Are The Dillon Brothers Just “Rich Kids?”

Crew members for Ty Dillon, surround Kevin Harvick, on pit road
after an incident during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200
at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 26, 2013  (Robert Laberge, NASCAR)

Harvick was battling hard with Ty Dillon for the second spot in the closing laps, when the pair got together, ending their chances at victory. The spin was just the beginning, however, as Harvick and Dillon went after each other on the track, Dillon's crew went after Harvick on pit road, and the pair exchanged pointed words in the garage.

As if that was not enough, one of the RCR crew members threw a sledgehammer at Harvick's truck.

"The (No.) 3 just dumped me," Harvick said. "(That's) exactly reason I'm leaving RCR, because you've got those kids coming up that have got no respect for what they do in this sport and they've had everything fed to them with a spoon...It's just a shame you have to get taken out by some rich kid like that."

Both Ty Dillon and his older brother Austin came up through the K&N Pro Series circuit.

Ty Dillon celebrates his first career series win in Victory Lane
at Gresham Motorsports Park.  (Kevin Cox/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Ty Dillon won his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race of his career at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia on August 28, 2010. So to see him in a truck race so soon is a bit usual. However, he is the grandson of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner Richard Childress and therefore was presented with an enormous opportunity to carve his place in the highly completive NASCAR Arena.

Are the Dillon brothers just “rich kids” with no respect for the sport of NASCAR? Only time and their contribution to NASCAR will witness the truth. However, whether fair or not, their relationship to NASCAR protagonist Richard Childress will forever taint their accomplishments a tad.

On a personal note, NASCAR Race Mom had not had much contact with Ty Dillon. On the contrary, Austin was present at many of Moses’ races. NRM’s option of Austin was surprisingly positive. One race I watched Austin carefully observing his brother practice on track in order to advise him later.

What impress NRM the most happened at a night practice at the Phoenix International Raceway.  There were no fans nor media about, nevertheless Austin stayed with his crew as the crew worked to improve his truck. No other truck driver did that!

So are the Dillon’s “rich kids?” Yup - compared to most, they most certainly are. Have they had it easier? I think that is probably another yup! That does not automatically mean that they do not belong on the race track! You can only get so far with money – you must have the talent and determination to back it up.  Most assuredly, the Dillon’s future will make for interesting NASCAR Drama!

Pursley Charges To Victory At Kern

Pursley Wins Inaugural NASCAR
K&N Pro Series West Race
At New Bakersfield Track

The Pursleys with their newest
K&N Pro Series West Trophy

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Oct. 26, 2013) – Greg Pursley won the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at Kern County Raceway Park on Saturday to claim the victory in the inaugural NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race at the new high-banked, half-mile track that opened earlier this year.

It marked the fifth win of the season for the 2011 series champion and his 18th career series victory.

Pursley moved to the lead just before the midway point and ran a fierce pace in the final laps to hold off a strong challenge from Michael Self to win by .178 seconds. Conserving early was part of his strategy for the race, Pursley said.

“When we got the race going, I hung out for a little bit and saved the tires as much as I could,” he said. “And once we got out front, I tried to save as much as I could.”

But he turned up the wick in the closing laps, as he was challenged for the lead.

“The (car No.) 21 was coming on pretty hard there at the end,” Pursley said. “We had a yellow flag with about 20 to go. I had to put down about 20 qualifying laps and he was right there. He gave me a great race.”

For Pursley, who early in his career was a regular competitor in the late model division at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield before its closure, winning the first series race at the new track had extra meaning. In addition, it was a special win for some of his crew.

“It’s a hometown win for my crew chief Jerry Pitts and a couple of our guys,” said Pursley – who raced out of Newhall, south of Bakersfield, for much of his career. “It’s a real emotional win. I won a lot of races at the old Mesa Marin track and I’m happy to be the inaugural winner at Kern County Raceway.”

Self trailed Pursley to the finish, with Eric Holmes close behind. David Mayhew and Cameron Hayley rounded out the top five.

Championship points leader Derek Thorn, who started on the outside of the front row and led the initial lap of the race, faded in the closing stages of the event and finished sixth. He was followed by Dylan Lupton, Shane Golobic, Matt Tifft and Jason Fensler.

