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Eric Baldaccini Bags first ASCS win with Gulf South Score at Houston Raceway Park

Eric Baldaccini captured his first career American Sprint Car Series feature win by racing to victory lane in Saturday night’s 25-lap ASCS Gulf South main event before a standing-room-only crowd at Houston Raceway Park.

The 2008 Brodix Rookie of the Year with the Lucas Oil ASCS National series withstood a lap 18 challenge from Gary Wright en route to posting the $3,000 victory over a field of 40 entries.

“Wow, this is such a relief,” the 21-year-old Keller, TX, racer exclaimed after the triumph. “This is awesome, it’s great to finally win one of these.”

Baldaccini finally snared that elusive first checkered flag in front of Jason Johnson, who battled past Wright in the final stages. Wright settled for third, with Paul McMahan and two-time ASCS Gulf South champion Brandon Berryman rounding out the top five.

And, even though Baldaccini led all the way from the pole starting position aboard his father’s Smiley’s Racing Products No. 4 Maxim, he still had to earn it by surviving an exchange with four-time ASCS National champion Gary Wright just seven laps shy of the checkered flag.

“When he slid me, I didn’t think there was any way he could make it stick,” Baldaccini explained. “Actually, that was the best thing that could of happened to me. I had to make a run to get back by him getting into one and that’s when I found the rubber. That made all the difference.”

Starting from the pole, Baldaccini outgunned 17-year-old Trey Robb for the point at the drop of the green flag, with Travis Rilat quickly moving into second as Wright raced from ninth to third in the opening three rounds.

Lapped traffic became a factor in short order when Rilat tangled with a lapped machine entering turn one and spun to a stop with race-ending front end damage. Under the caution period, Robb retired to the pit area as well with mechanical woes.

After a turn four scramble one lap later for Ray Allen Kulhanek and Jimmy Brooks, Baldaccini set sail with Wright, Johnson, 15th-starter McMahan and 11th-starter Brady Bacon in tow. And when lapped traffic again came into play at the midway point, Wright moved in for the kill.

Looking high and then low, Wright was challenging Baldaccini for the lead on the 13th circuit when Brooks looped it in turn three with the frontrunners scrambling to avoid further carnage as the yellow lights flickered.

In another handful of laps, the leaders were back in traffic and Wright dove into turn three and slid across the track to momentarily take the lead away from Baldaccini on the 18th round. But, Baldaccini crossed back underneath exiting turn four and beat Wright down the frontstretch and into turn one.

Inadvertently finding the rubber in turns one and two, Baldaccini checked out in the final handful of laps to secure the win as reigning Lucas Oil ASCS National champion Jason Johnson battled past Wright for runner-up honors.

After picking off nine positions in the opening six circuits, McMahan held fourth the rest of the way. Berryman raced back around Bacon over the final half of the race to round out the top five. Bacon was sixth, while James McNeil earned Hard Charger efforts by racing from 23rd to seventh. Jerry Bell was eighth, Channin Tankersley rebounded from an early visit to the work area for ninth and current series points leader Aaron Reutzel completed the top ten.

Baldaccini, Tommy Bryant, Robb, Bell and Wright topped heat race action, with Darryl Wills and Kulhanek winning the twin “B” Mains.

American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region Results from Houston Raceway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 29-Travis Rilat, 3. 3d-Paul McMahan, 4. 93-Chris Sweeney, 5. 21-Blake Roberts, 6. 15T-Travis Elliott, 7. 52-Roger Oakes. DNS: 10-Larry Hartwell.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 31-Brandon Berryman, 4. 09-Timmy Thrash, 5. 19-Klint Angelette, 6. 30x-Bean Elliott, 7. 02-Brandon Corn, 8. 20-Terry Monroe.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 12-Trey Robb, 2. 14e-Justin Spoerl, 3. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 4. 23-Darryl Wills, 5. 30-Scottie McDonald, 6. 80-James McNeil, 7. 49-Ty Johnson, 8. 5s-Jack Spencer.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 85-Jerry Bell, 2. 12x-Rick Behr, 3. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 4. 3-Gary Watson, 5. 4x-Michael Miller, 6. 69-Larry Howery, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 8. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr.

Heat Five (8 Laps): 1. 9x-Gary Wright, 2. 99-Brady Bacon, 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 4. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 5. 71-Channin Tankersley, 6. 35-Greg Rilat, 7. 13-Kathryne Minter, 8. d20-David Noker.

First “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 23-Darry Wills, 2. 30x-Bean Elliott, 3. 80-James McNeil, 4. 52-Roger Oakes, 5. 20-Terry Monroe, 6. 13-Kathryne Minter, 7. 49-Ty Johnson, 8. 19-Klint Angelette, 9. 15T-Travis Elliott, 10. 09-Timmy Thrash. DNS: 10-Larry Hartwell.

Second “B” Feature (12 Laps): 1. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 35-Greg Rilat, 3. 93-Chris Sweeney, 4. d20-David Noker, 5. 30-Scottie McDonald, 6. 69-Larry Howery, 7. 02-Brandon Corn, 8. 5s-Jack Spencer, 9. 21-Blake Roberts, 10. 22L-Kent Lewis, Sr., 11. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 41-Jason Johnson, 3. 9x-Gary Wright, 4. 3d-Paul McMahan, 5. 31-Brandon Berryman, 6. 99-Brady Bacon, 7. 80-James McNeil, 8. 85-Jerry Bell, 9. 71-Channin Tankersley, 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11. 35-Greg Rilat, 12. 5-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 13. 4x-Michael Miller, 14. 21-Tommy Bryant, 15. 30x-Bean Elliott, 16. 3-Gary Watson, 17. 23-Darryl Wills, 18. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 19. 12x-Rick Behr, 20. 93-Chris Sweeney, 21. 29-Travis Rilat, 22. 12-Trey Robb, 23. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 24. 14e-Justin Spoerl.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 816, 2. Eric Baldaccini 808, 3. Jason Johnson 801, 4. Brandon Berryman 792, 5. Channin Tankersley 786, 6. Tommy Bryant 784, 7. Ray Allen Kulhanek 763, 8. Jimmy Brooks 734, 9. Kent Lewis, Jr. 707, 10. Brandon Corn 679.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Texan Aaron Reutzel, 19, leads ASCS Gulf South points going into GTRP and HRP events this weekend

A crucial weekend of competition looms for the American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region with three feature events to be contested over two nights of racing action.

And, with 19-year-old Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, atop a tightly-bunched championship points chase, it’s a pair of familiar ovals the Gulf South forces will invade in the form of Golden Triangle Raceway Park and Houston Raceway Park.

On Friday night, twin features are on the docket at Beaumont’s Golden Triangle Raceway Park. The evening kicks off with the makeup of the feature event from April 24, when rain halted racing action just before the main event could hit the track. Terry Monroe and Brandon Corn will lead the way to the green flag from the front row in the makeup feature event.

