Stockton 99 promoter meeting with drivers today about rules changes
SCOTT LINESBURGH
Record Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006
Ken
Clapp decided to change some of the rules at Stockton 99 Speedway in an attempt
to draw more NASCAR
Western Late Model cars.
But those changes haven't been popular with several drivers, and some of them
will get a chance to plead their case about everything from carburetor size to
tires.
Clapp, the track's promoter, announced he is holding a discussion with a select
group of drivers and car owners today. The group includes drivers Pete Anderson
Jr. of Stockton, Dave Philpott of Tracy, Harry Belletto of Modesto, Ron Strmiska
Jr. of Manteca and Sam Solari of Salida, as well as Dave Byrd's car owner, Ray
Miller.
The
main issues are new rules that allow cars with bigger carburetors to compete in
the division and the decision to remove the tire impound rule, allowing drivers
to bring tires home between races. Those changes represent a return to rules
that were used last season.
Anderson said drivers are upset because they were not originally consulted about
the changes, and
those who have been loyal to the track all season have to spend money to keep
up.
"It just boils down to us paying more money to draw more cars when we've been
faithful all year," Anderson said. "And they never made one phone call to ask
any of us what we think about it."
Clapp said he did discuss the situation with some car owners and race officials
in the area, and he defended the moves. He said the bigger carburetor will not
make much of a difference at the small quarter-mile track, and that there are
several cars in Northern California that run the larger carburetor and might
come to Stockton if it were legal here. His primary concern is the size of the
WLM field. Although there were 20 cars at Stockton 99 on Saturday, a 50-lap race
on June 3 drew just 12 cars.
