09/14/2026
Story and photos by Dale Bosowski
Manteca/Ripon Bulletin
Beeler on a roll, scores third Pro Late Model win in a row at Stockton 99 Speedway
While the weather may have cooled off considerably, Hans Beeler remains red-hot as the second-generation driver out of Salida scored his third consecutive Pro Late Model victory at the 99 Speedway on Saturday night.
However, the win did not come without a bit of controversy involving his dad Mike Beeler.
After an invert draw of four, Ripon’s Henk Gaalswyk sat on the pole for the 40-lap main, where he took full advantage by immediately darting to the front of the eight-car field on the opening lap with the two Beelers in close pursuit. The trio went nose to tail for the first 25 laps, bumping on multiple occasions, until Mike Beeler tapped the leader’s bumper, causing them both to slow in order to regain control, which allowed Hans to slip by his dad for second.
"My dad is not scared to do what it takes to win. He doesn’t want to take me out, but he will do just enough to make it hard for me to hang onto it,” explained Hans with a big smile. “For the most part we have been able to keep it clean between each other; some rubbing, but that's racing.”
On lap 30, Hans Beeler was able to just squeeze his way under Gaalswyk in Turn 4 to take over the lead, but when his dad tried to follow him, he got into the side of Gaalswyk, causing him to spin out in a haze of tire smoke.
After Mike Beeler was sent to the back for initiating the incident, Salida’s Sam Solari, the season points leader who had been a non-factor in the race running well behind the leaders, suddenly found himself alongside Hans Beeler, his closest competitor in the season standings, for the restart. Solari was unable to challenge for the win over the final laps, but he was able to fend off the resurgent Mike Beeler for second place to minimize his damage in the points, while a very frustrated Gaalswyk came home fourth.
“After Henk and I got together the car was a little different and got a little loose, but it was good enough for tonight,” said Hans. “That is three in a row, and what a special way to start getting wins in my career. I can’t thank everybody enough who have helped me get to this point.”
With just two races remaining on the 2026 schedule, including the season finale on October 24, Solari still holds a 22-point lead (357 to 335) over Hans Beeler in the Pro Late Model rankings.
“It feels good to be points racing, and we are in it to try and win it. I was kind of disappointed when dad had to go to the back because I didn’t think Sam had enough to get by him tonight,” said Hans before adding, “I have a lot of respect for Sam and his driving. He is aggressive, but he keeps it clean so I am not scared to give it back to him, but luckily I didn’t have to do that tonight.”
Pure Stock: Brandon Jones of Lodi continued his domination of the Pure Stock class by rolling to his seventh win in seven starts this season. However, unlike his previous wins, Jones had to work for this one after a bearing issue in his right front tire caused a severe steering wobble over the final portion of the 20-lap main. Jones was able to just hold on to take the checkered flag for a narrow .227-second victory over Stockton veteran Jerry Crawford.
“Man, that was a tough race,” Jones said. “We didn’t start the season planning to run for the championship, but my dad said I should, so we will be here till the end.”
Earlier in the evening Jones set fast time in qualifying and sailed to wins in his heat and the trophy dash.
NCMA Sprints: The NCMA Sprint 30-lap feature got off to an ominous beginning when a mid-pack incident during the opening lap took out three of the nine starters, causing a lengthy red flag delay to clean up the mess with two of the victims leaving on the hook.
The second try to start the race went much smoother as Shauna Hogg of Fair Oaks jumped into the lead ahead of Rockin’s Tony Hunt. Hunt was unable to make up ground on the leader until Hogg bobbled at midrace, going into Turn 3, which allowed Hunt to slip by her. Hogg was able to quickly regroup, but she was never able to mount a challenge for the lead and settled for second, almost four seconds behind Hunt, but well ahead of Antioch’s Dan Gonderman.
“She finally made that small mistake; otherwise, I don’t know if I could have got by her. It took a little bit of time because I had to be patient, and I figured if I get by her, I get by her, and if not, so be it,” admitted Hunt. “She was quick and made me work for it. All in all, it was a great night.”
Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modifieds: Modesto’s Freddy Irvin and Stockton’s Michael Brooks Jr staged a race long battle for the win in the 20-lap Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modified main, rubbing fenders and trading the top spot on multiple occasions. A daring crossover pass late in the race secured to win for Irvin, while Brooks' disappointment was compounded when Tyler Ridley was able to steal second from him by inches at the checkered flag.
“These cars are getting faster. We had crossover moves; we were three wide for a while, and I hope everyone really enjoyed it. That was really a badass race,” exclaimed Irvin in victory lane.
Upcoming: Stockton 99 Speedway is back in action Saturday, Sept. 26, with a Kid’s Night program that will feature the Stockton Late Model, Grand American Modified, Legends of 99 and Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modified divisions. Ticket prices are $20 for ages 16-59 and $15 for juniors ages 11-15, seniors 60 and over and military with an ID. A family pass (two adults, two juniors) costs $55. A pit pass costs $50 for all ages. Kids 10 and under are admitted for free, and parking is free at Stockton 99. Gates open at 6 p.m. with racing at 7. Visit stockton99.com or call 209-466-9999.
Also, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drinks Sprint Car Series returns to the Stockton Dirt Track, located at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds, for the Dennis Roth Classic on Friday and Saturday, September 18-19, where over $83,000 in prize money will be on the line. Tickets are now on sale by visiting the WOO site at www.worldofoutlaws.com or by calling (844) 347-8849. Camping and RV parking are also for sale by calling (916) 370-9417.
STOCKTON 99 SPEEDWAY
Results for Sept 12
Pro Late Model (40 laps): 1. Hans Beeler, 2. Sammy Solari, 3. Mike Beeler, 4. Henk Gaalswyk, 5. Glen Cook, 6. Chris Lyon, 7. Eric Price, 8. Mike Fickin
Pure Stock (20 laps): 1. Brandon Jones, 2. Jerry Crawford, 3. Dilan Prigmore, 4. Larry Thornhill
NCMA Sprint Cars (30 laps): 1. Tony Hunt, 2. Shauna Hogg, 3. Dan Gonderman, 4. Scott Clough, 5. Mauro Simone, 6. Tylor Amador, 7. Jerry Kobza, 8. David Goodwill, 9. Tony Amador
Fast Kar Solutions Mini Modified (20 laps): 1. Freddy Irvin 2, Tyler Ridley, 3. Mike Brooks Jr., 4. Spencer Morse, 5. Michael Mulligan, 6. Natalie Morse
