Tracy, Calif. (June 13)-Altamont Raceway Park is hosting a NASCAR double-header this weekend for the Winston West Series and Featherlite Southwest Series.
Altamont Raceway Park began its practice Saturday at 10:00 A.M. Practice was in place for about ten minutes when the first spin of the session resulted in a ten-minute red flag condition. The track again went green until 10:34 A.M. when it was learned that there was no ambulance on the premises. Safety being the number one concern, the track was shut down for over 1 hour and 20 minutes as it waited for the safety vehicles to arrive. The track reopened at 11:49. Practice resumed for both divisions and all cars were able to get their practice in.
At a little after high noon spectators saw the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series cars rolled out on the track for their practice session. A couple of the drivers, Randy Hedrick and Greg Potts, found turn 4 to be a little on the tricky side as both drivers took their cars for a spin in that turn. Ed Lashkoff found himself spinning coming down the front straight. The red flag was waved when Scott Busby dropped an oil bucket in turn 3. The track re-opened at 12:45 and all cars continued their practice session without further incident.
The second NASCAR Winston West Series session began at about 1:48. Sean Woodside was the first car to mow the lawn, as he spun in turn 2. Ron Burns made light contact with the turn 2 wall. Jeff Davis experienced the problem some of the previous drivers had when he spun in turn 4. During these sessions, Jack Sellers blew a motor and scratched for the weekend. Kevin Harvick also blew a motor, but repairs were made and Harvick went on to qualify 4th. Kevin Culver, who has been missing in the last few NASCAR Winston West Series races, completed a successful practice session and turned in a top-ten qualifying effort.
The highlight of Saturday's race activities at ARP was qualifying. Fans lucky enough to make it to the track were treated to watching not just one, but both series qualify their rides. The Winston West qualifying went off without incident and saw current point's leader, Sean Woodside grab the pole, with reigning NASCAR Winston West champion, Butch Gilliland on the outside pole.
During Southwest Series qualifying, Bobby Hogge spun in turn 2 but he gathered it back up and qualified 16th. Greg Potts spun twice, once in turn 2 and then again in turn 3. Potts returned for the B main. Eddie Bryan's won the 10 lap B-main. Randy Hedrick was second. Jerry Alec brought out the only yellow on lap 8 when he spun in turn 2. Kenny Shepherd turned in quick time with 17.987seconds to get around the ½ mile track translating to a speed of 100.072 MPH. After the top 8 qualifiers were inverted, Doug McCoun found himself on the pole, at a track he likes; starting on the outside of McCoun is John Metcalf.
Sunday's racing events begins at 1P.M. with the Altamont 100, the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series race. Immediately following the Southwest Series race will be the Winston West race, The Spears Manufacturing 200. Craig Raudman, driving for car owner, Dave Reed, will pull double duty Sunday and will start in 5th place for both races.
Altamont has everything going for it today; good weather, good cars and great fans. This is sure to be a great day at the races.
