Stockton 99 Speedway Media Release for August 30, 2006

And Down the Stretch They Come at Stockton 99 Speedway
By Dale J Bosowski

With only three race dates remaining on the 2006 schedule, the Stockton 99 Speedway kicks off the month of September with a huge Labor Day weekend Tri-Holiday show, highlighted by twin 100-lap late model features, on Saturday, September 2nd.

The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series program will include the Havoline Western Late Models in round #9 of the special HOTWOOD 1000 Series, presented by J.M. Environmental, in a 100-lap feature, the Pro-4 Trucks and the American Limited Stock Cars, by Bryant Petroleum, plus the West Car Late Model Series will be back for its final appearance with a 100-lap main event.

This Saturday, the West Car Series title will be the first of five division championships that will be decided at the 99 Speedway over the next three weeks as the Northern California late model touring series concludes its 10-race 2006 schedule.

Roseville’s #61, Shannon Mansch leads the West Car standings by a mere eight point margin (402-394) over Orangevale’s Gary Glenn. Turlock’s Chris Monez remains in the championship hunt with 370 points, but he will need some help to leapfrog both Mansch and Glenn in the standings on Saturday.

While Mansch has held the lead in the series throughout most of the season, Glenn has made a strong late season charge by putting together back-to-back wins in the last two races to close the gap between them. Both drivers sport nearly identical records this season with three wins and eight top five finishes each.

Mansch holds a slight edge over #50, Glenn in the previous three West Car Series races held in Stockton. She has finished ahead of Glenn in two of the three events including her dominating win on May 27th. Glenn’s top Stockton finish was third, just one spot in front of Mansch, in the July 2^nd race won by Wilton’s Jason Fensler.

With just three races remaining the battle for the Havoline Western Late Model track championship at Stockton looks to have narrowed down to three drivers – Manteca’s Guy Guibor, Stockton’s Ron Strmiska Jr. and defending champion Pete Anderson Jr. also of Stockton – who are all clustered within 30 points of each other. With 17 of 20 races in the books, the latest standings show Guibor holding a slim 822 to 804 point lead over Strmiska and Anderson hot on their trail with 792.

Interestingly, while Guibor (left), holds the lead for the track championship, it is Strmiska, (right), who now sits on top of the special HOTWOOD Series standings while Anderson represents Stockton 99 Speedway in the current NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Division II national standings, due to the structure in which each awards points. Overall, Anderson is fifth out of the 15 track leaders, from all around the United States and Canada, competing in Division II.

With more than $25,000 up for grabs in the HOTWOOD Series and $25,000 going to the winner of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series Division II champion, the drivers and teams in the HAVOLINE Western Late Model division at the Stockton 99 Speedway are competing for a track record in total purse and prize fund awards in 2006!

Also, on Saturday the Pro-4 Trucks and American Limited Stock Cars will once again take to the high banked, quarter mile oval. Mark Henslee, of Lathrop, in the Pro-4 Trucks and Chad "the Iceman" Holman, of Stockton, will both be looking to extend their season points lead as they each attempt to claim their first track championship.

Speedway officials are also extending a special invitation to former drivers and others that have made significant contributions to the 99 Speedway to attend the final event on Saturday, September 16^th as guests of the track. The honorees will be introduced to the crowd, have an opportunity to reminisce about the old days at the speedway and sign autographs for the fans.

For additional information about this very special gathering of track legends please contact track officials Pat Patnaude at (209) 983-1689, Jack Houston (209) 477-1231 or Earl Summers at (209) 957-6756 no later than Monday, September 11^th.

Only three dates remain on the 2006 schedule before the "Little Bristol of the West" closes its gates for good after 60 years of racing, so come out and enjoy all of the thunder and excitement at the Stockton 99 Speedway….while you still can.

This Saturday the pit gates will open for registration at 11:00 AM, practice will run from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM, the grandstands open at 3:00 PM, qualifying begins at 4:30 PM and the first green flag for racing will fly at approximately 6:10 PM.

Ticket prices this Saturday are only $30.00 for adults, $20.00 for seniors 65 years of age or older, $15.00 for juniors age 13-17, $5.00 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 welcome at Gate 2.

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, turn right onto Newton Road and then turn left on Wilson Way.

For Stockton 99 Speedway information call the 99 Race Line at (209) 466-9999 or go to www.stockton99speedway.com