Racing Champions recognized at Thunderhill Raceway banquet
January 19, 2010
The Thunderhill Raceway and Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) 2009 Awards Banquet was held on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Over 300 drivers, racing teams, staff, officials, media and fans attended this annual event that was held at the Manchaca Firehall and Community Center in Manchaca, TX.
The evening began with a social hour, followed by an all-you-can-eat catfish dinner. During the pre-awards activities, guests were treated to video presentations that highlighted some track action, along with video clips from “life in the pits” during the 2009 racing season.
The awards ceremony began with the two emcees, Bobby Chaffee and Rodney Rodriguez, introducing the THR/TSRS Owner and Promoter, Mary Ann Naumann. Naumann welcomed everyone to the banquet and introduced the special guests – including Neil Upchurch from the Texas Pro Sedans, Arden Vikre from the Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas, Mike Steinman from NasKarts, Nick Holt from Lone Star Speedzone and Bruce Mabrito (Motorsports writer).
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the staff, officials and safety crews. Kathy Tiemann, Director of Scoring, presented a trophy to Debbie Williams, Media & Public Relations Director, for her help with the training on the electronic scoring system. Naumann announced a few staff changes for the 2010 racing season as follows: Terry Barden as the Race Director for TSRS and traveling classes, Gary Smith as the THR Marketing Manger and Cameron Moore, Sr., as the Track Chaplain.
Neil Upchurch was next on the agenda and announced his retirement from the on-track activities for the Texas Pro Sedans. He presented awards to two Texas Pro Sedan drivers – the 2009 championship award to Mike Merrell and the Rookie of the Year award to Tory Christopher. Upchurch ended his presentation with an inspiring speech about the state of stock-car racing and introduced David Mackey as the new Race Director for the Texas Pro Sedans.
The Thunderhill Raceway awards were presented next, and the following drivers received the top awards:
Mini Stocks
Champion: #46 Mason Yousling
Grand Stocks Champion & Rookie of the Year: #58 Layton Carroll
To the Rear Award: #07 Richard Fitch
Thunder Stocks
Champion: #16 Mason Teague
Rookie of the Year: #58 Patrick Burow
ASA A-Line Super Stocks
Champion: #3 Clint LaFont
Rookie of the Year: #99 Chase Stapp
SportMods
Champion: #10D Don Painter
Pro Modifieds
Champion: #5 Michael Umscheid
Pro Trucks
Champion: #42 Jason Marshall
Following a nomination process by THR staff and drivers, the Special Awards winners were announced, as follows:
Thunderhill Raceway Extra Lap Award - David Lewien, driver of the #3 Pro Truck
Thunderhill Raceway Hard Luck Award - Dwayne Toyne, driver of the #48 ASA A-Line Super Stock
Thunderhill Raceway Best Appearing Crew Award -Allen Alexander, driver of the #80 ASA A-Line Super Stock, and his AAA House Leveling Team
Thunderhill Raceway “Kevin Suberg” Sportsman of the Year Award - Terry Tschoerner, Mini Stocks
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the THR and TSRS sponsors.
Tory Christopher invited all drivers to attend a Driver Image Workshop that will be held at THR on Saturday, February 6, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
The TSRS awards were presented next, and the following drivers received top honors:
TSRS Allison Legacys
Champion: #07 Rusty Mirth
Rookie of the Year: #19 Cole Runco
TSRS Late Models
Champion: #14 Jake Kruger
Super Pack Champion: #17 Robert Barker
Rookie of the Year: #72 Kendall Bumbera
A drawing was held for a certificate for a $900 Five-Star Late Model body. To qualify for the drawing, the TSRS Late Model driver(s) must have competed in a stock appearing, template-style body, competed in at least 75% of the scheduled events, displayed the Five-Star decal and must have been present at the awards ceremony. Dillon Spreen, driver of the #81 TSRS Late Model, was the lucky winner.
The emcees then announced the following winners of the TSRS special awards:
TSRS Mentor Team Award - Jake Wright, driver of the #96 TSRS Allison Legacy, and Jake Kruger, Driver of the #14 TSRS Late Model
TSRS Hard Luck Award - Levi Krauss, driver of the #4 TSRS Late Model
TSRS Best Appearing Crew Award - Kendall Bumbera, driver of the #72 TSRS Late Model, and her Next Generation Racing Team
TSRS Sportsman of the Year Award - Bobby Teer, Jr., driver of the #72 TSRS Late Model
David Mackey was presented with the Official of the Year trophy by Mary Ann Naumann.
The event was closed out with an expression of thanks to the Janette Huff and her family for the banquet decorations, Manchaca Firehall for the facility and food, the photographers and videographers (Jeff Garvin, Tory Christopher, Thad Yousling and Duke O’Connor) for banquet pictures and videos, Dave New with All American Trophy & Awards for the trophies and plaques and Insty-Prints for the banquet printing.
The night ended with DJ music by David Vogel.
