STOCKTON, Calif. – A track record 137 racers started their seasons at the Stockton Dirt Track on New Year’s Day.
Five divisions ran a draw/redraw format with a mid-afternoon starting time.
Unsanctioned but running IMCA rules, 41 modifieds and 32 sport mods drew the largest fields. Pro stocks, bombers, and four cylinders all had full fields to create an overflowing pit area.
The modified field ran six heats with the top-three moving directly to the main while the top-two were part of the redraw. Sport mods had four heats, moving the top-three to the redraw with both divisions using B mains to complete the field.
A 25-lap modified main offered $1500 to win. Front row starter Troy Foulger was untouchable the entire distance. Finishing well back of Foulger were Dylan Thorton and Ryan McDaniel, the New Year’s Day winner last year.
The 25-lap sport mod main was a good one with an early leader coming back to regain the lead.
Andrew Peckham used an outside front row start to lead eight laps but then fell to third. Using the top line down the backstretch on lap 17, Peckham passed Guy Ahlwardt to take back the lead and earned the win.
Eighteen pro stocks were on hand, racing for $1,000 to win in a 20-lap main. It took seventh starting Jesse Gonzalez 13 laps to take the lead and he was in charge from that point on.
All 28 bombers were placed in their 20-lap main. Starting 10th, Clarence Holbrook used a contact-filled pass to take the lead and pick up the win.
The 18-car turnout of four-cylinder small cars had a competitive main with fifth starting Bob Davis posting the win following some side by side action.