WILLIAMS BACK FOR MORE
AT STOCKTON:
8-18-01
BY: JIM SHIELS
Ceres California Grand American pilot Greg Williams made it seven wins in ten attempts this week in the feature action at Stockton 99 Speedway in a show of "smooth is fast" on the NASCAR Sanctioned quarter-mile paved oval. The win allowed him to inch closer to the point leaders after missing two of the early season events.
Incoming point leader Robert Knittel of Lodi led laps one and two, with Steve Stacy going ahead by a nose on lap-three. After two minor yellows that slowed the early action, Williams took charge on lap-five, with the final yellow coming on the next circuit as Danny Contessotto of Stockton pulled up lame by the pit gate.
It was a non-yellow battle for second from that point on between Stacy, Paul Henry of Groveland, and John Unger of Stockton as they held in that order to the checkered flag with Knittel holding on for fifth. The event finish order left a dead-tie for the season title between Knittel & Henry, with Williams moving to fourth only 45-marks off the pace. Jay Linstroth of Citrus Heights claimed the fast time and dash win on the night.
The Ultra Wheel Super Tracks were on hand for a one-hundred-lap feature with Darrin Christensen of San Lorenzo showing as the early leader. Local favorite Michael Sherman of Stockton took charge on lap-four, with Kevin O'Neil of Long Beach slowly making his way to the point on lap-14. A yellow on lap-17 resulted in the leader starting at the rear and the lead changing in favor of O'Neil. Greg Adler of Manhatten Beach soon took control and led at the checkered over fast timer Mark Laeger, O'Neil, dash winner Dave Byrd of San Jose, and Sherman.
Pure Stock action on the night produced a feature win for incoming point leader Danny Guibor of Manteca, who spoiled a near perfect evening for Lodi pilot Jeff Ahl. Ahl had already won his heat and the dash and led from the first lap to the first yellow on lap-21. Guibor, a heat winner himself, beat Ahl to the lead on the next pass and held tough for the win followed by Ahl, Ray Davis of Galt, Joey Stearns of Stockton, and heat winner Tom Bolin of Morgan Hill. Steven Hall of Manteca won the other heat.
Guibor now leads Chad Holman of Stockton by 44-points with Ahl & David tied for third 46 marks back.
The BCRA Midgets were on hand to round out the show with fast time falling to Floyd Alvis of San Carlos. Heats were won by Cliff Servetti of San Francisco, and Glenn Carson of Newark. Dash wins went to Chuck Gurney, Jr., of Livermore and Bill Lindsey of San Carlos. Gurney started seventh on the feature field and took control of the lead on lap-eight, moving on to post the win over Carson, Alvis, Pete Davis and Dan Gundo.
Stockton 99 Speedway will go dark next week, but will return to action on September 1st, for the final leg of the three race California Hot Wood Tri-Holiday series for the C.L. Bryant Union 76 Gasoline Late Models.
