Sponsor Appreciation Day & 100 laps of Late Models at Altamont Raceway
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Altamont Raceway presents “Sponsor Appreciation Day” on Saturday evening, featuring the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) going to battle for 100 laps on the fastest half-mile in the west.

Altamont’s American Limited Stock Cars and Grand American Modifieds will also grace the half-mile, with Future Champions Development Series racers on the quarter-mile, and Formula-4s rounding out the program on the 1.1 mile road course.

The five divisions, three venue program is a bargain at just $12 for adult admissions. Team sponsors with RSVP’d tickets, will pay just 2-for-1 price and be treated to a barbeque lunch in the Turn 4 Club. Teams competing Saturday may email Jim Becker by Wednesday at jbecker@AltamontRacing.com to RSVP.

Pleasanton’s Jason Gilbert leads the Late Models into action Saturday, with four feature wins on the season. Gilbert has vaulted to fifth in the NASCAR California State standings, and 29th in the NASCAR National standings.

A close battle for second in the track points has wowed fans this summer, with Brentwood’s Doff Cooksey and 2006 Stockton 99 Speedway champion Guy Guibor of Manteca locking horns.

Several visiting drivers are expected to be in action on Saturday, including Carson City, NV standout teenager Bobby Hodges. Hodges has finished in the runner-up position three times in his four starts. Hodges could be in position to claim his first win on Saturday.

Another driver expected to compete is 2007 State Champion Mark Holman of Los Altos.

The Westcar Late Model Series is led by Carson City, NV veteran Chet Danburg.

Other drivers racing on Saturday in the Late Model competition will be Tracy High graduate Justin Philpott, sophomore standout Carlos Vieira of Merced, and veterans Brian Koski and Ken Benhamou.

Stockton’s Richard Harper has finished in the top-five in all six American Limited Stock Car races thus far to lead the ALSC championship.

Sammy Solari of Salida has four wins and is just two points back in the hunt. Tim Rappa, Anthony Gourley, and Robert Cherf round out the top-five. The ALSC division has wowed fans with its racing on the half-mile oval since moving to that track earlier in the year.

Todd Lynch of Tracy has taken care of business in the Grand American Modifieds, leading Todd Lewis of Riverbank by 16 points. The open-wheeled class has a 30 lap event scheduled Saturday.

Future Champions Development Series Late Models, with drivers ages 14-16, will compete for 20 laps on the quick quarter-mile.

A pair of 10 lap features for the competitive Formula-4 division will wrap up the evening. Bob Wilson is tied with Jake Morgenstern atop the standings.

For ticket information and event times, visit the track website.

Altamont Raceway is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
More first time winners at Altamont Raceway in USAC and NASCAR action
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Altamont Raceway was again the track with first time winners, as Scott Pierovich of Alamo claimed his first career USAC Western Sprint Car feature, while Alex Bowman and CJ Sarna took home their first Altamont wins.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program for the Western Late Models saw race wins go to Brentwood’s Doff Cooksey and points leader Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton.

The first NASCAR 50 lap feature on the fastest half-mile in the west was slowed with a huge crash on the second lap.

Clovis’ Trevor Schlundt and All American Speedway visitor Gary Glenn of Orangevale tangled on the backstretch, and slid hard into the turn three wall. The crash eliminated both drivers from the race.

On the restart, Modesto’s Mike Beeler pulled away from Gilbert as the top-six raced closely.

Lap 11 saw Gilbert and Tracy High graduate Justin Philpott collide in turn three, giving Gilbert a flat tire and putting both cars to the rear of the order.

The restart allowed Cooksey to make his move on Beeler, passing him off turn two on lap 16.

While Cooksey pulled away with the lead, Gilbert went to work on the pack. It took Gilbert just 17 laps to catch Carlos Vieira of Merced and take fourth place.

Beeler dropped out of contention on lap 38, yielding second to Sacramento’s Josh Bews.

Cooksey cruised home for his second win of 2008 over Bews, Manteca’s Guy Guibor, Gilbert, and Vieira.

In the second 50 lap main event, Gilbert took a dominating win after the race had only one caution period.

Gilbert took the lead at the start of the race, with Bews chasing in second. Several seconds back, Guibor was under heavy pressure for a line of as many as six cars.

On lap 21, Guibor drifted up the race track and ended up falling all the way back to eighth.

Schlundt recovered from his wreck in the first race to challenge Vieira for the third spot for the closing laps.

Gilbert hung on after a lap race restart with Bews, to take home his fourth win of the 2008 season.

Rounding out the top-five were Vieira, Schlundt, and 2007 champion Ryan Philpott of Tracy.

The USAC Western States Sprint Car 30 lap main event saw Pierovich claim his first ever sprint car win in just his third start in the series.

Three-time champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln led the opening laps. Second place in the points standings Nick Rescino Jr. of San Francisco touched wheels with Jojo Helberg of Rohnert Park and ended up in the air.

This relegated Rescino the rear of the field in what turned out to be a frustrating run for the popular local.

Pierovich took the lead on lap eight from Hunt and took the thrilling win in the caution-free event.

Chowchilla’s Eric Humphries had a huge run coming home in second, with Brian McClish of Santa Rosa third. The remaining top-five were points leader Tanner Swanson of Kinsburg and visiting Bobby Santos of Franklin, MA.

Heat race wins went to Rescino and Helberg.

After a caution-filled affair for the USAC Western States Midgets, emerging star and former dirt-only driver CJ Sarna, of Palm Desert, earned the win.

Sarna led every lap fighting off hard charges from Bryan Clauson Inc. driver Shane Golobic of Fremont and Ridgefield, WA’s Paul Zimmerly.

Zimmerly was eliminated from contention on lap eight.

The race was restarted late on lap 16, with Golobic and points leader Nic Faas making spirit charges at Sarna from the outside.

But Sarna took the checkered flag with Faas second and Golobic third. Michael Faccinto of Hanford was fourth, and Pierovich was fifth.

Faas and Brentwood’s Daniel Bedford claimed head race wins.

Alex Bowman took a wire-to-wire USAC Ford Focus California Pavement series on the Altamont Motorsports Park quarter-mile.

Bowman chased Brandon Langlois for 19 of the event’s 30 lap distance before making the exciting pass on the inside of turn two.

Bowman then fought off an exciting drive by the experienced Santos, the take the win.

Langlois was third, with Ian Mille of Pleasanton and West Sacramento’s Garrett Peterson rounding out the top-five.

Hayward’s Jessica Brunelli and Langlois were heat race winners.

Racing action resumes at Altamont Raceway, the home of the “Big Show,” with the NASCAR Whelen All- American Series (w/ Westcar stars) 100 lap feature, as part of “Sponsor Appreciation Day.”

American Limited Stock Cars and Grand American Modifieds will also be in action the half-mile, with Future Champions Development Series on the quarter-mile and Formula-4s on the 1.1 mile road course.

For ticket information and event times, visit the track website.

Altamont Raceway is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
USAC and NASCAR double-header on Saturday at Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Altamont Motorsports Park will host a combination event featuring both NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and USAC Western States racing this Saturday evening as part of the Pacific Coast Summer Nationals.

Competition on the fastest half-mile in the west will include the open-wheel USAC Western States Sprints and Midgets, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models, and NCMA Limited Sprints.

USAC’s Ford Focus Midget program will conduct races on the Altamont quick quarter-mile.

Altamont’s family friendly early-in, early-out schedule sees racing begin at 3 p.m. and conclude before sundown.

An exciting season of Western Late Model action is reaching a fever pitch as the busy summer stretch continues.

12 feature events are scheduled for the Late Models between July 5 and August 30, meaning that a bad run could turn a whole season upside down.

Conversely, points Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton may have just given his season a shot in the arm with wins in both 50 lap features last Saturday.

Gilbert, who continues to rise in both the state and national points in NASCAR, will have to fend off Roseville stalwart Gary Glenn in this weekend’s twin 50’s.

Other drivers expected in action include Manteca’s Guy Guibor, second in the points, and 2007 Rookie of the Year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood.

Tracy High graduate Justin Philpott has seen his season turn around with two top-fives and a win so far this month.

Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg comes into Saturday’s Western Sprint 50 lap feature embroiled in a tight points race with San Francisco’s Nick Rescino Jr.

The 140 mile per hour, 700 horsepower machines will be gracing the half-mile oval for the fourth time in 2008. Swanson leads Rescino by 13 points entering Saturday’s contest.

Rescino has had considerable success at the speedway throughout his career, scoring eight feature wins in a sprint car.

Western Speed Racing’s Nic Faas holds a comfortable lead in the Western Midget points, coming on the heels of a victory last Saturday night at Santa Maria Speedway.

Faas will hope to take the momentum of the dirt win towards his first asphalt win of the season.

Justin Hommel of Canyon Lake leads the USAC Ford Focus Midget points. Coming off of an impressive victory last weekend at Altamont, Dr. David Goodwill of Napa leads the NCMA Limited Sprints points.
Over 250 laps of competition will be staged on Saturday evening in this must-see show.

For ticket information and event times, visit the track website.

Racers are also reminded that sponsor appreciation day is coming July 26. Tickets will be available on Saturday at the track with the ticket deadline Wednesday July July 23rd.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
Gilbert doubles his pleasure with two big wins at Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, Calif. – 2005 track champion Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton picked up two crucial wins in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models on Saturday evening at Altamont Motorsports Park.

Gilbert, the incoming track points leader, took both wins in convincing fashion on the fastest half-mile in the west.

Saturday afternoon’s action also saw Tim Rappa of Hayward pick up the American Limited Stock Car victory, Dr. David Goodwill of Napa taking his first asphalt win the NCMA Limited Sprints, and Todd Lynch of Tracy winning the Grand American Modifieds.

Colby Potts of Stockton won the Future Champions Development Series feature on the quarter-mile oval, and Bob Wilson won both Formula-4 mains on the 1.1 mile road course.

Gilbert led from flag-to-flag in the first 50 lap Western Late Model feature.

Restarts are where Gilbert gained his advantage, taking large leads from Kyle Gottula of Modesto on each of the five restarts. Gottula, nursing a failing transmission, was embroiled in heavy battling with a line of eight cars.

Gilbert led the 21 car starting field by as much as two seconds in the race.

Two of Altamont’s star young guns, Justin Philpott of Tracy and Doff Cooksey of Brentwood, succumbed to mechanical problems. Philpott lost a plug wire and Cooksey a tire.

A caution on lap 39 set up an 11 lap duel for the second position, with Gottula holding out over Guibor.

At the finish the top-five were Gilbert, Gottula, Guibor, Joey Stearns of Stockton, and Vito Ranuio of Stockton.

Feature number two saw Gilbert muscle past 2007 NASCAR State Champion Mark Holeman on lap 22.

While Philpott charged through the pack, Gilbert took third from Guibor on lap 15, and second from Trevor Schlundt of Clovis on a lap 17 restart.

Just five laps later Gilbert took the lead with Guibor taking second from Holman on lap 28.

A caution on lap 30 set up a 20 lap run to the finish, with Gilbert holding onto the win over Guibor. Philpott found third by lap 28 and stayed in that position to the finish. The remaining top-five were Doff Cooksey and Stearns.

Sammy Solari of Salida made an impressive charge to the American Limited Stock Car victory, in the 20 lap main event on the half-mile.

But post-race inspection revealed an illegal brake bias control inside the car, handing the win to Rappa.

Solari tangled with Joe Allen of Stockton on the backstretch on the second lap, forcing both drivers to the pits for heavy repairs.

It only took Solari three laps to carve through the field towards the lead.

The official finish after the adjustment saw Rappa over Brian Vosburg of Stockton, Richard Harper of Stockton, Joe Morgenstern of Livermore, and Thomas Vosburg of Chico the top-five.

NCMA Limited Sprint action saw five lead changes in as many laps, before David Goodwill of Napa emerged in the lead and checked out for an easy victory.

Burt Siverling led the field to green but lost the lead on the opening lap to Steve Amador. Just one lap later, Manteca’s Jeff Burrows took the lead.

