SRL Public Relations / Eddie Alves

Shootout Heads to Mesa Marin for Coors Light 100

Photo: Cars on Starting grid at Mesa Marin (2004 SRL)

Photo Credit: www.faninturn4.com / David Misco

For Immediate Release

Wilton, Calif. (May 8^th) – The Collins family has owned and promoted Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, California for 27 years of exciting racing. In 2004 track owners and operators Marion and Larry Collins invited the SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout for three nights of fast action packed racing. This year the SRL Wild West Shootout will visit Mesa Marin’s fast high-banked racing facility on two different occasions. The first of two is coming up on Saturday, May 14^th as the SRL drivers will compete in the “Coors Light 100.”

After the series visited Stockton 99 Speedway on April 3^rd and Madera Speedway on April 30^th, Jason Fensler leads the current point standings after winning both events. With one second and one third place finish Joey Zampa trails Fensler by 11 points. After his second place finish at Madera Speedway Ken Boyd maintains the third position. Troy Ermish who qualified second at Madera is currently fourth, followed by 2004 Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the year Mark Smith of Tracy.

Jeff Belletto qualified first at Madera Speedway two weeks ago as he leads the second group of five in the sixth position. Jeff’s Brother Steve who was the 2004 Series Champion trails Jeff by one point in the seventh position. Roseville’s Jim Courage Jr. sits eight after two strong runs at Stockton and Madera. Dave Byrd led six laps at Madera Speedway before finishing fifth as he leads Victory Circle Chassis and Parts rookie Rusty Buholz who rounds out the top ten. Eric Schmidt, Tracy Bolin, Aaron Days, and Angelo Queirolo are all within six points of breaking into the top ten.

When the SRL Wild West Shootout visited Mesa Marin Raceway during the 2004 season Craig Raudman, Ryan Foster, and Mike Mason each took home a Sunoco Checkered Flag as they each won their particular 100 lap event.

Not only will the stars of the SRL be on hand, but so will be the very talented Victory Circle Chassis and Parts rookie of the year contenders. Victory Circle sits just a few miles from Mesa Marin Raceway as the rookie’s will be able to shine under the lights as their contingency sponsor looks on.

Joining the SRL Wild West Shootout Saturday night is the Nascar Southwest Series. However a driver will not be able to compete in both events on May 14th. (Note: Both series compete under rules which are very similar.) “Due to the fact that we have never hosted an event with the two series together, we feel it is best to take this approach for this first time event, and re-evaluate the situation for future events of this type.” Stated Larry Collins.

Jeff Belletto leads the Apex Financial Group Qualifying Points. Belletto set fast time at Madera Speedway on April 30th. Troy Ermish trails Belletto by two points after qualifying second at Madera. Jason Fensler currently sits third in the Apex Financial Qualifying Points. $5,000 will be divided between the top three drivers in qualifying points at the end of the 2005 season. Apex Financial Group is based in Stockton Ca, and specializing in home loans and the refinancing of property.

Palo Alto’s Rusty Buholz leads the Victory Circle Chassis and Parts Rookie of the Year point standings. Buholz has a 14 point lead over fellow Rookie Jeremy Wood of Tracy. In addition to be crowned Rookie of the Year at the season ending awards banquet, the 2005 SRL Rookie of the year will be the recipient of a brand new 2005 Victory Circle Chassis. Currently situated in a 38,000 square foot facility in Bakersfield, CA, Victory Circle Chassis and Parts, Inc. is the leader in west coast racecar chassis design and fabrication. www.victorycircle.com

Greg Pott’s leads the SRL Late Model Qualifying Points standings. Carl Pearce, Jamie Dick, Ray Lawson Jr., Shannon Mansch, Harry Belletto, Wes Banks, Charles Perreira, Andrew Livengood, John Ostlund, and Chad Pais.

Capture the Flag: Sunoco Race Fuels, a proud sponsor of the SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout awards the winner of each event in the 2005 season with a Sunoco Checkered Flag.

Sunoco Checkered Flags:

Jason Fensler 2

Casciaro Homes Hard Charger Award:

After transferring from the non qualifiers race at Madera Speedway (April 30th) Aaron Days won the Casciaro Homes Hard Charger Award and was given a check for $150 from Casciaro Homes. Day’s charged from his 17^th starting position to finish 11^th.

Mesa Marin Raceway Recap 2004

Craig Raudman set quick time during qualifying with a lap of 18.587 seconds beating 26 other cars around the fast high-banked racing facility. Raudman went on to lead the final 55 laps to earn his first career SRL Wild West Shootout victory. Tracy’s Rick Ruzbarsky finished second followed by Ken Boyd, Jeff Anthony as Wes Miller rounded out the top five.

Adult tickets for the May 14th event are $25 for General Admission and $30 for Reserved Seating. Children’s tickets are $5, ages 6 – 12. For more information please contact Mesa Marin Raceway at 661-366-5711.

Mesa Marin Raceway

PO Box 6217
Bakersfield, CA 93386
Phone: (661) 366-5711
Fax: (661) 366-5123

Practice Information:
Friday, May 13th, 2005
Pit gates open at 4:00 PM
SRL Wild West Shootout Practice 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $150 per car

Saturday - May 14, 2005
Schedule of Events
Southwest Series Rialto "Concrete Products 100"
SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout "Coors Light 100"
Havoline Racing Revolution Sport Compact Series

For more information visit our website at http://www.srllatemodels.com

The SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout would like to thank their 2005 Sponsors, which include: Afco, Apex Financial Group, Bassett Racing Wheels, Brodix Inc., Casciaro Homes, Dynatech, DPI, Eibach Springs, FRE, Five Star Stock Car Bodies, Frank’s Radio Service, G. P. Fabrication, Hoosier Tire West, Impact Racing, Fensler Racing Inc., Paul Oil Co., Perry Race Cars, Peterson Fluid Systems, Pit Stop USA.Com, Sunoco, Total Seal Inc., U. S. Brake, and Victory Circle Chassis and Parts.