Robinson Takes 3rd in Portland Race

Jim Bown, a native of Portland, Ore., gave hometown fans something to cheer about Thursday, beating Winston West point leader Jim Robinson of Reseda in the G.I. Joe’s/Valvoline 201 stock car race at Portland Speedway.

Robinson took third on the half-mile oval track, behind Bown and Hershel McGriff of Bridal Veil, Ore. Glen Steurer of Simi Valley was fourth. Bob Kennedy of Thousand Oaks finished ninth.

Robinson led the race after 50 laps but developed tire trouble that affected his cornering. After an early pit stop for adjustments, brake problems developed.

“As the race went on, we were going into the corners harder and harder and I overheated the right rear tire,” Robinson said after the race. “I just couldn’t run as fast as Jim.”

Despite the finish, Robinson remains ahead of Bown and McGriff in Winston West points. Steurer, the circuit’s top rookie-of-the-year candidate, is fourth.