On the same lap, Amador tangled up with a fast Micheal Zarevich into turn one, with Zarevich hitting the turn one wall at well over 100 miles per hour. The violent crash drew a red flag, but Zarevich emerged from the battered race car sore but ok.

Goodwill took advantage on the restart to motor to the lead from Burrows.

At the line it was Goodwill, Pat Ariaz of Manteca, Rob Hammond of Morgan Hill, Ed Amador, and Burrows.

“The Demon” Todd Lynch of Tracy made winning look easy in the 20 lap Grand American Modified main event, leading every lap. Lynch, the division points leader and fast-time qualifier, took a two second victory over Todd Lewis of Riverbank.

Robert Kennedy of San Francisco, AJ Ryder of Stockton, and Michael Ostrowski rounded out the top-five.

Colby Potts of Stockton won the Future Champions Development Series race over Cameron Millard of Carson City, NV. The feature, a 20 lap event on the Altamont quick quarter-mile, featured drivers ages 14-16 in Western Late Model cars.

Bob Wilson took two entertaining wins in the Formula-4 division on the 1.1 mile road course. The division for stock four-cylinder cars runs two 10 lap main events each week. Wilson used crafty driving with several crossover passes to win the second feature to the approval of the crowd.

Altamont Motorsports Park returns to action next Saturday evening with a double-helping of racing, as both USAC and NASCAR stars will be in competition.

The Pacific Coast Summer Nationals will feature United States Auto Club Sprints and Midgets, plus NCMA Limited Sprints, and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models.

For event information visit the Altamont Motorsports Park website.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
Philpott becomes the newest winner at Altamont with Tri-Holiday triumph
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Altamont Motorsports Park welcomed the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models and SRL Flashco Southwest Tour cars for a pair of 100 lap features on Saturday evening, for the Tri-Holiday Classic #2, with Tracy’s Justin Philpott becoming another first time winner in 2008.

Cottonwood’s Craig Raudman won a thrilling wire-to-wire SRL event over Jim Pettit, Sammy Solari of Salida took home the win in the American Limited Stock Car division, and Formula-4 winners were Rodney Lopez and Jake Morgenstern.

Event grand marshal U.S. Congressman Jerry McNurney was on hand for the activities. McNurney, a staunch supporter of Altamont Motorsports Park, experienced a ride-along on the half-mile asphalt oval and gave the command to start the engines for the ALSC feature.

Philpott’s win in the Western Late Models came after a late race restart with five laps remaining. Due to a prolonged caution period on the opening lap of the event, the 100 lap feature was shortened to 50.

The race staged was an exciting duel, however, with Philpott emerging from the car physically exhausted.

18 year-old Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV led the field to green, but racing was quickly halted by a ten car melee in turn three. Points leaders Jason Gilbert and Guy Guibor were involved but continued from the rear of the field.

A restart on lap five saw Danville’s Tim Spurgeon assume the lead from Hodges. The lead was short-lived, as Hodges moved back into the point on lap 11. Spurgeon was then chased down by a barrage of young guns. 16 year-old Steven Cantrell took second on lap 14 and Philpott moved into third two laps later.

After a lap 29 restart, Hodges and Cantrell began a torrid battle for the lead position. Lap traffic became a factor, with Hodges darting in and out of lap cars quickly to hold off Cantrell.

Cantrell made a look to the inside in turn three on lap 46, and sent Hodges spinning. A new regulation at Altamont allowed Hodges to reassume his lead position while Cantrell was sent to the rear.

But despite Hodges earning the lead back, he still had to contend with Philpott. Coming to the white flag, Philpott made the pass in stunning fashion.

Philpott held on for the close victory over Hodges, with Spurgeon, 2007 Rookie of the Year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood, and Turlock’s Wes Miller the top-five. Gilbert charged back through the 28 car pack to finish sixth, with Guibor eighth.

In the SRL Southwest Tour 100, Sacramento young gun Josh Combs led 23 laps and looked in position to claim his first series win.

But after being thwarted by a flat tire, the race turned into a two-car chase. Raudman and Pettit, the SRL Southwest Tour points leader, ran nose-to-tail for the remaining 56 laps in the 100 lap feature.

Raudman and Pettit set a blistering pace, lapping up to fourth place, including early race leaders Justin Westmoreland and Tracy Bolin.

They enjoyed a nearly 14 second margin over Fremont standout Troy Ermish.

Raudman held on for the close finish over Pettit, with Ermish, Keith Spangler, and Westmoreland rounding out the top-five. The race was only slowed by four cautions.

Sammy Solari of Salida dominated another American Limited Stock Car race, taking home win number four in the still young season.

Brian Vosburg of Stockton had the most exciting run, coming from seventh on the grid to finish second. Vosburg moved past perineal front-runners Richard Harper of Stockton and Joe Allen of Stockton to put together the finish.

At the finish of the 30 lap feature the top-five were Solari, Vosburg, Allen, Harper, and Anthony Gourley.

A large 15 car turnout of Formula-4 cars took to the 1.1 mile road course for a pair of 10 lap features.

Incoming points leader Bob Wilson had finishes of seventh and sixth and dropped out of the points lead.

Rodney Lopez took a close win over Jake Morgenstern in the first feature, with Morgenstern answering back to win over Lopez in the second main.

This Saturday evening at Altamont Motorsports Park is “Fan Appreciation Day,” with all tickets just $5. The racing on tap will not just be any ordinary program, with a full slate of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action scheduled.

The Western Late Models will be in competition for a pair of 50 lap features, bringing a 28 car average into the event. Also racing on Saturday will be American Limited Stock Cars, Grand American Modifieds, and NCMA Limited Sprints on the half-mile, Future Champions Development Series Late Models on the quarter-mile, and Formula-4s on the 1.1 mile road course.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
Tri-Holiday Classic #2 to bring over 50 late model stars to Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Altamont Motorsports Park presents the second round of the Tri-Holiday Series this Saturday evening, with over 50 late models expected to be in competition in two 100 lap features.

The Flashco SRL Southwest Tour 100 and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) 100 will share the bill in this action packed day at the fastest half-mile in the west.

Altamont’s popular American Limited Stock Car class will also grace the half-mile. Future Champions Development Series Late Models racing will take place on the quick quarter-mile, and Formula-4’s will attempt to tame the 1.1 mile road course.

The full slate of action is the second round of the Tri-Holiday Series, the sixth night of NASCAR Whelen racing, and eighth round for the Western Late Models. Saturday’s events also mark round four for the SRL Series and round five for Westcar Series.

Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton leads a roaring pack of Late Models into Saturday’s competition. Despite a NASCAR-best 28 cars per event average, Gilbert is averaging a fifth place finish in each of the seven rounds so far.

The Tri-Holiday Series is attracting the west coast’s top drivers. Gilbert will be busy with drivers such as former SRL champ Jason Fensler of Modesto, Big Dog Series points leader Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV, Wes Miller of Turlock, and former Irwindale champion James Weston of Goleta.

Not only will Gilbert be contending with a strong contingent of star drivers, he also has a tough points battle brewing. 2007 Rookie of the Year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood is now fourth in the standings, fresh off a win on June 8th in the Big Dog event.

Third is Danville’s Tim Spurgeon, who tasted victory in Tri-Holiday round one on May 24th. Second in the points is 2006 Stockton 99 Speedway champion Guy Guibor of Manteca who has been to victory lane twice in 2008.

Saturday’s Western Late Model event is the first of four straight weekends of competition, and a strong finish will definitely build momentum for the rest of the month.

The SRL Flashco Southwest Tour drivers have had their hands full with veteran Jim Pettit of Prunedale, who leads Cottonwood’s Craig Raudman by a hefty margin entering Saturday’s races.

The two former NASCAR Southwest Tour champions have also been challenged by Goleta’s Greg Voigt. Troy Ermish of Fremont and 2004 Altamont track champion Todd Bammer of Pleasanton round out the top-five in points. Sacramento’s Josh Combs leads rookies in sixth.

In the American Limited Stock Car division, Slammin’ Sammy Solari has won three of the four races held so far. But a look at the points standings shows that a very consistent Richard Harper of Stockton is a scant four points back from Solari coming into this event.
It was announced that the ALSC division will remain on the half-mile the rest of the season. It is to be seen how this will affect the points battle or if this will allow some other drivers in the series a shot at victory.

An exciting new division will be competing on the quick quarter-mile. Future Champions Development Series is a ground-breaking Late Model division for drivers ages 14-16. Carson City, NV’s Cameron Millard has proven to be a quick learner in the 400 hp cars, but Colby Potts of Manteca is also a threat. Tyler Thomas of Penyrn will be making his return to the series on Saturday.

Rounding out Saturday’s competition will be two 10-lap events for the Formula-4s. Bob Wilson leads the way on the heels of four wins through the first eight races. The twin bill on the road course for these stock four-cylinder cars is always exciting to watch.

Saturday’s activities begin at 8 a.m. with pit registration opening. SRL Flashco Southwest Tour cars begin practice at 9:30.

Spectator gates open at 12 p.m. with qualifying slated for 1 p.m. The first feature rolls off at 3 p.m.

Competitors are reminded to arrive no earlier than 7:30 a.m. due to county regulations. Track management thanks everyone for their support.

Ticket prices for Saturday are $25 for adults. Seniors, youths 9-16 & military with I.D. are $20, and children eight and under are free. A family package with two adults and two youths is available for just $65.

Event schedules and track information is available on the track website.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
Smith, Golobic earn first career USAC wins at Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Porter Smith of Aztec, NM and Shane Golobic of Fremont, CA claimed their first career USAC wins on Saturday evening at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif

Smith, the 2007 SRL Rookie of the Year, won the Western Sprints feature, while the 16 year-old Golobic claimed the Western Midget win in his first career Altamont start.

Brendan Langlois won a wire-to-wire USAC Ford Focus feature, and the NCMA Limited Sprints main event was won by Pat Ariaz of Manteca, CA.

Smith took the lead from Eric Humphries of Chowchilla on lap 26 after a race-long duel. The two former Late Model stars wowed fans with their wheel-to-wheel battling.

Humphries led the Western Sprints field to green under heavy pressure from Smith and teammate and 2006 champion Ryan Kaplan of Chico.

The opening 24 laps went caution-free before Scott Clough of Placerville slowed with an apparent flat tire.

Humphries was shuffled back quickly on a lap 26 restart, falling out of the top-five.

Incoming points leader Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, age 17, went to work from the eighth position on the grid to move into fourth by lap 33.

The long green flag run saw Swanson fall into the grasp of Nick Rescino Jr. of San Francisco, who is second in the USAC points.

By lap 44, Rescino assumed the fourth position over Swanson.

At the line it was Smith over Kaplan, with Chase Scott leading the Toyotas to finish third. Rescino and Swanson rounded out the top-five.

Golobic’s midget win was in dramatic fashion as well, as Golobic snuck past leader Paul Zimmerly of Ridgefield, WA on the final lap to take the win.

Early race leader Daniel Bedford of Brentwood, CA had his momentum slowed by a huge accident on the backstretch on lap three.

Zimmerly collided with 2007 BCRA champion Justin Grant of Ione, CA on the backstretch, sparking a chain-reaction pile-up. Robby Josett of Santa Clarita, CA and Steven Matthews of Ontario, Canada suffered heavy damage. The grinding crash was most serious for Viktor Siznig, who ended up hitting the wall and sliding upside into turn three.

Siznig and Matthews were the only drivers unable to continue, and there were no injuries.

On lap nine, Evan Margeson of Seattle, WA took the lead from Bedford. Zimmerly went to work from the rear of the field and closed in.

After Manteca’s Marco DeGeorge lost his engine on lap 16, Margeson began to suffer the same fate.

The restart saw Zimmerly quickly move past Margeson and attempt to fend off Golobic. Coming to the white flag, Golobic made a stunning move to the outside and took the lead with the right rear tire smoking.

Golobic’s popular win was the first for the 16 year-old driver driving for Bryan Clauson Inc. Golobic was followed by Zimmerly, Margeson, Bedford, and C.J. Sarna.

Jessica Brunelli of Hayward, CA, at just 14 years old, led all but the final lap in the 30 lap USAC Ford Focus feature.

The raging 13 car pack ran closely for the duration of the event held on the Altamont quarter-mile.

Brennan Newberry of Bakersfield tangled with Garrett Peterson of West Sacramento in a battle for second with eight laps to go.

The ensuing restart saw the pressure build, until the white flag lap when Brunelli opened the door off of turn two.

Langlois made his move on the inside to take the lead, while Brunelli ended up tangling with Alex Bowman.

The top-five were Langlois, Mike Maier, Ian Millie, Jeff Oleen, and points leader Justin Hommel.

The NCMA Limited Sprints main event was 20 laps, and it took Ariaz 12 before he could conquer race leader Rob Hammond of Morgan Hill.

The two battled furiously, exchanging the lead three times between laps 10 and 12.

Ariaz was followed by Hammond, David Goodwill of Napa, CA, Jeff Burrows of Manteca, CA, and Ed Amador.

Altamont Motorsports Park returns to action on July 5th with the second round of the Tri-Holiday Classic Series. Competition will include a 100 lap event for the SRL Flashco Southwest Tour and a 100 lap event for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars).

Also on tap Saturday evening will be American Limited Stock Cars, Future Champions Development Series, and Formula-4s.

Over 50 late models are expected.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
USAC returns to Altamont this Saturday with Sprints, Midgets, and Focuses
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Kingsburg teenager Tanner Swanson leads the United States Auto Club back to Altamont Motorsports Park, as the USAC Western Sprint Cars make their third appearance of the season at the west’s fastest half-mile oval. A 50 lap-feature is scheduled.

USAC Western Midgets and Ford Focus Midgets, plus NCMA Limited Sprints and Spectator Racing Series, will also be on the bill.

Swanson has one win and two fast-times so far at Altamont. His chief rival in 2008 has been popular Northern California standout Nick Rescino, Jr. of San Francisco. Rescino comes into the event trailing Swanson by 14 points.

Former Stockton 99 Speedway Late Model star Eric Humphries of Chowchilla runs third in the standings, with JoJo Helberg fourth. 2007 SRL Rookie of the Year Porter Smith of Aztec, NM is fifth in the points.

Toyota’s debut season in the 360 Cubic Inch Sprint Cars has been improving, with Chase Scott seventh in the standings. Teammate and three-time Ford Focus champion Tim Skoglund of Fresno is eighth, but 2006 champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln is surprisingly only tenth in the series standings.

The 700 horsepower, 140 mile per hour, open-wheel thunder is some of the most exciting racing at Altamont. The sprints are running seven races at Altamont in 2008.

The USAC Western Midgets will also be bringing plenty of open-wheel action for the fans. These four-cylinder, light-weight cars are nearly as quick as the sprints.

Ridgefield, WA’s Paul Zimmerly scored the feature win on April 19 at Altamont and is one of the favorites to claim the win on Saturday.

Teammate and points leader Nic Faas is also expected to be a factor. Faas leads 2007 champion Scott Pierovich of Alamo by just one point coming into the event.

On the quick quarter-mile, the USAC Ford Focus Midgets run identical powered and sealed Ford Focus engines. This series is where the next stars of USAC get their start.

Justin Hommel holds just a slim 19 point advantage over Ventura young-gun Alex Bowman in the championship standings.

NCMA’s Limited Sprints will tackle the Altamont half-mile with its affordable sprint cars that still crank out over 500 horsepower and 125 mile per hour speeds.

Rounding out the five division card is the Spectator Racing Series. The Spectator Racing Series allows any interested fan to get out of the seat and into the action. Spectator Racing Series provides a race car, suit, and helmet for a full day of racing.

Qualifying will kick off action at 1 p.m. with heat races beginning at 3 p.m. and features to follow. Altamont Motorsports Park is home of the family-friendly “early in, early out” schedule in 2008, with racing concluding before dark.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located just west of Tracy at the merger of Highways 205 and 580. For more information on this NASCAR- and USAC-sanctioned, multi-use facility, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
Cooksey scores Big Dog #2 win at Altamont against huge field
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Doff Cooksey Jr. of Brentwood, CA picked up his NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Model win, Sunday afternoon, at Altamont Motorsports Park as part of the Noceti Grupe Inc. Big Dog #2.

Cooksey, the 2007 Rookie of the Year, won the 75 lap feature ahead of Carson City, NV’s Bobby Hodges and claimed $2000 for the win.

An outstanding car count of 39 took part in the exciting action on a comfortable day at the fastest half-mile in the west.

Cooksey, after winning an earlier heat race, led the huge starting grid to the green flag. Cooksey’s momentum was slowed on lap six when Al Vogel of Ukiah, Brock Monroe of Escalon, and several other cars tangled in turn one.

Big Dog #1 winner Jason Fensler of Modesto, CA stalled in turn four with mechanical problems to draw the caution on lap 10.

On the restart, points leader Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton and Justin Philpott of Tracy battled heavily, with David Philpott also in the fray.

Gilbert moved into second and the caution flew again on lap 14 when Guy Guibor of Manteca spun in turn four.

The leaders set forth on a long green flag run with heavy lapped traffic. Cooksey and Gilbert ran nose-to-tail in a heated battle.

On lap 32, a large accident broke out into turn four as the field checked up. Michael Wendt of Lodi rammed into the back of Vito Ranuio of Stockton. Andrew Livengood of Richmond was also collected. Livengood and Wendt were forced to retire for the afternoon.

A series of cautions followed, with state points leader Joey Stearns of Stockton suffering mechanical problems and loosing four laps. 2006 Stockton champion Guy Guibor also surrendered to car issues for the second straight event.

After a fourth consecutive caution, Tri-Holiday winner Tim Spurgeon of Danville was removed for the event for rough driving with Dallas Glenn of Fresno. Glenn and Sprugeon tangled in turn four with Glenn suffering race ending damage.

The eventful race continued its drama on lap 68. With seven laps remaining, Gilbert and Madera Speedway points leader Kyle Gottula of Modesto made contact into turn one. Gilbert was sent spinning and Gottula was sent to the rear of the field.

On the restart, All American Speedway points leader Gary Glenn of Orangevale went to work on David Philpott for second, but the second position proved to be a curse. Glenn and Philpott made contact, with Philpott spinning and Glenn being black flagged.

The young Cooksey held on for the final four laps in a thrilling finish that satisfied the home fans.

Cooksey was followed home Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV. Hodges edged out a hard-charging Carlos Vieira from Merced who started 31st. Gilbert and 2000 Irwindale Speedway James Weston of Goleta rounded out the top-five.

Joe Racer of Stockton won a back-and-forth American Limited Stock Car feature on the Altamont quick quarter-mile. The largest field of the season took part in the event.

Racer led the opening eight laps before the caution flew for a spinning Sammy Solari of Salida.

On the restart, Stockton’s Donnie Darter took command from the outside front row. Solari, undefeated as the track points leader heading into the afternoon, struggled to make up ground for the rear of the field with apparently handling problems.

Another caution on lap 12 allowed Racer to get the lead back from Darter, who fell to fourth.

Racer led Richard Harper of Stockton to a caution on lap 25. The restart with five to go saw Zack Huffman of French Camp, CA move past Harper for second.

Racer held on for the win over Huffman, with Darter, Harper, and Pete Anderson Sr. of Stockton rounding out the top-five.

All American Speedway points leader Scott Winters of Tracy, CA scored his ninth win of the 2008 season, leading every lap of the Grand American Modified race.

But despite leading every lap, Winters had to fend off Big Dog #1 winner Jason Philpot of Citrus Heights. A restart with seven to go put Winters to the test, but he held on by only a few car lengths for the win.

2007 champion Tony Noceti of French Camp came home in third, with Todd Lewis of Riverbank fourth, and points leader Todd Lynch of Tracy fifth.

West Coast Enduro wrapped up the day with a special slam-bang 60 lap Enduro on the Altamont Motorsports Park interior road course.

Richard Bentz took the lead from Joe Racer and held on for the win, denying Racer of picking up two wins on the day.

Altamont Motorsports Park goes dark on Saturday June 14, but returns on Saturday June 21 with the Twisted Metal 1 Car Show, presented by Killer Customs of Tracy.

All event details are available at www.altamontracing.com or www.twistedmetal1.com

 
Altamont Motorsports Park hosts “Big Dog #2” this Sunday
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Altamont Motorsports Park will host the Noceti Grupe Inc Big Dog #2 “All-American Racing,” this Sunday, June 8th. The race is being promoted by Noceti Grupe Inc – Motorsports Promotions of French Camp, CA.

The day’s activities will also be titled “Infineon Raceway Day.” Infineon Raceway will include gifts for the first 100 fans through the gates as part of its “Infineon Day” promotion. Event tickets to the popular Sonoma track will be raffled off to fans, a Kyle Busch show car will be on display, and a bounce house will be set up for the kids.

Racing competition for the NASCAR Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars), Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, and West Coast Enduro is expected to bring to together the top racing talent from all over the region.

The NASCAR Western Late Model event will keep the Altamont regulars on their toes, as several out-of-town drivers will be in action. All American Speedway points leader Gary Glenn will be competing, along with Big Dog #1 winner Jason Fensler of Modesto.

Carson City, NV teenager Bobby Hodges finished in the top-five in Big Dog #1 and will be action, along with 2000 Irwindale Speedway champion James Weston of Goleta, and Big Dog #1 runner-up Chris Bammer of Pleasanton.

2005 track champion Jason Gilbert leads 2006 Stockton 99 Speedway champion Guy Guibor of Manteca by four points.

32 cars have entered this event, making for a large field that will do battle in the 75 lap main. $2000 will go to the winner.

In the Grand American Modified feature, 2007 track champion Tony Noceti of French Camp will return to action to challenge current points leader Todd Lynch of Tracy.

Sammy Solari leads the American Limited Stock Car field into Sunday’s races with an undefeated record this season. Solari will be running the Modified race as well.

Fans will not only get to see hot action on the track, but also will be treated to a wide variety of exciting activities in the comfortable, covered Altamont midway.

Racing action will being at noon with 20 lap heat races. These heat races will be used to set the grids for the points- and money-paying main events. At least eight heat races will be contested.

Following heat races will be the feature events, including NASCAR Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) 75, Modified 30, and ALSC 30, in addition to the 100 lap West Coast Enduro race.

The West Coast Enduro 100 will be a challenge race between CW 31 Good Day Sacramento reporter Alan Sanchez and Dennis Dalton from Jackson Rancheria Casino and Hotel.

Big Dog #2 will pay out more than $26,000 in prize monies for the four feature events. Big Dog points will also be on the line, and the year end payout for the Big Dog Series is healthy as well.

Fans will have the chance to meet many local racing champions in the popular autograph sessions.

Ticket prices will see general admission for $20, with youth, military, and seniors just $10 for this huge regional racing event. A family pass of two adults and two youth is just $45.

$3 off coupons are available at the event website, lowering the ticket price to an extremely affordable $17 for adults.

More information on the Noceti Grupe Inc Big Dog #2 “All-American Racing” is available online at www.nocetigrupeinc.com

Altamont Motorsports Park is online at www.altamontracing.com

 
Exciting Tri-Holiday Classic sees Spurgeon and Pettit claim wins
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Saturday’s Tri-Holiday Classic #1 “Military Appreciation Day” saw Altamont Motorsports Park dodge wet weather to successfully pull off a huge day of Late Model action, with Tim Sprugeon of Danville, CA winning the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (w/ Westcar stars) 100, and Jim Pettit of Prunedale, CA scoring victory in the SRL Southwest Tour 100.

Incoming pints leader Guy Guibor of Manteca, CA led the 27 car field to green in the NASCAR Western Late Model event. The NASCAR program continues to maintain a near 26 car average through six races in 2008. Saturday’s Late Model event was the first of three rounds in the Tri-Holiday Series, which pays over $60,000 in prize monies.

2007 Mini Truck champion Ron Robeck of Milpitas, CA and Lisa Riordan of Scotts Valley, CA tangled on the opening lap in turn four, resulting in heavy nose damage for Robeck that ended his day early.

On the restart, the field set forth on an impressive green flag run to lap 29, but Guibor
only made it to lap 15 before pulling into the pits for a mechanical problem.

Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton, CA took over the lead, while Jason Fensler of Modesto, CA and Carlos Vieira of Merced, CA battled hard for third.

Casey Sherer of Danville, CA and Gary Franks of Manteca, CA made contact into turn one with Franks hitting the wall to draw the caution on lap 29.

Gilbert, Spurgeon, and Fensler hooked up on the restart, and a thrilling three-way battle ensued.

The incredible duel continued for the remaining 70 laps of the feature, with the three staying glued together through two long green flag runs and heavy lapped traffic.

Fensler snuck by Spurgeon on lap 72 in turn two to take second.

Vieira and David Hulsey of Manteca, CA made contact on lap 85, closing the gap between the top-three and fourth place Wes Miller of Turlock, CA.

Just ten laps later, Justin Philpott of Tracy, CA spun, creating another late race restart which has become common in the 2008 Late Model campaign.

Coming to the green on lap 95, Fensler and Gilbert made contact and then made contact again in turn one, sending Gilbert spinning and out of the lead.

Both drivers were put to the rear of the lead lap after the incident, and Spurgeon held off Miller in a close fought run to the finish.

Andrew Livengood of Richmond, CA continued his dazzling season with a third place finish and young Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV was fourth. Modesto’s Mike Beeler was fifth.

Greg Voigt of Goleta, CA set the new SRL Flashco Southwest Tour track record on Saturday, but points leader Jim Pettit proved to be too tough to beat in the 100 lap feature.

Justin Westmoreland of Madera, CA led the opening laps and was quickly joined by Pettit to create an all-Ford top-two.

A large accident in turn four slowed action on lap 17. Bryan Herzog of Clovis, CA checked up during a heavy battle with Todd Bammer of Pleasanton, CA, and was hit from behind.

Herzog was sent spinning through the dirt and when the dust settled, local favorite Rick Ruzbarsky of Tracy, CA had suffered race ending damage. Troy Ermish of Fremont, CA had front end damage that required several pit stops to repair.

Pettit took the lead from Westmoreland on lap 24, with Voigt passing Westmoreland on lap 43.

While Pettit fought off Voigt, rookie Josh Combs of Sacramento, CA made a charge to the front. Combs passed Dave Byrd of Seaside, CA when Byrd ducked into the pits with mechanical problems, then made his way past Tracy Bolin for fourth.

A close battle for third between Combs and veteran Craig Raudman of Cottonwood, CA wowed fans all the way to the finish.

Pettit hung on for the close win over Voigt, with Raudman, Combs, and Bolin the top-five.

The American Limited Stock Cars made its first start on the half-mile in several seasons, with high speeds and close competition.

Sammy Solari of Salida, CA continued his perfect season, winning his third feature of the year. Richard Harper of Stockton, CA made the race interesting as they raced closely for many laps in the 20 lap feature.

Solari had to come from the fifth row to pick up the win over Harper, with Tim Rappa of Hayward also coming from row five for third. Dino Fry made his first start of the season count with a fourth place finish and Zack Huffman rounded out the top-five.

Formula-4 action was claimed by Bob Wilson and Richard Hull as the stock four-cylinder cars raced on the 1.1 mile road course.

Carson City, NV 15 year-old Cameron Millard ran hot laps in the Future Champions Development Series. Future Champions Development Series is a series for drivers ages 14-16 in Western Late Model stockcars. The nationally unprecedented series returns on July 5th.

Altamont Motorsports Park goes dark on Saturday May 31st, before returning on Sunday June 8th for the Noceti Grupe Inc. Big Dog “All-American Racing.” The racing will feature NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) for 75 laps, plus action for Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, Legends of the Pacific, and West Coast Enduro.

For more information on Altamont Motorsports Park, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
Tri-Holiday Classic this Saturday, featuring SRL, NASCAR, and Westcar
By: Steven Blakesley
 
A central valley motorsports tradition will take place at Altamont Motorsports Park in 2008, as Saturday’s racing kicks off the “Tri-Holiday Series” at the half-mile oval track in Tracy, CA. SRL Flashco Southwest Tour 100 and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (w/ Westcar stars) 100 are both on tap.

All active military with ID will be admitted at half-price, and fans will have an opportunity to experience Jasper Racing Engines racing simulators in the midway.

More than 60 late models, including the Jasper Racing Engines-sponsored Future Champions Development Series, are expected to compete in the large evening program.

Late Model fans and drivers from all over the western United States will be in attendance to be apart of this action-packed event.

In addition, more than $35,000 in prize monies will be up for grabs.

American Limited Stock Cars will make its first appearance in many years on the half-mile oval, and Formula-4’s round out the scheduled divisions with a pair of 10 lap events on the Altamont road course.

The SRL Flashco Southwest Tour is led to Altamont by points leader Jim Pettit of Prunedale, CA. 2007 SRL champion and 2006 Altamont champion Dave Byrd of Monterrey, CA runs seventh in the points after two rounds.

Joining Pettit with a feature win this year is Troy Ermish, who took the main event win at All American Speedway in Roseville. Pettit’s win came at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

2004 track champion Todd Bammer of Pleasanton, CA runs fifth in the SRL standings.

Guy Guibor of Manteca, CA is continuing his outstanding season in the NASCAR Western Late Model program, maintaining a 20-point advantage over Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton, CA.

Despite car counts averaging above 25 cars, Guibor has been able to stay consistently up front, with two wins and a third place average finish.

Tim Spurgeon of Danville, CA, 2007 Rookie of the Year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood, CA, and Andrew Livengood of Richmond, CA, run third through fifth in the track points yet all three are winless in 2008.

Popular central valley racer Wes Miller of Turlock, CA will be making his return visit to Altamont. He will be joined by drivers such as Pleasanton, CA’s Chris Bammer and Carson City, NV teenager Bobby Hodges who will be looking to steal the win.

American Limited Stock Car racing on Saturday is wide-open, as the event will mark the first time the cars have competed on the half-mile oval in more than three years.

ALSC points leader Slammin’ Sammy Solari of Salida, CA is two-for-two so far this season.

Jasper Racing Engines presents the Future Champions Development Series feature this week, paying $200 to win. Future Champions Development Series is a late model series for drivers ages 14-16, competing on the Altamont quarter-mile.

A unique division on the west coast, it has attracted future champions of racing from Northern and Southern California as well as Northern Nevada. Drivers competing in the division have experience in Outlaw Karts, Karting, Mini Cups, and Baby Grands.

Points leader Bob Wilson will hope to return to victory lane in the Formula-4 division, after being denied in both mains last weekend on the road course. This class for stock four-cylinder cars, allows low-budget road racing as part of the NASCAR and USAC racing programs at Altamont.

Saturday’s racing action kicks off at 1 p.m. with time trials, followed by racing at 3 p.m. and concluding by dark.

Military/Veterans (ID req'd) HALF PRICE: $12, General Admission: $25, Seniors 65+ & Youth 9-13: $20, Children 8 & Under: Free, Family Package (2 adults/2 kids): $65

More information for Saturday’s event is online at www.altamontracing.com

 
Swanson, Gilbert, Guibor big winners at Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tanner Swanson, Jason Gilbert, and Guy Guibor scored huge wins in Saturday evening’s “Double Feature” at Altamont Motorsports Park, with action for both the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models and USAC Western States Sprints on the fast half-mile.

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Model action was at a fever pitch on Saturday, with an eye-popping 27 cars on hand to compete in the twin-50s program.

The Western Late Model class has averaged over 25 cars throughout the five features run in 2008.

Stockton’s Vito Ranuio led the field in the opening laps of the first 50 lap main, while 2005 champion Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton, CA moved through the large field.

Clean racing allowed the 27 car pack to race the first 30 laps without a caution.

Gilbert closed in on Ranuio on lap 19, and made an exciting pass for the lead on lap 21 in turn three.

Joey Sterns of Stockton, CA spun on lap 30, and Brian Koski of Pleasanton, CA spun on lap 32 to bring out successive cautions.

Points leader Guy Guibor of Manteca, CA went to work, reeling in Ranuio and Phil Perry by the 38th lap. By lap 44, Guibor was up to second, when the caution flew for a spinning Andrew Livengood.

With six laps to go, Gilbert led Guibor to the line in a crucial restart. The thrilling shootout to the finish was won by Gilbert, followed by Guibor, Perry, Ranuio, and Tim Spurgeon of Danville, CA.

The second 50-lap main event was a complete contrast to the first, with several cautions in the opening laps.

Greg Potts of Morada, CA made a strong charge from the start and made contact with leader Spurgeon on the opening lap in turn three. As Potts exited turn four, the car went head-on into the wall.

Potts went back across the track, and collected Carlos Vieira, Lisa Riordan, Rod Winfree, Koski, and Doff Cooksey. Koski and Potts were both done for the race.

On the restart, Cooksey and Livengood tangled in turn three, with Livengood vaulting over the top of Cooksey’s car in dramatic fashion. Cooksey was able to continue but Livengood could not continue.

After the field had settled down, Guibor took advantage. Assuming the lead after the Spurgeon and Potts accident, Guibor maintained the spot nearly unopposed until lap 39.

Gilbert moved into second on lap 12, and kept chase with Guibor through persistent lap traffic.

Riordan and Winfree tangled in turn three to draw the yellow on lap 39, setting up another Guibor and Gilbert duel.

Guibor made a brilliant restart, and took the wire-to-wire win over Gilbert. Tim Bost of Paradise, CA completed a solid run for third, with David Philpott of Tracy, CA and Ranuio rounding out the top-five.

Kingsburg, CA teenager Tanner Swanson picked up his third career Altamont win, with a dominating performance in the USAC Western States Sprints.

Swanson entered the evening trailing points leader Nick Rescino Jr. of San Francisco in the duel for the points lead. Saturday’s events at Altamont marked round five for the series and the second of seven appearances at Altamont.

Swanson claimed fast-time with a 16.885 at 106.603 MPH, just ahead of popular Nick Green, who was making his return visit to Altamont.

An eight car invert put Rescino on the pole, with Green and Swanson on row four.

Swanson made quick work of the field, slicing his way forward quickly and then taking the lead from Rescino on a lap 12 restart.

The accident on lap 12 dropped Chowchilla’s Eric Humphries to the rear. Green spun in dramatic fashion on lap 25 in turn three while running second.

On the restart, Humphries hunted down Rescino to take over third.

Swanson maintained a 2.7 second advantage to claim the win over Greg Anderson. Humphries, Rescino, and JoJo Helberg rounded out the top-five. The impressive victory for Swanson in the 50-lap feature also allowed his to take over the points lead.

USAC Sprints return to Altamont on June 28th.

San Francisco’s Robert Kennedy took a close win over points leader Todd Lynch of Tracy, CA in the NASCAR Grand American Modifieds. Todd Lewis, Morgan Cooksey, and Jose Gutierrez rounded out the top-five finishers.

Formula-4 points leader Bob Wilson went winless for the first day of the season, winning neither of the ten lap main events. Jake Morgenstern of Stockton, CA claimed victory on the Altamont road course in the first race, with 2007 runner-up Richard Hull pulling in a win in the second. Wilson snagged a pair of second places to keep his points lead over Hull.

Ed Amador held off a tough challenge from Manteca’s Jeff Burrows to win the NCMA Limited Sprint race. David Goodwill, Rob Hammond, and David Burchett also scored top-fives.

Next Saturday afternoon, Altamont Motorsports Park presents the Tri-Holiday Classic and Military Appreciation Day, sponsored by Jasper Racing Engines. All active Military with ID will be admitted free for this headline event.

