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Cody Smith and the “Young Guns” sweep top spots in Texas Super Racing Series “Operation Interdependence 75″ at Thunderhill Raceway

Like the week before at Houston Motorsports Park, the young guns of the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model division swept the top spots at Thunderhill Raceway during the running of the annual “Operation Interdependence 75.”

Teen drivers Cody Smith, Jake Kruger and Dillon Spreen swept the top three spots at the tricky three-eight-mile, D-Shaped oval in Kyle, Texas. And another youngster, Levi Krauss finished fifth to take four of the top five finishing spots!

Veteran driver Robert Barker finished fourth after a race-long tussle with Spreen for position.

The cleanly-run, seventy-five lap affair only was slowed by one caution period - and that was for some debris on the racing surface on the eighteenth lap.

TSRS point leader Bobby Teer, Jr, took the early lead from his front-row starting-spot on the grid which was set by point standings due to the weather conditions, but Smith and Kruger were quickly into second and third.

After several laps of constant pressure from Smith, Teer finally gave up the lead on the ninth circuit and a good portion of the field, which had pretty much bunched up behind the leaders, freight-trained under the Teer machine, dropping him back to sixth behind another youngster, Kendall Bumbera.

From that point on Smith and Kruger - two very evenly matched drivers in two very evenly matched racing machines – went nose-to-tail at the front while the rest of the field battled for position.

At halfway it was Smith, Kruger, Spreen, Cary Stapp, Barker, Krauss, Teer, Bumbera, Jeff O’Neil, Robert Walton and Todd Farris.

One of the more exciting battles back in the pack was between Teer and Krauss for third. Every time Krauss was able to get his nose under Teer, Teer would slam the door. Finally, after many tries, Krauss made it by on the 50th circuit. Another good battle was waged between Barker and Spreen with Spreen coming out on top in that one.

By the time the checkered flag flew, Smith and Kruger had almost a half lap on Spreen and Barker. Smith took the well-deserved win after running a flawless race. Kruger gave it a great try but came up a bit short for second. Spreen crossed the line a few car lengths over Barker and even further back Krauss and Teer rounded out the top six.

Official TSRS Late Model results:

1. 05 Cody Smith, La Vernia, 75 laps
2. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, 75 laps
3. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, 75 laps
4. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, 75 laps
5. 4 Levi Krauss, Seguin, 75 laps
6. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, 74 laps
7. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, 74 laps
8. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, 74 laps
9. 28 Jeff O’Neil, Round Rock, 73 laps
10. 49 Robert Walton, Bastrop, 70 laps
11. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, 70 laps
12. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio – DNS

By Nick Holt

Texas Super Racing Series set for “Operation Inderdependence 75″ tonight at Thunderhill Raceway

Veteran Bobby Teer, Jr, will lead a strong contingent of Texas Super Racing Series Late Model drivers into tonight’s “Operation Interdependence 75” at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas. The staff and race teams will be honoring the military at this event along with staff from Operation Interdependence.

Youngsters Jake Kruger, winner of the last TSRS event at Houston Motorsports Park, Dillon Spreen, Cody Smith, Kendall Bumbera and Levi Kraus will be looking to make another top three sweep in the 75-lap feature at the 3/8-mile, D-Shaped oval.

The TSRS Allison Legacy Series will also be on hand for a 50-lap feature.

Rounding out the racing action will be the THR Mini Stocks, the always popular Dwarf Cars, the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, the THR Grand Stocks, the NasKarts and the newest THR division – the SportMods.

Spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the racing action takes the green flag at 5:30 with for the TSRS Late Models, TSRS Allison Legacys and the SportMods.

For more information log onto the THR website at http://www.thunderhillraceway.com.

TSRS LATE MODEL POINTS AS OF MAY 2, 2009

Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Points

1. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX 652
2. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX 639
3. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX 606
4. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX 595
5. 05 Cody Smith, LaVernia, TX 589
6. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX 574
7. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, TX 574
8. 4 Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX 561
9. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, TX 557
10. 7 Chris Schild, Leander, TX 294
11. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX 292
12. 51 Chad Menard, Castroville, TX 284
13. 15 Bradley Burke, Johnson City, TX 256
14. 1 Heath Stewart, Del Valle, TX 175
15. 1 Colt James, North Carolina 170
16. 93 Kyle Sirizzotti, Helotes, TX 170
17. 54 Todd McLemore, Austin, TX 160
18. 33 Mike Williams, Hockley, TX 150
19. 79 Brian Moczygemba, San Antonio, TX 146
20. 12 Adam Haugh, Round Rock, TX 138
21. 20 Mark Mathias, San Antonio, TX 127
22. 6 Jason Hollander, Round Rock, TX 124
23. 00 Beau Bukowski ,San Antonio, TX 5
24. 49 Robert Walton, Bastrop, TX 0

Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - 4/27/2009

In this Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, we’ll take you inside the Texas Trucks feature at Thunderhill this past weekend. Nick Holt talked with several drivers including the feature race winner!

Mark Chrudimsky takes Pro Modified win; Cody Smith “Picks Up” Pro Truck victory at Thunderhill Raceway

Thunderhill Raceway (THR) welcomed the Texas Pro Modifieds and the Texas Pro Trucks to their well-maintained paved track in Kyle this past Saturday and Mark Chrudimsky and Cody Smith are glad they did.

Veteran driver Chrudimsky won the “DWIDUDE.com Pro Modified 50” while first-time truck driver Smith took home the winner’s trophy after the 50-lap Pro Truck main event.

Smith - driving a Pro Truck borrowed from front-running THR regular Shawn Paul Lehman, who missed the race to participate in his younger sister’s wedding ceremony, took the green flag from his pole position and led all 50 laps at the three-eighth mile, D-shaped oval, but it wasn’t as easy as it might seem.

DPS Texas State Trooper D.L. Wilson was the first of three drivers to give Smith a good run for the money, but on the seventh lap fast-qualifier Jason Marshall scooted by Wilson to take over second. No speeding ticket was issued after the pass and Marshall proceeded to make friends with Smith’s rear bumper and otherwise make life difficult for the leader.

After a caution period or two for minor spins, at mid race Marshall began to apply some serious pressure just as Wilson and hard-charging Cory Roper joined the front pair to make it a nice, tight foursome.

On the 29th circuit, Marshall got into Smith’s rear bumper a bit too hard and Smith’s truck went for a smoky spin to bring out the yellow caution flag. Track officials conferred and ruled that Marshall would have to move to the back of the field for the restart due to the contact.

But Smith’s worries were not over as the youngster soon had his mirror full of Wilson and Roper who were having a bit of a battle for second behind right behind him. Roper finally manages to squeak by Wilson for second, but not for long as Roper suddenly gets nearly sideways in turn four which gave Wilson the opportunity he needed to regain the runner-up spot.

All the dicing behind him had allowed Smith to gain a few truck lengths on the pair, but by lap 38 Marshall had worked his way back up to fourth and closed in on Wilson and Roper as the laps clicked down. And with two laps remaining Marshall banged his way past both Wilson and Roper to claim second.

Unfortunately, there were not enough laps for a photo finish showdown and Smith took the checkered flag a few truck lengths ahead of the fast-closing Marshall. Roper, Wilson, newlywed Lynn Hardy and 2008 Pro Truck champion Jim Albert rounded out the top five.

During the post race technical inspection, however, it was determined that both Marshall and Roper were too low to the ground and both were moved to the rear of the finishing order.

Pro Truck feature event results:

Finishing position, Truck number, Name, Laps completed, Qualifying time
1. 28 Cody Smith, 50 laps, QT 16.860
2. 6 D.L. Wilson, 50 laps, QT 16.725
3. 36 Lynn Hardy, 50 laps, QT 17.119
4. 31 Jim Albert, 50 laps, QT 17.028
5. 10 Greg Wade, 50 laps, DNQ
6. 3 David Lewien, 47 laps, QT 17.277
7. 14 Chris Roper, 32 laps, QT 17.224
8. 42 Jason Marshall, QT 16.401, Technical Infraction – too low
9. 04 Cory Roper, QT 16.864, Technical Infraction – too low

DWIDUDE.Com Pro Modified 50

Mark Chrudimsky has proven over the years that he can win in anything from a school bus to a Super Late Model and he showcased his racing savvy again Saturday night in winning the “DWIDUDE.Com Pro Modified 50.”

Fifteen of the low-slung Pro Modifieds lined up at the start with some of the best driving talent in Texas set to take the green flag after a brief shower cooled things down a bit.

