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Elias Anderson Aces I-37 Raceway’s “1000 Buck Shootout” weekend

In a race that saw more yellow flags than an intermural football game, Austin’s Elias Anderson completed the weekend sweep of the Modified action at I-37 Raceway’s “1000 Buck Shootout.” Driving a car that has been collecting dust the past two years, Anderson quickly shook off any driving rust as he took wins in every race Friday and Saturday night. Jamie Campbell closed on Anderson in the waning stages of the 30-lap event, but couldn’t pressure Anderson into a mistake and rolled home for the $1,000 pay day.

I-37 Raceway at Newsome Motor Park put their 2011 season to bed with their 4th Annual 1000 Buck Shootout this past weekend. Several new drivers signed in joining in the B-main action as they scrambled for the best starting spot possible in the big money A-mains.

Anderson Aces All Weekend In Modifieds

As a portend of things to come, Chuck Chesler slapped the front stretch wall even before the cars lined up. Perhaps a reason to ditch pre-race hot laps? As green finally waved on the 16-car Modified field, Anderson eased out front with Dennis Taylor and Jason Borlace side by side for second trailed by Campbell and Joe Spillman. After several miscellaneous spins and Anderson still on point, Taylor, Borlace and Campbell were fighting for second.

After missing Friday qualifying night, track champ Greg Dinsmore made his way up from near the back to battle with Spillman for sixth. The two made contact on the back stretch sending Dinsmore off the track for a lap 6 caution. A couple more spins later, Campbell got by Borlace for third, then Taylor for second while Dinsmore charged his way back up to sixth.

Mechanical failure by Cody Tidwell on lap 13 saw yellow wave again. Once back under green coming to the crossed flags it was Anderson, Campbell, Borlace and Taylor with Dinsmore wheel to wheel with Bill Pittaway for fifth. Taylor took third from Borlace, who would give up fourth to Dinsmore on lap 20. As Campbell closed in on Anderson, Gilbert Amezquita went around for yellow on lap 21.

As racing resumed, Anderson and Campbell broke away, with Dinsmore looking under Taylor. Spillman was able to get by a fading Borlace for fifth on lap 22. Dinsmore got alongside Taylor on lap 22 and finally got past on lap 23 for third, but well behind the lead duo. The final five laps saw Campbell on Anderson’s tail looking for a way by, or mistake by the leader. Neither opportunity would arise as Anderson in the unsponsored Adan Arambula powered, Skyrocket Chassis would hang tough for the victory.

“It took some patience and searching around on the track to find the best place to run,” replied Anderson. “It got a little bit tricky after the first four or five laps. There were quite a few cautions there early and the grooves were changing. I was just trying to be patient, consistent and run as fast as I needed to without wrecking.”

“I heard someone behind me, but didn’t feel a tremendous amount of pressure. From the sound of it he(Jamie Campbell) was coming. I think I could have changed my line a little and picked up some speed. It’s hard when you out there leading the whole time you don’t know where other people are running. I was just trying to be fast enough to win, but not too fast to wreck.”

“After seventeen or eighteen years of racing it wasn’t hard to jump back in the car after a long layoff and still be competitive. I think there’s a lot there, and a lot of prep work at the shop certainly paid off. The car was good after the last race in Edna when I parked it. I just did some maintenance, cleaned the fuel system, made a few changes and scaled it.”

“I gave him a run at the end and made it close,” shrugged runner-up Campbell. “I wasn’t going to let it be easy for him(at the finish).”

Modifieds
31 Elias Anderson, 29 Jamie Campbell, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 38 Dennis Taylor, 44 Joe Spillman, 521 Jason Borlace, 37 Bill Pittaway, 67 Robert Liese jr., 20 Jerry Frydrych, 10k Ellis Tracy, 10 Robert Walton, 13 Gilbert Amezquita, 17 Cody Tidwell, 53x Matt Fox, 21 Barry Codling, 99 Billy Meyer, 49 Chuck Chesler—DNTG, 16 Carson Bednarz—DNS

Modified B-main
8g Greg Dinsmore, 21 Barry Codling, 20 Jerry Frydrych, 53x Matt Fox, 16 Carson Bednarz—DNS, 10 Robert Walton—DNS

Swenson Sneaks with Sportmod/Limited Modified Win

Despite having the left front torn off his car in Friday qualifying and starting “lucky” thirteenth in the A-main, Comfort’s Chris Swenson snuck up on the field and grabbed the big win. The veteran Swenson used the high side to move forward and catch leader, James Blaylock. After J. Blaylock changed his line, Swenson used the bottom to get the lead in the final laps, and then held off a final challenge by J. Blaylock for the checkers.

As green waved on the 25-car, 30-lap Sportmod/Limited Modified feature J. Blaylock got out front chased by JJ Jennings, Brandon Blaylock, Johnny Torres and GW Hessong. Robby Minten went around on lap 1 with several others tangling in the pack for a yellow. Jacob Burnet went around just after the restart for a quick lap 2 yellow. Once back to green, B. Blaylock tried Jennings low for second while Danny Brown got fifth from Hessong.

As B. Blaylock and Jennings continued to slug it out B. Blaylock tapped Jennings sending him around. B. Blaylock took responsibility and moved himself to the tail for the restart. As green waved again it was Swenson on the march from mid-pack sailing around Hessong, on the top side, for fifth. By lap 10, J. Blaylock was easing away from Jennings, Torres and Brown running nose to tail. Little did they know the orange flash coming on the outside.

Randy Yount went for a wild ride off the back stretch after jumping wheels with Newton Barta. Yount ended up out in the trees hitting hard enough to break the frame in half. Yount was checked out by EMS and was alright. Once back to green, Swenson went back up top and by Brown for fourth. Continuing his charge to the front, Swenson then picked off Torres for third on lap 13.

Coming to halfway it was J. Blaylock, Swenson flying around Jennings for second, Torres and Brown in the top five. Swenson, still on top, began to cut into J. Blaylock’s lead. Swenson showed J. Blaylock the nose in turns 3-4 on lap 19, but a big push on lap 21 saw Swenson loose some ground. Swenson closed back in on J. Blaylock, who changed his line to the middle.

The lead duo caught slower traffic with five to go and were nearly three wide going by a lapped car on lap 25. Swenson then went to the bottom and ducked low on J. Blaylock. Swenson got alongside J. Blaylock and got the nose ahead on lap 27. J. Blaylock fell in line on Swenson’s bumper and chased him to the finish. As the checkered flag waved it was Swenson in the Swenson Race Products, Screen Pro Graphics, A+ Cash, Alamo Bolt & Screw, Marx Racing Engines, Swenson Chassis getting the victory by a couple car lengths.

While checkers were waving on Swenson, Dustin Butcher jumped wheels with another car in the pack sending him over the turn 3, rolling over several times. Butcher was checked out and then taken to the hospital for observation for a possible concussion. Other than that he was alright, but the car was trashed.

