EXCITING TRI-HOLIDAY CLASSIC SEES SPURGEON AND PETTIT CLAIM WINS

Source: AMP Media Relations/sb
Date: 05/28/2008

Saturday’s Tri-Holiday Classic #1 “Military Appreciation Day” saw Altamont Motorsports Park dodge wet weather to successfully pull off a huge day of Late Model action, with Tim Sprugeon of Danville, CA winning the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (w/ Westcar stars) 100, and Jim Pettit of Prunedale, CA scoring victory in the SRL Southwest Tour 100.

Incoming pints leader Guy Guibor of Manteca, CA led the 27 car field to green in the NASCAR Western Late Model event. The NASCAR program continues to maintain a near 26 car average through six races in 2008. Saturday’s Late Model event was the first of three rounds in the Tri-Holiday Series, which pays over $60,000 in prize monies.

2007 Mini Truck champion Ron Robeck of Milpitas, CA and Lisa Riordan of Scotts Valley, CA tangled on the opening lap in turn four, resulting in heavy nose damage for Robeck that ended his day early.

On the restart, the field set forth on an impressive green flag run to lap 29, but Guibor only made it to lap 15 before pulling into the pits for a mechanical problem.

Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton, CA took over the lead, while Jason Fensler of Modesto, CA and Carlos Vieira of Merced, CA battled hard for third.

Casey Sherer of Danville, CA and Gary Franks of Manteca, CA made contact into turn one with Franks hitting the wall to draw the caution on lap 29.

Gilbert, Spurgeon, and Fensler hooked up on the restart, and a thrilling three-way battle ensued.

The incredible duel continued for the remaining 70 laps of the feature, with the three staying glued together through two long green flag runs and heavy lapped traffic.

Fensler snuck by Spurgeon on lap 72 in turn two to take second.

Vieira and David Hulsey of Manteca, CA made contact on lap 85, closing the gap between the top-three and fourth place Wes Miller of Turlock, CA.

Just ten laps later, Justin Philpott of Tracy, CA spun, creating another late race restart which has become common in the 2008 Late Model campaign.

Coming to the green on lap 95, Fensler and Gilbert made contact and then made contact again in turn one, sending Gilbert spinning and out of the lead.

Both drivers were put to the rear of the lead lap after the incident, and Spurgeon held off Miller in a close fought run to the finish.

Andrew Livengood of Richmond, CA continued his dazzling season with a third place finish and young Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV was fourth. Modesto’s Mike Beeler was fifth.

Greg Voigt of Goleta, CA set the new SRL Flashco Southwest Tour track record on Saturday, but points leader Jim Pettit proved to be too tough to beat in the 100 lap feature.

Justin Westmoreland of Madera, CA led the opening laps and was quickly joined by Pettit to create an all-Ford top-two.

A large accident in turn four slowed action on lap 17. Bryan Herzog of Clovis, CA checked up during a heavy battle with Todd Bammer of Pleasanton, CA, and was hit from behind.

Herzog was sent spinning through the dirt and when the dust settled, local favorite Rick Ruzbarsky of Tracy, CA had suffered race ending damage. Troy Ermish of Fremont, CA had front end damage that required several pit stops to repair.

Pettit took the lead from Westmoreland on lap 24, with Voigt passing Westmoreland on lap 43.

While Pettit fought off Voigt, rookie Josh Combs of Sacramento, CA made a charge to the front. Combs passed Dave Byrd of Seaside, CA when Byrd ducked into the pits with mechanical problems, then made his way past Tracy Bolin for fourth.

A close battle for third between Combs and veteran Craig Raudman of Cottonwood, CA wowed fans all the way to the finish.

Pettit hung on for the close win over Voigt, with Raudman, Combs, and Bolin the top-five.

The American Limited Stock Cars made its first start on the half-mile in several seasons, with high speeds and close competition.

Sammy Solari of Salida, CA continued his perfect season, winning his third feature of the year. Richard Harper of Stockton, CA made the race interesting as they raced closely for many laps in the 20 lap feature.

Solari had to come from the fifth row to pick up the win over Harper, with Tim Rappa of Hayward also coming from row five for third. Dino Fry made his first start of the season count with a fourth place finish and Zack Huffman rounded out the top-five.

Formula-4 action was claimed by Bob Wilson and Richard Hull as the stock four-cylinder cars raced on the 1.1 mile road course.

Carson City, NV 15 year-old Cameron Millard ran hot laps in the Future Champions Development Series. Future Champions Development Series is a series for drivers ages 14-16 in Western Late Model stockcars. The nationally unprecedented series returns on July 5th.

Altamont Motorsports Park goes dark on Saturday May 31st, before returning on Sunday June 8th for the Noceti Grupe Inc. Big Dog “All-American Racing.” The racing will feature NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) for 75 laps, plus action for Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, Legends of the Pacific, and West Coast Enduro.

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