Patrick Long returned to competition at Miller Motorsports Park in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race this weekend, dominating the proceedings. Having topped the timing charts during practice, he went on to claim his second Coors Light Pole Award in West Series action at Miller after claiming pole in 2009 as well. Long also set the track record for stockcars at Miller Motorsports Park in qualifying with a lap of 1 minute, 56.023 seconds – an average speed of 94.469 mph.
From the drop of the green flag, it was a tightly contested race, and at the start, the racers went three-wide into turn one. Long was passed by the 26 car in turn one, and he continued to pressure the driver, Greg Pursley, up to the race’s first caution period. On lap 11, Patrick reclaimed the lead with a pass in turn 22, but gave up the lead by pitting for fuel and tires on lap 14. As the pit stops cycled through, Long eventually re-ermerged in 2nd place behind the #17 of David Mayhew, who Patrick was able to pass in the bends on lap 19. Patrick continued to lead until lap 33, when with only two laps to go, a flat right-front tire caused him to surrender the lead. Long would eventually finish 22nd, though he was upbeat about how the race weekend went.
He said, “I had fun out there this weekend, and it was great to drive the #9 Grape King/Sunrise Ford/Lucas Oil Ford car around here. I’ve had some success here at Miller, both in stock cars and in sports cars, so while I’m disappointed not to have taken the win, it was good to show I’ve got pace in these K&N Pro Series West cars.”
Photos © Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR