2003 99 Schedule
Press Contact: Erica Klomp (209) 537-7600 or email at ericak@clbryant.com
BELLETTO DOMINATES AT NASCAR DOUBLE POINTS NIGHT
July 19th, 2003. . .Revving engines, a lot of
horsepower and a cheering crowd kicked off the evening at the high-banked
quarter mile paved oval for the NASCAR Double Points night at the Stockton 99
Speedway. The NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES featured five divisions, the Premier
Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Pro 4 Trucks, Pure Stock and
Legends.
Modesto native Harry Belletto,
#74, celebrated his fifth win of
the season in the Western Late Model Premier Division. It wasn’t an easy win
for Belletto who looked a little loose through some turns. The veteran NASCAR
driver narrowly held on to the lead as championship points leader Eric Schmidt,
#05x,
of Roseville put the heat on Belletto, anticipating an opportunity to advance
into his position. Schmidt
successively shadowed Belletto, struggling to take
him from the inside when Belletto went high on some turns. Belletto, Schmidt
and Pete Anderson, Jr., #5, of Stockton went three deep rounding turn four in the
final laps of the race, with the crowd on its feet. Belletto jetted ahead and
remained in the lead to take the checkered flag in the HAVOLINE C.L. BRYANT, INC
sponsored division.
Schmidt closely followed for 2nd place, Anderson
finished 3rd and Mike Garcia of Lodi took 4th. It was an
unfortunate night for John Moore of Granite Bay. Moore was
unable to compete in
the main event after he slammed head on into the wall during the trophy dash.
Moore gave the crowd a thumbs up after the crash and was taken to a local
hospital for x-rays, John plans on returning this week in his hunt for rookie of
the year honors. June 12th victor Wes Miller, #2, of Turlock was unable
to defend his win due to work.
Citrus Heights native Jay Linstroth,
10a, dominated the
competition in last Saturday’s Grand American Modified Division. Linstroth set
the new fast time track record at 13.792, leaving Greg William’s 1992 record of
13.842 for the history books. Linstroth was like a lit rocket after the start,
leading every lap on the race for his fifth win of the season. The win bumped
him f
rom second to first place in the point standing. Jason Philpot of
Sacramento, #5, tried to close the gap and advance toward Linstroth in the main.
Philpot attempted to squeek past Linstroth after Buzz Devore of Stockton, #45, spun
out on the sixth lap, but Linstroth never left an opening leaving Philpot to
finish 2nd. Ted Montague of Newark came in 3rd and
Stewart Cullom of Stockton finished 4th.
In the Pro 4 Truck division, Randy Jahoda,
#71, of Tracy moved
past Carrie Miller of Saratoga to
take the win. Jahoda won his first main event
last Saturday. It looked like a heated contest as Jahoda and Miller met side to
side at a chance at the checkered flag. Miller was unable to move around Jahoda
and came in 2nd place, Mike
Frank, #5, of Denair placed 3rd and
Mike Curry of Lodi was 4th.
In the Pure Stock Division, Michael Wendt,
#1, was set on taking
a checkered flag win after he was the top qualifier and dash winner. Wendt was
able to dominate five-time season winner Gary Schafer, Jr.,
#96, of Stockton for his
second 1st
place finish of the season. Schafer tailed Wendt, but
couldn’t catch him and placed 2nd. Jeff Ahl of Lodi, #31, was 3rd,
Tom Bolin finished 4th and last weeks two-time season victor Aaron Shankel,
#47j, was 5th. Brian Miller of Railroad Flat, Michael Matthews,
Ray Bird and Chris Norton of Stockton advanced to the “A” Main after qualifying
in the “B” main, respectively.
Sixteen-year-old sensation Jeremy Wood of Tracy, #22w, captured
the glory of a
checkered flag victor, in only his second run at Stockton 99
Speedway. Wood made his first win of the season look effortless as he
gracefully weaved his was through the pack. Not only did he lap nine cars, Wood
worked his way to the lead from a twelfth place start. Frankie Winchel,
#14, of
Sebastopol finished in 2nd, Michael Morrisey, #15n, of Tahoe City was 3rd
and Richard Appleby of Yountville was 4th.
3M night will take place on July 26th. The NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES will feature Western Late Model, Grand American Modifides, Pro- 4 Trucks, Pure Stock and Legends. For more info call the info line at 209.466.9999, or check us out on the web at www.stockton99speedway.com
