But that's what the Pacific Grove driver was able to do before a crowd of 2,520.

With John Moore, #27,(headband), of Granite Bay on his rear bumper at the finish line, Byrd was able to sweat out the win.

''It (the car) was real loose on the last re-start,'' said Byrd, (left), who was the third different driver to win a race in the series. ''We had a great car until lap 96, and then we had too many yellows (caution flags) in a row.''

For Byrd it was his second win of the season, and second in succession. He was the winner on August 16.

Points leader Eric Schmidt won the Memorial Day event, and Phil Perry of Lincoln captured Firecracker 100 on July 3.

For Moore, #27, it was gut-wrenching loss. In the final 10 laps it seemed like Moore would pass Byrd. But it never happened.

''That was a good stock car race,'' said Byrd, who is completing his rookie season in the Western Late Model Division. ''Dave and I definitely have the superior cars in these long races.

''He (Byrd) drove a perfect line. It finished exciting, and was a clean stock car race.''

In the final Tri-Holiday points standings, Phil Perry, #22, had 154, Wes Miller 136 and Moore 118.

With overall points runner-up Harry Belletto, #74, not even in the race because of a broken rear axle and leader Eric Schmidt going out on lap 36 with engine problems, the overall points championship race remained close.

Schmidt, who had a 942-922 lead coming into the race, was able to pick up only eight points on Belletto. His advantage is now 965-937.

Byrd came into the race in sixth place with 561 points.

"I'm not sure what the points breakdown is, but if we finish in the top five we should be safe," said Perry, who won the FireCracker 100 on July 3. "There are probably five guys still in the points race.

"I'm going to race to win"

Robert Knittel, of Lodi, #3, was victorious in the 12-lap semi-main. Eric Schmidt, who won the first leg of the Tri-Holiday on May 24, captured the trophy dash and was fast qualifier (14.140).

The Tri-Holiday main event was not completed at press time.

In the overall points race, Schmidt held a 942-922 lead over Harry Belletto. Belletto was not in the starting grid as the main event started. No reason was given for his absence. With Belletto out, Schmidt looked to increase his points lead. Twenty-one cars started the race, including Belletto's son, Jeff, and four of the top six points leaders.

Lodi's Michael Wendt, #1, let it all hang out in the 30-lap Pure Stock main event. He took control midway through the race and pulled away to win by more than 15 car-lengths. It was his third main even win of the season.

Gary Shafer Jr., #96, of Stockton, was both fast qualifier (17.060) and trophy dash winner.

When the race ended drivers Boyd Camper, #4, and Tom Dahl, #04, got into a bumping match in front of the grandstand.

Jeff Ahl came into the race with a 714-702 lead in the points race, despite seven main-event wins by Shafer.

With four caution flags in the first 15 laps, the 30-lap main event was anything but fluid.

On lap 17 five cars spun out and the race was stopped so the track could be re-groomed. After one-hour and seven caution flags the race finally came to an end with Marc DeBeaumont, #11d, of Clayton coming home the winner.

Cameron Beard of Turlock won the 10-lap semi-main. Floyd Alvis, #18,  was the fast qualifier (13.583) and Wally Pankratz, #8, finished first in the trophy dash.

Heat winners were Steve Roza, DeBeaumont and John Sarale, #32, of Stockton.

Ryan Mosher, #52 of Cupertino, held off Chuck Scott, #97, of Elk Grove, to win the 30-lap main event.

Frankie Winchel, #14 of Sebastopol, was the fast qualifier (15.699), and Richard Appleby, #83, of Yountville, won the trophy dash.

Pete Currin, #6 of Redwood City, Appleby and Steve Fensler Jr., #5, of Elk Grove, were the heat race winners.

* To reach reporter Jim Matthews,
phone (209) 546-8282 or e-mail
jmatthews@recordnet.com

Stockton 99 Speedway