NASCAR

WS: Iowa: Greg Pursley race notes

Pursley Still in Championship Hunt Despite Iowa Flat PARKER, AZ (May 20, 2009) Greg Pursley, driver of the Gene Price Motorsports/Star Nursery.Com Chevrolet on the NASCAR Camping World Series-West, left Iowa Speedway this past weekend ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:56 PM

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Pursley Still in Championship Hunt Despite Iowa Flat

PARKER, AZ (May 20, 2009) Greg Pursley, driver of the Gene Price Motorsports/Star Nursery.Com Chevrolet on the NASCAR Camping World Series-West, left Iowa Speedway this past weekend disappointed but still in contention for his first series title. Pursley rebounded from a flat tire early in the Long John Silver's "200" to finish the East/West challenge event but more importantly remains in the top five in the championship standings after five races.

Pursley qualified for the star studded race in the 19th position but quickly moved towards the front at the start of the race. But as Pursley was passing for the 12th position on lap 24, he ran over debris and cut a left rear tire as he exited turn two. Pursley pitted and the Gene Price Motorsports crew led by Danny Crafton changed left side tires and got him back out on track.

The 7/8-mile Iowa Speedway allows drivers to tour the ultra-fast oval in 30 seconds and that pace left Pursley three laps down after changing the flat. Over the rest of the 200-lap event, Pursley was able to run the leaders pace especially over the final fifty circuits.

Pursley finished 25th in the overall standings but managed a 12th performance among the drivers in the West, preserving his championship hopes. The finished dropped Pursley to fifth in the standings but only 63-points behind points leader Eric Holmes who finished 36th.

"We had a really fast race car but when you cut a tire there really isn't much you can do," Pursley said. "We missed it a bit in qualifying but we knew we would be good in the race and we were good. That tire costs us but that is the way it goes sometimes. It really could have been a lot worse if this was not a combination event."

On the season, Pursley has one win, three top five and four top ten finishes as he enjoys his first full season in the NCWS since 2002. "Gene Price has put a first class team together," Pursley said. "Danny Crafton is a fantastic crew chief and the rest of the guys do an awesome job. It is the first time I have been able to come to the track and not worry about the car. We'll put Iowa behind us and get ready for Roseburg."

Greg Pursley made his NCWS series debut back in 1999 at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, CA and had started 16 races in the series through last season. His career series totals include 21 starts, one win (Thunder Hill 2009), five top five and nine top ten performances. Pursley is the 2004 NASCAR Whelen All American Series national champion where he competed at Toyota Speedway and was a multi-time winner on the now defunct NASCAR Southwest Tour where he competed for many years.

The next event for Greg Pursley and the Gene Price Motorsports team is Saturday, June 6 at Douglas County Speedway in Roseburg, OR. Pursley is seeking his first top five finish at the tough and tricky half-mile paved fairgrounds oval.

-credit: gpPR

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