STOCKTON — Describing it as a “tune-up,” Oakdale’s Blaine Rocha cruised to a commanding victory in Saturday’s Tribute to Dan Reed Pro Late Model feature at the Stockton 99 Speedway.
One of the most legendary drivers in the track’s 75-year history, Reed amassed six track titles and over 60 main-event wins at the 99 from 1969 through 1989. Reed, who passed away a few years ago, also won five track championships at Madera Speedway and one at Altamont Raceway.
Starting the 84-lap main from the third row in the nine-car field, Rocha methodically worked his way up the running order, using back markers on a couple of occasions as blockers, before finally moving to the inside of pole-sitter Hans Beeler of Salida to snare the race lead on lap 55. Slowly pulling away from the rest of the pack, Rocha never looked back as he took the checkered flag in the caution-free race by a 1.434 second margin.
“We were able to get through the field pretty clean, and I didn’t want to put a mark on the car before we run in the 4th of July race. I tried hard not to hit anyone and to make sure nobody hit me,” said Rocha, who pilots the iconic pink and black No. 90 car for Strmiska Racing. “We still have a little work to do to make the car better, but I can’t thank the Strmiska family enough for all they have done for me.”
After grabbing the lead, Rocha’s job was made a bit easier as Beeler and Sam Solari of Escalon spent most of the final 30 laps, duking it out with each other for second. The pair went door to door for multiple laps before Solari was able to pull ahead for good when they touched coming out of Turn 2 on lap 68, causing Beeler to bobble before regaining control.
“I had some great battles tonight with Hans and several other cars. It was a good race for us,” said Solari, who started the main from the fourth row after qualifying a disappointing seventh. “We still have some work to do in qualifying, but I am happy to finish second after we started near the back. It has been a great season for us so far. I think we have four wins and three seconds in seven starts this season.”
Solari now holds a 16-point edge in the season standings over Ripon’s Henk Gaalswyk, who finished the race in fifth, just behind Garland Tyler of Modesto.
Legends of 99: Brothers Wyatt and Zack Sansom of Linden dominated the 30-lap Legends feature from beginning to end. The pair mixed it up for most of the race, but Zack could never gain an edge and had to settle for second place just .128 seconds behind Wyatt.
“It was fun to race my brother like that; we fought really hard,” said Wyatt. “I just want to thank all my sponsors, my mom and dad and especially my brother for not taking me out.”
Rounding out the top five were Danville’s Jason Gilbert, Stockton’s Justin Gantt and Turlock’s Antonio Gonzalez.
Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modifieds: Modesto’s Freddy Irvin pulled off a clean sweep in the Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modified division by capturing the top spot in qualifying, the dash, his heat and the 25-lap main. Starting the feature from the third row, Irvin marched through the field before bumping his way past Stockton’s Michael Brooks Jr. on lap seven to take over the race lead. Once out in front, he cruised home by a 1.282-second margin over Brooks.
NCMA: Tony Hunt of Rocklin went wire to wire to earn the win in the NCMA 20-lap feature by more than four seconds over Shauna Hogg of Fair Oaks and Jerry Kozba of Folsom.
Next Up: Stockton 99 Speedway will be back in action this Saturday, June 27, with the Stockton Late Models, Legends of 99, Pure Stocks, and Grand American Modifieds. Ticket prices are $20 for ages 16-59 and $15 for seniors 60 and up, juniors 11-15 and military with an ID. A family 4-pack (two adults, two juniors) costs $55. Kids 10 and under are admitted for free. Parking is free at Stockton 99. Gates open at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. For more info, visit stockton99.com.
Madera Speedway: Manteca’s Josh Cross was victorious in Saturday night’s racing action at Madera Speedway by capturing a narrow victory in the Prelude to the Dream for Mini Stocks race.
Cross led time trials for the Mini Stocks but had to start seventh in the 35-lap feature due to the invert. The opening laps had three different leaders before Madera’s Andrew Parr advanced into the lead on lap three as Cross quickly drove into second place and began to reel him in.
Cross pushed his nose to the inside of Parr on several occasions but Parr managed to use the high side in Turn 1 to maintain the top position. Parr continued to hold the lead through heavy lapped traffic before Cross finally pounced with a decisive pass on lap 28 to take the lead. Cross held on for the remainder of the race to top Parr, Sonora’s Steve Ford, Fresno’s Thomas Suarez, and Manteca’s Joseph Reichmuth at the finish.
