JASON GILBERT WINS DOUBLE NASCAR WHELEN ALL-AMERICAN FEATURE AT ALTAMONT

Source: AMP Media Relations/sb
Date: 08/10/2008

TRACY, California – Points leader Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton scored two more crucial wins in his chase for NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state and national points on Saturday evening at Altamont Raceway Park.

Brian McClish of Santa Rosa tamed a strong USAC Western States Sprint Car field for his second win of 2008, and Bobby Grewohl of Hollister and Jeff Oleen of Bethesda, Maryland earned their first USAC wins.

Grewohl claimed an exciting USAC Western States Midgets feature, while Oleen was victorious on the Altamont quick quarter-mile in the USAC Ford Focus program.

Pat Ariaz of Manteca held off David Goodwill of Napa in closely contested NCMA Limited Sprint feature.

Carlos Vieira of Merced led the field to green in the first 50 lap feature for the NASCAR Western Late Models over the 26 field.

The caution was thrown on lap two when as many as six cars spun. Chris Bammer of Pleasanton had to restart at the rear of the field.

On lap eight Vito Ranuio of Stockton and Clovis’ Trevor Schlundt tangled in a battle for fourth, with both cars suffering flat tires but remarkably not spinning.

Racing stayed clean and green while Gilbert stalked Vieira for the lead. Gilbert finally took the point on lap 12.

On a lap 20 restart, a large pileup on the front stretch saw Ken Benhamou of San Ramon ending up drivers door first into the wall with heavy damage.

Benhamou was eliminated from contention with Ranuio and Dallas Glenn of Fresno also damaged.

Orangevale visitor Gary Glenn staged a heated battle with Vieira for third, and took the position on lap 48.

Gilbert cruised home to win over Brentwood’s Doff Cooksey, with Glenn third, ahead of Vieira and Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV.

In the second feature, Vieira again flexed his muscles, taking the lead from pole sitter Kyle Gottula of Modesto on lap two.

The top-15 cars ran nose-to-tail behind Vieira with Gilbert applying pressure.

After a caution on lap 16, Gilbert went to work. On lap 29, Gilbert made the move stick. Five laps later, Vieira got loose and slipped up, allowing Justin Philpott to take second.

Vieira fell to fifth in the shuffle up.

Glenn battled hard with Philpott for the second spot while Gilbert enjoyed a comfortable lead through lapped traffic. Glenn eventually took the position on lap 44.

A six car battle for fifth highlighted the run to the finish.

At the line it was Gilbert, Glenn, Philpott, Cooksey, and Vieira.

Gilbert now has seven wins in 15 starts at Altamont Raceway Park.

It took just 12 laps for McClish to take hold of the USAC Western States Sprint Car series 50 lap feature.

Nick Rescino, Jr. of San Francisco was the early race leader, but was challenged by Eric Humphries of Chowchilla.

McClish went to work on the top groove, passing Alamo’s Scott Pierovich for third on lap eight, and moving past Rescino and Humphries just four laps later.

Rescino began to fade with mechanical issues and dropped out of the event.

Rookie Porter Smith of Aztec, NM and points leader Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg made a charge to the front from sixth and eighth on the grid respectively.

By lap 26, both had dispensed of Humphries and went to work on McClish for the lead.

A hard fought battle ensued all the way to the finish, with Swanson making a strong outside charge that was thwarted by lapped traffic.

McClish held on for his second Altamont win in 2008, over Smith, Swanson, Humphries, and Pierovich.

Grewohl’s win in the USAC Western States Midget event was a surprise to many, with his supporters cheering wildly after the thrilling win.

Grewohl went toe-to-toe with Hanford standout Michael Faccinto, taking the lead in a stunning pass on lap 26.

Passing two cars in one turn, Grewohl screamed by both Paul Zimmerly of Ridgefield, WA and Brentwood’s Dan Bedford in turn three on lap 21.

As if he was shot out of a cannon, Grewohl reeled in Faccinto just five laps later.

The top-five finishing order were: Grewohl, Zimmerly, Nic Faas of Huntington Beach, Bedford, and Canada’s Steven Matthews.

Ron Sutton’s Winner Circle driver Oleen took his first career USAC Ford Focus win in the 30 lap race contested on the quarter-mile oval at Altamont.

Oleen was forced to fight off points leader Alex Bowman of Tuscon, AZ and West Sacramento’s Garrett Peterson.

Jessica Brunelli of Hayward and Pleasanton’s Ian Miile rounded out the top-five.

Ariaz led every lap of the NCMA Limited Sprint 25-lap feature, but nearly lost the race in the closing stages. While negotiating lap traffic, points leader Goodwill made a charge that had the fans on the edge of their seats.

The finish was by just .167, with Goodwill looking high and low but unable to make the pass.

Morgan Hill’s Rob Hammond, Manteca’s Ed Amador and Jeff Burrows rounded out the top-five.

Next Saturday evening Altamont Raceway Park hosts the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (w/ Westcar stars) for 100 fast paced laps on the fastest half-mile in the west.

Grand American Modifieds and American Limited Stock Cars will also be in action the half-mile, with Legends of the Pacific competing in their first event at Altamont on the quarter-mile. The fast and furious Formula-4s will stage two 10 lap features on the 1.1 mile road course.

For ticket and event information, log onto the track website.

Altamont Raceway Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580.

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