STOCKTON 99 SPEEDWAY
2010 Schedule         Last race: Schmidt Opens 2010 with Win

The West Coast Enduros Splashed Into Town For The Spring Fling, Presented By Jackson Rancheria

On March 20^th Jackson Rancheria presented the Spring Fling, a wet and wild adventure featuring 199 laps of excitement West Coast Enduro style.  Also on the card for the night were the Basically-4-Cylinders, Mini Stocks/Trucks and, for the ladies in the house, the Powder Puff.

In the West Coast Enduro Division Ryan Daves (22) of Bakersfield and Steve Grant (37x) of Stockton started out front of the 22 car field.  At the gun, Daves jumped out early only to be overtaken on lap 2 by Salida’s Ryan Strmiska (98) who held on until lap 26 when Rick Bentz (44) of Stockton slipped below the #98 to grab the lead.  Bentz would pace the field for the next fourteen laps until lap 42 when Enduro Superstar David Papst Jr. (2) of Lodi splashed by to grab the lead.  Papst would hold strong until the Competition Yellow went flying on lap 100.  After a fifteen minute break for fuel and repairs, and after a chicane was added to the course, the start of the second half began with Strmiska, once again, laying claim to that much-coveted real estate out front.  For the next ninety-nine laps Strmiska owned the front spot, despite the gnawing at his back bumper by an occasional challenger.  However, Strmiska would prove to be too strong on this night as he held off all comers to cross below the checkers to reap the winner’s share of the spoils in a wet and wild battle royal.  “It was a lot of fun.  They put a chicane back there in the middle that we had to drive through which made it a little different, but it was fun,” said Strmiska, “You have to go easy on the throttle when it’s wet out here.  My car was stumbling a little bit, but I actually think it helped me in these conditions.”  Ben Lewis II (220) of Stockton, and the only other car left on the lead lap, brought her home an impressive second while Papst slipped back a bit but still managed a podium finish in third.  Stockton’s Jo Addison (02) finished fourth and Modesto’s Richard Hull (23) rounded out the top five.

The Basically-4-Cylinders came around to greet the green with Thomas Woods (28) and the #13 of Daniel Durbin, both from Modesto, leading the way.  Durbin grabbed the early lead, but on lap 3, Larry Toon (88), yet another Modesto driver, jumped to the top spot where he would run, unmolested to the checkers, for the win.  “I think my right-front is about to blow-out,” said a smiling Toon, “It feels pretty good to come out and win all three races on the day.”  Durbin would hold on to finish second with Modesto’s JD Silva (56) finishing on the podium in third while Wood fell back to finish fourth.  Toon dominated the day by setting Fast Time, winning his Heat Race, the Trophy Dash and the Main.

The Mini Stocks/Mini Trucks rolled onto the racing surface with Stockton’s own Chris Parker (21) pacing the field to the stripe with Tracy’s JP Morgan (29) at his side.  Parker grabbed the hole shot only to be displaced on lap 2 by Andrew Blake (88) of Valley Springs.  Blake held a commanding lead, but was slowly reeled in, lap after lap, by Ron Robeck (3) of Milpitas, until, on lap 20, Robeck dove below the #21 to capture that all-important number one slot where he held strong to the checkers for the victory.  “I feel good, a little tired, but good,” said a very reserved Robeck, “Chasing him (Blake) down was a little tough.  I tried to wear him down, and I got him.”  Blake, after a late spin, still managed a second place finish while Parker and Morgan slipped back a bit to finish third and fourth, respectively.  Robeck had a near-perfect night winning everything but the Trophy Dash. 

The ladies got underway in their Powder Puff Derby with only four cars involved, but that didn’t detract much from their skills behind the wheel.  The #02 of Stockton’s Alex Salsado led the parade to the checkers in this 15 lap event with Kathy Reyes (99), also of Stockton, hot on her heels for second.  The #220 of Amy Morgenstern finished third with Vicky Harper in her #005 machine bringing it home fourth. 

Mark your Calendars for next Saturday, March 27^th, as the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series opens their Season with the Western Late Models, Grand American Modified, Street Stocks, Bombers and the MMRA Mini Cups.

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 their Website at www.stockton99.com. 

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel, California Welding Supply, Budweiser, and Alamo Alarm.