Live Updates from Houston Motorsports Park, 5/17/08 Options

[NickHolt]

Here we are at beautiful Houston Motorsports Park. A nice day here. 78 degrees. Mostly cloudy.

20 Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) cars in the pits. Should be a barnburner for their 75-lap feature, the "Insty-Prints 75."

ASA Pro Late Models qualified 10 cars with That Felton clicking off a scorching 13.996 second lap. Johnny Walker timed at 14.108, Joe Aramendia at 14.113, Greg Davidson at 14.115, T. Wade Welch at 14.174, Carl Smith at 14.282, Larry Schild, III at 14.282, Ralph Burris at 14.339, Kent Baltzell at 14.439 and Matt Mecum at 14.499.

Pro Modifieds have 9 cars taking time trials. J.C. Umscheid was real quick at 14.655, Tuffy Hudson at 14.802, Ralph Burris, Jr, at 14.891, Brad Hudak at 14.982, Jason Morman at 14.999, Mike Williams at 15.055, Tryan Stutes at 15.063, Jerry Schild at 15.199 and Jim Nides at 15.293.

Twelve Pro Stocks went under the clock. Arthur Hermis timed at 16.432, Del Harris at 16.491, Lynn Hardy at 16.495, James Huff at 16.519, Ty Daniel at 16.549, Jim Asher, Sr. at 16.813, Fernando Davila at 16.920, Janette Huff at 17.090, Richard Smith Sr. at 20.637 and Richard Smith Jr. at 24.055.

Alec Stutes set fast time for the 9 Bandoleros at 18.926. Boyd Bumbera at 18.994, Travis Benson at 19.051, Brandon Spreen at 19.191, Brandon Walterbach at 19.350, Jake Wright at 19.542, Derek Yenzer at 19.786, Dylan Hyche at 19.859 and Christoper Hogan at 20.025.

Zachary Hausler was the fastest of the four Legends who took times at 16.390. Alex Hickham at 16.398, Steve Hyche at 16.526 and darin Digilormo at 16.896.

I'll have the TSRS qualifying as soon as it's over.

Nick

[NickHolt]

TSRS Qualifying results

1. 1 Heath Stewart 14.664
2. 54 Steve Green 14.836
3. 50 Brian Moczygemba 14.852
4. 14 Jake Kruger 14.872
5. 17 Robert Barker 14.887
6. 18 Jesse Salazar 14.899
7. 7 Chris Schild 14.917
8. 79 Joe Aramendia 14.945
9. 23 Larry Bendele 15.014
10. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr. 15.054
11. 05 Cody Smith 15.061
12. 81 Dillon Spreen 15.197
13. 61 Cory Lovell 15.246
14. 99 Cary Stapp 15.250
15. 13 Ian Webster 15.304
16. 92 Jason Stanley 15.341
17. 28 Leland Waddell 15.342
18. 33 Mike Williams 15.478
19. 02Ugo Bevione 15.908
20. 15 Brad Burke 16.073

[NickHolt]

Four legends lined up for their 20-lap feature.

Zachary Hausler and Alex Hickham up front. Steve Hyche and Darin Digilormo in the rear... LOL.

Hausler takes the early lead with Hickham on his bumper. Hyche not far back and a growing gap back to Digilormo.

On lap 8 Hyche makes a good inside move on Hickham to take over second. Hickham tries to stay with Hyche but spins solo in turn 1-2. Hickham to the rear.

Digilormo moves out of the way on the restart and it wasn't long before Hickham makes a clean pass on Hyche to regain second. Meanwhile Hausler has a few car lengths Hyche and Hickham swap positions on nearly every lap.

With five to go, Hausler has stretched his lead as Hyche and Hickham fight hard for position. With 3 to go the inevitable happend with Hickham and Hyche making hard contact coming off turn two and the pair spin to the inside. Both driver seem to be OK, but both cars are too badly damaged to continue.

Kind of interesting how they took Hyche's car off. The wrecker picked it up by the cage halo using a pincher type hook...

Hausler makes quick work of Digilormo, winning by several car lengths at the checkered.

[NickHolt]

The Bandolero 15 lap feature had Alec Stutes on the pole with Boyd Bumbera outside. Travis Benson and Brandon Spreen in the second row. Brando Walterbach and Jake Wright in row three, Derek Yenze and Dylan Hyche with Chris Hogan at the rear.

They go two abreast into the first turn and stay two wide for turn two as well.. Stutes assumes the lead wsith Bumbera, Benson and Spreen going nose to tail with Walterbach right there as well..

Jake Wright spins on lap two in turn four on the second lap to bring out the yellow.

