Source: SRL Media Relations/ Chris Stai
Date: 08/05/2007

TRACY, California − If last week’s race at Shasta was all about the heat, Saturday night’s race at Altamont Raceway Park was all about tires. Short track legend Jim Pettit II of Prunedale, CA, who never met a track he couldn’t dominate, didn’t have the fastest car at the outset of the Mid Valley Iron and Metals 100. But he did when it counted and after a caution flag adjustment in the pits and some new rear tires, he stormed to victory and got his second win of the SRL season.

With Dave Byrd out front to start the race, the initial action was near the back of the pack with the 09 car of young rookie Brennan Newberry getting in the infield dirt after trying to take the inside groove underneath the 5 car of David Mantooth. Both ended up in the pits with Mantooth apparently getting the worst of it as he said his car was never the same the rest of the race.

Meanwhile in laps 6 and 7 both the 7 car of local Tracy favorite Rick Ruzbarsky and young SRL rookie Porter Smith in the 62 car took over 2nd and 3rd place passing Troy Ermish who’s 38 car never appeared to have the same performance he showed in qualifying. Ruzbarsky continued his climb up front when in lap 22 he took the lead from Byrd only to see Smith, who followed him by Byrd, take the lead two laps later. Porter Smith’s car appeared to be the fastest on the track as he pulled away from the field and began to work his way through lap traffic.

Kyle Gottula who was the fastest qualifier didn’t appear as fast during the race and got spun near the back of the field at lap 45 loosing his bumper and needing a trip to the pits. The pits were busy throughout the race with both race leaders and those learning their way around the half mile oval. Modesto’s Steve Belletto who came in second in points made several trips to the pits as well. Altamont wasn’t even kind to fan favorite Ruzbarsky who after making a strong surge towards the front ended up in the pits with a down tire.

Meanwhile with the 62 car continuing out front, the 02 car of Tracy Bolin and the 03 car of Pettit were making their way through the field with Bolin making his way to 2nd at lap 47 and the 03 car making his way to 3rd the very next lap. Bolin and Pettit continued with a tight battle for 2nd place until lap 54 when the 18 car of Todd Bammer slowed in the front straightaway with electrical problems caused the yellow.

With the leaders bunched up again after the restart, Pettit quickly took 2nd the very next lap as he continued his assault towards the front. And at lap 66, Pettit took command of the race moving ahead of young Rookie of the Year Candidate Porter Smith, never to relinquish his lead. But as Pettit pulled away from the field, the battle for 2nd heated up the windy evening at Altamont when Dave Byrd battled his way back into the fray up front.

Also finding his way into the battle for 2nd was the Trophy Dash winner, Greg Voigt in the 4 car. Voigt’s car had worked his way through the mid-pack traffic and after some fierce competition from the veteran Byrd, managed to move to the 3rd spot. Voigt’s car was strong but didn’t have enough to get past Porter Smith as the 62 car held on to 2nd.

With Pettit leading by a comfortable margin, the last bit of drama for this race would come at lap 97 when a spin out by Steve Belletto brought out the yellow to set up a 2 lap sprint to the finish. But the 03 car remained strong as the flag went green and Pettit pulled away to secure the victory with Smith, Voigt, Bird and Bolin rounding out the top 5.
Trophy Dash:
The 4 car of Greg Voigt made and early outside pass in turn 2 of the first lap to take the lead from Valley Springs’ Tracy Bolin in the 02 car and pulled away quickly to win the Performance Electric Company Inc. Trophy Dash. Following Voigt and Bolin was the 03 car of the main event winner Jim Pettit II, followed by the fastest qualifier of the day, Kyle Gottula in the 21x car.

Other Awards:
The Mid Valley Iron and Metals Hard Luck Award went to David Mantooth in the 5 car whose luck ran out in lap 17 as his car never fully recovered from his lap 2 incident with the 09 car. Dave Byrd in the 1 car won the Mid Valley Iron and Metals Pole Start Award and Modesto’s Jeff Belletto who’s 6 car had mechanical issues that kept him from qualifying, came from the back to finish 11th and win the Performance Electric Inc. Hard Charger award. Kyle Gottula was the Five Star Bodies Fast Time Award winner with as blazing fast time of 17.481

Remaining 2007 SRL Racing Schedule:

August 18th Colorado National
September 1st Madera Speedway
October 20th & 21st Shasta Raceway Park

The SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank their 2007 Sponsors, which include: Afco, Bassett Racing Wheels, Brodix Inc., Dynatech, Eibach Springs, FRE, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank’s Radio Service, G. P. Fabrication, Hoosier Tire West, Impact Racing, Fensler Racing Inc., Larsen Racing Products, Madera Auto Center, MUD-Racing.net, Paul Oil Co., Performance Electrical, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco, U.S. Brake, Victory Circle Chassis and Parts, California Hot Wood, and Star Nursery

About the Stockcar Racing League (SRL):

The SRL is one of the premier stock car racing series in the country. The series has patterned itself after NASCAR with beautifully prepared cars and support vehicles, and identifiable team uniforms. This seventh season looks to break all attendance records, attracting over 70 seasoned drivers from all over California and the southwestern states. Local and regional stock car fans can also cheer for new stars that will someday drive the machines of NASCAR. The series is a training ground, not only for drivers but for mechanics, chief mechanics and engineers. This series is great for fans who love live action on a hot weekend.

See Also .:

• Jim Pettit II Driver Card
• Altamont Motorsport Park Track Page

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