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Travis Rilat rounds up ASCS Lone Star Region win at Cowtown Speedway

The Kennedale parking lot challenge came to the most spectacular of conclusions at Cowtown Speedway on Saturday night, with Travis Rilat ultimately standing in victory lane when the checkered flag flew upon the evening’s 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Lone Star feature event.

And, after a last-lap scramble for the lead that sent Kevin Ramey out of the park, the roar from the crowd was an undeniable one, a hearty mix of both cheers and jeers directed towards the Forney, TX, racer.

“You know they’ll be back in October for the ASCS Cowtown Sprint Nationals after that one,” Rilat commented afterward.

Ramey, who started the feature event inside the third row alongside Rilat, had battled past early pacesetter Matt Clevenger on the 14th circuit and was closing in on his fourth series triumph of the year aboard Ray Williams’ No. 7m entry.

But, as heavy traffic became a factor in the final rounds, Rilat quickly began closing the gap on the leader after taking second away from Clevenger on the 18th circuit.

On Ramey’s tailtank as the white flag flew, Rilat dove to the bottom of the track entering turn one and edged ahead as the pair raced off turn two with Ramey on the top side.

Wheel-to-wheel down the backstretch and approaching turn three, contact was made and the current ASCS Lone Star point leader tumbled several times before launching over the turn three retaining wall and out of sight into the back pit area.

“I had him passed coming off of two,” Rilat explained afterward. “I was moving to the top to get into three and he just drove right over my right rear.”

Ramey likely disagreed with that account, as evidenced by his march down the backstretch to Rilat’s mount parked in turn two, where some pleasantries were exchanged among the drivers and several crew members.

With the stage set for a green-white-checkered run after the lap 25 mishap, Rilat raced on to the stripe unchallenged aboard the Shark-powered F&J Construction No. 29 Triple-X for his 17th career ASCS Regional triumph and 41st overall ASCS victory.

Rilat’s apparent $1,500 payday was bolstered in a big way by www.shoptheboss.com, which anted up $3,600 worth of hardwood flooring for the triumph, making the night’s take worth $5,100.

Rilat was chased to the stripe by Matt Clevenger, who settled for runner-up honors after pacing the initial 13 circuits. “We had a first place car, just didn’t get the job done,” a disappointed Clevenger explained.

Eric Baldaccini claimed the show position, while current ASCS Southwest points leader Ben Gregg of Phoenix, AZ, charged from 16th to claim fourth at the stripe. George White rounded out the top five, with Marvin Lough in sixth.

Skip Wilson rebounded from a lap 12 incident in which Brian Parker got upside down in turn one to finish seventh, with Claud Estes, Scott Reneau and 17th-starter Brian McClelland completing the top ten.

Baldaccini, Kolt Walker, Ramey and Clevenger topped Saturday night’s heat race action, with McClelland winning the 15-lap “B” Main.

Ramey was credited with a 15th place finish in the final rundown, escaping the night with a 135-point advantage over Brad Welborn, who scratched from “B” Main action with engine woes.

ASCS Lone Star competition continues with next weekend’s double versus the ASCS Gulf South Region at Crandall’s RPM Speedway on Friday night and then Mesquite’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Saturday night.

ASCS Lone Star Results from Cowtown Speedway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 65-Skip Wilson, 4. 20-Chad Wilson, 5. 25-Brian McClelland, 6. 76-John Ricketts, 7. 14-Michael Lang, 8. 71T-Shane Thompson.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 9-Brian Parker, 3. 10-George White, 4. 11-Justin Melton, 5. 22b-Ben Gregg, 6. 17w-Brad Welborn, 7. 5m-Glenn Martin, 8. 56-Jarrett Lucito.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 2. 74e-Claud Estes, 3. 1r-Scott Reneau, 4. 22j-John Gaston, 5. 87-Billy Melton, 6. 45-J.P. Bailey, 7. 87a-Andrew Marshala.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 2. 69-Larry Howery, 3. 39-Marvin Lough, 4. 0-Chris Morgan, 5. 5c-Chris Coker, 6. 55-David Doyle, 7. 88-Andy Rea.

“B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 87-Billy Melton, 3. 45-J.P. Bailey, 4. 76-John Ricketts, 5. 5c-Chris Coker, 6. 20-Chad Wilson, 7. 5m-Glenn Martin, 8. 55-David Doyle, 9. 56-Jarrett Lucito, 10. 71T-Shane Thompson, 11. 88-Andy Rea, 12. 14-Michael Lang. DNS: 17w-Brad Welborn, 87a-Andrew Marshala.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 29-Travis Rilat, 2. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 22b-Ben Gregg, 5. 10-George White, 6. 39-Marvin Lough, 7. 65-Skip Wilson, 8. 74e-Claud Estes, 9. 1r-Scott Reneau, 10. 25-Brian McClelland, 11. 11-Justin Melton, 12. 22j-John Gaston, 13. 45-J.P. Bailey, 14. 69-Larry Howery, 15. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 16. 45k-Kolt Walker, 17. 76-John Ricketts, 18. 0-Chris Morgan, 19. 9-Brian Parker, 20. 87-Billy Melton.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 1,670, 2. Brad Welborn 1,535, 3. Justin Melton 1,524, 4. Matt Clevenger 1,522, 5. Claud Estes 1,499, 6. Eric Baldaccini 1,463, 7. Michael Lang 1,422, 8. Kolt Walker 1,361, 9. Scott Reneau 1,350, 10. Brian McClelland 1,316.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Jason Johnson covers ASCS Gulf South Sprints at 105 Speedway

Jason Johnson picked off his third consecutive American Sprint Car Series Regional win by topping Saturday night’s 25-lap ASCS Gulf South main event at 105 Speedway.

After sweeping last weekend’s Sooner Region action in Oklahoma, Johnson outlasted Tommy Bryant to take top honors aboard Marvin Pearson’s No. 11 entry in Saturday’s finale.

While Bryant spun to the infield after running afoul of lapped traffic in the race’s closing stages, Johnson went on to take the checkered flag in front of two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman, with Scottie McDonald claiming the show position.

Terry Monroe crossed the stripe fourth, with current ASCS Gulf South points leader Aaron Reutzel racing from 15th to round out the top five.

Travis Elliott was sixth, with Chris Sweeney, Greg Rilat, Brandon Corn and Channin Tankersley completing the top ten.

Kent Lewis, Jr., Rod Craddock, Corn and T. Elliott topped heat race action with Reutzel winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Gulf South Results from 105 Speedway:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 2. 31-Brandon Berryman, 3. 20-Terry Monroe, 4. 19-Klint Angelette, 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 6. 3-Gary Watson.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 96-Rod Craddock, 2. 35-Greg Rilat, 3. 70-Anthony Reaves, 4. 93-Chris Sweeney, 5. 52-Roger Oakes, 6. 12-Kent Lewis, Sr.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 74-Brandon Corn, 2. 11-Jason Johnson, 3. 30-Scottie McDonald, 4. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 5. 71-Channin Tankersley, 6. 5s-Jack Spencer.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 15T-Travis Elliott, 2. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 3. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 4. 12x-Logan Bledsoe, 5. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 6. 30x-Bean Elliott.

“B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 71-Channin Tankersley, 3. 12x-Logan Bledsoe, 4. 5s-Jack Spencer, 5. 3-Gary Watson, 6. 30x-Bean Elliott, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 8. 12-Kent Lewis, Sr., 9. 52-Roger Oakes, 10. 12s-Steve Hubbard.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 11-Jason Johnson, 2. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 3. 30-Scottie McDonald, 4. 20-Terry Monroe, 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 6. 15T-Travis Elliott, 7. 93-Chris Sweeney, 8. 35-Greg Rilat, 9. 74-Brandon Corn, 10. 71-Channin Tankersley, 11. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 12. 70-Anthony Reaves, 13. 96-Rod Craddock, 14. 30x-Bean Elliott, 15. 19-Klint Angelette, 16. 12x-Logan Bledsoe, 17. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 18. 5s-Jack Spencer, 19. 3-Gary Watson, 20. 51-Jimmy Brooks.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 2,502, 2. Tommy Bryant 2,432, 3. Channin Tankersley 2,374, 4. Scottie McDonald 2,298, 5. Brandon Berryman 2,267, 6. Kent Lewis, Jr. 2,258, 7. Greg Rilat 2,203, 8. Ray Allen Kulhanek 2,076, 9. Gary Watson 2,073, 10. Jimmy Brooks 2,011.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Live Updates from Thunderhill Raceway, 8/29/09

I should be firing up the Live Updates around 5:00 p.m. today.

