For the fourth time, the Miller Motorsports Park (MMP) hosted a NASCAR K&N Pro West Series event. On Saturday, several drivers participated in a “Drivers Meet and Greet” in the facility’s Club House. The Club House is situated on the highest point of Miller Motorsports Park, overlooking the track’s final sequence of turns before the straightaway.
Kevin Green, Moses Smith, Michael Self, Jonathon Gomez, Hershel McGriffSunday brought the tenth round of the season and the third road course for the series where the drivers are more accustomed to short-track ovals. However, one could not tell from the on-track action during the thirty-six (36) laps of hard fought battles on the outer course, covering 3.05 miles of straights, right and left corners, and one that allows a lot of speed, along with curbs to hit with one wheel or more up in the air.
MMP is a magnificent desert track in Tooele, Utah surrounded by stunning mountain ranges. However if a competitor drives off track, the sand and gravel spewed on the racing surface become treacherous to tire wear.
Green FlagMoses Smith spent most of the allotted hour and a half practice time in the garage and was only able to record six practice laps. Therefore, his twelfth place starting spot was acceptable. Before the first lap was completed, the #16 Hasa Pool Products Toyota was in the top ten.
Following a different pit strategy then the leaders, Moses lead the race on lap 15. The expert team work of the Hasa crew sent the #16 back out on the track after his only pit stop in fourth place. Moses worked his way into a comfortable third position and stayed there for the majority of the race.
Following a different pit strategy then the leaders, Moses lead the race on lap 15. The expert team work of the Hasa crew sent the #16 back out on the track after his only pit stop in fourth place. Moses worked his way into a comfortable third position and stayed there for the majority of the race.
The restart on lap twenty-seven (27) trundled Moses back to sixth place. Then the #16 Hasa Pool Product Toyota suffered from alternator issues and also developed a slow leak in the left front tire. With the loss of power and difficulty in handling, Moses depended on his skill and experience to survive the final nine laps.
Moses managed to advance a couple of positions and placed fourth, just missing the race podium. Nonetheless, the driver of the HASA Pool Products/White Flyer Toyota scored 5 bonus points after holding the lead on lap 15. He also ended his race with the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award. Further, Moses bettered his championship point standings by two and solidly captured fourth place.
Race Statistics: Time of Race: 1 hour 24 minutes 26 seconds; Margin of Victory: .650 seconds; Fastest Qualifier: P.Long (94.574 mph, 116.023 seconds); Caution Flags: 2 for 6 laps; Lead Changes: 11 among 5 drivers.
K&N Pro Series West – Top Ten: E. Holmes, 1632; 2. D. Mayhew, 1491; 3. P. Harraka, 1454; 4. M. Smith, 1402; 5. L. Martinez,Jr., 1364; 6. J. Gomez, 1354; 7. G. Pursley, 1347; 8. M. Self, 1283; 9. T. Souza, 1275; 10. B. Koch, 1223
K&N Pro Series West – Top Ten: E. Holmes, 1632; 2. D. Mayhew, 1491; 3. P. Harraka, 1454; 4. M. Smith, 1402; 5. L. Martinez,Jr., 1364; 6. J. Gomez, 1354; 7. G. Pursley, 1347; 8. M. Self, 1283; 9. T. Souza, 1275; 10. B. Koch, 1223
There are two races remaining in the 2010 season - October 16 at Roseville, California and November 13 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts Bonus Challenge from Miller Motorsports Park will air on SPEED on Thursday, September 16 at 6 p.m. ET.
#16 Hasa Pool Products/White Flyer ToyotaRace Day Photos by Eric Gilbert
No comments:
Post a Comment