SRL Media/Eddie Alves

Photo: Jeff Anthony #76 Victory Lane

Photo Credit: SRL/Eddie Alves

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout visited Altamont Raceway Park Saturday night for there sixth event of the 2003 season. 2002 series champion Jeff Anthony from Livermore, California picked up his second victory of the 2003 season. Anthony passed trophy dash winner Ryan Foster on lap 95 of the 100 lap feature. Tracy, California driver Rick Ruzbarsky held onto third, while current point’s leader Ron Strmiska Jr. finished fourth and Altamont regular Rusty Buholz fifth.

“Our car was real good tonight, I just tried to keep it on the bottom, and maintain my speed in the corners. The 21 (Foster) and 51 (Ruzbarsky) raced me clean. They both did a real good job. I would like to thank my crew, they put the whole car back together for this weeks race” said Jeff Anthony.

Rookie Ryan Foster from Anderson, California has one win, and two second place finishes in the last three starts. “I’m happy with another top 5 finish. We had a tire going down there at the end of the race. I’m just glad the car is in one piece, and ready for next weeks race at Madera” said second place finisher Ryan Foster.

Rick Ruzbarsky who may have broken a shock during the race finished a solid third. “The car ran real well at the beginning of the race. Jeff raced me clean. Ryan drove a great race. What can I say, I’m happy with third. I love this race track.”

Jeff Anthony also set quick time during qualifications. Anthony stopped the clock around the ½ mile in 18.382 seconds. Oakley’s Chris Wadsworth qualified second with a lap of 18.470. Strmiska Jr. was third, Ruzbarsky fourth, and Fremont’s Troy Ermish fifth.

A six car invert placed Foster on the pole for the 100 lap feature. Foster led the field to the green flag with Ermish, Ruzbarsky, Wadsworth and Strmiska in the top five. Ceres’ Ken Boyd started 12^th, and moved into tenth on lap 15. On lap 22 Jeff Anthony passed Ron Strmiska Jr. for fifth. On the next lap, Dave Byrd also made his way around Strmiska. Ermish and Ruzbarsky continued to trail Foster, until lap 29 when Ermish spun in the middle of turns one and two. Ermish would continue, and go on to finish the race in the 14^th position.

The race remained green until lap 51 when Chris Wadsworth, Ken Boyd, and Dave Byrd all made contact heading into turn three. All three drivers hit the wall, and are ok. The red flag was displayed to clean up debris.

As the race resumed green on lap 53, Foster continued to lead, with Ruzbarsky and Anthony right behind. Strmiska ran fourth, as Napa, California’s Joey Zampa made his way into the top five.

With 20 laps to go, Anthony made his way around Ruzbarsky to take second place. Joey Zampa spun in turn four on lap 84 to bring the final caution out. The race went green one last time, with eight laps to go, Jeff Anthony moved under Ryan Foster as the two raced side by side for three laps. Anthony was able to complete the pass on lap 95. Saturday nights win was Jeff Anthony’s second win of the season. His first win also came at Altamont on March 22^nd.

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

Race Results: