The prestigious NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series returns to the quarter-mile high-banked asphalt Stockton 99 Speedway this coming Saturday, April 27th for the first time since 1996, offering area fans a look at high-dollar, high talent action in a 125 lap contest with $35,850 in posted awards up for grabs.
While the fans will certainly enjoy the entire division, local interest will again almost certainly turn to the "Homegrown" favorites. Drivers such as Jim Pettit of Prunedale, Burney Lamar of West Sacramento, Mike Ledbetter of Ceres, Jason Fensler of Wilton, David Philpott of Tracy, Greg Potts & Ron Strmiska, Jr., of Manteca, Eric Schmidt of Roseville, Chris Wadsworth of Oakley, and Eric Holmes of Escalon, all cut their teeth at the storied 56-year-old racing plant. Each will try to outshine the series stars and grab the $2,500 winners total.
The highest local interest will center on three drivers in the form of Steve Belletto and Mike David of Modesto, and Ken Boyd of Ceres. David will be doing double duty this day, running a Winston West Event at California Speedway early on, and then grabbing a swift plane for the trip to Stockton and Tour competition that night. Belletto, Stockton's 2000 & 2001 Late Model champion has 16 feature wins and 56 main top five finishes to his young career and will be a popular choice for first place honors.
Boyd in turn has Stockton stats that simply scare the competition by mention. He is a four-time Stockton Late Model champion, with titles in 1988-89-90 & 91. He holds a NASCAR worldwide premier division record of 39 straight fast times set in 1988 & 89. His 71 feature wins in Late Model action at Stockton tops the record book, and his 217-feature top five finishes stagger the mind. Can the talented driver win at this level? You betcha ya!! Boyd won the very first Southwest Tour event held at Stockton in 1986 and returned for another taste of victory in 1991, placing him second only to now Winston Cup star Ron Hornaday, Jr., who has won three of the 17 feature events run at Stockton.
NASCAR Featherlite Tour Series stars will be on hand from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 26, for an autograph session hosted by the Graduate Restaurant, 2207 Country Club Blvd. in Stockton. Series drivers will include Burney Lamar, Adam Andretti, Steve Belletto, Brandon Whitt, and Mike Ledbetter, who will be joined by HOTWOOD Western Late Model standouts Harry and Jeff Belletto, plus others. Tour Series cars will be on display for the enjoyment of young and old.
The Stockton Speedway premiere NASCAR Regional HOTWOOD Western Late Model Division will share top billing with the tour series stars as current point leader Dave Byrd of San Jose continues to hold sway over Mark Welch of Orangevale. Harry Belletto of Modesto and Wes Miller of Delhi are 3rd & 4th in the point battle, with Byrd, Welch, and Miller each holding an early season feature win to their credit. All four of the top point runners have multiple past track championships, with Byrd and Welch holding NASCAR Regional titles.
Rounding out the days racing activities will be the ever-popular Pure Stock division with its door-to-door paint trading action. Defending champion Danny Guibor of Manteca is set to continue his current hold on first place points against the likes of last weeks feature winner Chad Holman of Stockton, and third place point runner Johnny Bird, also of Stockton. 2001 division Rookie of the Year, Michael Wendt of Lodi runs a strong fourth on the list.
Pit gates will open on Saturday for parking at 10:00 a.m. FSWS pit sign in gates will open at 11:00 a.m. Pit sign in booth for support divisions will open at noon. Spectator gates will open & practice will start at 2:00, with time trials at 4:45, and racing at 6:00. Prices are set at $25.00 for adults, $6.00 for children (age 6-9) $15.00 for seniors (age 65 & up) & students (age 10-17). A family pack for two adults and up to four children is available for $60.00. Kids, five & under are always admitted free at Stockton 99 Speedway.
Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, one-quarter mile off Highway 99. For speedway information, call, (209) 466-9999 (www.stockton99speedway.com)