After that main event, a full racing card of heats and features follows with the Sixth Annual John Bankston Memorial. Both features offer up $2,000 to win. While the makeup feature lineup is set, the balance of the night is open to all comers.

Then, on Saturday night, the series makes its first stop of the season at Baytown’s Houston Raceway Park for the $3,000 to win Seventh Annual Ronald Laney Memorial.

Reutzel, who celebrated his 19th birthday last Friday, is out to the early lead in ASCS Gulf South points on the strength of three consecutive top-ten feature runs including a third-place finish at the Gator Motorplex on March 28.

That lead is a slim one however, with just seven points between himself and Jason Johnson (who missed the April 24 feature cut after a “B” Main crash) and eight points between himself and 18-year-old gasser Channin Tankersley of Highlands, TX. Reutzel will start Friday night’s makeup feature from the fourth row outside, one row directly behind Tankersley.

New Caney’s Scottie McDonald and Willis’ Kent Lewis, Jr., are both right in the mix as well within 14 points of the leader, with other top title contenders including two-time and reigning series champion Brandon Berryman (Missouri City), Jimmy Brooks (College Station), Tommy Bryant (Conroe), Brandon Corn (Gause), Ray Allen Kulhanek (Magnolia), Chris Sweeney (Channelview) and Greg Rilat (Texas City) among others.

Tankersley doubled up with a pair of wins at Golden Triangle Raceway Park last year with Gary Watson and Jason Johnson also posting GTRP victories. Gary Wright topped the series season opener at GTRP in March.

The series featured four different winners at Houston Raceway Park in 2008 including Jack Dover, Brandon Berryman, Michael Dupuy and Jason Johnson.

Several Lucas Oil ASCS National invaders will likely join the ASCS Gulf South forces as well for the weekend.

Friday’s card at Golden Triangle Raceway Park is slated to get under way at 7:45 p.m., with Saturday’s action at Houston Raceway Park set to go green at 7:00 p.m.

Golden Triangle Raceway Park is located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 near Beaumont, TX. For more information, contact the track at 409-752-7200.

Houston Raceway Park is located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then three miles south on State Road 146, then 0.8 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, contact the track at 281-383-7223.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 28 nights of racing action at eleven different tracks throughout Texas in 2009.

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Golden Triangle Raceway Park:
3/6/09 - Gary Wright
8/15/08 - Channin Tankersley
7/18/08 - Gary Watson
5/9/08 - Channin Tankersley
2/29/08 - Jason Johnson
9/28/07 - Jason Johnson
6/22/07 - Michael Dupuy
5/18/07 - Brandon Berryman
4/6/07 - Jason Johnson
9/29/06 - Kevin Ramey
8/18/06 - Jason Johnson
6/23/06 - Gary Watson
8/19/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
6/17/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/15/05 - Travis Rilat
9/18/04 - Kelly Angelette
7/9/04 - Stephen Chevallier
* 9/28/02 - Michael Dupuy
* 9/27/02 - Tim Crawley
7/5/02 - Buddy Bodden
5/24/02 - Jason Johnson
* 4/5/02 - Zach Chappell

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Houston Raceway Park:
9/27/08 – Jason Johnson
6/21/08 - Michael Dupuy
5/10/08 - Brandon Berryman
3/1/08 - Jack Dover
9/29/07 - Brandon Berryman
8/18/07 - Travis Rilat
5/19/07 - Johnny Miller
9/30/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
8/19/06 - Brad Best
6/24/06 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
4/8/06 - Travis Rilat
8/20/05 - Lane Whittington
6/18/05 - Ray Allen Kulhanek
7/10/04 - Kevin Ramey

* - Indicates events held in conjunction with ASCS National Tour.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Photo by TWC Photos

Jason Hughes best at Houston Raceway Park in 3rd round of USMTS “Texas Shootout”

What was billed as the ’Showdown in Baytown’ turned into a beat down Saturday night at Jason Hughes spanked the field to capture the checkered flags at the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas, during the third night of the 3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout.

The defending USMTS Southern Series champion is always a threat to win when he pulls through the gate at any event. But when he dominates his heat race then draws the pole position for the main event, your odds betting against him are about the same as winning Saturday night’s $109 million Powerball jackpot (which, by the way, nobody won).

The green flag waved over a 26-car field Saturday night to kick off the 35-lap Sunoco “A” Main, and that was the only flag displayed until the white flag flew 34 laps later. By the time Hughes crossed the finish line at the end of the caution-free event, he was long gone from his closest competitor and had lapped 12 of the 23 finishers.

The win, worth $3,000, was the fifth of the season for Hughes and his fourth in six starts in the West Region of the USMTS Southern Series. It was also the second win of his career at the 3/8-mile clay oval as he became the first USMTS driver to record multiple wins at the facility.

Bryan Rowland survived to take home the runner-up paycheck ahead of AFCO Pole Award winner Jon Tesch, who turned his luck around this week with a third-place finish. Howard Willis was fourth and Dereck Ramirez grabbed the fifth spot.

Sixth through tenth, respectively, were Rodney Sanders, Bobby Malchus, Steven Whiteaker Jr., Shane Hebert and Kelly Shryock, who started 22nd after claiming the fifth and final transfer spot in the second Real Racing Wheels “B” Main. Between the two races, Shryock passed 21 cars in 50 laps and earned the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award.

Hebert also captured the 20-lap USRA Southern Limited Modified main event prior to the feature race for the USMTS Modifieds.

The USMTS Southern Series West Region points belongs to Hughes as he holds a 97-point advantage over Sanders (614 to 517). Shryock is third with 501 points, followed by Rowland (477), Whiteaker (469), Hebert (440), Tesch (436), Bumper Jones (397), Morgan Bagley (393) and Eddie Martin (387).

The four-night, four-track Rinehart Texas Shootout points has Hughes leading with 302 points, followed by Sanders (280), Rowland (278), Shryock (255), and John O Whittington (251). An extra $500 awaits the top points earner over the course of the four-race swing, with $300 going to second and $200 for third.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

The four-race weekend wraps up tomorrow (Sunday, May 10) at the Gator Motorplex in Willis – a do-over for the rained-out show on April 18. Gates will open early at 12 noon, with hot laps slated for 3:30 and the first green flag flying 4:00. Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Past USMTS Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007) and Steve Holzkamper (2008). Local favorites than fans can expect to see defending their home turf are Kevin Sturgess, Bryan Vollmer, Doug Byrns, Keith Wright, Monty Locke, Alan Drewry, Steve Pugh, Derek Knowles, Kalif Sellier, Jeff Wood and others.

