WILTON, California -- It’s been nearly six weeks since the stars of the SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout have been in action on a racetrack. All of that will change Saturday night on Madera Speedway’s 1/3 mile oval in Madera, California. The Wild West Shootout has already visited Madera Speedway twice this season as Ryan Foster won on May 27th and Eric Holmes cruised to victory on June 17th. Both Foster and Holmes drove the same car for car owner Bob Strandwold. Round number five of the 2006 season which includes 100 laps of racing excitement takes place this coming Saturday, August 19th at Madera Speedway.
Eric Schmidt of Roseville, California continues to lead the current point standings with 187 points. Schmidt has been on a tremendous hot streak so far this season. In four races Schmidt has one victory and four top five finishes. His worst finish was a third at Madera Speedway. Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year contender Kyle Gottula of Modesto, California is currently second in the championship standings. Gottula has accumulated 161 points. In his two previous starts at Madera Speedway this season, Gottula finished second and seventh. Fresh off of his first career SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout Victory at Altamont Motorsports Park is Mike Mendenhall of Santee, California. Mendenhall is only three points behind Gottula heading into Saturday night’s 100 lap race. Jeff Belletto is currently fourth in the championship standings. Belletto has led the most laps so far this season but has failed to win a race. Jeff nearly won at Altamont Motorsports Park on June 2nd but suffered a mechanical failure with just one lap to go. Belletto is just three points behind Mendenhall in fourth. Rounding out the top five is Jim Courage Jr. of Roseville, California. Courage Jr. qualified second quick at Madera on June 17th and then earned fast time honors at Altamont on June 2nd. Courage Jr. has finishes of fifth and ninth at Madera Speedway in 2006.
In the sixth position is Joey Zampa from Napa, California. In his two previous visits to Madera Speedway, Zampa has set quick time on both occasions with finishes of 11th and 16th after being caught up in racing incidents. Tracy Bolin of Valley Springs, California is currently seventh in the championship hunt. The last time the SRL Wild West Shootout visited Madera Speedway Tracy Bolin finished third and is looking to improve that Saturday night. Jeremy Wood the 2005 Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year is eight in the championship standings. The Tracy, California driver has two top ten finishes at Madera Speedway this season. Currently tied for eight with Jeremy Wood is Keith Spangler of Chatsworth, California. Spangler’s best finish at Madera Speedway in 2006 was ninth on May 27th. Rounding out the top ten is Troy Ermish of Fremont, California. Ermish started out the 2006 season on a fast note by capturing the fast time at Shasta Raceway Park on April 29th. When the SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout visited Madera Speedway on June 17th, Ermish crossed the finish-line in the fifth position. Just outside the top ten are drivers Ken Boyd, Aaron Days, Jason Gilbert, and 2004 Champion Steve Belletto.
Joining the SRL Wild West Late Models Saturday night at Madera Speedway are the Selsor Construction & Demolition Company Street Stocks, Toyota Sedans and Hornets. The grandstands open at 3:00PM with qualifications also at 3:00 PM. The on-track autograph session and opening ceremonies will take place at 5:15 with the first race schedule for 6:00 PM.
Friday, August 18th Practice Pit Gates open at 2:00 PM
Practice 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
$125.00 per car with no crew charge.
Saturday, August 19th Race Schedule
Pit gate opens at 10:00 AM
Tire selection at 11:45 AM
First SRL practice 12:40 pm
Hotel information
Holiday Express
(559) 661-7400
SRL Group
Ticker Information:
General: $25
Seniors: $20 (Ages 60 and over)
Juniors: $12 (Ages 7-12)
Family Pack: $55 (2 General and 2 juniors)
Children: Free (6 and under)
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.