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After months of anticipation, the 2006 racing season at Stockton’s 99 Speedway officially gets under way this Sunday afternoon April 9 as the quarter mile high-banked oval opens its gates for its 60th - and final - season of racing.
The traditional Sunday afternoon opener will feature twin 100 lap features for the Western Late Models and the Westcar Late Model Series. In addition, the Pro 4 Trucks and American Limited Stocks, presented by Havoline and C.L. Bryant, will also be swapping paint for the first time this season.
This Sunday’s Western Late Model feature will be the first of ten rounds of the “HOTWOOD 1000” series in which the speedway has teamed up with HOTWOOD, along with associate sponsors JM ENVIRONMENTAL and HAVOLINE, to give the drivers and their teams the opportunity to earn bonus prize money. In combination with the regular prize fund, the Western Late Model drivers will be competing for approximately $150,000 in 2006.
The excitement created by the new “HOTWOOD 1000” series, combined with the closing of the speedway following the 2006 season and the opportunity to compete for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Championship Division II title, has dramatically increased the Western Late Model car count this season.
Reigning track champion Pete Anderson Jr. of Stockton will not only be facing off against old adversaries such as John Moore of Granite Bay and Eric Humphries of Chowchilla this season, he will also have to deal with the return of several veteran drivers such as Manteca’s Ron Strmiska Jr., Roseville’s Eric Schmidt and former track champions Harry Belletto of Modesto and Dave Byrd of San Jose.
“I think it is definitely going to be the toughest competition in the last ten years,” commented Anderson, the only Stockton native to ever win the track championship. “It is not going to be easy this year, that is for sure, but I have a lot more confidence after winning last season.”
Anderson is not only looking forward to entering the track this Sunday as the defending champion, but also having the opportunity to run more 100 lap events this season. He feels that his consistency in the long events last year was one of the keys to his success.
“I am really looking forward to the HOTWOOD series. I love running 100 lappers and I seem to do well in them,” said Anderson with a smile. “And the extra prize money is great.”
The competition will be just as tough in the popular Westcar Late Model Series, which will be making the first of four big appearances this year in Stockton, as well as the weekly regulars Pro 4 Trucks and rock‘em, sock’em American Limited Stocks where Mark Henslee of French Camp and Charlie Clawson of Modesto will both be back to defend their respective 2005 championships.
The pits will open at 7:00 AM this Sunday, the grandstands will open and qualifying will begin at noon, and the green flag will fall for the start of racing at 2:00 PM.
Ticket prices are $25.00 for adults, $20.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older and juniors age 13-17, $6.00 for kids age 6-12 and kids 5 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. A family ticket is also available for the bargain price of $59.99. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at Gate 2.
Fans can get a final sneak preview of things to come on Saturday, April 1 as many of the drivers will take to the track for the last pre season Play Day. Pit registration begins at 10:00 AM, inspections at 11:00 AM and drivers can practice from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The grandstands open at noon and admission is free.
Come out and join in the fun this weekend as the Stockton 99 Speedway begins a season long celebration of 60 years of thunder and excitement.
The Stockton 99 Speedway is located just off Highway 99 at 4105 North Wilson Way. If you are traveling south on Highway 99 take the Wilson Way exit. If you are heading north on Highway 99 take the Cherokee Road exit, loop over the freeway and turn right onto Newton Road and then turn left on Wilson Way.
Stockton 99 Speedway Info/Race Line (209) 466-9999.