Bumbera gets into Stutes going into turn three on the restart lap to bring out the yellow again. For whatever reason, Stutes gets his sent to the rear and Bumbera keeps his spot...

It's Bumbera, Benson and Spreen up front on the reastart... Bumbera spins on the restart in turn two for yet another yellow. Bumbera's front suspension took a big hit in the pervious "mishap" with Stutes.

Benson assumes the lead with Spreen in second at they take the green. Walterbach gets by Spreen on the next lap as Stutes makes some incredible moves to get the third sport in a lap and a half. Benson takes off as Stutes works over Walterbach. With 10 to go, Stutes gets by Walterbach and sets sail for Benson. Bumbera rejoined the field just as the green flew and is at the rear.

The field is all spread out with five to go with Benson up front, Stutes a few seconds behind with Walterbach and Spreen a few seconds behind him.

Bumbera, with 3 to go runs into Dylan Hyche coming off the fourth turn to bring out the yellow. Bumbera pits with significant front end damage as does Hyche.

On the restart the field stays nose to tail but soon stretch out again with the front four the same as before. Benson again opens up a gap and wins by several car lengths over stutes, Walterbach and Spreen.

Lots of action in this one...

[NickHolt]

THe 40-lap Pro Stock Feature is up next.

Janette Huff on the ple Richard Smith Sr outside pole...Smith Sr our early with huff and Jim Asher not far behind. James Huff moves into fourth and works on Asher Sr and passes on lap 4. Meanwhile Hermiz, fighting a loose car, is picking off cars and moves into fifth.

On lap six the front pack is nose to tail with James Huff taking the outside in an attempt to pass his wife for second...

On lap eight, Ty Daniel spins in turn 1-2 to bring out the yellow.

On the restart it's Richard Smith Sr. up front, followed by Janette Huff, James Huff, Lynn Hardy and Hermiz up front.

Smith gets a good start but the start is called back for a fast start by Smith...

Once again James Huff tries the outside as Hardy moves to his inside. After several laps, Huff makes it by his wife and takes off after Smith Sr. Huff gets the job done with 27 to go and takes the lead, but Janette Huff spins in turn 3-4 to bring out the yellow. James Huff has to go back to second since the field reverts to the last green flag lap.

Hardy in third, Hermiz now up to fourth.

James Huff makes short work of Smith on the restart but the pass is nulified since James Huff moved to the inside before the start finish line... James Huff to the rear.

So it's Richard Smith SR. up front again followed by Hardy, Hermiz and Jim Asher, Sr.

The field stacks up behind Smith Sr. but Hardy makes it b with 23 to go. Hermiz follows him through for second.

With 21 to go, Janette Huff spins going into turn one for another yellow.

Up front it's Hardy, Hermiz, Smith Sr. Jim Asher, Sr. Ron Walters, Del Harris, Fernando Davila, Ty Daniel, James Huff and David Mick.

Hemiz takes the lead from Hardy going into turn one with 12 to go, but Hardy gives Hermiz a big love tap going into turn one on the next lap as a thank you... Hardy continues to stick close and and generally makkes life miserable to the leader...

WIth 5 to go, The front pair have left the field behind

James Huff and Fernando Davila get together in turn two for another yellow on lap 35. Huff black flagged.. Hmmm... Not too sure why....

Hermiz is able to hold of Hardy on the restart and the pair again open up a lead over the rest. Walters is harrassed by Harris on the last few laps but Walters holds on.

At the checkered it's Hermiz, Hardy, Walters, Harris and Jim Asher, Sr. rounding out the top five.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's some discussion about a couple of calls in this one....

[NickHolt]

The ASA Pro Late Models up for their Fiesta Mart 75.

Kent Baltzell on the pole after the draw with Ralph Burris Jr. outside pole. Then Larry Schild and Carl Smith in row two. T. Wade Welch and Greg Davidson row three, Joe Aramendia and Robert Barker in row four.

Baltzell out first with Burris, Schild, Welch and...

Opps with one lap in, Felton gets into Welch in turn 3-4 to bring out a caution. Felton pits with front end damage. Welch gets his spot back.

So, it's Baltzell, Burris, Schild, Smith, Welch, Davidson, Aramendia, Johnny Walker and Felton who rejoins the field after repairing the front bodywork.

Smith gets into Schild in 3-4 but everyone hands on. Davidson works on Welch taking the spot with 71 to go. Aramendia follows Davidson through.

