MOTOR RACING : Gilliand Gets His First Victory in Passing Lane

About the only thing Butch Gilliand didn’t pass on was his chance to claim the first victory of his career on the Winston West Tour.

Gilliand’s eight-year drought ended Saturday night when he held off Doug George in the 200-lap main event at Saugus Speedway.

“Hey, hopefully this is the first of many more victories to come,” the Anaheim resident said.

Gilliand, who had not won in 65 previous races, ran away from the field once he took the lead from Ernie Cope on Lap 34. He built a lead of nearly a full lap until a yellow flag was thrown on Lap 65.

Of 18 cars that started, Gilliand lapped all but four.

“The track was in the best condition I’ve seen Saugus in,” Gilliand said. “After five laps I knew we were in a good situation.”

He held the lead until Lap 100 when he and the next three drivers stopped to to change tires. Gilliand re-entered in third place but had to pit again because of loose lug nuts on his rear wheels.

“That was a costly mistake,” Gilliand said. “Fortunately we worked it out.”

Cope and Wayne Jacks took turns as the pacesetter for several laps until Gilliand and George resumed their battle.

Gilliand took the lead for good on Lap 158 when he dove hard to the inside while passing George coming out of Turn 2.

Last week, George, who is the points leader on the tour, barely defeated Gilliand in Portland, Ore.

T.K. Karvasek posted his fourth consecutive feature victory in the 25-lap main.