“This is a pretty big race for us to win,” commented Swenson. Racing against the Blaylock’s, JJ Jennings and a handful of others this(win) means a lot to me. I was pretty much all out the entire race, not trying to save the tires. I just couldn’t find it on the bottom. On a caution I dialed some more rear brake into it and started looking at the top. I just started picking them off and everything fell in place.”

“I found a couple feet of moisture up on top and the car worked there. The car was too tight on the bottom. We could have held the position we were in running down there, but I decided to try out the top and went for it. It took me a couple laps to figure out how hard I could drive it in. That’s all it took. Everything just seemed to fall in place. They had been running the bottom all race and I got there at the right time.

“There were a couple places real, real low that still had some bite. So when James(Blaylock) moved up a lane I just took a chance. There was a lot of traffic out there and it seemed like he moved too high and made it easier for me to get low, then protect my line after I got by. I don’t think there were enough laps for him to find what he could run on top.”

“We spent about four or five hours of work putting the left front back together. My son got up with me and we pulled all the pieces off, repaired all the left front suspension and body panels. Then we to reset the front end and rescale it then hurry to get out here. Once we were here we had to still qualify for the feature and won our B-main just to start thirteenth and here we are.”

“Dustin Butcher got hurt tonight and we’re really thinking about him right now. It’s something that we’re all prone to that so we pay attention when it happens to someone. We just hope he’s alright.”

“He(Chris Swenson) kind of snuck up on us there at the end,” added J. Blaylock. “He showed me the nose up top once and I tried to adjust my line. I probably shouldn’t have taken the weight out and changed the rear percentage. Lapped traffic came into play and that didn’t help me much either.”

Sportmod/Limited Modifieds
48 Chris Swenson, 18 James Blaylock, 26g JJ Jennings, 66 Johnny Torres, 55 Danny Brown, 147 GW Hessong, 12 Roly Rodriguez, 34 Michael Walker, 51 Greg Rohmer, 9b Brandon Blaylock, 184 Brian Rye, 37 Bill Pittaway, 85 Jeff Nix, 11 Tom Grothues, 90 Dustin Butcher, 82jp James Parks, 57 Jason Kelly, 04 Jacob Burnet, 3j Jesse James, 76 Michael Carlock, 9 Ray Doyon III, 4 Robby Minten, 66y Randy Yount, 14 Newton Barta, Jr., 0 Thomas Rye, Jr.

SM/LM B-mains
B-main 1
48 Chris Swenson, 90 Dustin Butcher, 04 Jacob Burnet, 9 Ray Doyon III, 3j Jesse James, 76 Michael Carlock
B-main 2
51 Greg Rohmer, 12 Roly Rodriguez, 34 Michael Walker, 85 Jeff Nix, 14 Newton Barta jr., 0 Thomas Rye jr., 57 Jason Kelly, 11x Jeff Allgayer, 15 JC Pilcher

Votion Victorious in Season Ender

Track champion, Trey Votion completed his season by adding another win to his yearlong total in the Limited Late Models. Votion, whose truck broke the transmission on the way to the track Friday night, made up for a dismal beginning to the weekend getting past Craig Crawley for the lead. Votion was challenged by Crawley after a late caution, but held him off to snag the checkers.

Crawley jumped out front as green waved on the Limited Late Model feature, but Landon Farquar went around prompting a complete restart. Crawley again eased ahead on green with Leland Waddell and Gary Hunter battling for second. Farquar, AJ Wernette, Richard Bartosh and Ron Sprayue tangled in turn 2 for a lap 1 caution. Back under green with Crawley still on point, Votion made his way up and began looking high for the lead.

Waddell went for a spin in turn 2 for a lap 3 caution. On the restart Crawley and Votion edged away, while Farquar got by Wernette for third. Votion again tried the high side and drove around Crawley for the lead on lap 6. Farquar got by Crawley for second only to spin on lap 13 giving the spot back. After a quick spin by Sprayue, Crawley was looking low on Votion to retake the top spot. Votion held Crawley off and eked out a few car lengths at the finish in the Northside Ford, Mission Racing, Kelly Automotive, BG Products, Kelly Chassis.

“It’s been a great year,” replied Votion. “I think this is six in a row to finish the year out. I couldn’t be happier to jump back in the car this year and do as good as we did, I’m just ecstatic. It was good to start a little further up front tonight. I was running Craig(Crawley) hard to get by him as soon as I could. We talked about it after the race.”

“I knew there was still some bite on the bottom and knew he wasn’t going to come off there. I just had to take my chance going around him. It took a few laps because he was fast. I was finally able to get by him then go back down where the grip was. You think about whether someone might find something up top. ”

“I guess you could call this the biggest win of my career, the biggest pay day anyway. I saw that Richard(Bartosh) was broke and thought Greg(Dinsmore) might be coming behind me. I didn’t know he was out. I just tried to run my line the best I could and not overdrive that car. I didn’t hear anyone’s motor, so that was a good thing.”

“The win makes breaking my truck hurt a little less. It sucks because I’ll have to spend my winnings on fixing it, but that’s alright. Stuff happens, we’ll get her fixed. I have to thank a good friend of mine that came and picked us up and I’m using my cousin’s truck to pull the racecar. I really have to thank them, my wife and family for all their help and support. Next year we’ll be adding ZDT’s Amusement Park in Seguin as a new sponsor.

Limited Late Models
99 Trey Votion, 6 Craig Crawley, 10 AJ Wernette, 149 Stephan Danielson, 77 Landon Farquar, 13 Howie Marcx, 42 Ron Sprayue, 14 Gary Hunter, 14g Greg Dinsmore, 7 Richard Bartosh, 28 Leland Waddell

Jones Jousts with Jack for Street Stock Sweep

The 2011 I-37 Raceway and South Texas Street Stock Shootout champ, Wade Jones capped off his season with yet another victory. Jones broke out early in the 20-lapper and looked to be well on his way to a runaway win. A late race caution rebunched the field putting Bobby Jack on his tail. Jack kept the pressure on Jones the final five laps, but the multi-time track champ held him off for the win.

Jones easily jumped out front in the 13-car feature with Jack and Johnny Torres side by side for second pursued by Tommy Casey and Stephen Danielson. Danielson, Casey and Mike Lyon were three wide on lap 1 for fourth. Danielson came away with the spot as the Jones and Jack began to check out. Jones put some distance on Jack, while Torres and Danielson swapped third.

Lyon and Casey both went around coming off turn 4 for a lap 14 caution erasing Jones big lead. On the restart Jones got away by several cars lengths until Casey looped it in turn 2 with Eric Knudtson going around collecting AJ Wernette for a yellow on lap 15. As the race went back to green, Jones again jumped ahead with Donny Horelka going past Wernette for fifth.

As Jack closed in on Jones, Danielson got under Torres to take over third on lap 16. Jack was within two car lengths with two laps to go, but Jones added a couple more car lengths as the white flag waved. Jones, driving the Opiela Mechanical, Horelka Racing, Mission Auto Parts, SABFI, Mobil 1, Jeff’s Auto Rebuilders, 74 Ranch & Resort, Camaro, edged out Jack at the checkers by several car lengths.

“It was fun out there tonight,” said Jones. “I qualified good, had a good run in the feature last night and got the pole for today. I couldn’t hear anybody or see anybody so I didn’t know if anyone was behind me close. I kept looking back figuring that someone would be coming.”

“I really hate starting out front, you don’t know if anyone is coming or what line they’re running. I like to follow someone and see what line they’re using then move around a bit a see if I can find my groove. Besides Bobby(Jack) out there, Stephan(Danielson) has been fast when he brings his car out, Johnny(Torres) is pretty good and I know Donny(Horelka) is going to be there.”

“It was a lot of dedication and hard work to have the season we had this year. We’d work on it every single day. We didn’t do any special prep for this race, just put on some new tires. If I can get Donny out of his Late Model funk, we might move up a class next year. I don’t know he doesn’t like working on his car.”

Street Stocks
41 Wade Jones, 88 Bobby Jack, 149 Stephan Danielson, 66 Johnny Torres, 40 Mike Lyon, 2x Donny Horelka, 37 AJ Wernette, 15 Tommy Casey, 5 Danny Schroat, 7 DJ Schroat, 53 Brian Becka, 31 Jeff Hendricks, 14 Eric Knudtson

Hilla Hauls in Biggest Ever Win

The former Pure Stock track champ(2007) and diminutive, Janel Hilla proved for another time she could mix it up with the big boys. Hilla, who ran in the top five throughout most of the early stages of the 30-lap event, got by Adam Torres on a late restart. From there Hilla held off a rechallenge by Torres, and then eased away for her biggest ever payday and victory.

The 22-car Pure Stock feature ran more like and Enduro or episode of ‘Survivor’ as Hunter Flanagan jumped out front with Brandy Ramzinski, Justin Henley, Torres and Tyler Box in pursuit. Box picked off fourth from Torres on lap 1 while Ramzinski began to put the heat on Flanagan for the lead. As Ramzinski looked low on Flanagan, Box got Henley for third.

Trey Heald spun his truck in turn 4 for a lap 3 caution. On the restart Box and Henley continued the battle for third with Torres looking for an opening or mistake. James Dear went around on lap 4 for a caution. On the restart, Hunter Montgomery slapped the wall ending his night, as Box got by Ramzinski for second. Yellow waved for Montgomery who was struggling to get off the track.

Back under green, Ramzinski looked low on Flanagan, but gave up second to Box instead. David Sevilla looped his ride in turn 2 to bring out yellow on lap 5. Box ducked inside Flanagan on the restart and grabbed the top spot, briefly. Box led lap 6 then spun himself out in turn 2 with Devin Adler spinning behind for a caution. This put Flanagan back on the point for the restart.

Austin Dragoo and Dear tangled in turn 2 for a lap 7 yellow. Flanagan got a good jump on the restart while Hilla tried to get under Torres. Box spun again on lap 9 ending his night. The top five broke away from Talon Minten and Jarrett Payton on the restart with Henley looking for a way past Ramzinski. Eric Watson brought out the yellow on lap 12 when he broke and stalled in the pit exit.

As Flanagan took off on green, Henley was challenging Ramzinski for second while Torres and Hilla battled for fourth. Torres was able to fend off Hilla and get alongside Henley for third. Torres got the spot with Hilla following. Torres and Hilla then swapped third, while Ramzinski and Henley had separate spins losing numerous spots. Cameron Smith broke an axle on lap 15 to bring out a midrace yellow.

On the restart Torres went high on Flanagan, with Hilla trying the bottom. They were three wide for the lead on lap 20 with Torres getting the advantage. It was still three wide before Torres secured the spot leaving Hilla and Flanagan door to door for second. Hilla finally gained control of second when Adler tagged Minten sending him around for a yellow that saw Adler go to the back.

Hilla got a good run on the restart getting alongside Torres for the lead. After a short side by side battle Hilla got the top spot on lap 23. Torres tried a crossover move, but couldn’t retake the spot. Minten was able to get by Flanagan for third on lap 25. Torres kept trying the top side on Hilla and would gain in one corner, but slip back at the other end.

Hilla had begun to increase her lead on Torres to about eight car lengths when William Cavender spun on lap 28 setting up a green, white, checker finish. Hilla got a couple lengths on Torres as green waved for the final two laps. Torres could never mount a serious challenge as Hilla in the NAPA, Riley Welding, Alamo Bolt & Screw, Q-Hauling, Paloma Cattle Co., Johnny’s Paint & Body, Premium Water Well Service, Alpha Machine, Mission Racing, Chevy took the win.

“This is most definitely the biggest race win of my career,” explained Hilla. “I just used patience and staying on the low line to get past Adam(Torres) Patience paid off in the end. Once I got by him I wasn’t too worried about anyone trying a different line to pass me. I tried to run a different line, but it didn’t work so I didn’t think anyone else would be able to run high either.”

“We didn’t do a whole lot more in preparing for this race than any other race night. It was more just mental preparation than anything.”

“I’d like to move up, but don’t want to run in the same class as my husband(Dennis). There’s too much competitiveness between us. Somebody might end up sleeping on the couch. I want to win some more features in this class then I’ll be ready to move up.”

Pure Stocks
7x Janel Hilla, 24 Adam Torres, 89 Talon Minten, 58 Hunter Flanagan, 10 Karaline Campbell, 3 David Sevilla, 14 Trey Heald, 95 Jerry Jones, 44 Justin Henley, 117 Devin Adler, 9 Philip Haywood, 15 William Cavender, 88 Brandy Ramzinski, 13 Cameron Smith, 82 Richard Wells, 9s Jarrett Payton, 43 Eric Watson, 25 Tyler Box, 62 Austin Dragoo, 15d James Dear, 31 Frank Okruhlik, 15x Hunter Montgomery

Pure Stocks B-main
31 Frank Okruhlik, 13 Cameron Smith, 82 Richard Wells, 14 Trey Heald, 10 Karaline Campbell, 3 David Sevilla, 9 Philip Haywood, 15x Hunter Montgomery, 15 William Cavender, 62 Austin Dragoo

Easler Eases Away for Enduro Honors

Roy Easler jr. took home the $500 pay day in the 50-lap Front Runner Enduro making it look easy. Robert Mayberry got out front early trailed by Landon Sowder, Jimmy Carroll, Karey Scott and Ronnie Schoenfeldt. As the top four broke away, David Lee Grobe moved up to fifth. Coming from near the back, Easler and Char Powell were on a charge. As Mayberry hit slower traffic Sowder snuck by for the lead with Carroll taking over second.

Joshua Mares and Powell got past Mayberry, followed by Easler. Easler dispensed of Powell and Mares then closed on Sowder for the lead. As Sowder and Easler battled for the top spot in lapped traffic, Powell joined the fight. Easler grabbed the lead coming to halfway with Powell in tow. Easler and Powell briefly swapped the top spot until Easler secured it. Easler pulled away lapping all but Powell and Mayberry on his way to the checkers.

Front Runner Enduro
12 Roy Easler jr., 9 Char Powell, 9b Robert Mayberry, 7 Jesse Sandoval, 67 Jimmy Carroll, 3 Joshua Mares, 13 Jason Smith, 98E Will Holder, 19 N/A, 82 Curtis Opiela, 28 Lisa Sandoval, 6x Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 24 Landon Sowder, 113 Hailee Marcx, 69 Jordan Sandoval, 57 Trevor Bettis, 223 Karey Scott, 4 David Lee Grobe

By J M Hallas
Photos by JBHotshots

Leland Waddell goes wire-to-wire to notch first Limited Late Model win at I-37

Leland Waddell was the first of the two new faces in I-37 Raceway’s Winners Circle as he posted a flag-to-flag win. Waddell jumped out front with Richard Bartosh and Andrew Hesler on his tail. Getting a good jump on a few restarts, Waddell became the fourth new Limited Late Model feature winner for the season.

Waddell took command coming off turn 2 as the 14-car Limited Late Model feature fired with Bartosh, Hesler, Robert Danielson and Trey Votion in pursuit. Votion got around Danielson on lap 3 for fourth. Last weeks winner, AJ Dancer saw his night end early as he went off turn 1 for a caution on lap 6.

As Waddell jumped out on green, Chris Jones went around off turn 4 bringing the yellow back out. Back to green, the top four were only separated by only a couple lengths as the race reached halfway. Hesler gave up third to Votion on lap 12. Jones got hung on the tires at the pit exit to bring out a yellow on lap 13.

On the restart, Waddell eased ahead, with Hesler looking to retake third from Votion. Votion held off Hesler and began pressuring Bartosh for second. This gave Hesler a run on Votion as they ran door to door on lap 17. As the white flag was shown, Waddell had a five car length margin on Bartosh going on to take his first ever I-37 Limited Late Model victory.

**Waddell left before I could get to the pits for an interview.

Limited Late Models
28 Leland Waddell, 7 Richard Bartosh, 99 Trey Votion, 1x Andrew Hesler, 49 Robert Danielson, 60 Harlin Covert, 08 Kevin Hayden, 14 Gary Hunter, 18 Shane Moore, 33 Shawn Kline, 42 Ron Sprayue, 69 Chris Jones, 32 AJ Dancer, 15 Doug Searcy

I-37 Raceway at Newsome Motor Park concluded their Military Appreciation month, dedicated to all our troops, with some great racing action. Two new drivers found the 1/4 mile, semi-banked, dirt track to their liking and made their way to the I-37 Winners Circle in the Limited Late Models and Pure Stock classes.

In other class action it was the usual suspects taking checkered flags in the IMCA Modifieds and Southern SportMods, Street Stocks and Front Runners, plus a return of the Dwarf Car Racing Seres of Texas.

I-37 Raceway takes the Independence Day weekend for families to celebrate and returns to action again on July 9th with a Tribute to the Troops spearheaded by Andrew Hesler. Hesler, along with many other donors will be racing for the Center for the Intrepid helping the Wounded Warriors program.

A bus load of soldiers is expected from BAMC(Brooke Army Medical Center) to be guests of the track. Hesler, in his Limited Late Model, Greg Dinsmore in his IMCA Modified and Jarrett Payton(Pure Stocks) have all opted to start at the back of their features and race their way to the front and put on a show for the troops in attendance.

Dinsmore Dialed-in Again

After seeing his 6-race winning streak broken due to an accident and a week of repairs and readjustments, Greg Dinsmore has found the handle again starting a new streak, now at two. Dinsmore patiently stalked early leader, Robert Liese jr., found an opening and slipped past for the top spot on lap 7. Dinsmore increased his advantage the last half of the race to nearly a half track, while Bill Pittaway took second from Liese.

It was Liese, Borlace and Billy Meyer running three wide into turn 1 as the IMCA Modified feature roared to life. Liese got the point coming off turn 2, while Dinsmore got by Jamie Campbell and Rick Green for fourth. Dinsmore had just gotten past Meyer for third when Meyer lost the hood for a lap 3 yellow. On the restart Dinsmore picked off Borlace for second and closed on Liese.

Dinsmore patiently waited for a slip by Liese and got his chance coming off turn 4 on lap 6. Dinsmore ducked inside Liese and out dragged him into turn 1 to lead lap 8. Behind the leaders, Borlace and Pittaway were swapping third, while Campbell and Green ran side by side for fifth. After giving up third to Pittaway, Borlace fell into a fight with Campbell for that spot.

At the crossed flags it was Dinsmore, increasing his lead, Liese, Pittaway, and Borlace along side Campbell for fourth with Darin Leonard getting sixth from Green. Pittaway was able to get by Liese for second on lap 12, but found himself a full straightaway behind Dinsmore. Liese and Campbell then ran wheel to wheel for third with Borlace and Leonard swapping fifth. Dinsmore easily cruised to his eighth win of the season in the racetechinfo.com, Sundowner RV Repair, Ryan Bard Safety Foundation, JB Hotshots, Wells Designs, Good Ol’ Days Garage, Centex Motorsports powered Harris Chassis.

“The car is what makes it look so easy,” explained Dinsmore. “When it’s right, it’s magical. I let Robert (Liese) have his room and took my time. No one was challenging me so it gave me the time to play with it a bit an make sure I didn’t try the wrong spot to get by.”

After my last wreck, and the amount f money it cost, I just try to ease up a bit and wait for my spot instead of diving in. It’s just not worth it sometimes. You follow them a while and try to read them. Robert has gotten a lot better and I’ve got to give him props on that.”

“We’re still looking at the track championship here. There’s some hot days that I’d really like to stay at home, but I like coming here. It’s kind of tough sometimes with a new baby, or if Candace doesn’t want to go, but that’s what we’re looking at.”

“Next weekend Bob Harris has invited us to come up for the Harris Clash (Knoxville, Ia.), but we’re leaving the car at home. He’s got us our tickets, pit passes and suite. That’s a fabulous show up there. Traveling with a new baby is going to be different.”

IMCA Modifieds
8g Greg Dinsmore, 37 Bill Pittaway, 29 Jamie Campbell, 67 Robert Liese, Jr., 21 Jason Borlace, 26 Darin Leonard, 82 Rick Green, 99 Billy Meyer, 141 Rob Anderson, 3 Carlton Leverette, 31 Marlin Samford—DNS

Torres Tackles IMCA Sportmods

San Antonio’s Johnny Torres added to his I-37 Raceway season total grabbing another victory in the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature. Torres didn’t look to be a contender at mid-race as he watched Anthony Gordon and Jason Stanley battle for the top spot. Torres’ car came to life in the final half reeling in and passing Gordon for the lead on lap 16. Torres took the checkers with a several car lengths on Gordon.

