Altamont Raceway presents “Sponsor Appreciation Day” on Saturday evening, featuring the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) going to battle for 100 laps on the fastest half-mile in the west.
Altamont’s American Limited Stock Cars and Grand American Modifieds will also grace the half-mile, with Future Champions Development Series racers on the quarter-mile, and Formula-4s rounding out the program on the 1.1 mile road course.
The five divisions, three venue program is a bargain at just $12 for adult admissions. Team sponsors with RSVP’d tickets, will pay just 2-for-1 price and be treated to a barbeque lunch in the Turn 4 Club. Teams competing Saturday may email Jim Becker by Wednesday at jbecker@AltamontRacing.com to RSVP.
Pleasanton’s Jason Gilbert leads the Late Models into action Saturday, with four feature wins on the season. Gilbert has vaulted to fifth in the NASCAR California State standings, and 29th in the NASCAR National standings.
A close battle for second in the track points has wowed fans this summer, with Brentwood’s Doff Cooksey and 2006 Stockton 99 Speedway champion Guy Guibor of Manteca locking horns.
Several visiting drivers are expected to be in action on Saturday, including Carson City, NV standout teenager Bobby Hodges. Hodges has finished in the runner-up position three times in his four starts. Hodges could be in position to claim his first win on Saturday.
Another driver expected to compete is 2007 State Champion Mark Holman of Los Altos.
The Westcar Late Model Series is led by Carson City, NV veteran Chet Danburg.
Other drivers racing on Saturday in the Late Model competition will be Tracy High graduate Justin Philpott, sophomore standout Carlos Vieira of Merced, and veterans Brian Koski and Ken Benhamou.
Stockton’s Richard Harper has finished in the top-five in all six American Limited Stock Car races thus far to lead the ALSC championship.
Sammy Solari of Salida has four wins and is just two points back in the hunt. Tim Rappa, Anthony Gourley, and Robert Cherf round out the top-five. The ALSC division has wowed fans with its racing on the half-mile oval since moving to that track earlier in the year.
Todd Lynch of Tracy has taken care of business in the Grand American Modifieds, leading Todd Lewis of Riverbank by 16 points. The open-wheeled class has a 30 lap event scheduled Saturday.
Future Champions Development Series Late Models, with drivers ages 14-16, will compete for 20 laps on the quick quarter-mile.
A pair of 10 lap features for the competitive Formula-4 division will wrap up the evening. Bob Wilson is tied with Jake Morgenstern atop the standings.