Justin Long and his well-known teammate Joe Aramendia were on the front row with Chrudimsky and nationally-known hotshoe Tuffy Hudson poised in row two. Michael Umscheid, who set a new Pro Modified track record at 15.107 seconds in qualifying and racing legend Chris Davidson hunkered down in row three. Just behind them the always aggressive John Heil and veteran John Paul Kliewer lined up in row four. Ian Webster, Jim Nides, John Schultz, Bob Slezinsky, Bubba Menard, Greg Baber and Jay Guthrie rounded out the stellar field.

At the drop of the green the whole field went side-by-side for a lap or two, but at the end of the second lap Nides and Slezinsky got together in turn one and they both spun to bring out the first caution flag of the race.

On the restart there was some bumper tag as the field took the green but everyone hung on with Long out first and Chrudimsky right on his bumper. The super quick Umschied took the inside line to worm past Aramendia taking Hudson and Heil along with him as Aramendia got hung out to dry in the high groove, falling back into line in the fifth spot.

It wasn’t long before Webster looped it down the back straight and the yellow waved on lap thirteen. Hudson unexpectedly pitted as the field circled slowly under the yellow. He did not return.

It was back to business on lap 16 with Long, Chrudimsky, Umscheid, Heil, Davidson and Aramendia the top six at this point.

Shortly after racing resumed, Umscheid took a couple of long inside looks under Chrudimsky and nearly made it by at least twice, but Chrudimsky held his line and was able to hold second as the top four ran lap after lap nose-to-tail with each driver determined to advance if anyone bobbled.

At halfway it was still Long, Chrudimsky, Umscheid, Heil, Davidson, Aramendia, Schultz, Nides, Slezinsky, Baber, Menard, Guthrie and Kleiwer.

A few laps later Kliewer, Slezinsky and Baber all tangled and slid hard into the turn four tire wall in a huge cloud of tire smoke. Slezinsky hit the hardest and the track went red as the safety crew responded. Slezinsky was able to get out of the car on his own – a bit wobbly perhaps – but was taken to a local hospital for a checkup as a precautionary measure since he didn’t seem to be clicking on all eight after the hit. Later reports were positive with Slezinsky apparently in much better shape than his mangled Pro Modified.

During the red flag period lots of steam poured from Heil’s machine and he pitted after getting permission to leave the track during the red.

The top three jumped out quickly on the lap 32 restart with Davidson watching the action a few car lengths back in fourth. And he had a lot to watch as Umscheid worked Chrudimsky over hard. Meanwhile Long was able to gain a few car lengths as he watched the excitement in his mirror.

Umscheid was unable to get by, however, so Chrudimsky turned his attention to Long, who seemed to be losing some of his handling as the laps clicked down.

With 10 to go, the track suddenly seemed to get a bit slippery and Long bobbled a bit coming off turn four. Chrudimsky got a good run down the straight and headed towards the inside line as the pair prepared to enter turn one. They made contact, Long spun and came to rest at the bottom of the track midway between turn one and turn two where Davidson, with no place to go slid - more or less gently - into the front of Long’s machine.

Race control ruled that Chrudimsky had the line and sent Long to the rear for the contact that brought out a caution. That gave Chrudimsky the lead with only ten laps remaining.

The next ten laps were a picture of clean, hard racing with two experienced drivers putting on a classic show for the good crowd on hand.

Umscheid stalked and studied Chrudimsky’s line for the next few laps and with five to go turned up the heat. He looked inside. He looked outside, then inside again, but Chrudimsky never wavered from his line.

Finally - on the last lap - Umscheid gave Chrudimsky a love tap coming off turn four, but Mark “The Wildman” Chrudimsky didn’t seem to notice and took the checkered with Umscheid right there next to him. A few car lengths back Davidson, Aramendia and Webster rounded out the top five.

Results of the “DWIDUDE.Com Pro Modified 50.”

