ANDERSON, California -- The last time the NASCAR Autozone Elite Division Southwest tour appeared at Shasta Raceway Park, Ryan Foster was on the verge of winning his first go cart championship at the young age of 8. 16 years later, Foster, now soon to be 25 on October 20th is right at home for the weekend competing against the best race car drivers in the Western United States.

The Shasta 125 takes place in Anderson California this Saturday night as the NASCAR Autozone Elite Division makes their mark on Northern California race fans in their 12th event for 2005. Foster, an Anderson native who makes his living drilling water wells, will be on hand at the racetrack for a press conference and media mixer early Friday afternoon followed by a Southwest Tour practice session and a BBQ hospitality event thereafter.

Foster is among a handful of entries that bear the “Rookie” label. In contention for the Sunoco Rookie of The Year status, Foster will host other rookies like the impressive Don Campbell and others who have run select schedules this year with the Southwest Tour.

Hometown racer Ryan Foster by nature calls Shasta Raceway Park his home track, after winning major events here including the Win River 150 just a couple of years ago, and other high level events over the years in which Foster has dazzled fans and defended the property he calls home.

The Shasta 125 marks the 6th Southwest tour event Foster has competed in this season with only Bakersfield and Phoenix left on the schedule, Foster currently plans on making an appearance at the October Classic at Mesa Marin Speedway and the season finale in Phoenix. The point standings currently show Foster at position #21 out of 78 active drivers on the the Southwest Tour Roster which is notable considering he’s only competed in 5 events to date.

Ryan will be a special guest on the Q97fm midday radio show on Friday September 9th. Q97 is the number one most listened to radio station from Sacramento to the Oregon Border. Source; Arbitron 2005 Spring Survey.

Our thanks to Foster Well Drilling, Mikes Body Shop, The Golden Gate Meat Company and Bob Strandwold Commercial Properties along with TM Custom Designs and Apex Fence Company for your continued support in our 2005 Southwest Tour racing efforts.

The Shasta 125 will be held at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson California this Saturday night.

Pre-race Schedule: Registration begins at 9:30am, Haulers enter at 10am, Practice 1:30pm-3:30pm. Bud Pole Qualifying begins at 5pm. Race scheduled to start at 8:30pm

Discount tickets are available at all participating Autozone Stores- Adults $25 Students, Military and Seniors $15, kids ages 6-12 $10.

For more information contact Shasta Raceway Park at (530) 378-6789 or log onto www.shastaracewaypark.org.