Although Derek Thorn paced the entire event, he faced continual challenges from Cameron Hayley, who started from the pole position. Thorn wrestled the lead from Hayley at the drop of the initial green and then held him off following numerous restarts.

By Kevin W. Green, NASCAR

STOCKTON, Calif. - Derek Thorn dominated the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West competition at Stockton 99 Speedway on Saturday in winning the G-Oil 150.

It marked the third career series win for the 27-year-old from Lakeport, Calif., - who led all 150 laps of the event.

Sergio Pena grabbed second with a late-race move to get past Cameron Hayley. Luis Tyrrell, making his series debut, finished fourth, with three-time series champion Eric Holmes fifth.

Although Thorn paced the entire event, he faced continual challenges from Hayley, who started from the pole position. Thorn wrestled the lead from Hayley at the drop of the initial green and then held him off following numerous restarts.

The competition behind the lead duo was just as fierce, as competitors battled their way around the tight quarter-mile oval. Eight laps from the finish, Pena darted to the inside of the front two to make it three-wide for the lead coming through Turn 4. While he was not able to get by Thorn, Pena did get second from Hayley. The action behind them increased in intensity in the closing laps, with plenty of contact between numerous competitors.

With the win, Thorn took the points lead Cameron Hayley (88-84). Greg Pursley, who won the opener at Phoenix, dropped to third with 82 with a 10th-place finish.

Finishing sixth through 10th were Dallas Montes, Giles Thornton, Brett Thompson, Dylan Lupton and Pursley.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will next race Saturday, May 25 at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway.

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