St. Mary's linebacker wins on track, too

Record Staff Writer

October 10, 2011 12:00 AM

The Western Late Models open the first of two 75-lap races at Stockton 99 Speedway's season-ending Fall Classic. MICHAEL MCCOLLUM/The Record

STOCKTON - It was a great weekend for Colby Potts on the football field and the race track.

The 17-year-old NASCAR Western Late Model driver from Stockton doubles as a St. Mary's High linebacker, and he followed up the Rams' win Friday night against Edison with his first victory Sunday at Stockton 99 Speedway's season-ending Fall Classic.

"I love both sports, and I'm very happy right now," Potts said. "And to get the first win at Stockton is special. I used to play with cars in the stands 10 years ago while watching my father (retired driver Greg Potts) race out here, and now I'm out here racing."

The main event was originally scheduled for 150 laps, but track officials decided to turn it into two 75-lap races. Potts won the second event, with 20-year-old Jamie Krzysik of Grande Prairie, Alberta, winning the first one.

Potts said he had four or five tackles in St. Mary's 40-0 win. He had football practice Saturday morning and later qualified his car and the Grand American Modified of teammate Victor Machado. He finished fourth in Sunday's first race and still had plenty of energy to celebrate with his race team after his win.

Potts took the lead on a lap-37 restart from veteran Dave Philpott, a two-time track champion. He never trailed again.

"He did a very nice job, I congratulate him," Philpott said. "He had the better car."

Philpott's son, Justin, had a tight battle in the WLM opener. Krzysik had the advantage going into the final lap, and Philpott charged and had a slight lead going into the final turn. Krzysik had the line on the high side of the track and shot past Philpott to secure the win.

Other main-event winners were: Matt Erickson of Lake Don Pedro (Super Stock), Scott Winters of Tracy (Grand American Modified) and Mike Massone of Stockton (Bombers).

Erickson won a wild, messy 60-lap Super Stock feature. The key to his success was staying out of trouble in a race that had five yellow flags in the first 20 laps. The Grand American Modified main event was arguably the best race of the day, with Winters taking the victory in a field of 24 strong competitors.

Massone took the victory in a very competitive Bombers main event. Jeremy Tucker of Stockton was second, and his cousin, Travis Tucker, was third.

Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281or slinesburgh@recordnet.com.

From the Saint Mary's website, their coverage of Colby's Win:

Colby Potts: SM Linebacker; Race Driver

St. Mary’s own Colby Potts, a linebacker on the Rams Football Team, is also a NASCAR Western Late Model driver. The Record featured Colby as he followed up the Rams' win on October 7, 2011 against Edison with his first victory Sunday at Stockton 99 Speedway's season-ending Fall Classic. Potts took the lead on a lap-37 restart from veteran Dave Philpott, a two-time track champion. He never trailed again.

The Record quoted Colby: "I love both sports, and I'm very happy right now," Potts said. "And to get the first win at Stockton is special."

"I used to play with cars in the stands 10 years ago while watching my father (retired driver Greg Potts) race out here, and now I'm out here racing."