MADERA, California -- Ryan Foster won the “Smokey Hanoian Classic” Saturday night at Madera Speedway in Madera, California. Foster held off Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year Contender Kyle Gottula for his first victory since September 18th, 2004 at Shasta Raceway Park. Finishing third was current point leader Eric Schmidt of Roseville, California, followed by Jeff Belletto and Jim Courage Jr.
“It feels good to be back in victory lane, it’s been awhile since we have won. I can’t thank Bob Strandwold enough for letting run his car this season. He gives me excellent equipment.”
Angelo Queirolo finished in the sixth position as Jamie Dick made his 2006 season debut and crossed the finish-line seventh. 2005 Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year Jeremy Wood finished eight as Keith Spangler and Cody Pruitt rounded out the top ten.
Joey Zampa was the fastest of 24 drivers who attempted qualifications. Zampa’s lap of 14.661 seconds was just a little quicker then the 14.698 second lap that Mike Mendenhall ran. Jeff Belletto qualified third, Ryan Foster fourth, and Kyle Gottula fifth.
The six car invert would place two Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year contenders on the front row. Bryan Herzog made his SRL debut and qualified six, placing him on the pole along side Kyle Gottula. However, Gottula’s car would not start under its own power and he was forced to start in the rear of the field.
As the green flag waived Jeff Belletto jumped out to an early race lead and Herzog followed closely in second. Joey Zampa controlled the third position with Ryan Foster fourth and Aaron Days fifth. The first caution flag waived on lap 12 for a spin in turn two. Under the yellow flag Ken Boyd retired his car after suffering mechanical problems. Bryan Herzog spun on the restart and gave up his second place running position to Foster as Zampa continued in third, Days fourth and Mike Mendenhall fifth. The second caution flag of the night waived on lap 24.
On lap 33 Ryan Foster would take the lead away from Jeff Belletto and Joey Zampa would follow to move into the second position on lap 35. At the halfway point, Foster continued to lead, Zampa second, Jeff Belletto third, followed by Mendenhall, Schmidt, Queirolo, Courage Jr., Gottula, Jamie Dick, and Harold Rieker. The third caution of the night came out on lap 52 for a spin involving Mike Mendenhall who was running fourth at the time.
Kyle Gottula continued to charge through the field and moved into the fourth position on lap 65. The final caution of the night waived on lap 77 as Joey Zampa who was running second and the lapped car of Harold Rieker Jr. made contact exiting turn four sending Zampa’s car hard into the wall along the front stretch. As the race restarted with just 20 laps to go, Foster continued to lead with Jeff Belletto second, Kyle Gottula third, Jim Courage Jr. fourth and Eric Schmidt fifth. Gottula passed Belletto on lap 93 to take the second position as Schmidt followed to Gottula to third and Belletto fell to fourth. Gottula was unable to make his way around Foster in the closing laps as Foster led the final 68 laps to win his first race of the 2006 season.
Wes Miller won the 15 lap non-qualifiers race as Cody Pruitt finished second. Both drivers would transfer to the 100 lap main event. Mike Mansch, Wes Banks, David Mantooth, and Carl Pearce all failed to qualify for the Smokey Hanoian Classic.
Kyle Gottula was the highest finished Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year contender (2nd).
Jeff Belletto won the four lap Performance Electrical Co. trophy dash.
The SRL Wild West Shootout returns to Madera Speedway on Saturday, June 17th for the 1st Annual Jeff Anthony SRL Father’s Day Memorial 100.
The SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank their 2006 Sponsors, which include: Afco, Bassett Racing Wheels, Brodix Inc., Dynatech, DPI, Eibach Springs, FRE, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank’s Radio Service, G. P. Fabrication, Hoosier Tire West, Impact Racing, Fensler Racing Inc., Madera Auto Center, Paul Oil Co., Performance Electrical, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco, U.S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and Parts.
