COOKSEY SCORES BIG DOG #2 WIN AT ALTAMONT AGAINST HUGE FIELD

Source: AMP Media Relations/sb
Date: 06/09/2008

TRACY, California. – Doff Cooksey Jr. of Brentwood, CA picked up his NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Model win, Sunday afternoon, at Altamont Motorsports Park as part of the Noceti Grupe Inc. Big Dog #2.

Cooksey, the 2007 Rookie of the Year, won the 75 lap feature ahead of Carson City, NV’s Bobby Hodges and claimed $2000 for the win.

An outstanding car count of 39 took part in the exciting action on a comfortable day at the fastest half-mile in the west.

Cooksey, after winning an earlier heat race, led the huge starting grid to the green flag. Cooksey’s momentum was slowed on lap six when Al Vogel of Ukiah, Brock Monroe of Escalon, and several other cars tangled in turn one.

Big Dog #1 winner Jason Fensler of Modesto, CA stalled in turn four with mechanical problems to draw the caution on lap 10.

On the restart, points leader Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton and Justin Philpott of Tracy battled heavily, with David Philpott also in the fray.

Gilbert moved into second and the caution flew again on lap 14 when Guy Guibor of Manteca spun in turn four.

The leaders set forth on a long green flag run with heavy lapped traffic. Cooksey and Gilbert ran nose-to-tail in a heated battle.

On lap 32, a large accident broke out into turn four as the field checked up. Michael Wendt of Lodi rammed into the back of Vito Ranuio of Stockton. Andrew Livengood of Richmond was also collected. Livengood and Wendt were forced to retire for the afternoon.

A series of cautions followed, with state points leader Joey Stearns of Stockton suffering mechanical problems and loosing four laps. 2006 Stockton champion Guy Guibor also surrendered to car issues for the second straight event.

After a fourth consecutive caution, Tri-Holiday winner Tim Spurgeon of Danville was removed for the event for rough driving with Dallas Glenn of Fresno. Glenn and Sprugeon tangled in turn four with Glenn suffering race ending damage.

The eventful race continued its drama on lap 68. With seven laps remaining, Gilbert and Madera Speedway points leader Kyle Gottula of Modesto made contact into turn one. Gilbert was sent spinning and Gottula was sent to the rear of the field.

On the restart, All American Speedway points leader Gary Glenn of Orangevale went to work on David Philpott for second, but the second position proved to be a curse. Glenn and Philpott made contact, with Philpott spinning and Glenn being black flagged.

The young Cooksey held on for the final four laps in a thrilling finish that satisfied the home fans.

Cooksey was followed home Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV. Hodges edged out a hard-charging Carlos Vieira from Merced who started 31st. Gilbert and 2000 Irwindale Speedway James Weston of Goleta rounded out the top-five.

Joe Racer of Stockton won a back-and-forth American Limited Stock Car feature on the Altamont quick quarter-mile. The largest field of the season took part in the event.

Racer led the opening eight laps before the caution flew for a spinning Sammy Solari of Salida.

On the restart, Stockton’s Donnie Darter took command from the outside front row. Solari, undefeated as the track points leader heading into the afternoon, struggled to make up ground for the rear of the field with apparently handling problems.

Another caution on lap 12 allowed Racer to get the lead back from Darter, who fell to fourth.

Racer led Richard Harper of Stockton to a caution on lap 25. The restart with five to go saw Zack Huffman of French Camp, CA move past Harper for second.

Racer held on for the win over Huffman, with Darter, Harper, and Pete Anderson Sr. of Stockton rounding out the top-five.

All American Speedway points leader Scott Winters of Tracy, CA scored his ninth win of the 2008 season, leading every lap of the Grand American Modified race.

But despite leading every lap, Winters had to fend off Big Dog #1 winner Jason Philpot of Citrus Heights. A restart with seven to go put Winters to the test, but he held on by only a few car lengths for the win.

2007 champion Tony Noceti of French Camp came home in third, with Todd Lewis of Riverbank fourth, and points leader Todd Lynch of Tracy fifth.

West Coast Enduro wrapped up the day with a special slam-bang 60 lap Enduro on the Altamont Motorsports Park interior road course.

Richard Bentz took the lead from Joe Racer and held on for the win, denying Racer of picking up two wins on the day.

Altamont Motorsports Park goes dark on Saturday June 14, but returns on Saturday June 21 with the Twisted Metal 1 Car Show, presented by Killer Customs of Tracy.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend