K&N Pro Series West Stat Advance: Portland
AnalyzingThe NAPA Auto Parts Salute To The Troops 125
By Kevin W. Green, NASCAR

Defending series champion Greg Pursley leads the standings heading to Portland.
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West visits Portland (Ore.) International Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 26. Below is a statistical look at the recent performance of the series and selected drivers at Portland, as well as some other statistical trends:

Portland Race Setup

• This event marks the fourth and final road course event on the 2012 schedule for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. There were three different winners in the first three road races – with Greg Pursley winning in Tooele, Utah; Michael Self winning in Brainerd, Minn.; and David Gilliland winning in Sonoma, Calif.
• Defending champion Greg Pursley leads Dylan Kwasniewski by seven points in the championship standings, with 11 events complete of a 15-race schedule.
• Jim Inglebright, who won with a last-lap charge in 2009, is the only previous Portland winner entered in this event.

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West At Portland

• Portland International Raceway has hosted four NASCAR K&N Pro Series West races. The series initially visited the road course in 1986 and has returned the past three years.
• PIR is located on the former site of Vanport, Ore., just south of the Columbia River and about a mile west of Interstate 5. Vanport was wiped out when a dike on the river broke and flooded the city in 1948. The first races took place on the old city streets in 1961. The motorsports facility, which has received many renovations over the years, now includes a road course, drag strip and motocross track.
• The four series races at Portland International Raceway resulted in four different winners – Hershel McGriff (1986), Jim Inglebright (2009), Patrick Long (2010) and Luis Martinez Jr. (2011).
• Three drivers have qualified on the pole at Portland. David Mayhew is the only multiple winner, claiming the honor in 2009 and 2010. Derrike Cope set the mark in 1986 and Martinez won the pole in 2011.
• With two top-five finishes each, Martinez and Eric Holmes are the only drivers with multiple top fives.
• Holmes leads the list of drivers with top-10 finishes at Portland, with three.
• Greg Pursley has led the most laps in series action at PIR, running out front for 59 laps.
• Hershel McGriff is the only driver to compete in all four series events at Portland.
•  Las year marked the first time the Portland event was won by the pole winner. On two previous occasions, the winner started fifth on the grid.
• In addition to competing at the Portland road course, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West had a long history of racing between 1956 and 2000 at the historic half-mile oval of Portland Speedway before it was eventually shuttered.

Portland Data
Race: #12 of 15 (8/26/12)
Track Layout: 1.967-mile road course
Race Length: 63 laps (125 miles)

Records
1-lap Qualifying: David Mayhew,
75.426 seconds, 94.503 mph, July 18, 2010

63-lap Race: Patrick Long,
1 hour 56 min 4 seconds, 66.531 mph, July 18, 2010

Series Race Winners at Portland
Jim Inglebright, 1
Patrick Long, 1
Luis Martinez Jr, 1
Hershel McGriff, 1

Series Pole Winners at Portland
David Mayhew, 2
Luis Martinez Jr, 1
Derrike Cope, 1

Selected Driver Information:

Austin Cameron (No. 12 AC Motorsports Chevrolet)

• • Making his first start at Portland
• • Series veteran, who last raced the full series schedule in 2008; returned to competition in select events this year
• • Two series starts this season, both road courses. Finished fifth at Tooele and eighth at Sonoma
• • 15 wins, 11 poles, 47 top fives, 70 top 10s in 108 career series starts

Austin Dyne (No. 9 William Rast/Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil Ford)

• • In his rookie season, making his first start at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished third at Tooele, eighth at Brainerd and 13th at Sonoma
• • Third place finish at Tooele was best career series finish
• • One top five, six top 10s in 10 career series starts

Chris Evans (No. 90 GASS Toyota)

• • Finished 15th in only Portland start (2011), which stands as career-best finish
• • Two series starts this season resulted in 17th-place finish at Brainerd and 19th at Sonoma
• • Four career series starts

Jonathon Gomez (No. 22 Century Boatland Chevrolet)

• • Finished 12th in only Portland start (2010)
• • In three other road course events this season; finished 15th at Tooele, seventh at Brainerd and seventh at Sonoma
• • Best career series finish of second
• • Eight top fives, 19 top 10s in 38 career series starts

Carl Harr (No. 2 WestWorld Computers Chevrolet)

• • Finished 28th in only Portland start (2011)
• • In other road course events this season; finished 10th at Tooele and 10th at Brainerd
• • Best career series finish of seventh, on three occasions
• • 14 top 10s in 56 career series starts

Daryl Harr (No. 71 iWorld Connect Chevrolet)

• • Finished 20th in only Portland start (2011)
• • In other road course events this season; finished 21st at Tooele and 11th at Brainerd
• • Best career series finish of fifth, four times
• • Four top fives, 31 top 10s in 100 career series starts

Cameron Hayley (No. 24 Cabinets By Hayley Toyota)

• • In his rookie season, making his first start at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished eighth at Tooele, 12th at Brainerd and 10th at Sonoma
• • Best career series finish of second, on two occasions
• • Five top fives, nine top 10s in 15 career series starts

Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Toyota)

• • Two top fives, three top 10s in three PIR starts
• • Best Portland finish of second, two times (2010 & 2011)
• • Average finish at Portland of 3.66
• • Has led three laps at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished second at Tooele, sixth at Brainerd and 23rd at Sonoma
• • One win this season
• • 17 wins, 13 poles, 52 top fives, 68 top 10s in 86 career series starts

Dylan Hutchison (No. 5 Bay Bio Diesel/Johnnie Walker Perf. Ctr Chevrolet)

• • In his rookie season, making his first start at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished 22nd at Tooele, ninth at Brainerd and 28th at Sonoma
• • Best career series finish of eighth
• • Two top 10s in 10 career series starts

Jim Inglebright (No. 1 ESEF Chevrolet)

• • One win in two starts at Portland
• • Win was in 2009
• • Only led one lap en route to win
• • Average finish at Portland of 12.5
• • One series start this season, with fourth-place finish at Sonoma
• • Three wins, one pole, 18 top fives, 36 top 10s in 67 career series starts

Scott Ivie (No. 74 MSI Development Ford)

• • Three starts at Portland, with best finish of 21st in 2011
• • Average finish at Portland of 24.66
• • Two series starts this season resulted in career-best sixth-place finish at Tooele and 24th at Sonoma
• • One top 10 in 12 career series starts

Kyle Kelley (No. 7 UPRacing.com/Apex/Jamison Chevrolet)

• • Three starts at Portland, with best finish of 11th in 2009
• • Average finish at Portland of 16.66
• • Only series start this season, resulted in 19th place finish at Tooele
• • Best career series finish of fifth
• • One top fives, four top 10s in 14 career series starts

Tom Klauer (No. 25 Naake-Klauer Motorsports Chevrolet)

• • Two top 10s in two starts at Portland
• • Best finish at Portland of ninth in 2011, also best career series finish
• • Average finish at Portland of 9.5
• • No series starts this season
• • Two top 10s in three career series starts

Dylan Kwasniewski (No. 03 Rockstar/Royal Purple Ford)

• • Finished 29th in only Portland start (2011)
• • In three other road course events this season; finished fourth at Tooele, second at Brainerd and fifth at Sonoma
• • Two wins and three poles this season
• • Four wins, five poles, 17 top fives, 20 top 10s in 24 career series starts

David Mayhew (No. 17 MMI Services Chevrolet)

• • One top five in three starts at Portland
• • Best Portland finish of fourth was in 2010
• • Two Coors Light Pole Awards at Portland (2009, 2010)
• • Has led 16 laps at Portland
• • Average finish at Portland of 10.33
• • In three other road course events this season; finished ninth at Tooele, fifth at Brainerd and ninth at Sonoma
• • One win and two poles this season
• • Four wins, eight poles, 30 top fives, 46 top 10s in 64 career series starts
  

Travis Milburn (No. 14 Cooks Collision Toyota)

• • One top 10 in three starts at Portland
• • Best Portland finish of eighth in 2010
• • Average finish at Portland of 18.0
• • In other road course events this season; finished 26th at Tooele and 11th at Sonoma
• • Best career series finish of sixth
• • Five top 10s in 35 career series starts

Ryan Philpott (No. 52 Philpott Race Cars Ford)

• • Finished 10th in only start at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished 16th at Tooele, 14th at Brainerd and 14th at Sonoma
• • Best career series finish of seventh
• • Seven top 10s in 28 career series starts

Greg Pursley (No. 26 GPM/Star Nursery/Real Water Ford)

• • One top five, two top 10s in three starts at Portland
• • Best finish at Portland of second in 2009
• • Has led 59 laps at Portland, the most of any driver
• • Average finish at Portland of 12.33
• • In three other road course events this season; finished first at Tooele, third at Brainerd and third at Sonoma
• • Three wins and three poles this season
• • 12 wins, 14 poles, 35 top fives, 46 top 10s in 66 career series starts

Michael Self (No. 21 Rockwell/Golden Gate Meat Chevrolet)

• • One top 10 in three starts at Portland
• • Best finish at Portland of eight in 2011
• • Average finish at Portland of 14.0
• • In three other road course events this season; finished 18th at Tooele, first at Brainerd and sixth at Sonoma
• • Scored first career series win at Brainerd and credited with second win as top West driver at Iowa
• • Two wins, 10 top fives, 19 top 10s in 39 career series starts

Jack Sellers (No. 15 Bay Bio Diesel Chevrolet)

• • Best finish of 19th in three starts at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished 24th at Tooele, 16th at Brainerd and 27th at Sonoma
• • Best career series finish of seventh, four times
• • 32 top 10s in 262 career series starts

Brett Thompson (No. 61 Rich Thompson Trucking Chevrolet)

• • One top five, two top 10s in two starts at Portland
• • Best Portland finish was fourth in 2009
• • In other road course events this season; finished 20th at Tooele and 13th at Brainerd
• • Three series starts this season

