A strong field of 23 late models kicked off the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at the Stockton 99 Speedway last Saturday night.
Modesto’s Jeff Belletto spared with third-generation driver and nephew, Nic Belletto, for most of the first of two 50-lap mains for the late models much to the delight of an estimated 2,500 fans in attendance.
The family feud came to a sudden end on lap 49 when Tracy’s Ryan Philpott drove deep in turn 4 and made contact with Nic Belletto, sending him up to the wall and down to a fifth-place finish. Philpott hung on for second ahead of former track champion Dave Byrd of Seaside.
“I’m happy to see him (Nic) run so well,” said Belletto, “I was hoping we would finish 1-2. I don’t know why the No. 52 (Ryan Philpott) had to do that to him.”
The second feature was equally as exciting as 2009 track champion, Justin Philpott of Tracy, outdistanced another former track champion, Guy Guibor of Manteca, for the win.
In other action on Saturday Turlock’s Wes Miller took the checkered flag in front of the rest of a16-car field in the Grand American Modified feature, Garland Tyler captured the Super Stock race, rookie Doug Highfill won the Bomber feature and Joseph Reichmuth picked up his second win of the season in the Basicly-4-Cylinders class.
The Stockton 99 Speedway will be back in action this Saturday with City of Stockton Night, featuring NASCAR Whelen All American Series Super Stocks in Twin 40’s, Bombers, Basically-4- Cylinders, Mini Trucks, Mini Cups, and Vintage Hard Tops.
Madera Speedway will also be running on Saturday with a seven-division program featuring the LunkerDaddy Late Models, while the Merced Speedway will host a five-division program featuring the UMP Dirt Modifieds on Sunday.
To contact Dale Bosowski, email dalebosowski@yahoo.com.
Modesto’s Jeff Belletto spared with third-generation driver and nephew, Nic Belletto, for most of the first of two 50-lap mains for the late models much to the delight of an estimated 2,500 fans in attendance.
The family feud came to a sudden end on lap 49 when Tracy’s Ryan Philpott drove deep in turn 4 and made contact with Nic Belletto, sending him up to the wall and down to a fifth-place finish. Philpott hung on for second ahead of former track champion Dave Byrd of Seaside.
“I’m happy to see him (Nic) run so well,” said Belletto, “I was hoping we would finish 1-2. I don’t know why the No. 52 (Ryan Philpott) had to do that to him.”
The second feature was equally as exciting as 2009 track champion, Justin Philpott of Tracy, outdistanced another former track champion, Guy Guibor of Manteca, for the win.
In other action on Saturday Turlock’s Wes Miller took the checkered flag in front of the rest of a16-car field in the Grand American Modified feature, Garland Tyler captured the Super Stock race, rookie Doug Highfill won the Bomber feature and Joseph Reichmuth picked up his second win of the season in the Basicly-4-Cylinders class.
The Stockton 99 Speedway will be back in action this Saturday with City of Stockton Night, featuring NASCAR Whelen All American Series Super Stocks in Twin 40’s, Bombers, Basically-4- Cylinders, Mini Trucks, Mini Cups, and Vintage Hard Tops.
Madera Speedway will also be running on Saturday with a seven-division program featuring the LunkerDaddy Late Models, while the Merced Speedway will host a five-division program featuring the UMP Dirt Modifieds on Sunday.
To contact Dale Bosowski, email dalebosowski@yahoo.com.