Up front Baltzell retains the lead as Burris seems a bit loose. Schild works Burris over pretty good with 68 to go, but Davidson is working Schild over at the same time. Davidson makes the pass on Schild going down the back straight. But it looks like a little bitty cloud passing over is about to make things wet...

Sure enought, a shower hits with 65 to go brings out the caution. Meanwhile Aramendia pits with some major front end damage. I didn't see how he got that.

A nice, complete, double rainbow is glowing across the back straight as the sun sets behind the front straight grandstand. The cars pull into the pits and put on their rain gear... and car covers. Meanwhile the press box fills up with spotters - a motley if I've seen one.. but, at least they're smart enough to get out of the rain, unlike the pit crews who are getting soaked in the infield.... LOL

Shortly after the clean restart, Davidson works his way past Burris after Burris tried the outside on Baltzell. Davidson makes it stick a lap later..

Opps.. Johnny Walker gets into T. Wade coming off turn 4 to bring out the yellow,..,,

Walker to the rear.

On the restart Davidson works Baltzell hard.. too hard and Baltzell cut him off coming down the front straight.. Burris takes advantage and re-passes Davidson who slowed to miss Baltzell.

A lap later Burris spins in turn 1-2 after some contact with Larry Schild III and backs hard into the wall -- hard.. Schild pits with damage from the contact. Burris on the hook.

Felton pits with 41 to go... Burris walks down the pits to talk with Mr. Schild for a second.. Hmmm..

Lots of laps click off under yellow..

It's Baltzell Davidson, Smith, T. Wade, Aramendia, Johnny Walker, and Felton.

Baltzell able to hang on for a lap, but Davidson goes to the apron and makes contact in turn one with the leader -who spins- in the middle of the turn when he gets back on the banking. Davidson to the rear for the contact.

Baltzell still in the lead and holds of Smith and Welch for several laps. Then entire field - now seven cars - in a tight pack behind Baltzell and Smith.

T. Wade spins in turn four with 20 to go for another yellow and Aramendia gets into him trying to avoid. Aramendia gets his spot back.

Baltzell now showing sparks on the restart but they seem to be clearing up.. Smith giving Baltzell all he can handle as Aramendia, in third, watches the action with T. Wade on his back bumper who in turn has Davidson on his..

With 10 to go, the front five are nose to tail.. Davidson makes contact with Welch and gets buy for fourth. No spin.

Aramendia pulls off.. with 5 to go. Davidson now to the inside of Smith with 5 to fgo. Now Davidson works on Baltzell who is driving low.. Davidson makes it stick coming off turn four and passes Baltzell on the white flag lap.

As the checkered waves for Davidson as Smith hits the grandstand side wall and ends up against the pit wall near the track entrance..

Davidson wins.. Baltzell second. Welch, who was beat up pretty much all race, third. Although there were only six LMs running at the end.

Unofficial finish

1. 96 Greg Davidson, 75
2. 19 Kent Baltzell, 75
3. 13 T. Wade Welch, 75
4. 17 Johnny Walker, 75
5. 14 Carl Smith, 74
6. 79 Joe Aramendia, 70
7. 29 Thad Felton, 63
8. 7 Larry Schild III, 32
9. 28 Ralph Burris, Jr., 31

[xcellracing]

Its been an hour and fifteen minutes the suspense is killing me..

[NickHolt]

Pro Modifieds for 60 laps.. "Fiesta 60"

Ralph Burris, Jr on the pole, Brad Hudak on the outside pole, J.C. Umscheid and Tuffy Hudson in second row. Jason Morman, Tyran Stutes, Matt Williams, Jerry Schild, Jim Nides fill out the field.

Burris out first with Umscheid and Hudak and Hudson go nose to tail for a bit until Hudak pulls out of line and pits..

By lap 5, the top three, going nose to tail pull away from the rest. Umscheid tries the inside several times as Hudson hangs back a car length waiting for the fireworks. Behind the top three things string out..

By lap 10 the top three have settled into a single file line with Umscheid only taking occasion al looks to the insdie... the rest string out even more.

With 20 laps in the books, Unscheid still dogging Burris' back bumper and gets to the inside in turn 3-4 but couldn't make it stick..

They catch lapped traffic and and Umscheid almost picks Burris off using Nides as his pick, but it was not to be.. Things settle down again as Unschied cools his tires once again. Meanwhile Hudson being very patient waiting for his chance.

At halfway Burris still hanging on over Umscheid who is always right on his bumper. Some love taps in turn 3-4 but Burris doesn't get rattled. And again with 25 to go Unscheid tries to move Burris over, but again, he held on...

Tyran Stutes makes contact with the front straight wall with 23 to go to bring out a caution. We'll see who's tires cool the best and who has the most left ..

