WWS: Scott Lynch crowned 2003 champion

Las Vegas...Winning championships is nothing new to Orleans Racing and this season is no exception. Fielding Scott Lynch in the 08 Yerf-Dog/Orleans Dodge, this top ranked team earned the 2003 NASCAR Grand National Division, Winston West Series title.

Declared the champion when NASCAR cancelled the season finale at California Speedway due to the massive California wild fires, Lynch held down a 14-point lead. "Naturally we would rather have raced," said Lynch who became the second person in 50 years to win the Winston West crown in his rookie year. "Our hearts go out to all those people who have lost their homes and/or loved ones."

Running a total of twelve races, Lynch, who also earned Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors and the Bud Pole Award scored a total of three wins, Irwindale Speedway, Rocky Mountain Raceways and Phoenix International Speedway, three poles, plus seven top 5 and ten top 10 finishes.

"Winning both the Championship and the Raybestos Rookie of the Year title is just awesome," exclaimed an obviously pleased Lynch. "Our goal at the beginning of the year was simply to earn Rookie of the Year. Then as the season unfolded, we wanted to bring home both honors. Everyone on the Orleans team worked with that goal in mind and we did it. It was very much a team effort. The Orleans guys are absolutely the best and I certainly wouldn't have been able to do any of this without them and without the support of our major sponsor Yerf-Dog."

Winning this Championship also earned Lynch and Orleans Racing the distinction of being the first Dodge team to bring home a Winston West Championship since 1976 when Ray Elder took the title.

"We are really proud of Scott, the entire Orleans Racing team and Kroyer Racing Engines, who provides the power for our Yerf-Dog Dodge," added team owner Jim Lynch. Everyone on the team is extremely dedicated and professional and it is a pleasure to work with all of them."

"It really doesn't get much better than this," summed up Lynch. "We had a great year and are looking forward to another one next season."

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