Finishing position, Car number, Name, Laps completed, Qualifying time
1. 39 Mark Chrudimsky, 50 laps, QT 15.394
2. 5 Michael Umscheid, 50 laps, QT 15.107 NEWTRACK RECORD
3. 41 Chris Davidson, 50 laps, QT 15.650
4. 42X Joe Aramendia, 50 laps, QT 15.584
5. 9 Ian Webster, 50 laps, QT 15.725
6. 14 John Schultz, 50 laps, QT 15.766
7. 22 John Paul Kliewer, 50 laps, QT 15.678
8. 42 Justin Long, 50 laps, QT 15.370
9. 8 Jim Nides, 50 laps, QT 15.732
10. 78 Greg Baber, 50 laps, QT 16.211
11. 98 Jay Guthrie, 49 laps, QT 16.273
12. 65 Bubba Menard, 46 laps, QT 15.895
13. 15 John Heil, 44 laps, QT 15.664
14. 26 Robert Slezinsky, 30 laps, QT 15.777
15. 7 Tuffy Hudson, 15 laps, QT 15.631

In other racing action at Thunderhill Raceway on Saturday, Charles Aikin hung on to win the 50-lap Texas Super Racing Series Allison Legacy feature over former Pro Truck champion Rusty Mirth and Charles Evans, Jr.

Mike Merrell wheeled his VW Scirocco to victory in the 20-lap Texas Pro Sedan feature after Tom Johnson, who dominated the first portion of the race, pitted during a caution period.

Mike Steinman snapped Lyndon Kirk’s win streak in the 20-lap NasKart main event. Richard Gonzales ran a steady race to finish second.

Allen Alexander outgunned points leader Clint LaFont to claim take the 40-lap ASA A-Line Super Stock feature win, Anthony Gordon took the Thunder Stock feature after apparent race winner David Sevilla was deemed “too low” during a post race tech inspection, and J.C. Umscheid beat Brandon Gaither to the finish line in the 20- lap Grand Stock event.

By Nick Holt
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Fifteen year-old Jake Kruger takes charge in TSRS event at Corpus Christi Speedway

Fifteen year-old Jake Kruger from Bastrop, TX – known by his team as “The Boss” – cracked the whip in Saturday night’s 75-lap Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model race at Corpus Christi Speedway.

Although Kruger has raced at Corpus Christi Speedway before with the Allison Legacy Racing Series, he is only in his second year in the TSRS Late Model class. He finished fifth in the 2008 TSRS Late Model points race and captured the TSRS Late Model Rookie of the Year title.

Kruger had his sights set on breaking the track record and began his weekend by turning in some impressive practice laps on Friday evening. Not surprisingly, Kruger turned in the top qualifying time on Saturday afternoon – clocking in with 14.072 seconds and shattering the track record of 14.515 seconds set by Ervin Breiten, Jr., on September 18, 2004.

Kruger’s good fortune continued when he grabbed the pole position in a post-qualifying draw. After leading the starting lineup to the green flag, Kruger quickly pulled ahead by several car lengths. He never looked back for the rest of the 75-lap event.

Kruger was eager to share his race strategy following his win. “I drove the car at half throttle throughout the entire race. I only used the brakes to set the nose, and then I’d just ease into the gas.”

“I was also able to get some really good starts after the cautions,” added Kruger. “I could usually gain two-three car lengths on the starts, which helped me stay in the lead.”

Kruger credits John Heil, known as “The Corpus Christi King,” with giving him the advice he needed to pull off the win. “John told me to take it easy on the throttle, don’t use the brakes much and save the tires. And John knows his stuff when it comes to Corpus Christi Speedway.”

Kruger is sponsored by Kruger Motorsports, Turner Motorsports, TRC Racecars and BMF Shocks.

Prior to the TSRS Late Model race, the newly acquired TSRS Allison Legacys awed the fans with their 50-lap feature race.

Rusty Mirth from Austin, TX, had clocked the second-fastest qualifying time earlier in the day and had also drawn the pole starting position. Similar to Kruger, Mirth held off the remaining field for the entire race.

Even though Mirth was a strong competitor with the Pro Trucks during the last few years, it’s his first season with the TSRS Allison Legacys. With just one prior race under his belt, he was able to capture his first victory this season.

Mirth is sponsored by Austin Boat Clinic, Austin Auto Signs and Graphi-Tees.

Interestingly enough, Kruger is currently mentoring 12-year-old Jake Wright in the TSRS Allison Legacy Series. After starting in the seventh position, Wright was able to battle his way up through the field to claim the second position – showing his mentor that he could also pull off a strong finish.

