Texas Super Racing Series Late Models set for Houston Motorsports Park this Saturday, August 1st
July 31, 2009
Texas’ top touring series will be traveling to beautiful Houston Motorsports Park this Saturday, August 1, 2009, to participate in HMP’s “Adrenaline on Asphalt” racing program.
The cars and stars of the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model division will be flying around the immaculate three-eighth-mile HMP oval in a 75-lap feature – the “DWIDUDE.COM 75” – and will be supported by a full racing program including the NASCAR Fiesta Late Models, the NASCAR Cricket Modifieds and five other local racing divisions.
Young Dillon Spreen will be trying to make it two-in-a-row after winning his first TSRS feature event three weeks ago at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas. But Spreen will be facing tough competition from fellow teenagers Jake Kruger, who sits atop the TSRS point standings, Cody Smith, Levi Krauss and Kendall Bumbera, as well as from veterans Bobby Teer, Jr., Robert Barker, Cary Stapp and Chris Schild.
The “DWIDUDE.COM 75″ is being run in honor of “Mama” Dean Sandefur, one of the most popular TSRS officials and wife of the TSRS Chief Technical Official, Jack Sandefur. Ms. Sandefur is recovering from major surgery earlier this week.
The TSRS teams will be participating in an autograph session during the intermission immediately preceding the feature races. These drivers are the NASCAR stars of tomorrow and here’s a great opportunity to meet and greet them “up close and personal.”
The heat races get under way at 6:00 p.m. For more information about Houston Motorsports Park and directions to the track, go to their website at http://www.houstonmotorsportspark.com.
TSRS Late Model Point Standings
1. 14 Jake Kruger Bastrop, TX 1124
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr. Comfort, TX 1113
3. 05 Cody Smith LaVernia, TX 1099
4. 17 Robert Barker Boerne, TX 1086
5. 81 Dillon Spreen Boerne, TX 1086
6. 99 Cary Stapp San Marcos, TX 1013
7. 4® Levi Krauss Schertz, TX 996
8. 72® Kendall Bumbera Sealy, TX 971
9. 96 Todd Farris College Station, TX 704
10. 28® Jeff O’Neill Round Rock, TX 557
11. 7 Chris Schild Leander, TX 418
12. 49 Robert Walton Bastrop, TX 381
13. 50 Brian Moczygemba San Antonio, TX 311
14. 33 Mike Williams Hockley,TX 292
15. 51 Chad Menard Castroville, TX 284
16. 12 Adam Haugh Round Rock, TX 276
17. 15 Bradley Burke Johnson City, TX 256
18. 1 Heath Stewart Del Valle, TX 175
19. 1 Colt James North Carolina 170
20. 1 Casey Smith Austin, TX 170
21. 93 Kyle Sirizzottii Helotes, TX 170
22. 54 Todd McLemore Austin, TX 160
23. 1 Lloyd Alexander San Antonio, TX 155
24. 02 Ugo Bevione Austin, TX 134
25. 38 Craig Sellman Buda, TX 134
26. 20® Mark Mathis San Antonio, TX 127
27. 6 Jason Hollander Round Rock, TX 124
28. 79 Joe Aramendia San Antonio, TX 118
29. 00 Beau Bukowski San Antonio, TX 5
30. 3 Mike Reininger San Antonio, TX 5
by Nick Holt
Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - Grand Stocks at Thunderhill
July 27, 2009
In this Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, Nick Holt headed to Thunderhill Raceway to check out the Grand Stock class. He interviewed several drivers, including a car packed with Texas racing all-stars, and Eric Wiede headed down to the pits to talk to the feature winner.
Texan Matt Merrell a strong second in ARCA run at Berlin Raceway
July 26, 2009
MARNE MI (7-25-09) - Justin Lofton, who had gradually fallen behind ARCA RE/MAX Series point leader Parker Kligerman in the championship chase, came to Berlin Raceway with a newly-announced game plan in place; and it worked.
The Westmorland, California driver also held off the lead-lap pack during a green-white-checker finish to win the Wolverine Power Systems 200 Saturday night at the legendary Marne, Michigan short track.
“What an incredible night,” said Lofton. “My guys were perfect tonight. We had the best car and it certainly showed. This is my favorite car. We went off a different pit strategy and it worked. I really have to hand it to my guys for making the call. This win feels every bit as good as the one at Talladega.”
Lofton, who pitted just once out of sequence with the leaders, drove back to the front and stayed there for the remainder of the race to earn his third career series victory. He also closed to within 100 points of Kligerman headed to Pocono Raceway for the next event on tour.
Through it all, it was a banner night for Lofton, who, not only won the Menards Pole Award with a new one-lap track record, led 171 of 207 laps. Lofton also snapped Kligerman’s four-race win streak after proclaiming earlier in the week that was racing for wins alone from here on out rather than racing for points.
Matt Merrell got to within a half-length of Lofton on the final lap in turn three but washed up the track as Lofton sailed off the bottom end of turn four toward the checkered flag. Merrell finished a career-best second, three lengths away in the ColinsHope.org-Red Line Oil Dodge.
Matt Merrell in the Win-Tron ARCA machine
“I thought I had a chance to get by Justin Lofton but I just couldn’t keep up with him at the end of the race,” said Merrell. “He was getting some really good runs. I don’t think the 6 car was necessarily better; we were pretty even-but this track really eats up tires and that’s what got us at the end.”
Matt Merrell works closely with the Colin's Hope organization
Seventeen-year-old Chad Finley, in the Auto Value Service Centers-AutoParts2020.com Chevrolet, finished a career-best third, but not before causing some controversy resulting from an altercation with series veteran Frank Kimmel.
“Everybody comes in to this place and dives up the track,” said Finley. “I probably should have been more patient with him [Frank Kimmel] especially with as much experience as he has here and as good as he has been here, so I apologize for that. It feels good, but it’s not all me. It’s everyone over at BKR Racing; especially my crew chief [Wayne Setterington]. He’s just awesome and we work really well together.”kimmelcrashberlin09.jpg
Finley, who was battling Kimmel for third under five laps to go, turned Kimmel off turn four. That left Kimmel sideways on the frontstretch and an open target for Michel Disdier, who plowed into Kimmel’s left-front corner on the way by. Kimmel then crawled back to pit road in a shower of sparks before returning in time to finish a disappointing 12th.
“What a night,” said Kimmel. “We had a great car all day - from practice to qualifying and on into tonight. Overall, though, it was great to battle for the lead, even if we had somewhat of a disappointing finish. We were definitely a factor until the 29 car turned us and we just flat got ran over. That was really frustrating. It would have been great to not only have the finish we deserved but to have reached that 10,000 laps led mark. Either way, we still accomplished another goal here by leading our first laps of the season, which is a great thing for this team because they’ve worked hard all year long.”
Kimmel, after leading 36 laps, inched closer to yet another milestone. The Clarksville, Indiana stock car legend is now just 6 laps shy of leading 10,000 laps in ARCA RE/MAX Series competition.
Pete Shepherd finished fourth in the Venturini Motorsports-National Exhaust Systems Chevrolet. Joey Coulter was fifth in the Darrell Gwynn Foundation-Tempest Cycles Chevrolet.
Lofton led the first 108 laps before finally making his one and only pit stop for new tires and fuel, long after every other lead lap driver had pitted. Kimmel took control of the top-spot from there until the eventual winner, who rejoined the field in eighth, quickly charged back through the pack to take the lead for good and lap 145.
Kligerman, suffering from the flu, ended up finishing sixth in the Cunningham Motorsports Dodge.
“That’s what championships are made of,” said Kligerman. “They are made of making the best out of your bad days, and that’s what we had today-a bad day. I’m feeling sicker and sicker as the adrenaline wears off. It was a rough day out there. No one seemed to have any room for us. Funny how that works out. We’ll go to Pocono and make up for it, hopefully with a win.”
Craig Goess was seventh in the Greenville of North Carolina Toyota in front of Justin Lloyd, who finished eighth in his career-first start on the LNCS-Calero Investments-RM Technology Chevrolet.
Bryan Silas fought his way back onto the lead lap after getting spun early in the race to finish a solid ninth in the Rockingham Speedway-Holland Pumps Chevrolet. Tom Hessert finished 10th in the Cherry Hill Classic Cars Ford.
The ARCA RE/MAX Series travel next to Pocono Raceway for the Pennsylvania ARCA 200 Saturday, August 1st, live on SPEED at 1:00 PM ET. The ARCA Racing Network will also carry live streaming audio of all the on-track activity at ARCAracing.com
From ARCAracing.com
Live Updates from Thunderhill Raceway, 7/25/09
July 25, 2009
Nick Holt is reporting the racing action at Thunderhill Raceway this evening. Live!
This is will be an “interactive” session using the Cover it Live blogging software, so folks can ask questions, make comments, etc. as we report the races live~!
Just click on the screen below to get started.
Shane Stewart shines in national ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series event; Texan Gary Wright second.
July 25, 2009
Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart snared his second Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters feature win of the year by topping Friday night’s 30-lap series debut atop the ¼-mile Cottage Grove Speedway clay oval.
