Justin Philpott only has to beat a few to win at 99

By Kelly Jones
kjones@modbee.com

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STOCKTON -- Knowing there would be few drivers at Stockton 99 Speedway made a grim reality a little easier for track promoters to stomach Saturday.

Carol Noceti said the combination of triple-digit heat, vacationing families, a big race event at a competing track and, of course, the poor economy, led to a season-low turnout for fans and drivers.

"We knew some of our regulars were not going to be here this week," Noceti said as she watched her husband, Tony Noceti, peel halfway out of a firesuit a few feet away.

"It's a tough day. It's going to be a tough couple of weeks for us. We'll see when school's back in session, everybody will be back.

"We're not discouraged. This is pretty normal for July."

As he often does, Tony Noceti helped a 10-car Grand American Modified field by getting behind the wheel. He also recruited Western Late Model driver and two-time track champ David Philpott to do double-duty in the division. Noceti was fourth and Philpott seventh behind Scott Winters.

There was a season-low seven cars in the Western Late Model division, eight Street Stocks and only three Mini Trucks/Mini Stocks.

Carol Noceti cited a 100-lap WLM event with a $1,500 winner's purse at Roseville's All American Speedway 60 miles north as a factor in the low turnout.

She was pleased with Stockton's crowd, estimated at 1,500 -- most of whom trickled in after the sun went down.

"Obviously we have the fans here," Noceti said. "We're still doing well in a tough economy. We're still paying the bills. We're still paying all the payouts."

Western Late Model points leader Justin Philpott felt compelled to apologize to fans for the low car count and thank them for coming out. With new tires, he beat his father to the finish line in the 30-lap race.

"A win's a win," Justin Philpott said. "You still get 50 points. That's probably our main reason for racing out here now, trying to build that lead for when more drivers come out. It makes the next seven weeks of my life a little easier."

Winters won his 13th Grand American Modified in 15 starts, including nine at Stockton 99. It was also his 46th win with the same chassis.

Winters said he's grateful to the Nocetis for re-opening the track after it closed at the end of the 2006 season. He shows his support by driving regularly, though he has also competed in Madera and Roseville.

"When the economy's not doing well, a lot of things suffer," said Winters, a 10-year racing veteran. "One thing that's historically great about this place is they do bring out a lot of fans."

Searing heat that reached 100 degrees made being outside miserable. But after the sun set, a nice breeze blew through the stands.

NASCAR TRUCKS, at Sparta, Ky. -- Ron Hornaday Jr. held off a late surge from Mike Skinner to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck race at Kentucky Speedway, the third consecutive win for the series points leader. Hornaday, a three-time series champion, became the first driver to win twice in the 10-year history of the race.

NATIONWIDE, at Madison, Ill. -- Kyle Busch continued his domination of the NASCAR Nationwide Series by sailing to victory in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. The points leader won for the sixth time in 19 races this season and captured the 27th win of his career.

NHRA, at Kent, Wash. -- Tony Pedregon capped off an impressive two days of qualifying with a 4.174-second pass at a top speed of 291.13 mph at the NHRA Northwest Nationals to earn his third No. 1 of the season in Funny Car. The other No. 1 qualifiers for today's races were Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Allen Johnson (Pro Stock).