STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA (May 28, 2016) - Former Stockton 99 Speedway track champion Eric Schmidt won his first Pacific Challenge Series race at the venue, claiming the 100 lap Tri-Holiday Classic #1 on Saturday night. The Roseville, CA driver is also a 2013 PCS champion and made the winning move on lap 96 at the quarter-mile paved oval.
Schmidt's win on the 68 year old historic speedway was a popular one and came in a fast-paced night where the top-eight cars broke the track record. Schmidt led that effort with a 13.291 second lap around the high-banked speedway.
Schmidt had to come from seventh on the grid after finishing in seventh in the American Racer Tire dash earlier in the night. It was Ross Strmiska and Cole Moore leading the 20 car Super Late Model field down to green with a third- and a second-generation Stockton 99 regulars on the front row.
Strmiska led the opening 45 laps of the race with his new black, pink, and gold Dodge Challenger with Moore in tow. By one fifth race distance the pair maintained a strong lead over 2015 SRL Champion Jacob Gomes in third. Gomes took over second position from Moore on lap 42. Gomes then passed Strmiska for the top-spot on lap 46.
Schmidt emerged into the top-five with 30 laps left to go and chipped his way through the top-five while Gomes enjoyed a commanding lead. With ten laps to go Schmidt got around Moore and looked to challenge Gomes. A late race incident involving Strmiska and Wendt set up the battle with Schmidt getting past Gomes on lap 96 to take the victory. The top-five at the stripe were Schmidt, Gomes, points leader Jeremy Doss from eighth starting position, Moore, and 2014 PCS champion Mike Beeler in his typical late race charge.
Doss was the races' hard charger while the Brakeometer prize for the fourth place finisher went to Cole Moore. The Pacific Challenge Series continues a back-to-back stretch of races on Saturday night June 4th when they hit Anderson, CA and Shasta Speedway. This will be the first points paying appearance for the tour since 2013 for the fast 3/8ths mile oval.
For more information on the Pacific Challenge Series, visit them online at www.PacificChallengeSeries.com or on Facebook and YouTube.
The Pacific Challenge Series is presented by: Penney Racing Supply, Penney & Associates, American Racer Tires, Maita Chevrolet, Compact-It, Northwest Compactors, Naake Suspension, Sunoco Fuels, Five Star Bodies, BrakeOMeter, Lefthander Chassis, ARP Bodies, Joes Racing Products, Bassett Wheels, Frank's Radio, WrapStar Pro, and Blakesley Sports Media. All PCS Super Late Models race ABC Bodies or Muscle Car bodies on American Racer Tires with Sunoco Racing Fuel.
2016 Pacific Challenge Series Schedule
(Subject To Change)
March 19 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Televised on MAVTV, presented by Loanmart* - Winner: Jacob Gomes
April 16 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) Winner: Jason Romero
May 7 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) Winner: Jeremy Doss
May 28 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #1 of Tri-Holiday Series* Winner: Eric Schmidt
June 4 Shasta Speedway (Anderson, CA)
June 25 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ North State Modified Series*
July 2 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #2 of Tri-Holiday Series*
July 16 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA)
August 13 Madera Speedway (Madera, CA) *Televised on MAVTV, presented by Loanmart*
September 3 Stockton 99 Speedway (Stockton, CA) *Round #3 of Tri-Holiday Series*
September 24 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ North State Modified Series*
October 1 Ukiah Speedway (Ukiah, CA) *2016 Championship Race*
October 15 All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) *w/ K&N West, Non-Points*
Pacific Challenge Series Round 4: Stockton 99 Speedway Results
Finish Car Driver Hometown Sponsors
1 05 Eric Schmidt Roseville, CA Sierra Speed
2 16 Jacob Gomes Manteca, CA Sunny Valley Smoked Meats
3 75 Jeremy Doss Upperlake, CA I-5 Tire Factory
4 20m Cole Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Racing
5 6 Mike Beeler Modesto, CA Beeler Industries
6 90 Ross Strmiska Manteca, CA Mainline Equipment
7 66 Jeff Bischofberger Tracy, CA Rent to Own Visalia
8 37 JR Courage Manteca, CA The Chicken Barn
9 70 Mike Hite Elk Grove, CA Storage for Less
10 1 Matthew Wendt Lodi, CA Cali Style Customs
11 5 Chris Scribner Loomis, CA Quick Quack Car Wash/Scribner Plastics
12 52c Hunter Corbitt Folsom, CA Proscapes Landscape & Design
13 18 Travis Milburn Eagle, ID Cooks Collision
14 55 Danny Malfatti Hayward, CA Malfatti Motorsports
15 11j Tracy Bolin Valley Springs, CA Bolin Builders
16 12 Colby Potts Stockton, CA Economy Signs
17 27 John Moore Granite Bay, CA JM Environmental
18 53 Kyle Gottula Modesto, CA
19 50 Justin Philpott Tracy, CA Philpotts Garage
20 3 Jeff Schmidt Fairfield, CA
Sunoco Fuels Fast Time: #05 Eric Schmidt 13.291 *NEW TRACK RECORD*
American Racer Dash (Set of Tires): #90 Ross Strmiska
Penney Racing Supply Hard Charger: #75 Jeremy Doss advanced from 8th to 3rd
Lap leaders: #90 Ross Strimiska 1-45, #16 Jacob Gomes 46-95, #05 Eric Schmidt 96-100