Shane Stewart enjoys life in the USCS winner's circle
After pacing the early rounds, Stewart battled back around Austen Wheatley for keeps on the 12th circuit and then held off fellow Sooner State shoe Wayne Johnson over the final rounds to secure his 17th career National win aboard the Wesmar-powered ProBilt Construction No. 57 A.R.T.
Shane Stewart (57), Wayne Johnson (35a) and Gary Wright (9x) lead the three-wide salute prior to Friday night's 30-lap Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series feature
“I can’t say enough about the track prep here, it’s incredible,” Stewart commented after the win. “It’s good on the bottom, it’s good on the top, you can race all over this track.”
Stewart locked himself into Saturday’s main event along with the balance of Friday night’s top four finishers including Wayne Johnson, Jason Johnson and Roger Crockett.
After chasing down Jesse Hockett to win the night’s opening heat race and earn a position in the eight-car redraw, Stewart drew the pole position for the preliminary main event.
And, after outgunning fellow front-row starter and four-time series champion Gary Wright for the lead at the drop of the green flag, Stewart paced the early rounds while working the low side at the track.
With the likes of Wright, Wayne Johnson, Danny Wood and Roger Crockett among Stewart’s early pursuers, the early challenge for the point came from an unlikely source in the form of 16-year-old Lake Stevens, WA, shoe Austen Wheatley.
Working the top side of the track, Wheatley battled past Wright for second and then reeled in Stewart to take command on the sixth round. It was just the tip Stewart needed.
“I thought the bottom was gonna be good enough, but then he showed me the top side and thank God he did,” Stewart explained.
Stewart followed Wheatley’s lead to the cushion and when the young gun reached lapped traffic on the tenth round, it was just a couple of more circuits before one slip allowed Stewart to race back into the lead with W. Johnson and Crockett following in short order.
“I just wish we could have stayed up front a little longer, it’s not easy against those guys though,” Wheatley explained after ultimately finishing sixth.
Racing through heavy lapped traffic, Johnson closed in on Stewart a time or two before a caution flew after 19 circuits when fifth-running Danny Wood tangled with Chad Groves in turn two.
Back under way after the race’s second and final caution, Stewart cruised until lapped traffic in the final handful of rounds gave Johnson one last gasp at the leader. Stewart worked traffic without issue however, while Johnson settled for runner-up honors in the Ostrich-powered H.A.M. Construction No. 35a Maxim.
“We needed it after struggling so bad last weekend,” Johnson commented.
Jason Johnson made a late move to snare the show position in Lanny Row’s Wesmar-powered The Shop Motorsports No. 41 Eagle, taking sole possession of the series points lead after Gary Wright pulled to the infield in the final handful of laps with a blown engine.
Crockett took the fourth and final lock-in position to Saturday night’s main event aboard the Shaver-powered Omlid & Swinney Fire Protection & Security No. 11c KPC, with Paul McMahan picking off a half-dozen positions to round out the top five aboard the J&D Motorsports No. 3d Maxim.
Wheatley held in for sixth, with Seth Bergman posting his top series finish of the season by charging from 17th to seventh. Jack Dover was eighth, with Jesse Hockett and 20th-starter Jason Solwold completing the top ten.
Stewart, Wood, Dover and Wright topped heat race action for the 36-car field, with Bergman and Steven Tiner winning the “B” Mains.
Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters
Cottage Grove Speedway – Cottage Grove, OR
Heat Races (Top 16 in Passing Points to “A” Main; Balance to 2 “B” Mains):
Heat One (10 Laps): 1. 57-Shane Stewart, 2. 13-Jesse Hockett, 3. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 4. 3d-Paul McMahan, 5. 41s-Dale Smith, 6. 23-Seth Bergman, 7. 11-Chad Corken, 8. 53x-Andy Gregg, 9. 91-Gary Taylor.
Heat Two (10 Laps): 1. 94-Danny Wood, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 25c-Chad Groves, 4. 10-Kyle Miller, 5. 1-Sean McClelland, 6. 12-Jared Ridge, 7. 12p-Randy Pierce, 8. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 9. 7-Darren Long.
Heat Three (10 Laps): 1. 53-Jack Dover, 2. 11c-Roger Crockett, 3. 98m-Mitch Olson, 4. 75-Dan Menne, 5. 5h-Justyn Cox, 6. 88-Tim Crawley, 7. 51-Jason Solwold, 8. 6m-Phillip Del Rosa, 9. 10h-Steven Horner.
Heat Four (10 Laps): 1. 9x-Gary Wright, 2. 2-Kenneth Walker, 3. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 4. 29-Travis Rilat, 5. 94T-Steven Tiner, 6. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 7. 68-Rob Held, 8. 23T-Colin Baker. DNS: 33-Nate Morelock.
