Swap Meet, Test-n-Tune, Banquet well-attended at Thunderhill Raceway
January 26, 2009
The weather for Saturday’s Swap Meet at Thunderhill Raceway (THR) started out cold and very breezy, but it didn’t deter the racers from bringing out their spare racing paraphernalia to sell or trade at the track’s Swap Meet. Fourteen race teams and vendors took advantage of the opportunity to swap their “stuff.”
During the Swap Meet, THR also held its first Test-n-Tune practice session of the year to give drivers from all classes and series an opportunity to shake down their racecars.
Cary Stapp (San Marcos, TX) showed up in his sharp-looking Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model. He clocked in 33 laps on the track – turning in a top lap time of 15.706 around the 3/8-mile asphalt oval track.
“We were happy to see that so many vendors decided to join us at the Swap Meet,” said Mary Ann Naumann, THR’s Owner/Promoter. “And then we had a great turnout of cars and trucks for the practice session.”
The staff from www.lonestarspeedzone.com spent the entire day at the track shooting videos and talking to the drivers and staff about the upcoming season.
Naumann was enthusiastic about the presence of Lone Star Speedzone at the track yesterday. “I’m getting more excited about the involvement of Lone Star Speedzone in local racing,” said Naumann. “I feel they will bring racing media coverage up to a whole new level.”
Topping off the day was the 2008 THR/TSRS Awards Banquet. Special guests included Dennis Ceder, a well-known, retired head football coach from Reagan and Lanier High Schools in Austin, TX. Ceder gave a motivational talk about the similarity of racing to football and the value of being part of a team.
Neil Upchurch, who is the Race and Administrative Director of the Texas Pro Sedans (TPS), presented several awards to the THR staff and recognized his staff and the 2008 TPS champion.
One of the highlights of the banquet was the presentation of the American Speed Association (ASA) Joe Gibbs Short Track National Championship Award to Cary Stapp by Dennis Huth, ASA’s president.
Stapp competed in his ASA A-Line Super Stock car against short-track drivers from all over the nation to earn this coveted and prestigious title. One of prizes for winning the national championship title was the opportunity to take part in a test session with Joe Gibbs Racing. Stapp turned in an impressive performance when he took his test laps with the Joe Gibbs team at South Boston Speedway in December 2008.
Championships in the other divisions were also recognized – including Heath Stewart (TSRS Late Models), Jim Albert (Pro Trucks), J.C. Umscheid (Pro Modifieds), Homer Pitner (Grand Stocks) and Joey Tschoerner (Thunder Stocks). Albert and Umscheid were also recognized for earning the state championship titles in their respective classes.
Naumann was pleased with last night’s activities. “It was incredible to see so many drivers and their teams participating in the banquet,” said Naumann. “I also can’t say enough about the excitement that the emcees brought to the banquet. Bobby (Chaffee) and Rodney (Rodridguez) were both serious and humorous in showing our appreciation to the drivers and staff.”
“I look forward to the banquet every year because it gives me the opportunity to acknowledge everyone’s contributions and recognize our drivers,” added Naumann. “Our banquet attendance has grown so much that I’m even thinking of having two separate events next year to make sure everyone gets all of the recognition they deserve.”
Naumann also shared her insights for the upcoming racing season – including the transition to electronic scoring by all classes.
During the closing remarks, Naumann announced Clifton Winkleman as the new Race Director for the TSRS Late Models. Winkleman is replacing former Race Director Rick Day, who recently resigned to return to his hometown in Tampa, FL. Naumann also named Christine Parks as the new Director of Scoring for THR and TSRS.
Thunderhill Raceway will kick off its 2009 racing season with the Allstate Texas Racefest on March 14. Full Throttle Productions is hosting this popular annual event that will feature the NASCAR Grand National Division, USAC National Midgets and the TSRS Late Models.
For more information on Thunderhill Raceway, visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com. Information on the Allstate Texas Racefest may be found at www.texasracefest.com.
by Debbie Williams, Thunderhill Raceway PR
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