STOCKTON, California — For all the repairing and replacing that was done over the fall and winter at the new Stockton 99 Speedway, one piece of the facility for the most part was left alone, perhaps the most important – and historic – part of all: the racing surface.
There was no ceremonial chop job to make way for a complete repaving, ala Infineon Raceway’s drag strip a few years ago. Except for some needed filling of holes, it’s the same ol’ quarter-mile asphalt oval, complete with different banking in the turns.
The speedway will be busy again this weekend, when the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series moves to Saturday nights with racing in the Western Late Model, Grand American Modified, Street Stock and Bomber divisions.
Practice begins at 1 p.m. when the grandstand opens. Qualifying begins at 3:30 p.m. and racing at 5. General admission is $15 for ages 16-59. Tickets cost $10 for seniors 60 and up, juniors 11-15 and military personnel showing an ID. Family admission (two general, two juniors) is $40, and kids 10 and under get in for free.
Tim Spurgeon of Danville gave the track his stamp of approval last weekend. Of course, Spurgeon won the inaugural Western Late Model main event of the new season.
“The track is good,” said Spurgeon, who shot by Manteca’s Guy Guibor for the lead on a restart and led the final 27 laps of the 50-lap feature. “It’s better than what it was.”
Spurgeon also said the new Goodyear tire “is good for this track,” adding, “I’m looking forward to running some 100-lappers with this tire.”
Stockton 99 has twin 50-lap Late Model main events scheduled for April 4 and a 99-lap feature on April 11.
Also on the calendar are the first drifting program of the season April 10 and “Krazed Sunday” on April 12 – go-karts, quads and motorcycles.
