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

October 24, 2011

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

Elias Anderson on his way to picking up the checkered flag in the Modifieds. JBHotshots photo

Elias Anderson on his way to picking up the checkered flag in the Modifieds. JBHotshots photo

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

Anderson Aces All Weekend In Modifieds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swenson Sneaks with Sportmod/Limited Modified Win

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

Chris Swenson in the winner’s circle after winning in the SSM/Limited Modifieds. JBHotshots photo

Chris Swenson in the winner’s circle after winning in the SSM/Limited Modifieds. JBHotshots photo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Votion Victorious in Season Ender

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

Trey Votion with family and friends after winning in the Limited Late Models. JBHotshots photo

Trey Votion with family and friends after winning in the Limited Late Models. JBHotshots photo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jones Jousts with Jack for Street Stock Sweep

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

Wade Jones celebrates with family and friends in the winner’s circle after the Street Stock win. JBHotshots photo

Wade Jones celebrates with family and friends in the winner’s circle after the Street Stock win. JBHotshots photo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hilla Hauls in Biggest Ever Win

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

Janel Hilla celebrates after her Pure Stock win. JBHotshots photo

Janel Hilla celebrates after her Pure Stock win. JBHotshots photo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Easler Eases Away for Enduro Honors

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

Roy Easler celebrates the Front Runner victory. JBHotshots photo

Roy Easler celebrates the Front Runner victory. JBHotshots photo

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

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

By J M Hallas
Photos by JBHotshots

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

November 5, 2009

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by TQ Jones