Saturday, May 3, 2014

#KNWest Race Recap
#nascar Stockton 150

David Mayhew earned his ninth career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Coors Light Pole Award -- and first since 2012 -- with a fast lap at Stockton 99 Speedway Saturday evening in qualifying for the night's Stockton 150. (Qualifying Results)

Rookie James Bickford, who had the best lap in the afternoon's practice, qualified second at 13.839 (65.034), followed by Greg Pursley at 13.844 (65.010). (Practice Results)

Unfortunately during the race, Bickford was directed to the back of the pack for jumping the start. However, by lap 60, Bickford had worked his way back into the top five.

For the majority of the race however, series veterans  Greg Pursley and David Mayhew battled for the top position.

With two thirds of the laps expired and just fifty laps to go, the race order read  Mayhew, Pursley, McReynolds, Lupton, Thornton.  (Bickford had dropped to sixth place)

Lap 122 drew the fifth caution as McReynolds went around in Turn Two.  Some speculated that McReynolds may have gotten some help from Bickford.  McReynolds restarted the race from tenth position.

On Lap 135 it appeared that the K&N Pro Series West 'Stockton 150' would be settled by a fifteen-lap dash to the checkered flag.  However, an accident between Cuzick and Millard, in Turn Two, on Lap 142 earn both the sixth yellow flag and a subsequent a red flag.

At this juncture, Mayhew, Pursley, Thornton, Bickford, McReynolds, Martin, Lupton, Giannone, Cuzick,  and  Millard comprised the top-ten.

David Mayhew pulled off a great restart on lap 147.  There were just nine drivers on the lead lap.  Pursley was all over Mayhew during the white flag lap, but Mayhew hung on to win the K&N Pro Series West Stockton 150.

What a great showing by the series veteran - pole to victory!  This is the fifth career win for Mayhew; the first since Phoenix in March '12.

The unofficial top 10: Mayhew, Pursley, Thornton, McReynolds, Martin, Lupton, Cuzick, Giannone, Monroe, Bickford.

David Mayhew won the Coors Light Pole Award for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series
West race at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway.  (Getty Images for NASCAR)


Rookie James Bickford laid down the fastest lap during NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
practice at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway.  (Getty Images for NASCAR)

K&N Pro Series West 'Stockton 150' Entry List

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