AutoZone Elite Division Southwest Series

The SRL Southwest Tour Series is a Late Model racing league operating since 2001. The series is a continuation of the Tri-Track Challenge run in California between 1997 and 2000. The series is also connected to the former Supermodified Racing League, previously headed by Davey Hamilton. Through the years the series expanded its racing calendar as well as racing series adding spec late model series and Legends car racing

Starting in 1997 Madera Speedway, Stockton 99 Speedway and Altamont Motorsports Park started cooperating to form the Tri-Track Challenge for their late model racing classes. Eric Holmes raced in the series in 1998. The 1999 season was won by Burney Lamar, despite only winning a single race at Stockton. Terpstra, Fensler, Holmes and Tucker completed the top five. After the 2000 season, won by Jim Pettit, II, the series was disbanded. The main reason being Stockton 99 Speedway not wanting to continue to support the series.

In January 2001 the promotors of Altamont and Madera tried to found a series the same rules as the existing NASCAR Elite Division. Davey Hamilton and Rick Gerhardt, promoting a California based supermodified racing division under the Supermodified Racing League sanctioning body offered to sanction the new late model series under their umbrella. The SRL Wild West Shootout Late Model Series was founded for the 2001 season with Altamont and Madera running six races each. Stockton returned on the calendar for the 2002 season. Gerhardt sold his interest in the series at the beginning of 2004 to Steve Fensler. For 2005 the supermodified division was sold to form the Western States Supermodified Racing League. The late model series continued under the management of Fensler.

For 2006 the SRL Southwest Tour was formed in affiliation with the ASA. After the announcement that the NASCAR Elite Division would be disbanded after the 2006 season the NASCAR organisation encouraged the Elite Division teams to join the SRL series.

...
Wikipedia