Eggleston looks for strong NASCAR K&N Pro Series finish | Auburn Journal
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West returns to Northern California this week for the Toyota NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 presented by TriCo Welding Supplies at All American Speedway on Saturday. The third-mile oval in Roseville is known for exciting, door-to-door, short track racing action. It’s the kind of competition in which series veteran Chris Eggleston excels. The 2015 series champion from Erie, Colorado finished second last year at Roseville and was third there in 2015. Based on the banner season he’s having, another podium finish could be anticipated this year for the driver of Bill McAnally Racing’s No. 99 NAPA Filters / H20 Fire Protection Toyota Camry. His career-best season this year includes four wins, 10 top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes in 12 starts – along with four pole awards. He has an average finish of 3.08 in the 12 races. Despite his stellar performance, Eggleston is second in the championship standings. To win a second series title, he will need to get past his BMR teammate Todd Gilliland. Roseville is one of two events remaining of the 14-race season schedule and Gilliland, the defending series champion, holds an 11-point lead in the standings. “It’s been amazing to be part of such a successful organization as Bill McAnally Racing over the last three and a half years,” Eggleston said. “I would say that the 2017 season has been one of our best, with four wins already. “I felt like we let a couple wins slip away, at Roseburg and Meridian,” he said. “They would have certainly put us a little better in the championship hunt. Eleven points is going to be really hard to overcome with just two races left. Nevertheless, we’re not going down without a fight and we’re going to do everything we can to put this No. 99 NAPA Filters Toyota in Victory Lane at the next two races.” Eggleston and Gilliland have dominated the series competition this season, combining to win 10 of the 12 races. Together with their BMR teammate, rookie Derek Kraus, they have led 1,496 of the 1,689 laps run in the series so far this season. The three BMR drivers are 1-2-3 in the championship standings. Gilliland – who was born in California, but moved with his family to North Carolina when he was a youngster – has garnered six wins, six poles, nine top-five, and 11 top-10 finishes this season behind the wheel of BMR’s No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry. The 17-year-old third-generation driver has had a busy year, running the full schedules in both the East and West divisions of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. He finished second in the championship standings for the K&N East, after being sidelined early in the season finale for that division two weeks ago. Kraus – a 16-year-old from Stratford, Wisconsin – drives BMR’s No. 19 Carlyle Tools Toyota Camry. His seven top-five and eight top-10 finishes this season include three runner-up finishes. In addition to being third in the overall standings, he leads the freshman class in contending for the prestigious rookie title. BMR has had a winning record at All American Speedway as its hometown track – with seven victories in 13 series races since 2008. Three-time series champion Eric Holmes, who now serves as a spotter and driver coach for BMR, scored the most wins at Roseville – with four. All American Speedway has hosted 18 series events, dating back to 1977. BMR will get the weekend underway with its traditional kickoff party and reception at their facilities at 900 Riverside Avenue in Roseville on Friday evening. The VIP event will feature a special driver meet-and-greet. BMR will also provide NAPA guests special rides at the speedway in the two-seater NAPA Toyota on Friday. A midway full of activities is slated at the track on Saturday – including a classic car show, a live band, and numerous vendors. A large turnout is anticipated at the hospitality event, with NAPA and Toyota being well-represented. Guests will also be treated to a VIP experience that includes a pit tour. The Toyota NAPA AUTO PARTS 150 is to be televised on NBCSN on Oct. 19 at 12:30 p.m. PT. The grandstands open Saturday, Oct. 14, at 4 p.m., with racing slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $35 and may be purchased in advance online at www.BMRNAPA.com or by calling (916) 676-0010. The host hotel for this year’s October Classic is the Hampton Inn & Suites of Roseville.
http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/10/11/17/eggleston-looks-strong-nascar-kn-pro-series-finish
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