“B” Mains (Top 3 From Each Advance to “A” Main):
First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 23-Seth Bergman, 2. 12-Jared Ridge, 3. 29-Travis Rilat, 4. 91-Gary Taylor, 5. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 6. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 7. 10h-Steven Horner, 8. 6m-Phillip Del Rosa, 9. 68-Rob Held, 10. 10-Kyle Miller.
Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 94T-Steven Tiner, 2. 51-Jason Solwold, 3. 5h-Justyn Cox, 4. 75-Dan Menne, 5. 53x-Andy Gregg, 6. 12p-Randy Pierce, 7. 7-Darren Long, 8. 11-Chad Corken, 9. 23T-Colin Baker. DNS: 33-Nate Morelock.
Lucas Oil ASCS Preliminary Cottage Grove Speedway Main Event:
“A” Feature (30 Laps): 1. 57-Shane Stewart, 2. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 11c-Roger Crockett, 5. 3d-Paul McMahan, 6. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 7. 23-Seth Bergman, 8. 53-Jack Dover, 9. 13-Jesse Hockett, 10. 51-Jason Solwold, 11. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 12. 1-Sean McClelland, 13. 12-Jared Ridge, 14. 88-Tim Crawley, 15. 29-Travis Rilat, 16. 2-Kenneth Walker, 17. 94T-Steven Tiner, 18. 5h-Justyn Cox, 19. 98m-Mitch Olson, 20. 41s-Dale Smith, 21. 9x-Gary Wright, 22. 94-Danny Wood, 23. 25c-Chad Groves, 24. 91-Gary Taylor.
Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-5, Austen Wheatley 6-11, Stewart 12-30.
Note: Tony Bruce, Jr., and Gary Taylor utilized Lucas Oil ASCS provisionals to start the “A” Main.
Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters Points (Top 20): 1. Jason Johnson 1,564, 2. Shane Stewart 1,544, 3. Gary Wright 1,528, 4. Travis Rilat 1,459, 5. Tim Crawley 1,433, 6. Paul McMahan 1,418, 7. Tony Bruce, Jr. 1,407, 8. Danny Wood 1,344, 9. Jack Dover 1,339, 10. Jesse Hockett 1,295, 11. Sean McClelland 1,184, 12. Gary Taylor 1,126, 13. Kenneth Walker 1,030, 14. Darren Long 1,018, 15. Seth Bergman 968, 16. Chad Corken 967, 17. Gavin Punch 907, 18. Nick Smith 870, 19. Brady Bacon 752, 20. Ricky Logan 639.
ASCS Northwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jared Ridge 1,686, 2. Roger Crockett 1,680, 3. Steven Tiner 1,676, 4. Mitch Olson 1,594, 5. Henry VanDam 1,577, 6. Chad Groves 1,501, 7. Randy Pierce 1,370, 8. Justyn Cox 1,341, 9. Colin Baker 1,073, 10. Austen Wheatley 965.
by Lonnie Wheatley
Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - Eco Stocks at HMP
July 24, 2009
In this Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, Nick Holt talks to some drivers and organizers of the Eco Stock class at Houston Motorsports Park. Please forgive the bad audio on the second two interviews, the mic cable shorted out..
Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - Cricket Modifieds @ HMP
July 22, 2009
In this Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, Nick Holt will dive into the wild world of NASCAR Cricket Modifieds at Houston Motorsports Park.
Texan Travis Rilat pockets $10,092 in ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series “Brownfield Memorial”
July 19, 2009
The inaugural weekend of competition for the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters within the State of Washington concluded with Forney, TX, shoe Travis Rilat collecting the $10,092 winner’s share in Saturday night’s 35-lap Third Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial at Grays Harbor Raceway.
But, after setting the pace for the initial 32 laps, it looked as if it would be a night of heartbreak for Rilat when Friday night winner Roger Crockett rocketed into the lead and sailed to the checkered flag.
“I just messed up there, I knew better and I still missed my line getting into one on that last restart and Roger was there to take advantage,” Rilat explained afterward.
The explanation came from victory lane though with the past ASCS National champion taking the victory after Crockett rolled across the scales seven pounds shy of the 1,475 pound minimum weight requirement.
“This isn’t the way we wanted to win, but we’ll definitely take the ten-thousand and ninety-two dollars,” Rilat smiled after his second Lucas Oil win of the year and 24th National score of his career.
“It’s great to win up here in front of the Shark Engine and Triple-X Chassis guys, they make sure we have good stuff to work with and I’m glad we got to show ‘em what we can do,” Rilat commented.