As green waved on the 14-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature, Stanley jumped out front, but the outside backed up with JC Pilcher and Pat Lyon finding the front stretch wall. On the second start Stanley led into turn 1, but it was Gordon, on the top, getting by to lead lap 1. Torres quickly worked his way by Ray Doyon III and Michael Hernandez for third on lap 1.

Stanley tried get by Gordon for the lead on lap 2 and got along side, but Gordon held the spot. Doyon got by Hernandez on lap 3 and challenging Torres for third. As Doyon tried a move on Torres, Hernandez snuck back by for fourth. Doyon then gave up fifth to Micky Helms. Coming to halfway it was Gordon and Stanley easing away, Torres, Hernandez and Helms in the top five.

Stanley again put the heat on the young Gordon getting along side on lap 11. Stanley would half spin on lap 12, losing several pots, but continuing without caution. Torres then began to reel in Gordon catching the leader with five to go. Torres used the bottom get under Gordon and take the lead on lap 16. Gordon hung with Torres the final laps while Hernandez did a 360 giving up a top five spot. At the checkers it was Torres in 24/7 Towing, Tator Plumbing, Rising Star Race Car Bodies, Screen Pro Graphics, Spreen Racing Engines, Driveline Chassis, by 4-car lengths on Gordon.

“It must have been a little luck tonight,” said Torres. “Because my car sure wasn’t working that good. I got some breaks, the right place at the right time and was patient. I took me a while to work my way up since we’ve been struggling with the handling on it. It was a little different, but we got it figured out.”

“I was trying to be more patient with Anthony(Gordon). He’s a good racer and I wanted to make sure I didn’t get into him. I’d really like to see him win one, but I like winning myself more. He’s doing better every week. His time will come soon.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

66 Johnny Torres, 118 Anthony Gordon, 204 Mickey Helms, 66y Randy Yount, 92 Jason Stanley, 99x Michael Hernandez, 11 Tom Grothues, 04 Jacob Burnett, 85 Jeff Nix, 4 Robby Minten, 9 Ray Doyon III, 94 Allen Torres, 15 JC Pilcher, 60 Pat Lyon, 21 Barry Codling—DNS, 51 Greg Rohmer—DNS

AJ Dancer added another win to his Street Stock total, after taking a Limited Late Model main event the previous week. Aided by slower traffic, Dancer got by early leader AJ Wernette in the latter stages of the 20-lapper, with Dennis Hilla and Wade Jones all racing under a blanket. Dancer inched away after a late caution, while Jones and AJ Wernette battled for the runner-up spot.

Wayne Wernette led the 14-car Street Stock feature into turn 1, but was passed by his son AJ who led lap 1. Behind W. Wernette, AJ Dancer and Dennis Hilla fell in line. Dancer got by W. Wernette on lap 2, but had already lost ground to AJ Wernette. Hilla and Wade Jones took third and fourth on lap 4, followed by Aaron Leddy to fifth.

As Dancer, Hilla and Jones battled for second nose to tail, AJ Wernette edged away to a larger margin. Dancer and Hilla were door to door on lap 12 giving Jone an opening to grab third when Hilla drifted too high in turn 1. AJ Wernette caught slower traffic and had trouble getting by allowing Dancer to close the gap. Dancer was on AJ Wernette’s bumper as they encountered heavy traffic.

Dancer and AJ Wernette ran side by side on lap 17 with top four now under a proverbial blanket. Dancer snuck to the lead while Hilla made contact with AJ Wernette, sending him around for races only caution. AJ Wernette got his spot back, while Hilla got sent to the tail. The top three broke away on green with Jones getting second from AJ Wernette as the white flag waved. At the checkers it was Dancer in the A Plus Auto Parts, SAS Graphics, Dancer Motorsports, El Camino holding off Jones for the win.

“It was a lot of luck and few lapped cars that helped me tonight,” replied Dancer. “I figured Wade (Jones) was coming. You know he’s going to be there eventually. We moved some weight around between the heat and feature, but it still wasn’t enough. We’re still having a hard time with this car. I’m trying to keep it from three wheeling. It’s the only way the car wants to go. It’s got a mind of its own”

“Driving in two classes, the Street Stocks and Late Models, is like apples and oranges. In the Late Model it will stick and go where you want it to go. In the Street Stock it’s more like a suggestion, I’d like to go this way.”

Street Stocks
52 AJ Dancer, 41 Wade Jones, 37 AJ Wernette, 40 Mike Lyon, 93 Aaron Leddy, 2x Dennis Hilla, 88j Bobby Jack, 04 Nathan Robbins, 37w Wayne Wernette, 44 Danny Preslar, 7 Danny Schroat, 5 Rick Schroat, 53 Ben Blanford, 2 Scott Stubbs

Not wanting to be outdone by his brother Robby the week before, Talon Minten was the second first-time winner of the evening in the Pure Stock feature. Minten and Hunter Flanagan raced side by side for several laps until Flanagan found the tire wall and rolled. Minten was then chased by Brandy Ramzinski, who led earlier in the race but spun. Minten used a lapped car as “a pick” to hold Ramzinski off on the final lap.

Eric Watson took the lead of the 18-car, 20-lap Pure Stock feature on lap 1, but gave way to Jarrett Payton on lap 2. Ramzinski got along side E. Watson and by for second on lap 2 when Payton slowed. Ramzinski got the lead on lap 3 with E. Watson, Flanagan and Cody Leonard following past a fading Payton. Minten split Karoline Campbell and Adam Torres to move into fifth on lap 5.

Minten got by Leonard in traffic on lap 6 as Leonard slowed with a flat. Ramzinski spun on her own from the lead giving up the spot to Flanagan and narrowly missing Minten before falling to fourth. T. Watson brought out yellow on lap 8 when he stopped in the pit exit. When green waved again, the top four broke ahead and Minten was pressuring Flanagan for the lead.

The two young guns, who are good friends, ran side by side for four laps before Flanagan drifted too high in turn 4, clipped the tire barrier and rolled over bringing out a red flag. Flanagan was a little shaken, but checked out alright by the EMS crew. Once back to green, Minten and Ramzinski got away from Janel Hilla, Devin Adler and Jerry Jones. Ramzinski tried tried low as the white flag waved, but got hung up behind a lapped car in turn 4 giving Minten in the 3-D Landscaping, Cavender Toyota, Clays Auto Parts, Shepherds Race Engines, a clear run to his first ever race win.

