year's NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship
in one of the closest battles in the history of the series. Getty Images for NASCAR
Self Scores Third Career Series Win With Phoenix Victory By Kevin W. Green, NASCAR
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Dylan Kwasniewski made more history Saturday night.
The 17-year-old Las Vegas driver captured the 2012 championship in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with a second-place finish in the Casino Arizona 50 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday.
A year after becoming the youngest race winner and youngest rookie of the year in series history, he became the youngest champ.
Kwasniewski entered the event with a two-point lead over teammate and defending series champion Greg Pursley in one of the closest championship battles in the history of the series.
POS
DRIVER
1
Michael Self
2
Dylan Kwasniewski
3
Cole Conley
4
Chase Elliott
5
Cameron Hayley
“All we had to do was finish in front of Greg and that’s what we did,” Kwasniewski said. “I couldn’t be more proud of my team and my mom. My dad started all this for me and this race was for him and this championship is for him,” Kwasniewski said of his late father. “To be out here in Phoenix and to get the championship, there’s no better feeling.”
Michael Self, who started the race on the outside of the front row, shot into the lead at the drop of the green flag and paced the entire 50 laps to score his third career win – all this season.
“It was an unbelievable race,” Self said. “The car we had, the Golden Gate Racing Team No. 21, was phenomenal lap after lap and never missed a beat. From the start, we knew what we had to do. A 50-lap race is really short. We knew the tires would last the entire length. So, it was just get out and get in front as early as we can and pull a gap. That’s exactly what we did.”
Kwasniewski started fourth in his No. 03 Royal Purple/Rockstar Ford and moved up to second, while Pursley started 11th but could get no closer than sixth by the finish. Kwasniewski finished with a six-point margin over Pursley for the championship.
At 17 years 5 months 10 days, Kwasniewski eclipsed the previous record set by Chuck Bown in 1976 at 22 years, 7 months, 11 days.
“I haven’t even taken that into consideration yet,” Kwasniewski said of setting the record. “It’s awesome. All of this started with my dad. This was his legacy and I wanted to make sure this happened for him. Finally, we got a championship. It’s all thanks to my crew and the guys that worked every day for this. All I had to do was go out there and drive. I have to thank the crew for it. It was a great year.”
Cale Conley, who won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Brewing Co., finished third Saturday night. Chase Elliott and Cameron Hayley were fourth and fifth, respectively. Completing the top 10 were Greg Pursley, David Mayhew, Bryan Ortiz, Brett Thompson and Ben Kennedy.
Austin Dyne finished 13th to secure the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award by one point over Hayley.
Derek Thorn – who started third, but faded to 27th – finished third in the championship standings behind Kwasniewski and Pursley. He is followed in points by Eric Holmes and David Mayhew. Completing the top 10 in the final standings are Self, Hayley, Dyne, Jonathon Gomez and Ryan Philpott.
Kwasniewski joins Kyle Larson, who won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title, as two members of the 2012 Next9 class to win NASCAR championships. The Next9 is an industry initiative designed to spotlight the sport's next wave of national-series stars.
“I think the NASCAR Next9 is definitely the future of the sport,” Kwasniewski said. “We’ve proven it on the race track. Kyle won the (K&N East) championship and we just won the (K&N West) championship here. We’ve definitely got a lot of good drivers and I think that group of Next9 is going to be the next nine you’re going to see in the future (NASCAR Sprint) Cup Series. It’s really good to be part of this. It’s a group of elite drivers and I’m thankful to be part of it.”
Kwasniewski will be crowned as part of the NASCAR Night of Champions Awards banquet, which will include ceremonies for the seven NASCAR touring series on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach will take place Feb. 18-19 on a .4-mile oval on the backstretch at Daytona International Speedway as part of 2013 Speedweeks. By virtue of their wins earlier in the season, Kwasniewski and Self earned locked-in spots into the starting lineup for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at the event.
Michael Self and his team celebate in Victory Lane after winning the
Casino Arizona 50 at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday. Getty Images for NASCAR