It's Burris, Umscheid, Hudson, Mike Williams, Jerry Schild..

Burris gets a good restart and the top three go at it again.. Unscheid trying everything in the book. Burris having none of it. A few touches. A few bumps. A few strong looks to the inside.

Finally Burris loops it in turn 4 after some contact earlier in the turn.. yellow comes out.

Interesting call coming up here.. Burris to rear for the spin (which took place some time after the contact with Unscheid.) Not a popular call, but probably the right call..

So,, Unscheid, Hudson, Wiliams the top three. Hudson all over the back of Unscheid on the start with 10 to go.

Williams drops back leaving the battle for the lead way out front of the pack.

Hudson not able to keep up with Umscheid as the laps wind down.. Burris moves up to fifth behind Jerry Schild.

Unscheid by five car lengths at the checkered with a big gap back to Wiliams Schild, Burris..

The whole race hinged on the call after the Burris spin. Some folks felt that Unscheid should have gone to the rear for the initial contact. Others felt both should have gone to the rear. Several others called it a right call for Burris going to the rear. There was quite a bit of time between the tap (which did move Burris over a bit) and the actual spin that took place coming off turn four.

Unofficial Pro Mod results

1. 5 J.C. Unscheid, 60
2. 7 Tuffy Hudson, 60
3. 3 Mike Williams, 60
4. 1 Jerry Schild, 60
5. 33 Jason Morman, 60
6. 28 Ralph Burris, 59
7. 8 Jim Nides, 59
8. 21 Tryan Stutes, 49
9. 04 Brad Hudak, 3

[NickHolt]

Lost my mouse and lost the TSRS first part of the story about the lineup.

Jesse Salazar and Robert Barker on the front row... no time to report who's behind them..

Anyway, a big wreck at the drop of the green left five cars in a wad on the front straight under the flagstand. Mike Williams, Cary Stapp, Dillon Spreen, Larry Bendele, Jason Stanley involved... Not sure how it all started, but it wasn't pretty.

Complete restart..

Cody Smith spins in turn one on the next restart.

Now they go for a single file restart..

Salazar jumps out with Barker right on his tail. Clean start this time.... ops.. with one lap down, Moczygemba gets into Steve Green in turn 1-2 and Joe Aramendia, with no place to go, piles into Green. Aramendia to the pits with major damage. Green on the hook as well.

Yellow laps count. Major cleanup needed for fluid from Green's car in turn 2. Moczygemba gets his spot back.

With 67 to go the green flies..

Salazar has Barker on his bumper again and Kruger settles in third. Moczygemba giving Kruger a mirror full in fourth who, in turn, is hearing from Chris Schild..

Barker gives Salazar a tap in turn four but Salazar holds on.

With 60 to go, the top seven are starting to stack up behind Salazar. Something will give pretty quick.

Mike Williams spins solo down the front straight with 56 to go to bring out the yellow. This gives Salazar a chance to cool his tires..

It's Salazar, Barker, Kruger, Moczegemba, Schild, Larry Bendele, Bobby Teer, Cory Lovell,

Salazar gets a good start but feels a lot of pressure from Barker who nudges him through the turn exits...

Moczygemba slows with 48 to go and drops back to seventh.

With 46 to go Barker and Kruger and Schild get to the inside of Salazar who then gets freight-trained and drops to fourth in a hurry.

Barker opens a bit of a gap over Kruger and Schild as the front runners encounter lapped traffic.. with 40 to go

At halfway it's still Barker, Kruger and Schild up front as Salazar slowly drops back - then a big gap back to Bendele who is trying to hold off Teer ...Teer and Moczygember get by Bendele a lap later.

With 30 to go, Bendele pops something in the drive train and spins in turn three to bring out the yellow with 32 laps remaining. Lots of smoke comes from Bendele's car. Clean up ensues.. Now down to 26 to go as the cars get moving again after a brief red flag period.

Barker still up front, Kruger in second, Schild in third, Salazar fourth, Teer fifth, Moczegemba sixth, Cory Lovell seventh (driving a steady race), Spreen either and then who knows... 12 cars left of the 20 starters.

Barker takes off but shows lots of sparks going into turn one on the drop of the green. Barker goes way high and Kruger scoots on by.. Schild spins in one to avoid to bring out the yellow.

Barker makes sparks again and drifts high in one on the next restart. Kruger takes the lead as Barker drops way off the pace still making sparks.. looks like a right front flat..

Kruger takes off and Schild takes off after him.

