SRL Media

Photo #26 Ken Boyd Victory Lane

Photo Credit: SRL/Eddie Alves

Madera, CA (August 23)— Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout returned to Madera Speedway Saturday night, for the third and final time this season. Ceres, California driver Ken Boyd crossed the line first, followed by Joey Zampa of Napa, California, rookie Ryan Foster from Anderson, California finished third. 2001 series champion Nathan Tucker finished fourth, while rookie Aaron Days finished fifth.

Jeff Belletto from Salida, California set fast time during qualifying. Belletto stopped the clock at 14.86 seconds around the 1/3 mile paved track. Boyd qualified second with a lap of 14.89 seconds. David Philpott of Tracy, California qualified third, stopping the clock at 14.91 seconds. Tucker was right behind Philpott with a 14.92, and Foster ran 14.94 seconds.

An eight car invert gave the front row to Mike Doss from Lakeport, California, and rookie Tracy Bolin. Bolin took the lead on lap two, as Aaron Days of Patterson, California moved into second. Days took the lead away from Bolin on lap seven. Nathan Tucker passed Bolin on lap twelve to take second spot away. Ken Boyd quickly made his way into the top three from his seventh starting position. Days continued to lead on lap 30, with Tucker second, Boyd third, Philpott fourth, and Bolin fifth.

The field was slowed down for the first time on lap 36, as Scott Masellis spun in turns one and two. Jeff Anthony the 2002 series champion passed Tracy Bolin on lap 46 to take fifth spot. Days, Tucker, Boyd, Philpott, and Anthony continued in the top 5 at the half-way point.

Anthony passed Philpott for fourth on lap 51. Two laps later, Boyd made his move around Tucker for second place. Jeff Anthony who was running in fourth spun on lap 54, to bring out another yellow flag. Philpott pitted on lap 57 for a flat right front tire, and would end up finishing 17^th. The field was slowed down once again on lap 63, as Steve Belletto brushed the wall in turns on and two. Steve Belletto was substituting for father Harry who qualified the car, but was unable to start as he felt ill. Steve Belletto would end up finishing 20^th.

Ray Lawson Jr. from Fresno, California moved into fifth on lap 64, and then passed Bolin for fourth on lap 66. Just three laps later, Lawson and Bolin made contact and spun out.

On a lap 72 restart, Boyd made the pass on Days to take control of the race. One last caution was brought out on lap 76, as pole sitter Mike Doss, and R.B. Bracken spun in turn four. Boyd continued to lead, Zampa ran second, Days third, Foster fourth, and Tucker fifth. Foster passed days on lap 82 for third, just one lap later, Tucker passed Days for fourth position. Boyd was able to hold off Zampa and Foster, for his first SRL Wild West Shootout victory of 2003.

“We had a real good car tonight, just had to be patient. I just had to pick my line and hold it. I planned on running the bottom, and it worked out for me. Tucker raced me real clean” said race winner Ken Boyd.

Rick Ruzbarsky of Tracy, California finished sixth, as Ron Strmiska Jr. finished seventh. Jeff McCoun finished eight, Jeff Belletto ninth, and Tim Stratmeyer rounding out the top ten.

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout will return to action on Saturday, September 13^th at Stockton 99 Speedway.

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: