Umschied Race Services Live Interactive Updates from Thunderhill Raceway, 6/30/2012, presented by Make-A-Wish and Jeff O’Neill Racing
June 28, 2012
Thanks to Jeff O’Neill Racing and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, I will be at Thunderhill Raceway this Saturday, June 30, to bring you the Umschied Race Services Live Interactive Updates from the 3/8-mile paved oval. I will do my best to bring you lap-by-lap coverage of their NASCAR short track racing show as it unfolds.
You won’t regret coming on out to the track in person, but if you just can’t make it, plan on joining me live at 6 p.m. on Saturday. You will be able to ask questions and make comments during the blogcast although there may be a delay in seeing your posts since I have to approve all posts before they show up since sometimes I get pretty busy trying to keep up with the racing action.
To get started, click the large icon below.
Nick
Texas High Def video of TSRS Late Model feature at THR, 5/21/2011
May 24, 2011
For your viewing entertainment, Duke O’Connor of Texas High Def has posted the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model feature at Thunderhill Raceway on May 21, 2011.
Austin Self notches third Texas Super Racing Series Late Model in a thriller
August 17, 2010
Kyle, Texas (August 15, 2010) - Fourteen year-old Austin Self continues to impress the Texas stock car racing community as he notched his third Texas Super Racing Series Late Model race of the season and his second-in-a-row at the D-shaped, 3/8-mile speedplant in Kyle, Texas, on Saturday, August 15, 2010.
Austin Self at speed at Thunderhill Raceway in the FEP TSRS Late Model
Self, who started in the seventh spot due to the inversion, quickly moved into second, but fast-qualifier and TSRS points leader Bobby Teer, Jr, slipped under the youngster a lap or two later and to claim the spot and set sail for the leader, JT Schild.
And it wasn’t long before Teer worked his way past Schild to grab the lead and took off, opening a several car-length lead over Schild and Self, who seemed content to stay behind Schild for the time being.
Teer’s lead evaporated on lap 21, however, after a caution flag and subsequent red flag on 27 for liquid on the racing surface.
On the restart Self got under Schild to grab second, but cagey veteran and multi-race winner Robert Barker was quickly moving up through the field after a pit stop during the previous caution.
A lap-33 spin by Kristen Bumbera, who broke a suspension part while running in third place, brought out the second yellow, which then put Barker on Self’s rear bumper and Self on Teer’s rear bumper for the restart.
As the green waved, Self nosed under Teer which moved the leader over just enough to allow Self to get under and pass for the lead. Barker followed Self through the opening which dropped Teer to third. For the next few laps the trio raced nose-to-tail with the large crowd in attendance on their collective feet.
After some paint exchanges up front, Teer got into Barker a bit too hard and Barker spun to bring out the yellow on lap 43. After some discussion, the track ordered Teer to the rear of the pack for the restart with Barker retaining his second place spot behind Self.
On the restart, Barker gave Self a tap, but the youngster held on and retained the lead. But Teer was on a tear and a couple of laps later was filling Barker’s mirror to make it a three car shootout up front with five to go. Barker again tried the bump and run, but this time it backfired and it was Barker who spun to bring out the yellow with five to go.
Would Teer return the favor that Self had used to grab the lead earlier in the race? The large crowd on hand thought so and was on its collective feet as the green waved. And sure enough, the lead pair made a bit of contact and Teer squeezed by to re-take the lead. But as fate would have it, Mike Reininger spun in turn 3-4 to bring out the final yellow of the race before the lap was completed, nullifying the pass for the lead.
So once again the fans were on their feet waiting for the sparks to fly as the green waved with five to go, but this time Self in the FEP Chevrolet was ready and hammered down with Teer having to settle for a last-lap try on the outside which came up a half-car-length short at the finish line.
Taylor Brandes, JT Schild and Jeff O’Neil rounded out the top five.
“I have to credit my team and FEP for this one,” Self said. “Heath and JR gave me an awesome car that was there at the finish. We were a little loose earlier in the day, but the car came to me as the track cooled. That was really an exciting race and I’m glad the fans enjoyed it as much as I did.”
Official Results Texas Super Racing Series Late Model event, August 14, 2010
1. 07 Austin Self, Austin, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.668
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.503
3. 92 Taylor Brandes, Garden Ridge, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.624
4. 25 JT Schild, Leander, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.844
5. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX, 50 laps, QT 16.168
6. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.872
7. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX, 45 laps, QT 15.810
8. 04 Cory Roper, Baytown, TX, 36 laps, QT 15.892
9. 06 Kristin Bumbera, Cypress, TX, 35 laps, QT 16.072
10. 5 Heather Ables, Whitney, TX, 31 laps, QT 16.490
11. 9 Jason Campbell, Cibolo, TX, 3 laps, QT 18.891
QT = Qualifying Time
by Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photo by Tory Christopher
Austin Self scores his first TSRS Late Model win at Thunderhill Raceway
June 20, 2010
Fourteen year-old Texas Super Racing Series rookie sensation Austin Self started on the pole for the TSRS LM feature at Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, Texas) Saturday night and led all 35 laps to claim his first checkered flag in a full-bodied stock car.
A multi-time champion in national Karting competition, Self’s team decided earlier this year to tackle the premier Late Model series in Texas without the young man ever having turned a lap in a stock car, let alone go up against some of the most experienced and successful teams in Texas and the Southwest.
Although Self has enjoyed more success than most thought possible this early in this season, the win is ample evidence that “the kid is for real.”
Self started on the pole, but immediately TSRS points leader Bobby Teer, Jr. was on his tail and a lap later another multi-race winner and former TSRS Champion, Robert Barker, made the first half of the event on the 3/8-mile, D-shaped, paved oval a three-way paint-swapping contest for the lead.
But Self, driving like a seasoned veteran, was able to fend off Teer’s repeated challenges and even pulled away a bit as Teer became pre-occupied with Barker’s constant attention to his rear bumper. Eventually – after several laps of repeated bumper contact - Barker got under Teer in turn one, but when J.T. Schild tried to follow him through, Schild and Teer made hard contact with Teer spinning to a stop in turn two to bring out the yellow flag.
Rookie Austin Self (07) battles veterans Bobby Teer, Jr, (2) and Robert Barker in the early going. Jeff Garvin photo.
That put Barker on the youngster’s bumper and over the next several laps Barker tried every move in the book to work his way by, but Self never bobbled and took the checkered flag by less than a car length over Barker.
“It was nerve wracking with those veterans on my tail. I kept as calm as I could, but I get a lot more nervous leading than I do watching the guy in front of me lead,” Self said after the race. “I’m lucky to have a great team and to get a win this early in the season. We’re still learning and this is just the beginning. “
When asked who he wanted to thank, the young man immediately replied, “Jesus Christ is the Number One for me.” And almost as an afterthought he added, “And thanks to FEP for giving me a great car and to my crew Heath and JR and the guy who keeps me calm, Chris Baker, and my parents and Applied Mechanical.”
Teer recovered to finish third while JT Schild and Craig Sellman rounded out the top five.
Results of the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model feature at Thunderhill Raceway, 6/19/2010
Finish, Car number, Name, Hometown, Laps completed, Qualifying Time
1. 07 Austin Self, Austin, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.664
2. 17 Robert Barker, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.427 (Hard Charger)
3. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.292 (Fast Time)
4. 25 JT Schild, Leander, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.684
5. 38 Craig Sellman, Buda, TX, 35 laps, QT 16.045
6. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX, 35 laps, QT 16.182
7. 5 Heather Ables, Whitney, TX ,26 laps, QT 16.421
by Nick Holt
Photo by Jeff Garvin
Lone Star Speedzone Video - Texas Super Racing Series at Thunderhill Raceway, 3/27/2010
March 31, 2010
In this Lone Star Speedzone video segment Nick Holt heads to Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas, for their 2010 Season Opener featuring the Texas Super Racing Series Late Models. Nick had a nice chat with Mary Ann Naumann, THR owner and TSRS founder and director, as well as a few of the TSRS drivers. Many Thanks to Duke at TexasHighDef for working with us to produce this video segment.
Texas Super Racing Series Late Models set for Houston Motorsports Park this Saturday, August 1st
July 31, 2009
Texas’ top touring series will be traveling to beautiful Houston Motorsports Park this Saturday, August 1, 2009, to participate in HMP’s “Adrenaline on Asphalt” racing program.
The cars and stars of the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model division will be flying around the immaculate three-eighth-mile HMP oval in a 75-lap feature – the “DWIDUDE.COM 75” – and will be supported by a full racing program including the NASCAR Fiesta Late Models, the NASCAR Cricket Modifieds and five other local racing divisions.
Young Dillon Spreen will be trying to make it two-in-a-row after winning his first TSRS feature event three weeks ago at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas. But Spreen will be facing tough competition from fellow teenagers Jake Kruger, who sits atop the TSRS point standings, Cody Smith, Levi Krauss and Kendall Bumbera, as well as from veterans Bobby Teer, Jr., Robert Barker, Cary Stapp and Chris Schild.
The “DWIDUDE.COM 75″ is being run in honor of “Mama” Dean Sandefur, one of the most popular TSRS officials and wife of the TSRS Chief Technical Official, Jack Sandefur. Ms. Sandefur is recovering from major surgery earlier this week.
The TSRS teams will be participating in an autograph session during the intermission immediately preceding the feature races. These drivers are the NASCAR stars of tomorrow and here’s a great opportunity to meet and greet them “up close and personal.”
The heat races get under way at 6:00 p.m. For more information about Houston Motorsports Park and directions to the track, go to their website at http://www.houstonmotorsportspark.com.
