J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito is anxious to get on the track again after a difficult weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. He and his team struggled a bit in the twin Firestone 275’s, finishing 23rd and 18th. We expect to see J.R. and the National Guard car moving to the front this weekend in Milwaukee.
WEST ALLIS, WI. – (June 17, 2011) – An electrical gremlin caused the National Guard Panther Racing team to sit and watch IZOD IndyCar Series practice for over an hour Friday at the Milwaukee Mile, but driver JR Hildebrand hopped into the seat and quickly posted the 20th overall time on the day in a limited number of laps. J.R. Hildebrand from Sausalito, CA
In just 30 laps on the challenging one-mile oval, Hildebrand posted a quick time of 22.4248 second, which is an average lap speed of 162.945 mph. Team Penske driver Will Power was quickest on the day with a top speed of 167.648 mph and was followed on the speed chart by fellow IZOD IndyCar Series championship contender Dario Franchitti, who was second-quick with a top lap speed of 167.462 mph.
There will be two more practice sessions tomorrow in addition to qualifications that will set the grid for Sunday’s 225-lap event.
The Milwaukee 225 will be broadcast live on ABC starting at 3:30 pm (ET) with additional coverage provided by the IMS RadioNetwork, XM channel 94 and Sirius channel 212.
JR Hildebrand, No. 4 National Guard Dallara Honda:
“The National Guard guys worked really hard to just to get the car back out on the racetrack. So it was good to be able to get back out on track and we had a pretty decent first run and then decided to cut our losses with the lack of time on track and just go out and do some heavy fuel runs. Our time isn’t very representative of how quick we can go although we felt OK about it considering we didn’t run at all. We’ll take what we did today and compare it to what we did at the test and try to make it a little bit better for tomorrow.”
After a weekend, two weeks ago, of Event-changing weather, which postponed the original date for this race, the light comes to shine, once again, on Saturday, June 18th when the SRL Spears Southwest Tour Series Late Models roll onto the high-banks for their first appearance of the year in the Mid Valley Iron & Metals 150. With little doubt, this is one of the finest touring series on the West Coast. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss. So come early because the Old Girl is going to be full to the brim. Also on the Ticket for the Event will be the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Western Late Models, Super Stocks, Bombers and the Mini Cups.
Series Points Leader M.K. Kanke from Frazier Park, CA. Photo by Jessica McAnelly.
The SRL has a familiar face heading the field in to Stockton this year, and that face comes in the form of M.K. Kanke (33) of Frazier Park. After three races so far this Season, he leads the youngster, Jacob Gomes (16) of Manteca, by a slim four points (500-496). At this point, both drivers are sitting on a win and both drivers have plenty experience on the tight quarter-mile. However, lurking around another six points off the pace, Jim Pettit II (03) of Prunedale, has felt the magic of circling Stockton 99 Speedway for many years. And, to have him that close in the rearview mirror has to be unsettling, to say the least. This promises to be a fantastic battle with a fantastic star-studded field.
Six races into the Season, Modesto’s Jeff Belletto (12x) has three wins to his credit in the Western Late Model Division, which has enabled him to retain the Points Lead and increase it to twenty over now second place, Dave Byrd (78) of Seaside (282-262). Sitting another fourteen points in arrears, Modesto’s Mike Beeler (6) is enjoying a great Season of his own through consistency and perseverance. With much time left on the year, you can already feel the intensity moving up the scale.
Jeff Belletto from Modesto, points leader in the Western Late Model Division.
In the Super Stocks, due to mechanical issues, Rich Harper (5) of Stockton lost his lead last week and it is now West Modesto’s Garland Tyler (73) with a five point lead in the Division (431-426). Another twenty-two points back, Hughson’s Mike Graham (93) sits in third and is poised to pounce should one or both of the front-runners falter. This is the tightest Points Race in this Division in quite some time, perhaps ever.
Despite suffering a set-back last week, Jeremy Tucker (351) of Stockton still managed to hold onto the Points Lead in the Bomber Division by nineteen points over second place runner, Mike Massone (007), also of Stockton. A mere two points off second, Stockton’s Tony Karsting (312) has quietly made his way to third. Stay tuned to this one, it’s going to get really good before it’s over.
The Mini Cups return for their fourth appearance this year, and so far, it’s been all about 2010 Champ Cody Johnston (50) of Stockton. He leads by forty-six points over Bryce Napier (03) of Scotts Valley (144-98). Another two points back, Lodi’s Jackson Ezell (15) owns va win this year. Look for Johnston to continue his dominance in the Division.
Pit Gates open and registration begins at noon with practice commencing at 2:00 PM. The Grandstands open at 4:00 PM with qualifying set for 4:00 PM and green flag racing slated for 6:00 PM. Ticket prices for the evening will be as follows:
General Admission (16+) $25
Juniors (11-15) $20
Kids 10 & Under FREE
Seniors (60+) $15
Military (W/ Military ID) $15
Family (2 General + 2 Junior’s) $70
FRIDAY PRACTICE: Event Testing. SRL, Western Late Models, Super Stocks, Bombers and Mini Cups only on June 17th for Friday Night Oval Testing. In an effort to keep costs down for the fans and drivers with the rising costs of operations, it has become necessary to keep the grandstands closed on practice day.
The New Stockton 99 Speedway is located at 4105 N. Wilson Way, ¼-mile west of Highway 99. For more information on tickets and times, please contact the Speedway Office at (209)466-9999 or visit their Website at www.stockton99.com.
The New Stockton 99 Speedway is sponsored by Jackson Rancheria Casino Hotel, California Welding Supply, Budweiser, Alamo Alarm and Stockton Hampton Inn and Suites and Lodi Holiday Express.
Kyle Hirst from Loomis, CA wins again in Placerville. Photo by Donna Peter.
PLACERVILLE, CA (6-11-11) – When late July rolls around, Placerville Speedway will host the first ever ASCS Bullring Nationals with some of the biggest stars in the sport gracing the roster. It’s no bull what so ever that when that two day event comes, Sacramento’s Kyle Hirst will be ready to defend the track he now calls home.
“When those national drivers come to this place its going to bring a level of racing here like nobody has ever seen, and I’m ready to beat those guys,” said Hirst, after winning his third consecutive victory at Placerville Saturday night with car owner Steve Smith. “We made a commitment to race here the entire year and be ready for that show and I think we’re ready now and I can’t thank my car owners enough for the great car they gave me again tonight.”
Saturday’s race was the seventh Red Hawk Casino, Hoosier Racing Tires, Coors Light Championship event of the season at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds and Hirst started on the outside of the front row for the 25-lap feature event outside of Sacramento’s Billy Butler.
At the waving of the green flag Hirst powered into a lead he never relinquished for the entire event. Racing on a dry slick race track, the second generation driver drove to a healthy lead early in the event to become the dominating driver in the season thus far, winning three out of the six events he has competed in all year. Although he missed one early season race, Hirst is on his way to chase the 2011 track championship.
While Hirst went without serious challenge for much of Saturday’s race, Roseville’s Sean Becker and point leader Andy Forsberg of Auburn overtook Butler to work their way into the top three. In the waning laps Forsberg closed in on Becker and challenged for the bridesmaid position to no avail, finishing third behind Hirst and Becker while Butler held on to the fourth position respectively over Steven Tiner of Visalia and Shane Golobic of Fremont. Shane Golobic from Fremont wins the BCRA Midget Race in Placerville. Photo by Donna Peter.
The winged sprint cars were joined on Saturday by the Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets for their second visit of the season here. In this exciting division, it was two familiar faces that stole the spotlight as they raced in two divisions throughout the night; Golobic and Becker.
BCRA top runner Randy Pankratz of Atascadero took the early lead of the 30-lap feature event, trading the position with Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen in a heated battle that the fans were loving. After honoring the general rule of “ladies first” for then early laps, Becker and Golobic then moved into the top spots to begin a duel that increased the intensity of the race even more.
Becker took over the lead in the Mike Sala #19 Midget he was driving on lap four and appeared untouchable for several laps until Golobic, driving for car owner Doug Bock, advanced from 7th into second place and closed in on Becker beginning on the 11th lap. With 23 laps down Golobic powered into then lead on the front stretch. Maintaining the top spot for the remainder of the race, Golobic picked up his first Midget win of the year and was followed by Becker, Pankratz, McQueen and Matt Streeter of Galt.
“This was a lot of fun running both classes tonight, I’m pretty tired after that many laps but a win and a sixth place in the same night is pretty nice,” said Golobic. “I really want to thank Doug Bock for giving me this opportunity tonight, the car was great.”
The two open wheel classes were joined on Saturday night by the Pure Stock division. In this class Clarence Holbrook III drove off the outside of the front row to take the lead at the green flag. Once in front Holbrook pulled ahead by several car lengths over third place starter Chris Van Roekel and Rick Grunert of Woodland. Defending champion Chris Curtiss of Placerville battled among the top four until the final laps of the race.
On the eighteenth lap, Grunert climbed the backstretch hill and rolled over to draw a red flag. Grunert was uninjured in the damaging accident but was unable to continue as was Curtiss when his car failed to start back up after the pause in the event.
Once restarted, Holbrook continued to dominate the field and drove to his third win of the season. VanRoekel finished in second place followed by Placerville’s Ted Ahart, Tim Mack of El Dorado and Mike McClure of Nevada City. Clarence Holbrook III from Galt wins the Pure Stock race at Placerville Speedway. Photo by Donna Peter.
“It feels good to get another week, we’ve had a little streak of bad luck the last couple of weeks,” said Holbrook. “It’s always nice to get a starting position up front like tonight. I was able to race out front and pull away from all the traffic early.”
Saturday’s event brought 34 winged sprint cars to Placerville Speedway, 22 Midgets and 16 Pure Stocks. Additionally, the grandstands were well populated that is a clear indication that winter is finally behind us and the track that is home to fun all summer long is getting back into the swing of entertaining families from throughout the region.
Among the spectators in the stands on Saturday night was US Army Specialist Andrew Papest who returned from Afghanistan just yesterday on a twelve day leave to visit his family and child. One of the first places the former Union Mine High School Graduate wanted to return to was Placerville Speedway. Papest was given a standing ovation by the crowd when his presence was recognized. Additionally he was invited into victory lane to join Hirst in his celebration.
“When I came home one of the first places I knew I had to come was the races,” said Papest. “This is the first time my wife has come here. We had a great time and I appreciate all the support from everyone here tonight.”
Racing will take a weekend off to allow for fair activities in the coming week. The 2011 season will resume on June 25th with. For information on the 2011 racing season visit www.placervillespeedway.com.
