 FONTANA,
CA (April 27) -- Eric Norris came close to winning last year at California
Speedway in NASCAR Winston West competition. On Saturday, he accomplished what
he failed to do last year by winning the Pontiac WideTrack Grand Prix 200
and earning $24,501 in the process.
Norris started the race on the pole after collecting his second Bud Pole
Award of the season by posting a qualifying lap of 181.333mph on the 2-mile
superspeedway. Rookie Scott Lynch started alongside Norris in the front row.
While the race had three different race leaders, Norris led most
laps--leading a total of 83 of the 91 race laps en route to the win. (The race
was shortened by nine laps due to time constraints at the facility.) Other race
leaders were Kevin Richards and Scott Lynch.
Finishing runner-up to Norris was Kevin Richards. Richards earned $14,706
for his second place finish. Rounding out the top five was Austin Cameron
third, Mike Duncan fourth, and David Gilliland fifth.
Ten of the 22 race starters finished the race on the lead lap.
After three events, Austin Cameron sits atop the NASCAR Winston West
Standings with 530 points. Cameron has two wins and a third place finish to his
credit. Rounding out the top five in points are: Eric Norris (489), Kevin
Richards (476), Greg Pursley (442), and Mike Duncan (405).
Hoosier Tire Product Manager Jeff Speer was at Fontana to see Norris' win over
Kevin Richards and his Monaco Enterprises Winston West car. Speer commented, "I was in Eric's pit
during the race and the entire team, including his crew chief, were calm
throughout the event--even when Eric lost the lead in the middle stages of the
race." Speer continued, "Their set-up was right on and resulted in even tire wear and good
temperature readings. Many teams complimented us on the superior handling of the Hoosier speedway radials. This is the same tire combination we had at the
event here last year in April. Car set-up is critical with respect to tire wear and can make or break your
performance."
The next race for the NASCAR Winston West competitors is June 1, at Kansas
Speedway.
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. is the exclusive tire supplier to the NASCAR
Winston West Series.
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