Gray Gaulding captured the spotlight earlier in the day at KCRP as he won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award by Coors Brewing Co., and in doing so set the record for the youngest pole winner in the series at 15 years eight months 16 days. Gaulding – who also holds the record as the youngest pole winner in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, where he ran the full season this year – led 60 laps early, but had his night end early when he punctured a tire and hit the wall on Lap 112.

With the win, Pursley moved back to second in the standings – 16 points behind Thorn with one race remaining to decide the 2013 championship. Thorn has 593 over Pursley’s 577. Pursley's teammate Hayley is 18 behind Thorn with 575 points . Self is fourth with 563, while Lupton is fifth with 506. Completing the top 10 in points are Carl Harr, Daryl Harr, Taylor Cuzick, Eric Holmes and Giles Thornton.

The NAPA Auto Parts 150 marked the return of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West to Bakersfield, an area rich in West Coast racing history, after Mesa Marin Raceway closed in 2005.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will wrap up its 2013 schedule with the Casino Arizona 50 at Phoenix International Raceway on Nov. 9.

NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST-NAPA Auto Parts 150 Results

At Kern County Raceway Park - Bakersfield, Calif.

Lap length: 0.5 miles

(Start position in parentheses)

1. (3) Greg Pursley, Newhall, CA, Ford, 150 laps, 63.589 mph.
2. (7) Michael Self, Park City, UT, Chevrolet, 150.
3. (6) Eric Holmes, Escalon, CA, Toyota, 150.
4. (4) David Mayhew, Atascadero, CA, Chevrolet, 150.
5. (5) Cameron Hayley, Calgary, AB, Canada, Ford, 150.
6. (2) Derek Thorn, Lakeport, CA, Ford, 150.
7. (11) Dylan Lupton, Wilton, Calif., Ford, 150.
8. (16) Shane Golobic, Fremont, Calif., Toyota, 150.
9. (12) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Chevrolet, 150.
10. (13) Jason Fensler, Wilton, Calif., Chevrolet, 150.
11. (18) Daryl Harr, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Chevrolet, 150.
12. (14) Johnny Borneman, Ramona, Calif., Ford, 149.
13. (8) Chase Briscoe, Mitchell, Ind., Toyota, 149.
14. (20) Luis Tyrrell, Brisbane, Calif., Chevrolet, 148.
15. (19) Carlos Vieira, Atwater, Calif., Toyota, 148.
16. (25) Travis Milburn, Eagle, Idaho, Toyota, 147.
17. (17) Bobby Runyan, Jr., Denair, Calif., Chevrolet, 146.
18. (27) Jack Chisholm, Cranbrook, B.C. Canada, Ford, 143.
19. (28) Scott Ivie, San Ramon, Calif., Ford, 142.
20. (23) Carl Harr, Edmonton, AB, Canada, Chevrolet, 133.
21. (1) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, Va., Toyota, 111, accident.
22. (10) Dallas Montes, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet, 108, accident.
23. (9) Taylor Cuzick, Tolleson, Ariz., Ford, 97, oil line.
24. (21) John Wood, Eagle, ID, Toyota, 87, clutch.
25. (15) Giles Thornton, Whitefish, Mont., Toyota, 63, accident.
26. (22) A. Giannone, Colorado Sprgs, Colo., Toyota, 48, oil leak.
27. (26) Jim Weiler, Sonoma, Calif., Ford, 47, power steering.
28. (24) Rich DeLong, III, Santa Clarita, Calif., Ford, 11, accident.

Race Statistics:

Time of Race: 1 hour 10 minutes 46 seconds

Margin of Victory: .178 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: G.Gaulding * (100.514 mph, 17.908 seconds)

Caution Flags: 4 for 24 laps.

Lead Changes: 5 among 3 drivers.

Lap Leaders: G. Gaulding-grid; D. Thorn 1; G. Gaulding 2-56; G. Pursley 57; G. Gaulding 58-61; G. Pursley 62-150.

Standings: 1. D. Thorn, 593; 2. G. Pursley, 577; 3. C. Hayley, 575; 4. M. Self, 563; 5. D. Lupton, 506; 6. C. Harr, 444; 7. D. Harr, 443; 8. T. Cuzick, 441; 9. E. Holmes, 418; 10. G. Thornton, 413.

NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine

Day 2 October 22 NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine

Coach Phil Horton addresses the drivers before their fitness assessment tests
Monday at Hampton University. (Jason Christley/NASCAR)

Langley Speedway’s repaving last winter provided an added challenge for the 20 drivers participating in the 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine. Not only did the already tough .4-mile oval get faster, it meant even the drivers who had previously competed in the Combine there faced new conditions.

Driver on iRacing Simulators
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

The drivers passed that test Tuesday with flying colors.

After spending Monday at Hampton University with the fitness and iRacing evaluations, the drivers were eager to climb into one of three Late Models outfitted for the day-long practice session Tuesday. Each of the 20 drivers went out for individual sessions in the morning, and then returned to the car for longer single-car runs in the afternoon.

"It is a very demanding track," said Rev Racing CEO and owner Max Siegel. "We chose it initially so we can get a feel for the skills of the drivers. Our evaluation has expanded. We're giving them more seat time out there on the track. And just working here with the management at Langley Speedway and the NASCAR officials has been a great step for the program."

For many, like Paige Decker of Eagle River, Wis., it wasn’t just a new track, but a different car.

"I'm comfortable on this track, so it was really just learning how to ease into the gas," said Decker. "I'm used to driving a Super Late Model, so I'm trying to tone down my driving a lot for this kind of car."

Decker participated in the Combine last year. This year, her younger sister Claire and cousin Natalie also earned the opportunity to try out for the 2014 Rev Racing team.

Day 1 October 21 NASCAR
Drive For Diversity Combine

Driver on iRacing Simulators
(Getty Images for NASCAR)

Twenty drivers arrived in Hampton, Va., eager to show off their driving skills at the 2013 Drive For Diversity Combine. First, though, they were put through the paces Monday with the equally important off-track assessments at Hampton University.

This is the third year the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program – created in 2004 and now executed by Rev Racing – has partnered with Hampton. The NASCAR D4D program is designed to identify and train young female and diverse drivers at the grass roots level who demonstrate necessary talent to climb the ranks within the motorsport industries.

The drivers, who represent 12 U.S. states and Mexico and come from a wide array of racing experience, took part in physical training assessment as well as driver evaluation on Rev Racing’s iRacing simulators Monday.

“All of the drivers in this combine are going to come away from this experience better prepared as drivers,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president of public affairs and multicultural development. “In addition to gaining valuable seat time and direction from some of the leading officials in the sport, they’re also going to better understand the physical training that’s required to be successful in the sport.

“There really are no losers. One group – the group that’s selected – will obviously have an opportunity to race with Rev Racing. Those who aren’t selected will come away from this experience as better drivers.”

Langley Speedway hosted the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine
for the third straight year. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

The 2013 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Combine participants include:

1. Devon Amos, 22 Rio Rancho, N.M.
2. Annabeth Barnes, 18 Mooresville, N.C.
3. George Beasley, 21 Las Vegas, Nev.
4. Nicole Behar, 15 Otis Orchards, Wash.
5. Ryan Bernal, 19 Hollister, Calif.
6. Collin Cabre, 19 Thonotosassa, Fla.
7. Meagan Creech, 20 Ashland, Va.
8. Claire Decker, 18 Eagle River, Wis.
9. Paige Decker, 20 Eagle River, Wis.
10. Natalie Decker, 16 Eagle River, Wis.
11. Ruben Garcia, Jr., 17 Mexico City, Mexico
12. Blake Kisner, 18 Chanute, Kan.
13. Katlynn Leer, 14 St. Moulton, Iowa
14. Jack Madrid, 18 San Clemente, Calif.
15. Hannah Newhouse, 16 Twin Falls, Idaho
16. Sergio Pena, 20 Catharpin, Va.
17. Dylan Smith, 21 Randolph, Vt.
18. Kenny Stewart II, 16 Carson, Calif.
19. Cody Thompson, 20 Fremont, Calif.
20. Sam Wright, 18 Vancouver, Wash. 

An additional eight young drivers will join these 20 drivers on Oct. 23 and compete for the opportunity to drive for Rev Racing during the 2014 Summer Shootout Series in INEX Legends and Bandoleros.

1. Jairo Avila, 17 Alhambra, Calif.
2. Austin Geer, 11 Johns Creek, Ga.
3. Kylin Hammer, 11 Meadowview, Va.
4. Ryleigh Lemonds, 10 Yorktown, Va.
5. Enrique Limon, 15 Mexico City, Mexico
6. Jaiden Reyna, 7 Newport News, Va.
7. Ashley Rogero, 15 Naples, Fla.
8. Walter Thomas, 15 Indianapolis, Ind.