On tap are two 100 lap features, with both the SRL Flashco Southwest Tour and NASCAR Western Late Models (w/ Westcar stars) slated for the century mark distance.

American Limited Stock Car’s will try to tame the half-mile for the first time in more than three seasons, and the Future Champions Development Series Late Model drivers, ages 14-16, will chase a $200 Jasper Engines-sponsored win on the quarter-mile. Altamont’s Formula-4’s will compete on the road course.

For event schedule and ticket information, log on to www.altamontracing.com

 
Double Feature on tap with USAC and NASCAR racing at Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
A huge evening of racing is on tap for Altamont Motorsports Park this Saturday, with both USAC and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action on the open-wheel and stock car duel card.

Altamont’s summer schedule will see qualifying at 1 p.m. and racing starting at a family-friendly 3 p.m. More than 250 laps of competition is slated for Saturday evening.

The increasingly competitive points battle for the USAC Western Sprints will take to the Altamont half-mile. Saturday’s 50 lap feature marks round four of the 2008 USAC tour, and the second of seven appearances for 360 cubic inch rockets.

San Francisco’s Nick Rescino Jr. leads the standings, over Kingsburg teenager Tanner Swanson, and new sensation Eric Humphries of Chowchilla.

Rescino, the 2004 and 2005 CASA sprint car champion, has earned eight feature wins at Altamont in his career. Rescino brought home a second-place finish in April.

Central Valley favorite Nick Green, who recently relocated to North Carolina, will make his return to Altamont. Green has recorded three career Altamont wins.

The new Toyota power plant sees drivers Chase Scott, Tim Skoglund, and Tony Hunt running seventh, ninth, and tenth in the points. Hunt, a four-time Western Sprints champion, will be hungry to improve his position in the points.

JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park, who leads the USAC Rocky Mountain points, will also be a contender.

Guy Guibor of Manteca is the surprise leader of the NASCAR Western Late Models. Guibor, with only one previous Altamont start before this season, has put together finishes of fifth, eighth, and first to claim the points lead.

Guibor will hope to make it two wins in-a-row this weekend, with twin-50’s on tap. Richmond’s Andrew Livengood, Pleasanton’s Jason Gilbert, and 2007 rookie of the year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood are all expected to compete.

Two car teams from car owners Rod Qualls and Eric Nascimento have both been fast. Qualls has drivers Tim Spurgeon and Casey Sherer of Danville, while Nascimento’s bunch if led by Fresno’s Dallas Glenn and Manteca’s Greg Potts.

Grand American Modified points leader Todd Lynch of Tracy will look to pad his points lead this weekend over San Francisco’s Robert Kennedy.

Gary Koster, winner in the last NCMA Limited Sprints feature at Altamont, will be in action in that class’ 30 lap main.

Bob Wilson and Wilson Motorsports have a commanding lead in the Formula-4 points, but 2007 runner-up Richard Hull runs second and is winless thus far. Two ten-lap features on the Altamont 1.1 mile road course are slated for Saturday, and momentum could shift in this class.

Racing action on Saturday gets started with time trials at 1 p.m., USAC heats at 3 p.m., with features to follow. The Spectator Racing Series will also be in action throughout the day Saturday, a group which gives fans the opportunity to race.

Saturday’s tickets for this huge “Double Feature” of USAC and NASCAR, are just $20 for general admission, $15 for youth, seniors, and active military, and $55 for a family pass of two general admission tickets and two youth tickets.

Fans can feast on award winning Kinder’s BBQ throughout the exciting evening of action.

For detailed event schedule and ticket information, log on to www.altamontracing.com

 
Philpott and Guibor take home wins at Altamont Motorsports Park
By: Steven Blakesley
 
David Philpott of Tracy and Guy Guibor of Manteca picked up stirring wins on Saturday afternoon, at Altamont Motorsports Park, in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Twin-50s.

Philpott and Guibor’s wins in the Western Late Model division went along with feature wins for Todd Lynch of Tracy in the Modifieds, Sammy Solari of Salida in the ALSC division, Colby Potts of Manteca in the Future Champions Development Series, and Bob Wilson in the Formula-4s.

21 cars took the green flag in Western Late Model 50 lap race #1, with 2005 track champion Jason Gilbert of Pleasanton leading the field to the green.

Trouble struck early as Casey Scheier of Danville tangled with Tim Bost of Paradise in turn three. As the two spun, Gary Franks was collected. Franks suffered heavy front-end damage and was done for the afternoon. Bost was forced to retire from the race but returned for the second feature.

Philpott, who also set the fast-time, went to work from eighth position and moved up to Gilbert’s rear bumper by lap 11.

Heavy battling for the fourth position between Tim Spurgeon of Danville, Guibor, Dallas Glenn of Fresno, and Greg Potts of Manteca allowed for Brentwood’s Doff Cooksey to run comfortably in third.

Reinie Naeb of Jackson spun while being lapped on lap 15, and was hit head-on by Mark Squadrito of Livermore. Both were eliminated by the crash.

On the restart, Philpott sized up Gilbert and on lap 25, made a thrilling pass to the outside to take the lead.

A late caution on lap 46 set up a four-lap shootout between Gilbert and Philpott, but Philpott had a great restart and was able to pull away for the win.

The top-five were Philpott, Gilbert, Cooksey, Spurgeon, and Potts.

The second 50 lap feature on the fastest half-mile in the west was Guibor’s race. Guibor led the entire race distance to take a very convincing win in just his fourth start on the paved oval.

While Guibor dominated, the race was full of drama, as the top-12 cars ran in a tightly wound pack in the opening laps. Trouble struck the two Nascimento Motorsports teammates when Glenn and Potts collided in turn one, collecting Cooksey.

All three returned to the track after repairs, with Cooksey and Potts sprinting to the front while Glenn dropped several laps off the pace.

Philpott went on the charge, running down Andrew Livengood of Richmond on lap 23 to set-up a thrilling duel for second.

Philpott and Livengood dueled fiercely in a race that stayed relatively caution-free, while at the tail-end of the lead-lap, Spurgeon, Bost, Cooksey, and Potts staged a heated battle for fifth.

With just a few laps remaining, and Guibor in striking distance, Philpott surrendered third as he suddenly went to the pits with an apparent overheating problem.

Guibor snuck away in heavy lapped traffic to a close win over Livengood, Gilbert, Bost, and Cooksey. Guibor also managed to come away as the points leader.

In Grand American Modified action, Tracy’s Todd Lynch worked his way past 2007 runner-up Todd Lewis of Riverbank to take the feature win.

Lynch and Lewis ran side-by-side for several laps, with Lewis appearing to possibly have the preferred line.

Lynch and Lewis came across the line in a close finish, followed by Robert Kennedy of San Francisco, Jose Gutierrez of Modesto, and Morgan Cooksey of Brentwood.

“Slammin” Sammy Solari of Salida won his second ALSC main event of the year, winning over a tough and talented field of 14 cars.

Solari opened up the afternoon by setting a new track record in qualifying, and took the lead from Steve Philpott on lap seven.

A large pack of cars battled closely behind Solari, and a late race restart gave Joe Allen of Stockton an opportunity to challenge Solari. But Solari proved too strong as he picked up the over two second win.

The top-five at the finish were Solari, Allen, Zack Huffman of French Camp, Tim Rappa of Hayward, and Richard Harper of Stockton.

Three young drivers took to the Altamont quarter-mile in the new Future Champions Development Series. 14 year-old Cameron Millard of Carson City, NV, 14 year-old Colby Potts of Manteca, and 15 year-old Tyler Thomas of Loomis competed. Potts, a former karting champion, ran the fastest lap of the day with a 14.679.

The young drivers will return on May 24 with more drivers expected to be in action.

The series allows 14-16 year-old drivers to compete in Western Late Model cars. More information about this brand new division is available at the Altamont Motorsports Park website.

Bob Wilson and Wilson Motorsports triumphed in both 10 lap main events for the Formula-4 division on the 1.1 mile Altamont road course.

The top-five of the first main event went to Wilson, Leo Solari, Dan Durbin, Jake Morgenstern, and Richard Hull.

The top-five for the second main event were Wilson, Robert Lopez, Hull, Jim Robbins, and Jake Morgenstern.

16 of these stock four-cylinder vehicles competed in this fast-growing, economy class.

Altamont Motorsports Park goes dark next Saturday but will return May 10 and 11 for the “wackiest spectacle in the west” with the 24 Hours of LeMons. Not to be confused with that French race over the Atlantic, 24 Hours of LeMons is two days of racing for cars costing $500 or less. Close to 100 cars and 500 drivers will compete in this event on the Altamont road course.

All mothers will be free for all weekend for this event!

Oval racing returns May 17 with the USAC Western Sprints and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Western Late Models. Racing thunder with both closed- and open-wheeled cars will be on tap.

Race fans can learn more about Altamont Motorsports Park by logging onto www.altamontracing.com

 
NASCAR returns to Altamont this Saturday with Late Model Twin-50s
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, Calif. – NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing returns to Altamont Motorsports Park this Saturday afternoon, with competition for the Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars, Future Champions Development Series, Formula-4s, and Spectator Racing Series.

Family friendly starting and ending times will see racing begin at 2 p.m. and conclude by sundown.

The NASCAR Western Late Models will headline the program with twin-50 lap features on the “fastest half-mile in the west.” Drivers will earn points for two starts for the all-important NASCAR State and National championship battles.

Drivers competing Saturday will include Brentwood, CA driver Doff Cooksey, the 2007 Altamont Rookie of the Year. Other drivers in action will be 2007 runner-up Ken Benhamou of San Ramon, CA, 2005 track champion Jason Gilbert, and Fresno, CA emerging star Dallas Glenn.

Grand American Modifieds will go 30 laps on the half-mile in their radical open-wheeled cars.

American Limited Stock Car feature racing will be 30 laps on the Altamont “quick” quarter-mile.

The brand new Future Champions Development Series will commence its first race on Saturday. Series competitors are ages 14-16, competing in Western Late Model cars with minor performance limits.

Driver development is the name of the game, and the young drivers will start off the season on the quarter-mile before transitioning to the half-mile.

A 20 lap feature is scheduled with drivers from northern and southern California along with northern Nevada expected to attend. Drivers in the field have experience in Baby Grands, Mini Cups, Outlaw Karts, and Karts.

The fast-growing Formula-4 division has two ten lap races on the Altamont 1.1 mile road course scheduled for Saturday. These stock, four-cylinder cars allow for equal competition and affordability.

Rounding out Saturday’s event line-up will be the Spectator Racing Series. Spectator Racing allows fans to live their dream of competing in a real NASCAR race. For a nominal fee, drivers get the use of a car and all the safety gear needed to go racing.

Spectator Racing Series will run its main event on the quarter-mile, and the series utilizes four-cylinder scale versions of the popular Grand American Modifieds.

Pit gates open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with grandstands opening at 11 a.m.

Qualifying will begin at 12:30 with opening ceremonies slated for 2 p.m. Racing will conclude before sundown.

Ticket information and event schedules are available online at the Altamont Motorsports Park website, at www.altamontracing.com

 
McClish, Zimmerly big winners in USAC Pacific Coast Nationals at Altamont
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, Calif. – Brian McClish of Santa Rosa, CA made the most of his new car, in a race that resembled a former CASA race, as McClish led San Francisco’s Nick Rescino Jr. to the finish in the USAC Pacific Coast Spring Nationals, Saturday.

Saturday’s racing at Altamont Motorsports Park featured USAC Sprints, Midgets, and Ford Focus, along with NCMA Limited Sprints and Altamont Formula-4s. The event marked the first of seven appearances by USAC at Altamont for the 2008 racing season.

McClish made winning look easy after taking the lead from 2007 USAC Western Sprint champion Ryan Kaplan of Chico, CA on lap 14. McClish cruised home to win the 50 lap-feature on the half-mile asphalt oval.

USAC Silver Crown veteran Tim Barber of San Francisco, CA led the 16 car field to green, with Kaplan assuming the point for the third starting position on lap three.

