SRL Media

Eddie Alves

Stockton Calif. (March 30^th) – Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout made it’s second stop of the ten race series Sunday afternoon at Stockton99 Speedway. Manteca, California driver Ron Strmiska Jr. came home with the victory. John Gaalswyk of Ripon was second, followed by Brandon Whitt of El Cajon, Jeff Anthony the 2002 series champion finished fourth, with Michael Carver rounding out the top five.

“We got real lucky tonight, we had a third place car, but we ended up in victory lane” said Strmiska.

Strmiska also paced the field of 29 SRL Wild West Shootout Late Models. A lap of 13.967 was good enough for quick time around the ¼ mile track. “We have a little different chassis setup compared to last years, and it seems to be working” said Ron Strmiska Jr. who also set quick time last week at Altamont Raceway Park.

A six car invert would put Tracy Bolin of Valley Springs on pole or the 100 lap feature. Bolin, in his second career Wild West Shootout start took the green flag, and lead the field into turn one. Joey Zampa of Napa, California followed in second position. Bolin built a comfortable lead as the race slowly unfolded.  The race was slowed down on lap 38 when Whitt and Zampa got together in turns one and two. Both cars restarted at the rear of the field. Jeff Anthony moved into second, with Eric Holmes third, Strmiska fourth and Tim Bost fifth. Strmiska moved passed Anthony and Holmes on lap 41 to take the second position away. Just a few laps later on lap 49, Holmes made his way around Strmiska for second.

As the race just passed the half-way point Rick Ruzbarsky of Tracy, California made his way into the top five. Ruzbarsky later passed Anthony for fourth position, with Gaalswyk sixth and Oakley’s Chris Wadsworth seventh. Gaalswyk passed Anthony on lap 84, and then passed Ruzbarsky on lap 88 to take over fourth spot. A late race caution was thrown on lap 90 for Tim Stratmeyer who spun in turns one and two. Ruzbarsky spun on lap 95 in turn four, which set-up a five lap shootout. As the race restarted on lap 96, Holmes and race leader Tracy Bolin made contact in turn four, bringing out the final caution of the evening. Strmiska inherited the race lead and went on to lead the final laps and pick up his first victory of the 2003 racing season. Gaalswyk finished right behind Strmiska for second, and Brandon Whitt made his way back to the front to finish the race in the third position.

The SRL Wild West Shootout will make there first of three stops Saturday April 12^th at Madera Speedway’s 1/3 mile racetrack.

Don’t forget to check out the SRL Wild West Shootout website at: http://www.srllatemodels.com

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout would like to thank its 2003 Sponsors, which include: Sunoco, Hoosier, Western Seed & Fuel, Extreme Race Wear, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank's Radio Service, F. R. E.--Finishline Racing Equipment, & Print Werx.

Official Results:

1.  Ron Strmiska Jr.

2.  John Gaalswyk

3.  Brandon Whitt

4.  Jeff Anthony

5.  Michael Carver

6.  Tim Bost

7.  Steven Williams

8.  Rick Ruzbarsky

9.  Tracy Bolin

10. Eric Holmes

11. Tim Stratmeyer

12. Chris Wadsworth

13. Jeff Belletto

14. Joey Zampa

15. Mike Doss

16. Nathan Tucker

17. Troy Ermish

18. David Philpott

19. Aaron Days

20. Dave Byrd

Semi Results:

1.  Jeff Belletto

2.  Aaron Days

3.  Brian Smith

4.  Ed Coughenour

5.  Mike Simpson

6.  Ryan Foster

7.  Jeff Brandon

8.  Justin Offenbach

9.  Carl Pierce

10. David Sullivan

11. Chad Pais