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McGaha, Abbey, White, Roller win Southern Challenge Championships at Abilene

The 17th Annual Ryan Bard Memorial, Southern Challenge wrapped racing action for year at Abilene Speedway for 2011. With 20 drivers already secured in spots for Sundays Big A-Main and B-mains in the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, the remaining group had one more shot to make the field for the big pay out at the end of the days racing.

Sundays afternoon racing always presents a ‘challenge’ to drivers and teams as track conditions change from Friday and Saturday night racing. The best dry, slick set ups and track position are key to finding the Winners Circle and championship pay day at the end of the day. Crews worked on the track right up until start time in an effort to keep a good track early.

Sunday’s races are always a day of remembrance for Ryan Bard who lost his life after a fiery crash early in the day several years ago. The memory of his loss was made even more emotional when word of Dan Weldon passing away during an Indy Car event in Las Vegas began to surface.

The Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock Shootout also finished up its racing season with heat races and feature to determine its champion.

McGaha ‘The Man’ in Modified main

Abilene’s Josh McGaha topped off a nearly perfect Southern Challenge weekend going wire to wire in the 30-lap IMCA Modified main event. McGaha got the lead from the pole and was chased early by national point’s runner-up Keith White. White’s run ended after an encounter with a lapped car sent him almost to the turn 1-2 wall. Gabe Tucker and Charles Brewer took up the charges after White fell out, but no one could touch McGaha even after a lap 25 caution rebunched the field. It was the biggest career win for the McGaha a former Abilene Speedway track champion.

The 20-car IMCA Modified field was pared down by two before the pack took the green. It was three wide in turn 4 as the race started, but Chris Dawson, Charles Brewer, Bo Newton and Tim Clonch got tangled in the melee ending the night for Clonch and Newton. Brewer would continue, Dawson would pit and return later in the race.

When green finally waved McGaha jumped out front with White getting a break from Hughes Chassis teammate Gabe Tucker to get the bottom. Tucker, Chris Elliott and Brewer lined up behind White. The top five were nose to tail and easing away from GW Egbert IV, Ben Ketteman, Philip Houston and Neal Flowers. As Brewer got by Elliott for fourth, Dawson returned, strolled around and fell in between McGaha and White.

McGaha was able to inch away as Dawson held up the pack. White tried to go outside and Dawson threw a block with Tucker trying to dive low. White again tried high on Dawson with Dawson running White up the track almost to the wall. Brewer snuck past the scramble for second, with Tucker third. White caught up to Dawson and gave him a shot on the bumper with Dawson going around and collecting Flowers.

As the race resumed and came to halfway it was McGaha, Tucker, Brewer, Elliott and Ketteman in the top five. Elliott tried the high side of Brewer for third but got freight-trained by Ketteman, Houston and Egbert. McGaha continued to hold his advantage over Tucker until Fred Wojtek clipped an infield tire in turn 3 with five to go. The field stayed in line on the restart with no one willing to chance the outside. McGaha ran unchallenged to the checkers in the A City Speed, Texas Roadhouse, Extreme Bodies, Lone Star Wind Farm, Five Star Powder Coating, Showtime Signs & Graphics, Fletchers Motorsports, Dirt Works Genesis Chassis.

“This is by far my biggest win,” replied McGaha. “We’ve had a real good year racing here and had a run for the championship with my buddy Charles (Brewer). We barely missed it, but I’ll take winning the Southern Challenge. We won the IMCA Modified championship here four or five years ago. We’ve kind of laid low on running for points and concentrate on feature wins.”

“On Sunday you never have to worry about someone trying to sneak by on top. It’s pretty much guaranteed no one will be out there. You just hope everyone is courteous behind you and they stay off your rear bumper. You just to keep it around the bottom. Rob (Poor) tried to give us a better track for racing on Sunday, but it didn’t happen. Friday and Saturday night is was good and there was lots of racing.”

“You know there’s going to be fast guys behind you. If you make the A-main for the Southern Challenge there will be some good cars. I knew there would be some on my heels. When you’re in the lead you don’t have anything to gauge your pace. I was conservative getting in and able to pull off the corners. I felt a couple taps, but they were good enough not to get me sideways.”

“I’m not much of a point’s racer. We had a real good second half of the season and got in the hunt. We made the feature at Boone(SuperNationals) and won this. We just hope next year will be as good or better, but we’ll just be running for wins. I’ve got to thank my pit man, Bubba, he’s been with since the Icebreaker last year. He puts a lot of hours in for little pay. I couldn’t be here without him.”

IMCA Modifieds
911 Josh McGaha, Abilene, 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon, 72 Charles Brewer, Abilene, 37 Ben Ketteman, Pflugerville, 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, 717 GW Egbert IV, Belton, 66 Lance Shaw, Sweetwater, 7 Randy Martin, Springtown, 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene, 44 Fred Wojtek, Abilene, 23 Chris Elliott, Eastland, 1 Keith White, Academy, 85 Neal Flowers, Hobbs, NM, 711 Chris Dawson, Post, 19 BJ Baze, Sherman, 16 Bob Sikes. Eunice, NM, 117 Toby Herring, Hobbs, NM, 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 89 Bo Newton, Bangs, 18 Tim Clonch, Quinlan

IMCA Modified B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
37 Ben Ketteman, Pflugerville, 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene, 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 71 Philip Houston. Odessa, 117 Toby Herring, Hobbs, NM, 16 Bob Sikes, Eunice NM, 44 Fred Wojtek, Abilene, 89 Bo Newton, Bangs, 66 Lance Shaw, Sweetwater, 7 Randy Martin, Springtown, 318 Scotty Cook, Abilene, 17 Jimmy Tidwell, Round Rock, 29 Jamie Campbell, Adkins, 49 Vince Ogle, Lubbock, 24 Tony Wink, Abilene, 34 Brendon Medcalf, Tolar, 83 Chad Estes, Troy, 63 Hardy Henderson, Taylor, 43 Robby Edwards, Eastland, 141 Monte Bolton, Lubbock—DNS

IMCA Modified Last Chance Qualifiers(Top 5 to back of B-main)
LCQ #1 16 Bob Sikes, 44 Fred Wojtek, 66 Lance Shaw, 34 Brendon Medcalf, 49 Vince Ogle
LCQ #2 83 Chad Estes, 89 Bo Newton, 318 Scotty Cook, 17 Jimmy Tidwell, 24 Tony Wink

IMCA Modified Heats(Top 6 to Last Chance Qualifier)
Heat 1 16 Bob Sikes, 44 Fred Wojtek, 34 Brendon Medcalf, 302 Bo Briley, 03 Mike Hathcock, 116 Mikel Powers
Heat 2 66 Lance Shaw, 49 Vince Ogle, 104 Kevin Switzer, 13 Jim Thorp, 82 Donald Thatch, 61 Bobby Sikes jr.
Heat 3 *3 Chad Estes, 17 Jimmy Tidwell, 51 Larry Floyd jr., 24 Tony Wink, 318 Scotty Cook, 611 Caleb Stone
Heat 4 89 Bo Newton, 59 Kelly Allen, 102 David Davis, 171 Chad Melton, 144 Joe Spillman, 12 Toby Hubbard

All Abbey in Sportmod Sweep

The 2011 IMCA Southern Sportmod, Dean Abbey (Haslet) showed everyone why he was this year’s titlist. Abbey led from start to finish in the 30-lapper for the Sportmods. Abbey was trailed early by JC Howell until track favorite, Bradley Poor took up the challenges. Poor pressured Abbey throughout the last three quarters of the race waiting for a mistake that Abbey never would make. The final laps saw the top four running nose to tail trading a few bumper taps all the way to the checkers.

