STOCKTON, California -- This season fans have witnessed lightning-quick, 30, 100, 125 and 150-lap NASCAR action at its best! This Saturday, Aug. 14 the action will continue when NASCAR Grand National Division West Series 200 drivers return to Stockton to compete for more than $100,000 in prize money!
Sponsored by DODGE COUNTRY, HAVOLINE and NAPA AUTO PARTS, this, the seventh race of the 13-race Grand National Division West Series, will be televised to a national audience on SPEED Channel, on a delayed-basis. The race will also feature driver Kerry Earnhardt, 34, the son of the late Dale Earnhardt, a seven-time champion in NASCARs premier division.
NASCAR officials expect to start at least 20 cars in the race. NASCAR fans are in for quite a show!
Among the competitors will be El Cajons Austin Cameron. Cameron, at number two in points standings (971), won in Stockton in May, has the most main wins this season (3) and is only 15 points behind points leader Mike Duncan of Bakersfield. NASCAR fans could see Cameron take the lead.
The only other driver who has taken a championship event this season, fourth place points holder David Gilliland, of Riverside, will also be on NASCARs fastest quarter-mile oval west of the Mississippi.
Stockton 99 Speedway fans will have a chance to cheer on track favorite John Moore, of Granite Bay, who tested well last week and is looking forward to the event in a new FORD Taurus.
Stockton Mayor and State Senate candidate for the 5th district, Gary Podesto will serve as Grand Marshal for the rich and exciting event.
"As a lifelong race fan, it is an honor for me to have an opportunity to kickoff the race," said Podesto. "With this being a premier NASCAR event in the area, this is a great night for the city of Stockton and for race fans!"
Also racing in HAVOLINE /CL BRYANT DODGE Weekly Series competition will be Stockton 99 Speedways regular Western Late Model, Pure Stock and Grand American Modified divisions.
In Western Late Model racing points leader Dave Byrd, of Pacific Grove, will be looking for his ninth win of the season and 40th career. After several weeks of sixth and seventh place finishes, Byrd captured last weeks 30-lap main event. Following the victory, Byrd said that some problems with the car had been worked out, but added that positioning in restarts made the real difference in the neck-and-neck showdown that he and Stocktons Pete Anderson Jr. entertained the crowd with.
Last weeks Pure Stock 30-lap main was as exciting as any NASCAR race can get. There were spinouts, wipeouts, close calls and collisions. In the end, Mantecas Johnny Cardoza and Modestos Charlie Clawson provided the most excitement as they battled it out for first and second -- with Cardoza securing the checkered flag.
Last week Citrus Heights Jay Linstroth earned his first Grand American Modified win this season and held onto fourth in division points standings, points leader Jason Kerby, of Galt, came in second. Kerby, Linstroth and the talented Ted Monatgue IV, of Newark, are expected back this week -- it should be a real showdown.
On Saturday, for the DODGE COUNTRY/HAVOLINE - NAPA AUTO PARTS 200 NASCAR GRAND NATIONAL WEST SERIES -- 200 laps of heart-pounding NASCAR action the Pit gate will open at 8 a.m., Grandstands will open at noon.
Admission to the area's only NASCAR Saturday night family entertainment will be $40 for adults, children 6 to 12 are $8 and family packages for two adults and up to four kids under 12 are $75. Ten dollar off adult ticket discount coupons are available at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. Kids 5 and under are free, accompanied by an adult. Friday and Saturday night RV parking is $50, $30 for Saturday only. VISA and Master Card are always welcome at the ticket booth.
Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 North Wilson Way. Traveling south on Highway 99, take the Wilson Way exit. The track is two blocks up the road just past the first stop light. On Highway 99 north, take the Cherokee Road exit, loop over the freeway to Newton Road and turn right. Drive one mile and turn left at the Wilson Way stoplight. From Interstate 5, get on the Cross-town Freeway and head east to Highway
99 north, then drive north on Highway 99 to the Cherokee Road exit. For information, call (209) 466-9999, or visit www.stockton99speedway.com.