McClish and Kaplan dueled for six laps side-by-side before McClish took control.

Antelope’s Greg Anderson battled with Rescino throughout the first half of the race for second, before Anderson faded late.

Eighth-place starter and two-time Altamont winner Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, CA methodically worked his way forward to fight it out with Anderson for third position. The entertaining duel came down to the final turn, with Swanson holding out for third.

The top-five at the finish were: McClish, by four seconds, over Rescino, Swanson, Anderson, and a hard-charging Chase Scott who started 11th.

Three-time series champion Tony Hunt of Lincoln, CA continued his tough start to the season, dropping out of the race with mechanical problems after just 14 laps.

Swanson set the fast-time in qualifying, covering the oval in 17.052 seconds for a 105.559 mph average.

An outstanding field of USAC Western Midgets also took were in competition, with racers from Canada, Washington, Colorado, Indiana, and Florida all competing.

USAC National Midget driver Ricky Ehrgott of Riverview, FL was eliminated in a crash on lap 11 that also involved Steven Matthews of Ontario, Canada.

Western Speed Racing driver Paul Zimmerly of Ridgefield, WA took the lead from fellow Washington driver Evan Margeson on a lap 16 restart.

The following lap, Garrett Hansen of Manhattan Beach, CA made contact with Alfred Galedrige of Los Altos, CA in turn three to bring out the caution.
Galedrige stalled on the ensuing restart, collecting Tony Hunt and Robby Jossett of Santa Clarita, CA in a chain-reaction crash.

Once racing went green, Hansen and Matthews went to work, with Hansen crawling all the way up to fifth position.

Meanwhile, Michael Faccinto of Hanford, CA was involved in a heavy battle for second with Nic Faas.

Faccinto and Faas made contact in turn one on lap 23, while simultaneously Hansen moved to the outside of Daniel Bedford for fourth.

Hansen slammed into the spinning Faas, resulting an oil fire and two badly damaged race cars. USAC officials ended the race under a red-checkered for the lengthy clean-up.

Zimmerly was credited with the win, followed by Faccinto, Bedford, Levi Roberts of Broomfield, CO, and Matthews.

Heat race wins went to Mark Atkinson of Seattle, Shannon McQueen of Bakersfield, and Bedford.

Fast-time went to Scott Peirovich of Alamo, CA, with a time of 16.848 at 106.838 miles per hour.

USAC Ford Focus racing on the quarter-mile saw a close battle between the top-three cars for much of the race.

Garrett Peterson of West Sacramento, CA led the first 22 laps of the 30 lap feature, with 14 year-old Alex Bowman of Tuscon, AZ and Mike Maier in tow.

Maier picked off Bowman on lap 19 and passed Peterson just three laps later.

Local favorite Jessica Brunelli of Hayward, CA was eliminated in a crash with Tommy Astone III on lap six.

The top-five were: Maier, Peterson, Bowman, Charles Maier, and Pleasanton’s Ian Millie.

Heat race wins went to: Charles Maier and Peterson. Mike Maier stopped the clock at 13.386 to lead time trials.

NCMA Limited Sprint’s 20 lap feature on the half-mile started only six cars, but an exciting battle between the top-three cars came down the finish.

Ageless Gary Koster held off Ed Amador for the popular win, with David Goodwill of Napa a car-length behind. Jeff Burrows and Burt Silverling rounded out the top-five.

A great field of 15 Formula-4’s competing in two 10 lap features on the 1.1 mile Altamont road-course. Each race for the stock four-cylinder cars was fast-paced and caution free.

Bob Wilson won the first feature, with Doug Foreman, Jr., rookie Rod Deridon, 2007 runner-up Richard Hull, and Jake Morgenstern the top-five.

A fully-inverted second feature allowed Jim Robbins to take home a convincing win, holding off Dan Durbin. The remaining top-five were Ken Riley, Hull, and Wilson, who started 14th.

Next Saturday, Altamont Motorsports Park returns with the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. The NASCAR Western Late Models will compete in twin-50 lap features. Grand American Modifieds will also compete on the half-mile. Quarter-mile action will include American Limited Stock Cars, Future Champions Development Series youth Late Models, and Spectator Racing Series. Formula 4’s will return for twin-10s on the road course.

Qualifying will take place at 12:30 with racing at 2 p.m. The new family friendly racing program will be completed by sundown.

Race fans can also enjoy award-winning Kinder’s BBQ throughout 2008.

For more information about Altamont Motorsports Park, log on to www.altamontracing.com

 
USAC Pacific Coast Spring Nationals coming to Altamont Saturday
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, Calif. – Saturday afternoon, Altamont Motorsports Park will present the USAC Pacific Coast Spring Nationals, the first of seven events on the 2008 slate for the USAC-sanctioned track. United States Auto Club Sprints, Midgets, and Ford Focus Midgets will tackle the half- and quarter-mile ovals, with NCMA Limited Sprints and Altamont Formula-4’s also on the bill.

Saturday’s Sprint car feature will be the feature event of the weekend, with 50 laps of feature racing on tap for the 145 mile per hour open-wheeled cars.

Altamont will be the home track for sprint cars in 2008, with seven of the series’ 16 rounds scheduled there. The series features many storylines, including a crop of competitive young guns, drivers from families with strong racing backgrounds, and the introduction of new chassis and engine suppliers.

2007 series champion Ryan Kaplan of Chico, CA has relocated to Indiana but has left his seat in good hands, with Altamont SRL feature winner Porter Smith of Aztec, NM at the helm.

USAC racing has bred some of the top NASCAR stars, including Jeff Gordon, Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman, and Tony Stewart. Several drivers in action on Saturday appear poised to join this list.

Tanner Swanson of Kingsburg, CA, the hard-charging 17 year-old, who scored two wins at Altamont last year, is one of the favorites to watch. Swanson won the dash race last week in Roseville and recovered from an early race incident to finish fourth.

Swanson will be going head-to-head with teenager JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park, CA, who finished third in the series standings in 2007.

Both drivers are excited to visit the Altamont speedplant.

“I’m definitely excited to get back to Altamont,” Swanson said. “The racing is fast, close, and side-by-side.”

“At Altamont you gotta be gutsy,” Helberg said. “It has two complete grooves and it’s all about smooth movements.”

The series also features young guns Eric “Hot Rod” Humphries of Chowchilla, CA, three-time Ford Focus champion Tim Skoglund of Fresno, CA, and Washington’s Snake Livernash.

Swanson enjoys the competitive nature of the young drivers.

“With all the young drivers out there, it’s fun,” Swanson said. “You know what’s going through their heads and the butterflies they’re feeling, because you’ve felt them too.”

Joining the crop of up-and-coming talent, are several well established drivers looking to make waves in 2008.
For Nick Rescino Jr. of San Francisco, old is new again. Rescino has returned to his 2006 car, and is hoping to return to the form that made him a multiple-time CASA champion.

Tony Hunt of Lincoln, CA will be looking for his record extending fourth championship in 2008, and the Alan Kaiser-owned team has moved to Toyota power. Hunt will join Western Speed Racing drivers Skoglund and Chase Scott in Toyotas.

New chassis company Hornet Chassis, based near Altamont Motorsports Park, will feature BCRA champion John Sarale and Jimmy Riddell as pilots of its entries.

Teams are excited to have Altamont as the home track for USAC in 2008.

“It’s awesome that they are thrilled to have us,” Swanson said. “We feel welcome there and that they respect the series. We are as happy to have them as they are to have us.”

“It’s great to have a track support us like this,” Helberg said.

Five of the seven United States Auto Club events at Altamont will feature the Midgets, with four-cylinder power. The mighty midgets are currently led by Scott Pierovich and Nic Faas atop the points standings.

More young gun racing will take place on Altamont’s quarter-mile on Saturday, with the identically powered USAC Ford Focus Midgets.

The NCMA Limited Sprints are lower horsepower versions of USAC Sprints, and will take to Altamont’s half-mile for the first of nine appearances this year.

Rounding out Saturday’s line-up will be the Altamont Formula-4’s. This fan-favorite, affordable class, features completely stock four cylinder race cars running on Altamont’s 1.1 mile road course. Two 10-lap features are scheduled for this non-contact class.

Fan gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday, with time trials at noon and the first heat races at 2 p.m. Altamont’s new family-friends racing schedule will find racing ending before sundown. Fans will have the opportunity to feast on the award-winning Kinder’s BBQ, Altamont’s official purveyor of fine BBQ.

Ticket prices are as follows:
General Admission 12 and over $25
Seniors 65 + & Military with ID $20
Children 6-11 $15
Family Package 2 Adults & 2 Children $65

Altamont Motorsports Park is the bay area’s only NASCAR-sanctioned track, and the only USAC-sanctioned race track in the country. Altamont Motorsports Park is online at www.altamontracing.com

 
Fensler takes $3000 “Tribute to American Graffiti” Altamont opener
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, Calif. – Jason Fensler showed again why he is a force to be reckoned with in the West Coast late model scene, putting on a dominating performance to win the Noceti Grupe Inc. “Tribute to American Graffiti” at Altamont Motorsports Park on Sunday.

The weekend’s events were round one of the Big Dog series, and the first points race of the year for Altamont, NASCAR, and Westcar points. More than $40,000 in awards were posted for the two-day, four-division program.

An outstanding field of 30 late models took the green flag for the 125 lap feature. Fensler, coming from third position, passed pole sitter Michael Wendt to lead the first lap.

Fensler led the opening 32 laps which ran caution free. Another caution flew on lap 37 when Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV tangled with Steve Yatsko. Hodges was running fifth at the time and dropped to the rear.

On the restart, Hodges began picking his way through the pack while a tremendous battle throughout the top-ten wowed fans.

Fensler and Chris Bammer pulled away from the pack as the battling ensued.

Nascimento Motorsports drivers Greg Potts of Manteca, CA and Dallas Glen of Fresno, CA, along with 2007 Rookie of the Year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood, CA and 2005 champion Jason Fensler of Pleasanton, swapped spots multiple times throughout the opening 100 laps.

Hodges clawed his way up to eighth by the lap 80 caution, which set-up for a 20 lap run to the lap 100 break.

The race shifted on lap 95 suddenly, when a caution flew for debris. As Gilbert slowed crossing the line, Potts slammed into him, sending his car violently over the top of Gilbert’s and ending both drivers’ afternoons.

Racing resumed on lap 100 after the scheduled fuel stop with 22 cars answering the call for the 25 lap sprint to the finish.

Cooksey restarted third but had a brilliant restart and moved inside of Bammer entering turn three. But Cooksey spun, sending a cloud of tire smoke over the field of cars.

When the smoke cleared, Cooksey, Chris Crompe, and 2007 Truck champion Ron Robeck emerged with serious damage. After a red flag to clear the destroyed Robeck entry, racing resumed.

Fensler held the point over Bammer, Hodges, Glen, and James Weston of Goleta on the restart.

Guy Guibor of Manteca passed Weston on lap 107 to move into fifth. Hodges completed his dramatic run to the front as he made a pass on the outside of Bammer on lap 120, but Fensler was in control.

Leading every lap, Fensler cruised to a three second lead and the $3000 win over Hodges, Bammer, Glen, and Guibor. Weston, Troy Shirk, rookie Casey Scheier, Andrew Livengood, and Rudy Marquez rounded out the top-ten.

Saturday’s Late Model heat race winners were Wendt, Cooksey, Bammer, and Fensler.

In other competition over the weekend, Jason Philpot of Sacramento, CA took a new car to victory lane in the Grand American Modifieds. Philpot, a former Stockton Speedway champion, won his Saturday heat race before winning the feature.

Restart strategy proved to be a factor as Philpot used a late race restart over Todd Lynch of Tracy, CA to take a close one second victory.

Lynch, who was the other heat race winner on Saturday, fell to fourth early in the race before battling back to second position for much of the 50 lap feature.

2007 champion Tony Noceti of French Camp, CA swapped blows with Robert Kennedy of San Francisco, CA several times before claiming the third position.

