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 & Fuel/Ranchos Auto Repair Gerhardt were Daniel
Adler, Faas, Ian Miille and fast qualifier Beau DeBard. Miille led the opening lap before
yielding to Skoglund.

DeBard of Reno, Nev. won the last Ford Focus Midget feature at Altamont Motorsports
Park on July 14th.

The USAC/CASA Sprint cars make their fourth appearance at the track this season on
September 8th. In 2006, Altamont Motorsports Park was awarded the Race Organizer of the
Year Award by the United States Automobile Club (USAC) racing organization.

Dave Ball won the Legends of the Pacific event at Altamont Motorsports Park on Saturday
night followed by Zach Kavert and Derrek Copeland.

Visiting the track for the first time this season, the Thunder Roadster event was won
by Doug Pulver who bested an impressive field of 14 Thunder Roadsters. Thunder Roadsters
resemble the roadsters that dominated the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Car racing through
the 1950s and 1960s.

Next Saturday night Altamont Motorsports Park returns to local racing with a 75 lap
NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Model event headlining the show. Also scheduled
for next Saturday is racing from Grand American Modifieds, American Limited Stock Cars
and Formula-4s on the road course.

 
Philpott Returns to Form at Altamont Motorsports Park
By: Jeff Downey
 
Tracy, Calif., August 11, 2007 - A full slate of local racing was on tap for race fans at Altamont Motorsports Park on Saturday night as four of five local divisions took to the track with an additional visit from the NCMA Sprint cars.

A 50 lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Model shootout saw Tracy, Calif's Ryan Philpott return to form, taking the lead on the first lap and holding on to the number one position for all 50 laps of the event on the "Fastest Half Mile in the West."

Philpott, the Western Late Model points leader, had stuttered as of late, giving up the past two Late Model wins to 2006 Champ Dave Byrd and Brentwood's Doff Cooksey.

"We've been working real hard but have been having bad luck with these tires." said Philpott.

"You can't abuse these tires," said Philpott. "If you abuse them for two laps you have to let them cool for four laps."

The win on Saturday night was Philpott's eighth victory of the season.

Philpott's main challenger this season, Doff Cooksey, retired early in the race with transmission problems.

Rounding out the top five of the 14 Late Models that entered the event were Ryan Mock, Ken Benamou, Rod Winfree and Jason Gilbert.

The second and third finish positions of Mock and Benamou were the racers' first podium appearances of the season.

Philpott ran the fastest qualifying time earlier in the afternoon but started on the outside of lane two, right behind Cooksey, after a four car inversion. At the start of the race both Cooksey and Philpott rocketed by the inside cars and then Philpott cleared Cooksey coming down the back stretch.

Several mid-race cautions put Philpott's restart skills to the test but in the end no one had what it took to challenge Ryan and his #52 "Red Rocket."

Tight racing highlighted American Limited Stock Car racing as a late caution set up a five lap shootout to determine the winner of the 30 lap event. When the dust settled it was Stockton's Chad Holman taking the checkers securing not only his fifth win in the past six races but also his first three race winning streak.

Holman, the 2006 ALSC Champ at Stockton 99 Speedway, bided his time in the event, waiting for the leader, Jim Earl and second place car, Jim Dulla, to make a mistake. Eventually both did, bobbling on laps 20 and 21, and letting Holman get around both of them for the win.

"They were racing hard and I was racing hard and I figured I would see what happened near the end," said Holman. "I didn't really have much for them before that."

"I was working with a really loose car," said Jim Dulla. "I made an adjustment after the trophy dash. I was tight and I made the adjustment too far. [Chad] capitalized on that."

Jim Dulla, the points leader coming into the event, won the trophy dash before the main event. Both Dulla and Earl followed Holman past the stripe to round out the top three of the ten cars that entered the event. Holman ran the quickest qualifying time earlier in the afternoon.

A large contingent of 15 Grand American Modified cars took to the half-mile oval for an entertaining 30 laps of racing.

San Francisco's Robert Kennedy took the win, making the outside groove work for him by passing Tony Noceti on lap 19. Kennedy moved to the outside of Noceti in turn one and eventually made the pass stick between turns three and four.

"Tony is a hard driver. I was on his outside once and couldn't get by him but I got him the second time." said Kennedy in victory lane.

"He's hard driver but he always drives like a gentleman." said Kennedy of Noceti.

Noceti, the Grand American Modified points leader coming into the event, dominated the early races of the season but the last five races in the division have now seen five different winners with Kennedy being the most recent victor.

Kennedy ran the second quickest qualifying lap earlier in the afternoon with Thomas Leiby running the fastest time to get in the show. A six car inversion started Kennedy in the fifth spot with Noceti starting in the third position.

A frightening wreck down the backstretch after a restart on lap 10 saw the #25 of Jim Reeves roll several times in the air before coming to a rest. Miraculously Reeves walked away from the incident unscathed as several cars were retired from the event in chain reactions that followed the initial incident.

NCMA Sprint driver Jimmy Lavell also made the outside groove work for him, passing the #17 of Rob Hammon on lap 5 and holding on for the victory in the 30 lap event of the visiting NCMA touring series.

Jeff Burrows took second in a photo finish between his #9 machine and the #42 of Micheal Zarevich.

