Series PR Report
Photo by: Jason Watson/Getty Images for NASCAR
Roseville, CA(October 14, 2012) – Dylan Kwasniewski got what he needed.
The 17-year-old from Las Vegas rebounded from an early flat tire to win the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West action on Saturday night at All American Speedway and regain the lead in the championship standings, with just one race left on the schedule.
After starting on the pole for the fifth time this season, Kwasniewski fell back through the 24-car field in the early going with the tire problem. After a quick pit stop to make a tire change, he began to scratch and claw his way to the front of the field. Kwasniewski made a Lap 119 pass on Eric Holmes and led the rest of the way for his third victory of the season and the fifth of his career.
Holmes, who led a race-high 101 laps, held on for second followed by David Mayhew in third. Derek Thorn, who was bumped out of the lead by Holmes on Lap 33, recovered to take fourth – while Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Cameron Hayley finished fifth. Jamie Krzysik finished sixth in his series debut, with Travis Milburn in seventh and rookie Dallas Montes in eighth. Former series champion Mike David, making his first start since 2009, and Jonathon Gomez rounded out the top 10.
Kwasniewski came into the night trailing Gene Price Motorsports teammate and defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Greg Pursley by 14 points in the standings. It was a sub-par performance for Pursley, who started the race from the 13th and finished 13th.
Kwasniewski came away with a two-point lead over Pursley as the series heads to the season finale, Casino Arizona 50, at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 10. Thorn is third in the standings, with Holmes fourth and Mayhew fifth. They are followed by Michael Self, Hayley, Austin Dyne, Gomez and Ryan Philpott.
In addition to the series championship, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title will be decided at Phoenix – with Dyne holding a slim lead over Hayley.
The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 will air on SPEED on Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. ET.