TSRS Late Model Point Standings
1. 14 Jake Kruger Bastrop, TX 1124
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr. Comfort, TX 1113
3. 05 Cody Smith LaVernia, TX 1099
4. 17 Robert Barker Boerne, TX 1086
5. 81 Dillon Spreen Boerne, TX 1086
6. 99 Cary Stapp San Marcos, TX 1013
7. 4® Levi Krauss Schertz, TX 996
8. 72® Kendall Bumbera Sealy, TX 971
9. 96 Todd Farris College Station, TX 704
10. 28® Jeff O’Neill Round Rock, TX 557
11. 7 Chris Schild Leander, TX 418
12. 49 Robert Walton Bastrop, TX 381
13. 50 Brian Moczygemba San Antonio, TX 311
14. 33 Mike Williams Hockley,TX 292
15. 51 Chad Menard Castroville, TX 284
16. 12 Adam Haugh Round Rock, TX 276
17. 15 Bradley Burke Johnson City, TX 256
18. 1 Heath Stewart Del Valle, TX 175
19. 1 Colt James North Carolina 170
20. 1 Casey Smith Austin, TX 170
21. 93 Kyle Sirizzottii Helotes, TX 170
22. 54 Todd McLemore Austin, TX 160
23. 1 Lloyd Alexander San Antonio, TX 155
24. 02 Ugo Bevione Austin, TX 134
25. 38 Craig Sellman Buda, TX 134
26. 20® Mark Mathis San Antonio, TX 127
27. 6 Jason Hollander Round Rock, TX 124
28. 79 Joe Aramendia San Antonio, TX 118
29. 00 Beau Bukowski San Antonio, TX 5
30. 3 Mike Reininger San Antonio, TX 5
by Nick Holt
Texas Super Racing Series returns to Corpus Christi Speedway after four year absence
April 16, 2009
After nearly a four-year absence from racing at Corpus Christi Speedway, the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model Series returns to the quarter-mile ‘bullring’ on Saturday night.
“I’m thrilled to be able to go back to Corpus Christi,” said Mary Ann Naumann, TSRS founder and owner. “I have always liked the little ‘Bullring.’ It can be a little intimidating for the drivers and given the right respect, it’s a fun track to watch a race there.”
TSRS point leader Robert Barker (17) and defending TSRS Champ Heath Stewart battle at THR
Corpus Christi Speedway, better know as the ‘Bullring’ in the South Texas racing community, has a reputation of being a fast, but challenging quarter-mile asphalt oval. The last time the TSRS Late Models visited the speedway was April 23, 2005. Jamie Fuller won that event.
On Saturday night, the TSRS Late Models and the newly acquired Allison Legacy Series will compete for the first and only time this season at the track.
The Late Models will compete in a 75-lap race and the Allison Legacy Series will compete in a 50-lap main event. The gates open at 6 p.m., qualifying for both series begins at 7 p.m. and the feature races start at 8 p.m.
“I see a different kind of excitement with the staff, officials and the teams that have already pre-registered,” Naumann said. “This will be the first time the series has been away from our home track this season and for the Allison Legacy Series, I think it is going to be extremely exciting for them because it will be the first time that they will really be a part of the TSRS.”
Naumann, also the owner and promoter of Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, said a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm has been developed with both series since she acquired the Allison Legacy Series late last year.
“I know that it is a huge part of Thunderhill by having the TSRS there and adding the Allison Legacy Series too,” Naumann said. “Bringing on the TSRS Allison Legacy Series has been a new branching that to me has put a little more excitement in the series.”
Naumann said she is pleased with the way the TSRS Late Model season has started. After two races there are two different winners on circuit. Robert Barker won the season opener on March 14 and Cody Smith won the last race on March 28. Both races were held at Thunderhill.
TSRS point leader Robert Barker poses with Miss Texas USA after his win last month at THR
“No one is dominating this year,” Naumann said. “I think we are going to see some good side-by-side and good, hard racing. A lot of cars are competitive with each other, and they are not separated.”
Despite a struggling economy, the two series are drawing decent car counts. The Late Models are averaging 17 cars per race and the Allison Legacy almost 14.
“I think that because of the way we’ve scheduled the races that we try to give the teams enough time in between (events),” she said. “And what they have done is budgeted it out where they can afford to run with us.”
Saturday’s race marks the third stop on the TSRS circuit. In addition to the Corpus Christi and Thunderhill, the series’ home-based track, the TSRS Late Models will also be racing at Houston Motorsports Park Speedway and at Red River Speedway in Wichita Falls in 2009.
“I think it’s wonderful for the series that we have four different tracks where we compete,” Naumann said. “I think the reputation that the series has had and the consistency that it has had, has played an important part of why the tracks want the series to be there.”
Barker enters Saturday’s 75-lap TSRS Late Model race with a narrow five-point lead over Bobby Teer Jr. in the series standings. Smith is 39 points back in third, followed by rookies Jeff O’Neill and Kendall Bumbera, who are fourth and fifth respectively. Only 66 points separate the top five drivers in the standings.
“I think once the drivers start seeing the different tracks where they are going to be racing, then they will get more excited about it and it will seem more like a touring and traveling series.” Naumann said.
by Mike Haag, San Antonio Express-News
Photos by Jeff Garvin
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