SRL Public Relations/Eddie Alves

Belletto Bests Ruzbarsky at Altamont

Photo: #30 Steve Belletto Victory Lane

Photo Credit: David Misco/Faninturn4.com

Tracy, Calif. (March 20)—The first day of spring brought over 4,000 fans to the new Altamont Motorsports Park last night as Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout came to town. Thirty-five teams unloaded for 20 feature starting positions. When the checkered waived, Steve Belletto from Modesto, California picked up his first career SRL Wild West Shootout victory.

“We had a real good car tonight. It was a little loose getting into the corners, but overall we had a real good car. Our plan was to take the lead early, and let everyone come to us. As you can see, it paid off. Rick (Ruzbarsky) had a real good car. He is a good clean racer. I enjoy racing with him.” said race winner Steve Belletto.

Crossing the finish line right behind Belletto was 2002 rookie of the year Rick Ruzbarsky. Ruzbarsky followed Belletto for the final 37 circuits around the fast half-mile track, but was not able to pass Belletto.

“I wanted to go high, but the car just did not like it up there.  I just could not get around Steve (Belletto). I was just sitting back waiting for him to make a mistake. Just trying to save my right rear tire. Joey Zampa raced me hard and clean tonight. It was fun and just an awesome night for us.” – stated second place finisher Rick Ruzbarsky.

2002 series champion Jeff Anthony turned the fastest lap in qualifying (18.330). Chris Wadsworth of Oakley qualified second (18.397). Jeff Belletto was third, Steve Belletto fourth, and Rick Ruzbarsky fifth.

A six car invert placed Napa, California racer Joey Zampa on the pole for the 100 lap feature event. Zampa led the field to the green flag to lead lap one. Ruzbarsky and Zampa raced side by side on lap two. Ruzbarsky was given credit for leading the second circuit. Belletto wasted no time, as he passed Ruzbarsky on lap three to take over the second position.

Tracy’s David Philpott slowed on the backstretch on lap 13 as Randy Headrick spun in turn two to bring out the only caution of the evening. Steve Belletto passed Joey Zampa on a lap 17 restart to take over the lead.

Jeff Anthony got shuffled back early in the race but passed Tracy Bolin on lap 27 to take over the seventh position. Lap 31 saw Anthony pass Ron Strmiska Jr. for the sixth position.

Belletto continued to lead as Zampa was close behind, Ruzbarsky ran third, Jeff Belletto fourth, Chris Wadsworth fifth, Jeff Anthony sixth, as Ryan Foster moved up to seventh from his fifteenth starting position on lap 35.

Jeff Anthony and Chris Wadsworth made contact exiting turn four on lap 46. Wadsworth spun across the infield and start finish line. Wadsworth was able to get the car straight, and continued back on the race track without going a lap down.

Ryan Foster moved into the top five as the crossed flags were displayed on lap 50. Anthony was sixth, Strmiska Jr. seventh, Tracy Bolin eight, Ken Boyd ninth, and Jim Courage Jr. tenth.

Belletto opened up a five car lead on Zampa as Foster passed Jeff Belletto for the fourth position on lap 57. Jeff Anthony also snuck by Jeff Belletto take the fifth position.

Ruzbarsky passed Zampa on lap 62 to take over the second position, as he tried to close the gap between him and race leader Steve Belletto. Foster got around Zampa on lap 75 to take third, as Anthony followed to take fourth on lap 76.

With just 20 laps to go, Ruzbarsky was within one car length of Belletto for the race lead. Ruzbarsky was unable to make the pass, and that sealed the victory for Belletto. Ryan Foster finished third.

“I just needed another 5 or 10 laps tonight. I was praying for a caution. I caught them (Belletto and Ruzbarsky) but it was just too late. We missed the qualifying setup tonight. I’m just glad that we finished good, and that the car is in one piece, and ready to go to 99 next week. My crew worked their butts off tonight” said third place finisher Ryan Foster.

Jeff Anthony finished fourth followed by 2003 champion Ron Strmiska Jr., Zampa finished sixth, Jeff Belletto seventh, Tracy Bolin eight, Ken Boyd ninth, and Chris Wadsworth rounding out the top ten.

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West returns to action next Sunday afternoon at Stockton99 Speedway.

Don’t forget to check out the SRL Wild West Shootout website at: http://www.srllatemodels.com

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank its 2004 Sponsors, which include: Apex Financial Group, Bassett Racing Wheels, Beam Design, Brodix Inc., Dynatech, Finishline Racing Equipment, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank's Radio, G. P. Fabrication., Hoosier Tire West, Impact Racing, Paul Oil Co., Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit stop usa.com., Print Werx, Sunoco, Total Seal Inc., U. S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and Parts.

Race Results:

Time of race: 33:38.490

Average race speed: 89.176 MPH

Best lap time: 18.780/95.847 MPH #30 Steve Belletto

Margin of Victory: 0.137