Norris Take Winston West Series Victory Cameron FADES ON final LAP

Monroe, Wa (June 29, 2002) -  Eric Norris, of Dana Point, Calif., thrilled the crowd at Evergreen Speedway taking the win from Austin Cameron, of El Cajon, Calif., on the final lap of the NASCAR Winston West Series Coors Light 200.

above: Eric Norris races for his second win of the 2002 season at Evergreen Speedway

Bringing home his third career Winston West Series win Norris took the lead as Cameron's #16 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet ran out of fuel with less than one lap to go in the 200 lap race.

Cameron who started from the pole took early command of the race then made a crucial error on lap fifty-four. Missing the entrance to pit road Cameron circled the pits on the 3/8's track then reentered the race retaining his lead, but missing an all important tire change and refueling opportunity.

With the rest of the field on fresh tires Cameron  would surrender the lead to Kevin Richards, of Spokane, Wash., on lap sixty-two then fade into the pack.

Caution on lap seventy-one allowed Cameron's Orleans Racing pit crew to refuel and put on new tires.

Norris led the race from lap 81 to 102.

With new tires Cameron would prove his dominance marching through the field to retake the lead on lap 152.

Late in the race with laps running down Norris reeled in Cameron for a couple attempts to regain the front position with no success.

As the two front runners took the white flag it appeared Cameron would overcome his early race mistake and take the win. However when the checkers flew at the finish line, Norris was in the lead and Cameron was out of gas and creeping down the back straight.

Note of interest:

Eric Norris is tenth on the Winston West Series all time career money list at $428,713.00

Race Facts:

Time of race: 1 hour 50 minutes 57 seconds
Margin of victory: 1.84 seconds
Caution flags: Six for 32 (56-60, 73-78, 101-106, 110-115, 179-183)
Lap leaders: Austin Cameron 1-61, Kevin Richards 62-74, Dan Obrist 75-80, Eric Norris 81-102, Mike David 103-151, Cameron 152-199, Norris 200.
Six lead changes among five drivers.
NASCAR Winston West Series Championship Standings: 1. Eric Norris 834, 2. Austin Cameron 782, 3. Kevin Richards 761, 4. Mike Duncan 745, 5. Mike David 708, 6. Brandon Ash 693, 7. Greg Pursley 690, 8. Johnny Borneman 674, 9. Brett Thompson 658, 10. Scott Gaylord 657.
unofficial

Race Results

FP	Driver		Hometown	Make	Laps	Status
1		Eric Norris	Redondo Beach, Calif.	Ford	200	Running
2		Johnny Borneman	Ramona, Calif.	Ford	200	Running
3		Mike Duncan	Lamont, CA	Chevrolet	200	Running
4		Ed Watson	Mt. Vernon, Wash	Ford	200	Running
5		Mike David	Modesto, Calif.	Chevrolet	200	Running
6		Scott Gaylord	Lakewood, Colo.	Chevrolet	200	Running
7		Brandon Ash	Umpqua, Ore.	Ford	200	Running
8		Kevin Richards	Spokane, Washington	Chevrolet	200	Running
9		Dan Obrist	Portland, Ore.	Chevrolet	200	Running
10	#	Brett Thompson	Jerome, Idaho	Chevrolet	200	Running
11		Austin Cameron	El Cajon, Calif.	Chevrolet	199	Fuel
12		Tim Woods III	Chino Hills, Calif.	Ford	197	Running
13		Bobby Hillis	Phoenix, Ariz.	Chevrolet	192	Running
14		Takuma Koga	Bellevue, Wash.	Pontiac	190	Running
15	#	Greg Pursley	Sun Valley, Calif.	Ford	135	Running
16		Jeff Jefferson	Naches, Wash.	Chevrolet	102	Accident
17		Jeff Davis	Anaheim, Calif.	Chevrolet	45	Engine
18		Jack Sellers	Sacramento, Calif.	Chevrolet	45	Engine

# Indicates Winston West Series Rookie Status

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