It took several attempts to get the 20-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature started under green. When they finally got a lap in the books, Abbey as out front followed by Howell, Poor, Steve Hayes and Matt Mueller. Doug Easterling brought out a yellow on lap 1 to slow the action again. The top eight stayed in line back under green while Shane Priddy got by Justin Shaw for ninth.

Johnny Torres followed Priddy through to tenth, then got by Priddy for ninth. As Abbey built a good lead, Poor got around Howell for second. Priddy brought out a yellow on lap 5 when he went around in turn 3. Back under green Abbey and Poor broke free from Hayes and Mueller. Torres picked up another spot getting by Gary Underwood, bringing Kelly Cross and Michael Tennison.

Tennison got past Torres for seventh and as Torres slid high, Cross and Underwood got past for eighth and ninth. Coming the crossed flags it was Abbey, Poor, Hayes, Mueller and Mark Patterson getting by George Egbert III for fifth. Yellow waved on lap 15 for a get together between Torres, Shane Wojtek, David Elliott and Underwood in turns 1-2.
Once back to green the top four got away as Patterson slowed from fifth splitting the pack.

With ten to go Poor was all over Abbey’s bumper as the two put some distance on Hayes and Mueller. As they battled up front, Hayes and Mueller closed back in with five to go. A game of bumper tag broke out among the lead group with two laps left. The game was clean and Abbey held off the charges in the BG Motorsports, JL Racing, Smileys, Rhino Racing Rearends, Braka Operating, E&E Kustoms, Tumbleweed BBQ, Chase Me Race Engines, Abbey Racing Chassis.

“The car was really, really good all weekend,” commented Abbey. “I can’t complain about anything. We drew good on Friday and ran up front. I couldn’t do this by myself though. All the props go to Brad Gaines and JL Racing for all they do. Without his set up we’d never be where we were.”

“You know that guys will be coming, but you have to run every lap like it’s the first lap and do your thing. You can’t worry about who’s behind and just focus on what you have to do and not make any mistakes.”

“Winning the IMCA Southern Sportmod Championship and winning this race are big accomplishments. We’ve won some titles in Bandeleros and Legend cars and runner up for rookie of year in Sportmods in 2009. This is a really big race for me because it’s the first time I’ve ever made the feature in three years of trying.”

“I’ve run dirt and pavement and while dirt is more fun, I can’t take away from what I learned racing pavement. I learned all the fundamentals running asphalt, the dirt’s just made me better.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
26 Dean Abbey, Haslet, 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene, 38 Matt Mueller, Stamford, 95 Steve Hayes, Eastland, 63 Michael Tennison, Baird, 70 George Egbert, Salado, 103 JC Howell, Mabank, 00 Kelly Cross, Amarillo, 7 Stephen Robison, Abilene, 25 Terry Owen, Merkel, 45 Shane Wojtek, Robert Lee, 88 Doug Easterling, Rule, 172 Mark Patterson, Abilene, 99 Gary Underwood, Abilene, 71 Johnny Torres, San Antonio, 19 David Elliott, Eastland, 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater, 766 Shane Priddy, Abilene, 77 Tyler Fain, Tuscola, 17 Scotty Wallace, Lorenzo

IMCA SSM B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
99 Gary Underwood, Abilene, 71 Johnny Torres, San Antonio, 766 Shane Priddy, Abilene, 63 Michael Tennison, Baird, 7 Stephen Robison, Abilene, 17 Scotty Wallace. Lorenzo, 00 Kelly Cross, Amarillo, 45 Shane Wojtek, Robert Lee, 88 Doug Easterling, Rule, 25 Terry Owen, Merkel, 118 Robert Crabtree jr., Clyde, 311 Danny Patterson, Abilene, 97 Julie Boettler, Farmington, NM, 917 Kyle Wisdom, Abilene , 80 Mike Easterwood, Sundown, 144 Tim Ridgeway, Midland, 18 Douglas Gillespie, Amarillo, 511 Cory Williams, Slaton, 31 Brian Heard, Hobbs, NM, 59 Chad Hertel, Shallowater—DNS

IMCA SSM Last Chance Qualifiers(Top 5 to back of B-main)
LCQ #1 00 Kelly Cross, 80 Mike Easterwood, 25 Terry Owen, 31 Brian Heard, 917 Kyle Wisdom
LCQ #2 118 Robert Crabtree jr., 88 Doug Easterling, 18 Douglas Gillespie, 45 Shane Wojtek, 97 Julie Boettler

IMCA SSM Heats(Top 6 to Last Chance Qualifier)
Heat 1 00 Kelly Cross, 11 Michael Therwhanger, 25 Terry Owen, 91 Mitchell Wachsmann, 01 Charlie Underwood, 33 Bobby Bentle
Heat 2 80 Mike Easterwood, 31 Brian Heard, 4 Kenneth Graves, 22 Joey Klemish, 917 Kyle Wisdom, 227 Forrest Wemken
Heat 3 45 Shane Wojtek, 18 Douglas Gillespie, 97 Julie Boettler, 32 Rodger Pierce, 166 Brian Carey, 117 JP Vasquez jr.
Heat 4 118 Robert Crabtree jr., 88 Doug Easterling, 690 Todd Bartlett, 122 Brandon Brown, 14 Cody Brosh, 1 Michael Galan

White Wins as Phillips Fails

As if Keith White needed any help, racelong leader David Phillips saw a transmission failure hand the win to White, the 2011 IMCA Stock Car National Champion. Phillips led at green with friend and track rival, Shane Priddy on his tail. Priddy had problems and pulled off leaving White far behind Phillips. White methodically cut into Phillips lead catching him near halfway. A late restart was Phillips downfall as high gear broke on the restart giving White the opening he needed to get by with five to. White then eased away from JC Howell, who gave up spots on the final laps leaving White unchallenged at the checkers.

It was a good start for Phillips in the IMCA Stock Car feature as he jumped out, trailed by Priddy, White, JC Howell and Duain Pritchett. Priddy had trouble and slowed on lap 2 dropping from second and leaving Phillips with a gap back to White. White methodically cut into Phillips’ lead catching him at halfway, with Howell, Pritchett and Chad Estes rounding out the top five.

Trey Melton brought out the races’ first caution with a spin in turn 4. On green the top three stayed nose to tail and eased away from Pritchett and Estes. Pritchett gave up fourth when he slowed and pulled off on lap 18, with Joe Colyer getting by Bo Briley for fifth. Colyer then lost fluid on track and stopped for a lap 24 caution that would prove to be Phillips downfall.

On the restart Phillips couldn’t get the car in high gear with White and the rest of the field diving low to avoid Phillips. White lead coming back to the line for lap 25, with Howell, Estes, Billy Wade and Tim Clonch now in the top five. An infield tire slowed the action on lap 25 briefly, but White would power away on the restart and pull away for the victory in the Tracys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, Triple T Trucking, Stacys Farms, Tubbs Paint & Body, TCI, Craftmasters Powder Coating, Extreme Graphics, BSB Manufacturing, KS Engineering, Bill Whites Auto Sales, Belton Iron & Steel, racinwithneal.com, Kempner Iron & Steel, Stephenville Starter, CenTex Motorsports, Medieval Chassis.

“I hate to win one this way,” said White. “But we’ll spend the money just the same. I thought maybe he lost the clutch, but he lost high gear. We’ve had our share of the same issues in the twenty plus years we’ve been doing this. It doesn’t make it feel any better. They’re good people and I feel for them.

