Source: Eddie Alves
Date: 09/21/2006

Altamont Motorsports Park is hosting round number seven of the SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout Sunday afternoon. Sunday’s stop at the fast ½ mile will be the second and final stop for the SRL Series at Altamont Motorsports Park. Mike Mendenhall benefited from Jeff Belletto’s tough racing luck to win his first career SRL race on July 2nd. Mendenhall passed Belletto as the two drivers took the white flag with Mendenhall scoring the victory. Belletto broke a power steering belt after dominating the race up to that point. Belletto and Mendenhall will be looking to win the final SRL race at Altamont Motorsports Park Sunday afternoon.

Eric Schmidt continues to lead the point standings after a second place finish Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway. Schmidt has been the points leader since he won the season-opener at Shasta Raceway Park. Schmidt and the Golden State Racing Team will be looking to win their second race of the 2006 season Sunday afternoon. Schmidt has a 34 point lead (284-250) over Jim Courage Jr. Courage Jr. finished second at Stockton 99 Speedway last week after winning the trophy dash earlier that evening. Sitting third in the championship standings if Jeff Belletto. Belletto had the car to beat at Altamont earlier this season but a mechanical failure cost him the race on the last lap. Belletto finished fifth that night and looks to improve his position. Belletto trails Jim Courage Jr. by just eight points. Mike Mendenhall from Santee, California is fourth in the championship hunt. Mendenhall who is looking to sweep the SRL Altamont races in 2006. Rounding out the top five is Joey Zampa from Napa, California. Zampa finished fourth at Altamont earlier this year after qualifying third earlier in the day.

Just eight points out of the top five is Fremont’s Troy Ermish. The SRL veteran finished 19th in his previous start at Altamont this year. Ermish is carrying plenty of momentum into Altamont after finishing fourth last Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway. Kyle Gottula is currently seventh in the championship standings. The Modesto, California driver finished seventh at Altamont on July 2nd and is looking to score another top ten finish at Altamont. In the eight position is Tracy Bolin from Valley Springs. Bolin finished eight earlier this year on Altamont’s ½ mile. Ken Boyd of Ceres, California is ninth in the current point standings. Boyd was involved in a wreck Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway and is looking to rebound and win Sunday afternoon at Altamont. Returning to the top ten this week is Jeremy Wood, the 2005 Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the year. Wood finished 12th at Stockton 99 Speedway last week after running in the top 8 for most of the race.

Just missing the top ten this week are drivers Jason Gilbert, Aaron Days, Steve Belletto, Keith Spangler, and Angelo Queirolo.

Kyle Gottula has a 25 point leader of fellow rookie Jason Gilbert in the Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year point standings. Gilbert is the defending Altamont Motorsports Park Late Model Champion and is looking for his best finish of 2006 on Sunday.

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