SPEED AWARDS ANTHONY WITH THE WIN; CONSISTENCY REWARDS STRMISKA WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Source: SRL Media/Eddie Alves
Date: 09/21/2003

TRACY, California -- Davey Hamiltons SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout visited Altamont Raceway Park in Tracy, California last night for the final race of the 2003 racing season. Jeff Anthony of Livermore, California crossed the line first, to take his third Sunoco Checkered Flag this season. Lakeports Mike Doss finished second, followed by rookie Ryan Foster, Ron Strmiska Jr., and Ken Boyd fifth.

Anderson, California rookie Ryan Foster set quick time around Altamonts big half-mile track. Foster ran a lap of 18.325 seconds. Ron Strmiska Jr. of Manteca, California qualified second, Jeff Anthony third, Tracys David Philpott fourth, and Mike Doss fifth.

Foster drew a 10 invert for the 100 lap feature. Chris Wadsworth of Oakley, California would start on the front row, a long side Ken Boyd of Ceres, California. Wadsworth rented the number three car from Rick Knudson. Knudson owns the number three car, and the number twenty-six car driven by Boyd. Just before the green flag waved, Wadsworths car stopped on the front stretch, as he needed a push to the pits, with mechanical failure.

The entire inside row moved up one spot. Aaron Days of Patterson, California would now lead the field to the green flag from the inside of row one. As the green flag waved, Boyd took the lead on the outside heading into turn one. On lap two, Joey Zampa, Tracy Bolin, Kyle Gottula, and Ed Coughenour spun in the middle of turns one and two. Zampa and Bolin had front end damage, and each made a pit stop. As the field went green on Lap five, Boyd led Days, Ruzbarsky, Philpott, and Anthony. Lap 13 saw Ruzbarsky make his way around Days for second. Ruzbarsky made the pass exiting turn two. Ruzbarsky quickly closed in on race-leader Boyd, and on lap 20 Ruzbarsky and Boyd made contact exiting turn four, sending Boyd spinning across the front stretch, as 16 other cars missed him. Boyd somehow ended up in the right direction on the race track and continued. Trophy Dash winner Ruzbarsky, was black flagged and finish 17th.

With Boyd and Ruzbarsky out of the top five, Aaron Days inherited the lead, but not for long. Tracys David Philpott took the lead on lap 24. Anthony passed Days for second just two laps later on lap 26. Mike Doss moved into third from his fifth starting position on lap 30. Geoff Brandon from Eureka, California spun on the backstretch on lap 35. Anthony made his way around Philpott just before the caution came out to take the lead.

At the half-way point, Anthony continued to lead, Philpott ran second, Doss third, Days fourth and Ryan Foster fifth. Doss later passed Philpott for second. On lap 83 Ryan Foster passed Days for third, as the field continued green. Jeff Anthony was able to hold off Mike Doss, to take this third straight shootout victory at Altamont Raceway Park.

My car was awesome tonight, it was really good in the middle of the corners, and it ran well the final 63 laps under green. Said Race winner Jeff Anthony.

Ron Strmiska Jr. started the race in the 9th position, and finished fourth, giving him the title of 2003 SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout Series Champion. It fells really good to win the championship, but Im glad its over. This is for all of my crew members, they do all the work. Said 2003 Champion Ron Strmiska Jr.

Heading into the race at Altamont, Strmiska had a one point lead over Jeff Anthony in the Western Speed and Fuel Qualifying Points. Strmiska qualified one spot better then Anthony, and clinched the 2003 Western Speed and Fuel Qualifying Points Championship.

Ryan Foster is the 2003 Hoosier Tire West Rookie of the Year. Foster finished his season with two wins and two fast times during qualifying. He also placed third in the Western Speed and Fuel Qualifying Points championship.

Banquet Info: The 2003 SRL Wild West Shootout Banquet will be held Saturday, November 22nd, 2003 at The Elk Horn Country Club in Stockton, CA. From 6:00 to 7:00 PM there will be a No Host Bar, and at 7:00 PM Dinner will be served. Following dinner, the Celebration of the 2003 season will begin, with awards and dancing. More information will be provided at a later date.

Dont forget to check out the SRL Wild West Shootout website at: http://www.srllatemodels.com

Davey Hamiltons SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank its 2003 Sponsors, which include: Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tire, Western Speed & Fuel, Extreme Race Wear, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank's Radio Service, F. R. E.--Finishline Racing Equipment, Paul Oil Co, Bassett, Dynatech, GP Fabrication, & Print Werx.

Race Results:

See Also .:

• Altamont Motorsports Park Track Page

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