06/14/2026
Solari, Beghtel split twin Late Model main events at Stockton 99 Speedway
Sammy Solari and Mason Beghtel, the veteran and the kid, stood side by side and talked quietly for a few minutes after posing for a photo Saturday night at Stockton 99 Speedway, each winning a 30-lap Stockton Late Model main event.
Beghtel, the St. Mary’s High School student who’s in his first year in the Late Model division, won the first feature, his second in a row after capturing the May 2 race. Solari rebounded to win the second main event, his second Stockton Late Model checkered this season and fourth overall at the quarter-mile paved oval. They finished 1-2 in each race, both of which ended under checkered/yellow flags and, based on Solari’s quick math in Victory Lane, ended the night tied for the points lead.
Escalon’s Solari built a big lead in the first main event, but Beghtel moved in front on a restart, then held the advantage on another restart – after Danny DeVore hit the wall in turn 3 – before pulling away to win by 4.128 seconds.
In the second feature, Solari moved to the front of the pack by the fourth lap and didn’t let go. Beghtel remained within striking distance, and the caution flag waved when Dylan Powell hit the wall in turn 3. Solari won under checkered/yellow.
“I’m glad how the first race went,” said Beghtel, who moved up to Late Model after winning the Pure Stock points title last year. “The second race, with them calling it early, with three laps to go, but there’s nothing I could do about that.”
Solari was reminded he’s usually an “outside guy” on restarts; he was inside Saturday night.
“I’ve been beat up on the outside so many times. A lot of guys won’t run you side by side when they’re on the bottom; they run you up and try to crash you, and I haven’t raced the kid enough to know where I stand with him, but I think at this point, we can race door to door,” Solari said of Beghtel. “You saw it tonight. On the bottom, I gave him plenty of room; he passed me on the outside, I gave him plenty of room. He didn’t do anything funny with it.”
Even with a win and a runner-up, Solari was not pleased with the performance. He was the No. 3 qualifier at 14.789 seconds, behind Beghtel (14.654) and DeVore (14.765). Beghtel was also quickest in both practice sessions.
“I’m mad when I win,” Solari said. “We haven’t put a lot of effort into this car this year. We’re more concentrated on our pro car. It showed tonight. … We gotta go home and work on it. It’s not as good as it needs to be. His car was better actually than ours was tonight.”
Steven Fraser of Lodi finished third in each race.
Pure Stock: Brandon Jones of Lodi drove by Curtis Finck coming out of turn 4 on the third lap and drove away to a comfortable 3.757-second victory over trophy dash winner Jerry Crawford of Stockton in the 20-lap main event. Jones has won all three Pure Stock features this season.
“Actually, on the first lap, I had a vibration. I don’t know where it’s coming from,” said Jones, by far the quickest car in the field with a lap at 16.5 seconds. “I was trying to take it easy so I could be here at the end.”
NorCal Mini Stock: Manteca’s Joe Flowers took the lead on the third of 20 laps and beat a charging Steve Ford of Sonora to the checkered flag by .545 of a second for his first checkered flag of the season.
“He was coming up on me,” Flowers said of Ford, who won the trophy dash. “He’s come a long way.”
Legends of Kearney Bowl: 80-year-old Mike James of Fresno won the trophy dash and the 20-lap main event. James’ machine is powered by a 383-cubic inch engine sporting six Stromberg 97 two-barrel carburetors.
A moment for Philpott: Promoter Tony Noceti led the crowd in a moment of silence for Stockton 99 legend David Philpott, who passed away June 4, two days before his 66th birthday. Noceti also lowered the American flag to half-staff, “for my friend,” he said. The track will further honor Philpott, who won multiple Late Model championships, at an upcoming race.
Stockton 99 Speedway returns to action this Saturday, June 20, with the Tribute to Dan Reed featuring the Pro Late Model, Legends of 99 and Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modified divisions plus NCMA Sprint Cars. Ticket prices are $20 for ages 16-59 and $15 for seniors $60 and up, juniors 11-15 and military with an ID. A family 4-pack (two adults, two juniors) costs $55. Kids 10 and under are admitted for free. Parking is free at Stockton 99. Gates open at 6 p.m. with racing at 7. Visit stockton99.com.
Stockton 99 Speedway would like to thank its sponsors: Black Oak Casino, Tracy Ford, Queirolo’s Heating and Air, Raising Cane’s, O’Reilly Auto Parts, J. Milano, Dell’Osso Family Farm, Genova Bakery, Reeves Sand and Gravel, AllPro Powder Coatings, Herc Rentals, High Voltage Graphix, Hitch House, Hoosier Tire, L5 Farming, Stockton Fence, Garton Tractor and White Cap.
STOCKTON 99 SPEEDWAY
Results, Saturday, June 13
Stockton Late Model first main event (29 laps): 1. Mason Beghtel, 2. Sammy Solari, 3. Steven Fraser, 4. Roy Luft, 5. Dylan Powell, 6. Justin Fi**ne, 7. Danny DeVore, 8. Tony Vincent, 9. Floyd Eaton.
Stockton Late Model second main event (27 laps): 1. Sammy Solari, 2. Mason Beghtel, 3. Steven Fraser, 4. Danny DeVore, 5. Roy Luft, 6. Tony Vincent, 7. Justin Fi**ne, 8. Dylan Powell, 9. Floyd Eaton.
Pure Stock (20 laps): 1. Brandon Jones, 2. Jerry Crawford, 3. Tony White, 4. Jesse Ruckman, 5. Curtis Finck.
NorCal Mini Stock (20 laps): 1. Joe Flowers. 2. Steve Ford, 3. Jeramy Tucker Jr., 4. Isaiah Solomine.
✍️ Bill Pointdexter
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