Feel free to comment as we go through the racing program. Sometimes there will be a delay between the time you post and the time your comments show up in the blog, but be patient because I’m probably just too busy at the time to get to the comments….

Nick

Brian McClelland wins wild ASCS Lone Star feature at Kennedale Speedway Park

Brian McClelland topped the opening leg of the Kennedale parking lot challenge by earning a much-needed victory in Friday night’s frenetic 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region main event at Kennedale Speedway Park.

The two-time ASCS Sooner Region champion hailing from Tulsa, OK, cashed in on Travis Rilat’s late misfortune, pacing the final handful of circuits to the checkered flag after Rilat surrendered the point with steering woes.

“This year has been the worst, we really needed this one,” a relieved McClelland commented after his second overall ASCS Regional win of the year. “In fact, we both needed it,” he stated in reference to long-time Sooner Region car owner Ronnie Davis, whom he joined forces with several weeks ago.

McClelland’s final stint at the front of the pack was his third different time to lead the wild 25-lapper after starting from the outside pole position aboard Davis’ D&L Performance Machine No. 25 Eagle.

Outgunning pole starter Skip Wilson for the lead at the drop of the green flag, McClelland reached the tail of the field in just three circuits on the tight ¼-mile clay oval, establishing what would become a recurring theme in the race.

“It seemed like it was just two or three laps and you were beating on lapped traffic again,” McClelland explained. “And those guys were racing for position too, it was tough.”

McClelland gave up the lead for the first time when Wilson took advantage of traffic on the sixth round. McClelland battled back three laps later, only to have Michael Lang’s turn one spin bring out a caution that negated the move.

McClelland wasted little time on the restart though, blasting past Wilson in turns three and four to reclaim the lead on the ninth circuit. “He left an opening and I was able to take advantage.”

With traffic an ever-present factor and cars throughout the field often bicycling at either end of the track, ninth-starter Rilat was on the move. Up to third by the time Lang spun, Rilat raced past Wilson for second on the tenth round and began putting the heat on McClelland for the point.

Finding the opening he needed, Rilat charged into the lead on the 14th circuit and appeared to be destined for victory lane until steering issues forced him to a stop in turn two on the 21st lap.

Back up front with three lapped cars between himself and Wilson on the final restart, there was no stopping McClelland from capturing his seventh career ASCS Regional win and first since teaming with Wichita Falls, TX, car owner Davis.

Wilson held on for runner-up honors, with Kolt Walker taking the show position. Eric Baldaccini climbed a half-dozen positions to snare fourth, while eighth-starter and current ASCS Lone Star points leader Kevin Ramey worked up to third and then lost a pair of positions in the final laps to round out the top five.

J.P. Bailey was sixth, with 18th-starter Brad Welborn, Matt Clevenger, Lang and Arizona’s Ben Gregg completing the top ten.

Bailey, Walker, McClelland and Clevenger topped heat race action for Friday night’s 31-car field, with Gregg winning the 15-lap “B” Main.

Scott Reneau got upside down lining up for the night’s third heat race, with Billy Melton taking a hard ride down the backstretch on the opening lap of the “B” Main. Melton walked away uninjured, while Reneau ultimately finished 13th in the “A” Main.

After contact with Chad Wilson, Topeka, KS, shoe Chris Morgan took out some of the infield signage towards turn three and four in the main event.

The ASCS Lone Star Region moves across the parking lot to Cowtown Speedway on Saturday night for the second leg of the Kennedale parking lot challenge.

ASCS Lone Star Results from Kennedale Speedway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 45-J.P. Bailey, 2. 14-Michael Lang, 3. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 4. 69-Larry Howery, 5. 22j-John Gaston, 6. 88-Andy Rea, 7. 58-Gary Floyd, 8. 45x-Martin Edwards.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 45k-Kolt Walker, 2. 11-Justin Melton, 3. 65-Skip Wilson, 4. 22b-Ben Gregg, 5. 39-Marvin Lough, 6. 17w-Brad Welborn, 7. 5c-Chris Coker, 8. 87x-Billy Melton.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 87a-Andrew Marshala, 3. 29-Travis Rilat, 4. 74-Claud Estes, 5. 76-John Ricketts, 6. 71T-Shane Thompson, 7. 14b-Robert Byrom, 8. 1r-Scott Reneau.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 2. 0-Chris Morgan, 3. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 4. 9-Brian Parker, 5. 20-Chad Wilson, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin. DNS: 26-Dalton Steed.

