Runner-up photo in the Lone Star Speedzone Photo Contest
January 19, 2009
This photo earned the runner-up spot in Lone Star Speedzone’s recent photo contest. An unknown South Texas Speedway racer was captured walking back to the pits after a disappointing race by STS photographer Jamie Brabson. The judges - the Newstreamz Media staff - felt this photo told a dramatic story and featured some interesting composition.
Rick Day resigns from Thunderhill Raceway
January 14, 2009
Kyle, TX (January 14, 2009) – Rick Day, who served as the Race Director for Thunderhill Raceway and the TSRS Late Models, has announced his resignation and his plans to return to his hometown – Tampa, FL.
Day moved to Texas three years ago and initially made his appearance on the local racing scene when he became the Race Director at San Antonio Speedway.
Rick Day
Following the closure of San Antonio Speedway in early 2007, Day took a few months off from racing. About halfway through the 2007 racing season, Day joined the staff of Thunderhill Raceway as the Race Director.He quickly made a positive impact on the staff, drivers and crews and became an important part of the management team.
“When I got the call from Rick yesterday, it was quite a shock,” said Mary Ann Naumann, THR Owner/Promoter. “He had just been part of a very productive management team meeting last Saturday night and had provided some valuable input to the team. I can certainly understand his desires to put his family first, and he will be truly missed. He has been an incredible part of our race team.”
Naumann added, “Initially, I really had a hard time deciding to step out of the role as Race Director, but with family members racing, I felt it was the right thing to do. Rick was everything I could have hoped for, and I quickly learned to lean on him and respected his decisions. He’s leaving behind a hard pair of shoes to fill.”
Day is looking forward to the move, although he knows he’ll miss his Texas racing family.
“I’m headed back home to rejoin my family,” said Day. “When I first came to Texas, I was greeted with ‘open arms’ by the San Antonio Speedway staff. And then the folks at Thunderhill Raceway immediately treated me like I was an important part of the team. I know I’m going to miss everyone here in Texas, but I need to take care of some family responsibilities back home.”
Day will be leaving later this week, and he may be contacted at racingboss68@yahoo.com.
Lone Star Photo Contest Winners Announced
January 13, 2009
Lone Star Speedzone just completed its “1st Ever” photo contest and the winner is Cheri Bumbera who took an inspired photo of her three children - all racers - posing at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas.
Boyd Bumbera and his older sisters, Kendall (left) and Kristin, at Thunderhill test session
“I wasn’t even going to send it in,” Bumbera said after being informed that her photo was the winning entry. “It was last month at the track (Thunderhill Raceway) and Boyd was scavenging around for Crash O’ Rama souvenirs when he found the sign in a trash pile. I told him to stand over there by the girls s I could take his picture.”
The Bumberas are a well-known and highly-respected Texas racing family. While their dad, Kenny Bumbera, had some real success in the stock car racing world, the Bumbera children seem poised to make a real statement in national racing “circles,” or should I say “ovals.”
The contest, which was judged by the Newstreamz Media staff, drew 59 entries, many of which featured “action” shots and more traditional racing photos.
“Our staff really liked the humor and timeliness of the winning photo,” Newstreamz’ Chris Doelle said. “Women in racing is a hot media topic and when combined with the humor the photo projected it seemed to speak to most of our staff.”
The runner up photo was snapped by Jamie Brabson the track photographer at South Texas Speedway in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Dejected South Texas Speedway racer walks back to the pits after a loss
Nancy Kerr, the mother of young Allison Legacy driver Kris Kerr, shot the third place photo at Thunderhill Raceway. The whole Kerr family is involved in Kris’ racing program.
Kris Kerr buckled in and waiting for radio instructions from his Dad, Ted Kerr, Jr.
Houston photgrapher Greg Fleischer was at the right place at the right time when he caught Pro Stock driver James Huff getting airborne after contact with Arthur Hermiz at Houston Motorsports Park.
Hermiz is getting a good look at Huff’s exhaust system.
AJ Dancer, a very successful dirt track driver whose wife Brenda is the track photographer at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas.
“Brenda left for like 5 minutes to go to the bathroom during the show,” Dancer said. “First time I had ever taken a picture with her camera. It was just luck on my part. Like I always say…I would rather be lucky than good any day”
We believe that’s Mike Dillard sideways at the USMTS show at Texana Raceway Park
For a look at all the contest photos click on this link to Flickr.
