NASCAR Winston West Series Report and Results and Standings from Las Vegas
27 February 1998
Las Vegas, NV - Kevin Harvick, of Bakersfield, CA picked up his first career NASCAR Winston West Series victory and moved in to the series points lead at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb. 25. Harvick started on the pole in his Spears Manufacturing Chevrolet Monte Carlo after setting fast time in time trials with a speed of 163.820 mph around the 1.5 mile oval to claim the Bud Pole award. Starting the 100 lap event from the pole, Harvick immediately took charge, and attempted to pull away from the pack. Four cautions in the first half of the race slowed the pace and allowed the field to bunch up behind the leader. Harvick was able to maintain the lead until he headed to the pits on lap 46 under caution. Brendan Gaughan in the Orleans Chevrolet worked his way from ninth starting position into second by lap 40 while the biggest charge through the field was accomplished by Gary Smith who was forced to take a provisional to start 32nd and then by lap 60 was in the runner-up position. When Harvic relinquished the lead T.J. Clark took over briefly on the point before he also pitted his 30th starting Mountasia/ASE Chevrolet. Jeff Davis then inherited the lead on lap 49 and held on through the halfway mark to claim the Gatorade Front Runner Award on lap 56. One lap later Harvick charged back into the lead while Davis began to fade back in the field. Series rookie Tony Toste of Pismo Beach, CA worked his way into second spot as the laps began to wind down followed by Jerry Glanville of Roswell, GA in the Unifirst Uniforms Ford. When a caution came out with one lap remaining it was a dash to the white and yellow flags and Harvick was the leader as they crossed under the flagstand. Toste ended up in second with Glanville right on his bumper to nab third. Fourth went to Randy Nelson of El Cajon, CA in the Rhino Linings Ford with Boris Said of Carlsbad, CA in the Federated Auto Parts Ford rounding out the top five. In the NASCAR Winston West Series points standings, Harvick is now the front runner with 314 points followed by Sean Woodside at 298, Gary Smith and Kelly Tanner are tied for third at 296 and Butch Gilliland is fifth with 295. NASCAR WINSTON WEST SERIES RESULT pos Driver Hometown Laps Purse Car 1. Kevin Harvick Bakersfield, CA 100 $15,850 Chev 2. Tony Toste Pismo Beach, CA 100 9,940 Chev 3. Jerry Glanville Roswell, GA 100 8,210 Ford 4. Randy Nelson El Cajon, CA 100 6,000 Ford 5. Boris Said Carlsbad, CA 100 5,700 Ford 6. Gary Smith Malahat, BC 100 4,588 Pont 7. Kelly Tanner Woodinville, WA 100 3,750 Pont 8. Jeff Davis Anaheim Hills, CA 100 4,488 Ford 9. Sean Woodside Suagus, CA 100 4,838 Pont 10. Ron Burns Phoenix, AZ 100 3,475 Ford 11. Rick Scribner Loomis, CA 100 3,488 Chev 12. Darrel Krentz Sparks, NV 100 2,800 Ford 13. Kenny Smith El Monte, CA 100 4,288 Chev 14. Scott Gaylord Lakewood, CO 99 4,188 Chev 15. Craig Raudman Redding, CA 99 2,600 Chev 16. Butch Gilliland Anaheom, CA 98 2,988 Ford 17. Davey Manthei W Richland, WA 97 2,300 Chev Accdnt 18. Bruce Bechtel Corona, CA 97 2,200 Chev 19. Brendan Gaughan Las Vegas, NV 96 2,100 Chev 20. Wayne Jacks Las Vegas, NV 96 3,588 Chev 21. Bill McAnally Elverta, CA 96 3,488 Chev 22. Pappy Pryor Priest Lake, ID 95 3,388 Chev 23. Blair Aiken Lakeport, CA 94 1,700 Chev 24. T.J. Clark Chandler, AZ 91 1,600 Chev 25. Kevin Culver Portland, OR 81 3,088 Chev Trmsn 26. Billy Kann Tempe, AZ 70 2,088 Chev Ful Ln 27. Lance Norick Oklahoma City, OK 69 1,500 Chev Accdnt 28. Larry Gunsleman Sierra Village, CA 45 3,088 Ford Radtr 29. Brandon Ash Umpqua, OR 43 2,088 Ford Accdnt 30. Kevin Richards Spokane, WA 32 2,088 Chev Axle 31. Gary Collins Bakersfield, CA 19 2,088 Chev Suspn 32. Austin Cameron Santee, CA 16 1,500 Chev Accdnt 33. Michael Alsup Bakersfield, CA 4 2,500 Ford Ignitn 34. Bob Howard Colorado Springs,CO 1 1,500 Chev Accdnt 35. Craig Rayburn Simi Valley, CA 1 3,088 Chev Accdnt Time of Race: 1 hr 21 min 21 secs Margin of Victory: Under Caution Cautions: 7 for 29 laps Lap Leaders: Harvick, Clark, Davis NASCAR WINSTON WEST SERIES POINTS 1. Kevin Harvick 314 2. Sean Woodside 298 3. Gary Smith 296 4. Kelly Tanner 296 5. Butch Gilliland 295 6. Tony Toste 288 7. Craig Raudman 261 8. Davey Manthei 246 9. Scott Gaylord 242 10. Gary Collins 240 John Kaiser -- The Auto Channel