“B” Feature (15 Laps): 1. 22b-Ben Gregg, 2. 17w-Brad Welborn, 3. 1r-Scott Reneau, 4. 20-Chad Wilson, 5. 5m-Glenn Martin, 6. 9-Brian Parker, 7. 5c-Chris Coker, 8. 45x-Martin Edwards, 9. 76-John Ricketts, 10. 88-Andy Rea, 11. 71T-Shane Thompson, 12. 87x-Billy Melton. DNS: 14b-Robert Byrom, 58-Gary Floyd, 26-Dalton Steed.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 65-Skip Wilson, 3. 45k-Kolt Walker, 4. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 5. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 6. 45-J.P. Bailey, 7. 17w-Brad Welborn, 8. 31m-Matt Clevenger, 9. 14-Michael Lang, 10. 22b-Ben Gregg, 11. 22j-John Gaston, 12. 74e-Claud Estes, 13. 1r-Scott Reneau, 14. 29-Travis Rilat, 15. 11-Justin Melton, 16. 20-Chad Wilson, 17. 0-Chris Morgan, 18. 69-Larry Howery, 19. 39-Marvin Lough, 20. 87a-Andrew Marshala.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Kevin Ramey 1,550, 2. Brad Welborn 1,460, 3. Justin Melton 1,396, 4. Matt Clevenger 1,376, 5. Claud Estes 1,365, 6. Michael Lang 1,347, 7. Eric Baldaccini 1,319, 8. Kolt Walker 1,243, 9. Scott Reneau 1,218, 10. Brian McClelland 1,186.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Lone Star Region visits Kennedale Speeway Park and Cowtown Speedway this weekend

There’s not another layout like it. No other site has two different dirt tracks separated by little more than a parking lot.

Sprint Car fans will have the opportunity to check out this unique configuration this weekend near Fort Worth, TX, as the American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region takes to the pair of Kennedale ¼-mile clay ovals.

On Friday night, the series invades Kennedale Speedway Park. Then, on Saturday night, it’s a couple of hundred yards across the parking lot to the high banks of Cowtown Speedway.

Kevin Ramey, who was topped both Lone Star events at Cowtown this year, leads the way into the weekend with an 86-point advantage in the chase for the inaugural ASCS Lone Star championship. The Fort Worth shoe is trying to add Lone Star accolades to a pair of previous Sooner Region crowns.

Ramey’s closest chaser is Brad Welborn, an ASCS winner at Cowtown last year. Welborn is 48 markers ahead of Flower Mound’s Justin Melton, with fellow Flower Mound shoe Matt Clevenger and Godley’s Claud Estes rounding out the current top five.

The balance of the current top ten in Lone Star points includes Mesquite’s Michael Lang, Keller’s Eric Baldaccini, Graham’s Kolt Walker, Kemp’s Scott Reneau and Burleson’s John Ricketts.

While Ramey has topped both previous Lone Star events at Cowtown this season, Baldaccini took top honors in the series’ lone previous stop at Kennedale Speedway Park.

This weekend’s Kennedale Speedway Park-Cowtown double marks the first of three consecutive weekends of Lone Star competition, with challenge events versus the ASCS Gulf South Region at Crandall’s RPM Speedway and Mesquite’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Labor Day weekend (September 4-5) followed up by a September 12 stop at Kilgore’s Lone Star Speedway.

Both nights of racing action are slated to get under way at 7:00 p.m.

The pair of Kennedale, TX, tracks are located just east of Fort Worth off I-20 Exit 442-A, then 1.7 miles southeast on Mansfield Highway, then 1.4 miles southwest on New Hope Road.

The semi-banked, ¼-mile Kennedale Speedway Park dirt oval may be reached at 817-478-7223 or 817-229-0287, while the high-banked, ¼-mile Cowtown Speedway dirt oval can be contacted at 817-478-9952.

