2009 Local Tracks

The New Stockton 99 Speedway Media Release - May 9, 2009

Media Relations - David Holman

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Returns On Mom's Night With Jeff Belletto Bringing Home The Gold

After a disappointing loss to a disgruntled Mother Nature last weekend, on Mother's Day Eve, May 9^th, the New Stockton 99 Speedway rumbled back to life as five divisions took center-stage on the “Fastest ¼-Mile in the West.” Included on the evening were the NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Bombers, Mini-Stocks/Mini-Trucks, and the always entertaining Powder-Puffs in an age-old tradition in honor of Mother's Day.

In NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Model action, points leader, Vito Ranuio (#27) of Modesto, brought the sixteen-car field to the green flag with ( #16) Todd Corral of Modesto, flanking him to the outside. Ranuio held on to the top spot coming back around past the start/finish line with Jeff Belletto (#12) of Modesto, in relentless pursuit. There was great racing going on throughout the pack, but all eyes were glued to the top two. Belletto continued to apply pressure lap after lap, and, on lap 20, Ranuio slipped up on the backstretch just enough to allow the #12 to get by. And, while Ranuio gave it his all to keep it close, Belletto gradually pulled away to victory, snapping Ranuio's two-race win streak. “I love racing with Vito,” said a smiling Jeff Belletto, “I was racing pretty hard following him there, and tried to get him loosened up there a little bit by putting a lot of pressure on him, and he slipped up a little and I went by him. It was a good race for him and I had a lot of fun racing him.” Ranuio would finish second with Carlos Vierra (#51) of Atwater third, Nic Belletto (#15) of Modesto finished fourth and Michael Wendt (#2) of Lodi rounded out the top five. Ranuio also had fast time on the night while Justin Philpott (#05) of Tracy, was the Dash winner.

Eleven Grand American Modifieds rolled onto the racing surface for their Main Event. Fast qualifier Scott Winters (#24) of Tracy, started inside front row with AJ Rider (#62) of Stockton, starting on the outside. Winters jumped out to an early lead, but was quickly slowed on lap 2 as the #44 of Jeremy Jackson and Dash winner Jason Philpot (#15a) of Sacramento, tangled coming out of four to attract the first and only yellow of the night. The damage to Philpot's car would prove to be terminal. On the restart Winters would once again grab the lead with the rest of the field falling in line behind him. On lap 4, Points Leader, Michael Ostrowski, in his #17 machine, got to the inside of Rider to take over the second spot. Winters pulled out to a very comfortable lead and held on for the remainder of the race to lay claim to his third win of the year at Stockton. Asked what he thought about the new pavement coming next week, Winters said, “Boy, I'm really looking forward to it. I've raced this track for a number of years and it doesn't really have a lot of grip. I think the fans are going to be really delighted with what they see once the the new asphalt is down.” Ostrowski would hold on to finish second, followed by the #5a of Mike Regelman, Todd Lynch in the #1 and the #4a of Paul Henry to secure their spots in the top five.

The Mini-Stock/Mini-Truck Division hit the track for their first go-round of the season. Nathan Mcneal (#20) of Oakdale, had a near-perfect night by qualifying fast time, winning his heat race and trophy dash, but coming up one short in the Main Event. Instead, the #32 of Terry Shannon crossed the line first, a half-second in front of McNeal to take the win. Fred Hatch (#97) of Oakdale, rounded out the top three.

Points leader, Ben Lewis (#22) of Stockton, continued his winning ways in the Bomber Division. Starting from inside the third row, Lewis made his way to the front by lap 3. From there he would continue to stretch his lead, unchallenged to the checkers for his fourth win in a row in dominating fashion. The #98 of Ryan Strmiska managed to rebound from a first lap spin to finish second. Brian Miller (#014) of Railroad Flats crossed the stripe in third while Tom Dahl (4x) of Stockton, making his first appearance of the year, finished fourth, and Russell Johnson Jr (#23) of Stockton, came home fifth.

The Bombers finished just in time for the spectacular Powder-Puffs to take their turn at turning left in honor of Mother's Day. Track Promoter, Carol Noceti, did the honors by waving the green flag to get this one under way as the lady racers roared past the line beneath her. Starting from outside the third row, the #4x of Donna Dahl moved quickly to the front to capture that much sought after top spot on lap 1. The #22 of Kasi Lewis followed Dahl in second. Lewis pressured Dahl serveral times throughout the race, but was never able to overcome the leader. Dahl would reach the checkers just 3/10ths of a second ahead of Lewis in this crowd-pleasing race. “I was praying the tire wouldn't pop,” said a very happy Donna Dahl. Her husband, Tom, riding shotgun with her, had a marked look of relief that the race was over. Carla Miller in the #014 finished third with Ashley Gerstal #31 fourth, the #6T9 of Danica Noceti was fifth, Shanna Shupe in the #10 was sixth, and the #23 of Lisa Collum finished seventh.

Something very special is taking place at The New Stockton 99 Speedway beginning Monday, May 11^th. Management at the track has come to the conclusion that it's time to redress the old girl. “We went with the Goodyear tire this year because of its durability, but the surface of the track is so rough drivers are complaining about tire wear. We decided to repave the track so the teams would get more out of their Goodyear's which equals less expense,” said Track Promoter, Carol Noceti, “it's something we're really excited about.”