Bakersfield, Calif. (May 14, 2005) Jim Pettit II from Prunedale, Calif. led all 100 laps and held off a determined challenge from Auggie Vidovich by .003 seconds to win his first race of the season and sixth of his NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series career Saturday night at Mesa Marin Raceway.

Pettit started on the pole after fast qualifier Jeff Jefferson drew a six-car invert to start the Rialto Concrete Products "100". Burney Lamar, Dan Holtz, and Jeff Jefferson rounded out the top five finishers.

Jefferson claimed his second consecutive Bud Pole Award with a quick lap of 18.552 seconds/97.025 mph to lead 27 drivers in qualifying. Ryan Foster claimed the PowerAde Power Move-of-the-Race Award for improving the most positions in the 100-lap event (14). Burney Lamar received the Featherlite Award for improving the most positions from the previous race. (22nd to 3rd). Ryan Foster was the top finishing Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year candidate for the third straight race with an eighth place finish.

The race took just 40 minutes and 26 seconds to complete at an average speed of 74.196 mph. The action was slowed four times for 18 laps of caution.

The Southwest Series will return to Mesa Marin Raceway in October for a special 300-lap event sponsored by Star Nursery.Com. The event will feature live pit stops drawing the top drivers from all over the western United States.

The next event for the Southwest Series will be Saturday, June 4 at Colorado National Speedway in Erie, Colo. The race is a combination event with the Midwest Series featuring the best drivers from two series' of NASCAR's AutoZone Elite Division.

Rialto Concrete Products "100"

NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, SOUTHWEST SERIES

Mesa Marin Raceway May 14, 2005

Finish position/Driver/Hometown/Car Mfg/Laps-Status/Money Won

1. Jim Pettit, II, Prunedale Calif., Ford Taurus, 100, 74.196 mph, $3,100

2. Auggie Vidovich, Lakeside Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $2,100

3. Burney Lamar, W. Sacramento Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $2,200

4. Dan Holtz, Pacific Palisades Calif., Ford Taurus, 100, $1,100

5. Jeff Jefferson, Naches Wash., Dodge Intrepid, 100, $1,850

6. Eddy McKean, Jerome Idaho, Pontiac Grand Prix, 100, $1,400

7. Eric Holmes, Escalon Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $900

8. Ryan Foster*, Anderson Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $1,600

9. Greg Voigt, Santa Barbara Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $1,200

10. Stan Silva, Jr, Castroville Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $750

11. Thomas Martin, Auburn Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $1,100

12. Rip Michels, San Fernando Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $650

13. Bobby Lyon, Aqua Dulce Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $600

14. Keith Spangler, Chatsworth Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $525

15. Joe Herold, Del Mar Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $900

16. Richard Johnson, Antioch Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 99, $475

17. Greg Pursley, Canyon Country Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 99, $450

18. Gary Lewis, Bothell Wash., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 99, $425

19. Don Campbell*, Campbell Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 98, $400

20. M K Kanke, Frazier Park Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 98, $775

21. Mike Ledbetter, Ceres Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 94, $350

22. Stephan Sadler*, Brea Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 88, $325

23. Brandon Riehl, Boring Ore., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 59, Ignition, $325

24. David Mayhew*, Atascadero Calif., Pontiac Grand Prix, 57, Accident, $325

25. Nick Lynch, Burley Idaho, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 45, $725

26. Dustin Jones*, Tucson Ariz., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 45, Accident, $325

27. Doug McCoun, Prunedale Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 13, Rear End, $325

Time of Race: 0 hrs., 40 mins, 26 secs Average Speed: 74.196 mph Margin of Victory: .003 Seconds

BUD POLE AWARD: Jeff Jefferson, 42 LeMay Auto Museum/Tri County Parts Dodge

FEATHERLITE AWARD: Burney Lamar, 1 HPS Mechanical/Victory Circle/Groeniger Chevrolet

POWERADE AWARD: Ryan Foster *, 21 TM Kustom Signs/Golden Gate Chevrolet

LUNATI CREW CHIEF AWARD: Duane Sharp, 03 Racing for the Missing Ford

Caution Flags: Laps 40-42; 45-50; 59-63; 76-79. 4 for 18 laps.

Lap Leaders: Jim Pettit, II 1-100.

Total Laps Led: Jim Pettit, II 100. 0 changes involving 1 drivers.

Top 10 Driver Points: Jim Pettit, II 660, Auggie Vidovich 651, Burney Lamar 612, Jeff Jefferson 567, M K Kanke 565, Greg Voigt 548, Eddy McKean

547, Thomas Martin 504, Joe Herold 484, Greg Pursley 471

Top 3 Rookie Points: Don Campbell 34, Dustin Jones 32, Ryan Foster 30, Stephan Sadler 29, David Mayhew 26

Next Race: Colorado National Speedway June 4, 2005

* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender

Press or promotional events contact juli foster:
(530) 339-1595 & fax (530) 365-5094
Anderson, CA