After chasing Crockett to the stripe in Friday night’s preliminary feature, Rilat started Saturday night’s main event from the pole position with Crockett alongside. And, while Rilat gunned into the lead at the outset, he had his hands full with Crockett throughout.
The duo battled for the lead virtually the entire distance, racing through traffic much of the way. But, after a pair of cautions in the final half of the race, Rilat appeared to have Crockett cleared.
One final caution with just three laps to go gave Oregon’s Crockett one last shot. And, when Rilat drifted high into one, Crockett took quick advantage and raced into the lead for keeps. It proved to be all for naught, however, when Crockett’s mount proved too light at the scales.
Not only did the disqualification cost Crockett the prestigious victory, it also negated a second consecutive ASCS Northwest Speedweek championship. Missouri’s Jesse Hockett, who won the opening three legs of ASCS Northwest Speedweek, claimed the crown despite a 20th-place finish in Saturday’s finale after turn two trouble on the 16th round while running seventh.
Chasing Rilat’s F&J Construction No. 29 across the line was defending series champion Jason Johnson, who battled past Travis Rutz in the final rounds to snare runner-up honors in Lanny Row’s Wesmar-powered The Shop Motorsports No. 41 Eagle.
“I just wish we could of got up there to contend for the win, we just couldn’t quite get there,” Johnson explained.
Rutz earned the show position in the Rudeen Racing No. 26 entry, commenting that, “Trading sliders back and forth with guys like Jason Johnson and Travis Rilat, that was a blast.”
Racing forward from 15th, Gary Wright snuck by Tim Crawley in the final corner to snare fourth in Scott Brown’s ASI-powered Lubbock Wrecker Service No. 9x Maxim.
Crawley rounded out the top five in Mike Ward’s McCarver-powered Boater Sports No. 88 Maxim, with Tony Bruce, Jr., crossing the stripe in sixth.
After utilizing a provisional to start the main event, Washington native Gary Taylor charged from 23rd to seventh, with 19th-starter Shane Stewart, 17th-starter Wayne Johnson and 20th-starter Paul McMahan completing the top ten.
Jason Solwold was battling for third throughout with Rutz and Johnson before tangling with a lapped car just seven laps shy of the checkered flag.
Hockett, Jared Peterson, Mike Melwicks, Sean McClelland and Danny Wood topped Saturday night’s heat race action, with W. Johnson, Jay Cole and Stewart winning the “B” Mains.
J.J. Hickle’s night came to an end after flipping in the opening corner of the night’s fifth and final heat race. Chad Groves got upside down in turn two in the night’s third “B” Main. There were no injuries.
Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters
Third Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial
Grays Harbor Raceway – Elma, WA
Locked in from Friday Night’s Preliminary Feature:
11c-Roger Crockett, 29-Travis Rilat, 88-Tim Crawley, 41-Jason Johnson.
Heat Races (Top 12 in Passing Points to “A” Main; Balance to 3 “B” Mains):
Heat One (10 Laps): 1. 13-Jesse Hockett, 2. 9j-J.J. Dishneau, 3. 26-Travis Rutz, 4. 08-Steve Vague, 5. 12-Jared Ridge, 6. 23-Seth Bergman, 7. 6-Jayme Barnes, 8. 11-Chad Corken, 9. 72-Glenn Borden, 10. 2-Kenneth Walker.
Heat Two (10 Laps): 1. 9p-Jared Peterson, 2. 9x-Gary Wright, 3. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 4. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 5. 0j-Jay Cole, 6. 15c-Cody Anderlini, 7. 53-Jack Dover, 8. 7k-Danny Kirkpatrick, 9. 15j-Jeff Dunlap. DNS: 81au-Gavin Punch.
Heat Three (10 Laps): 1. 2m-Mike Melwicks, 2. 94T-Steven Tiner, 3. 3d-Paul McMahan, 4. 25c-Chad Groves, 5. 76-Shawn Rice, 6. 12p-Randy Pierce, 7. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 8. 4-Nick Engberg, 9. 96-Mack Brown.
Heat Four (10 Laps): 1. 1-Sean McClelland, 2. 57-Shane Stewart, 3. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 4. 18T-Travis Jacobson, 5. 98m-Mitch Olson, 6. 23T-Colin Baker, 7. 5h-Justyn Cox, 8. 21w-Vern Wheeler, 9. 15d-Dan Dunlap.
Heat Five (10 Laps): 1. 94-Danny Wood, 2. 51-Jason Solwold, 3. 91-Gary Taylor, 4. 29v-Robbie Vaughn, 5. 94z-Zach Zimmerly, 6. 7-Darren Long, 7. 33-Nate Morelock, 8. 6m-Phillip Del Rosa, 9. 7a-J.J. Hickle.
