Modified drivers from all over Northern California participated in round eleven of the NASCAR Whelen All American Modified series presented by Star Racing Supply at Stockton 99 Speedway. The division saw some great racing action as well as a new division winner for 2012.
Wes Miller was the driver to beat as he was quickest through all three practice sessions and qualified with a fast time of 14.400 seconds on the quarter mile oval. Jay Linstroth nearly missed the pole position by .001 seconds and landed the second fastest. Followed by Scott Winters, Jason Bamberg and Chase Grigsby the fast five. The top four qualifiers were invited to the four lap trophy dash. After two attempts at a start the front row was moved back. Linstroth got the lead on the start over Miller and cruised to the win.
19 Modifieds made it to the first 40 lap feature with a straight up line up from the qualifying results setting Wes Miller and Jay Linstroth on the front row to set the pace for the green flag. Linstroth got a great run on the outside and took the lead on lap one. Scott Winters eager to get to the front jumped to the inside of Jason Bamberg for third and Bamberg held onto his position. By lap ten, Linstroth picked up five car lengths over Wes Miller in second. A good battle for 13th with Nik Romano and David Crouch as the two raced side by side for a few laps and in the end Romano would claim the position. Chase Grigsby and Keegan Walmer also battle for the sixth position and Walmer cleared Grigsby on lap 18. On lap 23, tough luck for Linstroth as he got tangled with lapped car David Strickland in turn two losing the lead. After getting the field situated under the yellow flag, Wes Miller and Jason Bamberg restarted the field. Wes Miller jumped ahead of Bamberg for the lead and in the meantime, Linstroth in 12th quickly made it through the field by making thee wide passes. On lap 25, Miller picked up a five car length advantage over Bamberg. Caution flag on lap 28, Nick Lyons and AJ Rider collide in turn two collecting both Tripp Gaylord and Nik Romano. Gaylord and Lyons got the worse of the wreck ending their night short as the others continued on. On lap 30, Rider and Jessica Clark tangled in turn four and sent Clark spinning. Miller and Bamberg restarted the field again and this time Bamberg stole the lead from the outside as Winters snuck pass Cody Thompson for third, by this time Linstroth had made his way up to sixth. Jason Bamberg held off points leader Scott Winters for his first 2012 Modified victory. Followed by Scott Winters, Wes Miller, Cody Thompson and Andy Vanderveer the final five.
16 Modifieds entered the second 40 lap feature with an invert of eight, placing William Camera and Keegan Walmer on the front row. Camera was stopped by track officials before the green flag and had to start at the rear of the pack, they gave the pole position to Jay Linstroth. Linstroth jumped to an early lead and Cody Thompson jumped to the second position to follow the leader. By lap 11, Linstroth led by five car lengths over the field. Walmer and Vanderveer battled tough for the fourth position as the two rubbed tires and Walmer maintained his position. By lap 35, Thompson had picked up ground behind the leader to only two car lengths away. Yellow flag on lap 36, Romano and John Mamula made contact in turn one sending both Ramon and Mamula spinning. This yellow flag is the last thing Linstroth needed as the field was bunched up for the remaining five laps. Linstroth controlled the lead as Thompson spun his tires. Jay Linstroth driving for Jason Bamberg Racing cruised to his second Modified victory over Cody Thompson, Scott Winters, Wes Miller and Jason Bamberg.
Next up for the NASCAR Whelen All American Modifieds Presented by Star Racing Supply is round eleven, August 4th for Kids Night at Stockton 99 Speedway. The division will be featuring twin 40 lap main events. For more information on Stockton 99 Speedway or the Whelen All American Modified Series presented by Star Racing Supply visit www.Stockton99.com website or call 209-466-9999.For more information on Star Racing Supply visit www.StarRacingSupply.com. The Racer's store is located 8581 Younger Creek Dr, Sacramento, CA 95828 or call 916-914-1284
