Austin Self earns his second Texas Super Racing Series checkered flag at Thunderhill Raceway
August 4, 2010
For the second time this season, Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model rookie Austin Self ended up in Thunderhill Raceway’s Victory Circle. And for the second time this season he did it in convincing fashion. after the dust settled at the tight, 3/8-mile, D-shaped, asphalt bullring Saturday night.
14 year-old Austin Self celebrates his second TSRS Late Model win at Thunderhill Raceway
The fourteen year-old Self, who qualified fourth fastest on the tight, 3/8-mile D-shaped asphalt bullring, started on the outside of row two for the 50-lap TSRS Late Model “Reagan Smith Memorial 50,” jumped into the lead on the very first lap after a great inside move and proceeded to lead every lap of the “clean and green” feature.
But it certainly was no cakewalk as the youngster had to hold off two of the most talented drivers in Texas - multi-race winners Robert Barker and TSRS point leader Bobby Teer, Jr. – for the entire 50 laps. First it was Barker taking a long looks inside as it appeared that Self’s ride might be a tad loose coming of the turns. Then it was Teer trading paint with the FEP Chevrolet over the last dozen laps.
After filling Self’s mirror for several laps with his battle-proven Ford, Barker seemed ready to make his move. But just as he set up for the pass, Teer timed his own move and got under Barker to take over the second spot, dropping Barker to third.
Almost immediately Teer traded paint with the leader and tried for several laps to force Self into an error, but the cool-as-a-cucumber teen held his line as the action heated up. Bumper tag became the name-of-the-game over the last few laps, but Self was able to fend off the repeated challenges to claim the win by less than a car length as the top three crossed the finish line in a bunch.
“I really had my hands full with both Robert (Barker) and Bobby (Teer,Jr.)” Self said during a post-race interview. “Those two guys are two of the best and to be able to hold them off for 50 green-flag laps was a pretty big challenge. I just tried to keep my hand on the wheel, be patient and hold my line.”
“Bobby saw that I was a little loose coming off the turns and he did his best to loosen me up a little more, “ Self chuckled. “The car loosened up on me some late in the race because the tires heated up during that long green run, but both those guys raced me clean and I thank them for that. I think they both know I’d race them clean if it was the other way around. Really, any one of us three could have won that race, but I’m glad it was the FEP Chevrolet taking the checkered.
“I want to thank FEP for backing my racing this year and I can’t say enough about J.R. and Heath for giving me another great car. It takes a great sponsor and a great team to win and I’ve got both,” Self concluded.
Results of the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model “Reagan Smith Memorial 50”
Showing Finishing position, Car number, Name, Hometown, Laps completed, Qualifying time
1. 07 Austin Self Austin, TX 50 laps QT 15.677
2. 2 Bobby Teer Jr. Comfort, TX 50 laps QT 15.383
3. 17 Robert Barker Boerne, TX 50 laps QT 15.476
4. 92 Taylor Brandes Garden Ridge, TX 50 laps QT 15.581
5. 28 Jeff O’Neill Round Rock, TX 50 laps QT 15.869
6. 56 Joey Jenkins Del Valle, TX 48 laps QT 16.628
7. 5 Heather Ables Whitney, TX 48 laps QT 16.418
8. 04 Cory Roper Baytown, TX 37 laps QT 15.885
9. 3 Mike Reininger San Antonio, TX 2 laps QT 15.966
10. 25 JT Schild Leander, TX 0 laps QT 15.703
QT – Qualifying Time
DNQ – Did Not Qualify
By Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photo by Tory Christopher
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