NASCAR Race Mom

Veteran Driver Notches Third Win Of 2013

Greg Pursley celebrates at NAPA Speedway in Albuquerque, N.M.
(J. Victor Decolongon III/Getty Images for NASCAR)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Greg Pursley spoiled Derek Thorn's quest for two consecutive NASCAR K&N Pro Series West wins at NAPA Speedway, taking the victory in the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by NAPA AutoCare Centers on Saturday night.

Pursley, the 2011 series champion, now sets his sights on spoiling Thorn's quest for a series title.

Saturday’s victory marked Pursley’s fourth win of the season and 17th career series victory. With the win, he moved from third in points to second – 20 points behind Thorn, with three races remaining.

In an event in which many of the leaders opted to fall back early in the event, Pursley dropped from the front to just inside the top 10 and Thorn faded back to ride in fourth. Pursley appeared to start his charge forward just past the midway point of the race.

Pursley was up to seventh by Lap 85, fourth by Lap 100, third by Lap 116 and second a lap after that. Using a strong inside move on the 128th lap, he was able to charge in front Thorn, who had earned the Coors Light Pole earlier in the day.

Thorn finished second, with Cameron Hayley in third. Eric Holmes, making his 100th career series start, was fourth - with Michael Self taking fifth. Tyler Cuzick, Dylan Lupton, Chase Briscoe, Carl Harr and John Wood completed the top 10.

Thorn leads the standings with 510 points, followed by Pursley at 490, Hayley at 489, Self at 481 and Lupton at 440.

The next event on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule is the Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts 150 at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., on Oct. 12.

RESULTS  |  LIVE: LAP-BY-LAP RECAP  | AUDIO: RUNNER-UP DEREK THORN  | AUDIO: THIRD PLACE CAMERON HAYLEY

source