SRL Public Relations/Eddie Alves

Foster Wins Race; Boyd Takes Over Point Lead

Photo's: #21 Ryan Foster, #21 Ryan Foster along side #26 Ken Boyd, #21 Ryan Foster and Crew Victory Lane

Photo Credit: David Misco

Anderson, Calif. (Sept.19^th) --  After a six week break, Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout returned to the racing circuit last Saturday night at the newly configured Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, California. After 100 laps of exciting racing, Anderson’s Ryan Foster crossed the line first to take his second Sunoco Checkered Flag of 2004. Roseville’s Eric Schmidt finished second, followed by Napa’s Joey Zampa, Ken Boyd of Ceres, as Jeff Anthony rounded out the top five.

“This is just awesome. Bad luck was on our side the last two races, so this win is great. Thanks to Golden Gate Meat, and Creekside Homes. They both have really helped us out this year. My crew works there butt off at the track, and at the shop. We only have a few people helping us right now, so I owe a big thanks to them.”  Foster said.

For the third race in a row Ken Boyd was the fastest in Qualifying. Boyd’s lap of 15.924 was just a little bit quicker then Ryan Foster who ran 15.953. Eric Schmidt was the 3^rd and final car to break into the 15 second bracket. Jeremy Hopkins Jr. qualified fourth, and Joey Zampa fifth. Schmidt went on to win the trophy dash over Hopkins Jr., Foster and Boyd.

Livermore’s Jeff Anthony started on the pole for the Foster Well Drilling “100”, after Ken Boyd drew a six for the invert. Anthony took the lead as the green flag was displayed. Joey Zampa followed in second, from his outside row one starting position. Eric Schmidt ran third with Jeremy Hopkins Jr., and Ryan Foster closely behind. Foster made his way around Hopkins on lap 4 to take over the fourth position. Mike Mansch and Hopkins Jr. made contact exiting turn two, sending both cars into a spin on lap seven.

The races only caution flag was displayed on lap 17 as Tracy’s Rick Ruzbarsky, and Bakersfield’s Mike Mason spun in turn four. Ruzbarsky pitted to repair the front of his Pontiac, as Mason retired his car for the rest of the evening. Joey Zampa passed Jeff Anthony for the lead racing back to the line, and became the new race leader. Eric Schmidt took second position away from Jeff Anthony on lap 21. Schmidt continued his charge to the front, as he raced side by side with race leader Joey Zampa. Schmidt took the lead for good on lap 28, as Ryan Foster took third from Jeff Anthony on lap 29. Foster moved into the second position on lap 36, and slowly started closing in on Schmidt.

Eric Schmidt continued to lead at the halfway point, Foster ran right behind him, Zampa ran third, Jeff Anthony fourth, and Ken Boyd fifth. Five laps later Foster took the lead away from Schmidt as the home town crowd of fans cheered him on. Foster extended his lead over Schmidt, and led the final 45 laps to score his second win of 2004. Eric Schmidt finished second, and Joey Zampa third. “We are real happy with third. We worked on the setup all weekend. We finished third the last two races, and the car is in one piece.” Said Joey Zampa.

Ken Boyd finished fourth and Jeff Anthony fifth. Steve Belletto finished sixth, ahead of Mark Smith. Fremont’s Troy Ermish finished eight, as Josh Bews made his series debut and finished ninth. Rounding out the top ten was Rick Ruzbarsky.

Ken Boyd took over the points lead, after his fourth place finish. Boyd leads Steve Belletto by two points (424-422) heading into the series finale at Altamont Motorsports Park on October 9^th. Rick Ruzbarsky fell to third place, after his tenth place finish Saturday night. Ruzbarsky is currently ten points behind Boyd. Jeff Anthony sits fourth, 19 points behind Boyd. Jeff Anthony has won the last two races at Altamont Motorsports Park. Ryan Foster has two top ten finishes at Altamont this season, and sits fifth in the championship standings, 30 points behind Boyd.