99 Speedway Late Model Champ Goes for SPEARS Pro Late Model Series Triumph in Stockton

For Immediate Release: SPEARS Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services

Bakersfield, CA; The New Stockton 99 Speedway is known as one of the toughest tracks on the West Coast, with some of the best drivers in the region claiming championships at the historic ¼-mile oval, dating back to its first championship season in 1949. Names such as the very first champion Dave Carter have been followed by champions such as Jack McCoy, Johnny Brazil, Ernie Irvan, Dan Reed, Ivan Baldwin, Dave Byrd, Troy Beebe, Eric Schmidt, Kenneth Boyd, Ron Strmiska Sr., David Philpott, Harry, Steve and Jeff Belletto, Mark Welch along with many others   On March 13th, the track will open its’ 73rd season of action with the new “Spears Pro Late Model Series presented by Sigma Performance Services”. The Track’s most recent Late Model Champion will be there, looking to defend his home turf, and bring home the $7,500 winner’s prize in the “Asparagus Cup 125”.

(Bubba) Eric Nascimento Jr. is the latest in the long line of champions at the historic venue. His family name is synonymous with Stockton 99 Speedway, and the rich history of the tapestry that paints the facilities rich past. At a track that requires a “take no prisoners” mentality to be successful, Bubba has learned to navigate the perils that every racer encounters at the unique facility. Given his recent Stockton success, boasting seven 2020 Stockton Late Model wins, Nascimento is confident in his chance for victory. His fourth place run, in the 38-car entry at Irwindale Speedway’s “All-Star Showdown 150”, bodes well for his prospects.

“I feel we will be a strong contender to win the “Asparagus Cup” at Stockton, coming off the championship at Stockton, and a great run at Irwindale”, Nascimento stated. “Our goal is to go into that race and win. It’s going to be tough, with the number of cars, but I feel like we have the car and the team to get it done. With the pre-entry of 32 Pro Late Models at Stockton, it is bound to be a great race. I’m excited about it and can’t wait, because when I win, I want to beat the best.”

This will not be Nascimento’s first experience with the SRL and a travelling series. Bubba finished 12th in the Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series Championship Standings in 2019, participating in all nine events. He finished in the top-10 in his only Spears Modified Series start in 2020, and participated in two SPEARS Legend Series events, during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He finished seventh in his lone Pacific Challenge Series Super Late Model start, leading eight laps in that event.

Nascimento will now make his second SPEARS Pro Late Model Series start. He had a strong run at the inaugural event for the series and was pleased with the results of the event for both himself and his fellow competitors.

“The first race at Irwindale was a great race”, Nascimento recalled. “I believe there were zero cars wrecked, so that’s a great result, because that means more cars will come to the next race, because they won’t have to fix their cars. That’s the biggest thing, with the SRL starting a new series, is to try to keep wrecks from happening, so all these cars come back week after week. That is because a lot of these guys don’t have the funding the “Tour” cars do.”

Bubba feels fortunate to have the support behind him, to participates in events such as this. Participating in the Pro Late Model Division is less costly than a Super Late Model, but it still takes a team effort from sponsors, crew, family and friends. For that, Bubba is extremely grateful.

“Without a bunch of people, none of this would be possible”, Nascimento began. “I can’t think my dad (Eric Lee Nascimento) and my uncle enough, for putting this organization together. I want to thank all the crew guys that bust their butt’s day after day at the shop, and week after week at the racetrack. There are a lot of them, but they know who they are. I’d also like to thank Skip Co. Welding and Industrial Supply, All-Star Moving and Delivery, David’s Racing Products, RJ’s Paint Shop, Scott Conway Racin’, Panella Race Engines and Joiner Motorsports.”

Nascimento is set to have a busy 2021 season, with the team’s iron in several fires. The SRL will be a part of his team’s schedule, but they are still working on some of their plans for the balance of the season.

“We don’t have our schedule 100% finished for the season”, Nascimento admitted. “I know we’re going to run some at Madera, Stockton, the SRL and maybe some ARCA races, but nothing is set in stone yet.”

Saturday’s race schedule will feature five Heat Races that will set the first 20 positions in the “Asparagus Cup 125”. The remaining positions will be filled by the top-four from the Last Chance Qualifying race. Heat positioning is determined based upon the reception date of the pre-entry form.  Bubba will roll off fourth in Heat Race #5, based upon that criteria. If he wins his heat, he will start fifth in the feature. Four cars will transfer directly to the feature event.

For those who cannot attend Saturday’s action, the event will be broadcast LIVE at www.SpearsRacing.TV and will air nationally at a date to be announced later on MAVTV, the Motorsports Network.