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.
For additional Stockton 99 Speedway information call the 99 Race Line at
(209) 466-9999 or visit www.stockton99speedway.com on the web.