Photo – William Mancebo/Getty Images
Rookie James Bickford made a late-race pass on Greg Pursley to win his first career K&N West race in Idaho.
For the longest time, it appeared David Mayhew was the driver to beat by leading the first 97 laps of the race.
Bickford’s Bob Bruncati Racing Dylan Lupton made things interesting by getting around the No. 17 car for the lead on the next lap before Mayhew got it back on lap 100.
Mayhew led until a caution for an Anthony Giannone spin with 25 laps to go bunched up the field.
On the ensuing restart, Lupton re-took the lead until Pursley made slight contact with Mayhew, who then got into Lupton.
Pursley then took the lead after the contact and looked to win the first K&N West race at State Line Speedway since 1985.
Bickford then made the pass for the win on lap 146 of 150 and never looked back to score the first win in K&N West and for his car owner Bruncati.
The 16-year-old driver is the cousin of four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon.
Braeden Havens gave his home-state fans something to cheer about after he won the pole for Saturday’s night race.
Unofficially, Pursley increases his points lead over Lupton by 27 and 34 over Brandon McReynolds.
The race will air on Friday, July 25 at 4 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 Top-Ten