2009 Local Tracks

Kids Night 2000    Kid's Night 2001    Kid's Night 2002  Kid's Night 2003  Kid's Night 2004  Kid's Night 2005  Kid's Night 2006

 

Kid’s Night Out At The Races Produced Some Fantastic Racing. Big Wheel And Wheel To Wheel.
by David Holman

If you wandered out past the garden where blackbirds rustle with whiplash against blue wagons of wind to a place in the orchard where passions run deep on this Oval Highway we call Stockton 99 Speedway, you could feel the tug of childish plumes as this Event got underway Saturday, August 22nd, on Kid’s Night Out at the Races.  Joining the youngsters on this beautiful summer afternoon would be the NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, ALSC/Street Stocks and the Bombers.   
 

It’s hard to believe there are only five races left on the season for the Western Late Models, but nonetheless, they just keep rolling along as we come down the final stretch to the finish line.  The Championship in this Division may be a foregone conclusion, but that certainly didn’t deter the fantastic racing that has taken place each and every week this year from taking place once again this evening.  When these drivers hit the track they are single-minded in their will to win.  San Ramon’s Tim Spurgeon (86) and Salida’s Mike Beeler (6) got this 60 lapper underway from the front row.  Coming back around to lap 1, Michael Wendt (2) of Lodi popped out to the lead and held strong until lap 14 when Points Leader Justin Philpott (05) of Tracy and the #51 of Atwater’s Carlos Vieira spun coming off turn four to attract the first yellow of the night.  On the restart, Wendt once again assumed his position on point and was in command of the race, but on lap 22, the racing Gods frowned down upon him in the unfortunate form of mechanical failure, which ended his night and brought out the second yellow of the race.  On the restart, the #50 of Tracy’s David Philpott took control of the top spot and pulled away to what appeared to be a half straightaway lead and his seventh win of the year.  But, upon further review during post-race inspection, Philpott’s car was deemed to be unsatisfactory according to the rules set forth and suffered a disqualification.  Of course, this pushed everyone up a spot giving the win to Beeler for his third on the year.  Due to the extraordinary circumstances, a quote from Beeler was unavailable.  Todd Corral (16) of Modesto finished second while Modesto’s Jeff Belletto (12) took the third spot with the young Philpott and Spurgeon making up the top five. 
 

In the Grand American Modifieds, it has been nothing less than a phenomenal summer for Winters.  Starting deep in the Point Standings, Scott Winters has won the last nine times out, which has closed him to within two points of Points Leader Michael Ostrowski.  Tonight would prove to be a hard-fought battle for that coveted top spot.  Ostrowski (17) of Salida started on pole with Rio Linda’s Mike Regelman (5a) at his side.  Regelman gained the early point until lap 5 when “The Scientist” Scott Winters (24) of Tracy overtook the #5a and was well on his way to another outstanding run when, on lap 23, the law of averages rained down on him in the form of mechanical misfortune which forced him to the pits causing an abrupt halt to his night and his win streak.   One man’s misfortune is another man’s fortune, and that would certainly be the case for Regelman as he was in place to inherit the lead, which he proudly took advantage of and cruised to his first victory of the year at Stockton.  “I was thinking, awe man, come on, hold together for another 17 laps,” said a very relieved Regelman, “I thought at the end, oh man, something’s going to break, something’s going to happen, it always does.  So I was glad to see it turn around for me.” Otrowski held on to finish second with Modified Sensation, Wes Miller (57) of Turlock, bringing her home third while South Africa’s David Crouch (2) finished another very impressive fourth and Tracy’s Jim Thompson (99) followed in fifth.  Two cautions would plague the race, but neither was detrimental to the leaders. 
 

With five races remaining on the schedule, the ALSC/Street Stock Division is still up in the air as far as the final standings are concerned.  But tonight was just another race towards that final outcome and these guys hold nothing back, so their concerns were focused only on the checkered flag for the event at hand.  Escalon’s Brock Monroe (42) and Riverbank’s Aaron Coonfield (25) brought this race under the green with Monroe pacing the field for the first 25 circuits before he finally succumbed to the pressure from Coonfield only to be slowed by the solo caution of the race as the #70 of Steven Geiser lost a motor coming out of two and down the back shoot.  On the restart, Monroe motored back out to the point with Coonfield gnawing at his back bumper until lap 33 when the #25 decided to make his move underneath the #42.  From there, it was all Coonfield as he took the checkers for his eighth win of the season.  “Talk about a fun race, I couldn’t ask for a better guy to race against than one of my buddies from Sideburn Racing,” said an elated Coonfield, “This is awesome, this is great.  I can’t tell you how happy I am.” Monroe held on to finish a close second with Stockton’s Brian Vosburg (89) finishing third.  Points Leader Jeff Ahl (31) of Lodi and Salida’s Sammy Solari (79) rounded out the top five. 
 