The inaugural slate of ASCS Lone Star Region competition consists of 18 events at nine different tracks throughout North Texas in addition to one venture north of the Red River to Oklahoma City’s State Fair Speedway.

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at Kennedale Speedway Park:
7/11/09 – Eric Baldaccini
7/25/08 – Joe Wood, Jr.
6/27/08 – Joe Wood, Jr.

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at Cowtown Speedway:
6/27/09 – Kevin Ramey (Lone Star)
4/4/09 – Kevin Ramey (Lone Star)
10/11/08 – Brian Brown (National vs. Sooner)
10/10/08 – Gavin Punch (National vs. Sooner)
8/23/08 – Kolt Walker (Gulf South)
7/26/08 – Brad Welborn (Sooner)
5/17/08 – Gary Taylor (Sooner)
4/5/08 – Travis Rilat (Sooner)
9/15/07 - Nick Smith (Sooner)
7/7/07 - Brian McClelland (Sooner)
4/14/07 - Kevin Ramey (Sooner)
9/23/06 - Travis Rilat (Sooner)
6/10/06 - Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sooner)
4/8/06 - Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sooner)
9/24/05 - Travis Rilat (Sooner)
6/25/05 - Jason Martin (National vs. Sooner)
4/9/05 - Sean McClelland (Sooner)
9/25/04 - Andy Shouse (Sooner)
5/29/04 - Kevin Ramey (Sooner)

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Gulf South ready for Golden Triangle Raceway Park and 105 Speedway this weekend

After three idle weekends, the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region fires back to action with a pair of events in southeast Texas this weekend.

On Friday night, the series takes to Beaumont’s 3/8-mile Golden Triangle Raceway Park for the sixth of seven scheduled events in 2009. Then, on Saturday night, it’s on to Cleveland’s 105 Speedway for the third time this season.

Leading the way into the weekend in his bid to become the series fifth different champion is 19-year-old Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, who picked off his first career ASCS Gulf South feature win in the series most recent stop at Golden Triangle Raceway Park on July 17.

Reutzel’s series record streak of 15 consecutive top-ten feature finishes was finally snapped in the series most recent event versus the Lone Star Region at Waco’s Heart O’ Texas Speedway on July 31.

Reutzel will start from scratch on a new streak with this weekend’s pair of events followed by next weekend’s double against the Lone Star Region at Crandall’s RPM Speedway and Mesquite’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on September 4-5.

Reutzel carries an advantage of just 46 markers over Tommy Bryant into this weekend’s action, with Channin Tankersley, Scottie McDonald and Kent Lewis, Jr., rounding out the current top five.

Two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman enters the weekend ranked sixth, with the balance of the current top ten including Ray Allen Kulhanek, Greg Rilat, Gary Watson and Jimmy Brooks.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at 105 Speedway set to go green at 8:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Cleveland, Texas’ ¼-mile, semi-banked 105 Speedway clay oval is located six miles west of US 59 on SR 105, then 0.3 miles north on Fostoria. For more information, contact the track at 281-592-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 nights of racing action at ten different tracks throughout Texas in 2009.

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
7/17/09 – Aaron Reutzel
6/19/09 – Travis Rilat
5/16/09 - Gary Wright
5/16/09 - Tommy Bryant (4/24 Makeup Feature)
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at 105 Speedway:
6/6/09 – Ray Allen Kulhanek
3/7/09 - Gary Wright
7/5/08 - Bryn Gohn
6/7/08 - Brandon Berryman
4/5/08 - Jason Johnson
9/2/07 - Jason Johnson
7/28/07 - Scottie McDonald

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Texan Kristin Bumbera rejoins NASCAR Camping World West on September 4th

Kristin Bumbera returns to the West Series on September 4, 2009, to compete in the NASCAR Camping World Series race - the Central Iowa Building and Construction Trades 125 - at Iowa Speedway.

This will be Bumbera’s second time to visit the .875-mile tri-oval this season. In May she drove in the East / West combo race for Bobby Hamilton, Jr. Racing with a disappointing 28th place finish. Bumbera left the team shortly thereafter and is competing with her own team, Next Generation Racing, Inc., based out of Houston, TX.

This 21-year-old Texan has shown some grit this season and is a firm believer that if you stick to your morals - never giving up - that good things will come.

