SRL HOTWOOD 300 FIRES INTO SHASTA

Source: gw
Date: 05/03/2007

ANDERSON, California -- This Saturday Night the SRL Late Model Tour Cars will open their 2007 season at Shasta Raceway Park located at the fairgrounds in Anderson with round one of the Hotwood Late Model 300. The 100 lap event will pit the ex NASCAR Southwest Tour drivers against both veteran and rookie drivers of the SRL. With the demise of the Southwest Tour last year, the SRL should bring a stellar field of drivers and cars to both races at SRP this season. As an added bonus, the NASCAR Whelen All-American NASCAR Late Models will be in action with a 50 lap main event, along with the Legends and Bombers.

Leading the way of pre-race favorites include former NASCAR Southwest Tour and Shasta Raceway Park Champion, local driver Craig Raudman from Cottonwood. Raudman will be challenged by former NASCAR Tour drivers MK Kanke from Fraiser Park, David Mayhew from Bakersfield, Dan Holtz from Los Angles and Greg Voigt from Goleta. Taking up the battle for the SRL drivers will be the Belletto brothers Jeff from Salida and 2004 SRL Champion Steve from Modesto, former Pacific Coast NASCAR Regional and many time NASCAR track champion Dave Byrd from Seaside along with Tracy Bolin from Valley Springs. A huge contingent of Rookie of the Year candidates include Aztec, New Mexico driver Porter Smith in the Beebe Racing entry that Eric Holmes and Jason Fensler drove last year. Other rookies include Jimmy Santos from San Mateo, Justin Westmorland from Madera, 16 year old Brennan Newberry from Bakersfield in the ex Auggie Vidovich ride, Brian Herzog from Clovis and Todd Bammer from San Leandro. Another local driver making her SRL debut will be Kristie Schmitt from Anderson, Schmitt who had a fine showing at last years Win River 100, could be the dark horse in Saturday Night's 100 lap feature.

Steven Gannon, the 2006 NASCAR Late Model Champion, holds the early season points lead after a pair of runner up finishes last Saturday Night's double main event feature. Gannon who won eight times last year on his way to the championship will be looking to get back to his winning ways. Gannon holds a 2 point lead 40 to 38 over Jerry Nichols who won the first feature last Saturday night, Randy Hirschbock from Klamath Falls, Oregon holds down third spot with 36 points after taking the win in the second feature. Three drivers Eric Gannon, Bill Lancaster and Alan Pyszora are all tied for fourth place with 30 points.

In the Legend division, a pair of 16 year old teenagers lead the way into the points parade, Derek Copeland from Anderson holds a slim 1 point lead over Carson City's MacKenna Bell. Other contenders include another teenager Zachery Kavert from Redding who is coming off two big wins, one in Madera two weeks ago and Roseville last weekend, along with Micah Parmer, the 2005 and 2006 Shasta Raceway Park Champion.

The exciting Bombers will also be back in action on Saturday night.

The front gate will open at 5:00 PM, Time Trials at 6:00 PM and the racing action to start at 7:00 PM. For more information contact the raceway office at 530 378-6789.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend