Manteca teen speeds away with victory at Stockton 99 opener

Record Staff Writer

April 08, 2012 12:00 AM

Southwest Tour semi-main-event winner Bob Lyon of Agua Dulce leads Greg Voigt and Eddie Secord during the opening night of racing at Stockton 99 Speedway on Saturday. CRAIG SANDERS/The Record

STOCKTON - Jacob Gomes began the Southwest Tour season at his home track and put on a show.

The 19-year-old Manteca driver led the final 93 laps and won the Spears Manufacturing 125 on Saturday night in front of a crowd of approximately 2,000 at Stockton 99 Speedway. Gomes has always been successful at Stockton 99, and he never trailed after taking the lead from Derek Thorn of Bakersfield on the 32nd lap.

"I always try to do my best whenever I come here, and it's great to come into your home track because you always know you have a chance to win," Gomes said.

Thorn finished second, Jason Gilbert of Dublin was third and M.K. Kanke of Frazier Park was fourth.

Gomes was also the fast qualifier with a lap of 13.449 seconds, and Bob Lyon of Agua Dulce won the semi-main event.

Chad Schug of Hemet took advantage of an opportunity to win the Legends main event. Tony Mangini had the lead on lap 21 of the 35-lap lead when he suddenly fell off of the pace and Schug took control.

"I figured we had a car that could get a top three. I wasn't sure if we could pull off a win," Schug said.

"We just worked on the car really hard."

Darren Amidon started the race in ninth and went all the way to the back of the 24-car field when he got involved in an incident on the first lap. He recovered and rose to second place.

Chris Straka of Lakport returned to Stockton 99 with the Pro 4 Modifieds and once again had a successful night at one of his favorite tracks.

Straka took control early in the 25-lap feature and won for the sixth time in Stockton. At one point, he led by approximately a full straightaway.

Straka said he prefers short-track races.

"I enjoy any track when you have to use the brake pedal; it brings a whole new aspect to driving," Straka said. "You can outdrive the guy going into the corner.

"It's a lot more of a racer's race track."

Straka also won the division's trophy dash.

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

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 or visit their Website at www.stockton99.com.

The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel, Budweiser, Alamo Alarm and Stockton Hampton Inn and Suites and Lodi Holiday Express.