The Gator Motorplex is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. The track’s official website is online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
USMTS Southern Series (West Region)
Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, Texas
3rd Annual Rinehart Texas Shootout - Event #3 of 4
Saturday, May 9, 2009

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top 12 drivers in passing points accumulated in the heat races are locked into the Sunoco “A” Main, with the top 8 re-drawing for starting positions 1-8.

ISKY RACING CAMS HEAT RACE #1 (8 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (2)
3. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (6)
4. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (5)
5. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX
6. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (4)
7. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (7)
8. 115 - Brian Stipe — Baytown, TX (8)
9. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (3)
10. 23b - Brandon Davis — Castle Rock, CO (9)

HEAT RACE #2 (8 laps):
1. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (1)
2. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (3)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (2)
4. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (7)
5. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (4)
6. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (5)
7. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (9)
8. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (10)
9. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (6) DNF
10. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (8) DNF

HEAT RACE #3 (8 laps):
1. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (4)
2. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (5)
3. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (8)
4. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (7)
5. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (9)
6. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (1)
7. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (2)
8. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (6)
9. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (3) DNF
10. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (10) DNS

HEAT RACE #4 (8 laps):
1. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (2)
2. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (4)
3. 14t - Tristan Dycus — Midlothian, TX (3)
4. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (6)
5. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (7)
6. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (9)
7. 9n - Brent Nicholas — Baytown, TX (5)
8. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (8)
9. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (1)
10. 10j - Jeremy Ishmael — Tyler, TX (10)

HEAT RACE #5 (8 laps):
1. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (4)
2. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (1)
3. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (6)
4. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (8)
5. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (7)
6. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (5)
7. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (2)
8. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (3) DNF
9. 00 - Darrel Dawson — Midlothian, TX (9) DNF

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #1 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (2)
2. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (4)
3. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (3)
4. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (8)
5. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (7)
6. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (1)
7. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen — Amarillo, TX (5)
8. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (15)
9. 115 - Brian Stipe — Baytown, TX (13)
10. 71 - Tracy Denby Sr. — Vidor, TX (6)
11. 88b - Brian Boram — Orange, TX (12)
12. 91 - Robert Metz Jr. — Lumberton, TX (10)
13. 121 - Kevin Sturgess — Tomball, TX (11)
14. 51w - Jeff Wood — Willis, TX (14)
15. 97j - Jeff Hoegh — New Caney, TX (9)
16. 7g - Mark Smith — Lufkin, TX (16) DNF
17. 129 - Bryan Vollmer — Tomball, TX (18) DNF
18. 00 - Darrel Dawson — Midlothian, TX (17) DNS
19. 10j - Jeremy Ishmael — Tyler, TX (19) DNS

REAL RACING WHEELS “B” MAIN #2 (15 laps, top 5 advance):
1. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (5)
2. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (1)
3. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (2)
4. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (7)
5. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (14)
6. 18t - Tim Clonch — Quinlan, TX (10)
7. 60 - William Gould — Calera, OK (4)
8. 14t - Tristan Dycus — Midlothian, TX (3)
9. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (9)
10. 52 - Chad Davis — Tulsa, OK (6)
11. 57 - Jason Armstrong — Marshall, TX (8)
12. 9n - Brent Nicholas — Baytown, TX (11)
13. 07 - Keith Wright — Conroe, TX (16)
14. 23b - Brandon Davis — Castle Rock, CO (17) DNF
15. 68 - Danny Barringer — Lufkin, TX (13) DNF
16. 18 - Cody Smith — Kaufman, TX (12) DNS
17. 05x - Garrett Durrett — Simsboro, LA (15) DNS
18. 56 - David Horner — Houston, TX (18) DNS

SUNOCO “A” MAIN (35 laps):
1. 12 - Jason Hughes — Westville, OK (1)
2. 20r - Bryan Rowland — Woodward, OK (3)
3. 14 - Jon Tesch — Watertown, SD (4)
4. E - Howard Willis — Dayton, TX (8)
5. 4r - Dereck Ramirez — Woodward, OK (7)
6. 20 - Rodney Sanders — Happy, TX (2)
7. 4m - Bobby Malchus — Red Oak, TX (9)
8. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr. — Corpus Christi, TX (15)
9. 9 - Shane Hebert — Lafayette, LA (13)
10. 3 - Kelly Shryock — Fertile, IA (22)
11. 12c - Corey Babbitt — Channelview, TX (16)
12. 88xxx - Clyde Dunn Jr. — Sunnyville, TX (11) -1 Lap
13. 5w - John O Whittington — Vidor, TX (19) -1 Lap
14. 5r - Morgan Bagley — Longview, TX (17) -1 Lap
15. 85d - Mark Dotson — Cameron, MO (6) -1 Lap
16. 71k - Kevin Sustaire — Emery, TX (12) -1 Lap
17. 51 - Tracy Denby Jr. — Vidor, TX (5) -1 Lap
18. 5a - Wes Armstrong — Marshall, TX (24) -1 Lap
19. 111 - Bumper Jones — Mesilla Park, NM (23) -1 Lap
20. 10k - Kenny Battarbee — Houston, TX (20) -1 Lap
21. 51 - Eddie Martin — Stilwell, OK (10) -1 Lap
22. 10 - Kyle Schmidt — Farmington, AR (21) -1 Lap
23. A1 - Phil Dixon — Crosby, TX (18) -1 Lap
24. 5t - Randy Timms — Wheatland, OK (14) DNF
25. 9n - Brent Nicholas — Baytown, TX (26) DNF
26. 9 - Doug Begnaud — Cypress, TX (25) DNF

Lap Leaders: Hughes 1-35.
Total Laps Led: Hughes 35.
AFCO Pole Winner: Tesch.
Provisional Starters: Jones, W. Armstrong, Begnaud (track), Nicholas (track).
KSE Racing Products Hard Charger: Shryock (started 22nd, finished 10th).
Next Race: Sunday, May 10, Gator Motorplex, Willis, Texas (West Region).
West Region Points: Hughes 614, Sanders 517, Shryock 501, Rowland 477, Whiteaker 469, Hebert 440, Tesch 436, Jones 397, Bagley 393, Martin 387.
Rinehart Texas Shootout Points: Hughes 302, Sanders 280, Rowland 278, Shryock 255, Whittington 251.
Dustin Duncan Memorial “Just Say Yes” Rookie of the Year Points: W. Armstrong 184, J. Armstrong 169, Sustaire 157, Schmidt 148, C. Davis 139.
COMP Cams Engine Builder of the Year Points: ASI 85, Mullins 82, Sput’s 53, Young’s 49, Rowland 41.
Chassis Builders Championship Points: Hughes 93, Skyrocket 92, Ramirez 76, TRE 71, GRT 70.

