Self Continues Winning Ways at Iowa Speedway

NEWTON, Iowa - Michael Self continued his winning ways Friday night at Iowa Speedway.

The 22-year-old from Park City, Utah, pulled away from the NASCAR K&N Pro Series field en route to the win in the Casey's General Store 150. It was Self's second straight win, his fifth in his last 14 races, and he became the first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West driver to win the annual combination race with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

"This is just unbelievable," said Self. "To be the first K&N West driver to win this race here is just out of this world. I really can't describe what was going through my head those last couple laps."

Self also became the eighth different overall winner in eight NASCAR K&N Pro Series combination races at Iowa. He led twice for a race-high 83 laps, including the final 73.

A late caution pushed the scheduled 150-lap event to 159 laps. On each restart, however, Self was able to power away, leaving Dylan Kwasniewski and early race-leader Brett Moffitt to battle for second. Kwasniewski wound up claiming the runner-up spot over Moffitt. As the top finishing East driver, Kwasniewski was credited with a win in the series standings.

"It was such a good car," said Self, "And such a big thanks to (crew chief) Steve Portenga and the Golden Gate Racing team for putting that car together."

Greg Pursley was fourth and Ben Rhodes fifth.

"We just rallied back," said Kwasniewski. "We were trying hard to beat Michael out there, but he was really good. ... It was fun running with Brett. It was a great race."

It was an eventful day for Kwasniewski, who skipped his high school graduation in Las Vegas to race Friday. He was presented his diploma by NASCAR K&N Pro Series East series director Kip Childress during driver introductions. Kwasniewski then recovered from a solo spin early in the event.

"That was my first time I had done that in, I don't know how long," said Kwasniewski, the defending West Series champion who is running full-time in the East this year.. "I got into the flat down there and ended up spinning the thing out."

Moffitt, on the other hand, was left disappointed after he was in contention for the win all day. He led twice for 48 laps - the third time the Grimes, Iowa, native has led 45 or more laps the season. He has four top fives in six races but has yet to get to Victory Lane.

"I should feel really good about it, but we really start needing to get wins here," said Moffitt. "It's just really frustrating when we had a decent race car here the first half. We just got really tight and didn't adjust enough. We need to get on our game there."

Self, Kwasniewski, Moffitt and Rhodes were among a group of 13 up-and-coming drivers named to the NASCAR Next program, an industry initiative designed to spotlight the rising stars in the sport. Led by Self's dominating performance, the group certainly didn't disappoint Friday night.

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K&N Pro Series “Casey's General Stores 150”

Derek Thorn rolls through the garage area (Speed51.com Photo)

The K&N Pro Series “Casey's General Stores 150” practice is underway at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa. Today, drivers from the East meet the drivers from the West to do battle for 150 laps. Click Here for live updates of this event.

Today's Schedule
(All Times are Central Standard Time)

9:00 AM       Garage Registration Opens

10:00 AM       Rookie Spotter’s Meeting, Drawing For Qualifying Order

11:00 AM 12:30 PM       Practice

1:30 PM 2:30 PM       Final Practice

2:45 PM 3:15 PM       NASCAR Pace Car Rides

5:00 PM       Qualifying (Two Laps, All Positions)

6:30 PM       Drivers Meeting (Drivers Meeting Room)

7:00 PM       Registration Closes

7:30 PM       Driver Introductions-Security –Clear Pit Road

8:00 PM      Race (150 Laps, 131.25 Miles)

There have been seven K&N Pro Series races at Iowa, including the first ever NASCAR-sanctioned event at Iowa back in 2007. No driver has ever won two series races at Iowa.

Previous winners:

2007 - Joey Logano

2008 - Brian Ickler

2009 - Kyle Busch

2010 - Max Gresham

2011 - Brett Moffitt

2012 (spring) - Chase Elliott

2012 (autumn) - Corey LaJoie

Only one previous winner at Iowa is in today's race and that is K&N East points leader Moffitt.



Twitter Info: #Caseys150; #NASCAR; #KNEast; #KNWest; @iowaspeedway

Search Underway For D4D Candidates

Applications For The Combine Available Through Aug. 26

Drive for Diversity Alumni Darrell Wallace Jr. is enjoying a successful rookie season
in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Courtesy Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Rising stars Kyle Larson and Darrell Wallace Jr. capitalized on their opportunity under the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) banner, and now enjoy regular success in NASCAR’s national series. Soon, the next generation of talent will be welcomed – and that process starts now. 

Applications are being accepted online for the NASCAR D4D Combine until Aug. 26. To access the application, please visit http://revracing.net/combine-application. Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) and Wallace (@BubbaWallace), both competing in their rookie seasons in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series respectively, participated in the program after being selected at the annual NASCAR D4D Combine. 

“Through our partnership with Rev Racing, the NASCAR D4D initiative has shown increasing success in developing minority and female drivers who are ready to compete at the highest  levels of our sport,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “The academy format that we have developed offers skilled drivers the training they need to move up to the next level of their racing careers.”

The application for the annual Combine is the first phase of the selection process for the NASCAR D4D program. The Combine evaluation process consists of five elements: physical fitness, driver resume, media aptitude, driver communications/knowledge and driving skills on and off track.   

“We are proud of the successes we’ve had to date, and are looking forward to welcoming a new group of participants in the fall,” said Max Siegel, CEO of Rev Racing. “The talent level continues to rise each year, and the Combine process is the first step in developing the next generation of drivers for the sport.”

Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 26 as of Oct. 15, and must be a member of an ethnic minority classification or a female of U.S. citizenship. Those who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. can apply to participate in the Combine as well. All drivers must demonstrate their skill and have experience in grassroots, local or regional racing. Drivers selected to participate in the Combine will be notified in the fall after the application process has closed. 

To learn more about NASCAR, the NASCAR D4D program and other diverse initiatives, log on to: www.nascardiversity.com

Official Release