Lynch Takes Advantage After Newhouse Falls Back

Nick Lynch of Burley, Idaho, won the Western National of the American Race Truck Series before a crowd of 4,988 at Irwindale Speedway on Saturday night.

“It was a pretty good night. My truck was running great,” he said.

Not so for John Newhouse, who appeared to be headed for a victory before his truck had mechanical problems with six laps to go.

Newhouse, of Twin Fall, Idaho, started 10th but led the 30-truck field for most of the race after he passed Lynch on lap 10. But he slowed down after his truck started smoking and limped home in 25th place.

Lynch, 18, the pole-sitter, regained his early lead on lap 44 after Newhouse pulled out and earned $2,500 by easily holding off Deyon Young of Las Vegas by 3.083 seconds. David Lyon of West Covina finished third.

In other races, Troy Decuir of Moreno Valley won the Mini Stockar race, Jim Smith of Orange won the Legends race, and Mike Wright of Joshua Tree won the MSRA Pro Four Modifieds.