In victory lane Jimmy Lavell dedicated the win to the wife of NCMA driver Gary Koster who did not race in the event on Saturday evening as he was caring for his wife who is suffering from a serious illness.

Earlier in the day in qualifying Lavell broke the 100 mile per hour barrier, getting around the half-mile oval in 100.111 seconds - the quickest qualifying time of the evening.

Points leader Leo Solari took the checkers in the early 10 lap Formula-4 race on the road course, coming across the stripe with a full eight second lead over the rest of the pack. Richard Hull crossed the stripe first in the night cap.

Next weekend Altamont Motorsports Park hosts another "Another Open-Wheel Madness Night" as the popular USAC/CASA Sprints and Ford Focus Midgets duel it out once again on the half-mile and 1/4-mile ovals. Also on tap next Saturday night is a visit from the Legends of the Pacific and the Thunder Roadsters.

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.

 
Pettit, Fensler Emerge Victorious at Altamont Motorsports Park
By: Jeff Downey
 

Tracy, Calif., August 4, 2007 - A large turnout of stock car racing fans had their fill of entertainment Saturday night at Altamont Motorsports Park as two of the premier west coast Late Model touring series visited the track for two 100 lap shootouts sponsored by Mike Marchant's Mid Valley Iron and Metals.

Highlighting Saturday night's show was a visit from the SRL Wild West Late Model Shootout series, racing in their fifth event of the 2007 season and only appearance at Altamont Motorsports Park this year.

The series lived up to its namesake, coming down to a two lap shootout to determine the victor of the 100 lap event.

In the end, Jim Pettit II became the series first repeat winner of 2007, holding on to the number one position on the restart and crossing the stripe in first place.

"I was going to bide my time and ride for about 60 laps but things started getting real free on us." said Pettit in victory lane.

"We knew as soon as a yellow came out we were going to come in and make adjustments to the chassis." said Pettit.

Pettit, the 2004 and 2005 Southwest Series champion, passed Aztec, NM's Porter Smith on lap 68 and held on for the remaining 32 laps of the event.

Smith, the 2005 Aztec Speedway Track Champion, passed the 7 of Rick Ruzbarsky to take the lead on lap 23. Both Ruzbarsky and Smith got around pole sitter Dave Byrd on the previous lap. Smith led 45 laps until being passed by Pettit on lap 68.

"The tires went away quick in this race," said Smith. "In the early part of this race our car was just awesome."

Dave Byrd, the 2006 Western Late Model Champion at Altamont Motorsports Park, finished the race in the fourth position.

Greg Voight finished one behind Smith in third place. Tracy Bolin rounded out the top five.

The Eldorado Hotel Casino Westcar Series brought 22 fast cars to the 1/2-mile oval competing in the sixth of eight Westcar events this season. The #35 of Jason Fensler dominated the race, taking the lead on lap 10 and holding onto it for the victory. Several late cautions put Fensler's restart skills to the test but the native of Elk Grove, Calif was able to get on the gas quickly to preserve his #1 position.

"Early in the race we just didn't have anything on the top so we had to go to the bottom and fall back in line and just start picking them off." said Fensler.

"Once we got up front we kind of cruised a little bit," said Fensler. "The car got little bit tight after yellows but in long runs the car was awesome."

Fensler is no stranger to victory lane, winning the SRL Championship in 2005. The win on Saturday night was Fensler's first Westcar victory this season.

Tight racing for positions two through five had the fans on their feet in the last 15 laps of the race until contact between Doff Cooksey and Greg Potts took Cooksey out of the event on lap 94. The #56 of Bobby Butler, who was also in the mix, faded away after the final restart on lap 94.

When the dust settled fans saw Jared Buddow, Greg Potts, Randy Hedrick and Michael Wendt round out the top five. Rookie driver, Jared Buddow, was the Eldorado Hotel Casino Westcar Series points leader coming into the event.

Altamont Motorsports Park's 2006 Champion and current SRL points leader Dave Byrd was not a factor in the race. After qualifying second fastest and moving to the second position after a six car inversion, Byrd eventually succumbed to tire problems on lap 36. Top qualifier, Craig Swim, also had a strong run cut short by tire problems.

Altamont Motorsports Park's current NASCAR Whelen All-American Western Late Model points leader, Ryan Philpott, was not at the track on Saturday night.

In NASCAR Whelen All-American American Limited Stock Car action Stockton, Calif's Chad Holman secured his fourth victory of the season. Holman, Stockton 99's 2006 ALSC Champion, has dominated the last five races at Altamont Motorsports Park, winning four of the last five.

Coming across the stripe in positions two and three of the 30 lap event were Hayward Chevrolet teammates Jim Dulla and Tim Rappa.

Formula-4 driver Jake Morgenstern took the checkers in the early 10 lap Formula-4 race on the road course holding off strong pressure from the #16 of Rodney Lopez. Doug Foreman took the checkers in the night cap.

On Sunday, August 5th, the popular West Coast Enduro's will hit the road course for a 200 lap event. The price is just $100 for a car and driver to enter the event.

Next weekend the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series returns in full force with the Western Late Models, Grand American Modifieds and ALSCs all scheduled to compete. NCMA sprint cars are also on tap for next Saturday's schedule.

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.