“B” Mains (Top 2 From Each Advance to “A” Main):
First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 2. 3d-Paul McMahan, 3. 29v-Robbie Vaughn, 4. 08-Steve Vague, 5. 7-Darren Long, 6. 2-Kenneth Walker, 7. 7k-Danny Kirkpatrick, 8. 23T-Colin Baker, 9. 15c-Cody Anderlini, 10. 72-Glenn Borden, 11. 96-Mack Brown, 12. 33-Nate Morelock.
Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 0j-Jay Cole, 2. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 3. 94T-Steven Tiner, 4. 91-Gary Taylor, 5. 6-Jayme Barnes, 6. 98m-Mitch Olson, 7. 4-Nick Engberg, 8. 12p-Randy Pierce, 9. 5h-Justyn Cox, 10. 6m-Phillip Del Rosa, 11. 15j-Jeff Dunlap. DNS: 81au-Gavin Punch.
Third “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 57-Shane Stewart, 2. 53-Jack Dover, 3. 11-Chad Corken, 4. 76-Shawn Rice, 5. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 6. 21w-Vern Wheeler, 7. 23-Seth Bergman, 8. 94z-Zach Zimmerly, 9. 25c-Chad Groves, 10. 15d-Dan Dunlap. DNS: 7a-J.J. Hickle.
Third Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial “A” Main Event:
“A” Feature (35 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 26-Travis Rutz, 4. 9x-Gary Wright, 5. 88-Tim Crawley, 6. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 7. 91-Gary Taylor, 8. 57-Shane Stewart, 9. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 10. 3d-Paul McMahan, 11. 18T-Travis Jacobson, 12. 0j-Jay Cole, 13. 2m-Mike Melwicks, 14. 9p-Jared Peterson, 15. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 16. 12-Jared Ridge, 17. 9j-J.J. Dishneau, 18. 51-Jason Solwold, 19. 94-Danny Wood, 20. 13-Jesse Hockett, 21. 53-Jack Dover, 22. 7-Darren Long, 23. 1-Sean McClelland, 24. 11c-Roger Crockett (Disqualified; weighed in below required minimum).
Lap Leaders: Travis Rilat 1-32, Roger Crockett 33-35.
Note: Gary Taylor and Darren Long utilized Lucas Oil ASCS provisionals to start the “A” Main.
Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters Points (Top 20): 1. (tie) Jason Johnson and Gary Wright 1,420, 3. Shane Stewart 1,394, 4. Travis Rilat 1,339, 5. Tim Crawley 1,311, 6. Tony Bruce, Jr. 1,279, 7. Paul McMahan 1,278, 8. Danny Wood 1,238, 9. Jack Dover 1,205, 10. Jesse Hockett 1,163, 11. Sean McClelland 1,058, 12. Gary Taylor 1,024, 13. Darren Long 943, 14. Kenneth Walker 912, 15. Chad Corken 892, 16. Nick Smith 870, 17. Gavin Punch 847, 18. Seth Bergman 832, 19. Brady Bacon 752, 20. Ricky Logan 639.
ASCS Northwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Jared Ridge 1,544, 2. Steven Tiner 1,536, 3. Roger Crockett 1,530, 4. Mitch Olson 1,458, 5. Henry VanDam 1,449, 6. Chad Groves 1,369, 7. Randy Pierce 1,246, 8. Justyn Cox 1,203, 9. Jay Cole 954, 10. Colin Baker 953.
ASCS Northwest Speedweek Points (Top Ten through Round Five of Five): 1. Jesse Hockett 696, 2. Roger Crockett 674, 3. Jared Ridge 658, 4. Jay Cole 648, 5. Wayne Johnson 625, 6. Steven Tiner 619, 7. Henry Van Dam 581, 8. Mitch Olson 577, 9. Mike Melwicks 565, 10. Chad Groves 530.
by Lonnie Wheatley
Crockett a Rocket in ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series Brownfield Memorial Prelim
July 19, 2009
The Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters broke some new ground with its first event within the State of Washington on Friday night at Grays Harbor Raceway.
Roger Crockett was the winner of the Brownfield Memorial prelim on Friday
But, for the fans on hand, it was a familiar face in victory lane as Roger Crockett topped the 30-lap Fred Brownfield Memorial preliminary feature event atop the 3/8-mile clay oval, fending off a stellar field of 52 entries including a full contingent of Lucas Oil ASCS title contenders.
