The Johnny Brazil Night event at Stockton 99 Speedway showcased some surprising and rare results on July 18.
A father and son win their respective category main events in Super Stock and Western Late Models. A young lady showed the guys how it was done as she bested the competition in the Legends category.
The event also featured a special race of the Vintage Super Modified category. These wild racecars feature huge wings over the front and rear of the cars to increase down force for improved handling. The most famous of the drivers in this category is none other than Johnny Brazil from Manteca. Coming into this event, he had 99 event victories and was shooting for his 100th win. At the drop of the green flag, Brazil was sixth, but by the midway point he had taken over sole possession of first place. Showing why he was the top driver in the category, Brazil went on to take the checkered flag for his unprecedented 100th career win.
In the Bomber category, Tyler Guzman of Oakdale had a car that could win. Without warning the engine suffered some internal malfunctions, which caused it to misfire and lose power. At that point all he could do was to battle for and hold onto a fourth place finish, as Jeremy Tucker took the win.
In the Super Stock category, Oakdale’s Mike Graham ran into problems early in qualifying. During his qualifying attempt, his right front tire went flat, slowing his qualifying effort. He ended up with a rare ninth qualifier position. That put him midway in the pack in the inside of the fifth row. Graham did some exceptional driving as he moved through the race field, garnering a strong fourth place finish.
The Whelan Western Late Models were the main category of the event. They featured two 50 lap main events. In the first of the two main events, Jeff Belletto of Modesto was simply dominating the race, having nearly a half-track lead over the second place car. Then a yellow flag came out when a car spun going into turns 3 and 4. This would bring the entire field back closer together. Then, with little warning, the right front wheel on Belletto’s car started to shake. Thinking he had a tire going down, he brought it to the infield area for a quick pit stop. His race was over, when they found that most of the studs holding the right front wheel on had sheared off. This allowed Mike Wendt in the #2 car from Lodi to move up to the front of the pack and he scored his second straight western Late Model main event win.
In the second Western Late Model 50-lap main event, Belletto was forced to start at the rear of the field. It didn’t take long for him to work his way up to the front. He was on a mission, and when the checkered flag fell, it was Belletto in the Save Mart sponsored Monte Carlo taking a dominating win. Belletto extended his season points lead over Dave Byrd (second) and Mike Wendt (third). Guy Guiber of Manteca is 10th in the points and Sam Solari of Escalon resides in the 15th position.
In the Legends of the Pacific Category, Jessica Walker showed all the guys how it was done, taking home the checkered flag and the trophy.
The Winner’s Circle was festive as father Mike Wendt of Lodi (Western Late Model Main Event #1 Winner) celebrated with his son, Matt Wendt (Super Stock Main Event Winner). It is a rare feat for a father and son to win their respective categories at the same event.
A father and son win their respective category main events in Super Stock and Western Late Models. A young lady showed the guys how it was done as she bested the competition in the Legends category.
The event also featured a special race of the Vintage Super Modified category. These wild racecars feature huge wings over the front and rear of the cars to increase down force for improved handling. The most famous of the drivers in this category is none other than Johnny Brazil from Manteca. Coming into this event, he had 99 event victories and was shooting for his 100th win. At the drop of the green flag, Brazil was sixth, but by the midway point he had taken over sole possession of first place. Showing why he was the top driver in the category, Brazil went on to take the checkered flag for his unprecedented 100th career win.
In the Bomber category, Tyler Guzman of Oakdale had a car that could win. Without warning the engine suffered some internal malfunctions, which caused it to misfire and lose power. At that point all he could do was to battle for and hold onto a fourth place finish, as Jeremy Tucker took the win.
In the Super Stock category, Oakdale’s Mike Graham ran into problems early in qualifying. During his qualifying attempt, his right front tire went flat, slowing his qualifying effort. He ended up with a rare ninth qualifier position. That put him midway in the pack in the inside of the fifth row. Graham did some exceptional driving as he moved through the race field, garnering a strong fourth place finish.
The Whelan Western Late Models were the main category of the event. They featured two 50 lap main events. In the first of the two main events, Jeff Belletto of Modesto was simply dominating the race, having nearly a half-track lead over the second place car. Then a yellow flag came out when a car spun going into turns 3 and 4. This would bring the entire field back closer together. Then, with little warning, the right front wheel on Belletto’s car started to shake. Thinking he had a tire going down, he brought it to the infield area for a quick pit stop. His race was over, when they found that most of the studs holding the right front wheel on had sheared off. This allowed Mike Wendt in the #2 car from Lodi to move up to the front of the pack and he scored his second straight western Late Model main event win.
In the second Western Late Model 50-lap main event, Belletto was forced to start at the rear of the field. It didn’t take long for him to work his way up to the front. He was on a mission, and when the checkered flag fell, it was Belletto in the Save Mart sponsored Monte Carlo taking a dominating win. Belletto extended his season points lead over Dave Byrd (second) and Mike Wendt (third). Guy Guiber of Manteca is 10th in the points and Sam Solari of Escalon resides in the 15th position.
In the Legends of the Pacific Category, Jessica Walker showed all the guys how it was done, taking home the checkered flag and the trophy.
The Winner’s Circle was festive as father Mike Wendt of Lodi (Western Late Model Main Event #1 Winner) celebrated with his son, Matt Wendt (Super Stock Main Event Winner). It is a rare feat for a father and son to win their respective categories at the same event.
