BNS: HOlland: Race report

Andy Santerre wins Busch North Series, Nascar Touring Gernatt Asphalt 150 at Holland.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 29, 2002) - Andy Santerre, of Harrisburg, N.C., earned a hard fought victory in Saturday night's Gernatt Asphalt 150 at Holland (N.Y.) International Speedway, the seventh race of the Busch North Series, NASCAR Touring season. Santerre, who became the first repeat winner on the Busch North Series in 2002, edged out former series champions Brad Leighton and Kelly Moore to take the checkered flag and a $10,325 prize. It was Santerre's 12th career Busch North Series victory.

From the opening laps, Saturday's Gernatt Asphalt 150 was a five-way battle. The lead changed hands eight times among Moore, Mike Olsen, Santerre, Matt Kobyluck and Leighton. This veteran group of drivers used every inch of the 3/8-mile track to hold their positions, resulting in some close racing and frequent contact between their racing machines.

Santerre had not raced at Holland since 1997, before he ventured to the NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division.

"We've always run well here, always in the top five," Santerre said. "It feels good to come here and win. The fans were great. It was a great day for us, I'm excited to be in victory lane. It's tough to win these races, these guys are all really good competitors."

Santerre started sixth and first made his way to the front with a bold pass underneath Olsen on lap 53. His first lead lasted 19 laps as Moore re-established himself in front on lap 72. Over the next 38 circuits, Santerre, Kobyluck, Santerre and Leighton continued to take turns at the point until Santerre settled in with 40 laps remaining.

Earlier in the evening, Martin Truex Jr. established a new track qualifying record with his Bud Pole qualifying speed of 14.373 seconds (93.926 mph). Truex's night did not improve, however, as the young driver finished 20th, three laps down.

-nascar-