The TSRS Late Models will make the next stop on their tour at Houston Motorsports Park on May 2 as part of the “Adrenaline on Asphalt” show.

The TSRS Allison Legacys will be racing again this Saturday night (April 25) at Thunderhill Raceway – along with the Pro Trucks, Pro Modifieds, the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, Thunder Stocks, Grand Stocks, Mini Stocks and NasKarts.

Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. The racing action will begin with qualifying at 5:30 p.m., heat races at 6 p.m. and feature races at 7 p.m.

Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track that’s located at 24801 IH-35, just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210).

For more information on Thunderhill Raceway and a detailed schedule of this Saturday’s activities, visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.

TSRS Results - Corpus Christi Speedway -April 18, 2009

TSRS Allison Legacys
1. 07 Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.814
2. 96 Jake Wright, Shenandoah, TX, 50 laps, QT 16.724
3. 53 Charles Evans, Jr., Friendswood, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.748 **New Track record**, Penalized one position for jumping restart
4. 56 Lauren Runco, Spring Branch, TX, 49 laps, QT 16.703
5. 32 James Huff, Houson, TX, 49 laps, QT 16.552
6. 88 Kyle Harding, Conroe, TX, 48 laps, QT 16.452
7. 08 Gavin Boyett, Buda, TX, 12 laps, QT 15.887
8. 19 Cole Runco, Spring Branch, TX, 11 laps, QT 15.959

TSRS Late Models
1. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.072 **New Track record**
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.270
3. 4 Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.515
4. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.237
5. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.620
6. 51 Chad Menard, Castroville, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.255
7. 79 Brian Moczygemba, 75 laps, QT 14.438
8. 05 Cody Smith, La Vernia, TX, 59 laps, QT 14.229
9. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX, 21 laps, QT 14.516
10. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX, 4 laps, QT 14.285
11. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy,TX, 0 laps, QT 14.896
12. 00 Beau Bukowski, San Antonio, TX, DNQ- Broke in practice

By Debbie Williams, TSRS Public Relations Director
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Proven field lines up for Texas Super Racing Series opener this weekend at THR

There will plenty of “bragging rights” at the start/finish line when the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Models line up to take the green flag for their season opener this Saturday for the Allstate Texas Thunder 50 at the 3/8-mile asphalt oval that is Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, TX).

Among the drivers expected to start the TSRS season opener, there are 22 track and series championships, along with four Rookie of the Year (ROY) trophies.

Included in that barrage of championships and ROY titles is 2005 TSRS champion Chris Schild (Leander, TX), who had a four-year run of winning at least one race, which was snapped last season. Schild, the 2005 TSRS champion, has more than enough incentive to drive to victory lane on Saturday, as he’s tied with ‘06 series champ Tommy Gural for the most career wins in TSRS history (eight).

And expect Schild to start near the front as he’s the series leader in Fast Qualifier Awards (13).

There will be plenty of competition from a field that includes a host of up-and-coming youngsters. Fifteen-year-old Jake Kruger (Bastrop, TX) won two series races in ’08 and beat out Dillon Spreen (age 14) for the ROY award last season. Spreen, from Boerne (TX), is a nine-time champion (seven quarter-midget regional championships, two Allison Legacy championships) and will be out to add another drivers’ award to his large trophy case.

Two more young guns who will take their first laps in TSRS at Thunderhill Raceway (THR) on Saturday: Levi Krauss (age 17, Schertz, TX), the ‘08 ASA A-Line Super Stock ROY at THR; and, Kendall Bumbera, (Sealy, TX) the sister to Kristin Bumbera, who is currently driving in the NASCAR Camping World Series East for Bobby Hamilton, Jr.

Schild is one of a few “grizzled veterans” who will be spotlighted Saturday. Cody Smith, who was the 2006 TSRS ROY and Runner-up Champion as well as the ’05 THR Hobby Stock Champion, will steer his #05 car onto the track. He and Schild will be joined – among others – by Cary Stapp, the 2008 ASA National Champion and four-time THR ASA A-Line Super Stock champ; and, Bobby Teer Jr. (Comfort, TX) the 2004 THR Super Stock champ.

Information on TSRS can be found at www.manracingpromotions.com. Information about THR and the Allstate Texas Racefest can be found at www.texasracefest.com.

by Chuck Licata
Photo by Jeff Garvin

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