Ben Lewis II and Tom Dahl have become formidable forces in the Bombers with an awesome rivalry brewing between the two, but you can never forget about “Redneck” Russell Johnson Jr., because he is always lurking somewhere, ready to strike if a mistake is made.  Peggy Sue Jarred (313) of Stockton started from the pole position with Justin Philpott (505) of Tracy, apart from his usual attire, on the outside.  Philpott jumped out to the early lead, but on lap 7, he was overcome by too much Tom Dahl (4) of Stockton.  Dahl would continuously scoot away from the field, even though he encountered heavy traffic throughout the race, and cross below the checkers for his fifth win on the year in this caution-free event.  “It took some good, steady, fast laps to bring this one home,” said an always friendly Dahl, “I’m just glad everything stayed clean and everyone had a good race.” Points Leader Ben Lewis II (22) of Stockton finished a solid second with Philpott managing a third place finish and Jarred was fourth.  Rounding out the top five, “Redneck” Russell Johnson Jr. (23) of Stockton made himself known tonight with some great donuts on several occasions during the race. 
 

Stockton 99 Speedway is steeped rich in traditions, and Kid’s Night has always been one of the biggest nights of the year.  This night would be no exception as nearly 72 entries registered for the Big Wheel Race.  This would be the kid’s time to shine at the historic racing arena, and shine they did as kids from all over the valley gathered for the thrill of competition and fun beneath the flag stand at the storied venue in front of a crowd of almost 1500 family and friends.  The entire event was geared toward the kids, with raffles, a bounce house and plenty of surprises to go around for all the little ones to enjoy.  But, don’t be easily fooled, the adults had just as much fun watching.  Justin Philpott was the honorary starter as an alumni of the Big Wheel Class of ’98.  “When I did this, I finished third, wasn’t too happy,” chuckled Philpott.  Stockton 99 Speedway would like to thank all the parents and all the children for joining us at the Speedway for Kid’s Night.  It was a time of great fun and reflection for all involved.  See you next year. 
 

FINAL RESULTS FOR BIG WHEELS: 
 

2&3 Yr Old: 1st #96 Kaylee Reynolds, 2nd #42 Audrey Glines, 3rd #7 Eric Hall

4&5 Yr Old: 1st #10 Landen Chamberlain, 2nd #74 Oriana Cosgrove, 3rd #33 Tavion Blakenship

6&7 Yr Old: 1st #29 Sophia Serrato, 2nd #007 Lawrence Massone, 3rd #31y Domanic Drummond

8 Yr Old: 1st #31 Shelby Karstring, 2nd #14 Stephen Muthart

9&10 Yr Old: 1st #11 Cody Covacs, 2nd #46 Unknown, 3rd #12 Destiny Henricksen

Open Comp: 1st #74 Rick Belletto, 2nd #42 Jimi Monbray, 3rd #7 John Willhite 
 
 

Next Saturday, August 29th, Stockton 99 Speedway Presents “Poker Run Night,” with the NorCal Vintage Hardtops-North & South All Star Shootout, WSRA, ALSC/Street Stocks, Mini-Stocks/Mini-Trucks and Basically-4-Cylinders.  Also on the schedule, 99 Cent Hotdogs all night long!

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, ¼-mile west of Highway 99.  For more information on tickets and times, please contact the Speedway Office at (209)466-9999.  And remember, Stockton 99 Speedway is Always Family Friendly. 

Driver's hot streak finally cools

By Scott Linesburgh

Record Staff Writer

August 23, 2009 12:05 AM

STOCKTON - Scott Winters' long winning streak finally came to an end, and Mike Regelman was there to take advantage of the situation.

The Tracy driver was trying to win his 11th consecutive Grand American Modified main event Saturday night when he experienced mechanical problems, and Regelman won his first GAM feature of the season at Stockton 99 Speedway.

Mike Beeler of Modesto was declared the winner of the NASCAR Western Late Model main event after David Philpott of Tracy was disqualified.

Winters, a 41-year-old Tracy resident, had won 11 of 12 and looked capable of continuing his winning streak. He was the fast qualifier at 14.077 seconds and won the trophy dash on Saturday. He was leading on lap 23 when smoke began to come out of the back of his car.

"I guess the law of averages caught up with us," Winters said. "The car was good again and something went wrong. We'll take it back to the shop and have a look."

Regelman was in second when Winters left the race, and held on through the remaining 17 laps.

"When I saw him slow down, I said to myself, 'This could be my chance right here,' " Regelman said. "It feels great to get the win."

Philpott took the checkered flag, and the crowd went home assuming he won his seventh race of the season. But track promoter and chief steward Tony Noecti said Philpott's car did not pass the postrace inspection and Beeler got the win.

Tom Dahl of Stockton won his fifth Bombers main event of the season, another Saturday evening drive with his wife, Donna Dahl.

The Bombers is the only division in which the drivers can have a passenger, who wears all the safety gear the drivers do.

Aaron Coonfield of Riverbank won his eighth Street Stock main event of the season, outdueling Brock Monroe of Escalon.

Part of the evening was dedicated to "Kids' Night." About 70 children between the ages of 2-10 competed on big wheels and tricycles, and there was a bounce house and raffles.

Western Late Model points leader Justin Philpott, a former "Kids' Night" competitor and David Philpott's son, served as an honorary starter for the first kids' race.

"I did it 12 years ago. I finished third and I wasn't happy," Justin Philpott said with a laugh.

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