Source: Eddie Alves
Date: 09/13/2006

Wilton, Calif. (Sept. 12th)— It all started 60 years ago and it will all end Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, California. Over the past 60 years drivers and race fans from all over the country have visited the famed ¼ mile track on Wilson Way. This coming Saturday night will be the last time racecars will go around the high banked track as the track is ready to close their doors following Saturday’s events. The SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout is proud to be part of the final night of racing that will ever take place at Stockton 99 Speedway. The 100 lap feature event has over 25 drivers pre-registered for one of the 20 starting positions. Driver’s from all over the Western United States are looking to win the final event ever at Stockton 99 Speedway.

Eric Schmidt of Roseville, California continues to lead the current point standings. Schmidt, who drives for Frank Jordan has one win and five top three finishes. Schmidt is very familiar with Stockton’s tight ¼ mile as he was crowned the 2003 Late Model Track Champion. Coming off of his first career SRL victory at Madera Speedway is Jim Courage Jr. Courage trails Schmidt by 34 (236-202) points heading into Stockton this Saturday night. Tied for second place with 202 points is Mike Mendenhall from Santee, California. Mendenhall scored his first career SRL Victory this year at Altamont Motorsports Park in July. Sitting in the fourth place is Stockton 99 Speedway veteran Jeff Belletto from Salida, California. Belletto starting his racing career at Stockton before progressing his way up to the SRL and now has a total of 199 points, just three points out of second place. Rounding out the top five in Joey Zampa with 179 points. Zampa has been the man to beat this year in qualifying. In five starts Zampa has three quick times and qualified third fastest on the other two occasions. Like many other SRL drivers, Zampa cut his teeth racing at Stockton in Legends and Late Models.

Just sitting outside the top five is Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year point leader Kyle Gottula from Modesto, California. Gottula held down the second place position in the point standings for three weeks before crashing at Madera Speedway on August 19th. Gottula has 177 points and is only two points shy of cracking the top five once again. Sitting in the sixth position is Troy Ermish of Fremont, California. Ermish’s best finish of the year was a fifth at Madera Speedway. Sitting in the eight position is Tracy Bolin from Valley Springs, California. Bolin spent his early years racing at Stockton 99 Speedway and is looking to win the final event at the famed ¼ mile track. Aaron Days of Patterson, California is currently ninth in the championship standings. Days had his best career SRL finish a few weeks ago at Madera Speedway where he finished second. Rounding out the top ten is Ken Boyd of Ceres, California who is one of the most successful drivers in the history of Stockton 99 Speedway. Boyd is a four time Late Model Track Champion (1988-1991) at Stockton 99 Speedway and has numerous victories under his belt heading into the final night of racing at Stockton 99 Speedway.

Sitting outside the top ten are drivers Jeremy Wood, Jason Gilbert, Keith Spangler, Steve Belletto, Angelo Queirolo, and Harold Rieker Jr.

10-00 -1:30 PITS OPEN FOR HAULERS AND REGISTRATION

1:30 – 3:50 PRACTICE

2:00 PM GRANDSTANDS OPEN

4:00 – 6:00 QUALIFYING

6:00 PM NATIONAL ANTHEM

6:10 GREEN FLAG FIRST RACE

ADULTS $35.00

FAMILY PACK $69.99 2 ADULTS AND UP TO 4 KIDS 12 AND UNDER

SENIORS $25.00 65+

JUNIORS $20.00 13 – 17 YEARS OLD

KIDS $5.00 6 – 12 YEARS OLD

KIDS 5 AND UNDER ARE FREE WITH A PAYING ADULT

Following the last race the lights will be turned off for a giant FIREWORKS extravaganza.

The Stockton 99 Speedway is located just off Highway 99 at 4105 North Wilson Way. If you are traveling south on Highway 99 take the Wilson Way exit. If you are heading north on Highway 99 take the Cherokee Road exit, loop over the freeway, turn right onto Newton Road and then turn left on Wilson Way.

For Stockton 99 Speedway information call the 99 Race Line at (209) 466-9999 or go to www.stockton99speedway.com on the web.

The SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank their 2006 Sponsors, which include: Afco, Bassett Racing Wheels, Brodix Inc., Dynatech, DPI, Eibach Springs, FRE, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank’s Radio Service, G. P. Fabrication, Hoosier Tire West, Impact Racing, Fensler Racing Inc., Madera Auto Center, MUD-Racing.net, Paul Oil Co., Performance Electrical, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco, U.S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and Parts.

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