“I wouldn’t be racing in Iowa if it were not for some good-hearted people who have seen me struggle this season with my previous team,” Bumbera said. “John and Jonathon Gomez, owners of Century Boatland in Twin Falls, ID have stepped up to the plate and sponsored me so that I can get back out on the track this season. The irony in the situation is that Jonathon happens to be another driver who also struggled with his previous team earlier in the season. So he knows exactly what I’m dealing with off the track and the financial losses we’re trying to overcome. We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Jonathon and going racing!”

This season Bumbera became the highest-ranking full-time female driver in any NASCAR series. She is currently racing part-time in the NCWS as well as competing in super late model races throughout the country.

“We are just like many other race teams these days who are dealing with the economy the best they can. However our team is unique being female-owned and female-driven. We’re looking for that product that could use a female to promote it,” Bumbera said hopefully.

Bumbera who has been racing since the age of 8 has 16 wins, 52 top 5’s, 92 top 10’s, and multiple track records to her credit. She was honored at Daytona in February by NASCAR and named last year’s Drive for Diversity Program Participant of the Year for her accomplishments and character on and off of the racetrack.

Next Generation Racing, Inc., is the only professional NASCAR team based out of Texas. It is owned by Cheri Bumbera and is a certified woman owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and holds a Texas State HUB Certification. The race team competes with two female drivers, Kristin and sister, Kendall Bumbera. At age 16, Kendall will be competing in various late model series throughout the country and is currently in a tight battle for Rookie of the Year in the Texas Super Racing Series late models.

For more information visit www.kristinbumbera.com, www.centuryboatland.com and www.bumberas.com

by Cheri Bumbera

Shady Oaks Speedway promoter Jim Scribellito down, but certainly not out

Jim Scribellito and his wife Laurie sold their successful business ventures in California last year and moved to Texas to fulfill their dream of owning and operating a stock car race track by purchasing Shady Oaks Speedway in Goliad, Texas.

“We found the track listed for sale on the internet,” Jim said shortly after his arrival in Texas last year. “Laurie and I flew to Texas to have a look, fell in love with the place as soon as we saw it and here we are ready to make Shady Oaks into one of the finest racing facilities in Texas.”

Jim, a dirt track Dwarf Car driver in California, came well-equipped with a sound business plan and the willingness to do whatever it might take to get the track in racing shape by the start of the 2009 racing season. After lots of hard work and lots of support from the South Texas dirt track racing community, Shady Oaks opened for business as planned on April 4, 2009, and, by all accounts, was an instant success.

Always a racer first, last Saturday, August 9, 2009, Jim hopped into his Dwarf Car to compete on his well-prepared dirt racing surface as he has several times in the past, not only at Shady Oaks but at the neighboring Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas, as well. No need for details here, but Jim and his car ended up in a series of flips that left Jim strapped to a backboard in a helicopter headed for an emergency room in San Antonio.

From his hospital bed, Jim asked that the following be posted on the Shady Oaks Speedway forum on Lone Star Speedzone.

“Every time a race car driver gets in his car, he/she can expect at least minimal injury – at worst, death. The excitement of beating that overrides all of that concern.

You Shady Oaks drivers have come to know me as one of the hardest working and caring race track promoters you’ve ever known. My plans for Shady Oaks Speedway will continue through me or vicariously through me to become the most well-run facility you’ve ever been to.

The Lord found Shady Oaks for our family and brought us here for that reason. We’ve met so many good people since our arrival. I cannot express our gratitude enough for that!

The extent of my injuries, at this point, is serious enough to not know my future. But I do know, and you know, that I fight for everything I do and will continue to fight to survive. The extent of my injuries up to this point includes two broken shoulders, a broken back and a very bruised spinal cord – all of which have caused paralysis from the neck - down. I’m going on a ventilator in order to breathe.

I have hope, as I have some feeling in my lower extremities. With this hope, I will fight for every inch of ground, to recover and come back as your Shady Oaks promoter.

Please do not give up on Shady Oaks Speedway, as the people in place care as much as I, for the well-being of Shady Oaks. Shady Oaks is not just a race track, it’s a way of life.

I thank each and every one of you for your support up to now and in the future. I will be back, but it might take a while. I’ve never loved anything more than my family and the life we’ve begun at Shady Oaks Speedway.”

And he signed it, “With Hope and Determination, Jim Scribellito.”

The South Texas racing community has, as you might expect, rallied around the fallen track owner.

There is a benefit racing event planned in October. Someone set up a PayPal account to help with the medical expenses (which will be enormous). Several racers have stepped up to take care of the track maintenance and preparation in Jim’s absence. Folks have volunteered everything from fire wood to media support. The Race Director has stepped into the Promoter’s role.

All this in less than a week with plenty more to come.

Racers by nature are a very independent, competitive bunch, but when one of their fellow racers goes down, the whole racing community suddenly puts old rivalries aside, forgets - for a while at least -who put whom in the wall last time out and bands together to do whatever it takes to take care of the one in need.

Jim, your dream is alive and well. A whole lot of your fellow racers will see to it.

by Nick Holt

Casey Smith looking for luck in Blizzard Series go at Five Flags

Bubba Pollard has been on a tear throughout the Deep South racing scene so far in 2009. He has captured Pro and Super Late Model checkered flags and currently holds the Blizzard Series point lead going into the fourth of its five rounds this Friday, August 7th at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL.

Pollard’s rear view mirror has been full of many contenders so far this year at Five Flags, two of which have their guns blazing for the Carpenter’s Campers 100 at Five Flags Friday night.

Pensacola native and teenage phenom Johanna Long already has a Blizzard Series win to her credit this season and sits only 25 points behind Pollard in the Blizzard Series point standings. Texan Casey Smith is a consistent frontrunner at Five Flags and is the defending Miller Lite Super Late Model champion at Mobile International Speedway (AL). He is also close behind in fourth in points, just 80 points back from Pollard.

Long and Smith have had different types of luck so far in the five-race Super Late Model series at Five Flags, but both have their guns blazing to take down the victory in the Carpenter’s Campers 100 this Friday night.

“We are really excited to get back racing at Five Flags,” said Long. “Freddie (Query, Crew Chief) and all the guys gave me the best car I have ever had at Pensacola the last time we were there. The car was so good; I hope it will be just as good when we run there again.

“I want to go out there and win again, but we also have to make sure we are competitive as we can be. We are fighting Bubba Pollard and Augie Grill (third in points) for the Blizzard Series championship. You don’t want to get into a wreck or anything because that could cost you the title. Hopefully everything will turn out the way we want it to.”

While Long knows the feeling of victory at Five Flags, Smith has not yet had that thrill in his years of competing at the Pensacola half-mile. Smith is a former track champion at the nearby Mobile and South Alabama Speedways and a winner in several different Super Late Model series, but winning at Five Flags would be a neverbefore-seen thrill.

“Winning a Blizzard race at Five Flags Speedway would almost be like winning the Snowball Derby for us,” said Smith. “We have had a real hard time trying to figure out Pensacola. We went to the Snowball Derby last year with a good setup and we have been building off that ever since.

“We tried some crazy things here over the years; we kept think that this place was so different, but we realized that it is a racetrack just like any other place.”

Like Long, Smith is headed into the fourth round of the Blizzard Series knowing that his team has gained on the setup at Five Flags.

“We were running good the last time we ran at Pensacola,” added Smith. “We were leading the race and we got tangled up with some lap car. Now we just want to go back and put together the entire 100 laps and get a victory. We know we are closer now then we have ever been before. It would also mean a lot for the team because we have not yet won this season.”

While Smith hopes to capture his first win of the 2009 season, Long is out to take Blizzard Series win number-three in the Carpenter’s Campers 100.

“It would be a dream come true if we could win a third race in the Blizzard Series,” said Long. “The whole team works hard to make sure we are competitive and winning is the goal, but we know it doesn’t happen every week. When you win at Five Flags it means a lot because you have beaten the best in the Super Late Model World.

“We have been doing a lot of racing at other tracks so it will be good to go back home and race. Five Flags is my favorite track and hopefully we will do well in the Blizzard race.”

Bubba Pollard is the point leader at Five Flags and in the Sunoco Gulf Coast Championship standings, which is a two-track combination point fund for competitors in the Blizzard Series and the Miller Lite Super Late Model Series at Mobile International Speedway. With just two races remaining in each, Long sits second in Blizzard points and third in the Gulf Coast standings behind Pollard and Augie Grill. Smith is fourth in both standings.