With 15 to go, Schild gives a hellow to Kruger in turn 4 but he's not fazed and keeps the lead.

opps... Ugo Bevione spins solo in turn 3-4 to bring out a yellow with 13 to go.

Up front it's Kruger, Schild, Salazar, Teer, Moczygemba, Lovell, Spreen, Cody Smith, Leland Waddell..

Barker pits. Rejoins the field at the green with 8 to go.

Schild all over Kruger on the restart and the next couple of laps... Kruger hanging on nicely with five to go..

Schild gets into the back of Kruger coming off turn four with 2 to go.. and Kruger spins down the front straight.. Kruger gets his spot back and Chris Schild gets sent to the rear..

This leaves Salazar in second for the restart followed by Teer for the green, white, checkered restart. Salazar never able to mount a serious challange over the last two laps and it's Kruger by half a car length over Salazar at the finish.. Bobby Teer a strong second.

Unofficial results:

1. 14 Jake Kruger, 75
2. 18 Jesse Salazar, 75
3. 2 Bobby Teer, 75
4. 50 Brian Moczygemba, 75
5. 61 Cory Lovell, 75
6. 81 Dillon Spreeen, 75
7. 05 Cody Smith, 75
8. 28 Leland Waddell, 75
9. 7 Chris Schild, 75
10. 02 Ugo Bovione, 75
11. 15 Brad Burke,
12. 17 Robert Barker,
13. 13 Ian Webster,
14. 23 Larry Bendele,
15. 92 Jason Stanley,
16. 33 Mike Williams,
17. 1 Heath Stewart
18. 79 Joe Aramendia
19. 54 Steve Green
20. 99 Cary Stapp

[Crazyhorse]

all i can say is holy (edited) !!!!!!! way to go jake!
congrats bill and deb,,,,,,AND hell of a job to the dali lama of local short track racing- TRC racecars (512)-351-5496. .......<--- PERIOD

[Colt15]

Good Job Jacob. Way to PROVE that you belong there. -Colt

[ChuckLicata]

JAKE KRUGER!!!!!!!!

Way to go, kiddo...sorry I wasn't there, biz-ness called me away...

congrats to all...but dag, Jake-ster, way to go!!!

[NickHolt]

Jake ran a heck of a race and kept his cool all the way through. Very impressive run.

[Jake Wright Moto...]

Jake, that was one awsome display of talent!!! Everyone in my family is crazy proud of you. Keep it up kiddo!!! That was poetic justice if ever I saw it. Karma is a real ******. You are awsome You proved that it ain't about age just about talent and you have enough talent to be 150 years old!!!!!

Bruce, Mary, Jake and Chris

[Colt15]

is he the youngest winner in tsrs?

This post has been edited by Colt15: May 18 2008, 01:21 PM

[poorboy]

He just won a TSRS race, I think it's time to stop calling him "Kiddo".

[Jake Wright Moto...]

you are correct sir!!! he is the MAN!!

[GUNDOG99]

Yea, I was in love with the announcer, nice stuff dude making fun of our tore up [edited out by Nick Holt, 5/18/08], really love the Indian music because of the steam coming out of our car because of the busted radiator......I myself was REALLY impressed!!!! [edited out by Nick Holt, 5/18/08]

This post has been edited by NickHolt: May 18 2008, 09:32 PM

[speed demon 7]

Gundog,

I enjoyed finally meeting you guys and visiting with you guys. Didn't get to watch the start of your race, sorry to hear what happened. I look forward to seeing you guys again sometime in the near future.

[Crazyhorse]

Yea, I was in love with the announcer, nice stuff dude making fun of our tore up [edited out by Nick Holt, 5/18/08], really love the Indian music because of the steam coming out of our car because of the busted radiator......I myself was REALLY impressed!!!! [edited out by Nick Holt, 5/18/08]

mick anderson. yeah,,, ......

[Truck99]

Didn't sound like Mick. Not sure who he was. It's a good thing I didn't hear that...not cool.

[turbotoddie]

Didn't sound like Mick. Not sure who he was. It's a good thing I didn't hear that...not cool.

Yeah, it definitely lacked class. Sitting in the stands, the other thing that was annoying was the "texas tornado" description of TSRS. Seems like he didn't know that ROMCO has been gone for a long time.

[termite#99]

What Gunndog said is right, I heard it first hand. GET A NEW ANNOUNCER. Making fun of a tore up race car, that's not cool.

I'm glad we have Milton!

[ss31]

How bad is the car

[Truck99]

How bad is the car

Radiator, sway bar eye, bumper, bumper supports, fenders, nose, rear quarters, brake ducts.

Pretty torn up, but could be worse.