WELCH STAYS ON TOP AT STOCKTON:

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(Stockton, 8-7-99) Orangevale Grand American pilot Mark Welch picked up his second straight feature win and eighth of the year to retain control of the Stockton 99 Speedway championship point lead, and the top spot in the NACAR/Winston Pacific Coast regional point battle, as the quarter-mile paved oval hosted it's annual Kid's Night program, sponsored by I.B. Benedict and Raybestos.

Due to the Kid's Night activities, no time trials were held and the feature starting positions were settled by the luck of the draw, with second place point runner Jason Kerby of Stockton landing a front row slot, with Welch sitting fifth. Kerby took the first lap lead with a quick yellow falling on the and second place runner Chad Nichols of San Carlos touched wheels on the front chute and Tarditi spun from contention.

Nichols took the point with incoming Stockton series point leader Sterling Pratz of Mill Valley coming to third on lap-19. Lady Luck again struck at the number one spot as lap-29 saw Nichols spin from the hunt in turn four to be replace in the lead by Streeter. A red flag on lap-35 halted the action as oil was cleaned up from the blown engine of Santa Clara's John Haugh that also resulted in Bill Lindsey of San Carlos getting a taste of the outside turn four wall as he hit the spill. Streeter held on to post his first Stockton feature victory, followed by Pratz, Chuck Gurney, Jr., of Livermore, early leader Sarale, and Jimmy Screeton of San Carlos. Ironically, the car driven by Screeton was owned by the sidelined Meseraull and had already taken the youngster to a feature win and two additional main top five runs this season at Stockton.

Heat wins went to Cliff Servetti of San Francisco, Floyd Alvis of San Carlos, and Tarditi, with the slow dash going to Haugh. Pratz was able to retain his Stockton point lead over Streeter with a score of 358-332

The night's fun & games were climaxed with the Charter Way Recyclers Pure Stock division battle that featured a first lap main event lead by Jason White of Lodi. By lap-10, it was White, Manteca hot-shoe Danny Guibor, and Stockton's C.W. Davis in the front pack, but not closing on the leader White as he drove his best race to date. White was denied his first career win as smoke began to pour from his racer and he was black flagged on the 24th-pass, with Guibor taking charge of the point slot. Pete Anderson, Jr., of Stockton, an early heat winner, muscled his way past Guibor on lap-28 and sailed home to record his first 1999 triumph, followed by Danny Guibor, heat winner Guy Guibor (Danny's brother), and Stockton pilots Jeff Lovelace, and Mike Soiseth.

John Medina of Galt took a heat win, with the other heat and the dash, both a career first, going to Joe Stearns of Stockton. Mike Graham of Manteca scored the B-Main win and earned the feature transfer ticket. Danny Guibor holds sway in the current points over Stockton's Doug Lane with a score of 966-912.

Kid's Night activities saw a win in the two-to-four age group by Ryan Holden, with Brandon Shaw holding forth in the five-to-seven age group. Jeremy Davis took the honors in the 8-to-10 grouping. Young-future flagman Cody Nelson handled the flagging duties for the Big Wheel events. The Kid's Night winners, along with the BCRA feature winner, all received plaques compliments of Dale Pyeatt of Grand Auto Sales in Stockton. A gas-powered "Go-Truck" provided by I.B. Benedict Auto Parts was raffled off and won by Mr. & Mrs. V. Crozina, and a slick BMX Bicycle, complements of Toys-R-Us went to Ken Price. All proceeds from the Kid's Night activities went to the Mary Graham Children's Shelter, and the Stockton Youth Organizations.

As an extra added attraction, Stockton Speedway was proud to have on hand Craig Breedlove, driver of the Spirit Of America, and the former world record land speed holder, who will make an attempt to regain the record next year. Craig signed autographs for young and old alike.

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Next week the Shell Tri-Track Challenge returns for a 100-lap Late Model Sportsmen event sponsored by Paul Oil Co. of Oakdale, the 11-race series is currently led in points by Burney Lamer of Sacramento, over Jason Fensler of Wilton. Also expected to participate are current Stockton 99 point leader John Gaalswyk, last year's Tri-Track champion Mike David, and former 99 Speedway champions Harry Belletto and David Philpott.

Adult tickets will be available for $15 with children six-to-12 and seniors over 65 at four dollars. A family ticket—two adults and two children—will cost $35.

Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, a quarter-mile west of Highway 99.

 

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