The North State Challenge presented by Scottfeild Executive Hotels will roar into Altamont Motorsports Park on Saturday, May 12th. The series, for late model stock cars, has operated successfully in Northern California and Southern Oregon since 1999, but has never ventured as far South as Tracy. The NSCS features the most powerful late models running in California today, with more horsepower than even the SRL and the NASCAR Grand National West Series cars.
Drivers pre-entered for the 100-lap event include 2005-06 champion Mike Doss, NASCAR Elite series Champion and current SRL driver Craig Raudman, former Southwest Tour and Northwest Tour driver Howard Ford, and NASCAR West Series rookie Thomas Martin, to name but a few.
Local drivers entered include the SRL’s Todd Bammer, former SWT racer Dan Siebert and local driver Jason Gilbert. Oregon will be well represented by most recent winner Randy Houston, former NASCAR Northwest Tour driver Kyle Pope, Ashland’s Brad Wasmund, and 2007 Rookie point leader Alan Cress. C.J. Bawden, Jerry Allec Jr. and Mike Millard will lead the Nevada contingent. Over 25 cars are expected to vie for the $2000 winner’s share of the purse.
“We’re really looking forward to this weekend,” says NSCS Director Dane Nissen. “It’s been many years since these cars have been to the fast 1/2-mile at Altamont. I know all our guys are excited about it. I’m pleased to see some of the SRL guys and some of the local drivers giving our series a try. It’s going to be a great weekend!”
The grandstands open at 2:00 PM with qualifying slated for 3:00 and the opening ceremonies at 5:00 followed by racing. Also on the program will be the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars and Pro-Trucks.