• One win, one pole, 23 top fives, 63 top 10s in 116 career series starts

Brian Wong (No. 89 Livery Design Gruppe Toyota)

• • One top five in two starts at Portland
• • Best Portland finish was third in 2009, also best career series finish
• • One series start this season, 11th at Tooele
• • Two top fives, four top 10s in 18 career series starts

John Wood (No. 36 Pegasus Transport & Towing Chevrolet)

• • Making his first start at Portland
• • In three other road course events this season; finished 13th at Tooele, 15th at Brainerd and 22nd at Sonoma
• • 13th place finish at Tooele was best career series finish
• • 17 career series starts

What You Give Will Grow - 'Wigs For Kids'

You never know what you will learn at a racetrack. However, even NASCAR Race Mom was surprised when she arrived at the famous 2.31-mile, 12-turn road course in Sonoma, California for the “GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma” weekend.

It all started in May 2010 and it started as a superstition. Thomas Morstead is an American football punter and kickoff specialist for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Saints 164th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. He never ever gets his hair cut during the season. Days before the 2011 training camp, he had the pleasure of having dinner with the Gleason family.

For those of you who don't know, Steve Gleason is responsible for the greatest play in Saint's history. He blocked the Falcon's punt in the first game back in the Dome after Katrina. At the dinner, Michel Gleason, Steve's lovely wife, told Morstead that he couldn't cut his hair. She said it was exactly like Steve's. Morstead learned Steve had grown his hair out several times in order to donate it to those in need. 

That night, Morstead decided to follow Steve’s lead and donate his hair. For the entire 2012 season leading up to Superbowl 47, which happens to be in New Orleans, Thomas Morstead will continue growing his hair to raise awareness for the organization 'WIGS FOR KIDS'. 

Once the season ends, Morstead will GIVE his hair to this worthy cause. Since not everyone is in the position to grow – then give their hair, Thomas Morstead has teamed up with Verizon in order to give fans another opportunity to help out this wonderful cause by entering a raffle for an opportunity to go to the Superbowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 3, 2013.

Go to the “What You Give Will Grow” website for all the details. 

“Thank you so much for your support of ‘What You GIVE Will Grow’ and ‘Wigs for Kids’. Letting go of your hair can be very difficult. I know I will miss having long hair. But how blessed are we to be able to give to kids in need…” Thomas Morstead

Now this is where football, racing, and great causes mix:

If you are at the Infineon Raceway this weekend, look for the blue Formula Mazda racing in the Formula Car Challenge. This race car, driven by George Jackson, will be supporting the “What You Give Will Grow” cause. Jackson who races out of the Texas Autosports stable for Moses Smith is at Sonoma for a National Event. Look for George at the front of the pack. You can learn more about this driver at his website.

George Jackson cools down after a hot win at Texas Motor Speedway! (May 2012)

Fans Get Their Chance To RideShotgun With Dale Jr.

Earnhardt to Drive One Lucky Fan Around Charlotte Motor Speedway, Courtesy of Lionel NASCAR Collectables and the Racing Collectables Club of America

Photo credit: “Cameras in Action”

Ask a group of NASCAR® fans whom they’d most like to “ride shotgun” with at a race track and, chances are, most of them will say Dale Earnhardt Jr. –NASCAR’s nine-time most popular driver. 

On October 15, 2012, thanks to Lionel NASCAR Collectables (LNC) and the Racing Collectables Club of America (RCCA), one lucky fan will get to do just that. 

The “Dale Jr. Ride of Your Life!” sweepstakes kicks off today. Fans can enter to win by logging on to http://www.offeredby.net/silver/rdm.cfm?trkid=22819S481080190 and answering a NASCAR-themed trivia question.

The jam-packed grand prize includes:

• Three laps around the track with Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 15
• Dale Jr. autographed exclusive skeleton gloves
• Two tickets to the NASCAR Nationwide Series™ race on October 12 with VIP area tour prior to race
• Two tickets to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ race on October 13
• Question and Answer session with Dale Jr., followed by autograph and photograph opportunity
• Food and beverage at the Ride Along event
• One room, three-night stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites
• DVD of this once-in-a-lifetime experience
• VIP Swag Bag 

“Getting a ride-along around Charlotte Motor Speedway is an incredible prize in itself,” said Howard Hitchcock, General Manager of Lionel NASCAR Collectables. “But being driven around the speedway by Dale Jr. is truly the ride of a lifetime.” 

 “LNC is a proud supporter of The Dale Jr. Foundation and it’s because of that relationship that we are able to offer this memorable experience to a lucky NASCAR fan.” Hitchcock continued. “I want to wholeheartedly thank them for this tremendous opportunity.” 

As part of the “Dale Jr. Ride of Your Life!” sweepstakes, LNC and RCCA will also award various weekly prizes, such as officially licensed apparel and die-cast. Entries for the sweepstakes will be received from July 17 through September 14, 2012. The grand prize winner will be notified on September 18, 2012.