Anderson fighting for championship

SCOTT LINESBURGH
Record Staff Writer
Published Saturday, Jun 17, 2006

Pete Anderson's steady, consistent style is putting him in position for another championship run at Stockton 99 Speedway.

Anderson has dealt with tough competition and a few struggles on the track, but still leads two points races in the NASCAR Western Late Model division as racing resumes at 6 tonight.

Anderson, the defending WLM champion, is on top of the WLM regular season standings and leads the Hotwood 1,000 series. He has won one race and hasn't qualified as consistently as he did last season, but he's still the driver to beat as the season reaches the halfway mark.

"We've done pretty well, and it seems that at key moments we can put everything into it and get it done," Anderson said.

He said he expects the point chases to stay close all season. Anderson leads Guy Guibor of Manteca 402-390 in the WLM division and Eric Humphries of Chowchilla 343-322 in the Hotwood 1,000.

Anderson eventually took control of the 2005 championship battle with a remarkably consistent performance. He finished in the top 5 in 17 of 18 races.

It's been difficult in 2006, but Anderson said that's because of a talented field of drivers.

"I will say that there is stiffer competition than there was last year," said Anderson, 31. "At times your car could be a little off last year and you might get away with it, but not this time."

He finished seventh in last week's Hotwood event. That's not great, but he still hung on to his point leads.

"That's the thing with Pete, you know he's always going to give himself a chance to win," driver Dave Byrd of Pacific Grove said. "He might not always win, but he won't make mistakes."

The Western Late Model, American Limited Stock Car and Grand American Modified will all compete in 50-lap main events.

Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesbu@recordnet.com

The Stockton 99 Speedway is located just off Highway 99 at 4105 North Wilson Way. If you are traveling south on Highway 99 take the Wilson Way exit. If you are heading north on Highway 99 take the Cherokee Road exit, loop over the freeway, turn right onto Newton Road and then turn left on Wilson Way.