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Stockton 99 heads for the finish line
SCOTT LINESBURGH
Record Staff Writer
Published Sunday, Mar 26, 2006
STOCKTON - Dave Philpott is sure that Stockton 99 Speedway is going to get a
heck of a farewell party.
The 60th and final season at Stockton 99 begins April 2. and it promises to be
an emotional journey to the finale on Sept. 16. Some of the most famous names in
track history are going to drive their haulers through the back gate and unload
their cars and their memories.
They figure the rugged little oval deserves the proper send off.
And that means one more season of good, hard, bumper-to-bumper short track
racing.
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"The best way to honor that track is to go out there and have a great year of
racing," said Philpott, a former race champion from Tracy whose family has been
involved with the track for 40 years. "That's what it's always been about.
Exciting racing, good competition, giving the fans their money's worth."
Philpott, 46, is returning as the crew chief for his son, Justin, 16, and may
drive a few races. He's just one of several former champions and stars drawn by
the final season.
Harry Belletto of Modesto will drive once again, Ron Strmiska Sr. and Ron
Strmiska Jr. of Manteca are back, and Dave Byrd also is returning, along with
many others.
"My first thought when I heard the stories of the closing was that we had to go
back," Byrd said. "It's such an exhilarating ride as a driver and is steeped in
the story of our sport. With everyone that is coming, it's going to be a great
season."
Even Stockton 99's most famous graduate, 1977 champ and Daytona 500 winner Ernie
Irvan, said he got the urge to return at least for a practice spin when he heard
the track was closing.
"If I was out there, yeah, it would be tempting to at least take a practice lap
for old time's sake," Irvan said. "It's a shame it's going away, it's well known
nationally as one of the toughest short tracks around, and the reputation is
deserved."
They are showing respect for a track that challenges the drivers and has usually
had strong fan support.
Stockton 99 became the first NASCAR track west of the Mississippi when it joined
NASCAR in 1954 and has been home to stars such as Irvan, Jack McCoy, Johnny
Brazil and Allison Duncan.
While other tracks came and went, Stockton 99 has operated without interruption
for 60 years.
That streak is scheduled to end, but some still will not allow themselves to
believe the engines will stop running in September.
Pete Anderson Jr. fell in love with racing watching from the grandstands at age
5. Last season he became the first Stockton resident to win the premiere NASCAR
Western Late Model title.
And he's holding hope that a miracle could happen.
"There's a part of me that doesn't believe that it will close," Anderson said.
"I just won't believe it's closing until I see it."
The old track is unlikely to get a reprieve. Track co-owners Bob Hunefeld and
Ken Clapp said the sale of the property to land developers is pending, but
expect the transaction to go smoothly.
"This is it, and I understand why everyone is so emotional about it because I'm
emotional about the track closing," Clapp said. "I think by September I could be
a mess."
Philpott's memories of a lifetime at the track came flooding back to him when he
went to Stockton 99 for the first time in three years for a practice session. He
was a young child when he would go to watch his father, John Philpott. Other
members of Dave's family raced at Stockton 99, he won two titles in the 1990s
and now he's training Justin.
"It's already a little emotional," Philpott said. "I wanted to come back
because it was the final season and I wanted Justin to get a season here because
it is the best training ground around. We have a full season ahead, but to stand
here and think that this is it makes you kind of sad."
Belletto also considers racing a bonding experience. His sons Jeff and Steve
drive, and family dinners are often filled with talk of the latest races and
controversies at the track.
"Our family fell in love with racing at that track," said Belletto, 63. "I
started at the Stockton 99 in 1970, would bring the family along, and everyone
loved it."
It can bring families together, and tear cars apart. It's a tight, dangerous
track that was a challenge for drivers from the first race.
Stockton 99 opened in 1947, and one of the first decisions made would affect the
drivers for six decades.
Founding owner Billy Hunefeld and partner Stan Moore disagreed whether the turns
should be flat or at a steep angle. They compromised and did one turn each way.
Competitors have been vexed for six decades.
"Man, I remember those nasty turns, and how hard it was to judge them," Irvan
said. "That's what made it so difficult, and the reason the drivers are always
so competitive. I always said if you could win at Stockton, you could win
anywhere."
And sometimes Stockton 99 makes you wait for those wins. Philpott didn't win a
race until his 16th season, and Belletto finally got a track title after 26.
"Something makes you keep coming back, and when you do it, it's amazing,"
Philpott said.
The closing of the track is drawing drivers from all divisions. John Medina of
Galt had made a deal with his family that if he ever won the American Limited
Stock title, he'd quit. He won in 2004 and kept his promise last year.
"But I heard about the track closing, and I built a car," Medina said. "We have
to be there. And once you're there, you race hard."
After the first green flag waves on April 2, the drivers will concentrate on
winning races and championships. And many said they will put off thinking about
the final day as long as possible.
"When the bulldozers come, I'm going to be sick to my stomach," Belletto said.
"Until then, let's go racing."
Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesbu@recordnet.com
Stockton 99 Speedway |