Contingency Awards:
AFCO Racing Products – Tesch.
American Racer – Whittington.
Isky Racing Cams – Hughes.
KSE Racing Products – Shryock.
Marsh Racing Wheels – Begnaud.
Nitroquest – Tesch.
Quarter Master – Hughes, Whiteaker.
QuickTime Performance Parts – Malchus.
Real Racing Wheels – Jones, Clonch.

USMTS Modifieds set for four-night Texas Shootout, May 7-10

Four events in the Lone Star State are up next for the USMTS Southern Series with a possible $8,500 to win as drivers look to make their move in the West Region points standings during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout.

More than $60,000 in purse money will be up for grabs during the 3rd Annual Rinehart Trucking Texas Shootout, including a $2,000 top prize at each of the four events and a points fund provided by Rinehart Trucking which will pay $500 to the top points earner, $300 for second and $200 for third over the course of the four-race swing.

With three West Region races in the books so far this season, defending USMTS Southern Series champion Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., is three-for-three and leads the top-notch touring titans into Texas as the current points leader over 2007 USMTS Southern Series titleist and eight-time USMTS National Champion Kelly Shryock of Fertile, Iowa. Texan Rodney Sanders of Happy is third in the rankings, followed by Steven Whiteaker Jr. of Corpus Christi. Shane Hebert of Lafayette, La., is fifth; Johnny Bone Jr. of Pea Ridge, Ark., is sixth; and Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., sits seventh. Three Sooner State speedsters round out the top 10: Eddie Martin of Stilwell, Randy Timms of Wheatland and Woodward’s Bryan Rowland.

Other USMTS Southern Series drivers expected to make some noise this weekend include Kevin Sustaire, Wes Armstrong, Dereck Ramirez, Bobby Malchus, Jason Armstrong, Morgan Bagley, Bumper Jones, Kyle Schmidt, William Gould, Chase Allen, Shawn Brassfield, Chad Davis, Alan Sharpensteen, Cody Smith, Steve Holzkamper, Chad Wheeler, Scott Green, Kip Hughes, Jeremy Morris, Larry Clevenger, Tate Cole, Mike Dillard, Dustin Hyde, Pat McVicker, Melvin Pilcher, Jeremy Ross, Timothy Culp, John O Whittington, Tim Clonch, Troy Taylor Jr., Jack Sullivan, Tristan Dycus, Jerry Standifer, Tyler Townsend, Nathan Bichsel, Allen Chickering, Brandon Davis, Ron Gould Jr. and Grant Junghans.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 - GOLDEN TRIANGLE RACEWAY PARK

On Thursday, May 7, the quadrupleheader kicks off at the Golden Triangle Raceway Park in Beaumont for a re-scheduled date that was rained-out on April 17.

Howard Willis of Vidor, Texas, sat on the pole and never relinquished the lead as he captured the season-opening USMTS Southern Series main event last year. Four events were held at the track (then called Motorama Speedway) in 2007 with Kelly Shryock, Steve Holzkamper, Tommy Weder Jr. and Jason Hughes sharing the honors.

Among the regulars expected to defend their home turf are Corey Neil, Darryl Seals, Corey Babbitt, Robert Metz, Johnny Brown, John Baker, Mike Walling, Brian Boram, Mike Girardo and John Neff Jr.

Pit and grandstand gates will open at 5:00 with hot laps at 7:00 and racing at 7:45. Also on the racing card will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds ( and Hobby Stocks.

The Golden Triangle Raceway Park is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located 9.5 miles west of I-10 on US 90 (SSR). For race day information, call the track hotline at 409-752-7200 or 409-781-2801 or visit www.motoramaspeedway.com on the World Wide Web.

FRIDAY, MAY 8 - BATTLEGROUND SPEEDWAY

Friday, May 8, will find the mud-slinging Modifieds of the USMTS Southern Series making their debut at the rejuvenated Battleground Speedway in Highlands. The 3/8-mile oval opened on March 31, 1984, and operated through 2001 before closing. It re-opened briefly from 2004-06 under the name Highland Motor Speedway, changing the name back to Battleground Speedway just before closing again.

“My goal is to make Battleground Speedway the premier facility for dirt track racing in Southeast Texas,” said Mike Walling, who purchased the complex in September 2008.

With a successful World of Outlaws Late Model Series event already under their belt in 2009, the facility boasts a 4,000-seat grandstand topped by a new press box. The former press box was blown off the stands and landed in the nearby woods when Hurricane Ike rocked the area last September – just four days after Walling assumed ownership of the track.

Phil Dixon, Bubba Gates, Tommy Stanley, Danny Barringer, Paul White, Corey Neil, Benny Perry, Corey Babbitt, Frank Kitchenhoff and Pete Sagmiller are just a few of the weekly warriors expected to contend for the winner’s trophy Friday night.

Pit gates will open at 3:00 for the inaugural event, with grandstand gates swinging open at 5:00. Hot laps are slated for 6:00 and the first heat race is scheduled to take to the track at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will also join the racing program Friday night.

The Battleground Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Highland Exit 787, then 4.0 miles north on FM 2100 (Crosby Lynchburg Rd.). For more information, call 832-421-RACE or check out www.battlegroundspeedway.net online.

SATURDAY, MAY 9 - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK

On Saturday, May 9, the Houston Raceway Park in Baytown is on the invasion menu with the 2nd Annual Showdown at Baytown. With seven shows since 2007, more USMTS Southern Series events have been held at HRP than any other facility – and, weather permitting, the total will increase to 11 with the conclusion of the 3rd Annual Texas Winter Nationals, Dec. 3-5.

The nine-year-old facility has a main grandstand seating capacity of 7,500 which includes fourteen VIP luxury suites and boasts a state-of-the-art Musco Lighting system for TV productions.

Paul White won the first-ever USMTS Southern Series event at Houston Raceway Park. Since then, trips to victory lane have also been made by Alan Mondus, Kelly Shryock, Jason Hughes, Tommy Weder Jr., Johnny Bone Jr. and Zack VanderBeek.

Local aces expected to compete include David Smith, Chris Brown, Corey Neil, Kevin Batterbee, Joe Mayhew, Kenny Batterbee, Ed Wickham, Brent Nicholas, Brian Spindleman, Brian Sellier and others.

Pit gates will open at 4:00 on Saturday with grandstands opening at 6:00. Hot laps are at 6:30 and racing begins at 7:00. USRA Southern Limited Modifieds will round out the night’s racing card.

The Houston Raceway Park is a state-of-the-art 3/8-mile high-banked clay oval located east of Houston on I-10 to Exit 798, then 3.0 miles south on SR 146, then 0.9 miles southeast on FM 1405, then 1.5 miles northeast on FM 565. For more information, call the track office at 281-383-RACE or visit www.houstonraceway.com online.

SUNDAY, MAY 10 - GATOR MOTORPLEX

The four-race weekend wraps up at the Gator Motorplex in Willis on Sunday, May 10, to make-up the rained-out show on April 18. Gates will open early at 12 noon, with hot laps slated for 3:30 and the first green flag flying 4:00. Also competing will be USRA Southern Limited Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Pure Stocks.

