LOCALS DOMINATE STOCKTON 99 ENDURO
(STOCKTON, CA--October 8, 2000)--Pete Anderson, Jr. of Stockton outlasted a field of 31 cars as Stockton 99 Speedway wrapped-up its 2000 season with its Seventh Annual Enduro Saturday night. The venerable Speedway’s high-banked quarter-mile paved oval was doused with soap and water as Anderson, a former track Pure Stock champion, finished in front of Rick Bentz of Lodi and another Stockton pilot, Joe Addison.
David Papst, Jr. of Stockton was the early leader, but gave way to Bentz 10 laps in to the 250-lapper that saw the field run 125 in one direction, then the final 125 in the opposite direction. A crowd of just under 1,500 came to see action and were not disappointed as a red flag was displayed on lap-24 when an entry driven by Jake Pitt of Stockton caught fire and came to rest against the turn-four retaining wall.
Bentz gave up the front spot to Wess Brown of Chico on lap-33; with Sean Coker of Wheatland, Bentz, Anderson, who started 22nd, and Kannai Scantlen, also of Stockton, running fifth after 50 laps. As others spun, slid and encountered various problems, Brown maintained a strong pace to the 125-lap midway point in front.
Twenty-five cars answered the bell for the second half, with Brown leading Bentz, Anderson, Coker and two other Stockton drivers--Joe Addison and Mike Gust. On lap-140, Robert Strmiska of Manteca spun his ride off turn two facing oncoming traffic and was unable to re-start resulting in a red flag. Strmiska was allowed to exit his car, but the vehicle had to remain as it was, almost dead center on the track. Miraculously, while there were several near misses, no one made contact with the stranded car over the final 110 laps.
Anderson surged past Bentz and Brown to assume the lead early in the second half; and, when the checkered was waved, the winner led Bentz by two laps and Addison by four. Anderson won $1,000 for this effort, with Bentz collecting $500 for second and Addison $400 for third.
Chris Monez of Lodi won the plaque for the best appearing car, with a ride painted to look like a Holstein cow complete with a large braided tail dangling from the rear trunk deck.
Race Summary
Stockton 99 Speedway Enduro October 7, 2000
1 Pete Anderson, Jr. Stockton
2 Rick Bentz Lodi
3 Joe Addison Stockton
4 Gene Guinn Chico
5 Mike Gust Stockton
6 Sean Coker Wheatland
7 Rick Bergren Manteca
8 Wess Brown Chico
9 Chris Papst Stockton
10 David Papst, Sr. Stockton
11 Jeff McAnelly Stockton
12. Mike Compton Biggs
13. Frank North
Lodi
14. Charlie Clawson Modesto
15. Nathan Harding San Francisco