“It feels good to get that first win,” commented Minten. “I saw Brandy(Ramzinski) back there at the end and just put it to the floor. I was thankful for that lapped car being when she got under me and got her hung up. Robby wining his first race last week didn’t really put any pressure on me(to win). We’re not that competitive, at least until I get a Sportmod too.”

“I wasn’t really nervous running out front. I was just trying to hit my marks.”

“I had a good race with Hunter(Flanagan) earlier and thought I might have taken him out. He’s my friend and I was nervous when I saw the ambulance come out. I didn’t think we made any contact and he said I didn’t touch him, so we’re good.”

Pure Stock
89 Talon Minten, 88 Brandy Ramzinski, 7x Janel Hilla, 117 Devin Adler, 95 Jerry Jones, 44 James Watson, 15 William Cavender, 14 Trey Heald, 22 Patricia Lucas, 8 Dustin Robin, 581 Hunter Flanagan, 24 Adam Torres, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 43 Eric Watson, 1 Tim Watson, 26c Cody Leonard, 9s Jarrett Payton

Old age and experience once again outran youth and exuberance as Jimmy Carroll took the victory in the Front Runner feature. Carroll battled throughout the race with Charles Earnhardt III as they traded the lead several times in the 15-lap event. Carroll, whose age is probably greater than the combined total of second through fifth, held off both Earnhardt boys at the finish.

A lucky 13 cars took the green for the Front Runner feature that went green to checkers, a vast improvement over last weeks crash fest. Ch. Earnhardt jumped into the early lead trailed by Dillon Gaither, Carroll, Cody Smith and Landon Sowder. Carroll quickly began to challenge Gaither for second as the top three pulled away from Sowder and Smith.

The top three were nearly 3-wide for the lead on lap 7, with Carroll getting the spot on lap 8. Carroll and Ch. Earnhardt continued to run side by side for lead while Sowder got by Smith for fourth followed by Cody Earnhardt to fifth. Ch. Earnhardt regained the lead on lap 9 as his brother worked his way past Sowder for fourth.

Carroll snuck back into the lead on lap 12 as the two swapped the top spot corner for corner on lap 13. Carroll secured the point on the final lap, while Co. Earnhardt got third from Gaither. At the checkers it was 68-year old Carroll in Car Craft Auto Service, Mitsubishi Mirage holding off his young competitors for the win, increasing his points lead over Hailee Marcx, who finished eighth.

“It was a little bit of good luck, a little good driving and a good motor by my sponsor Pat Lyon at Car Craft Auto Service.” said Carroll. “I feel very fortunate to still be able to race at 68 and still out run all those younger drivers.”

“This will help me in the points against Hailee(Marcx). She’s a good young racer and drives a good, clean race all the time.”

Front Runners
67 Jimmy Carroll, 33 Charlie Earnhardt III, 33c Cody Earnhardt, 9 Dillon Gaither, 08 Landon Sowder, 13 Cody Smith, 17 Kirsten Blevins, 113 Hailee Marcx, 27 Hayden Anderson, 66c Cindy Snider, 98E Will Holder, 12 Roy Easler sr., 57 Trevor Bettis–BF

In the Dwarf Car feature Chuck McCormick found his way to the Winners Circle getting by early leader Michael Dion near halfway. McCormick held off a late charge by veteran Arden Vikre in the final circuits to grab the victory.

Dion jumped out front at the start of the 2-lap DCRST feature with Dwain Groff spinning from second leaving Richard Smith, McCormick and Jim Mokry trailing Dion. McCormick got past Smith for second as Mokry spun from fourth and fell back. McCormick began to put the heat on Dion for lead and snagged the spot on lap 9. Chris Silvas jr. spun on lap 9 for the races only caution.

On the restart, McCormick eased away with Brian Wells getting by Dion for second as Arden Vikre shot by both Dion and Smith for third. D. Groff made his way back to the top five, while Wells and Vikre battled for second. Vikre got the position with two to go and tried to close on McCormick. Vikre got close but at the checkers it was McCormick hanging on for the win.

Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas
8 Chuck McCormick, 72 Arden Vikre, 69 Brian Wells, 2 Jim Mokry, 60 Richard Smith, 07 Michael Dion, 86 Chris Silvas jr., 15 Dwain Groff, 30 Billy Groff, 96 Tyler Wells, 61 John Flake—DNS, 27 Butch Havelka–DNS, 85 Chris Silvas sr.–DNS

by J.M. Hallas
Photos by JBHotshots

Rick Green, Doug Livingston take top honors at I-37 Speedway

I-37 Raceway celebrated the Easter weekend Saturday night with several attractions including Ryan Newman’s Tornados-sponsored NASCAR Sprint Cup car, dozens of goody bags given away to the kids during intermission and a couple of new winners in the top two divisions on the semi-banked, ¼-mile clay oval.

Liberty Hill’s Rick Green put an end the early streak of Greg Dinsmore in the IMCA Modified class. Green got out front early, but gave way to Mike McCarthy on a botched restart. Green got the top spot back after McCarthy and Dinsmore got together while fighting for the lead. From there Green pulled away from Darin Leonard to take the checkers.

As green waved on the 20-lap main event Green shot from row 2 for the lead with Leonard and Dinsmore moving up to second and third. McCarthy, Matt Fox and Bob Lienweber were three wide for fourth, with McCarthy getting the position. Dinsmore got by Leonard for second on lap 2 with both coming away with sheet metal damage.

Dinsmore had just started working on Green for lead when Marlin Sanford, Fox and Robert Liese jr. tangled in turn 4 to bring out a yellow. Under caution Dinsmore was sent to the pits to remove loose body panels and restarted at the tail. Once back to green Dinsmore shed more parts, while Cody Tidwell, in his first ever Modified ride, spun in turn 1.

On the next restart, McCarthy got past Leonard and Green for the lead after a mistake in the flagstand with the lights. Bill Pittaway moved in to battle with Green for second as they ran side by side, while Dinsmore worked his way back to fifth. Lap 7 saw Dinsmore get under Leonard, then Pittaway for third until he spun to bring out a caution.

Once back to racing Dinsmore got along side Green for second in turn 2 then by in turn 4. Dinsmore closed on McCarthy and was looking inside on lap 9 when the two made contact sending McCarthy around. Both McCarthy and Dinsmore were forced to pit with flats, putting Green back on the point. Leonard gave Green a quick look low in turn 1, but Tidwell looped his ride to bring the yellow back out.

Green got a good jump on the final restart and coming to the crossed flags it was Green, Leonard, Pittaway, Lienweber and Liese in the top five. Green then put some distance on Leonard and Pittaway while Tidwell made his way past Liese for fifth. Greens biggest scare came on lap 16 when Liese did a 360 in turn 4 directly in front the leader. Green, in the Green Construction, Qwik/Green Chassis continued to increase his lead on the final circuits to grab the victory.

“Surprisingly, the motor laying down the final laps helped me,” replied Green. “That’s when I started pulling away. I like coming down here to run at an IMCA track. It makes the competition a little more even and there’s not as much cheating going on.”

