Source: SRL Media Relations/cs
Date: 10/15/2007

TRACY, California -- The SRL points championship came down to the last race of the season and the results of the Mid Valley Iron and Metals 100 at Altamont Raceway Park made it even more interesting right up to the end. Short track legend Dave Byrd held on to take the 2007 SRL points championship, Bryan Herzog held his points lead over Todd Bammer to win the 2007 rookie of the year honors. Rookie Porter Smith had his strongest performance of the year getting his first ever SRL main event win after beating out Troy Ermish at lap 96 after a hard fought battle.

As strong of a resume as Dave Byrd has, he wasn’t thinking championship as the SRL schedule began back in April. “I never thought we could win the SRL championship in this our first year as a new team", said Byrd. When asked where this championship ranks among his many accomplishments Byrd responded, “Winning the SRL championship is right there at top because of the caliber of drivers we have in this league. These are the best drivers on the west coast!” The Bob Strandwold Racing #1 car didn’t exactly finish as they would have liked to in their championship clinching race. A series of mechanical problems plagued their car from lap 19 on as the pit crew worked hard to keep Byrd on the track in this all important race where every lap was crucial in the championship points battle. In spite of several stops and laps lost in the pits, Byrd was able to finish enough laps (52) for 16th place which was enough to hold off Modesto’s Steve Belletto and Tracy Bolin of Valley Springs who were running 2nd and 3rd in points respectively.

Steve Belletto in the California HotWood #30 car started the night only 5 points behind Byrd in the points standings and was poised to take the championship but his own mechanical problems began to appear around lap 30 when he began to fall back into the pack. By lap 58, it was obvious that Belletto’s car was not doing well and Belletto finally had to pit at lap 65. His crew managed to get the car back out on the track but the 30 car could only manage 3 more laps before having to call it a night leaving him ultimately 7 points short of Byrd for the championship. With the top two in points having car problems even the 02 car of Tracy Bolin who began the night 29 points behind Byrd had a shot at the championship, but he too came up a bit short finishing the night in 7th place.

The final 2007 SRL race also decided who would be this year's Rookie of the Year. Bryan Herzog was just 12 points ahead of Pleasanton's Todd Bammer who looked to take over the lead at Altamont, his home track. But Bammer’s luck ran out at lap 19 when he and the 94 car of Darryl Lamoure touched sending Bammer’s 18 car into the infield tire barrier, ending his night and his shot at Rookie of the Year. But just like the championship points race, the story of the rookie points still continued as now it was between Herzog and the 62 car of Aztec, New Mexico rookie Porter Smith. Smith was a long shot to take of the rookie points lead but running toward the front, he put the pressure on Herzog to finish well if he wanted to capture the title. But Herzog was up to the task finishing the race strong, taking 6th place and the SRL Rookie of the Year title for 2007. When asked to sum up his night and excited Herzog said, “We knew where to finish and we were truly racing for points. My crew did a great job of coaching me letting me know where I need to be to capture the rookie title!” Herzog went on to say, “The jump from late models to the SRL is a big step. Each member of our team made lots of sacrifices for this and we learned a lot this season."

What should not get lost in all of the excitement of the championship points battles was the strong performance and first SRL victory for rookie Porter Smith. Porter new he had a strong car during practice and qualifying. “I soon realized that there were many other cars out there looking just as strong as we were,”said young Smith. Smith said he felt the race was up in the air as to who would win for nearly all the race but that he just “dug for everything he had”near the end. And what he had left was just enough to pull ahead of Troy Ermish with 4 laps to go. The 38 car of Ermish and Smith’s 62 car battled hard for 10 of the final laps in a classic side by side battle. But Porter Smith held off Ermish in what was probably both drivers strongest showing of the SRL season. Ermish ended up in 5th behind the 4 car of Greg Voigt and the 10 car of Mike Mendenhall who along with 2nd place finisher M.K. Kanke passed Ermish when he had car problems during the final two laps.

Trophy Dash: M.K. Kanke slipped past the 38 car of Troy Ermish in the first lap of the Performance Electric Company Inc. Trophy Dash and held on for the win. Ermish and main event winner Porter Smith finished a close second and third with equally fast cars.

Other Awards: The Mid Valley Iron and Metals Hard Luck Award went to Steve Yatsko in the 86 car who wasn’t able to complete a single lap after working hard to get his car in the race because of mechanical issues with his car’s rear end. Greg Potts of nearby Stockton, CA in the 31 car won the Mid Valley Iron and Metals Pole Start Award. Tracy’s Rick Ruzbarsky in the 7 car came from a 19th place start to finish 11th to win the Performance Electric Inc. Hard Charger award. It was remarkable that Ruzbarsky was even able to participate in the race after he flipped his car on its roof during qualifying. Through borrowing parts from his fellow SRL drivers, his crew was able to put his car back together in time to be a part of the main event. Rookie Porter Smith out of Aztec, NM in his Smith Ranch / BRE 62 car was the Five Star Bodies Fast Time Award winner with a fast qualifying time of 17.764.

The SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank their 2007 Sponsors, which include: Afco, American Race Tires, Bassett Racing Wheels, California HotWood, Dynatech, Eibach Springs, FRE, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank’s Radio Service, Impact Racing, Larsen Racing Products, McCoy Enterprises, Mid Valley Iron and Metals, MUDRacing, Paul Oil Co., Performance Electrical Company Inc, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco, Total Power Batteries, U.S. Brake, Victory Circle Chassis and Parts, 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'S Elite Series 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 crew chiefs, mechanics and engineers. This series is great for fans who love door to door racing on some of the fastest oval tracks in the West.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend