Nick Drake captured his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West victory Thursday night at the Phoenix International Raceway after surviving a green-white-checker finish. It was all a walk in the park for the 18-year-old as he led the race wire-to-wire. Drake, who was driving the No. 99 NAPA Toyota, had a slight scare late into the race as he made contact with teammate Cole Custer that caused a fender rub on the right front tire. That did not stop him though as he went on to score the win from the pole position.
Gray Gaulding, who won this particular event last fall, came home in the runner-up spot. Gaulding came from sixth to score his second career top-five finish in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West division in only his fifth start. The 16-year-old will certainly use this as momentum heading into next season as he looks to score the 2015 East championship.
Cole Custer will leave the Phoenix International Raceway with a third-place finishing effort. Custer started the evening from fourth and stayed inside the top-10 for the entire running. The run tonight will give the 16-year-old his second career K&N Pro Series West top-five finish in his only fifth start. Given their past history, Custer walked over to Gaulding following the race to shake hands after the two drivers had numerous battles with each other all season long.
Greg Pursley finished the race in ninth but found himself doing victory donuts at the end of the night after capturing his second career NASCAR K&N Pro Series West title. Pursley’s first championship came back in 2011 at the age of 43. Before the Casino Arizona 100 got underway, team owner Gene Price announced that the team was shutting down after tonight. The championship this evening marks their third title in the last four years. Pursley entered the race in his No. 26 Ford needing to finish 17th or better.
About Me: Brett has been following the sport of NASCAR since the beginning of the 2006 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Since Brett was 13, he has had a passion of chasing a job in sports that not many get the opportunity of doing. He has been in the NASCAR media since the middle of the 2010 season. Since then, he has been a part of many racing podcast shows to improve his talents. He has written for racingonfuel.com and theracingwheel.com. Currently, Brett writes for motorsportsnat.com and TracksideChatter.com. You can find him on twitter @NASCAR_Brett.
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