JIM PETTIT WINS ROUND ONE OF THE TRI-HOLIDAY SERIES AT ALTAMONT CLAIMING HIS SECOND CONSECUTIVE FLASHCO SRL VICTORY

WILTON, California – The skies looked threatening but the weather held up for the Flashco SRL Southwest Tour Series as they participated in the first of three holiday events scheduled for Altamont Raceway Park this year. The half-mile oval at Altamont might present a different set of challenges when compared to the SRL’s last race in Irwindale, but the result was the same with the #03 Top of the Hill Performance Ford of points leader Jim Pettit taking home the victory.

The race got off to a great start with the #9 car of Victory Circle Chassis rookie-of-the-year contender Justin Westmoreland taking over the top spot after starting on the outside of local favorite and pole starter Todd Bammer in his #18 Moeller Brothers Body Shop Chevrolet. But a yellow came out in lap two when the #50 car of Jerry Allec Jr. found the wall in turn 4, earning him the Ron’s Rear Ends hard luck award. Westmoreland continued to hold onto the lead with great nose to nose racing throughout the field of drivers behind him.

But by lap twelve you could see that Pettit was working his way towards the front and by lap 14 he was in second with his sights on the young Westmoreland. Meanwhile a battle was heating up behind the two leaders with a group of talented SRL Tour veterans that included Bammer, the #11 car of 2007 rookie-of-the-year Bryan Herzog and the #2 car of Anderson CA’s Craig Raudman. This pack proved out to be a bit too closely bunched when the #2 car and the #11 car tangled in turn 4, and when Herzog’s car ended up in the infield kicking up a cloud of dust, those trailing in this tight pack tried to avoid any further entanglements. But a few were not so lucky, including the #51 Mid-Valley Iron and Metals car of Tracy’s own Rick Ruzbarsky who was done for the race with significant damage.

Jim Pettit continued to battle hard and eventually took the lead at lap 25 from the young rookie Westmoreland who’s car still looked strong, but wasn’t quite strong enough to continue to hold off Pettit. As the #03 car began to pull away, Westmoreland quickly became part of a tight pack battling for the 2nd spot. At lap 45 after holding the pack battling for 2nd place behind him for 20+ laps, Westmoreland found himself side by side with Bammer in the #18 car. The two were running door to door when they got too close, sending the #9 car to the infield dirt. Unfortunately for Westmoreland, his car was never quite the same after this ending his chances for a finish near the front of the field after a very promising start.

Meanwhile Pettit continued to have no problems leading the race while tighter battles ensued behind him. Familiar foes like Greg Voigt in the #4 car, Raudman, and Valley Spring’s Tracy Bolin in the #02 car were in what continued to always be a tight group going after the second spot. The driver not so used to being in this group was the #7 car of rookie Josh Combs of Sacramento, CA. Combs, who had a fast practice time, was seeing the hard work of he and his team pay off in a big in the main event. The #7 car passed drivers with vast racing experience and success that he had only dreamed of having. Combs continued to stay with the veteran group, eventually taking the checkered flag with a strong 4th place finish.

And up in front, Pettit continued to hold off the competition and after leading three quarters of the race, held on for his second consecutive SRL Southwest Tour Series victory. When asked about his win, Pettit was quick to give credit to his crew. “My team never quits. We are never satisfied and Duane Sharp, my crew chief, and the entire group are not afraid to continue to make adjustments even if our car looks good already”, commented Pettit. “I am happy I could reward them with another victory for all their efforts”, he continued.

Top rookie finisher Josh Combs was especially thrilled with his top 5 finish following the race. “To be able to battle it out near the front with legends like Dave Byrd, Raudman, Pettit and SRL veterans like Voigt and Bolin was unbelievable for me as a rookie!” said an excited Combs. “I was shooting for my first top 5 SRL finish and to get 4th place is a great accomplishment for my team!” concluded Josh. Combs was also the Mid-Valley Iron and Metals “Hard Charger” coming all the way up from his 20th starting position to finish 4th.

“We would like to thank the great team at Altamont Motorsports Park for letting us be part of Military Appreciation Day”, said Steve Fensler, executive director of the SRL. “We look forward to participating in the rest of the Tri-Holiday Series at Altamont!”

About the FLASHCO SRL Southwest Tour Series: Celebrating its eighth season in 2008, the FLASHCO SRL Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. The series utilizes cars based on the former NASCAR Elite Division Series rulebook. First 2008 event is this weekend at Roseville’s All-American Speedway. For more information contact the FLASHCO SRL Southwest Tour Series offices at 916-687-7284 or go to www.srllatemodels.com About Flashco, Inc. – Contractor Supply and Equipment Rental Company: Flashco, Inc. is a privately owned company based in Bakersfield, California. For over three decades Flashco has been an industry leader in traffic control and safety, and the equipment rental company of choice for the Central Valley. www.flashcoinc.com

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