Fans can meet the drivers prior to hot laps and a free meal from Hickory Hut Concessions are part of the special Mothers Day prizes that will be distributed at the races. Mother’s Day prize sponsors include Speed Tan, Gene’s Hickory Hut, Performance Tinters, SDR Photography, Checkerflag Diner, Waffle House, Starbucks, Sonic, Subway and more.

Past USMTS Southern Series winners at the Gator Motorplex include Greg Skaggs (2007) and Steve Holzkamper (2008).

Local favorites than fans can expect to see defending their home turf are Kevin Sturgess, Bryan Vollmer, Doug Byrns, Keith Wright, Monty Locke, Alan Drewry, Steve Pugh, Derek Knowles, Kalif Sellier, Jeff Wood and others.

The Gator Motorplex is a 1/4-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-45 to Shepherd Hill (Exit 98), then east, then 1.4 miles south on SR 75. The track’s official website is online at www.gatormotorplex.net.

RULES & PROCEDURES: All USMTS rules apply. Qualifying will be done by heat race passing points and Real Racing Wheels “B” Mains. Draw for heat race starting spot ends 15 minutes before hot laps begin. The American Racer KK704 is the Official Tire of the USMTS; however drivers may use the Hoosier G60 but will not earn points or be eligible for points funds. Roll bar padding and a window net are required. If utilizing a flat tappet or BRODIX aluminum spec head engine, the minimum weight of the racecar must be 2,400 lbs. If utilizing steel or aluminum heads with a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,450 lbs. If utilizing raised runner heads or heads with less than a 23-degree valve angle, the minimum weight must be 2,500 lbs. Racecars with aluminum heads other than the approved BRODIX aluminum spec heads must have 25 lbs. in front of mid-plate.

PROVISIONALS: Four provisional starters shall be added to the rear of the Sunoco “A” Main each night - two from USMTS points and two from track points.

TOP DOG BONUS: Drivers ranked among the top-10 in West Region points are guaranteed a minimum of $300. Drivers ranked 11th through 15th earn a minimum of $200. Driver must have perfect attendance in the USMTS Southern Series West Region to be eligible.

LICENSES: There is no requirement to purchase a USMTS license to compete in any USMTS event. However, benefits enjoyed by licensed drivers includes higher event purses and bonus payouts, increased tow money, discounted entry fees, contingency awards, points funds, provisional starting spots, increased media recognition, a personalized driver profile page at www.usmts.com and more. The cost of a USMTS Southern Series license is $200.

ENTRY FEES: Pre-entry is $90 for non-licensed drivers or $80 for drivers with a USMTS license. Late entry for all drivers is $100. Drivers may call USMTS headquarters at (515) 832-7944 on Tuesday, May 5, to secure the early entry rate.

PAYOFF: Licensed - 1. $2000, 2. $1500, 3. $1000, 4. $800, 5. $700, 6. $600, 7. $500, 8. $450, 9. $400, 10. $350, 11. $320, 12. $300, 13. $275, 14-26. $250, Tow $80; Non-Licensed - 1. $2000, 2. $1200, 3. $800, 4. $600, 5. $500, 6. $400, 7. $350 , 8. $300, 9. $250, 10. $230, 11. $210, 12-26. $200, Tow $60.

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - WEST REGION POINTS STANDINGS:
1. 12 - Jason Hughes, Westville, Okla. … 312
2. 3 - Kelly Shryock, Fertile, IA, . 246
3. 20 - Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas … 237
4. 89 - Steven Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas … 227
5. 9 - Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La. … 222
6. 12 - Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark. … 216
7. 14 - Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D. … 210
8. 51 - Eddie Martin, Stilwell, Okla. … 203
8. 5t - Randy Timms, Wheatland, Okla. … 203
10. 20r - Bryan Rowland, Woodward, Okla. … 199
11. 71k - Kevin Sustaire, Emery, Texas … 181
12. 5a - Wes Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 179
13. 4r - Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla. … 177
14. 4m - Bobby Malchus, Red Oak, Texas … 167
14. 57 - Jason Armstrong, Marshall, Texas … 167
16. 5r - Morgan Bagley, Longview, Texas … 164
17. 111 - Bumper Jones, Mesilla Park, N.M. … 160
17. 10 - Kyle Schmidt, Farmington, Ark. … 160
19. 60 - William Gould, Calera, Okla. … 145
19. 30 - Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas … 145
21. 91b - Shawn Brassfield, Ada, Okla. … 135
21. 52 - Chad Davis Tulsa, Okla., … 135
21. 75 - Alan Sharpensteen, Amarillo, Texas … 135
21. 18 - Cody Smith, Kaufman, Texas … 135
25. 5 - Steve Holzkamper, Gentry, Ark. … 130
26. 88 - Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla. … 129
27. 25 - Scott Green, Derby, Kan. … 120
28. GO - Kip Hughes, Enid, Okla. … 102
29. 9j - Jeremy Morris, Lowell, Ark. … 95
30. L1 - Larry Clevenger, Greenwood, La. … 90
30. 89 - Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla. … 90
30. 66x - Mike Dillard, Allen, Texas … 90
30. 8j - Dustin Hyde, Texarkana, Texas … 90
30. 6 - Pat McVicker, Woodward, Okla. … 90
30. 47 - Melvin Pilcher, Springdale, Ark. … 90
30. 38 - Jeremy Ross, Locust Grove, Okla. … 90
30. C8 - Timothy Culp, West Monroe, La. … 90
38. 5w - John O Whittington, Vidor, Texas … 85
39. 18 - Tim Clonch, Quinlan, Texas … 77
40. 76 - Troy Taylor Jr., Dallas, Texas … 67
41. 18 - Jack Sullivan, Greenbrier, Ark. … 64
42. 14 - Tristan Dycus, Midlothian, Texas … 54
43. 2 - Jerry Standifer, Howe, Okla. … 45
43. 12 - Tyler Townsend, Longview, Texas … 45
43. 58 - Nathan Bichsel, Amarillo, Texas … 45
43. 26 - Allen Chickering, Okarche, Okla. … 45
43. 23b - Brandon Davis, Castle Rock, Colo. … 45
43. 05 - Ron Gould Jr., McLoud, Okla. … 45
43. 2 - Grant Junghans, Manhattan, Kan. … 45

USMTS SOUTHERN SERIES - 2009 SCHEDULE:
Fri Mar 20 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Michael Robertson) [E]
Sat Mar 21 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.) [E]
Fri Apr 3 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Sat Apr 4 … West Siloam Speedway, West Siloam Springs, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Fri Apr 24 … Texarkana 67 Speedway, Texarkana, AR (winner: Jason Hughes) [E]
Sat Apr 25 … Champion Park Speedway, Haughton, LA (winner: Johnny Bone Jr.) [E]
Sun Apr 26 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA (winner: Jack Sullivan) [E]
Fri May 1 … Lake Country Speedway, Ardmore, OK (winner: Jason Hughes) [W]
Thu May 7 … Golden Triangle Raceway Park, Beaumont, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Fri May 8 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Sat May 9 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Sun May 10 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win) [W]
Tue Jun 9 … Tri-State Speedway, Pocola, OK ($2,000 to win) [E]
Wed Jun 10 … I-30 Speedway, Little Rock, AR ($2,000 to win) [E]
Thu Jun 11 … Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Fri Jun 12 … Fast Trax Speedway, Chatham, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Sat Jun 13 … Drew County Speedway, Monticello, AR ($2,000 to win) [E]
Sun Jun 14 … Boothill Speedway, Greenwood, LA ($2,000 to win) [E]
Thu Oct 1 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($1,000 to win)
Fri Oct 2 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Oct 3 … Battleground Speedway, Highlands, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Fri Oct 23 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sat Oct 24 … Gator Motorplex, Willis, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Fri Nov 27 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($1,000 to win) [H]
Sat Nov 28 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Sun Nov 29 … Texana Raceway Park, Edna, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Thu Dec 3 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($2,000 to win) [H]
Fri Dec 4 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($3,000 to win) [H]
Sat Dec 5 … Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX ($4,000 to win) [H]

[E] = East Region
[W] = West Region
[H] = Championship Hunt

To learn more about the United States Modified Touring Series, call the headquarters at (515) 832-7944 or visit www.usmts.com online for the latest news and information from the USMTS.

USMTS Press Release

Saldana wins World of Outlaw Sprint Car Texas Shootout at Houston Raceway Park: Completes Texas Two Step

It had been a couple of years since Joey Saldana had raced in Texas prior to this weekend, but he quickly remembered how much he enjoys racing in the state after winning on Friday night in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series return to Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore and he backed that up with a victory to cap off the weekend in the Texas Shootout at Houston Raceway Park on Saturday night. It was his first win at the track located in Baytown in his 14th start at the facility.

“It was a great weekend in Texas for sure,” said Saldana. “I can’t wait to come back here again and the fans saw a good show tonight. I can’t thank Budweiser and Kasey enough for what they do. I’m very proud of this entire team right now. All of the hard work is really paying off.”

The $10,000 triumph at the high-banked ¼-mile was Saldana’s series leading fifth aboard the Budweiser Maxim to start the 2009 season. He also moved to within just four points of 20-time series champion Steve Kinser, who is second in the series championship standings as they chase three-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz. Saldana now has 44 career World of Outlaws A-Feature wins and is just two shy of Bobby Davis Jr., who is 10th on the all-time win list.

The race began on Saturday night with a quick caution that led to a complete restart that saw Jac Haudenschild lead the field into turns one and two, with Johnny Herrera coming all the way from fourth to sweep past Steve Kinser, Joey Saldana and Haudenschild who had started on the pole. Saldana started fourth and moved to third on the opening lap. He moved into second the following lap and took the lead on the third circuit, using the high side of turns three and four to power his way past Herrera.

Saldana quickly began to pull away as the battled for second raged as first it was Kinser tracking down Herrera and then Haudenschild. For most of the race, the second spot provided the best battle on the track, with eight different drivers trading the runner-up spot over the course of the 40-lap event using every inch of the racing surface. In open race track, Saldana had a couple of very sizeable advantages, though in lapped traffic the other frontrunners were able to close the gap.

“We were chasing our car all night and the crew: Willie (Kahne) Kolten (Gouse) and Kale (Kahne) worked hard all night,” shared the winner. “Kale changed a lot of torsion bars and we got a lot better feeling car toward the feature. I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t know if I should go to the bottom or the top.”

With just two laps to go, Craig Dollansky passed his teammate Saldana in turn two in lapped traffic, but Saldana was able to retake the lead on the back straightaway as Dollansky was bottled up a little bit by a lapped car and also was nursing a left rear tire that had a puncture in it. Saldana powered his way back in front and was able to extend that margin at the checkered flag, as Dollansky had his hands full with Donny Schatz who worked his way from the 14th starting spot in the Top-Three.

“It was a good race and had to hit your marks,” noted Saldana. “Craig (Dollansky) tried to get by me there coming off of (turn) two and I just stopped and got a good run off the bottom. It was a great win for us.”

After starting at the middle of the field, Schatz fell back to 15th on the opening lap and after that steadily and methodically worked his way into the Top-10 by the halfway point of the 40-lap contest and really was able to turn up the wick in the second half of the race, as he wound up second aboard the Armor All J&J.

“We had a great car and we were just chasing it a little bit trying some things,” Schatz said. “That’s the thing about trying stuff, is that you’ll hurt yourself and you’ll help yourself. We seemed to do both.”

During the final 10 laps of Saturday’s event, Schatz found himself doing battle with Jason Johnson, Danny Lasoski and Craig Dollansky, as each of those drivers took a turn running second, the spot that Schatz would eventually take late in the race. For the second consecutive night, the North Dakota native had one of the fastest cars late in the going. He turned his fastest lap just four laps from the finish as he charged to the front.

“It always is,” he explained of his car being fast later in races. “There is no question that this race car gets as the race goes on. We put ourselves in a good position and made just one mistake and that is what cost us the race. That one mistake can cost you a lot.”

Dollansky ran near the front all night, after winning the second heat race. He was fifth quickest in time trials and consistently had one of the fastest cars on the track. The native of Elk River, Minnesota fell back to fifth early, but made a charge on the 12th lap to go from fifth to third, a spot he would wind up with when the checkered flag flew. He ran second for a number of laps as well aboard the DirecTV Maxim.

“It was a good run for the Kasey Kahne Racing teams tonight,” Dollansky said. “My hat is off to Joey (Saldana) and his crew, they are running very strong. We’re working with our program and trying to get stronger as we go and I think we are making progress. We’ll just keep plugging away and get this car up in Victory Lane one of these times.”

Danny Lasoski was fourth in the Casey’s General Stores JEI, to earn his sixth Top-Five finish of the season and also jump up to the eighth spot in the championship standings. He began the night by setting fast time in qualifying for the second time this year.

Steve Kinser continued his strong start to the 2009 campaign, coming home fifth in the Quaker State Maxim. He has finished in the Top-10 in 10 of the first 11 races of the season as he seeks his record 21st title.

Johnny Herrera finished a very solid sixth after leading the first two laps of the A-Feature. Sammy Swindell was seventh in the Tom Rolfe Trucking Maxim. Jac Haudenschild was eighth aboard the Owens Corning Fiberglass Maxim, with Jason Sides in ninth in the Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim. Jason Meyers recovered from an early flat tire that caused him to spin to finish 10th in the GLR Investments KPC.

The World of Outlaws return to action on Friday, April 17 at Paducah International Raceway in Kentucky.

TEXAS SHOOTOUT AT HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK NOTES

• FAST QUALIFIER: Danny Lasoski paced the 25 cars that took time with an AMB i.t. timed lap around the high-banked 1/4-mile oval at 12.442 seconds at 72.336 mph. For his qualifying effort, Lasoski earned five bonus points. The next four fastest qualifiers also earned bonus points, including: Tony Bruce Jr. (4), Johnny Herrera (3), Jac Haudenschild (2), and Craig Dollansky (1).

• QUALIFYING WINNERS: Joey Saldana, Craig Dollansky and Terry McCarl won heat races. Jac Haudenschild won the Crane Cams Dash.

• FEATURE WINNERS: There has been 11 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature event held in 2009. The winners include: Joey Saldana (Volusia Speedway Park, Silver Dollar Speedway, Thunderbowl Raceway, Lone Star Speedway and Houston Raceway Park), Donny Schatz (Volusia Speedway Park-twice and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway), Randy Hannagan (Thunderbowl Raceway), Chad Kemenah (Manzanita Speedway) and Jason Meyers (Silver Dollar Speedway).

• 1/4-MILE WINNERS: Raceway Park is a high-banked 1/4-mile. The World of Outlaws have raced three times this season on a track that size. The winners include: Joey Saldana (Silver Dollar Speedway and Houston Raceway Park) and Jason Meyers (Silver Dollar Speedway).

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Houston Raceway Park; Houston, TX; April 11, 2009

Qualifying

1) 6-Danny Lasoski 12.442

2) 18-Tony Bruce Jr. 12.548

3) 45X-Johnny Herrera 12.606

4) R19-Jac Haudenschild 12.622

5) 19-Craig Dollansky 12.716

6) 14-Jason Meyers 12.725

7) 9-Joey Saldana 12.760

20-Kraig Kinser 12.771

9) 24-Terry McCarl 12.785

10) 11-Steve Kinser 12.790

11) 5W-Lucas Wolfe 12.823

12) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr. 12.854

13) 15-Donny Schatz 12.904

14) 55-Kerry Madsen 12.910

15) 96-Bronson Maeschen 12.960

16) 12-Lynton Jeffrey 12.961

17) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson 12.992

18) 7S-Jason Sides 13.014

19) 10-Sammy Swindell 13.061

20) 22-Brian Ellenberger 13.062

21) 41-Jason Johnson 13.069

22) 4X-Toni Lutar 13.244

23) 71-Channin Tankersley 13.262

24) 29-Travis Rilat 13.339

25) 51-Wes Miller 13.430

Heat 1 (10 Laps, top 6 finishers transferred to A-feature)

1) 9-Joey Saldana

2) 11-Steve Kinser

3) 6-Danny Lasoski

4) 15-Donny Schatz

5) 10-Sammy Swindell

6) R19-Jac Haudenschild

7) 4X-Toni Lutar

51-Wes Miller

Heat 2 (10 Laps, top 6 finishers transferred to A-feature)

1) 19-Craig Dollansky

2) 20-Kraig Kinser

3) 55-Kerry Madsen

4) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.

5) 5W-Lucas Wolfe

6) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson

7) 22-Brian Ellenberger

71-Channin Tankersley

Heat 3 (10 Laps, top 6 finishers transferred to A-feature)

1) 24-Terry McCarl

2) 41-Jason Johnson

3) 45X-Johnny Herrera

4) 7S-Jason Sides

5) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.

6) 14-Jason Meyers

7) 96-Bronson Maeschen

29-Travis Rilat

Crane Cams Dash (8 laps, finishing order determined first 10 starting positions of A-feature)

1) R19-Jac Haudenschild

2) 11-Steve Kinser

3) 19-Craig Dollansky

4) 9-Joey Saldana

5) 45X-Johnny Herrera

6) 41-Jason Johnson

7) 24-Terry McCarl

20-Kraig Kinser

9) 6-Danny Lasoski

10) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.

A-main (40 laps) - Starting Position [#]

1) 9-Joey Saldana[4] [$10,000]

2) 15-Donny Schatz[14] [$5,500]

3) 19-Craig Dollansky[3] [$3,200]

4) 6-Danny Lasoski[9] [$2,800]

5) 11-Steve Kinser[2] [$2,500]

6) 45X-Johnny Herrera[5] [$2,300]

7) 10-Sammy Swindell[18] [$2,200]

R19-Jac Haudenschild[1] [$2,100]

9) 7S-Jason Sides[17] [$2,050]

10) 14-Jason Meyers[11] [$2,000]

11) 41-Jason Johnson[6] [$1,500]

12) 55-Kerry Madsen[15] [$1,200]

13) 18-Tony Bruce Jr.[10] [$1,100]

14) 20-Kraig Kinser[8] [$1,050]

15) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[12] [$1,000]

16) 14AJ-Wayne Johnson[16] [$900]

17) 22-Brian Ellenberger[20] [$800]

18) 29-Travis Rilat[23] [$800]

19) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr.[13] [$800]

20) 4X-Toni Lutar[21] [$800]

21) 24-Terry McCarl[7] [$800]

22) 96-Bronson Maeschen[19] [$800]

23) 71-Channin Tankersley[22] [$800]

24) 51-Wes Miller[24] [$800]

25) 12-Lynton Jeffrey[25] [$800]

Lap Leaders: Johnny Herrera 1-2; Joey Saldana 3-40

SuperClean Start of the Night Award: Jason Johnson

Penske Power Position Award: Craig Dollansky

KSE Hard Charger Award: Donny Schatz

Story by World of Outlaws
Photos by Chris David Media (http://www.chrisdavidmedia.com)

World of Outlaws Sprint cars at Lone Star Speedway and Houston Raceway Park this weekend

Each and every World of Outlaws driver’s versatility will be tested this weekend, as the series competes on the blazing fast high-banked half-mile at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas on Friday night, followed by the series return to the always racy ¼-mile bullring at Houston Raceway Park on Saturday, April 11 for the Texas Shootout which will award the winner $10,000.

Donny Schatz, the three-time and defending series champion, has won each of the last two races for the World of Outlaws at Houston Raceway Park, picking up a victory over Daryn Pittman in 2007 and one over 20-time series champion Steve Kinser in 2005. Schatz heads to Houston Raceway Park with three A-Feature wins this season and is on top of the series championship standings by 11 markers over Kinser as the 2009 season really begins to pick up this weekend for the best sprint car drivers in the world.

Kinser leads all World of Outlaws drivers with six wins in his career at Houston Raceway Park. He was victorious in the series debut at the track in 2000 and won three of the first four races that were contested at the track which is located in Baytown, Texas. The only other driver to win a World of Outlaws A-Feature at the track other than Kinser and Schatz was Mark Kinser who was victorious at Houston Raceway Park twice in his career.

Kinser, 2001 World of Outlaws champion Danny Lasoski and Craig Dollansky are the only three drivers that have competed in all 13 of the previous series events at the track including preliminary features.

Slidejobs- Texas Shootout at Houston Raceway Park:

Looking to make it three in a row: Donny Schatz has won each of the last two World of Outlaws events at Houston Raceway Park. He led 18 laps in 2005 to pick up his first win at the track and followed that up by leading all 35 laps in 2007. He is tied for the series lead with three A-Feature wins this season and is currently on top of the series championship standings.

A strong track record: Steve Kinser has won six times in his career at Houston Raceway. In 13 career starts at the now ¼-mile and the former four-tenths mile, he has finished in the Top-10 in each and every one. He leads the World of Outlaws with eight Top-10 finishes in nine starts this season as he closes in on his first win of the campaign, as he seeks his record 21st title.

Nearing the top: Jason Meyers is currently third in the World of Outlaws standings, just 19 markers out of the lead as he chases his first series title. He has seven Top-10 finishes in nine starts this season, including a win on a ¼-mile track at Silver Dollar Speedway in his home state of California. He has two Top-10 finishes in his career at Houston Raceway Park, including a fourth-place performance in 2004.

A new track record: Joey Saldana set a new track record in time trials in the World of Outlaws last visit to Houston Raceway Park in 2007, circling the high-banked ¼-mile in 11.996 seconds. He finished fourth in that event and has four career Top-10 finishes there. The second generation driver won earlier this season on a ¼-mile at Silver Dollar Speedway in California during the Mini Gold Cup. He is currently fourth in the series championship standings, just 15 markers out of the third position.

First time in Houston in a while: Sammy Swindell, the three-time World of Outlaws champion will make his first start at Houston Raceway Park since 2001 this weekend. He won a preliminary feature at the track in 2000 over Mark Kinser and was 10th in his last start at the track. He is currently sixth in the series standings this season on the strength of six Top-10 finishes.

Closing in on a win: Jason Sides, who is currently seventh in the World of Outlaws championship standings, finished second in his debut at Houston Raceway Park in 2000. He followed that up with a fifth-place effort that same season. He was ninth in his most recent start at the track in 2007 with the World of Outlaws. He has a couple of runner-up finishes this season as he chases his first win of the year.

Fast on the high banks: Craig Dollansky, who is the midst of his first season driving for Kasey Kahne Racing, has competed in all 13 previous World of Outlaws events at Houston Raceway Park, scoring 11 Top-10 finishes, with four of those being Top-Fives. He has two consecutive third place finishes at the track.

“It’s definitely a different mindset when you go into the short tracks versus the big tracks,” noted Dollansky. “We’ll go in there prepared a little bit differently with the race car. The way you race a short track is definitely different than the way you race a bigger track. I always enjoy going to the short tracks.”

Improving each time: Kraig Kinser has improved upon his previous finish in each of his last three starts at Houston Raceway Park. He was 10th at the track in 2004 and was a career-best sixth in his most recent start at the track in 2005. He was fourth in the last World of Outlaws event on March 28 at Manzanita Speedway and is ninth in points on the strength of five Top-10 finishes.

“I don’t know how much momentum you can carry after an off week, but hopefully we have everything rolling with the busy part of the season starting,” said Kinser.

Perfect attendance: Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion, has competed in all 13 of the previous series events at Houston Raceway Park. The native of Dover, Missouri won a preliminary feature at the track in 2002 and has 11 Top-10 finishes dating back to 2000. He is just outside of the Top-10 in the series standings on the strength of four Top-Five finishes this season.

Always a contender: Jac Haudenschild finished sixth in his last start at Houston Raceway Park in 2007. He has four career Top-10 finishes at the bullring, including two Top-Fives. He is just outside of the Top-10 in the series standings this season on the strength of four Top-10 performances.

Representing the Lone Star State: Sam Hafertepe Jr. is the lone driver from the state of Texas competing full-time with the World of Outlaws. He has made two starts in his career at Houston Raceway Park, with the most recent coming in 2007 with the series.

“Texas has been waiting for the Outlaws to come back,” shared Hafertepe. “It’s great to bring the series back to Texas. There are a lot of fans down there that have not gotten to see the Outlaws for a long time. We are really looking forward to it and hopefully the fans are too.”

A couple of first timers: Lucas Wolfe and Brian Ellenberger will both be making their first trip to Houston Raceway Park this weekend. Wolfe is the reigning Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner, while Ellenberger is a contender for the honor this season. They both hail from the state of Pennsylvania.

By the Numbers: Houston Raceway Park

0.25-Miles around Houston Raceway Park
0.4- Miles around Houston Raceway Park before the track was reconfigured prior to the World of Outlaws last visit to the facility in 2007
1- World of Outlaws driver that hails from the state of Texas, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
2- Races in Texas for the World of Outlaws this season
3- Drivers that have competed in all 13 World of Outlaws races at Houston Raceway Park, Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski and Craig Dollansky
5- A-Feature wins for Steve Kinser in his career at the track
6- Total wins for Steve Kinser at the track
9- A-Feature events contested by the World of Outlaws at Houston Raceway Park dating back to 2000; Events contested this season through March 28
11- Points that separate Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser at the top of the series standings entering this weekend
11.996- Track record established by Joey Saldana in time trials on March 16, 2007
12- Events on ¼-mile tracks for the World of Outlaws this season
13- Top-10 finishes for Steve Kinser at HRP in the same number of starts to lead all drivers
27- World of Outlaws championships that will be accounted for by drivers in action on Saturday, April 11
35- Laps led by Donny Schatz en route to winning at Houston Raceway Park in 2007
44- Points that separate the Top-Five in the World of Outlaws standings
65- Laps led in A-Feature events by Donny Schatz through March 28 to lead the series
75.025- Track record in miles per hour established in 2007 by Joey Saldana
215- Miles from Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas where the World of Outlaws race on April 10 to Houston Raceway Park in Baytown
10,000- Dollars the winner will receive on Saturday, April 11
51,690- Dollars in the total purse on April 11

Tickets: On Saturday, April 11 at Houston Raceway Park, general admission tickets will be $30 for adults if purchased in advance and $35 the day of the race, with general admissions tickets for children ages 6-12 just $15. Children ages 5-under will be admitted free of charge. Pit combos are also available for advance purchase only for $38 which includes a grandstand ticket and a pit pass. For tickets call SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. Also tickets can be purchased by calling the track at 281-383-7223 or from Ticketmaster.

by Houston Raceway Park Media
Photos Courtesy Houston Raceway Park

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