Garcia Grabs Pole for Suncrest 200

The north end of the Antelope Valley could be called bleak by some. Dust devils swirl in the afternoon sun, while jackrabbits roam the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains.

But if you ask any of the 37 stock car drivers here what they think, they’d describe it as a promised land.

That’s because they’ll be racing for more than $37,000 in prize money in today’s NASCAR Winston West Suncrest Motorhomes 200 at the Willow Springs racetrack.

“It’s going to be really good,” said Winston West point leader Jim Robinson before Saturday’s qualifying. Robinson even made a prediction: “The car’s going quick without abusing it, so it looks like a place in the front row.”

Would you believe the third row?

That’s where Robinson ended up, qualifying fourth with an average speed of 100.755 m.p.h. behind Ruben Garcia. Garcia, of South El Monte, took the pole position with an average speed of 101.955 m.p.h. on the 2.5--mile road course. Bill Schmitt of Redding qualified second at an average speed of 101.355, while Hershel McGriff, who trails in the points standings by only 16 points, qualified third with an average speed of 101.340 m.p.h.