15-year-old Todd Gilliland wins NASCAR K&N Pro Series race

Posted November 12, 2015 6:00 am

The Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Todd Gilliland won the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race Thursday night at age 15 to become the youngest winner in Phoenix International Raceway's 52-year history.

Gilliland is the son of NASCAR Sprint Cup driver David Gilliland. He won an ARCA Series race in Toledo, Ohio, in May, two days after his 15th birthday.

"It's really special to have my dad here, and I couldn't thank my crew, Frontline Enterprises, Toyota, and (car owner) Bill McAnally Racing enough," Gilliland said.

Gilliland took the lead after J.J. Haley's dominating run ended with a blown tire with six laps to go. Haley led every lap until the wreck.

"Good golly, can you believe it?" David Gilliland said. "He's good. I'll tell you what, he's good. I'm so proud of him and everybody. It's a brand new car for us, and man we just got to thank God. God gave us the power to work and get this car done, and God has given Todd an amazing ability to drive the race car and do things that guys like Kyle Busch can do. I'm just really proud of him. Man, I love that boy."

Chris Eggleston finished 10th to win the K&N Pro Series West season championship.

Seventeen-year-old William Byron was second in the race.

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