Ryan Foster Wins at Stockton99 Speedway!

Stockton, Calif. (September 14^th) – Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout returned to Stockton99 Speedway last night. Rookie Ryan Foster picked up his second SRL victory of the 2003 season. Foster made his way around Jeff Belletto on lap 88 and never looked back. Belletto would hang on for second, as Tracy Bolin finished third, Chris Wadsworth fourth, and rookie Aaron Days fifth.

“We just stayed out of trouble, and worked our way to the front. My dad is doing our motors, and he is doing an awesome job. I also need to thank Junior Joiner from Joiner Motorsports. He helped us out so much tonight, and really made a huge difference on our race program.” Said race winner Ryan Foster.

Ryan Foster also set quick time during qualifications. He was the only driver in the 13 second bracket, with a lap of 13.983 seconds. Joey Zampa was second quick, as he ran a lap of 14.028 around the ¼ mile track. Jeff Belletto qualified third, Jeff Anthony fourth, and Rick Ruzbarsky fifth.

A ten car invert placed Bob Strandwold from Modesto, California and young Kyle Gottula on the front row. Strandwold took the early lead as Gottula and Troy Ermish made contact in turns one and two. Gottula spun, and Sonora’s Nathan Tucker had no where to go, and hit the outside wall. Tucker’s day did not start out to well, as the team arrived at the race shop in the morning only to be the victims of theft. Nathan’s helmet was stolen, along with much of his equipment, but he was able to borrow a helmet from Jess Jess, car owner of #51 Rick Ruzbarsky. During qualifying, something was not right on Tucker’s car. The 2001 champion qualified last, but used a provisional to start the 100 lap feature. “We borrowed a carburetor from Troy Ermish, and the Helmet from Jess Jess. A big thank you to both of them. When we had mechanical problems, there was crew members from just about every team that came over to help us out. I would like to thank everyone who helped us out, it was really appreciated.”

Current points leader Ron Strmiska Jr. from Manteca, California and Steve Belletto each spun trying to avoid the spinning Gottula. Race leader Bob Strandwold pulled into the pits under caution with mechanical failure. As the field went green on lap 4 Fremont’s Troy Ermish took control of the race, with Tracy’s Rick Ruzbarsky second, J. Belletto third, Lakeport’s Mike Doss fourth, and Joey Zampa fifth. Gottula spun once again on lap 8 to bring out the second caution of the night. On lap 19 Jeff Belletto passed race leader Troy Ermish and took the lead coming out of turn four. Tim Stratmeyer spun on lap 20 to bring out another caution. Belletto continued to lead Ermish, Zampa, Ruzbarsky and Foster.

On lap 54 Ruzbarsky and Zampa made contact, Zampa did a 360, as he continued back on the track points leader Ron Strmiska Jr. made contact with Zampa. Strmiska’s car backed-in hard into the turn four wall. The red flag was displayed, as Strmiska walked away from the hard impact.

Jeff Belletto continued to lead on lap 75, as Foster closed in. Tracy Bolin ran third, and Chris Wadsworth continued in fourth. Foster and Belletto put on a great show for the fans, and then Foster made his move around Belletto on lap 88 to take home the Sunoco Checkered flag.

“He made me work for it. Finally I was able to get under him and pass him. It was a great win for us.” Said race winner Ryan Foster.

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout heads to Altamont Raceway Park for the final race of the 2003 season, next Saturday, September 20^th, 2003.