2009 Racefest coming to THR in March - NASCAR, USAC and TSRS
January 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@texasracefest.com
2009 ALLSTATE TEXAS RACEFEST - NASCAR, USAC and TSRS
One of the Premier Asphalt Short-Track Events in the Country
Austin, TX ( January 12, 2009) - Full Throttle Productions – producer of the “Allstate Texas Racefest” – announces details and new additions for the three-time award winning event held at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle, Texas just outside of Austin. In 2009, the 5th annual Allstate Texas Racefest is the only place in Texas and the only short-track event in the country where fans will see both a NASCAR race and a USAC race at the same facility on the same day. The over-whelming success of the first four years has prompted officials to schedule the 2009 edition as the first race of the year for the NASCAR Camping World Series West on the unofficial but extremely coveted NASCAR “bye” weekend of March 14th.
“We are very happy to bring NASCAR and USAC racing back to Central Texas once again,” Tavo (CT) Hellmund, co-founder of Full Throttle Productions, said. “This event has steadily grown each year and we are pleased with the recognition it is receiving nationally as a top short track event. The new additions, coupled with a family friendly environment and a TSRS Late Model race makes for a truly unique and affordable outing for the entire family in this part of the country. Not to mention some of the finest short track racing in America.”
Add USAC’s legendary racing and the superstar owner/driver’s involved in the Series that are expected at this year’s edition, and ‘Racefest 2009’ has the makings of another sell-out event. Advance discounted tickets are available starting January 12th for a limited time.
Night of Racing
After an afternoon of qualifying for NASCAR and USAC, the night officially gets under way with a TSRS (Texas Super Racing Series) Late Model race. The “Allstate Lightning 100,” comprised of heat races and a 60 lap feature will showcase the lightning fast speeds of the USAC Mopar National Midget Series. The premise of USAC racing is simple: squeeze as much horsepower as you can into a compact engine and bolt it onto an open-wheel, open cockpit lightweight chassis. Legendary drivers A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti, as well as current superstars Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne consider their achievements racing USAC Midgets as some of the most difficult and rewarding accomplishments of their careers.
This year’s “Allstate Thunder 150,” a NASCAR Grand National Division race, will be the season opener for the series and thirty or more drivers from around the country will race in what is sure to be another barn burner. 2009 brings the Series into its 56th season competing on tracks ranging from short-tracks, road-courses and two-mile Super-Speedways. It has been a launching pad for the careers of Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 Champion Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday, racing legend Hershel McGriff, and many other drivers.
Family Fun
The midway/concession area will feature interactive fun with a climbing wall, face painting, two moonwalks, all day DJ, driver autograph sessions, sponsor tents (register to win prizes), live music and much more! For Information and tickets, visit www.texasracefest.com
About the Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation is the largest publicly held personal lines insurer in the United States and the second-largest of all personal lines insurers in the U.S. Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Company. Allstate sells 13 major lines of insurance, including auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, and commercial insurance. Allstate also offers retirement and investment products, and banking services. Its advertising campaign is centered around its “Your Choice Auto” product, which offers accident forgiveness and lower deductibles.
About the NASCAR Grand National Division
The NASCAR Grand National Division cars are nearly identical to those used in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. It is the only NASCAR division that allows teams to choose.
About the United States Auto Club Mopar National Midget Series
The USAC Mopar National Midget Series has produced some of the top open-wheel and stock car racers, and continues to be home to some of America’s great racing talent.
About Full Throttle Productions
Full Throttle Productions, LP is an Austin, Texas, based sports and special event production company that provides event project management, day of event oversight, staffing and volunteer services, venue planning and logistics support.
Thunder Hill Raceway
Located just outside of Austin on IH-35 in Kyle, Texas. Exit #210 (Yarrington Road)
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Hutto’s Riethmeyer earns two 2008 USAC Championships
January 9, 2009
Bradley Riethmeyer clinches 2008 Championships in both the USAC Carolina Ford Focus Midget Series and the Concord Midget Series
by Yvette Salerno
Denver, NC (January 8, 2009) – Bradley Riethmeyer will be crowned champion of both the 2008 USAC Carolina Ford Focus Midget Series and the 2008 Concord Midget Series, the first driver to ever win these championships simultaneously on Firday night in Indianapolis, Indiana.
On Friday evening, Riethmeyer will be joined by his peers and mentors to be honored, along with the champions from the USAC Silver Crown Series, USAC National Midgets and the USAC Ford Focus Regional Midget Series, at the USAC Night of Champions in Indianapolis.
Riethmeyer, a Texas A&M senior who hails from Hutto, Texas, won the USAC Carolina Ford Focus Midget Series behind the wheel of the #11 Calico Coatings/All-American Driver Challenge Midget owned by Calico Coatings president, Tracy Trotter. Along with the help of Brad Noffsinger and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, the Carolina series ran 15 races in Virginia, N. Carolina, and S. Carolina. “I just have to thank Tracy, Gary, and Calico Coatings for an awesome opportunity they gave me in 2006 following the winning of the All-American Driver Challenge,” says Riethmeyer. “I appreciated being able to run a select few races in the truck series while also being able to help and work with Tanner Swanson, the 2007 Carolina Midget Series champion. I also have to thank Tracy for letting me run the midget again in 2008 and putting me in equipment that can win every weekend were at the race track.”
