REICHMUTH HOLDS OFF WELCH FOR STOCKTON WIN

(STOCKTON, CA-July 16, 2000)-It took five races, but Bob Reichmuth of Manteca gave proof to the old adage "once you learn, you'll never forget" Saturday night shaking off the rust to win his first NASCAR-sanctioned Grand American Modified event in nearly three years. Starting on the pole of a 23-car field, Reichmuth led all 30 laps, but it wasn't easy.

With fast qualifier, NASCAR Pacific Coast Region and track point leader Mark Welch starting sixth, most people figured it was just a matter of time for the Orangevale pilot to assume the lead. With Reichmuth in front, Welch was fourth after two laps.

Shawn Wentzel of Stockton brought out the first yellow on lap-four as something broke and he spun off the fourth turn in a shower of sparks. On the re-start, it was Reichmuth, Tony Silva of Sacramento, Stockton's Steve Stacy and Welch. Stacy passed Silva on lap-eight and little changed until another re-start following a second yellow on lap-13. On the lap-14 re-start, Robert Miller of Gardnerville, Nevada joined the fray in fifth. However, as the then 22-car field came to the start-finish, Jason Philpot of Sacramento bounced off the front straight wall and into oncoming traffic and collected Tom Burkett of Ceres in the process. Burkett wound up nose first in the wall and three other cars spun to avoid the carnage resulting in a red flag. Philpot and Burkett were done for the night and track officials parked Paul Henry of Groveland, as well, for allegedly bumping Philpot.

On the next green, Welch jumped past Silva for third, then passed Stacy for second on the 20th go-round. Try as he might, Welch--who was trying to avoid his first two-race non-winning skein of the season-could not get past Reichmuth who had not seen the checkered flag since August 2nd of 1997. At the finish, Stacy was third behind Reichmuth and Welch with Miller fourth and Silva fifth.

With 10 wins in 14 races, Welch continues to lead the season point standings by 70 over Silva (735-665); but it would appear that the competition is getting tougher. Barry Callouette finished in front of Welch a week ago and Reichmuth's $600 first-placer effort proves others can do it, as well.

It was Easy Care Vehicle Service Contract Night at Stockton 99 and Scott Chappell of Lodi collected a pair of caps and tote bags by winning the trophy dash and 30-lap feature. For 27 laps, it appeared that Doyal Moen of Modesto would win his first-ever main, but Chappell, who started 10th in the 12-car field, finally chased Moen down on lap-28. Once Moen gave up the lead, it was like a flood gate opening. Stockton drivers Jerry Crawford and point leader Cary Treadway moved to second and third. Moen spun on the final lap and ended up eighth.

At the checkered, it was Chappell, Crawford, Treadway, Mike Monez of Lodi and Joe Hylton of Manteca. Chappell gained three points in his pursuit of Treadway, but still trails by 80 (726-646).

Stockton's popular Pure Stock division lived up to its "Destruction Derby in a Circle" reputation as 20 cars took the green. Jeff Lovelace of Stockton led off the get-go as the field was slowed on the first lap when Donna Treadway's mount lost power on the backstretch. At the same time, Danny Guibor of Manteca and Doug Lane of Stockton tangled in turn-four.

Two laps later, Johnny Bird of Stockton and Ray Davis of Galt were eliminated when they gathered in conjunction with Chevy Collier of Stockton in turn-one. Lap-seven saw three cars-two Bolin brothers, Tracy and Tom, and Collier again--collide in turn-three. The re-start still had Lovelace in front followed by Aimee Sullivan of Lodi and point leader Guy Guibor.

Guibor passed Sullivan for second on lap-eight and eased past Lovelace for the lead three laps later. A stalled car in the pit exit on lap-15 caused another yellow with the re-start consisting of G. Guibor, Lovelace, Stockton drivers Gary Ayers and Chris Mays with fast returning Danny Guibor fifth. Danny made three more passes coming down the stretch to make it a one-two Guibor finish with Lovelace, Ayers and Mays completing the top five.

The two Guibors are one-two in the season point standings, as well, with Guy leading Danny by only 14 points (718-704).

The five-eighths scale Legends made their fourth Stockton appearance of the season. Twenty-one cars took the green with Bumper LaRue of Napa leading the first 12 laps before Ray Greathouse of Reno and Bruce Jorgenson of Palo Cedro tangled on the front stretch leaving Greathouse sans a front bumper.

Joey Zampa of Napa-winner of the three prior Stockton races-was fifth by lap-17 and jumped into second on the next pass. He took the point on lap-20 with dash winner Gary Hockman of San Jose in third. Hockman passed LaRue for second on lap-25 and chased Zampa to his fourth straight Stockton triumph. Zampa and Hockman were followed to the checkered by Rob Lathrop of Santa Clara, Tim Farquhar of Pinole and LaRue.

                                                                       # # # # #

Saturday, July 22, the NASCAR-sanctioned Shell Tri-Track Challenge, sponsored by Paul Oil Company of Oakdale, returns to Stockton 99 Speedway.

Up to 30 Late Model Sportsman are expected to be on hand to challenge point leader Jason Fensler of Wilton, who leads Jim Pettit by only 18 points at the halfway point of the 10-race series.

Pettit has been on a roll of late-winning two of the last three 100-lap events on Stockton's quarter-mile paved oval. Also expected to compete are three Belletto's-father Harry and sons Steve and Jeff, and former track champions David Philpott, Ken Boyd and John Gaalswyk. In addition to the 100-lap Late Model feature, the program will also include Pro Stocks and I.B. Benedict Pure Stocks.

Qualifying will begin at 5:00 p.m. with green flag racing set for 6:00. Adult tickets cost $15, with teens 13-to-17 and seniors over 65 ten-dollars. Children six-to-12 will be admitted for five dollars with those under six getting in free.

Ticket gates open at 3:00 p.m. See short track racing at its best. Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, a quarter-mile west of Highway 99.

All products mentioned are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective companies.

Any and All COPYRIGHT MATERIAL APPEARING ON THIS SITE COMPLIES WITH FAIR OR ACCEPTABLE USE PRINCIPLES ESTABLISHED IN U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW FOR THE PURPOSES OF REVIEW, STUDY, CRITICISM, OR NEWS REPORTING.
Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to webmaster@stockton99speedway.com Copyright © 1999 Stockton 99 Speedway . All rights reserved.