“He pretty much had me covered. I laid back a little but there’s not much you can do with the track that’s one lane. That might breed some of this racing that happens here on Sunday. I wish they’d go to a Thursday. Friday and Saturday night race. We need a night show to be the marquee event for the Southern Challenge”

“You’d like to say that winning one that you might not have and losing one that you might have won equals out, but it doesn’t. When you lose one because of someone that isn’t worth it and lose one to a good person like David Phillips just because of a parts failure. No it doesn’t work out.”

“Even with all my wins in my career it’s still fun to come up here and do good. The people I associate with are all good people and that’s why I come and hang out with them here. We want to win for our sponsors, our family and friends. I really have to thank Gabe Tucker for the use of his Modified this weekend after mine was torn up at Boone.”

“It wasn’t that easy jumping into an I-stock and winning the National Championship. I don’t think of it as a step down either. This is whole different feel, style of driving and there’s good, hard drivers that you can run door to door with. It’s fun to race like that. The Stock Car breed that type of racing. That’s the kind of racing we need to have.”

“Losing the Modified points by just a few again this year kind of bums you out. But that’s the way the points racing is. It’s what got us the Stock Car title. So you win by it and lose by it. So close, but so far away. I feel we gave away a few wins this year and I can count them. Come February of next year we’ll be loaded for bear again.”

IMCA Stock Cars
11 Keith White, Academy, 83 Chad Estes, Troy, 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 125 Tim Clonch, Quinlan, 103 JC Howell, Mabank, 08 Levi Hodges, Ft Worth, 26 Marc Egbert, Lubbock, 77 Allen Bradley, Farmington, NM, 28 Cory Davis, Eunice, NM, 18 David Phillips, Abilene, 117 Joe Colyer, Abilene, 07 Dennis Bissonnette, Stephenville, 302 Bo Briley, Miles, 221 Duain Pritchett, Combine, 47 Trey Melton, Lubbock, 01 Chris Hale, Ringling, OK, 201 Cody Kays, Hobbs, NM, 10 Mike McCarthy, Round Rock, 771 Shane Priddy, Abilene

IMCA Stock Car B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 77 Allen Bradley, Farmington, NM, 08 Levi Hodges, Ft Worth, 10 Mike McCarthy, Round Rock, 117 Joe Colyer, Abilene, 156 Jason Adcock, San Angelo, 201 Cody Kays, Hobbs, NM, 47 Trey Melton, Lubbock, 07 Dennis Bissonnette, Stephenville, 26 Marc Egert, Lubbock, 113 Jim Thorp, Mertzon, 12 Dustin White, Lamesa, 3 Steffan Carey, Bloomfield, NM, 88 Robert Barnett sr. Abilene, 02 Wayne Stremmel, Stamford, 55 Mart Wampler, Snyder, 4 Kelly Brown, Abilene, 69 Lewis Hammond, Midland, 50 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City, 59 Travis Sutherlin, Aztec, NM

IMCA Stock Car Last Chance Qualifiers(Top 5 to back of B-main)
LCQ #1 47 Trey Melton, 26 Marc Egert, 113 Jim Thorp, 55 Mart Wampler, 02 Wayne Stremmel
LCQ #2 156 Jason Adcock, 07 Dennis Bissonnette, 69 Lewis Hammond, 50 Terry Wojtek, 12 Dustin White

IMCA Stock Car Heats(Top 6 to Last Chance Qualifier)
Heat 1 02 Wayne Stremmel, 113 Jim Thorp, 47 Trey Melton, 7 Walter Freeman, 21 Scott Kristinik, 8 Dustin Locke
Heat 2 15 Corbie McLaren, 26 Marc Egert, 131 Mark Lord, 25 Donald Baker, 55 Mart Wampler, 14 Kenneth Graves
Heat 3 07 Dennis Bissonnette, 12 Dustin White, 1 Willie Free, 69 Lewis Hammond, 971 JD White, 992 Karah Ward
Heat 4 156 Jason Adcock, 99 Tim Pfalgraf, 122 Bill Brzezinski, 50 Terry Wojtek, 43 Scotty Cook, 81 Hunter Russell

Rockin’ Roller for Hobby Honors

Scoring the biggest win of his life, Waco’s Andy Roller lead every lap in the feature and nearly every lap on the weekend. Roller only trailed for a single lap during Friday night’s heat race. Roller was pursued throughout the 30-lap event by Billy Briley II who could only get close under yellow. After a mid-race caution, Roller stretched out his advantage over Briley as the top eight spread out. Roller was able to put it on cruise control as he powered his way to the victory.

Roller eased away as green flew on the IMCA Hobby Stock feature with three wide racing in the pack. Billy Briley, Jeremy Carter, Tobie Talk and Allen Montgomery sorted themselves out behind Roller. Terry Comer II went for spin in turn 4 to bring out a lap 1 caution. Roller again jumped out on green leaving Carter pressuring Briley for second. Carter left an opening for Talk to get by for third, but closed the door before Montgomery could get through.

Jerry West and Jordan Lathram tangled in turn 3 to bring out a yellow on lap 9. Back under green, Carter was able to retake third from Talk, but gave the spot up as the two swapped positions. Amanda Brewer brought oit a caution on lap 12 when she spun in turn 1. Roller pulled ahead on green coming to the midway point trailed by Briley, Talk, Montgomery and Carter.

The final half of the race saw the top eight separate out between each other, with only small skirmishes breaking out farther back in the pack. This left Roller all alone out front with no pressure other than making a mistake. At the checkers it was Roller by a comfortable margin in the Howard’s Automatic Transmissions, Hammack Racing, Mach-1, Demon Decals, Southwest Maintenance, A&J Custom Paint, J&J Race Engines, Charger Chassis.

“I’ve never won a race from the pole,” exclaimed Roller. “The car was perfect this weekend, I think we led every lap but one in the heat race. We bought two new tires for today figuring we’d chew them up, and they probably are. This is the biggest win of my career. I won a $500 to win race in Killeen and got to shoot the cannon, but the extra $500 is bigger than that.”

“It’s hard to go outside here on Sunday so I wasn’t too worried about that. They don’t use a line up board here so I didn’t know who was behind me. I saw the 123 car(Billy Briley II) behind me once, but I just started counting down the laps. I tried counting double so they’d go quicker. I was so happy when I saw that white flag. I just tried to hug the tires. That’s the way to run here on Sunday. If you don’t mess up you’ve got a good chance of winning.”

IMCA Hobby Stocks
63 Andy Roller, Waco, 123 Billy Briley II, Midland, 77 Tobie Talk, Abilene, 38 Allen Montgomery, Ft. Worth, 25 Jeremy Carter, Joshua, 56 Justin Cass, Abilene, 85 David Bissonnette, Stephenville, 237 Jordan Lathram, Hobbs, NM, 3 Amanda Brewer, Hillsboro, 23 Alec Smith, Hobbs, NM, 17 Jon Grindstaff, Venus, 37 Lynn Gibson, Rhome, 721 Jaron Shahon, China Spring, 21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley, 818 Dustin Mims, Dublin, 9 Jerry West, Ft. Worth, 72 Tommy Phillips, Abilene, 27 Chase Parsons, Abilene, 15 Terry Comer II, Hawley, 86 Brian Flowers, Hobbs, NM

IMCA Hobby Stock B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
86 Brian Flowers, Hobbs, NM, 72 Tommy Phillips, Abilene, 27 Chase Parsons, Abilene, 237 Jordan Lathram, Hobbs, NM, 15 Terry Comer II, Hawley, 721 Jaron Shahon, China Spring, 3 Amanda Brewer, Hillsboro, 23 Alec Smith, Hobbs, NM, 17 Jon Grindstaff, Venus, 37 Lynn Gibson, Rhome, 55 Wendall Kurts, Hamlin, 122 George Locke, Eunice, NM, 46 Billy Taylor, Gatesville, 827 Chris Mims, Dublin, 117 Derek Sparks, Stephenville, 24 Gordon Pippin, McCaulley

Roberts Rockets to Young Guns Shootout

Jarrett Roberts jumped out front at the start of the 15 lap Young Guns, Jr. Mini Stock feature with Trinten Turley, Tyler Webb, Austin Wanderschied and Bryce Pritchett on his tail. As B. Pritchett moved up to fourth, John Freeman worked his way into the top five. Jarred Marquez spun on lap 5 for the first yellow. Once back under green, Roberts, Turley and Webb broke away.

