TRACY, Calif — 10 days remain before Altamont Raceway Park hosts the historic Altamont Fall Classic, featuring a first-ever pairing of the USAC Western States Sprints and Midgets with the NASCAR Camping World Series West.
The half-mile asphalt oval will come to life Saturday night, September 13th, with the USAC Challenge and the feature Golden State Steel & Stair 200.
The historic event will mark the time the best open-wheel and stock car racers have competed during the same event. This prestigious race is attracting interest from fans, racers, and sponsors all over the country.
Altamont Raceway Park has hosted the NASCAR Camping World Series West stars for four times in the last two seasons. The previous fall outings for the series were the series finales, and central valley fans were treated to seeing Escalon’s Eric Holmes and Modesto’s Mike David claim the 2006 and 2007 championships respectively at Altamont.
This season’s Golden State Steel & Stair 200 serves as the penultimate round on the 13 round schedule, with Holmes leading the standings.
Holmes is embroiled in a fierce duel with Ontario sophomore racer Jason Bowles.
The NASCAR Camping World Series West is the highest level of the regional development series within NASCAR. Competitors utilize cars similar to those used by the NASCAR Nationwide Series, with 625 horsepower.
More than $100,000 in prize monies is up for grabs in the 200 lap / 100 mile event.
Local talent is laden in the NASCAR program, with Modesto’s Mike David fourth in the standings ahead of Fairfield’s fan favorite Jim Inglebright.
In the USAC Western States Sprints and Midgets, young guns have ruled the action.
17 year-old Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg leads the Sprints into Altamont. The 145 mile per hour, 750 horsepower, open-wheel rockets have made Altamont their home track in 2008.
Swanson leads comfortably over Chowchilla youngster Eric Humphries in the championship standings.
Huntington Beach teen Nic Faas has a firm grasp on the Midget championship. The midgets, slightly smaller than a sprint car, utilize four-cylinder power.
Both USAC programs will include heat races. Main events will follow with the Sprints competing for 50 laps and the Midgets will race for 30.
More information on this history making night of racing is available at www.altamontracing.com/fallclassic
The official site for the Altamont Fall Classic features more information on both the NASCAR Camping World Series West and USAC Sprints & Midgets as well as event schedules and ticket information.
Altamont Raceway Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. An extensive remodeling project during the winter of 2005/06 has made the facility one of the most up-to-date on the West Coast.
For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com