Qualifying for the Carpenter’s Campers 100 will begin at 6:45 pm, with the feature events set to take the green flag at 8pm. The Super Stock, Sportsmen, and Bomber divisions will also hit the Five Flags half-mile.
Fans unable to attend the Five Flags Blizzard Series event can hear it live on RaceTalkRadio.com, presented by Speed 51 Radio.

The Carpenter’s Campers 100 is the fourth round of the five-race Blizzard Series at Five Flags Speedway. The fifth and final point event will be held on Friday, September 25th. The top-two point finishers in the Blizzard Series will receive guaranteed starting positions in the 42nd Annual Snowball Derby, December 3rd through 6th at the famed Pensacola racetrack.

For more information about Five Flags Speedway, the Carpenter’s Campers 100 or the 42nd Annual Snowball Derby, please visit www.5flagsspeedway.com or contact the track by calling (850) 944-8400.

by Blizzard Series PR

Jake Kruger dominates Texas Super Racing Series Late Model “DWIDUDE.COM 75” at Houston Motorsports Park

Teenage sensation Jake Kruger turned in a dominating performance Saturday night at Houston Motorsports Park, leading 75 laps and winning the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model “DWIDUDE.COM 75.”

Kruger, who qualified third fastest in the fourteen-car field at the well-maintained 3/8-mile oval, drew the pole position in the pre-race draw, led from the drop of the green and crossed the finish line 75 laps later to take the victory – his fourth of the season - in his Turner Motorsports, Kruger Motorsports, BMF Shocks, Oval Components, GenTech sponsored Late Model.

During practice, however, there was some concern that Kruger might not even make the starting lineup.

“We found some water in one of the cylinders and we weren’t sure where it came from,” the youngster said after the win. “We thought it was probably the head gasket, so our team changed it out, but we went back to the shop to get the backup engine – just in case.”

It turned out that it was indeed the head gasket and the rest is history. Kruger easily kept the field at bay and was never seriously challenged.

Brian Moczygemba ran a consistent second most of the race until another teenage driver, Cody Smith, worked his way under the veteran Moczygemba to take the runner-up spot with six laps remaining.

Bobby Teer, Jr. ran a strong, thoughtful race and was rewarded with a well-deserved top-five finish.

Robert Barker, who set fast time during qualifying, had a rough night, but ended up in the top five anyway. Barker was running a strong fourth and was looking to challenge Chris Schild for third when the pair made contact and Schild spun to bring out the caution on the 25th circuit. That sent Barker to the back of the pack.

Barker worked his way up to fifth by the time the checkered waved.

“I’m not real sure about that call that got me sent to the rear,” Barker said during the post-race tech inspection. “That’s racing, but they described the exact same situation I was in during the drivers’ meeting, but they sent me to the rear anyway.”

When asked about his dominating performance, Kruger was quick to give all the credit to his race team.
“These guys are the best,” he said. “They worked all day fixing the engine problem and still gave me a car that couldn’t be beat. All I had to do was drive it.”

Official results of the “DWIDUDE 75”

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Fastest Lap

1. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX 75 laps QT 15.040
2. 05 Cody Smith, LaVernia, TX 75 laps QT 15.047 (Hard charger 3-way tie)
3. 50 Brian Moczygemba, San Antonio, TX 75 laps QT 15.098
4. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX 75 laps QT 15.126 (Hard Charger 3-way tie)
5. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX 75 laps QT 14.943 (Fast Time)
6. 7 Chris Schild, Leander, TX 75 laps QT 15.017
7. 23 Larry Bendele, Adkins, TX 75 laps QT 15.370 (Hard Charger 3-way tie)
8. *49 Robert Walton, Bastrop, TX 75 laps QT 15.881
9. *96 Todd Farris, College Station, TX 74 laps QT 15.550
10. 4 Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX 69 laps QT 15.076
11. *99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX 69 laps QT 15.401
12. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, TX 68 laps QT 15.460
13. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX 33 laps QT 15.192
14. 33 Jason Boyd, Magnolia, TX 0 laps QT 15.133

by Nick Holt
Photo by Tory Christopher

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