2006 was supposed to be an all-new racing series for the Westcar Late Model Series. Sunday, at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, CA, Byron Gonzales of Carmichael, CA proved that the new competition better take note of his 2005 championship.
Gonzales made a dramatic pass outside of Gary Glenn of Orangevale, CA in turn two on lap 95, and went on to lead the final five laps and take the win in the first Westcar Late Model Series event of 2006.
Gonzales, in his first career start at Stockton, triumphed over a field that featured 12 drivers making their Westcar debuts. The field was littered with Stockton veterans as well.
“I never dreamed I would win today,” Gonzales said. “I never thought I’d be able to win in my first race here.”
Gary Shafer Jr. led the opening 16 laps before a collision with Eric Schmidt of Roseville, CA on the front-straight caused him heavy cosmetic damage. Shafer lingered on while Schmidt was eliminated.
Shannon Mansch of Roseville took the lead position following the incident, and drove away for second-place running Glenn.
As Mansch and Glenn raced away during the long green-flag run, a raging pack of cars battled for positions three through ten. Kyle Cattanach of Redding, CA and Chris Monez of Turlock, CA battled hard for the fourth position throughout the run.
“I was saving the tires at the beginning while still trying to apply the pressure,” Monez said.
Melissa Davis of Santa Rosa, CA brought out the caution on lap 58, ending a 42 lap stint of green flag racing.
Glenn applied pressure on Mansch, while Monez passed Shafer to move into third.
Mansch’s dreams of a Westcar victory were squashed on lap 66, when Scott Shade of Redwood City, CA spun and Mansch was collected in reaction.
As a result, Monez was shuffled back to behind Shafer, who was still nursing a damaged race car. Gonzales raced back to the caution gaining four positions to move into third.
On lap 73 Gonzales passed Shafer to take the second position and began to make a run on Glenn.
Monez and Shafer made contact on lap 77 in turn one that shuffled them to the rear of the field. Two laps later, Shafer made contact with Mansch, sending Mansch spinning.
John Moore of Granite Bay, CA and Paul Gunthmiller of Manteca, CA battled for the fifth position until Gunthmiller cut down a tire and slammed the turn three wall.
Glenn’s car, like many others in the field, was fading due to the multiple caution periods late in the race.
“When I saw that caution with 15 to go, I knew I was in trouble,” Glenn said.
Gonzales set-up Glenn and made an exciting pass outside of turn two on lap 95 to take the feature win.
“I knew I had Gary,” Gonzales said. “The car was good everywhere, I was trying to save my stuff and keep the tires up.”
Gonzales held off Glenn after a late caution on lap 97 to take the $2250 win, presented by Eagle Fitness of Reno/Carson. Troy Shirk of Oakley, CA passed Glenn on the final restart to take over second. Cattanach and Monez rounded out the top-five.
“I wanted to win it,” Glenn said. “Me and my crew tried our best and I’m happy with a top-three.”
“I’ve always wanted to do well at Stockton,” Gonzales said. “Out goal is to is to conquer the race tracks and not think about the points. Championships don’t happen by thinking about them, we just have to be good.”
Chris Monez of Turlock won the $100 Scott Performance Wires Fast Time and Eric Schmidt of Roseville, CA won the $100 Competition Carburetion Dash for Cash
Finish for Eagle Fitness of Reno/Carson 100 98 Byron Gonzales Carmichael, CA La Pacita Mexican Food Chevy $2250 (Including $1000 sponsor bonus) 1x Troy Shirk Oakley, CA MSN/Microsoft/JME/XBOX Chevy $750 50 Gary Glenn Orangevale, CA G.Glenn Plastering Chevy $625 z2 Kyle Cattanach Redding, CA LaHourge Race Cars Chevy $500 11 Chris Monez Turlock, CA Ayers Racing Dodge $450 27 John Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Environmental Chevy $425 75 Chuck Glick Citrus Heights, CA Chevy $400 35 Rich Lawlor Sparks, NV Allen’s Tire Chevy $375 3 Gary Shafer Jr. Manteca, CA Stockcar Fabrication Chevy $350 15 Scott Chappell Lodi, CA Cardoza Transport Chevy $325 71 Melissa Davis Santa Rosa, CA Carl’s Ready Mix Chevy $300 3x Chet Danburg Carson City, NV Re/Max Chevy $290 44 Paul Gunthmiller Manteca, CA Roy Reeves Sand & Gravel $280 9 Craig Swim Orangevale, CA Swim’s Auto Repair & Towing Chevy $270 61 Shannon Mansch Roseville, CA Performance Electrical Chevy $260 5 Scott Shade Redwood City, CA David’s Racing Products Chevy $250 2 Michael Wendt Lodi, CA Wendt & Sons Construction Chevy $240 55 Zane Lovelace Roseville, CA Heavylifter.com Chevy $230 34 Ted Montague IV Fremont, CA Chevy $220 05 Eric Schmidt Roseville, CA AT&T, Yellowpages.com Chevy $210
Lap leaders: 1-16 Gary Shafer Jr., 16-66 Shannon Mansch, 66-95 Gary Glenn, 95-100 Byron Gonzales.
Awards: *Eagle Fitness Of Reno/Carson Feature Winner Bonus - $ 1,000.00* - Byron Gonzales Scott Wires Fast Time Award - $ 100.00 – Chris Monez Competition Carburetion Dash For Cash - 1st place - $ 100.00 – Eric Schmidt Jim Courage Pools Hard Charger Award - $ 100.00 – Byron Gonzales California Door Most Laps Led Award - $ 100.00 – Shannon Mansch John L. Sullivan Highest Finishing Crate Motor Award - $ 100.00 – Troy Shirk
DNQ: 0 Mike Brooks Jr., 10 Craig Scroggins, 11x Christina Davis, 16 Andy Livengood, 23 Tony Flores, 25 Randy Reeves, 32 Richie Crowell, 43 Chris Hinkle, 51 Brian Koski, 88c Michael Clarke
Westcar is supported in 2006 by: Scott Performance Wires, Xbox, Eagle Fitness of Reno/Carson, California Door and Frame, Sierra Racing Products, Circle Track Steering, Competition Carburetion, Jim Courage Pools, Fensler Racing, DPI, F.R.E., JME, John L. Sullivan, and Perry Racing.