Sammy Solari of Salida, CA managed a fifth place finish in his new car in the class.

Solari added a runaway victory in the ALSC division to his fifth place in the Modifieds.

Solari controlled the point from the pole, and lapped up to fourth place in the 50 lapper on Altamont’s quick quarter-mile.

Rich Harper maintained second for all 50 laps, albeit five seconds behind the leader.

2006 Rookie of the Year Tim Rappa of Hayward, veteran Don McLaren, and Jacob Cardoza rounded out the top-five.

Heat race number two winner Joe Racer suffered mechanical problems and finished 11th. Heat race one runner up Anthony Gourley of San Jose, CA spun out of the top-five on lap four but was able to salvage a sixth place finish.

The weekend’s action also included a pair of West Coast Enduro races on Altamont’s unique interior road course.

Saturday’s 100 lap event saw 31 cars take the green flag for the $2000 to win purse. Richard Bentz claimed the win, followed by Ben Lewis, David Papst Jr., Jay Cookson, and Adam Baggett rounded out the top-five.

Sunday’s $600 to win “Second-Chance” 50 lap Enduro, which featured CW31 personality Alan Sanchez, was won by Joe Addison, who was followed by Alan Deabenderfer, and Robert Daniels.

Altamont Motorsports Park takes this Saturday evening off, and will host the Cars and Guitars car show in Downtown Tracy. The event will be part of the Tracy Farmers Market kick off for 2008. For more information, log on to www.carsandguitars.org

Altamont returns on Saturday afternoon, April 19, with the USAC Pacific Coast Spring Nationals, featuring high-speed USAC Sprints, Midgets, Ford Focus, NCMA Limited Sprints, and Altamont Formula-4s. Ticket and event schedule information is available at the Altamont Motorsports Park website.

Altamont Motorsports Park is home of the family-friendly starting and ending times in 2008. For more information, visit www.altamontracing.com

 
2007 Champs Honored at Awards Banquet February 9
By: Altamont Motorsports Park
 
Emcee Tony Karis, 2008 President of the Motorsports Press Association, and host of "The Dave Coffin Motor Sports Show" on AM Radio KNRY (Monterey/Salinas/San Jose, CA) called the 2007 race champions to the podium at the Altamont Motorsports Park Awards Banquet in Tracy on February 9. Track president and general manager Jeff Macey, and CEO John Condren also honored the Altamont staff for outstanding contributions to the 2007 season. Jeff also presented John Condren, who has announced his retirement from AMP management for full-time attention on the Riverside Motorsports Park project, with a honorary plaque signed by competitors, fans and staff. The evening culminated with the rocking tones of Ron Petana and his his band.

Stay tuned for more info and photos--to be posted as soon as available!

 
Altamont Pumpkin Smash and Family Fun Day attract huge crowd
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, CA – A tremendous 2007 season at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, CA was capped off by the Pumpkin Smash 300 Enduro and Family Fun Day, Saturday, with Stockton’s David Papst Jr. navigating the wet and pumpkin-filled course to claim the $4000 victory.

One of the largest crowds of race fans for the season came out to witness a 56-car field compete in the enduro event that stretched over three hours. Despite the hard hitting action, 29 cars survived to finish.

Larry Moniz led up to the 75 lap break on the road course, before turning the lead over to Ryan Strmiska coming out of the refueling break. After some back-and-forth battling, Moniz was back out front on lap 89.

Strmiska moved back into the lead on lap 104 before ALSC regular Chad Holman of Stockton took the lead on lap 136.

Holman held the point until the break on lap 150.

The field returned for 150 laps more of racing, this time on the quarter-mile oval.

Holman and Strmiska exchanged the lead multiple times up until lap 178, when Holman took a substantial lead and Strmiska dropped out with mechanical problems.

Holman’s lead would be short lived as Papst moved onto the lead lap and Holman had to duck to the pits for repairs, losing eight laps.

Papst lead the remaining 105 laps and took the popular win.

The team of Joe Addison and Doug Mangeli came home second, with Craig Mastropierro, Adam Baggett, and Holman rounding out the top-five.

The family fun day lived up to its name, with 2006 Mini Super Truck Champion Ron Pestana and “The Pit Crew” entertaining fans with live rock music in the midway. Several food vendors and apparel vendors also lured familes to the midway, as did representatives from “Get Real Behind The Wheel,” the new teen driver safety program being implemented this winter. The group raised funds with food sales. The exciting midway activities will be a mainstay in 2008, according to track management.

Several fans left with more money than they came with, as fans competed in pumpkin carving, pumpkin putt, and the Halloween costume contest.

The 2007 race season featured more than 50 events and close, competitive racing action at the most diverse short-track facility in the nation. The 2008 season promises to be even better, with Riverside Motorsports Park management continuing in its third year of operation of the facility, as part of a long-term commitment to central valley motorsports.

Coming up next will be announcements of the 2008 racing schedule, as well as the teen driving program and the racing school. The Altamont Motorsports Park is hosting the 2007 season's awards banquet for Altamont weekly series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competitiors and the Eldorado Westcar Late Model Series on January 5th, 2008 in Reno, NV.

Race fans can stay tuned to www.altamontracing.com for all the happenings at Altamont Motorsports Park.

 
Big Dog Open Show preliminary night in the books
By: Steven Blakesley
 
Tracy, CA – Saturday night competition for the Big Dog Open Show presented by Hoosier Tires and Mid Valley Iron Works at Altamont Motorsports Park featured the Mid Valley 100 for the SRL Wild West Shootout, and stirring preliminary events for the Late Models, Modifieds, and ALSC cars.

Ryan Philpott grabbed the pole position for Sunday’s 125 lap feature by claiming the fast time over the 33 Late Model teams in competition.
Philpott will share the front row with Roseville’s Eric Schmidt, the 2006 SRL champion and 2007 All American Speedway champion.

The top-22 qualifiers were locked into the feature, with the remaining 11 cars competing in the 25 lap B-Main event. The event proved to be a dandy as the drivers jockeyed for four transfer spots.

A surprising group of talented drivers were in the event, including 3-time ALSC champion Matt Erickson, 2007 Altamont runner-up Ken Benhamou, and 2006 Busch Series driver Burney Lamar of West Sacramento, CA.

Lamar was in the event after missing qualifying with engine problems.

Brian Koski took the lead on the opening lap, with Erickson and Glen Cook of Fremont bringing out the first caution on lap two after huge contact in turn three.

Cook was eliminated from the event, with Erickson restarting at the rear of the field.

By lap 11, Lamar found his way to third and Erickson ran fifth.

Lamar made a nice passing move on Koski to take over the lead on lap 15.

Benhamou was shuffled back to fifth place in turn four, but quickly regrouped.

Benhamou passed Erickson on the outside on lap 16 to move into third, setting up a battle between Benhamou and Koski.

Benhamou and Koski got together in turn one on lap 18, sending Koski spinning and out of the race, with Benhamou being moved to the rear of the field.

On the restart, Lamar and Erickson drove away from the field, setting up a dog fight for third place.

Jeremy Hopkins of Ukiah, CA inherited third with Mark Squadrito putting on a thrilling duel with rookie Lisa Riordan of Scotts Valley, CA for the final transfer spot.

Lamar held on for the win, with Erickson rounding up second, followed by Hopkins and Squadrito, with Riordan narrowly missing the transfer.

The SRL Mid-Valley Iron Works 100, the final event of the 2007 season, was captured by rookie driver Porter Smith, as he nailed down his first ever SRL victory.

The race featured a great run by Tracy Bolin, as Bolin attempted to move from third to first in the series points standings. Bolin led much of the event ahead of Smith and MK Kanke of Frazier Park, CA.

Late race drama ensued as points leader and 2006 Altamont champion Dave Byrd struggled with problems on the right-front of his race car that forced him to spend much of the race in the pits.

Mechanical problems slowed Bolin and forced him to fall back to seventh by the finish, handing Byrd the narrow championship win.

In ALSC action, heat race wins went to Mike Soiseth and 2007 Altamont champion James Dulla, with Joe Racer claiming the dash.

The Modified dash win went to 2007 All American Speedway champion Scott Winters.
Philpott won the Western Late Model dash.

Racing action kick starts at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, with feature racing for the ALSC, Modifieds, and Late Models.

ALSC cars will go 75 laps on the quarter-mile for $1500 to win, the Modifieds will run 50 laps for $2500 to win and the Late Models will round out the Norcal Nationals Big Dog weekend with the 26 car, 125 lap feature, that pays $4000 to win.

 
Altamont Motorsports Park Crowns its 2007 Track Champions
By: Jeff Downey
 
Tracy, Calif., September 29, 2007 - Altamont Motorsports Park crowned its 2007 track
champions Saturday night in the last points event of the season. Tracy's Ryan Philpott
was crowned the 2007 track champion in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Model
division with Hayward's James Dulla taking the American Limited Stock Car division.
Tony Noceti of French Camp won the Grand American Modified division with San Jose's Ron
Robeck emerging victorious in a close points battle in the Pro-Truck division. Debbie
Foreman of Brentwood took the 2007 track championship in an equally close points battle
in the Formula-4 division.

With 10 wins at Altamont Motorsports Park this year, Philpott had the car to beat in
2007.

"It was actually kind of fun this year being chased and not having to chase [2006 AMP
Champion] Dave Byrd around the track," said Phillpott. "And next year we are going to
try to step up to the Grand National West."

Ken Benhamou was the runner up to Philpott for 2007, finishing second in Western Late
Model points. Brentwood's Doff Cooksey finished third in Western Late Model points and
also earned the Rookie of the Year award for 2007. Doff's sister, Morgan, earned the
Rookie of the Year honors in the Grand American Modified division.

Wes Miller took the checkers in the first of two Western Late Model events of the
evening. Miller, who ran the quickest qualifying time earlier in the afternoon, got around
the 5 of Rick Ruzbarsky on a restart on lap 23. Ruzbarsky, who led the first 22 laps
of the evening, finished second in the event.

Miller's fast lap in qualifying earned the driver from Turlock the distinction of being
the only driver this season to finish ahead of Philpott in the qualifying session.

Ryan Philpott, who ran as high as second, was not a factor in the final stages of the
race after being part of a group of cars that were sent to the rear of the field due to
a incident in turn three that led to the lap 23 caution.

Philpott's luck continued to turn south in the Western Late Model nightcap with Ryan
retiring the "Red Rocket" during the warm up laps after a problem with the car's frame.

Ryan Mock netted his first Western Late Model win in the second Late Model race of the
evening as his "lucky" #13 racer outclassed the field, leading the race in a
wire-to-wire victory.

Wes Miller finished second in the nightcap followed by Cooksey in third.

American Limited Stock Car driver Jim Dulla entered the final ALSC event of the season
with a 29 point lead over Jim Earl. Dulla started next to Earl in the third position
after a six car inversion and drove his #68 Hayward Chevy to a third place finish to
clinch the 2007 ALSC title.

"I've had fun all year racing with these guys," said Dulla in victory lane. "I can't
wait for the banquet."

Dulla narrowly escaped disaster, negotiating around a spinning Pete Anderson in turn
two on lap 13 of the thirty lap event.

Zach Huffman, who finished third in points for the season, took the checkers in the
event followed Stockton's Chad Holman.

Ron Robeck's second place finish in the Pro-Truck event clinched his 2007 Pro-Truck
title, the first division title of his racing career. Robeck came into the race with just
a six point lead over Oakdale's Nathan McNeil who finished sixth in the 20 lap event
on the 1/4-mile oval.

Robeck secured his victory, charging from the sixth starting spot of the eight trucks
that entered the event after a six truck inversion. Robeck qualified his #3 truck in
the top spot earlier in the afternoon.

Walt Bruegger drove his #6 truck into victory lane, winning his second Pro-Truck race
of the season.

Grand American Modified driver Tony Noceti had the championship locked up coming into
Saturday's event. Noceti ran the quickest qualifying time of the afternoon but finished
near the rear of the field after contact with the #1 of Todd Lynch set Noceti the back
of the pack late in the race.