“You’re not going to find a tougher field of Sprint Cars anywhere in the country, this is a big win for us,” Crockett commented after the triumph aboard the Shaver-powered Omlid & Swinney Fire Protection & Security No. 11c KPC.
Roger Crockett
Taking the lead at the outset from his pole starting position, Crockett caught a break or two in traffic to keep Travis Rilat at bay, with Tim Crawley and Jason Johnson also locking into Saturday night’s $10,092-to-win Fred Brownfield Memorial championship feature event.
After a convincing triumph in the night’s first of six heat races, Crockett redrew the pole position with Snohomish, WA, native Seth Bergman gridding to his outside in his return to Washington.
Crockett gunned into the lead at the drop of the green flag, leaving Bergman to battle with third-starter Rilat for the runner-up slot. Crockett reached lapped traffic in just a handful of circuits, with Rilat disposing of Bergman and setting his sights on the leader.
The Forney, TX, shoe reeled in Crockett and momentarily surged into the lead exiting turn two on the eleventh round. A lapped car forced Rilat to check up though, with Crockett breezing through the open door to retain command.
“We had him there, but that lapped car got in the way,” Rilat commented after his runner-up finish aboard the Shark-powered F&J Construction No. 29 Triple-X. “Obviously we want to win every night out, but this locks us into the money night tomorrow so we’re happy with it.”
Shortly after that lapped traffic mixer, the red flag flew when Ohio’s Darren Long took a rough ride down the backstretch with 13 laps in the books.
When action resumed, Tim Crawley slid past Bergman for third, with Bergman slowing to a stop moments later with race-ending woes.
Crockett kept his rivals at a distance over the final circuits, taking his second career Lucas Oil ASCS National triumph with a ten car-length advantage over Rilat as Arkansas’ Crawley claimed the show position in Mike Ward’s McCarver-powered Boater Sports No. 88 Maxim.
“We were just a touch too tight,” Crawley commented afterward.
Defending series champion Jason Johnson of Eunice, LA, slid past Steven Tiner for the fourth and final lock-in position on a lap 25 restart, securing a position for Lanny Row’s Wesmar-powered The Shop Motorsports No. 41 Eagle among the first three rows of Saturday’s main event.
Rallying from 15th, Shane Stewart made a late move to round out the top five in Paul Silva’s Wesmar-powered ProBilt Construction No. 57 A.R.T., with Tiner the second ASCS Northwest rep (after Crockett) across the stripe in sixth.
Jesse Hockett picked off a handful of positions to finish seventh after sweeping three nights of ASCS Northwest Speedweek action in Oregon, with Tony Bruce, Jr., in eighth. Four-time series champion Gary Wright escaped the night with a slim four-point lead over Johnson by racing from 16th to ninth, with Paul McMahan completing the top ten.
Crockett, Crawley, Mitch Olson, Jason Solwold, Bruce and Danny Kirkpatrick topped heat race action, with Sean McClelland, Darren Long and Kenneth Walker winning the “B” Mains.
Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters
Third Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial Preliminary
Grays Harbor Raceway – Elma, WA
Heat Races (Top 16 in Passing Points to “A” Main; Balance to 3 “B” Mains):
Heat One (10 Laps): 1. 11c-Roger Crockett, 2. 13-Jesse Hockett, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 91-Gary Taylor, 5. 9j-J.J. Dishneau, 6. 21w-Vern Wheeler, 7. 15d-Dan Dunlap, 8. 7n-Chadd Noland, 9. 29v-Robbie Vaughn.
Heat Two (10 Laps): 1. 88-Tim Crawley, 2. 08-Steve Vague, 3. 3d-Paul McMahan, 4. 0j-Jay Cole, 5. 1-Sean McClelland, 6. 94z-Zach Zimmerly, 7. 6-Jayme Barnes, 8. 76-Shawn Rice, 9. 5h-Justyn Cox.
Heat Three (10 Laps): 1. 98m-Mitch Olson, 2. 94T-Steven Tiner, 3. 9p-Jared Peterson, 4. 2m-Mike Melwicks, 5. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 6. 4-Nick Engberg, 7. 6m-Phillip Del Rosa, 8. 15c-Cody Anderlini, 9. 26-Travis Rutz.
Heat Four (10 Laps): 1. 51-Jason Solwold, 2. 72-Glenn Borden, 3. 12-Jared Ridge, 4. 57-Shane Stewart, 5. 25c-Chad Groves, 6. 7a-J.J. Hickle, 7. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 8. 11-Chad Corken. DNS: 81au-Gavin Punch.
Heat Five (10 Laps): 1. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 2. 9x-Gary Wright, 3. 2-Kenneth Walker, 4. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 5. 7-Darren Long, 6. 23T-Colin Baker, 7. 18T-Travis Jacobson, 8. 96-Mack Brown.