Story by Debbie Williams, THR Media & Public Relations Director
Photos by Jeff Garvin
Fifteen year-old Jake Kruger takes charge in TSRS event at Corpus Christi Speedway
April 20, 2009
Fifteen year-old Jake Kruger from Bastrop, TX – known by his team as “The Boss” – cracked the whip in Saturday night’s 75-lap Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model race at Corpus Christi Speedway.
Young Jake Kruger takes a victory lap in following his TSRS Late Model win
Although Kruger has raced at Corpus Christi Speedway before with the Allison Legacy Racing Series, he is only in his second year in the TSRS Late Model class. He finished fifth in the 2008 TSRS Late Model points race and captured the TSRS Late Model Rookie of the Year title.
Kruger had his sights set on breaking the track record and began his weekend by turning in some impressive practice laps on Friday evening. Not surprisingly, Kruger turned in the top qualifying time on Saturday afternoon – clocking in with 14.072 seconds and shattering the track record of 14.515 seconds set by Ervin Breiten, Jr., on September 18, 2004.
Kruger’s good fortune continued when he grabbed the pole position in a post-qualifying draw. After leading the starting lineup to the green flag, Kruger quickly pulled ahead by several car lengths. He never looked back for the rest of the 75-lap event.
Kruger was eager to share his race strategy following his win. “I drove the car at half throttle throughout the entire race. I only used the brakes to set the nose, and then I’d just ease into the gas.”
“I was also able to get some really good starts after the cautions,” added Kruger. “I could usually gain two-three car lengths on the starts, which helped me stay in the lead.”
Kruger credits John Heil, known as “The Corpus Christi King,” with giving him the advice he needed to pull off the win. “John told me to take it easy on the throttle, don’t use the brakes much and save the tires. And John knows his stuff when it comes to Corpus Christi Speedway.”
Kruger is sponsored by Kruger Motorsports, Turner Motorsports, TRC Racecars and BMF Shocks.
Prior to the TSRS Late Model race, the newly acquired TSRS Allison Legacys awed the fans with their 50-lap feature race.
Rusty Mirth from Austin, TX, had clocked the second-fastest qualifying time earlier in the day and had also drawn the pole starting position. Similar to Kruger, Mirth held off the remaining field for the entire race.
Rusty Mirth won the TSRS Allison Legacy 50-lapper at CC Speedway
Even though Mirth was a strong competitor with the Pro Trucks during the last few years, it’s his first season with the TSRS Allison Legacys. With just one prior race under his belt, he was able to capture his first victory this season.
Mirth is sponsored by Austin Boat Clinic, Austin Auto Signs and Graphi-Tees.
Interestingly enough, Kruger is currently mentoring 12-year-old Jake Wright in the TSRS Allison Legacy Series. After starting in the seventh position, Wright was able to battle his way up through the field to claim the second position – showing his mentor that he could also pull off a strong finish.
The TSRS Late Models will make the next stop on their tour at Houston Motorsports Park on May 2 as part of the “Adrenaline on Asphalt” show.
The TSRS Allison Legacys will be racing again this Saturday night (April 25) at Thunderhill Raceway – along with the Pro Trucks, Pro Modifieds, the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, Thunder Stocks, Grand Stocks, Mini Stocks and NasKarts.
Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. The racing action will begin with qualifying at 5:30 p.m., heat races at 6 p.m. and feature races at 7 p.m.
Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track that’s located at 24801 IH-35, just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210).
For more information on Thunderhill Raceway and a detailed schedule of this Saturday’s activities, visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.
TSRS Results - Corpus Christi Speedway -April 18, 2009
TSRS Allison Legacys
1. 07 Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.814
2. 96 Jake Wright, Shenandoah, TX, 50 laps, QT 16.724
3. 53 Charles Evans, Jr., Friendswood, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.748 **New Track record**, Penalized one position for jumping restart
4. 56 Lauren Runco, Spring Branch, TX, 49 laps, QT 16.703
5. 32 James Huff, Houson, TX, 49 laps, QT 16.552
6. 88 Kyle Harding, Conroe, TX, 48 laps, QT 16.452
7. 08 Gavin Boyett, Buda, TX, 12 laps, QT 15.887
8. 19 Cole Runco, Spring Branch, TX, 11 laps, QT 15.959
TSRS Late Models
1. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.072 **New Track record**
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.270
3. 4 Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.515
4. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.237
5. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.620
6. 51 Chad Menard, Castroville, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.255
7. 79 Brian Moczygemba, 75 laps, QT 14.438
8. 05 Cody Smith, La Vernia, TX, 59 laps, QT 14.229
9. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX, 21 laps, QT 14.516
10. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX, 4 laps, QT 14.285
11. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy,TX, 0 laps, QT 14.896
12. 00 Beau Bukowski, San Antonio, TX, DNQ- Broke in practice
By Debbie Williams, TSRS Public Relations Director
Photos by Jeff Garvin
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