Thomas Leiby took the Grand American Modified win on Saturday night. A fourth place finish by Todd Lewis should move Lewis over Jamie Jackson from third to second in the overall point standings. Jackson, who made contact with a slow car on lap 16, finished ninth on Saturday night.

Debbie Foreman, leading the Formula-4 division by just 12 points over Richard Hull,
captured the 2007 track title by taking the checkers in the first Formula-4 event of the
evening and securing an eighth place finish in the nightcap. Hull finished sixth and
third respectively.

Altamont Motorsports Park is dark next weekend, preparing for one of its biggest events
of the year, the Big Dog Open which takes place the weekend of October 13th and 14th.
Highlighting the show is a 125 lap Western Late Model event on Sunday. Qualifying
and heat races are scheduled for Saturday along with a 100 lap SRL Late Model
championship event.

 
Mike David Crowned 2007 NASCAR Grand National West Champ
By: Jeff Downey
 
Tracy, Calif., September 15, 2007 - Modesto's Mike David was crowned the 2007 Champion of the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series in the series finale in front of a packed house at Altamont Motorsports Park on Saturday night. David finished third in the event with Eric Holmes, the 2006 Grand National West champion, finishing first in the 200 lap Dan Gamel RV Centers 200.

David, who had to finish 22nd or better to secure the championship, actually took the championship on lap 90 when six of the 28 cars that qualified for the event were officially retired from the race.

"I did not know I had it on lap 90," said David, adding, "About lap 150 they [told me]: 'You are the champion!'"

David most likely could have used the news earlier in the race as he was fighting a transmission problem that eventually left him with only his high gear.

In victory lane David said he had serious concerns whether his transmission would make it to the end of the race.

"It was shaking and popping and making noises it's not supposed to." said David.

David entered the Grand National West series in 2002 where he earned the Rookie of the Year honors. Last season he drove his #2 Bennett Lane Winery Ford to the runner up spot in the championship standings.

David Mayhew of Atascadero Calif. had an impressive run in the Dan Gamel RV Centers 200, taking his 21 Golden Gate Petroleum Richard Childress Racing Ford from a starting position of 21st to finish second.

Redding Calif's Kyle Cattanach driving a Dan Gamel RV Centers-sponsored Toyota finished in the fourth position after starting 22nd on the grid.

Jason Bowles rounded out the top five in an outstanding year for the Ontario, Calif native - one that earned him Rookie of the Year honors for 2007.

Starting on the pole, Brian Ickler led the first seven laps of the race until giving the lead to Holmes who led the remaining 193 laps. Ickler was not a factor in the race after having a right front tire go down on lap 72.

Tracy's Ryan Philpott ran as high as sixth place in the event until suffering what appeared to be an engine failure. Stockton's Ross Strmiska did not qualify after losing an engine in practice.

Rounding out the top 10 were Daryl Harr, Mike Duncan, Alex Haase, Eric Richardson and Eric Harden. Duncan finished second in points for 2007, 114 points behind Mike David.

Earlier in the day a large contingent of 26 Western Late Models battled it out on the half mile in a 100 lap event. When the dust settled the familiar face of Dave Byrd, the 2006 Altamont Motorsports Park Late Model Champion, emerged in victory lane.

Byrd and Ryan Philpott, the 2007 Altamont Late Model Champion, brought the crowd to their feet, battling door-to-door for the first spot on laps 30 and 31. Philpott gained the top spot but eventually went a lap down after being caught up in a wreck later in the race that was not of his making.

Mark Holeman finished in the second position with Gary Glen, Kyle Cattanach and Brock Monroe rounding out the top five.

The day of racing started off with 30 laps of Grand American Modified action in which Todd Lynch secured the top position followed by Tony Noceti and Scott Winters.

Altamont Motorsports Park returns to NASCAR Whelen All-American local racing next weekend.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located between Livermore and Tracy, Calif., within an hour's drive from most points in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as the Central Valley.

jdowney@altamontracing.com

 
Swanson Sweeps Sprint, Midget Races
By: Jeff Downey
 
Tracy, Calif., Sept 8, 2007 - Race fans at Altamont Motorsports Park were treated to
two types of racing on Saturday night with open wheel action from the Lucas Oil USAC/CASA
Western Sprints and Midgets as well as fender-banging excitement from Altamont's
local American Limited Stock Car and Pro-Truck divisions.

Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, Calif swept the open wheel events, winning both the Sprint
and Midget features in impressive fashion.

After starting fifth in the field in the 50-lap sprint event, Swanson was able to take
the lead on lap 28 by passing the #80 of Mike Murgittio who led for most of the first
28 laps of the race.

Swanson claimed his fourth win of the season by surviving several late cautions,
including a two lap shootout to finish the race.

The win was Swanson's second back-to-back USAC Sprint victory of the season. Swanson
won last weekend at Rocky Mountain Raceways. His brother, Tanner Swanson, won the July
14th and June 6th USAC/CASA Sprint events at Altamont Motorsports Park earlier in the
summer.

Murgittio capped a strong run by finishing behind Swanson in second place.

"Kody's car was awesome on restarts," said Murgittio. "Our car was missing just a
little bit."

Points leader Ryan Kaplan finished in the fifth position. Tim Barber and Jojo Helberg
finished third and fourth respectively.

Tony Hunt, who was second in points coming into the event, had a rough night, retiring
early and finishing 16th out of the 17 sprint cars that entered the event. Hunt was
collected in a wreck in an early heat race but made the necessary fixes to his #1 sprint
car to get it into the main event.

In the Midget race, Swanson, who ran the quickest qualifying time, started in the sixth
position after a six car inversion.

After battling for the third position with the 31 of Justin Melton and the 35 of Scott
Pierovich early in the race, Swanson was able to get by the 29 of Brad Galedrige and
the 41 of Mike Faccinto to take the top spot on lap 18.

Galedrige finished second in the event with the #10 of Mike Murgoitio rounding out the
top three of the 21 car field. Murgoitio ran the third quickest qualifying time
earlier in the afternoon.

Midget points leader, Johnny Rodriquez, did not finish the event after suffering what
appeared to be an engine problem in the first few laps of the race.

At the start of the show, long time open wheel car owner, Bob Consani, who passed away
on Monday, was honored with a memorial lap by two former Consani-owned cars driven by
Brian McLish and Jojo Helberg.

Two former American Limited Stock Car champions squared off against each other on the
1/4-mile oval with Stockton's Chad Holman edging out Ceres, Calif's Matt Erickson in the
30 lap event.

Stockton 99 ALSC champ Holman took the lead on lap 14 after getting by the 01 of Zach
Huffman who led the first 13 laps of the race. Three time Altamont Motorsports Park
ALSC champion, Matt Erickson, stayed on Holman's bumper for the remainder of the race but
could not make the pass to earn his first victory of the season at Altamont Motorsports
Park.

"Matt was fast all day and he is always a competitor right to the end so you have to
give him credit." said Holman.

"I tried to get the outside working for us tonight," said Ericson. "But I screwed up
with the brake bias and got to much rear brake going in and that is why we were loose
tonight."

The win gives Holman his sixth victory of the season at Altamont Motorsports Park.

In Pro-Truck action points leader Ron Robeck rocketed to the front of the field on the
first lap and held on to win the 20 lap event on the 1/4-mile oval.

Nathan McNeil, who is second in points in the Pro-Truck division, followed Robeck
across the stripe after holding off strong pressure from the third place truck of Walt
Bruegger.

"Walt is a great racer." said McNeil in victory lane. "I've raced with Walt for three
years now and he's trust worthy - you can race right beside him."

Robeck also won the Pro-Truck Trophy Dash earlier in the afternoon.

Formula-4 driver Dan Durbin sealed his first victory of the season in the early
Formula-4 event, beating the 11 of Doug Foreman and the 7 of Bob Wilson across the stripe.
Rodney Lopez took the checkers in the Formula-4 nightcap.

Next weekend is one of Altamont's biggest weekends of the year with the touring NASCAR
Grand National West series visiting the track for their final race of the season with
the national championship on the line. The event will be nationally televised on HDNET
TV. A 100 lap Late Model feature is also on the ticket.

Altamont Motorsports Park is located between Livermore and Tracy, Calif., within an
hour's drive from most points in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as the Central Valley.


jdowney@altamontracing.com

 
Philpotts Reign at AMP!
By: Jeff Downey
 

Tracy, Calif., August 24, 2007 - The Philpott family of Tracy, Calif put on an
impressive display at Altamont Motorsports Park on Saturday night, lining the podium in a
1-2-3 finish that featured Ryan Philpott in the number one position followed by cousin
Justin Philpott as the runner up and uncle David Philpott rounding out the top three.

Ryan's win, his ninth of the season at Altamont, may have been his toughest fight yet,
besting a field of 26 talented drivers including Ross Strmiska, Mark Holeman, Brian
Koski and Matt Erickson.

Coming into the race, Strmiska led the NASCAR Whelen All-American Late Model points
standings in California followed by Mark Holeman in the fifth position.

"This is awesome," said Philpott in victory lane. "The Philpotts are one, two and
three. That is how it should be every week."

Ryan and his #52 "Red Rocket" did not have an easy task ahead of him after ending up in
the rear of the field after an early race incident with the #26 of Mike Beller and the
#57 of Doff Cooksey.

"I felt a little difference in the wheel." said Philpott about the wreck. "We got it
in the rear wheel and the front wheel but it eventually felt fine."

The wreck retired Cooksey for the evening after the young gun from Brentwood led the
first eight laps of the contest.

Ryan Philpott narrowly avoided disaster on lap 22 when he negotiated around a wreck in
turn 4 that included his uncle David and Ross Strmiska.

Strmiska finished fifth for the evening with the #73 of Ken Benamou finishing ahead of
Strmiska in the fourth position.

Rounding out the top ten were Holeman, Jeff Orr, Helder Garcia, Rudy Marquez and Brian
Koski.

Ryan Philpott ran the quickest time in qualifying followed by Ross Strmiska and Mike
Beeler.

Earlier in the day it was the visiting Donnie Darter who took the checkers in the
American Limited Stock Car event, besting a talented field of fifteen ALSC drivers. Darter
took the lead on lap 20, getting around ALSC driver Chad Holman who had won five out of
the last sixth ALSC events at Altamont Motorsports Park coming into Saturday nights
contest.

Rounding out the top five were Jim Earl, Jim Dulla, Jacob Cardoza and Tim Rappa.

The #3 of Bryan Jones led the first three laps of the 40 lap ALSC shootout on the
1/4-mile.

In Grand American Modified action the #1 of Todd Lynch dominated the field, leading all
but three laps of the 40 lap event on the half mile oval. Lynch was followed past the
stripe by the #47 of Thomas Leiby and the #06 of Tony Noceti.

 
Kaplan Wins Open Wheel Thriller
By: Jeff Downey and USAC PR
 
Tracy, Calif., August 18, 2007 - Lucas Oil/USAC Western Sprint Car point leader Ryan
Kaplan of Chico, Calif. emerged the winner of Saturday night's 50-lap thriller at
Altamont Raceway Park. He took the lead in his K & N Filters/Platinum Powder Coating Eagle
from Kody Swanson on lap 48 and held on to beat Tony Hunt, Swanson, JoJo Helberg and Greg
Anderson.

Hunt ended up crossing the finish line backwards after a spirited duel for the number
two position. Nick Rescino Jr. also led in the feature.

Coming into Saturday night's feature Kaplan had a nine point lead over Helburg and a 10
point lead over Hunt.

Nick Green ran the quickest qualifying time earlier in the afternoon.

With the win, Kaplan snaps Tanner Swanson's two race winning streak at Altamont
Motorsports Park this season.

USAC California Pavement Ford Focus point leader Tim Skoglund of Fresno, Calif.
extended his lead to 54 points over Nic Faas, winning Saturday night's 30-lap feature at
Altamont Motorsports Park on the 1/4-mile oval.

Trailing Skoglund's Western Speed & Fue