“The track was pretty good tonight. It was dry slick from the low to middle groove, then up top there was a little cushion. The flagman came up and apologized for the one restart saying it was his mistake with the lights.”

“This started out as a Qwik Chassis but over the winter I completely cut it up and redid it. My brother, Randy, and I primarily build the motors.”

IMCA Modifieds results
82 Rick Green
26 Darin Leonard
37 Bill Pittaway
12 Bob Lienweber
17 Cody Tidwell
53x Matt Fox
67 Robert Liese jr
20 Mike McCarthy
8g Greg Dinsmore
c31 Marlin Sanford
24 Tracy Fink

IMCA Modified heat winners: Darin Leonard and Greg Dinsmore

When the checkers waved on the 20-lap IMCA Southern SportMod main, San Antonio’s Doug Livingston found himself in a somewhat unfamiliar place, the Winners Circle. Livingston, shopmate of last years track champ, Mark McGahey got by early leader David Routen and never looked back taking his first ever IMCA SSM victory in the Douglas Glass, Struthoff Company, Alamo Bolt & Screw, Mark Warner powered, Smiley’s Chassis

At the start of the 12-car feature Routen beat Clark Warren out of turn 2 for the lead. Livingston then got by Warren for second and began working on Routen for the lead. Routen and Livingston were side by side, with Ray Doyon III getting by Warren for third when the race’s only caution came out on lap 2 for a spin by Leland Frautchi in turn 2. Livingston ducked low on Routen and got the top spot on lap 3, with Doyon re-passing Warren for third.

Johnny Torres was next to put Warren back a spot taking fourth on lap 3. Doyon moved into second going by Routen on lap 4. Torres then closed in on Routen taking third on lap 5. Robby Minten was next in line to pass Routen leaving him three wide with Bill Pittaway and Jason Stanley for fifth. Pittaway did a small lap in the infield after spinning on the back stretch giving fifth to Stanley.

At halfway the top five were Livingston, Doyon, Torres, Minten and Stanley, with Torres pressuring Doyon for the spot. Torres got by Doyon on lap 12, but Livingston was nearly a full straightaway ahead. Livingston caught the back of the pack on lap 14 and cleared traffic without giving up any ground to Torres. Stanley worked his way past Minten for fourth in the waning laps. Up front it was Livingston easily cruising to his inaugural Sportmod win.

“It was a lot of luck out there tonight,” commented Livingston on his first win. “The track and the car were just right. It would go anywhere I wanted it to go. This is my first ever feature win anywhere. I’ve won some heat races, but this is my biggest win.”

“Mark(McGahey) and I don’t really talk much about our different set-ups. Johnny(Torres) helps me out. We talked today about it. I just do what I think my car needs. On a tacky track this car is usually pretty fast. I thought if I broke out front I’d be able to hold them off.”

“ I found myself overdriving the car a couple times because I didn’t know where they were or how hard to push the car. I just to find my mark. I knew they were coming, just didn’t know how close they were. I feel real comfortable racing with all these guys locally. I got kind of nervous up in Abilene where there were 92 cars.”

IMCA Southern SportMod results
89 Doug Livingston
66 Johnny Torres
92 Jason Stanley
4 Robby Minten
09 David Routen
989 Clark Warren
2x Dennis Hilla
37 Bill Pittaway
11 Chris McLendon
00 Leland Frautchi
D9 Ray Doyon III—DQ, Tech(Carb)
18 Larry Jernigan—DNS

IMCA Southern SportMod heat winners: Doug Livingston and Jason Stanley

It didn’t take long in the 15-lap Limited Late Model feature for Wesley Skains to show his dominance again. On green Shannon Moore led the way into turn 1, but Skains swept by in turn 3 to lead the first lap. Richard Bartosh and Gary Hunter both got by Moore on lap 2 for second and third respectively. By lap 5 Skains had run away from Bartosh and Hunter easily cruising to his third victory of the season.

Tator Plumbing Limited Late Models
25 Wesley Skains
7 Richard Bartosh
14 Gary Hunter
18 Shannon Moore
33 Barry Major—DNS
12 Kody Hardage—DNS

Limited Late Model heat winner: Richard Bartosh

Despite a short field of cars the 15-lap Street Stock event didn’t lack for excitement. Dennis Jasik grabbed the early lead with Tommy Casey, Wade Jones and AJ Wernette in pursuit. Jasik went high to lap Steve Mireles and almost ran off the back stretch. Going into to turn 3 Jasik spun and broke an axle. This handed the lead to Wernette briefly as Casey got the top spot. Yellow finally waved for Jasik who couldn’t get completely off the racing surface.

On the restart, Jones got second from Wernette who tried to fight back only to spin himself out in turn 4. Jones then turned up the heat on Casey as they scrapped it out for the lead. Allen Torres brought out the red when he blew a motor and erupted in flames. Torres bailed out of his still moving car as it continued to the infield.

Once back to green the fight for the lead continued between Casey and Jones with Jones sticking the nose inside. After a bumper shot on lap 13 Jones got around Casey to lead the white flag lap. Casey came back to dive inside Jones in turns 1-2. The two made contact with Casey retaking the lead. Jones returned the favor in turns 3-4 sending Casey around in turn 4. Jones crossed the line ahead of Wernette, but was black flagged for spinning Casey, handing the win to Wernette.

Street Stocks
37 AJ Wernette
15 Tommy Casey
41 Wade Jones—BF Rough Driving
94 Allen Torres
8 Dennis Jasik
74x Steve Mireles

Street Stock heat winner: 15 Tommy Casey

Heat winners Patrick White and Freddie Gierisch stayed side by side through turns 1-2 at the start of the Pure Stock feature. White got sideways coming out of turn 4, half spun and clipped Gierisch who held on to lead lap 1. Kevin Hyland gave Gierisch an early challenge with Frank Okruhlik, Jarret Payton. Anna Major and Brandy Ramzinski ran door to door for sixth until Ramzinski spun, with defending track champ, Marc Roy moving up to fifth.

Roy then took over fourth from Major and third from Payton on lap 6. Gierisch’s rein out front ended with a flat right front on lap 7 and brought out the caution. This put Hyland in the lead for the restart, but that didn’t last long as Roy shot by as green waved again for the lead on lap 8.

Back in the back, Rick Snyder and William Cavender had their own personal battle going for fourth. After three laps of nearly side by side racing, Snyder got the position. Roy was increasing his margin over Hyland, while White worked his way back up to fifth after his earlier spin. Snyder’s night ended in a plume of smoke with his car losing parts to bring out a yellow on lap 16. Roy got away quickly on the restart while Major got past James Watson and Cavender for fourth. At the checkers it was Roy taking the victory with a comfortable margin over Hyland.

Pure Stocks
24 Mark Roy
72 Kevin Hyland
33 Anna Major
44 James Watson
15 William Cavender
66R Rick Snyder
19 Freddie Gierisch
9 Jarret Payton
99 Frank Okruhlik
88 Brandy Ramzinski
25 Chance Skains
17 Patrick White—DQ, Tech(Vacuum)

Pure Stock heat winners: Patrick White and Freddie Gierisch

Cody Earnhardt got the best of the three wide battle for the lead as green waved on th 15-lap Front Runner feature. As Earnhardt, James Sanford and Jerry Jones ran nose to tail, they quickly put distance on Alec Jasik and Brent Bouchillion. By lap 3 the lead trio were already up to the back of the pack. Earnhardt tangled with a lapped car giving the lead to Sanford on lap 7 with Jones taking second.

Jasik, Bouchillion and Cameron Smith were three wide for fourth coming up on the same traffic. Smith and Bouchillion got together with Bouchilion going around to bring out a caution on lap 8. The top three broke away clean on the restart with Jones giving Sanford a little pressure. Sanford was able to hold off the charge, while Jones fell back into the clutches of Earnhardt. Earnhardt got past Jones on the last lap, but Sanford was well out front and taking the checkers.

Front Runners
35 James Sanford
33 Cody Earnhardt
95 Jerry Jones
13 Cameron Smith
8jr Alec Jasik
20 Brent Bouchillion
T30 Chad Thrush
98 Amber Clay
113 Hailie Marcx
7x Streling Goyett
911 Nick Hencey
96 Steve Stanley
66R Cindy Snider

Front Runner heat winners: Nick Hencey and Cody Earnhardt

The two Wren brothers were the class of the field in the 20-lap Brazos Mini Sprint feature. Ralph Wren beat Troy Wren into turn 1 for lead, with Kyle Thompson, Hunter Montgomery, Trevor Reed and Anthony Smith falling in line. The top six separated out and began pulling away from the second pack early. Nearing halfway, the top three had began to put some space on Thompson, who had Montgomery, coming back from last week’s flip, closing, while Smith began to fade.

Thompson spun on lap 9 in between turns 1-2, got over on the left side tires and tipped over easily, bringing out a red. The top four got a good jump on green, while Ken Pearson began pressuring Smith for fifth. Smith and Pearson ran wheel to wheel for several laps until caution waved for Reagan Reed, who lost a motor on lap 14. Once back to green, R. Wren go a huge jump with T. Wren, Montgomery and T. Reed battling nose to tail for second. At the checkers it was R. Wren by a half straightaway taking the victory.

Brazos Mini Sprints
4w Ralph Wren(S)
44w Troy Wren
5 Hunter Montgomery
28 Trevor Reed
337 Anthony Smith
17 Ken Pearson
84 Trevor Barr(O)
42 Scott Blakely
14 Jacob Gilliam
7 Reagan Reed®
87 Kyle Thompson

Brazos Mini Sprint heat winners: Troy Wren and Ralph Wren

Kids Go-Karts
Age 9-under
22 Cameron Migura
9 Caitlin Leonard
37 Aaron Trevino
5 Tyler Barr
8g Logan Dinsmore

Age 10-up
33j Jacob Franke
9 Cody Leonard
13 Cody Smith
37 Alex Trevino

By J M Hallas
Photos by Jamie Brabson

I-37 Raceway’s “Thousand Dollar Shootout” to end season on a high note this weekend

The final night of championship racing at I-37 Raceway featured a full moon, the second largest crowd of the season (which sang the national anthem after the CD had a glitch), and a hard but clean night of racing that made everyone hungry for more next season.

There is one more event left on the schedule, though, and it’s a big one: the second annual Hill Country Satellite “Thousand Buck Shootout” on Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, 2009. This will be the final race until the 2010 season kicks off in mid-March, and each class will have its own sponsor and the newest class, the already popular with fans and drivers front drive “Front Runner” class, will run two races, a normal race on Friday and an enduro on Saturday that is attracting cars from all over south Texas. The Front Runners will be racing in the “Tator Plumbing Front Runner” feature, backed by the San Antonio company.

Boerne’s Robert Barker, winner of the last Texas Super Racing Series race on the asphalt at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, will try dirt racing for the first time, jumping into fellow Boerne resident (and I-37 Race Director) Eric Knudtson’s Chevrolet Camaro to run the “BPTI Street Stock” race. For the fans, the night’s excitement will include a drawing for a new flat screen television set.

Kerrville’s Moe VanKirk started last season a little late but still managed to win the title. This year he blew away the field and won more than two-thirds of the Limited Late Model races despite having to start nearly every race from the back as the points leader. With no points on the line at the “Shootout,” just money, the Limited Lates will likely let it all hang out in the “C-D Electric Limited Late Model” feature.

San Antonio’s Mark McGahey worked speed and consistency into a formula good enough to win his first IMCA Southern Sports Modified championship at I-37 Raceway. The “Sports Mods” will run the “Manning Safety Services Sports Modified” feature, backed by the suppliers of oil-field safety equipment, and the big Modifieds will be back for the “3-D Landscaping Modified” feature.

The Street Stocks saw a season-long battle among four drivers who should (and probably will) move up in class next year. Though last year’s rookie of the year Wade Jones of Jourdanton had the title locked up early, he also had Floresville’s A. J. Wernette and San Antonio driver Tommy Casey on his tail every week and all year.

They’ll be racing for “BPTI Street Stock” purse with no worries about fixing the car before next season, but they will be dealing with an experienced and high-profile “rookie” in Robert Barker, a former winner at San Antonio Speedway, Thunderhill Raceway and Houston Motorsports Park.. This one is likely to get interesting in a hurry.

The Pure Stock class was a battle among several drivers including former track and class champion Janel Hilla, former track photographer Marc Roy, Sean Terry (forced to miss several races due to his work on an oil rig) and rookie William “Heat” Saunders. It came down to the last night, with Hilla winning her heat race to close to within three points of Roy as they started the feature.

Roy had problems of his own, and was forced to use a car borrowed from his teammate Lynn Hardy for the final two races following damage to his car, while Mike Brown, who hadn’t won a race all year, came through to win on the last night. Roy flashed across the line just behind him with Hilla on his tail, but Roy had the Pure Stock title. Still, Hilla has finished first, third and second in the last three championships and will be back next season.

They’ll be running in the “Douglass Glass Pure Stock” feature, with Dennis “Loco Ocho” Jasik of Douglass Glass probably out there in his number 8 Pure Stock trying to keep some of the money in the company.

Cars are expected from Austin, Houston, Goliad and perhaps Killeen with added cash on the line, Overall title sponsor Hill Country Satellite handles everything from Direct TV to security systems and even supplies racing radios.

Racing will start on Friday at 7:30 pm and on Saturday at 7:00 pm. The full schedule for the special Friday-Saturday event will be posted in advance on the I-37 Raceway web site. (www.i37raceway.com) or call (210) 478-0111.

by TQ Jones

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