WS: Mesa Marin: Goodyear Racing race notes

LYNCH USES TIRE STRATEGY TO WIN NASCAR WEST RACE

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (April 9, 2005) -- Scott Lynch used some smart tire strategy to come from behind in the final laps and win the Lucas Oil 150 NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series race at Mesa Marin Raceway.

Goodyear is the exclusive tire supplier for the Grand National Division, which includes the Busch North Series.

Lynch changed right side tires during a caution period with 20 laps remaining in the 150-lap race, then cut through the lead lap cars. He grabbed the lead from David Gilliland with four laps to go and held on to the top spot.

"As soon as we put on the two right side tires, we moved by everyone," Lynch said.

Gilliland finished second. Steve Portenga took third, Mike David was fourth and Mike Duncan finished fifth. Duncan was the Bud Pole Award winner, averaging 93.502 mph in qualifying.

The victory was the seventh for Lynch in West Series competition and his first of 2005. He averaged 66.914 mph and his margin of victory was 1.05 seconds.

The half-mile track at Mesa Marin falls in the short track category Goodyear established for the Grand National Division. Goodyear supplied the D1470 (left side) and D1471 (right side) bias-ply tires for the Mesa Marin race. Lynch said he has been happy with the short track pairing.

"You can get them real hot and then back off and let them cool off and they come back," Lynch said. "They come back and give you an opportunity to come back."

The race sported a field of 23 starters.

"The tires we supplied for this event performed flawlessly, which we expected," said Chad Fletcher, marketing manager. "Goodyear has a long history at Mesa Marin, both with various touring series and as the tire supplier for the track's weekly programs."

The race was carried live on television by HDNet.

Gilliland left the race leading the Series standings with 355 points. Duncan is next with 300.

-goodyear-