Heat Six (10 Laps): 1. 7k-Danny Kirkpatrick, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 23-Seth Bergman, 4. 12p-Randy Pierce, 5. 15J-Jeff Dunlap, 6. 53-Jack Dover, 7. 94-Danny Wood, 8. F1-Rick Fauver.
“B” Mains (Top 2 From Each Advance to “A” Main):
First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 1-Sean McClelland, 2. 0j-Jay Cole, 3. 7a-J.J. Hickle, 4. 08-Steve Vague, 5. 26-Travis Rutz, 6. 94-Danny Wood, 7. 44w-Austen Wheatley, 8. 2m-Mike Melwicks, 9. 18T-Travis Jacobson, 10. 15c-Cody Anderlini, 11. 6m-Phillip Del Rosa. DNS: 7n-Chadd Noland.
Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 7-Darren Long, 2. 53-Jack Dover, 3. 72-Glenn Borden, 4. 35a-Wayne Johnson, 5. 94z-Zach Zimmerly, 6. 76-Shawn Rice, 7. 12p-Randy Pierce, 8. 21w-Vern Wheeler, 9. 5h-Justyn Cox, 10. 4-Nick Engberg, 11. 96-Mack Brown, 12. 11-Chad Corken.
Third “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 2-Kenneth Walker, 2. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 3. 9p-Jared Peterson, 4. 6-Jayme Barnes, 5. 25c-Chad Groves, 6. 9j-J.J Dishneau, 7. 23T-Colin Baker, 8. 15d-Dan Dunlap, 9. 15j-Jeff Dunlap, 10. 29v-Robbie Vaughn. DNS: F1-Rick Fauver, 81au-Gavin Punch.
“A” Main Event:
“A” Feature (30 Laps): 1. 11c-Roger Crockett, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 88-Tim Crawley, 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 5. 57-Shane Stewart, 6. 94T-Steven Tiner, 7. 13-Jesse Hockett, 8. 18-Tony Bruce, Jr., 9. 9x-Gary Wright, 10. 3d-Paul McMahan, 11. 12-Jared Ridge, 12. 33v-Henry Van Dam, 13. 1-Sean McClelland, 14. 53-Jack Dover, 15. 94-Danny Wood, 16. 2-Kenneth Walker, 17. 11-Chad Corken, 18. 0j-Jay Cole, 19. 51-Jason Solwold, 20. 7k-Danny Kirkpatrick, 21. 23-Seth Bergman, 22. 7-Darren Long, 23. 98m-Mitch Olson, 24. 91-Gary Taylor.
Lap Leaders: Roger Crockett 1-30.
Note: Danny Wood and Chad Corken utilized Lucas Oil ASCS provisionals to start the “A” Main. It was the first of the year for both drivers.
Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters Points (Top 20): 1. Gary Wright 1,278, 2. Jason Johnson 1,274, 3. Shane Stewart 1,260, 4. Travis Rilat 1,189, 5. Tim Crawley 1,171, 6. Paul McMahan 1,148, 7. Tony Bruce, Jr. 1,141, 8. Danny Wood 1,126, 9. Jack Dover 1,097, 10. Jesse Hockett 1,053, 11. Sean McClelland 954, 12. Gary Taylor 888, 13. Nick Smith 870, 14. (tie) Darren Long and Kenneth Walker 837, 16. Chad Corken 817, 17. Gavin Punch 787, 18. Seth Bergman 757, 19. Brady Bacon 752, 20. Ricky Logan 639.
ASCS Northwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. (tie) Jared Ridge and Steven Tiner 1,406, 3. Roger Crockett 1,398, 4. Mitch Olson 1,338, 5. Henry VanDam 1,309, 6. Chad Groves 1,259, 7. Randy Pierce 1,130, 8. Justyn Cox 1,093, 9. Chadd Noland 928, 10. Colin Baker 837.
ASCS Northwest Speedweek Points (Top Ten through Round Three of Five): 1. Jesse Hockett 586, 2. Roger Crockett 572, 3. Steven Tiner 544, 4. Jared Ridge 540, 5. Jay Cole 522, 6. Mitch Olson 502, 7. Wayne Johnson 493, 8. Henry Van Dam 461, 9. Chad Groves 455, 10. Mike Melwicks 441.
by Lonnie Wheatley
Live Blog from Houston Motorsports Park, 7/18/09
July 17, 2009
We’re up and running and all set to cover the racing action here at Houston Motorsports Park. Just click on the screen below to get started with the Live Blog!
Nick Holt, Admin
Lone Star Speedzone
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