JIM PETTIT GETS HIS THIRD 2008 FLASHCO SRL SOUTHWEST TOUR SERIES WIN IN TH

Source: SRL Media Relations/cs
Date: 08/31/2008

WILTON, Ca — SRL points leader Jim Pettit II continued his domination of the Flashco SRL Southwest Tour Series in 2008 with his victory Saturday at Altamont Raceway Park. But he had to fend off multiple drivers who each took their best shot at Pettit before he collected his third win of the year. From his third place starting position, Pettit quickly moved to the race lead by lap 6, and then the challenges began.

The first challenge was the #15 Sunshine Metal Clad/SmallMiracles.org Chevrolet of Bakersfield's Jason Small. Small took the lead from pole position starter Keith Spangler after a quick jump at the drop of the green flag. By lap 6, second row starter Pettit moved to Small's bumper and the two veterans battled for the lead. Small, a former regular of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series had not been behind the wheel for the past three race seasons, but found himself right at home battling the series point leader for the race lead in his first race back in competition. Small would later pit, and make a run back through the field.

The next challenge for Pettit came from the Speed Wong Racing entry of Jason Fensler. Fensler, the 2005 SRL champ had moved from his seventh starting position to Pettit's bumper by lap 17. Wasting little time, Fensler moved to the lead five laps later, but not without a strong fight from Pettit. After a fierce battle featuring side-by-side, nose-to-tail action Fensler held the point until a lap 47 caution brought out by a five car incident which eliminated second fast qualifier Dan Holtz and put the #2 Performance Electric/Approved Memory Chevrolet of Craig Raudman on pit row for repairs for heavy front end damage. Before the race would go back to green, Fensler made a quick move to pit row as an electrical fire ignited under the dash and Fensler was pulled from his car as the Safety Crew extinguished the flames. The

5 Star entry of Fensler would not return.

Now came Pettit's next challenge in the form of the #7 MudRacing.net Ford of rookie of the year points leader, Josh Combs. Combs had moved up from his sixth starting spot to third by lap 17 and was in the mix with a front row seat to the battle for the lead between Pettit and Fensler. Once the race went back to green after the lap 47 caution, the impressive rookie found himself filling the rear view mirror of Pettit and working both the high and low groves as he attempted to displace Pettit for the lead. The rookie remained within inches of the point leader's rear bumper until lap 80 when Combs made an aggressive move under Pettit exiting turn two but in an attempt not to push up into Pettit's left rear quarter panel Combs turned his car hard left which resulted in a spin. When the dust cleared Combs found himself at the rear of the field as the track stayed green. Combs would eventually work his way back up through the field for a solid 5th place finish.

Now with Pettit in control up front, the final challenge was for second amongst three standout drivers, Dave Byrd, Jason Small and fast qualifier Greg Voigt. Byrd held second until Small muscled his way by, with Voigt in tow. With five to go, Small looked to be on his way to a second place finish in his SRL debut, but Voigt who spun and pitted in the late stages of the race worked his way through the field was not ready to settle for third and moved side-by-side with Small entering turn 3 coming to the white flag. After door-to-door contact in the middle of turn 4, Voigt cleared Small by the strip and drove on to a second place finish followed by Small and Byrd.

In the Winner's Circle Pettit commented, "We didn't start out with the best car during qualifying but I have the best team and they enabled me to get this victory!" Pettit continued, "It was great to have Jason Fensler back racing with us and I was really impressed by Josh Combs with his clean hard racing while behind me."

Greg Voigt was for the most part happy with his day. "My team gave me a hot car and I think without my spin out I could have made a push for the lead. It would have been a perfect day for me if I had taken the main event", said Voigt who backed up fast-time with the trophy dash win.

Jason Small was excited about being back and really looked strong with his third place finish. "It is just great to be back out there after three and a half years away from racing! The SRL is a great series with outstanding drivers who race hard and clean", commented Small.

"The additions of the new drivers this week really injected some new excitement in the series! I was impressed with how well those who had joined us for the first time this year fit right in", said Steve Fensler, executive director of the Flashco SRL. "Our thanks again to the Altamont folks for helping us put on a great show", continued Fensler.

The Mid-Valley Iron and Metals "Hard Charger" award was given to Greg Voigt. After an unlucky invert draw put him in the 10th starting position, he worked his way all the way up to a 2nd place finish.

The "Fast Qualifier" award also went to Greg Voigt for his fast qualifying time of 17.648

The Ron's Rear Ends "Hard Luck" award was given to Rick Ruzbarsky in the

#41 Mid-Valley Iron and Metals Chevrolet. Ruzbarsky hit the wall hard in turn 3 after which his car caught fire. Thankfully Rick was alright after the jolting impact of the accident.

The top finishing rookie was again Josh Combs who is leading the points for the Five Star RaceCar Bodies Rookie of the Year Award.

About the FLASHCO SRL Southwest Tour Series:

Celebrating its eighth season in 2008, the FLASHCO SRL Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. The series utilizes cars based on the former NASCAR Elite Division Series rulebook.

For more information contact the FLASHCO SRL Southwest Tour Series offices at 916-687-7284 or go to www.srllatemodels.com

About Flashco, Inc. - Contractor Supply and Equipment Rental Company:

Flashco, Inc. is a privately owned company based in Bakersfield, California. For over three decades Flashco has been an industry leader in traffic control and safety, and the equipment rental company of choice for the Central Valley. www.flashcoinc.com

See Also .:

• Greg Voigt Driver Card
• Altamont Motorsports Park Track Page

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