2003 99 Schedule
Press Contact: Erica Klomp (209) 537-7600 or email at
ericak@clbryant.com
SCHMIDT TAKES THE VICTORY
Stockton 99 Speedway hosted another evening of competitive racing on July 26, 2003. Five big main events drew an excited crowd of race enthusiasts for the NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES. The evening included the Premier Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Pro 4 Trucks, Pure Stock and Legends.
In the Premier Western Late Model division John Moore of Granite Bay had a
tight grip on the lead for the first half of
the HAVOLINE C.L. BRYANT sponsored division.
Wes Miller, #2, of Turlock was in hot pursuit of Moore, #27, in second and
Pete Anderson, Jr., #5, of Stockton was third for the first three laps until
Anderson, Jr. passed Miller, opening up an opportunity for ace driver Harry
Belletto, #74, of Modesto to move past as well. Moore began to loose his
momentum after a caution flag halfway through the
race.
Anderson, Jr. quickly maneuvered around Moore for a very short lead. Points
leader Eric Schmidt, #05x, from Roseville came from the inside and went head to
head with Anderson, Jr. Schmidt and
Anderson, Jr. brought the crowd to its feet as Schmidt shut the door on
Anderson, Jr. and claimed the lead with a dozen laps to go. Schmidt set fast
time for the night and finished second in the Trophy dash and took the checkered
flag victory. Anderson, Jr. had the second place finish, Trophy dash winner Dave
Byrd, #9, of Pacific Grove was 3rd, Harry Belletto placed 4th
and John Moore rounded out the top five with a 5th place finish.
Points
Leader Jay Linstroth, #10a, of Citrus Heights smoked the competition in the
Grand American Modified Division. Straight off the start Trophy dash winner
Linstroth secured the lead from his
outside pole starting position and never looked back acquiring his fifth win of
the season. Linstroth dominated the race leading every lap. Fast qualifier Greg
Williams, #2, of Ceres followed in second place trailing Linstroth consecutively
for
a 2nd place finish. Two-time season winner Jason Philpot of
Sacramento attempted to dominate Williams pressuring him from the inside but was
unsuccessful and placed 3rd, Chris Mays crossed the finish for 4th
and Ted Montegue, #34, was 5th.
In
the Pro 4 Trucks Division Brandon Trevethan, #4, of Tracy swiftly moved into the
lead after the start, closely tailed by Bret Barney, #81, of Rohnert Park. It
was a heated battle as Barney and Trevethan went two wide in lap five. Trophy
dash winner Barney seized the opportunity maneuvering past Trevethan from the
inside for the sixth lap lead. Trevethan lost his chance at victory when he fell
behind leaving his
position wide open for #14, Gary Franks. Points leader and fast qualifier Carrie
Miller, #27, of Saratoga
slipped
into third, who later unexpectedly coasted into the pits and was out the
remainder of the race. Two thirds into the race Randy Jahoda, #71, of Tracy
displaced Franks for second, but was overcome himself by Todd Lewis, #5, who
sprinted past. Barney crossed the finish with an impressive one-third-lap lead
for his first victory of the season. Jahoda placed 2nd, Mike Curry,
#48, was 3rd and Todd Lewis finished in 4th place.
The
exciting Pure Stock’s returned with a 26-car field. B-Main Winner Jacob Cordoza
transferred
to the A-main, as well as David Ball, Ray Bird and Chet Hopkins. In the A-main,
Kannai Scantlen, #8 of Stockton started on the pole. Stockton native Richard
Harper, #5, followed Scantlen in second only to gain his position with a swift
pass for the fifth lap lead. Five-time season victor and Trophy dash winner Gary
Schafer,
Jr., #96, of Stockton took Scantlen’s position and made his way to the
lead with ten laps to go. Schafer, Jr. bolted to first place and dominated for
ten laps until Michael Wendt, #1, of Lodi and Schafer, Jr. went wire to wire for
the lead. Wendt was able to take the lead. The aggressive battle continued with
Wendt spinning, track officials sent Schafer, Jr. to the back of the pack for
his involvement following the
caution
flag on lap nineteen, but managed to place 4th. Wendt and Schafer,
Jr. are tied for second place points with 587. Points leader Jeff Ahl, #31, of
Lodi worked
his way to the front for his first checkered flag finish. Kannai Scantlen was
able to move into second behind Ahl and remained there for the duration of the
race; Joe Allen, #03, of Stockton took 3rd place. Fast time setter
Wendt finished seventh.
In
the Legends Division Hank Smedley, #22, of Pittsburg started on the pole, but
Kelly Martin, #38, of Modesto recalled the position in the fifth lap and was
followed by, #5, Steve Fensler, Jr. and Richard Appleby, respectively. After a
caution flag fast time setter Frankie Winchel, #14, of Sabastopol weaved his way
to the lead, but left the track with mechanical woes in lap twenty-one.
Rookie
driver Chuck Scott, #97 of Elk Grove snuck past Steve Fensler, Jr. from the
outside and took the lead for his first win of the season. Fensler, Jr. crossed
the finish for 2nd place, trophy dash winner Ryan Mosher, #52, of
Cupertino placed 3rd, Pete Currin of Redwood City was 4th
and Wayne Estes finished 5th.
Saturday August 2nd will feature CRAFTSMAN NIGHT with five big
main events for the
NASCAR
DODGE WEEKLY SERIES including the Premier Western Late Models, Grand American
Modifides, Pro 4 Trucks, Pure Stock and Legends.
For additional information call our info line at 209.466.9999 or visit our website at www.stockton99speedway.com
