Gillilands celebrate Father's Day week late

SONOMA -- Eric Holmes' misfortune was David Gilliland's lucky break.

Gilliland won Saturday's NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race after taking the lead on lap 44 — right after Holmes' engine blew up. The Escalon stock car driver had led 13 laps before his smoke poured from under his hood.

Gilliland did not relinquish the lead in the Pick-n-Pull Racing to Stop Hunger 200, and claimed his second victory in the series on the road course. Gilliland also won in 2007.

David's father, Butch, won 15 West series races, including two at Sonoma. He flew in from Dubai to attend the race and accept induction into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame on Thursday. He was introduced at the ceremony by his son.

"It's been a great week for me," David Gilliland said. "To have my father fly in from Dubai where he lives now and then to win this race was pretty awesome.

Gilliland was followed by Derek Thorn, Greg Pursley, Jim Inglebright and points leader Dylan Kwasniewski.

Gilliland will also start 27th in his regular Sprint Cup ride in today's Toyota/Save Mart 350.

Holmes finished 23rd after qualifying third and having Friday's best practice times. It's the first time in six years Holmes has not finished in the top 5. He fell to fifth in the standings, 64 points behind Kwasniewski. The race will be shown on the Speed channel on July 12 at noon.