Cole Rouse clinched his first career win in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with a thrilling victory at All American Speedway on Saturday night in the NAPA AutoCare/Roseville Toyota 200 presented by TriCo Welding Supplies and the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.
The 21-year-old from Fort Smith, Arkansas pulled away after a late-race restart and won a five-lap dash to the finish – taking the checkered flag in the Bill McAnally Racing No. 99 NAPA Belts & Hoses Toyota Camry with a margin of victory of .506 seconds.
Rouse was not to be denied after having a win slip away on the last lap in the most recent series race two weeks ago in Meridian, Idaho. He had finished second in three of the previous four races before Saturday.
“I’m glad we pulled it off for all these guys who have worked so hard all year and been so close,” Rouse said. “A little luck came my way tonight. It’s the craziest race I’ve ever been a part of. “
The victory marked the eighth win by BMR at the team’s home track.
“That’s another reason it’s cool to win here,” Rouse said. “Bill McAnally puts so much time and effort into Roseville’s speedway and to get the win for him, all the guys at Toyota Racing, NAPA Filters, NAPA Belts & Hoses, and everyone involved is a huge feeling. Hopefully, we can move forward with this win and go win Kern.”
Rouse dashed into the lead from the pole at the drop of the green flag and paced the early laps, but relinquished the top spot on a restart following the initial caution of the night. He settled into second and appeared content to shadow the leader and be ready to strike when he got the opportunity. He mounted a challenge late in the race and flexed his muscle to pull away following the final restart of the night.
Rouse led a contingent of four BMR drivers entered in the 200-lap event on the tight third-mile oval. Hailie Deegan, who started beside Rouse on the outside of the front row, battled back from being a lap down late in the race to finish seventh in the No. 19 Mobil 1/NAPA Power Premium Plus Toyota Camry.
Chris Eggleston, the 2015 series champion who was making a return to BMR and the series for Saturday’s event, qualified fourth in the No. 50 NAPA Filters Toyota Camry and worked his way into the lead in the second half of the race. His night came to an abrupt end, however, when his throttle appeared to stick and he hit the Turn 3 wall on Lap 150.
Derek Kraus qualified seventh in the No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota Camry and was making his way to the front early on when contact from another car sidelined him for repairs through much of the race. He returned late in the event, but ended up finishing 15th.
With his win, Rouse solidified his position second in the championship standings – 26 points out of the lead. He has one win, seven top-five, and 12 top-10 finishes in 13 starts this season.
Kraus – a 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver from Stratford, Wisconsin – is fourth in the standings. He leads the series this season with three wins and five poles – along with seven top-five, and nine top-10 finishes.
Deegan, also a 17-year-old NASCAR Next driver, leads the rookie points and is fifth in the overall standings. The Temecula, California driver has one win, one pole, five top-five, and 11 top-10 finishes.
NAPA and Toyota were well represented at Saturday’s event, which featured a VIP Hospitality event.
The Roseville race is slated to be televised on NBCSN on Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. PT.
The next event on the K&N Pro Series West schedule will be the season finale NAPA AUTO PARTS 175 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame at Kern County Raceway Park near Bakersfield, California on Oct. 27.
Bill McAnally Racing PR
