WILTON, California -- The SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout returns to action this coming Saturday night at Madera Speedway for the third event of the 2006 season. Madera Speedway is hosting the “1st Annual Jeff Anthony SRL Father’s Day Memorial 100” in honor of the 2002 SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout Champion Jeff Anthony who tragically died in November 2005 in an off highway motor vehicle accident. Veteran SRL driver Joey Zampa will be running the entire season in memory of Jeff Anthony, with car colors honoring Jeff and his #76 Late Model. Joey Zampa, his team and sponsors are proud and honored to be racing in memory of a four time champion who was a good friend and a great competitor.
Jeff “The Iron Man” Anthony leads all drivers with 54 career SRL starts. In those 54 starts Jeff crossed the finish-line first nine times. Jeff set fast time on four different occasions in his SRL career. In 54 starts Jeff finished in the top five 26 times and in the top ten 41 times. Jeff also was crowned as the 2002 SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout Champion. Before Jeff joined the SRL he won three Late Model titles at Altamont Raceway Park. In the nearly 37 years Jeff spent with us he touched so many people in so many different ways. Please join us Saturday night at Madera Speedway as we pay tribute to a real champion!
After two exciting races so far this season, Eric Schmidt of Roseville, California leads the current championship point standings. Schmidt opened the 2006 season up with a win at Shasta Raceway Park on April 29th and a third at Madera on May 27th. Schmidt was penalized 10 championship points from the race at Madera Speedway. Schmidt leads Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Gottula of Modesto, California by just one point (86-85). Gottula opened the season by winning the non-qualifiers race at Shasta Raceway Park. Gottula would finish eight in the feature that night and then placed second at Madera Speedway. Trailing Gottula by just one point is Jim Courage Jr. of Roseville, California. Courage Jr. finished fifth at both Shasta Raceway Park and Madera Speedway as he is having one of his best starts in his SRL career. Sitting in the fourth position is Keith Spangler of Chatsworth, California. Spangler opened the 2006 season with a third place finish at Shasta Raceway Park, followed by a ninth place finish at Madera Speedway. Rounding out the top five is Mike Mendenhall of Santee, California. Mendenhall cruised to a fourth place finish at Shasta Raceway Park to start his 2006 season off. At Madera Speedway Mendenhall would finish 12th. Mendenhall trails current point leader Eric Schmidt by only ten points.
Ryan Foster picked up his first SRL victory in over a year at Madera Speedway on May 27th. Foster finished 11th Shasta Raceway Park earlier this season. Foster currently has 72 Championship points after being penalized 10 points at Madera Speedway on May 27th. Sitting in the sixth position is Joey Zampa of Napa, California. Zampa set fast time at Madera Speedway and is looking for his first victory of the 2006 SRL season after suffering bad luck in the first two events. Troy Ermish of Fremont, California is currently eight in the championship standings. Ermish set quick time at Shasta Raceway Park earlier this season. Ermish best finish came at Shasta where he finished sixth. Jeff Belletto is tied with Ermish with 69 points. Belletto finished 15th at Shasta and 4th at Madera. Jeff Belletto won his first career SRL victory at Madera Speedway in 2004. Rounding out the top ten is 2005 Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year Jeremy Wood of Tracy, California. Wood finished 12th at Shasta and eight at Madera. Wood has a total of 68 points and is within striking distance of the top five. Ken Boyd, Cody Pruitt, Tracy Bolin, Angelo Queirolo, and Aaron Days round out the top 15.
Capture the Flag: Sunoco Race Fuels, a proud sponsor of SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout awards the winner of each event in the 2006 season with a Sunoco Checkered Flag.
Sunoco Checkered Flags:
Eric Schmidt 1
Ryan Foster 1
Ticket Information:
General: $25
Seniors (Ages 60 & over): $20
Juniors (Ages 7-12): $12
Family Pack (2 General & 2 Juniors): $55
Members of the Military (with valid Military I.D.): $1/2 Price
Children (6 & Under): Free!
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, MUD-Racing.net, Paul Oil Co., Performance Electrical, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco, U.S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and Parts.
