STOCKTON 99
Classic lives up to billing
By Scott Linesburgh Record Staff Writer July 06, 2009 6:00 AM
STOCKTON - Guy Guibor called it one of the best races he's been involved in.
And that's coming from the guy who finished second.
Guibor and 16-year-old Jacob Gomes engaged in several laps of thrilling side-by-side racing before Gomes finally captured the 150-lap NASCAR Western Late Model race. The event was the second leg of the Tri-Holiday Classic series and finished late Saturday night.
Gomes also had a good time, and couldn't think of a better way to spend Independence Day.
"It was great racing with Guy Guibor," Gomes said. "I knew this would be a tough one to win."
A crowd of 3,633 showed up to see racing and fireworks and to listen to the sounds of Ron Pestana and the Pit Crew, a band from Northern California. Gomes set the fast qualifying time at 13.744 seconds and dueled with his fellow Mantecan Guibor throughout the second half go the race.
After a restart on lap 107, they were even until Gomes finally got the lead. They stayed next to each other for six laps during another restart on lap 137, but Gomes again got the edge.
"It was a lot of fun, and (Gomes) simply had the better car in the end on the longer runs," said Guibor, 33. "He did great job, and I think it was the kind of race the fans really enjoyed."
David Philpott of Tracy was third and he was followed by Greg Potts of Stockton and Jeff Belletto of Modesto.
The third and final race of the Tri-Holiday Classic will be Sept. 5.
Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesburgh@recordnet.com
