Heated NASCAR championship points battle brings thrills into Roseville Saturday

Oct. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- Bill Sullivan/ www.bmrnapa.com

ROSEVILLE, CA-  (10-12-13) – The energy is building in Placer and Sacramento counties as the big names and all the fanfare of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West is roaring into the All American Speedway this Saturday night. It's the Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by Ace Hardware and Incredible Solutions and its toting a heated battle for the coveted series championship into town.

As this competitive series takes to the tight 1/3 mile track on the Placer County Fairgounds, it is truly a spectacle for the fans with close door to door racing from start to finish and 24 hungry drivers eager to get to the front and working their way through lapped traffic early in the race to do so.  Roseville is a track that is has proven it is tough to tame for the best of drivers.

Derek Thorn comes into Roseville with a 20-point lead in the first of just three remaining events on the 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule. While Thorn's double digits may offer him some breathing room, such is not the case for those in his wake as the drivers sitting second through fourth are a mere nine points apart. Former champion Greg Pursley is second in the standings and just one point behind Cameron Hayley. Michael Self is in the fourth position, a mere nine points behind Pursley for the bridesmaid position.

Thorn's best finish at Roseville was fourth place in 2012. In just 33 career starts Thorn has five victories, 25 top fives and 28 top tens in his relatively young NASCAR career. This year alone Thorn has garnered three victories to his name. This will mark his third start at Roseville as he looks to maintain his double digit point lead before heading to Bakersfield and Phoenix to wrap up the season.

Pursley is a 2011 series champion who's best finish at Roseville was second place back in 2011. Saturday will mark the veteran driver's 82^nd career start. He has 17 wins to his name, 45 top five finishes and 60 top tens in his career. This season alone, Pursley has picked up four victories in search of the 2013 title.

Hayley will be looking for his first season win here Saturday night. The driver currently in third place has had three bridesmaid finishes to his name this year. He has led 206 laps in the 12 races thus far. In 31 career starts, Hayley has scored 16 top fives and 23 top tens. In two starts at Roseville he has finished in the top five both times with a career best finish here of third place in 2011.

Self has had much success on the Roseville pavement in the way of late model competition before advancing to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Luck has not been on the side of Self at this venue, his best finish here was 12^th in 2010. Self will be looking carry his season long momentum into a top finish at Roseville Saturday. In 55 career starts, Self has six overall wins, 20 top fives and 31 to tens. He is amidst a career best season with three victories in this season alone.

As the series top point runners bring a fierce battle to All American Speedway they will surely have to contend with the likes of three time NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion Eric Holmes. Holmes holds the record for overall wins at Roseville with four victories to his name on the track he calls home. Holmes has made 10 starts this season and is one spot out of the top ten in the point standings. He has captured victories in Roseville in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and has led a series high 654 laps at Roseville, more than twice the amount of any other driver.

Saturday's race will be the 15^th visit to All American Speedway by the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The 14 races that have taken place here have produced 10 different winners. Holmes is one of just two multi time winners here, joining with his former Bill McAnally Racing Teammate Paulie Harraka on that record. Harraka has two Roseville wins to his name. Toyota leads the manufacturer record here with six victories, all earned by Holmes and Harraka.

While the top drivers of the series dominate the point standings, track records and season long statistics one driver will be in the field that has more accolades and experience that any other driver Saturday night. Michael Waltrip, the two time Daytona 500 Champion and well known television commentator is a confirmed entry in Saturday's race. This will mark Waltrip's second start with the series this season. He finished 11^th at the recent event in Spokane.

Last year 31 cars attempted to make the 24 car starting grid at All American Speedway, This event routinely draws record car counts and capacity crowds that pack the grandstands for the largest one day event that takes place annually in Placer County. This year the event benefits the fight against breast cancer with $5 for every ticket sold being donated to the Placer Breast Cancer Endowment as they look to fund a fulltime chair at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Proceeds from Saturday's race are expected to help push the organization near its goal of 1.5 million dollars in funds.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series will be joined by Late Models Saturday night in the Matt Camp Memorial Twin 52/52. This fall classic is expected to draw record entries with over $14,000 in purse money up for grabs. Three divisions will be in action during the night, starting with the Legends of the Pacific, a division that is always one to watch at All American Speedway.

Throughout the day, the Placer County Fairgrounds will be home to various vendors, car shows and special attractions on the grounds making this more than just a Saturday night racing program. Race fans will be pleased to know they won't miss Saturday's Sprint Cup Race while attending the event as a big screen will be added to the midway to broadcast the live race from Charlotte during the night.  The grandstands will open at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Discount advanced  tickets are still on sale for $35. Juniors (ages 6-11) are $15 and children 5 years and under are free. By purchasing tickets in advance, race fans will save $5 and avoid long lines at the event.  Race fans can step it up a notch and purchase VIP Hospitality tickets for $65 which includes a VIP Grandstand ticket, dinner and beverages in theWells Fargo Hospitality Corral along with driver appearances, autograph sessions and souvenir gifts.  Group VIP Packages with added features for the Wells Fargo Hospitality Corral are still available by contacting Bill McAnally Racing Promotions at (916) 676-0100.

Purchase your tickets in person at Bill McAnally NAPA AutoCare Centers located at 900 Riverside Avenue in Roseville or at 8636 North Antelope Road in Antelope. Tickets can also be purchased at participating NAPA and Riebes Auto Parts stores or simply go online to purchase the discount tickets at www.BMRnapa.com where you can also find a complete schedule of race day action.  The biggest race of the year is coming to Roseville this weekend, don't miss it.