Turley and Webb made contact battling for second with Webb going into the back stretch wall for a lap 6 yellow. Roberts pulled away from B. Pritchett back under green with Wanderschied and Brook Cooper side by side. Copper was then able to get around B. Pritchett for second when Casey Carnes spun in turn 4 for a yellow on lap 12.

On the restart Cooper tried to dive under Roberts for the lead but ended up spinning in turn 2 for another yellow on lap 13. Officials cut the race to a green, white, checker finish that saw Roberts get away clean from B. Pritchett and go the final two laps without any pressure.

Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock Shootout
6 Jarrett Roberts, 21 Bryce Pritchett, 7d Austin Thiess, Ksp1 Jarred Marquez, 155 Austin Wunderschied, 21x John Freeman, 5k Kelsey Baggett, 94 Brook Cooper, 86 Casey Carnes, 17 Trinten Turley, 56 Tyler Webb, 77 Jeremy Hamlin, 22 Calton Pritchett, 74 Emily Phillips, 00 Jesney Reagan

By J M Hallas

Texan Keith White National IMCA Southern SportMod Champion; Texan Steven Abbey National IMCA SportMod Rookie of the Year

Keith White of Little River Academy, Texas, paced national point standings for the Southwest Racing Specialties Southern SportMods for the fourth time in five seasons. A 20-time feature winner, White was also track champion at Heart O’ Texas Speedway and topped Smiley’s Racing Products Texas State points and also enjoyed considerable success in an IMCA Modified.

While racing to his career fourth Southwest Racing Specialties Southern SportMod national title, Keith White did double duty in winning the ButlerBuilt South Central Region IMCA Modified championship. His Modified accomplishments also included 25 feature victories, track crowns at Heart O’ Texas Speedway and Kennedale Speedway Park, and the Smiley’s Racing Products Texas State prize.

Steven Abbey of Comanche, Texas, won national rookie of the year honors in the Southwest Racing Specialties Southern SportMod division, along with the Kennedale Speedway Park track title.

Three other Texans won awards as well.

Joe Williams of Waco, Texas, earned the rookie of the year award in the Stephenville Starter Southern Region for IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.

Charles Cosper scored a second straight IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock Stephenville Starter Southern Region title, along with 281 Speeedway and Heart O’ Texas Speedway track crowns and the Smiley’s Racing Products Texas state crown.

John McNeil of Denton, Texas, reigned as IMCA’s national Crate Model champion. McNeil also won the Kennedale Speedway Park and Smiley’s Racing Products Texas State titles.

By Bill Martin

David Murray wins the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational Qualifier at Boyd Raceway

Four-time IMCA National Modified Champ David Murray made the trip down to Boyd Raceway from Oberlin, Kansas, well worth the effort by winning the IMCA Modified Fast Shafts All Star Invitational Qualifier Race this Friday at Boyd’s quarter-mile, semi-banked dirt oval.

Murray, winner of over 400 IMCA sanctioned A-Mains over his career, started the feature in the third row beside Tim Clonch with front-row starters Tommy Fain and Sam Cox and Chris Bragg and Chris Dawson in row two – a very formidable lineup.

Hot shoes Gabe Tucker, Jeff Emerson and Charlie Harmon started 11th, 12th and 13th respectively while Chris Elliott started in the 19th spot.

Fain jumped to an early lead as Murray roared to the top of the track to pick off both Bragg and Cox.

Murray then set his sights on Dawson and Fain, but the steering in Dillon Smith’s ride broke and he slid to a stop in turn 3-4 in front of the charging field. Charlie Harmon and Greg Kruger stacked up beside Smith without much damage, but Michael McLaughlin couldn’t avoid the mayhem and ran across the front of Smith’s car, twisting the front clip way out of shape.

The race resumed with Fain, Dawson, Murray, Cox and Bragg the top 5.

As they took the green, Dawson dove under Fain in a challenge for the lead and pulled him by half a car length. They drag raced side-by-side down the front stretch with Fain battling back in turn 1 & 2. But Murray, in what some might say is his classic style, made the move of the night and by jumping to the high side and powered by both as the threesome tore down the backstretch.

After that, Murray was never seriously challenged by Fain, who finished second, but he had to survive two caution periods, one of which put Clonch out for the night with major damage to his car.

As the laps counted down, the on-track battle was for third among Cox, Bragg and Tucker with Tucker working his way past both Cox and Bragg in the late stages.

At the checkered flag it was Murray by half a straightaway over Fain, Tucker, Bragg and Cox.

IMCA Modifieds

1. 97m David Murray, Jr Oberlin, KS
2. 90 Tommy Fain Abilene, TX
3. 28 Gabe Tucker Carbon, TX
4. 24b Chris Bragg Springtown, TX
5. 3 Sam Cox Flower Mound, TX
6. 35 Jeff Emerson Hobbs, NM
7. 6 Varian Sisson Springtown, TX
8. 199 Charlie Harmon II Oak Point, TX
9. 7 Randy Martin Springtown, TX
10. 23 Chris Elliot Abilene, TX
11. 52 John Gober Poolville, TX
12. 316 Junior Styles Boyd, TX
13. 12 Toby Hubbard Weatherford, TX
14. 18 Daniel Wyatt Princeton, TX
15. 7x Chris Dawson Post, TX
16. 118 Tim Clonch Quinlain, TX
17. 7k Greg Kruger Pilot Point, TX
18. 715 Michael McLaughlin Aubrey, TX
19. 71m Chad Melton Springtown, TX
20. 3 Dillon Smith Waco, TX

In the Boyd Mini Stocks feature it didn’t take Eric Bragg long to get to the front from his sixth-place start and lead most of the race. He seemed to leave the rest of the field to race for second place until late in the action when Ruben Broussard showed up in second from his ninth-place start.

Broussard got inside Bragg with one lap to go and the pair battled over that top spot like a couple of cur dogs fighting for a t-Bone. The battle was intense as they came off turn four door- to-door headed for the checked. They separated going down the front stretch and opened the door for Zac Sydney to thread the needle between them and steal the win. Talk about edge of your seat action. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Broussard wound up in second with Bragg, Austin Gregg and Alex Hunt rounding out the top 5.

Mini Stocks

1. 2z Zac Sydney Farmersville, TX
2. 51 Ruben Broussard Paradise, TX
3. 24b Eric Bragg Springtown, TX
4. 1A Austin Gregg Granbury, TX
5. 5 Chris Hunt Ft. Worth, TX
6. 9 Ronnie Evans Springtown, TX
7. 13 Jeremy Rutenchroer Weatherford, TX
8. 157 Paul Simmons Weatherford, TX
9. 15 Mark Rutenschroer Weatherford, TX
10. 40 Shanna Ferrrell Haslet, TX
11. 87 Zac Raybourn Azle, TX
12. 73 Ronald Allison Dallas, TX
13. 49 John Holbrook Azle, TX
14. 50 Matt Lingo Springtown, TX
15. 5 Kris Lunsford Azle, TX
16. 146 Donnie Johnson Springtown, TX
17. 4 Jimmy Doremus Springtown, TX
18. 66 Rod Murphy Weatherford, TX

The IMCA Southern SportMods were up next with Matt Mueller starting outside of Don Owens on the front row for this one. Mueller took the early lead and hung on for several laps before Jeff “The Jet” Turner worked his way up from 11th to take the point.

Dean Abbey finished in second, several car lengths behind Turner. Abbeys’ brother, Steven Abbey came home in third in spite of being hindered, no doubt, by the front cowling on his car which was turned straight up after he ran up under Mueller when he broke on the backstretch. Fourth went to Ronnie Welborn and fifth was Brad Shirley.

IMCA SportMods

1. 44 Jeff Turner Kaufman, TX
2. 37x Dean Abbey Comanche, TX
3. 95 Steven Abbey Comanche, TX
4. 20 Ronnie Welborn Princeton, TX
5. 0 Brad Shirley Springtown, TX
6. 6c Caleb Stone Hobbs, NM
7. 16 Donald Owens Azle, TX
8. 99 Matt Winnett Colbert, OK
9. 77 Tyler Fain Tuscola, TX
10. ZZ Brandon Holbrooks Springtown, TX
11. 5 Chris Hunt Ft. Worth, TX
12. 10 Dustin Robinson Post, TX
13. 86 Paul Vines Prosper, TX
14. 99m Tyler McDaniel Edgewood, TX
15. 2c Chris Custard Flower Mound, TX
16. 12w Gary Fox Haslet, TX
17. 7 Chris Meyers Eunice, NM
18. 38 Matt Muller Stanford, TX
19. 07t Jarrod Thomas Ft. Worth, TX
20. 28 Gabe Tucker Carbon, TX

Cory Davis started on the pole of the IMCA Stock Car A-main with Doug Kennemer on his outside. Jeff Turner started third but it didn’t take too long to get to the front.

Most of this race there were 6 cars together at the front in an intense battle for the lead. Turner was in classic form after blowing a motor last week and kept the lead to win this one.

Doug Kennemer finished second after fending off a strong challenge from Duain Pritchett as the laps wound down. Cory Davis and Michael Childs round out the top five.

IMCA Stock Cars

1. 44t Jeff Turner Kaufman, TX
2. 1 Douglas Kennemer Boyd, TX
3. 22 Duain Pritchett Combine, TX
4. 28 Cory Davis Eunice, NM
5. 1 Michael Childs Weatherford, TX
6. 69 Krik Martin Aledo, TX
7. 4x Rowdy Holbert Cleburne, TX
8. 88 Jackie Dooly Weatherford, TX
9. 23 Robert Ferron Venus, TX
10. 31 Aaron Ferrell Haslet, TX

Boyd Raceway continues to WOW the fans by hosting some of the country’s best race teams! If you race at Boyd, you race not only with a host of the area’s Top Local Talent, but some of the Nation’s Best as well! With names like Turner, Pritchett, Bragg, Montgomery, Mueller, Tucker, Winnett, Abbey, Bissonnette, Coleman, Kinnaird and Sewell on the roster every week, you can be guaranteed of a Great Show!

Then you add into the mix names like Clonch, Emerson, Stone, Fain, Dawson, Smith, Cox, Mims…. OH! And did I mention Murray! Yes, David Murray Jr.… 4 time IMCA National Champ! Murray, winner of over 400 IMCA sanctioned A-Mains, made the trip down from Oberlin Kansas to mix it up with the local talent Boyd hosts on a regular basis.

He slipped in unannounced and surprised even local racing pal, Chris Bragg who has raced with him all over the country! The racers were certainly surprised to see him parked there next to the fence as they pulled in! That was the first clue that this night was going to be something to see!

This season, Boyd has seen some new regular faces in the pits, names like Jeff Emerson; Jeff has partnered with WH Stone of Hobbs New Mexico and formed Southwest Racing Specialties. SRS will build and market the Racing Chassis Jeff is known for as well as provide racing products to West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. In addition, Southwest Racing Specialties is the 2009 Title Sponsor for the IMCA Southern Sport Mods!

Dillon Smith, a name well known in this region, has made every Boyd race this season; Steven Abbey has joined brother Dean and is proving to be a force to be reckoned with! Chris Elliott is becoming a familiar face at Boyd and I hear tell his dad David will soon have a new Taylor Modified in their stable as well! Gabe Tucker has added a Hughes Modified to his arsenal and has been HOT right from the start! Dustin Mims, an IMCA Hobby Stock racer, he is second in Hobby Stock points now!

The point is this: Boyd Raceway is fast becoming the Friday Night Home to most of the region’s top IMCA talent! The reconfigured track consistently provides competitive racing that rivals any you will see at any track across America! David Murray Jr. remarked while at Boyd that “it was one of the best he had raced on! ”

By Neal Palmer and Nick Holt

Gator Motorplex enjoys action-packed opening night

The Lone Star Speedzone crew made the trip from San Marcos to Gator Motorplex in Wills, Texas, to catch the “opening night” racing action at the wonderfully-prepared, red clay, high-banked, quarter-mile “almost-oval” oval. I say “almost” because the entry to turns one and three are tighter than the exits to their corresponding turns, two and four, making for some interesting differences in driving styles as drivers searched for the quick way around.

Despite the threat of rain, a great opening night crowd was on hand, with the crowd about evenly divided between the concrete “grandstands” and the terraced hillside just outside turn 3-4. The clouds only turned dark enough to actually rain for a brief 15-minute period and the track was soon race ready thanks to some quick work by the two famous Gator school buses, one of which has six wheels on the rear axle.

Since this was my first race at Gator, I only knew a couple of drivers - Lone Star Speedzone’s very own Arthur Hermiz in the Hobby Stock class and David Lege, Jr (I actually know your dad, David…) in the Limited Modified division. So, if I have messed up someone’s name or have something else totally mixed up, please be nice.

Modifieds

The Modified feature had Kevin Sturgess and Jeff Wood on the front row, but the 20-lapper got off to a rocky start with lots of banging and bumping and a spin or two which brought out an immediate yellow flag.

The next start was much better with Sturgess getting out first, followed by Wood who went to the inside. Bryan Vollmer quickly moved into third as Wood worked the outside while Sturgess searched for grip down low.

Meanwhile, Steve Pugh moved into fourth behind Vollmer while Ricky Bain took over the fifth spot.

Not sure at what lap, but after a few laps of working on Sturgess, Wood pulled into the infield, done for the night. Pugh, who had gotten by Vollmer a bit earlier, then inherited the tough job of running down Sturgess.

Pugh’s job was made much easier, though, when the yellow flew at about mid race for a turn 3-4 spin by Russell Moore.

On the restart, Pugh seemed poised to make a move on Sturgess, but his engine went up in a cloud of blue smoke going down the front straight. It was pretty much a cakewalk for Sturgess after that.

Sturgess, who ran a smart, smooth race was followed to the line by Kaif Sellier, who took advantage of the fact that several in front of him had problems, Pugh and Belge.

Russell Moore and Bryan Vollmer won their heat races.

Modified results showing Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown

1 1 121 Kevin Sturgess Tomball , Tx
2 12 4$ Kalif Sellier Katy , Tx
3 6 156 Steve Pugh Willis , Tx
4 9 7 Mike Belge Willis , Tx
5 5 44 Marcus Berndt Katy , Tx
6 10 32 Doug Byrns Willis , Tx
7 3 148 Russell Moore Conroe , Tx
8 7 55 Roger Faulkner Conroe , Tx
9 13 167 Alan Drewry
10 8 07 Keith Wright Willis , Tx
11 4 129 Bryan Vollmer Tomball , Tx
12 2 51 Jeff Wood Willis , Tx
13 11 28 Ricky Bain College Station, Tx

Hobby Stocks

The Hobby Main featured a great duel between eventual winner Ronnie Williams and heat-race winner John Warner.

Ronnie Williams and Mark Gallagher started on the front row with Rodney Mears and John Gregory in row two. Williams got out first but Gallagher and Jessie Flowers tangled in 3-4 to bring out the caution flag before a lap was complete. That moved Mears up to the front row and Warner inherited a row two spot for the restart.

Warner moved past Flowers using the outside immediately after the restart and set his sights on and quickly caught Williams.

The front-running pair easily separated themselves from the rest of the field and made a bit of contact with each other occasionally as they diced for the lead. They had half a lap on the field at the halfway flags with Mears and Ricky Hudson heading the rest of the pack. But Hudson lost his spot after taking a quick trip through the infield.

With six left, Clayton Lorenz stopped his damaged car in turn four. This bunched up the field which had become so spread out that the leaders were about to start lapping the back markers.

The restart had Williams, Warner, Brandon Moore and Arthur Hermiz up front. Williams got a great jump and took off with Warner in hot pursuit, but debris in turn one only a lap later brought out another yellow.

Warner valiantly tried the inside for the last few laps, but Williams took the checkered flag with his rival glued to his rear bumper.

Jessie Flowers, John Warner and Rodney Mears were the heat winners.

Hobby Stock Results showing Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown

1 2 2 Ronnie Williams Conroe , Tx
2 6 20 John Warner Conroe , Tx
3 13 123 Brandon Moore
4 9 76 Daniel King
5 15 777 Arthur Hermiz Conroe , Tx
6 4 17 Ricky Hudson Montgomery , Tx
7 1 6M Mark Gallagher Bryan , Tx
8 11 41 Charles Viereck Willis , Tx
9 7 27VF John Gregory Montgomery , Tx
10 10 21R Ronnie Racer Shelby Conroe , Tx
11 3 77 Rodney Mears Tomball , Tx
12 14 21 Earl Schultz Spring , Tx
13 8 777L Clayton Lorenz Willis , Tx
14 12 67 E. Wade Johnson Willis , Tx
15 5 333 Jessie Flowers Conroe , Tx

Pure Stocks

Terry Parsley and Robb Slott started on the front row, but a multi-car free-for-all down the front straight as the green waved scattered cars everywhere. No real harm done except to heat winner Casey Garvin’s car which made all sorts of evil noises as he joined the rear of the field for the restart.

Slott won the drag race to turn one as the green waved, but had Parsley on his tail right away.

Parsley tried the inside line while Slott used the outside to his advantage for several laps in the early going as the pair opened up a big gap back to the pack.

It wasn’t long before the dueling duo was dealing (sorry… ) with lapped traffic. Parsley was able to peel off Slott using a lapped car to take over the lead at about halfway.

Meanwhile, back in the pack, there was lots of beating and banging as the leaders tried to work their way through. Parsley worked traffic to his advantage and for the next few laps opened up a several car-length lead.

As the laps wound down the Parsley was able to maintain his advantage over Slott, but someone spun (not sure who) and the caution flag waved to set up a green, white, checkered finish that was bound to produce some fireworks.

But it was not to be as Parsley was called into the infield by race officials for an unexplained reason and did not return to the track.

Slott was then easily held off Matthew Berry, who finished second.

Will Carter, Stetson Adams and Casey Garvin and won their respective heat races.

Pure Stock Results showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 48ROB Rob Slott
2nd 02 Matthew Berry
3rd 89 Corey Hamilton
4th 818 Stetson Adams
5th 77 Garrett Gregory
6th 2 Preston Lawson
7th 29 Kasey Garvin
8th 57 Mike Hooper
9th 723 Ronnie Mekalip
10th 20N Syble Matthews
11th 179 Donald Cain Jr
12th 2R Ricky Kelley
13th 81 Dale Spencer
14th 89C Codey Hamilton
15th 3P Terry Parsley
16th 43 Bubba Matthews
17th 14 Derek Legg
18th 55 Tyler Moore

Street Stocks

Theresa Waller and Mike DeGroot started on the front row with DeGroot getting the point on the first lap. Mike Johnson and Barry McIllwain soon joined the front pair and the four of them took off.

At halfway the front four were still nose-to-tail with everyone running basically the same line - more or less in the middle - with no one searching low or looking for the berm up high.

After a brief caution for a minor spin, DeGroot got a good jump on Waller as the green flew as does McIllwain who challenged Waller for a lap or two. I’m not too sure what happened to Johnson who was running third earlier. Conner Lazenby made it a four-pack up front at the laps wound down.

This foursome ran close and clean for the rest of the race with DeGroot, Waller, McIllwain and Lazenby finishing in that order.

Johnson and DeGroot were the heat race winners.

Street Stock resutls showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 21 Mike DeGroot
2nd 3 Theresa Waller
3rd 41 Barry McIllwain
4th 10 Connor Lazenby
5th 29 Jason Kibby
6th 20 Mike Johnson
7th 32 Chanc Towery
8th 2H Jeffrey Jackson
9th 43 David Jackson

Limited Mods

Twenty-two Limited Modifieds lined up for their 20-lap, $1,000 to win feature.

As you might imagine, it was a wild start, but they all made it through with Jeff Wood jumping out first and Johnny Holder in second.

Wood looked very strong in the early going with Holder not able to mount much of a challenge. Tommy Moore looked pretty strong in third, but a spin in the pack brings out the yellow with only a few laps in the books.

As they got back to racing, Holder and Moore made some serious contact but both were able to hold on as Dalton Faulkner moved into fourth.

After a caution for a spinner, Holder tried the very low side for a lap or two, but Wood made the center of the track work for him as the red clay got blacker and blacker.

Wood was never seriously challenged after Holder determined that the bottom wasn’t going to work and went wire-to-wire for a very convincing win.

Holder, Wood, Moore and (not too sure, but maybe) Brad Brumbly won their heats.

Limited Modified resutls showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 40P Jeff Wood
2nd 4 Johnny Holder
3rd 148 Tommy Moore
4th 27 Dalton Faulkner
5th 71 Chase Bresee
6th 7 Brad Brumley
7th 5C Steve Clayton
8th 86 Justin Collins
9th 14 Roy Catlin
10th 24 James Gunter
11th 388 Steve Burrow
12th 9 David Lege Jr
13th 78 Andy Mahoney
14th 92 Tim Ferguson
15th 627 Mark Jackson
16th 17 Cody Dusty
17th 107 Todd Jouett
18th 18 Bobby Middleton
19th 87 Dennis Miley
20th R3W Rick Wolfe
21st 20 Eddie Holley
22nd 590 Jonathan Walker

Keith White wins Heart O’ Texas Speedway Modified Jack Bagby Memorial

Keith White used a daring mid-race pass of early leader Benji Kirkpatrick to claim the Jack Bagby Memorial for the IMCA Modifieds in the season opening event at Heart O’ Texas Speedway Friday night. White made the pass for the lead when Kirkpatrick bobbled in turn four and squeezed by while sustaining right side body damage when the two cars made contact. White then pulled away for the win followed by Pat McGuire and Justin Radcliff.

Other feature winners include T.J. Green in the SportMods, Charles Cosper in Hobby Stocks, Jason Gauntt in Street Stocks, Melvin Kemp Jr. in Pure Stocks, Charles Goodnight in Cruisers, Alex Norris in Junior Mini Stocks, Mike Kelly in Twisters and Jeb Sessums in Mini Sprints.

The 2009 race season continues next Friday with IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks, Cruisers, Junior Mini Stocks, Twisters and the Wing Modifieds.

IMCA Modifieds 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Keith White (Academy, TX), 2. Pat McGuire (Belton, TX), 3. Justin Radcliff (China Spring, TX), 4. Ben Ketteman (Pflugerville, TX), 5. Eric Tomlinson (Robinson, TX), 6. Michael Lamb (Ft Worth, Tx), 7. Jimmie Helona (Crawford, Tx), 8. Wesley Dulock (West, Tx), 9. Cody Daniel (Lacy Lakeview, TX), 10. Kenny Stone (Temple, TX), 11. Benji Kirkpatrick (Waco, Tx), 12. Shannon Parsons (Chilton, Tx), 13. Chase Jupe (West, Tx),

IMCA SportMods 3/6/2009

Feature:1. T. J. Green (Robinson, TX), 2. Kenny Ware (Belton, Tx), 3. Lil’ Robert Black (Waco, TX), 4. Chris Cogburn (Robinson, TX), 5. Kevin Green (Robinson, TX), 6. Keith White (Academy, TX), 7. Joe Spillman (Marble Falls, TX), 8. Randy Doyle (Killeen, Tx), 9. Ricky Heckel (China Spring, TX), 10. Brandon Stewart (Academy, TX), 11. Sid Kiphen (Gatesville, Tx), 12. Mitch Tierney (Temple, Tx), 13. Mark McDaniel (Elm Mott, TX), 14. Bobby Mercer Jr (China Spring, TX), 15. Corky Coffer (West, TX),

IMCA Hobby Stocks 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Charles Cosper (Belton, Tx), 2. Shannon Dulock (Axtell, TX), 3. Jason Shahan (China Spring, TX), 4. Billy Taylor (Gatsville, Tx), 5. Richard Rodriquez (Eddy, TX), 6. Andy Roller (Bellmead, TX), 7. Melvin Burrows (Gatesville, Tx), 8. Jeremy Hendrix (Robinson, TX), 9. Kyle Davis (Waco, Tx), 10. Michael Guenat (Robinson, TX), 11. Joe Williams (Waco, Tx), 12. Gene Yates (Glenn Heights, TX), 13. Les Maxwell (Waco, TX), 14. Michael Robertson (McGregor, TX), 15. Chris Grusendorf (Moody, TX), 16. Ray Kemp, 17. Chris Cogburn (Robinson, TX),

Street Stocks 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Jason Gauntt (Elm Mott, Tx), 2. John Heffelfinger (Waco, TX), 3. Doug Andrews (Elm Mott, TX), 4. Brandon Geurin (Whitney, TX), 5. Matt Hood (Waco, TX), 6. Jason Honey (Waco, Tx), 7. Sam Sovey (Waco, TX), 8. Ed Thompson (Waco, TX), 9. Tommy Kirkpatrick (Elm Mott, TX), 10. Chuck Hamlin (Elm Mott, TX), 11. Lewis Blackwood (Pendleton, TX), 12. Bill Eller (Lorena, TX), 13. Mark Geurin (Whitney, TX), 14. David Khoury (Waco, Tx), 15. Paul Bolfing (Waco, Tx),

Pure Stocks 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Melvin Gene Kemp Jr (Waco, TX), 2. Mike Bolfing (Wimberley, Tx), 3. Lil’ Robert Black (Hewitt, Tx), 4. Michael Votaw (Whitney, TX), 5. Jimmy Reid (Waco, TX), 6. Greg Andrews (Waco, TX), 7. Wade White (Gholson, TX), 8. Chad Pelham (Whitney, TX), 9. Jeff Williams (Waco, Tx), 10. James Haynes (Hubbard, TX), 11. Billy Williams (Waco, Tx), 12. Jack Jenkins (Waco, TX), 13. Billy Rupert (Mexia, TX), 14. Paul Bolfing (Waco, TX), 15. Edward Harcrow (West, TX), 16. Jeff Willis (West, TX), 17. David Andrews (Bellmead, TX), 18. Scott Wimberley (Covington, TX),

Cruisers 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Charles Goodnight (Lacy Lakeview, TX), 2. Martin Quiram (Hubbard, Tx), 3. Gordon Coble (Lago Vista, TX), 4. Heath Zucka, 5. Barry Gaston (Waco, Tx), 6. Dwain Wills (Waco, TX), 7. William Dean (Elm Mott, TX), 8. Andrew Richards (Robinson, TX), 9. Dan Webre Jr (West, TX), 10. Steve Wade (Waco, TX), 11. Randy Thompson (Mt Calm, TX), 12. Justin Bailey (Mt Calm, Tx), 13. Eric Newton (Mart, TX), 14. Russell Bullock (Waco, TX), 15. Luther Carnahan (Waco, Tx), 16. Jeffrey Quiram (Hubbard, Tx), 17. Hollie Gaston (Waco, TX), 18. J. R. Walker (Waco, TX),

Jr. Mini Stock 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Alex Norris (Elm Mott, TX), 2. Jordan Kornegay (China Spring, TX), 3. Dylan Shilling (Elm Mott, Tx), 4. Cory Kreder (Elm Mott, TX), 5. Cheyenne Reese (Hillsboro, TX),

Twisters 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Mike Kelly (Weatherford, Tx), 2. Corey Homan (Oglesby, Tx), 3. Jay Hutson (Waco, TX), 4. Chris Wilson (Waco, TX), 5. James Barber (Bellmead, Tx),

Mini Sprints 3/6/2009

Feature:1. Jeb Sessums (Burleson, TX), 2. Ralph Wren, 3. Tony Smith (Libery Hill, TX), 4. Robby Fox (Cleburne, TX), 5. Amerin Betteridge (Joshua, TX), 6. Duston Davidson (West, TX), 7. Coy Jorden (Teague, TX), 8. Jon Randall (Waco, TX), 9. Andy Hogan (Decatur, TX), 10. Sasha Sessums (Burleson, TX), 11. Tyler Russell (Hillsboro, TX), 12. Michael Hernandez (San Antonio, TX), 13. Roy Hutchison (Weatherford, TX), 14. Kyle Thompson, 15. Trevor Reed (Waco, TX), 16. James Scruggs (College Station, TX), 17. Michelle Melton (Flower Mound, TX), 18. Kaley Engstrom (Rhome, TX), 19. Jacob Gilliam (Temple, TX), 20. Kenny Elwood (Chalk Bluff, TX), 21. Jarrett Roberts (Temple, TX), 22. Tom Hutchison (Alvarado, TX),

White, Fox, Van Genderen, Montgomery top first night features at Abilene’s Ice Breaker

Keith White bounced back from a last-place showing in one IMCA feature with a first-place finish in another on Friday, opening night of the Ice Breaker special at Abilene Speedway.

Sidelined by a flat tire in the Southern SportMod main, White led the distance in winning the Modified feature, holding Robbie Edwards at bay late in the contest for the $500 victory.

Other winners during the first sanctioned program of the new season in Texas were Gary Fox in the SportMods, Iowa traveler Mike Van Genderen in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Allen Montgomery in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.

White and Jeff Emerson drew front row starts for the Modified feature. White was in front by the second set of turns and Edwards slipped past Emerson on lap two.

Emerson, Monte Bolton, Chris Bragg and Danny Hogue jockeyed behind the front pair. Coming to midway point, Edwards was all over White for the lead with Emerson, Bolton and Bragg looking for their own opportunities.

Edwards got his nose outside White on a lap 12 restart, but White closed the door on the front stretch. Bolton tried Edwards for second on lap 14 but fell back in line. Bolton got alongside Edwards before the final caution came the next time around.

After several tries to get around White up top, Edwards gave it one more shot on lap 18, this time trying the low side. Once again, the White was up to the challenge, holding the front spot and going on to the win.

Fox started on the pole but fell back during the early stages of the SportMod 20-lapper. Coming on in the second half of the race, Fox got by Bobby Sikes Jr. for the lead and then inched away to take the checkers.

Sikes, Fox and Matt Mueller dueled early before Mueller lost ground and made contact with White on lap seven. That incident wound up sending the three-time national champion to the pits with a flat; Mueller came to a stop two laps later with a flat of his own and brought out the caution.

Fox made his move on lap 12 to get around Sikes, who tried to fight back on the low groove. The yellow waved on lap 15 when 2007 national king Jeff Turner pulled to a stop. Fox got away clean on the restart and inched away from Sikes over the final five laps.

Van Genderen added his name to the Stock Car record books after surviving a multi-car tussle, then battling past Turner for the lead in the final laps for the win.

The scrap came just before the halfway point and allowed Van Genderen to take over second.

Van Genderen got his bumper out front on lap 16, but Turner didn’t give up easily. With two laps to go, Van Genderen finally secured the position and eked away.

Montgomery got the lead from Todd Reitzler on lap six and eased away for the Hobby Stock win.

With Reitzler and Jeff Kinniard battling behind him, Montgomery opened up a lead and put lapped traffic in the middle. Kinniard got past Reitzler for second well behind Montgomery on the final circuit.

More than 160 drivers from seven states competed in the opening Ice Breaker program.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m. on Saturday for the second of three weekend shows at Abilene. Hot laps are at 5 p.m. and racing is at 7 p.m.

SportMods race for $750 to win in their first regional event of 2009. First place in the Modified main pays $500, Stocks chase a top prize of $300 and Hobbies run for $250 to win.

All four sanctioned divisions run again Sunday.

Feature Results

Modifieds – 1. Keith White, Academy; 2. Robbie Edwards, Eastland; 3. Monte Bolton, Lubbock; 4. Chris Bragg, Springtown; 5. Jeff Emerson, Sherman; 6. Tommy Fain, Abilene; 7. Steve Hayes, Eastland; 8. Danny Hogue, Abilene; 9. Bob Sikes, Eunice, N.M.; 10. Jason Schoenberger, Gorham, Kan.; 11. David Davis, Sweetwater; 12. Gabe Tucker, Carbon; 13. Dean Deming, Hobbs, N.M.; 14. Levi Ely, Abilene; 15. Chris Elliott, Eastland; 16. Brian Flowers, Hobbs, N.M.; 17. Chris Dawson, Post; 18. Darin Leonard, Corpus Christi; 19. Dillon Smith, China Grove; 20. Josh McGaha, Brownwood.

Southern SportMods — 1. Gary Fox, Haslet; 2. Bobby Sikes Jr., Eunice, N.M.; 3. Bradley Poor, Abilene; 4. Scotty Wallace, Lorenzo; 5. Chris Meyers, Eunice, N.M.; 6. Josh McGaha, Brownwood; 7. James Myers, Corpus Christi; 8. Danny Hogue, Abilene; 9. Dean Abbey, Comanche; 10. Justin Shaw, Sweetwater; 11. Steven Abbey, Comanche; 12. Randy Buttery, Duncanville; 13. Ted Thomas, Post; 14. Gabe Tucker, Carbon; 15. Doug Easterling, Rule; 16. Jeff Turner, Kaufman; 17. Todd Bartlett, Abilene; 18. Matt Mueller, Stamford; 19. Tommy Fain, Abilene; 20. Keith White, Academy.

Stock Cars – 1. Mike Van Genderen, Newton, Iowa; 2. Jeff Turner, Kaufman; 3. Billy Wade, San Angelo; 4. Terry Wojtek, Sterling City; 5. Dustin Locke, Eunice, N.M.; 6. Duain Pritchett, Combine; 7. Tony Ritterbush, Dunlap, Iowa; 8. Matt Guillaume, Tomball; 9. J.J. Heinz, Green Bay, Wis.; 10. Jason Batt, Killeen; 11. Matt Wampler, Snyder; 12. John Armstrong, Merkel; 13. Bill Brzezinski Sr., Roby; 14. Russell Jordan, Abilene; 15. Wayne Stremmell, Stamford; 16. Kirk Martin, Aledo; 17. Jeremy Gettler, Adair, Iowa; 18. Cody Rhodes, Tye; 19. Kevin Opheim, Mason City, Iowa; 20. Cory Davis, Eunice, N.M.; 21 Willie Free, Snyder; 22. Eric Jones, Killeen; 23. Doug Kennemer, Boyd; 24. Walter Freeman, Hobbs, N.M.

Hobby Stocks – 1. Allen Montgomery, Fort Worth; 2. Jeff Kinniard, Mansfield; 3. Todd Reitzler, Grinnell, Iowa; 4. Justin Fowler, Granbury; 5. Charles Cosper, Belton; 6. Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Iowa; 7. Sam Hodges, Eunice, N.M.; 8. David Bissonette, Stephenville; 9. Andy Roller, Bellmead; 10 Tobie Talk, Abilene; 11. Tommy Phillips, Abilene; 12. Billy Taylor, Gatesville; 13. Bud Ohlinger, Abilene; 14. Dustin Mims, Dublin; 15. Matt Drottz, Ankeny, Iowa; 16. Rodney Sparks, Abilene; 17. Colby Deming, Hobbs, N.M.; 18. Bryan Sewell, Seagoville; 19. Robert Barnett, Sweetwater; 20. Evan Davis, Mineral Wells.

By J M Hallas

Abilene Speedway’s “Ice Breaker” kicks off this weekend

An open practice session is on tap tonight, Thursday, Feb 19, 2009, and leads into the season-opening “Ice Breaker” special this weekend at Abilene Speedway.

Last year’s Ice Breaker winner Keith White

Pit gates open at 5 p.m., with IMCA Modifieds, Southern SportMods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks turning laps from 6-10 p.m. this evening. Feature events for all four sanctioned divisions are scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20-22.

Modifieds race for $500 to win each night. The Saturday show is also the first regional event of the season for the Southern SportMods and pays $750 to win.

Top prize for Stock Cars all three nights and for the Southern SportMods on Friday and Sunday is $300. First in the Hobby Stock features is worth $250.

All applicable IMCA points, including home region points for Stock Car and Hobby Stock drivers, will be awarded each night.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. for Friday’s show. Hot laps are at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, pits open at 3 p.m., hot laps are at 5 p.m. and racing is at 7 p.m.

Worship services at the track are at 10 a.m. Sunday. Pit gates open at 11 a.m., hot laps are at 11:30 a.m. and racing is at 1 p.m.

Pit passes are $25 each night Friday through Sunday. Grandstand admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and five and under get in free.

Questions about the Ice Breaker, presented by Smiley’s and Showtime Signs & Designs, can be directed to promoter Rob Poor at 325 537-4494 or 325 692-8800.

Passes to get into the pit area for tonight’s practice are $12.

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