GPM Showdown Results Mixed

Gene Price Motorsports Driver Greg Pursley Derailed by Flat Tire

IRWINDALE, CA (January 31, 2010) – A day that was filled with optimism was slowly dashed after a flat tire late in the running of the seventh annual NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown relegated Greg Pursley to a 16th place finish in the marquee event. Pursley qualified third for the 225-lap contest and raced in the top ten most of the event before having to pit for a flat right rear on lap 216. Despite the finish, the Gene Price Motorsports was pleased with the performance of their Ford.

Pursley qualified 3rd in his GPM Performance Parts Ford and rand in the top five for the first 50-laps of the race but a tight condition meant he would have to just ride it out until the lap 100 break. The team made the necessary adjustments and over the first 20 laps of the second 100, Pursley quickly picked his way through the field and got back to the fourth position.

On lap 128, the 31 car lost power right in front of Pursley and he made contact damaging his front end causing him to drop through the field. The team caught a break on lap 135 when the caution flew so the team pitted for right side tires and repairs to the right front.

Pursley rejoined the fray in the 22nd position and by lap 150 had moved up to the 17th position when the race was red flagged for a multi-car incident. After racing resumed, Pursley had moved his way in sight of the top ten running 13th on lap 166.

A failing battery then hampered Pursley’s run on lap 176 and he had to nurse the car around the track until the lap 200 break. During the break the GPM team changed four tires, replaced the battery, and made additional repairs to the front end that was damaged earlier. Over the closing 25-laps, Pursley worked his way back to 16th where he finished.

“The race really did not play out like we had hoped,” said Pursley. “We had a good car but sometimes luck or lack-there-of play a big part in racing. The car worked really well and the crew did a fantastic job keeping us in contention. This race is all about the win, but we have a long season ahead of us and we feel real good about our performance and are chances during the year.”

GPM also fielded a second car for Candace Muzny who started deep in the field after finishing third in the non-qualifiers race and ran in the top 20 most of the event before a late race incident damaged her suspension and nixed a good run. Muzny was running 14th before she retired on lap 208 and finished in 24th. “I had a great time racing in the Showdown,” Muzny said. “I need to thank Gene Price for the opportunity and the whole crew for making this happen. I hope we can do a few more races this year and this race proved we can be competitive.”

Greg Pursley enters his third full season of competition in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in 2010 is sponsored by Gene Price Motorsports, GPM Performance Parts, Star Nursery, Oakley,  Ron’s Rear Ends, and Finish Line Signs & Designs. Pursley has 29 career series starts with one win (Thunder Hill 2009), ten top five and 16 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 K&N Pro Series opens Saturday, March 27 at All-American Speedway in Roseville, CA at the tight and tricky one-third mile paved oval. Log onto www.genepricemotorsports.com for the latest news and information about Gene Price Motorsports and driver Greg Pursley.