July 26, 2003 Irwindale Speedway, Post-Race Notes For Immediate Release NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL DIVISION, WINSTON WEST SERIES POST-RACE NOTES – IRWINDALE KING TACO 200, JULY 26 Seven races, seven different winners … The seven Grand National Division, Winston West Series races this year have produced seven different race winners. Rookie challenge … Raybestos Brakes Rookie of the Year contender Scott Lynch (No. 08 Yerf-Dog/The Orleans Dodge) is challenging for the lead in the overall championship chase. With his victory at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway, he moved within one point of the points lead. Only one driver in the history of the series was able to win the championship in his rookie year – Lance Hooper in 1996. Tops among rookies … Lynch continues to dominate in the chase for this year’s Raybestos Brakes Rookie of the Year Award. The 23-year-old from Burley, Idaho, was the top finishing rookie in six of the seven races so far this season. Streak continues … Steve Portenga (No. 77 King Taco Ford) finished seventh in the King Taco 200, to extend his string of top-10 finishes this year. He is the only driver in the series to finish in the top 10 in all seven races so far this season. Leading money winner … Portenga continues to be the leading money winner in the series this year. With his winnings from Irwindale, including the $10,000 Winston bonus he received prior to the race – his winnings for the season hit $48,602. Biggest move … Scott Gaylord (No. 00 Oliver Gravity Separators/Denver Seminary Chevrolet) became the first driver this season to win the POWERade Power Move of the Race Award more than once. Gaylord advanced the most positions at Irwindale – starting 14th and finishing fourth. First top-10 finish … Brandon Miller (No. 68 Lucas Oil Chevrolet) crossed the finish line in ninth to net his first career top-10 finish. Tight overall points battle … The overall battle for the championship this year in the Winston West Series continues to be one of the closest in the history of the series. Only 93 points separate the top seven drivers in the standings. Owner standings … Car owner Christina Adair (No. 3 Royal Bath & Body Products Pontiac) continues to lead in the championship standings among series car owners. She holds a 14-point margin over Joe Nava (No. 77 King Taco Ford) – 1,082 to 1,068. Close chase for Manufacturers’ Championship … The chase for the Manufacturers’ Championship in the series has turned into a wide open challenge – with all four makes visiting victory lane this season. Pontiac leads the way with 45 points, followed closely by Chevrolet with 44. Ford trails with 34, while Dodge has 31. Air time … The King Taco 200 at Irwindale Speedway is scheduled to air on the SPEED Channel cable network at 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 18. For Additional Information, Contact: Kevin W. Green, NASCAR Public Relations Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations