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NASCAR Whelen All American Series racing Saturday Night in Stockton

After the longest rain season anyone can remember it looks like summer has actually arrived and the racing season can really get going. On June 11th, Stockton 99 Speedway presents the NASCAR Whelen All American Series on USG Night at the Races with the Western Late Models in Twin 50s, Grand American Modifieds, Super Stocks, Bombers and Basically-4- Cylinders. Also of note on this night: Since the schedule had to be reshuffled to accommodate the SRL Southwest Tour’s rain-out, Father’s Day at the Speedway will be observed this weekend, which equates to all fathers being admitted free of charge. That, alone, is worth the price of admission. And, of course, this promises to be a great night of racing as well.

In the Western Late Models, Modesto’s second generation driver Jeff Belletto (12) continues to ride high at the top of the Charts. His lead has grown, if only slightly, to 14 points over third generation driver and 2009 WLM Champ, Justin Philpott (05) of Tracy (190-176). Seaside’s Legendary driver, Dave Byrd (78), sits another 6 points back in third. However, with Twin 50’s on the card, anything can happen and everything can change in the blink of an eye. Expect the same great, hard-nosed racing we’ve become accustomed to with the Top Ten separated by only 74 points.

Jeff Belletto from Modesto at the New Stockton 99 Speedway. Photo by Jessica McAnelly.

With car-counts up this year, the Grand American Modified Division is enjoying some of the best racing over the last three years. Modified Sensation, Wes Miller (57) of Turlock boasts a great Season so far with two wins and a 30 point lead over second place Nicholas Lyons (11x) of Lincoln (176-146). On the podium in third, Andy Vanderveer (49) of Santa Rosa sits, minus another 16 points. These drivers have some catching up to do, but it is still early in the Season and the possibilities are endless.

Stockton’s own Richard Harper (5) has raised himself to the top tier of the podium in the Super Stocks by his undeniable consistency. His lead over West Modesto’s Garland Tyler (73) now rests at a close 10 points (386-376). Mike Graham (93) of Hughson sits another 16 points down in third. These racers put on an absolutely great show, and anyone can win on any given week. Look for the points in this Division to continue to fluctuate, but remain extremely tight.
In the Bombers, Jeremy Tucker (351) of Stockton, by virtue of his two wins, remains on the top rung in this Division. His lead is now 10 points over second place driver Mike Massone (007) of Linden (213-203). Stockton’s Tony Karsting (312) is perched firmly on the third rung another 10 points back. This is another Division where the points will remain tight all the way through to the end, barring catastrophe.

What a wonderful surprise the Basically-4-Cylinders have been this year. Car-counts are up and so is the competition. Joseph Reichmuth (6) of Manteca heads the field with a perfect four for four on the Season. He leads up-and-coming young star and third generation driver from Manteca, Matt Anderson (5) by 19 points (239-210). Sitting another 4 points back, 2010 Champ Larry Toon (88) of Modesto, driving a new car this year, is starting to shake out the handling kinks and is coming on strong. With Reichmuth’s dominance so far this year, someone will have to step up to the plate and, at the same time, hope the #6 falters or this might just be a long year for the rest of the pack.

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+) $15
Juniors (11-15) $10
Kids 10 & Under FREE
Seniors (60+) $10
Military (W/ Military ID) $10
Family $40
(2 General + 2 Junior’s)

Stockton 99 Speedway Press Release.

Photos courtesy of Jessica McAnelly from Jessie’s Fast Photos.

Matt Crafton Had A Rough Time in Kansas But Things Are Looking Up

Matt Crafton from Tulare, CA driver of the No. 88 Menard's Chevrolet Truck


Matt Crafton from Tulare, CA and driver of the No. 88 Menards/Ideal Door Chevrolet Silverado, fought loose conditions and a mid-race pit road unavoidable accident to power home in the 18th position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Kansas Speedway. With ten previous starts, four top tens and a career best fifth place finish here – Crafton had solid practice runs Friday plus some impressive loop statistics on track despite the disappointing finish. He sits fourth in overall NCWTS driver points going into Texas Motor Speedway.

“We just struggled all day; it’s all I can say. I wanted to post a higher qualifying time (17th), but we were working pretty heavily on our setups during practice. It happens. I was solidly running in fourth to sixth there for a good stretch, and we even had the chance to lead a few laps there on a cycle, so we were gaining some momentum until the pit road crash happened.”

Crafton encountered pit road contact with the No. 66 of Justin Marks, whose pit stall was adjacent to the No. 88 pit stall. “I was coming out, and Justin was coming in. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, it just happens and it’s bad luck all around. It really did change our momentum, because the right front headlight was completely caved in and we had aerodynamic issues the rest of the race. My guys did their best on our pit road recovery time, putting as much Bondo fiberglass cloth tape on that thing as they could to get me back out there without vibrations – but it had a big effect on where we could run.”

ThorSport Racing's No. 88 Menard's Chevy Silverado Truck

Despite the finish, several positives came out of the Kansas race. The veteran driver still showed he could post superior numbers – to include the second most green flag quality passes throughout the race – with 82 green flag passes after pass leader Kyle Busch. He also posted two of the fastest race lap times and raced 108 laps in the top 15 – even after the pit road crash – giving him 65% of the race in the critical top 15 range, which is important going into the summer series of Truck races. The No. 88 crew also posted the fastest pit stop times of the year during the race.

“I’m really proud of my team on getting me out there for track position in Kansas,” Crafton continued. “I can’t say enough about how hard they are working to get better each week on pit road, and it’s really showing now as we’re getting into the summer. We just need to regroup in general, not look backwards and focus this week on Texas. I run well there and I like the track, so we’re pouring all of our time and energy into setting up that truck.”

ThorSport Racing Press Release

The NASCAR Hauler Parade in Sacramento is Thursday, June 23

When you hear rumbling and roaring in downtown Sacramento on Thursday, June 23, no need to worry, that’s the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series coming to town.

Sacramento has long been a hotbed for NASCAR, and race fans will be rewarded during race week with a parade of up to 50 NASCAR haulers through the streets around the State Capitol under a full police escort.

That’s right, you’ll see haulers from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson and every other driver on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series circuit. This marks the first ever hauler parade in Northern California and raceway officials are thrilled to bring it to Sacramento, home to our most avid race fans. This will serve as the Sacramento kickoff to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend in Sonoma, June 24-26.

The NASCAR Haulers at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

The parade will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, as the haulers depart their staging area and cross the Tower Bridge, heading for the State Capitol. The route is as follows:

Cross Tower Bridge and drive up Capitol Mall.
Right turn on 9th Street.
Left turn on N Street.
Left turn on 16th Street.
Left turn on L Street.
Haulers will then be directed to the freeway and head to Infineon Raceway, where they will be parked in the garage for the race weekend.

Race fans can catch the haulers all along the parade route, but are encouraged to head to L and 11th streets for the best view. The raceway will have a display there, as well as the Infineon Raceway Girls, giveaways and tickets for the big race. This will be the heart of the action.

Be sure and mark June 23rd on your calendar so that we can give the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series a raucous Sacramento welcome as the 50 haulers rumble through town. Be sure to download the parade map below, which also lists the route, as well as best viewing points. Here is the link to the Parade Map.

For more information, please visit: www.infineonraceway.com.