Linstroth
rolls to 3rd victory of season at 99
By KELLY JONES
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: August 20, 2006, 07:43:10 AM PDT
STOCKTON
— It seems that Modesto driver Mike Beeler caught the bad racing luck that
usually befalls
Jay Linstroth.
Beeler was going after his first Grand American Modified victory Saturday at Stockton 99 Speedway after posting the fast time and winning the trophy dash. But he was knocked out of the 50-lap race after his third altercation.
Points leader Linstroth went on to win his third main event of the year and 20th of his career at Stockton. The Citrus Heights driver said he just tried to stay out of trouble in a race slowed by seven caution flags.
"I even told Mike if he was faster than me to go for it," Linstroth said. "He said, 'I think I've got this win.' I wasn't expecting totally to win and I didn't think I was going to win."
Guy Guibor won the late-finishing 100-lap Western Late Model race, his third victory of the season. He took the lead from defending champion Pete Anderson Jr. of Stockton on a restart in lap 46. Anderson Jr. was second, Salida's Sammy Solari third, Manteca's Ron Strmiska fourth and Tracy's Justin Philpott was fifth.
By finishing fourth, Strimiska took the lead in the Hot Wood 1000 series standings. Strmiska needed to finish in the top six to jump from third to the lead. He entered the night second in the overall standings behind Guibor.
There were 21 cars in the Grand American Modified race.
Linstroth led most of the way, getting great jumps on restarts. He entered the night 28 points ahead of Sacramento's Jason Philpot and is looking forward to capturing the final Stockton 99 title.
The track is dark next week and the last Grand American Modified race — worth double points — is Sept. 9.
"I've led points here several times," Linstroth said. "I've never had a crew like I have now. I won eight races here one year, then broke in a doubles points night. Do you know who the champion was eight years ago? No. But you'll know who won the last championship here. People know if you're good at Stockton, you're a good driver."
Beeler, who entered the night fourth in points, had a long night. He was sent to the back of the field twice, involved in his fair share of bumps and bangs and finally left the race with 20 laps to go with a wrecked right front tire.
Pete Anderson Sr. nosed out Joe Allen to win the American Limited Stock Car race. Anderson Sr. qualified fourth, but had to come from the back of the 22-car pack under a full-field invert. The caution flag came out six times, including once each in the first four laps.
It was Anderson's second victory this season. Allen tailed him hard the final 13 laps, staying with Anderson through lapped traffic and running door-to-door with him in the final lap.
Stockton's Donny Darter was suspended for the rest of the season after he refused a claim on his motor last week. Richard Harper put in for a $250 division claim after Darter won his fifth race in eight starts.
Ceres' Matt Erickson was also missing from the field, suspended for the second time this season for what officials determined to be rough driving last week.
Lathrop's Mark Henslee posted
his third consecutive sweep and fifth of the season in the Pro 4 Trucks
division. The points leader beat Oakdale's Nathan McNeil to the finish line in a
30-lap race slowed by just one caution flag. Stockton's Eric Figone spun coming
out of turn 4 in lap 17.
"I can't say enough for the guys who set this truck up," Henslee said. "They do an awesome job."
The Stockton 99 Speedway is located just off Highway 99 at 4105 North Wilson Way. If you are traveling south on Highway 99 take the Wilson Way exit. If you are heading north on Highway 99 take the Cherokee Road exit, loop over the freeway, turn right onto Newton Road and then turn left on Wilson Way.
Stockton 99 Speedway Info/Race Line (209) 466-9999.
