STOCKTON — The North State Modified Series, presented by Protect the Harvest, returns to Stockton 99 Speedway on Saturday night after a four-year absence from one of the oldest quarter-mile paved tracks in the state.
Stockton 99 ran its first race in 1947 and is still operating today under the watchful eye of Tony Noceti of the Noceti Group Inc.
NSMS last ran at the privately-owned facility in August of 2015, and it was Cody Braund of Anderson who held off the challenges of many-time Stockton 99 champ Wes Miller of Turlock to capture his first NSMS win. The series will see a new face in the winner’s circle this weekend as Braund has turned over his last ride to brother Keith Bloom.
Points leader and winner of the season opener earlier this month at Madera Speedway, Randy Houston of Medford, Oregon, will be looking for his second main event victory in a row but will be up against some stiff competition in points runner-up Darrin Sullivan of Kelseyville, veteran driver Jason Philpot of Sacramento (third in points), Santa Rosa’s Cameron Austin and Brian Collins of Camino.
Three-time NSMS champion Darrin Knight of Kelseyville has been working on his car and expects to be up front by the end of Saturday’s race, and Stockton regular Robbie Knittel plans on showing the other competitors the quickest way around his home track.
The North State Modifieds will join the Gun Slingers Wing Sprint Car Series, the Legends of Kearney Bowl, the BCRA Midgets, and the Focus Midgets and Vintage Midgets for an all open-wheel show.
NSMS is presented by Protect the Harvest, Lucas Oil, Hoosier Tire West, Sunoco Race Fuels, Naake Suspension, Five Star Bodies, Racer Bling, Keyser Racing Products, Scribner Plastics, Gone Racin’ Marine, Buckhorn Bar & Grill, and Franks Radios.
