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2009 Local Tracks
2009 Local Tracks
STOCKTON 99 SPEEDWAY
What percentage is
driver? What percentage is car? What percentage is luck? Is there such a
yardstick out there to measure these questions against? And, if there is, how
accurate would it really be? Perhaps it all boils down to knowledge. One thing
for sure, at Stockton 99 Speedway, everyone knows what these kinds of questions
represent: Good, old-fashion, Saturday Night Short Track Racing, West Coast
Style. On Saturday, July 25th, three Divisions got together on the quick,
quarter-mile paved oval to fashion answers to suit their individual quests. And,
in all actuality, at the end of the year when Champions have been crowned, there
are really no pertinent questions left to answer. On the card for this event,
the NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Models, ALSC/Street Stocks and the
Bombers came thundering home as this night produced some absolutely great
racing, no question about it.
The Western Late Models were once again in action as they attacked the racing
surface with malevolent intentions towards the points chase. This race tonight
packed a powerful punch as these drivers went fifty hard-fought rounds to see
who would be left standing after the final bell. Ione’s Frank Farran (30)
started from pole with Todd Corral (16) of Modesto by his side. Corral jumped
out to the early lead bringing the #09 of first-timer Brennan Newberry along for
the ride. Corral and Newberry would play cat and mouse for the entire 50 laps of
this caution-free event as they dominated the race. But, in the end,
Corral would capture his first-ever Late Model victory in a stunning,
wire-to-wire run. “It was a great race, he drove me really clean,” said Corral
of Newberry, “I would like to thank everyone who supports me in my racing
endeavors. We’ve been trying to do this for a long time, and we made it,
finally, our first win.” Newberry held on to finish second, but had some
post-race inspection troubles which ended in disqualification. Because of the
unfortunate incident, everyone moved up a spot which put Jeff Belletto (12) of
Modesto in that number two slot with Tracy’s David Philpott (50) finishing third
while Mike Beeler (6) and Rodney Funston (78), both of Modesto, rounded out the
top five. A noteworthy point to make here is Points Leader Justin Philpott
finished outside the top five in the sixth position, but that certainly did not
have any effect on his massive points lead.
The Chase for the Championship in the ALSC/Street Stocks continued to unfold as
these powerhouses laid the rubber to the road in their 40 lap Main. You want to
talk about intense; these guys are concentrically focused on the prize. The
“Iceman” Chad Holman (75) of Manteca led the field to greet the green, but had
to quickly tuck in behind the “Ol’ Man” Pete Anderson Sr. (85) of Stockton as
they came back around to lap 1. Anderson pulled out to a three car-length lead
over next 34 laps and was looking to bring home his third win of the year. But,
as fate would have it, on lap 34, Jeff Ahl (31) of Lodi, got below Holman in
turn three, making contact and bringing out the only stoppage of the race in the
form of a red flag. Holman’s night would be done as his rear tire and axle came
bounding down the front stretch with reckless abandon. In the meantime, Leroy
Hunt (61) of Stockton and Mel Wilson (2) of Roseville tangled in turn two which
resulted in a lengthy delay to separate the two cars. On the restart, Brock
Monroe (42) of Lodi inherited the outside pole position and from there it
appeared as though he was shot out of a cannon as he went on to win his second
race of the year. “I was pretty happy to see Ahl go into the infield on the
yellow, but I was really worried about Pete(Anderson),”said Monroe, “He and I
have been racing for a long time together and I knew he was going to drive me
really hard.” There was some controversy concerning the legality of two cars
during post-race inspection, so the exact results, other than Monroe, are not a
certainty at this time. Stay tuned for the final results.
When the Bombers hit the track, the excitement level from the fans in the stands
can be felt, literally. And, if you came expecting that particular fact to hold
true, you were most certainly not disappointed as their race came to life under
the brilliant summer sun. Lisa Johnston (808) and Tom Dahl (4), both of
Stockton, brought this one to green from the front row but the race would be
slowed on lap 2 as the caution went flying as Zack Rose (78) of Stockton and the
#007 of Mike Masone tangled in turn 2, ending the night for both drivers. On the
restart, Ben Lewis (22) of Stockton jumped quickly to the lead, but
not without steady pressure from Dahl until lap 20 when a competition yellow was
thrown for the race to change direction on the track. Once the race resumed,
Lewis regained the lead with Dahl trailing close behind. On lap 24 Lewis was
black-flagged for a tremendous amount of smoke billowing from beneath his car,
but the flag was quickly
withdrawn. Finally, on lap 36, the #22 let go and was sent to the pits giving
Dahl the lead and the eventual victory, his third on the year. “I was thinking
all we could do was manage a second out of the night after spinning between
three and four,” said a very happy Dahl, “But apparently the #22 had some
troubles there so I got right back in
the race.” Johnston would hold on to finish a very strong second while Peggy Sue
Jarred (313) of Stockton brought her home in a quite impressive third. Lewis was
credited with fourth and “Wild” Russell Johnson Jr., who was very quiet on the
night, finished fifth.
Next Saturday, August 1st, Jackson Rancheria Night at the races presents the
NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Models in Twin-50’s, Grand American
Modifieds, ALSC/Street Stocks and the Bombers.
The New Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, ¼-mile west of Highway 99. For more information on tickets and times, please contact the Speedway Office at (209)466-9999 or visit the website at www.stockton99speedway.com. And remember, The New Stockton 99 Speedway is always Family Friendly.
The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel, California Welding Supply, Budweiser, and Alamo Alarm.