STOCKTON — Sammy Solari and Mason Beghtel, the veteran and the kid, stood side by side and talked quietly for a few minutes after posing for a photo Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway, each winning a 30-lap Stockton Late Model main event.

Beghtel, a 16-year-old St. Mary’s High School student who’s in his first year in the Late Model division, won the first feature, his second in a row after capturing the May 2 race. Solari rebounded to win the second main event, his second Stockton Late Model checkered this season and fourth overall at the quarter-mile paved oval. They finished 1-2 in each race, both of which ended under checkered/yellow flags and, based on Solari’s quick math in Victory Lane, ended the night tied for the points lead.

Escalon’s Solari built a big lead in the first main event, but Beghtel moved in front on a restart, then held the advantage on another restart – after Danny DeVore hit the wall in Turn 3 – before pulling away to win by 4.128 seconds.

In the second feature, Solari moved to the front of the pack by the fourth lap and didn’t let go. Beghtel remained within striking distance, and the caution flag waved when Dylan Powell of Stockton hit the wall in Turn 3 on lap 28. As the cars slowed on the front straight, a head scratching checkered/yellow suddenly came out on the flag stand, giving the win to Solari.

“I’m glad how the first race went,” said Beghtel, who moved up to Late Model after winning the Pure Stock points title last year. “I wish I had the chance in the second race, but with them calling it early, with three laps to go, there’s nothing I could do about that.”

When questioned if he knew why the race was suddenly called after 27 laps, Beghtel diplomatically replied, “You have to ask Tony Noceti.”

Solari was reminded he’s usually an “outside guy” on restarts, while in Saturday night’s first race he chose the inside position.

“I’ve been beat up on the outside so many times. A lot of guys won’t run you side by side when they’re on the bottom; they run you up and try to crash you, and I haven’t raced the kid enough to know where I stand with him, but I think at this point, we can race door to door,” Solari said of Beghtel. “You saw it tonight. On the bottom, I gave him plenty of room; he passed me on the outside, and he didn’t do anything funny with it.”

Even with a win and a runner-up, Solari was not pleased with the performance. He was the No. 3 qualifier at 14.789 seconds, behind Beghtel (14.654) and DeVore (14.765). Beghtel was also quickest in both practice sessions.

“I’m mad when I don’t win,” Solari said. “We haven’t put a lot of effort into this car this year. We’re more concentrated on our pro car. It showed tonight. … We gotta go home and work on it. It’s not as good as it needs to be. His car was better actually than ours was tonight.”

Steven Fraser of Lodi finished third in each race.

NorCal Mini Stock: Manteca’s Joe Flowers surged to the lead over pole sitter Steve Ford of Sonora on the second of 20 laps and then held off the hard charging Ford to the checkered flag by .545 of a second for his first victory of the season.

“This feels great to be back in the winner’s circle. I didn’t know if I would be back again because I am getting old,” Flowers, age 66, said with a grin. “He is fast and he was coming up on me, but I wasn’t really worried about him.”

Flowers’ win moves him into the Mini Stock season points lead over Stockton’s Leilani Harper, who sat out the event, in his quest for a third division championship.

Pure Stock: Brandon Jones of Lodi drove by Curtis Finck coming out of Turn 4 on the third lap and drove away to a comfortable 3.757-second victory over trophy dash winner Jerry Crawford of Stockton in the 20-lap main event. Jones has won all three Pure Stock features this season.

“Actually, on the first lap, I had a vibration. I don’t know where it’s coming from,” said Jones, by far the quickest car in the field with a lap at 16.5 seconds. “I was trying to take it easy so I could be here at the end.”

Legends of Kearney Bowl: 80-year-old Mike James of Fresno won the trophy dash and the 20-lap main event. James and Fresno’s Wayne Kalustian went side by side over the entire 20-lap distance of the race, with Kalustian holding a half car lead coming out of the final corner, however, James’ machine, powered by a 383-cubic inch engine sporting six Stromberg 97 two-barrel carburetors, was able to surge ahead down the main straight to take the checkered flag by inches.

A moment for Philpott: Promoter Tony Noceti led the crowd in a moment of silence for Stockton 99 legend David Philpott of Tracy, who passed away June 4, two days before his 66th birthday. Noceti also lowered the American flag to half-staff, “for my friend,” he said.

A second generation driver, Philpott won the 99 track championship in 1991 and 1993 while competing against a bevy of renowned drivers including Ken Boyd, Harry Belletto, Ron Strmiska Sr., and Dave Byrd. Philpott passed along his family’s racing genes to his son Justin, who would amass three track championships at the 99.

The track will further honor Philpott at an upcoming race.

Upcoming: Stockton 99 Speedway returns to action this Saturday, June 20, with the Tribute to Dan Reed featuring the Pro Late Model, Legends of 99 and Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modified divisions plus NCMA Sprint Cars. 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. Visit stockton99.com.

Correspondent Dale Bosowski contributed to this report.