In 2008, Riethmeyer had three wins, 14 Top 5’s, 14 Top 10’s and sat on eight poles, including three track records – although not always the best idea in USAC series as the series inverts the qualifying order. “Tracy always gives me a hard time about qualifying up front, I always hear, “Your cheating yourself out of wins.” Or, “Do you want to win races or poles?” I just simply reply, laughing at him “I’m stingy I want to win it all!”
Riethmeyer got an amazing opportunity in August when Win-Tron Racing had him take the reins of the team’s No. 32 Red Line Oil Dodge Charger for his inaugural ARCA RE/MAX Series (ARS) debut at one of the most anticipated events of the year, the Allen Crowe 100. Riethemeyer qualified 12th and finished in 11th place out of the 38-car field. Riethmeyer proved he would be a threat when he passed Scott Speed for 5th with 40 to go and was able to run down Rickey Stenhouse from a six second interval to .5 a second. “Kevin and the entire Win-Tron team gave me a great car and I just have to thank them for taking a chance on someone that had never been in an ARCA race before, much less raced on the dirt.” Trouble set in with 24 laps to go as the team had to go to work changing right-side tires, coming out of the pits 22nd. Although we had a great finish it was not the finish the team deserved. We worked our way back up to 11th from 20th, which is still good, but not what the team deserved or what we were hoping for.”
In addition to his impressive wins and opportunities in 2008, Riethmeyer also has four NASCAR® Craftsman Truck Series starts in 2007 to his credit with a career best run of 20th at the demanding short track of Bristol Motor Speedway.
In 2006, Riethmeyer also won the inaugural year of the Nation wide drivers search the All-American Driver Challenge (AADC) and won a fully-paid contract to drive in the 2006 USAC Carolina/Virginia Midget Series. He made an immediate impact on the Series by winning the first event of the season in April 2006 and went on to claim two victories in ten races, finishing third in the final points standing for that year.
A second-generation racing champion, 24-year-old old Bradley Riethmeyer is quickly on his way to making a name for himself in auto racing. This future Nextel Cup star has accumulated a large Texas fan base and his “quick to help others” attitude has earned him respect with both fans and drivers on and off the track. Like many current Nextel Cup stars, Riethmeyer cut his teeth in Quarter Midgets and Legends. After running a limited schedule in 2005 to focus on school, Bradley charged into the 2006 racing season by winning the All-American Driver Challenge. He capped 2006 by winning two USAC Carolina/Virginia Ford Focus Midget Series races and the USAC “Rookie of the Year.”
Texas Speed Zone and Newstreamz combine to form Lone Star Speedzone
January 5, 2009
San Marcos, TX (January 2, 2009) - Newstreamz Media, L. L. C., today announced its partnership with TexasSpeedZone.com, a successful motorsports website and discussion forum owned by Terry Dickerson of Castroville, Texas.
An avid race fan and former owner of San Antonio Speedway and other racing venues, Dickerson stated that, “Newstreamz has the talent and capability in the internet media arena to take Texas Speed Zone to the next level to represent the myriad of race tracks and racing organizations across the State of Texas.”
“I’ve always had the dream to carry Texas Speed Zone to the next level, but I really didn’t have the time and manpower in place to make it happen,” added Dickerson. “I feel that that Chris and the Newstreamz folks will bring a lot of enthusiasm and professional to Texas motorsports.”
Chris Doelle, Chief Executive Officer of Newstreamz Media states that, “We at Newstreamz applaud Terry on his visionary approach to covering this important area of sports within Texas. It is our intent to provide legitimate and unbiased coverage along with participant discussion forums of all forms of racing in Texas to include drag racing as well as both dirt and paved tracks across the state.”
Over the past six years Texas Speed Zone has provided timely race information and hosted a very active forum for the Texas motorsports community to discuss issues, racers, race tracks and personalities that make this such a popular sport.
Newstreamz Media, which owns and operates several other internet based media platforms including LoneStarGridiron.com and Newstreamz.com, intends to change the name of Texas Speed Zone to align with their existing “Lone Star” branding to provide opportunities for cross-promotional advertising for both national and regional advertisers. The site will soon be renamed “Lone Star Speedzone.”
Newstreamz Media, L. L. C., is based in San Marcos, Texas, and operates local and state-wide media operations - including audio, video and print capabilities - focused on local news, high school football coverage and, now, stock car and drag racing. Newstreamz is owned by both Doelle and Scott Gregson, a San Marcos-based investor. Dickerson is an investor and business owner of Dickerson Machinery based in Castroville, Texas.
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