Ryan Foster Scores First SRL Wild West Shootout Victory

SRL Media/Eddie Alves Photo: Ryan Foster #21 Victory Lane Photo Credit: SRL/Eddie Alves

Madera Calif. (June 28^th) – Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout visited Madera Speedway Saturday night for there first of three events on the 1/3 mile paved oval. Ryan Foster of Anderson, California took the lead away from Jeff Anthony on lap 75 and never looked back. Anthony went on to finish second, followed by Mike Doss, Tracy Bolin, and Nathan Tucker rounding out the Top five.

“We have had bad luck all year, to get a win it really means a lot. I want to thank my crew for all of there hard work and support. I want to also say thanks to my sponsor Creekside Holmes,” Said race winner Ryan Foster

The evening began with 32 of the fastest late models on the west coast taking qualifying times. Ken Boyd of Ceres, California was able to stop the clock the quickest with a blistering lap of 14.89 seconds around the 1/3 mile track. 2001 SRL Wild West Shootout Nathan Tucker from Sonora, California turned the second quickest time with a lap of 14.90 seconds. Race Winner Ryan Foster was third, with Dave Byrd fourth, and John Gaalswyk fifth.

An eight car inversion placed Jeff Anthony on the pole, with Mike Doss on the outside, Jeff Belletto, third and John Gaalswyk fourth. Anthony quickly jumped out to a nice comfortable lead as Doss ran second, Belletto third, and Foster making his way to fourth on lap 18. On lap 32 Chris Wadsworth of Oakley, California spun coming out of turn four, and hit the inside wall. Chris went on to finish 18^th. On lap 46 Dave Byrd spun in turn’s one and two, after making contact with Nathan Tucker.

Anthony continued to lead at the half-way point with Doss and Belletto running second and third. On Lap 73 Ryan Foster made the charge to the front on the outside groove, passing Belletto and Doss. Two laps later Foster made his move around Anthony to take the lead, and hang on for his first SRL Wild West Shootout Victory.

He (Ryan Foster) was definitely fast tonight, he had a better car. I saw him go high, and then he was gone. Our car was getting loose as the race went on. We just got our engine back Thursday from Dave’s Engine and Machine, and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them and our sponsors, so I would like to thank them,” Said second place finisher Jeff Anthony.

Current point’s leader Ron Strmiska Jr. of Manteca, California used a provisional to start the 100 lap feature. Strmiska was able to make his way to the front, and went on to finish sixth. “We just missed it tonight, but we turned a bad night into a good night, I’m happy with sixth, but I know we can run better,” said Ron Strmiska Jr.

Davey Hamilton’s SRL Wild West Shootout heads to Stockton99 Speedway Saturday July 12^th, 2003.

Get well Rick Ruzbarsky: Last Saturday night, Ruzbarsky underwent surgery at Sonoma Valley Hospital for diverticulitis, and had part of his colon and appendix removed. Ruzbarsky is the 2002 SRL Wild West Shootout Rookie of the year.

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 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.