West Sacramento driver unbeaten

By Scott Niendorf

Record Correspondent

July 08, 2012 12:00 AM

STOCKTON - Garrett Peterson of West Sacramento is still humble despite being perfect.

Peterson showed who the class of the field in the Ford Focus Midgets is by winning twin victories Saturday in front of an estimated 400 spectators at Stockton 99 Speedway to remain unbeaten this season.

Peterson led from start to finish in the first 30-lap main to edge Ricky Bowers of Euclid, Ohio, and Tyler Edwards of Atlanta, Ga., respectively.

Peterson then started in last place on the complete invert in the second main, but grabbed fourth on lap four and had the lead by lap eight, passing Molly Helmuth of Seattle, Wa.

Helmuth started on the pole and battled Petersen all the way to the checkered flag to finish second.

"Molly has really picked up the past couple of races," said Peterson, who won his eighth straight event. "She got a pretty good lead, but I knew I had a little better car tonight and I had to be patient and track her down. My dad (Greg Peterson) and I have been working real hard to get a good set up on the car for this track because, if we don't, anyone else can win on a given night."

Garret Peterson (31) races against Tyler Edwards (24) on his way to winning the Ford Focus Midgets main event Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway. Edwards finished second.MICHAEL McCOLLUM/The Record Picture is from the first meeting this year.

Edwards took the checkered flag in the dash ahead of Peterson.

Jeremy Doss of Upper Lake took the checkered flag in the North State Challenge Series Late Model 75-lap main. Doss took the lead on the third restart and held off Junior Roddy of Gualata, Calif., on the final lap for the victory.

"I knew I had a fast car," said Doss, who had the fastest qualifying time. "I had to stay patient and it ended up working out."

Keith Nelson of Lakeport won the trophy dash.

Eric Gunderson of San Diego maneuvered through lap traffic better than the rest of the field to win the 35-lap Legends main event over Tony Mangini of Venezia and Danny Allen of Lincoln, respectively.

Gunderson started 10th in the field, but passed Mangini, who got boxed out by lap traffic on lap 13, for the lead and eventual win.

Robby Czub of Rocklin earned the trophy dash win.

Andrew Vanderpool of Stockton took Mini Cup Division victories in both the 20-lap main and trophy dash ahead of Scott's Valley's Bryce Napier.

Results of the second Enduro race of the season were unavailable at press time.

Next Saturday the Speedway features

NASCAR Whelen All American Series Western Late Model Twins, along with Pure Stocks, Pro-4 Modifieds, Vintage Hard Tops and Basically-4-Cylinders.

GARRETT PETERSON SWEEPS STOCKTON FOCUSES

Here's USAC's Report on the Race:

GARRETT PETERSON SWEEPS STOCKTON FOCUSES

Stockton, CA……..Garrett Peterson of Sacramento, Calif. swept to victory in a pair of 30-lap USAC Western Focus features Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway. He passed Sheldon Didinger on lap 15 in race one and led the final 16 laps, then led the final 27 laps of the nightcap after passing Didinger on lap four. Ricky Bowers finished second in both races ahead of Tyler Edwards and Didinger. Molly Helmuth and Christine Breckenridge were the respective fifth-place finishers.

USAC WESTERN FOCUS MIDGET RACE RESULTS: April 21, 2012 – Stockton, California – Stockton 99 Speedway

DASH: (4 laps) 1. Sheldon Didinger (#3 Sutton), 2. Garrett Peterson (#31 Peterson), 3. Molly Helmuth (#9 Sutton), 4. Tyler Edwards (#24 Sutton), 5. Ricky Bowers (#42 Sutton), 6. Christine Breckenridge (#26 Breckenridge). NT

FIRST FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Garrett Peterson, 2. Ricky Bowers, 3. Tyler Edwards, 4. Sheldon Didinger, 5. Molly Helmuth, 6. Christine Breckenridge, 7. J.R. Williams (#74 Williams). NT

SECOND FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Garrett Peterson, 2. Ricky Bowers, 3. Tyler Edwards, 4. Molly Helmuth, 5. Sheldon Didinger, 6. Christine Breckenridge, 7. J.R. Williams. NT

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FIRST FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-14 Didinger, Laps 15-30 Peterson.

SECOND FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-2 Breckenridge, Lap 3 Didinger, Laps 4-30 Peterson.

NEW USAC WESTERN FOCUS MIDGET POINTS: 1 Breckenridge-202, 2-Jet Davison-136, 3-Wally Pankratz-135, 4-Bryant Dawson-127, 5-Parker Colston-123, 6-Peterson-120, 7-Winn Frazin-119, 8-Cody Elliott-116, 9-Michael Steele-114, 10-Bowers-114.

NEW USAC WESTERN FOCUS PAVEMENT MIDGET POINTS: 1-Breckenridge-202, 2-Bryant Dawson-127, 3-Peterson-120, 4-Winn Frazin-119, 5-Bowers-114.

NEXT USAC WESTERN FOCUS MIDGET RACE: May 12 – Stockton (CA) 99 Speedway