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July 26, 2003 Irwindale Speedway NWWS News Recap
For Immediate Release
LYNCH CRUSHES COMPETITION IN KING TACO 200
IN WINSTON WEST SERIES EVENT AT IRWINDALEIRWINDALE, Calif. (July 26, 2003)
Most college seniors are busy studying during the final week before graduation. Scott Lynch had a good reason not to crack a book, however. Lynch, who is slated to complete his studies this week at the University of Utah, was busy crushing his competition en route to winning the King Taco 200 at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway on July 26."I brought my computer along with me this weekend to do some studying, but I never got to it," Lynch said after the victory. "Im going to be a little behind schedule, but it was definitely worth it for the win."
The 23-year-old series rookie from Burley, Idaho, dominated much of the 200-lap event on the half-mile Southern California oval. He won the Bud Pole Award, his second of the season, with a lap of 96.957 mph in the Yerf-Dog/The Orleans Dodge. He went on to lead the most laps, setting the pace for the first 89 circuits and later leading the final 89 laps en route to the win.
Lynch won by .702 of a second, at an average speed of 73.126 mph. He netted $7,945 in prize money and posted awards, including the Bud Pole Award and the Raybestos Brakes Rookie of the Race Award.
Series veteran Kevin Richards of Spokane, Wash., finished second in the Monaco Enterprises/Jerry Springer Chevrolet with Mike David of Modesto, Calif., a close third in the Injury Helpline,com Ford. Scott Gaylord of Lakewood, Colo., came home fourth in the Oliver Gravity Separators/Denver Seminary Chevrolet followed by Brett Thompson of Jerome, Idaho, in the Rich Thompson Trucking Chevrolet. Mike Duncan, Steve Portenga, Tim Woods III, Brandon Miller and Mark Reed completed the top 10.
The race featured five lead changes among four drivers Lynch, Portenga, Miller and Johnny Borneman. Lynch led much of the first half of the race, before heading for the pits and relinquishing the top spot to Portenga. Borneman assumed the lead two laps later, when Portenga pitted, also. Miller slipped by on lap 109 but ended up sliding along the wall after contact with Borneman. Lynch took command on lap 112 and never looked back.
His performance was reminiscent of that of two-time series champion Brendan Gaughan, who swept three events at Irwindale in 2001. Gaughan, an emerging star in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, has served as a mentor for Lynch this season, His Orleans Racing team also provides support for Lynch, preparing and servicing his car at some events.
"When we came out and tested, he came with me," Lynch said of Gaughan. "He would get in and out of the car. So, we would discuss various conditions. We communicated with each other, driver to driver. It was awesome to have him come out and help. With him winning here like he did, its really good to have that resource to call on."
Lynch, who became the seventh different winner in seven races this season in the Winston West Series, moved to within one point of Portenga in the chase for the championship. Portenga leads with 1,068 over Lynch with 1,067. Duncan is third with 1,051, followed by Gaylord with 1,039 and Richards with 1,020. Rounding out the top 10 are Borneman at 983, Jim Inglebright at 975, Mark Reed at 940, Thompson at 936 and Gene Woods at 843.
The next event on the Winston West Series schedule is at Stockton (Calif.) 99 Speedway on Aug. 16.
For Further Information Contact:
Kevin W. Green, NASCAR Winston West Series
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations