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Mike McCarthy on a Mission - Wins Modified Main at I-37 Speedway

Coming back from early early adversity, Round Rock’s Mike McCarthy made a last lap pass to steal the victory IMCA Modified feature from last week’s winner, Rick Green. McCarthy got out front early but was forced to pit from the lead when a shock broke. McCarthy fought his way back to the front to battle with Green. When Green had his own troubles in the final laps, McCarthy snuck by coming to the white flag and held on for the win.

As the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event roared to life, McCarthy got a good jump from the pole to lead them into turn 1 with Bill Pittaway, Rick Green and Matt Fox three wide. Before completing lap 1 Marlin Sanford went around to bring about a complete restart. McCarthy again got out front with Fox and Green side by side for second. Green got the spot on lap 1, while Darin Leonard went by Sanford for fifth.

Robert Liese jr. was next to put Fox back a spot on lap 2 with Fox spinning and collecting Pittaway and Joe Spillman. Under caution McCarthy pulled off with a broken shock to the hot pit handing the lead Green on the lap 3 restart. Once back to green Leonard got past Liese for second, while McCarthy charged back into the top five. Fox looped it again on lap 4 to bring out a caution.

Once back to green McCarthy blasted past Sanford for fourth then Liese for third. Pittaway followed to fifth. A caution for debris on lap 6 saved Spillman who got tagged and spun on the front stretch. Leonard took a look low inside Green as green waved again, but fell back in line as the top three got away clean. Pittaway was able to take fourth from Sanford. At the crossed flags it was Green, Leonard, McCarthy, Pittaway and Sanford.

After a caution for a stalled car, Green got a four car length advantage on the restart but McCarthy quickly closed back in. As the top four eased away Sanford, Spillman and Joe O’Bryan scrapped it out for fifth until O’Bryan went around on lap 16.

The top three broke away on the green with Leonard looking to get back under McCarthy for second. Spillman got inside and by Sanford for fifth, but spun off turn 2 and collected Sanford for a lap 18 caution.

As the racing resumed McCarthy got along side Green with the two wheel to wheel on the back stretch. Green held on to the point until lap 18 when he slipped high in turn 4. McCarthy seized the opportunity and slipped by to lead as the white flag waved. McCarthy in the Superior Race Fuels, Spillman Excavating, BG Mesa, BC Repairs, Quality Engine Exchange, Edge Chassis eased away to take the checkers.

“I was on a mission tonight,” McCarthy said after the race. “I really wanted to get a win tonight. I was driving it hard. This is my first win here since 2005.”

“I had a shock that broke in the heat race but didn’t know it. It started flopping around in the feature so I pulled off and got it off. I ran the entire race without a left rear shock.”

“Rick’s(Green) car had some brake problem and he slipped up and I got under him. I think the most important thing is to race people clean, and that’s what I try to do. No matter who it is. I didn’t have an opening until he broke. I don’t know if I was fast enough to get by him.”

IMCA Modified resuls

1. 20 Mike McCarthy
2. 82 Rick Green
3. 26 Darin Leonard
4. 37 Bill Pittaway
5. 67 Robert Liese jr
6. 44x Joe O’Bryan
7. 44s Joe Spillman
8. 17 Cody Tidwell
9. c31 Marlin Sanford
10. 53 Matt Fox
11. 24 Tracy Fink—DNS

IMCA Modified winners were Bill Pittaway and Mike McCarthy

Johnny Torres Tops in Sportmod Scramble

Even a dismal heat race finish didn’t bother Johnny Torres, who would start the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature dead last. Torres quickly worked his way forward running in the top five by halfway. Torres moved in on early leader and defending class champion, Mark McGahey after a restart. Ducking inside on lap 12 Torres got past McGahey to lead lap 13. From there Torres increased his margin over McGahey easily cruising to his first checkers of the season.

“I just drove as hard as I could,” commented Torres who started 13th in the 24/7 Towing, Douglas Glass, Ace Transmissions, Spreen Racing Engines, Stealth Racing Chassis SportMod. “It seemed like I passed some guys three time getting up there. It was worth it at the end. The cushion was working pretty good. It started out a little heavy, but as it went along it dried out and I got faster.”

“I’m pretty good at starting near the back. I can’t remember the last time I started up front so it was like a normal race. That’s why I was comfortable back there. I feel good racing side by side with all these guys. We’ve been racing together for a long time.”

“I’m not worried about points. I’ll just try to win as many as I can and see how it all works out.”

IMCA Southern Sportmod results

1. 66 Johnny Torres
2. 92 Jason Stanley
3. D9 Ray Doyon III
4. 37 Bill Pittaway
5. 88 Mark McGahey
6. 51 Greg Rohmer
7. 18 Larry Jernigan
8. 11 Chris McLendon
9. 89 Doug Livingston
10. 09 David Routen
11. 4 Robby Minten
12. 00 Leland Frautchi
13. 66y Randy Yount

IMCA SSM heat winners: Doug Livingston and Larry Jernigan

With the Limited Late Models and Street Stocks both having short fields, they ran their features together, but scored separately. As green waved Barry Major got the lead of the Limited Late Models, while Dennis Jasik took the Street Stock point. Kelly Hardage got out of shape and body slammed Jasik in turn 2 ending both of their nights early. Once back to green, Major grabbed the top spot again with AJ Wernette leading the Street Stocks.

Wesley Skains, who took a wild ride in the heat race, brought out the yellow on lap 2 when he half spun and stalled. As racing resumed Major eased away from Richard Bartosh and Gary Hunter, as Skains worked his way back up. Skains got by Hunter then Bartosh and chased down Major for the lead on lap 9. Skains lost ground after going to high in turn 2 then went over the turn 2 hill, but not as far as the trees on this adventure.

Major again inched away from Bartosh and Hunter, while Wade Jones was waiting patiently behind Wernette in the Street Stock battle. Jones got around Wernette on the final circuit to take the Street Stock while Major scored his first victory in Limited Late Models.

Tator Plumbing Limited Late Models

1. 33 Barry Major
2. 7 Richard Bartosh
3. 14 Gary Hunter
4. 25 Wesley Skains
5. 18 Shane Moore
6. 12 Kelly Hardage

Limited Late Model heat winner Barry Major

Street Stocks
1. 41 Wade Jones
2. 37 AJ Wernette
3. 8 Dennis Jasik
4. 40 Mike Lyon—DNS

Street Stock heat winner Wade Jones

Jason Smith beat Brandy Ramzinski into turn 1 to get the point in the 18-car, 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Freddie Geirisch got by Ramzinski for second and caught Smith for lead on lap. Marc Roy and Sonny Jones both got past Ramzinski for third and fourth until Roy slipped off turn 2 giving third to Jones. Geirisch and Smith were door to door for the lead on lap 3, while Roy got third back from Jones. Geirisch was able sneak by Smith for the top spot on lap 4.

Roy took second from Smith on lap 4 while Jones snagged third on lap 6. The lead duo of Geirisch and Roy were catching the back of the pack when Anna Major got turned around to bring out a caution on lap 8. Once back to green, Geirisch inched ahead while Roy and Jones swapped second. Behind them Patrick White, Frank Okruhlik and Sean Terry had their own scramble going on for fifth.

Rick Snyder and JW tangled on lap 10 with Major ending up stuck on an infield tire. On the restart Jones ducked low on Geirisch getting along side on the back stretch. Jones got the bumper out front on lap 11 as the two continued to run side by side. Jones slipped high with Geirisch retaking the lead on lap 12 and Roy sneaking past for second. Roy had just started to pressure Geirisch for the lead when yellow waved for James Watson who took his Pure Stock truck four-wheeling of turn 2.

As green waved again Geirisch, Roy and Jones broke away from another three car battle between Ramzinski, Okruhlik and Terry for fourth. Terry got around Okruhlik for fifth on lap 16. With two to go Roy was on Geirisch’s bumper and Jones was lurking three car lengths back. Geirisch was able to hold off the defending track champ Roy on the final lap, with Terry getting by Ramzinski and White going past Okruhlik.

Pure Stocks
1. 19 Freddie Geirisch
2. 24 Marc Roy
3. 555 Sonny Jones
4. 23 Sean Terry
5. 88 Brandy Ramzinski
6. 17 Patrick White
7. 99 Frank Okruhlik
8. 72 Gilbert Amezquita
9. 4 Brandon Eure
10. 9 Jarret Payton
11. 66c Rick Snyder
12. 77 Ray Radicke
13. 43 Eric Watson
14. 44 James Watson
15. 80 JW
16. 33 Anna Major
17. 02 Philip Haywood
18. 13 Jason Smith
19. 15 William Cavender—DNS

Pure Stock heat winners Freddie Geirisch and Marc Roy and Patrick White

With a couple generous contributions from Tator(Mason) Plumbing and Pure Stock driver, Jason Smith the Front Runners has more than just glory and a trophy on the line for their 15-lap, 13-car feature. At the start Chad Thrush and Nick Hencey stayed side by side until Charlie Earnhardt III squirted through the middle to get the lead on lap 1. Hencey, Roy Easler, Thrush and Cameron Smith fell in line behind Earnhardt.

Easler spun himself out of third on lap 2, with James Sanford getting by Smith for fifth. Easler couldn’t clear the edge of the track bringing out a caution on lap 3. On green, Earnhardt and Hencey put some distance on the third place fight. Sanford did a half spin on lap 5 giving up fifth to Steven Stanley. By halfway Earnhardt was pulling ahead of Hencey, while Alec Jasik got by Thrush for third.

Sanford had just taken fifth back from Stanley when red waved for Jasik who ended up on his roof after rolling 1 ½ times in between turns 1-2. Jasik was able to crawl out a little shaken, but otherwise uninjured. When the field was shown the green again Hencey got a good jump getting by Earnhardt in turn 1. Earnhardt fought back in turn 2 to retake the top spot. The top three ran nose to tail in the final laps, but no one could get by the Earnhardt who took his second win on the year.

Front Runners
1. 33 Charlie Earnhardt III
2. 911 Nick Hencey
3. 35 James Sanford
4. T-30 Chad Thrush
5. 20 Brent Bouchillion
6. 96 Steven Stanley
7. 66c Cindy Snider
8. 98 Amber Clay
9. 113 Hailee Marcx
10. 67 Kathy Williams
11. 8jr Alec Jasik—flipped
12. 12 Roy Easler
13. 13 Cameron Smith

Front Runner heat winners Charlie Earnhardt III and Nick Hencey

By J.M. Hallas
Photos by Jamie Brabson

Rick Green, Doug Livingston take top honors at I-37 Speedway

I-37 Raceway celebrated the Easter weekend Saturday night with several attractions including Ryan Newman’s Tornados-sponsored NASCAR Sprint Cup car, dozens of goody bags given away to the kids during intermission and a couple of new winners in the top two divisions on the semi-banked, ¼-mile clay oval.

Liberty Hill’s Rick Green put an end the early streak of Greg Dinsmore in the IMCA Modified class. Green got out front early, but gave way to Mike McCarthy on a botched restart. Green got the top spot back after McCarthy and Dinsmore got together while fighting for the lead. From there Green pulled away from Darin Leonard to take the checkers.

As green waved on the 20-lap main event Green shot from row 2 for the lead with Leonard and Dinsmore moving up to second and third. McCarthy, Matt Fox and Bob Lienweber were three wide for fourth, with McCarthy getting the position. Dinsmore got by Leonard for second on lap 2 with both coming away with sheet metal damage.

Dinsmore had just started working on Green for lead when Marlin Sanford, Fox and Robert Liese jr. tangled in turn 4 to bring out a yellow. Under caution Dinsmore was sent to the pits to remove loose body panels and restarted at the tail. Once back to green Dinsmore shed more parts, while Cody Tidwell, in his first ever Modified ride, spun in turn 1.

On the next restart, McCarthy got past Leonard and Green for the lead after a mistake in the flagstand with the lights. Bill Pittaway moved in to battle with Green for second as they ran side by side, while Dinsmore worked his way back to fifth. Lap 7 saw Dinsmore get under Leonard, then Pittaway for third until he spun to bring out a caution.

Once back to racing Dinsmore got along side Green for second in turn 2 then by in turn 4. Dinsmore closed on McCarthy and was looking inside on lap 9 when the two made contact sending McCarthy around. Both McCarthy and Dinsmore were forced to pit with flats, putting Green back on the point. Leonard gave Green a quick look low in turn 1, but Tidwell looped his ride to bring the yellow back out.

Green got a good jump on the final restart and coming to the crossed flags it was Green, Leonard, Pittaway, Lienweber and Liese in the top five. Green then put some distance on Leonard and Pittaway while Tidwell made his way past Liese for fifth. Greens biggest scare came on lap 16 when Liese did a 360 in turn 4 directly in front the leader. Green, in the Green Construction, Qwik/Green Chassis continued to increase his lead on the final circuits to grab the victory.

“Surprisingly, the motor laying down the final laps helped me,” replied Green. “That’s when I started pulling away. I like coming down here to run at an IMCA track. It makes the competition a little more even and there’s not as much cheating going on.”

“The track was pretty good tonight. It was dry slick from the low to middle groove, then up top there was a little cushion. The flagman came up and apologized for the one restart saying it was his mistake with the lights.”

“This started out as a Qwik Chassis but over the winter I completely cut it up and redid it. My brother, Randy, and I primarily build the motors.”

IMCA Modifieds results
82 Rick Green
26 Darin Leonard
37 Bill Pittaway
12 Bob Lienweber
17 Cody Tidwell
53x Matt Fox
67 Robert Liese jr
20 Mike McCarthy
8g Greg Dinsmore
c31 Marlin Sanford
24 Tracy Fink

IMCA Modified heat winners: Darin Leonard and Greg Dinsmore

When the checkers waved on the 20-lap IMCA Southern SportMod main, San Antonio’s Doug Livingston found himself in a somewhat unfamiliar place, the Winners Circle. Livingston, shopmate of last years track champ, Mark McGahey got by early leader David Routen and never looked back taking his first ever IMCA SSM victory in the Douglas Glass, Struthoff Company, Alamo Bolt & Screw, Mark Warner powered, Smiley’s Chassis

At the start of the 12-car feature Routen beat Clark Warren out of turn 2 for the lead. Livingston then got by Warren for second and began working on Routen for the lead. Routen and Livingston were side by side, with Ray Doyon III getting by Warren for third when the race’s only caution came out on lap 2 for a spin by Leland Frautchi in turn 2. Livingston ducked low on Routen and got the top spot on lap 3, with Doyon re-passing Warren for third.

Johnny Torres was next to put Warren back a spot taking fourth on lap 3. Doyon moved into second going by Routen on lap 4. Torres then closed in on Routen taking third on lap 5. Robby Minten was next in line to pass Routen leaving him three wide with Bill Pittaway and Jason Stanley for fifth. Pittaway did a small lap in the infield after spinning on the back stretch giving fifth to Stanley.

At halfway the top five were Livingston, Doyon, Torres, Minten and Stanley, with Torres pressuring Doyon for the spot. Torres got by Doyon on lap 12, but Livingston was nearly a full straightaway ahead. Livingston caught the back of the pack on lap 14 and cleared traffic without giving up any ground to Torres. Stanley worked his way past Minten for fourth in the waning laps. Up front it was Livingston easily cruising to his inaugural Sportmod win.

“It was a lot of luck out there tonight,” commented Livingston on his first win. “The track and the car were just right. It would go anywhere I wanted it to go. This is my first ever feature win anywhere. I’ve won some heat races, but this is my biggest win.”

“Mark(McGahey) and I don’t really talk much about our different set-ups. Johnny(Torres) helps me out. We talked today about it. I just do what I think my car needs. On a tacky track this car is usually pretty fast. I thought if I broke out front I’d be able to hold them off.”

“ I found myself overdriving the car a couple times because I didn’t know where they were or how hard to push the car. I just to find my mark. I knew they were coming, just didn’t know how close they were. I feel real comfortable racing with all these guys locally. I got kind of nervous up in Abilene where there were 92 cars.”

IMCA Southern SportMod results
89 Doug Livingston
66 Johnny Torres
92 Jason Stanley
4 Robby Minten
09 David Routen
989 Clark Warren
2x Dennis Hilla
37 Bill Pittaway
11 Chris McLendon
00 Leland Frautchi
D9 Ray Doyon III—DQ, Tech(Carb)
18 Larry Jernigan—DNS

IMCA Southern SportMod heat winners: Doug Livingston and Jason Stanley

It didn’t take long in the 15-lap Limited Late Model feature for Wesley Skains to show his dominance again. On green Shannon Moore led the way into turn 1, but Skains swept by in turn 3 to lead the first lap. Richard Bartosh and Gary Hunter both got by Moore on lap 2 for second and third respectively. By lap 5 Skains had run away from Bartosh and Hunter easily cruising to his third victory of the season.

Tator Plumbing Limited Late Models
25 Wesley Skains
7 Richard Bartosh
14 Gary Hunter
18 Shannon Moore
33 Barry Major—DNS
12 Kody Hardage—DNS

Limited Late Model heat winner: Richard Bartosh

Despite a short field of cars the 15-lap Street Stock event didn’t lack for excitement. Dennis Jasik grabbed the early lead with Tommy Casey, Wade Jones and AJ Wernette in pursuit. Jasik went high to lap Steve Mireles and almost ran off the back stretch. Going into to turn 3 Jasik spun and broke an axle. This handed the lead to Wernette briefly as Casey got the top spot. Yellow finally waved for Jasik who couldn’t get completely off the racing surface.

On the restart, Jones got second from Wernette who tried to fight back only to spin himself out in turn 4. Jones then turned up the heat on Casey as they scrapped it out for the lead. Allen Torres brought out the red when he blew a motor and erupted in flames. Torres bailed out of his still moving car as it continued to the infield.

Once back to green the fight for the lead continued between Casey and Jones with Jones sticking the nose inside. After a bumper shot on lap 13 Jones got around Casey to lead the white flag lap. Casey came back to dive inside Jones in turns 1-2. The two made contact with Casey retaking the lead. Jones returned the favor in turns 3-4 sending Casey around in turn 4. Jones crossed the line ahead of Wernette, but was black flagged for spinning Casey, handing the win to Wernette.

Street Stocks
37 AJ Wernette
15 Tommy Casey
41 Wade Jones—BF Rough Driving
94 Allen Torres
8 Dennis Jasik
74x Steve Mireles

Street Stock heat winner: 15 Tommy Casey

Heat winners Patrick White and Freddie Gierisch stayed side by side through turns 1-2 at the start of the Pure Stock feature. White got sideways coming out of turn 4, half spun and clipped Gierisch who held on to lead lap 1. Kevin Hyland gave Gierisch an early challenge with Frank Okruhlik, Jarret Payton. Anna Major and Brandy Ramzinski ran door to door for sixth until Ramzinski spun, with defending track champ, Marc Roy moving up to fifth.

Roy then took over fourth from Major and third from Payton on lap 6. Gierisch’s rein out front ended with a flat right front on lap 7 and brought out the caution. This put Hyland in the lead for the restart, but that didn’t last long as Roy shot by as green waved again for the lead on lap 8.

Back in the back, Rick Snyder and William Cavender had their own personal battle going for fourth. After three laps of nearly side by side racing, Snyder got the position. Roy was increasing his margin over Hyland, while White worked his way back up to fifth after his earlier spin. Snyder’s night ended in a plume of smoke with his car losing parts to bring out a yellow on lap 16. Roy got away quickly on the restart while Major got past James Watson and Cavender for fourth. At the checkers it was Roy taking the victory with a comfortable margin over Hyland.

Pure Stocks
24 Mark Roy
72 Kevin Hyland
33 Anna Major
44 James Watson
15 William Cavender
66R Rick Snyder
19 Freddie Gierisch
9 Jarret Payton
99 Frank Okruhlik
88 Brandy Ramzinski
25 Chance Skains
17 Patrick White—DQ, Tech(Vacuum)

Pure Stock heat winners: Patrick White and Freddie Gierisch

Cody Earnhardt got the best of the three wide battle for the lead as green waved on th 15-lap Front Runner feature. As Earnhardt, James Sanford and Jerry Jones ran nose to tail, they quickly put distance on Alec Jasik and Brent Bouchillion. By lap 3 the lead trio were already up to the back of the pack. Earnhardt tangled with a lapped car giving the lead to Sanford on lap 7 with Jones taking second.

Jasik, Bouchillion and Cameron Smith were three wide for fourth coming up on the same traffic. Smith and Bouchillion got together with Bouchilion going around to bring out a caution on lap 8. The top three broke away clean on the restart with Jones giving Sanford a little pressure. Sanford was able to hold off the charge, while Jones fell back into the clutches of Earnhardt. Earnhardt got past Jones on the last lap, but Sanford was well out front and taking the checkers.

Front Runners
35 James Sanford
33 Cody Earnhardt
95 Jerry Jones
13 Cameron Smith
8jr Alec Jasik
20 Brent Bouchillion
T30 Chad Thrush
98 Amber Clay
113 Hailie Marcx
7x Streling Goyett
911 Nick Hencey
96 Steve Stanley
66R Cindy Snider

Front Runner heat winners: Nick Hencey and Cody Earnhardt

The two Wren brothers were the class of the field in the 20-lap Brazos Mini Sprint feature. Ralph Wren beat Troy Wren into turn 1 for lead, with Kyle Thompson, Hunter Montgomery, Trevor Reed and Anthony Smith falling in line. The top six separated out and began pulling away from the second pack early. Nearing halfway, the top three had began to put some space on Thompson, who had Montgomery, coming back from last week’s flip, closing, while Smith began to fade.

Thompson spun on lap 9 in between turns 1-2, got over on the left side tires and tipped over easily, bringing out a red. The top four got a good jump on green, while Ken Pearson began pressuring Smith for fifth. Smith and Pearson ran wheel to wheel for several laps until caution waved for Reagan Reed, who lost a motor on lap 14. Once back to green, R. Wren go a huge jump with T. Wren, Montgomery and T. Reed battling nose to tail for second. At the checkers it was R. Wren by a half straightaway taking the victory.

Brazos Mini Sprints
4w Ralph Wren(S)
44w Troy Wren
5 Hunter Montgomery
28 Trevor Reed
337 Anthony Smith
17 Ken Pearson
84 Trevor Barr(O)
42 Scott Blakely
14 Jacob Gilliam
7 Reagan Reed®
87 Kyle Thompson

Brazos Mini Sprint heat winners: Troy Wren and Ralph Wren

Kids Go-Karts
Age 9-under
22 Cameron Migura
9 Caitlin Leonard
37 Aaron Trevino
5 Tyler Barr
8g Logan Dinsmore

Age 10-up
33j Jacob Franke
9 Cody Leonard
13 Cody Smith
37 Alex Trevino

By J M Hallas
Photos by Jamie Brabson

Robert Barker the TSRS “Spectacular” winner at Thunderhill Raceway

With over 500 feature laps of racing over the one-day 13th Annual Stock Car Spectacular at Thunderhill Raceway, it was only fitting that the last lap of the season was one of the most exciting.

The Texas Super Racing Series 75-lap feature was the nightcap after eleven – yes, that’s a total of twelve – features were packed into the Spectacular schedule. Youngster Cody Smith, who had led the entire race until the final turn of the last lap, and former San Antonio Speedway Late Model track champion, Robert Barker, had a classic battle to finish that wasn’t decided until the checkered flag was in the air.

As green waved on the 16-car, 75-lap TSRA Late Model finale, Smith jumped into the lead, but Mike Reininger spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow quickly before a lap was in the books. On the second try Smith got huge jump when Brian Moczygemba got sideways coming to the green in front of the field. Remarkably, he was able to get straightened out with no contact with any other cars and hung on to second.

Barker quickly fell in behind Moczygemba once everyone was straightened out. Dillon Spreen and TSRS point leader Jake Kruger rounded out the top five as the field settled down. As Barker looked for a way around Moczygemba, Smith edged away.

Barker finally got along side Moczygemba on the fifth lap and took the second spot with Spreen tagging along into third. As the front runners gapped themselves out and settled in to click off laps, Bobby Teer, Jr, got by Kruger for fifth.

After lapping a couple stragglers Smith caught the back of a big pack on lap 25. Smith was able to dice through the traffic without losing ground to Barker who had to negotiate the same traffic.

Yellow on lap 39 slowed the action when Craig Selman and Kendall Bumbera spun in turn 3.

On the restart Smith and Barker got away cleanly while Spreen slipped and fell back to fifth. Barker immediately turned up the heat and poked his nose under Smith going into turn one with Smith quickly slamming the door. Again on lap 53 Barker showed Smith the Blue Oval of his Ford only to get it shut in the door again.

Barker then fell in line behind Smith for several laps, cooling his tires, his emotions and regrouping for a late run. With five to go, Barker was back on Smith’s bumper with a “hello” tap. Barker then stuck the nose under Smith on lap 73 and again Smith closed the door abruptly. Coming to the white flag Barker stayed on Smith’s tail and made his move coming out of turn 2 this time.

Barker got along side going into turn three. Smith tried to slam the door, but Barker was already in. The two locked wheels and slid up the track until Smith found the turn four wall and tire barrier. Barker won the scramble back to the line to the cheers and jeers of the standing crowd, with Moczygemba going around in the turn four melee. Smith recovered for a sixth place finish, but refused post-race tech for the top points chasers.

“I got up next to him (Smith) and he didn’t want me to pass,” Barker said when asked about the last lap incident. “I don’t know what his spotter told him, but it clearly wasn’t a good move. Three times I got the nose under him and he chopped me off. I wasn’t just going to give it to him. If he wants a wrecked racecar, fine. I was just going to wait until the last lap.”

“The adrenaline buzz for this race won’t wear off for a while” said Barker, who book-ended his season with Thunderhill Raceway wins. “We’ll be up all night. This year was up and down. We started with a win, had some motor problems and that took us out of contact with the points. It was a good year once we got back on track.”

“Right now I really don’t know my plans for next season. We’ll just enjoy the off season and see what happens.”

In TSRS Late Model qualifying Robert Barker set fast time in the Mission Auto Parts, Circle K Fencing & Welding, Central Lath & Plaster, BMF Shocks, Oval Components, Screen Pro Graphics, Justice Brothers Ford with a lap of 15.212 seconds.

With his strong 5th place finish, Jake Kruger cemented the 2009 TSRS Late Model Championship.

Official Results of the TSRS 75

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX 75 laps QT 15.212 (Fast Time)
2. 1 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX 75 laps QT 15.600
3. 92 (81) Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX 75 laps QT 15.596
4. 18 Jesse Salazar, San Antonio, TX, 75 laps QT 15.706 (Hard Charger)
5. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX 75 laps QT 15.326
6. 50 Brian Moczygemba, San Antonio, TX 75 laps QT 15.458
7. 33 Mike Williams, Hockley, TX 74 laps QT 15.456
8. 54 Steve Green, Marble Falls, TX 74 laps QT 15.528
9. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, TX 74 laps QT 15.848
10. 38 Craig Selman, Buda, TX 72 laps QT 15.677
11. 15 Brad Burke, Johnson City, TX 68 laps QT 16.268
12. 28 (4) Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX 57 laps QT 15.764
13. 02 Ugo Bevione, Austin, TX 55 laps QT 16.225
14. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio, TX 48 laps QT 15.678
15. 00 Beau Bukowski, San Antonio, TX 37 laps QT 15.690
16. 05 Cody Smith, LaVernia, TX QT 15.424 – TI – Declined Tech

The Pro Modified “Prismstream.com 50” got off to a shaky start when outside pole sitter Jason Marmon got sideways in front of the field. As the field spun and scattered, John Paul Kliewer got the worst of it when he tagged the turn four wall hard. Kliewer, Brett Boyd and Mike Williams were unable to make the restart.

Once green waved, Cory Lovell got out front with John Schultz, Anthony Gordon and Michael Umscheid in pursuit.

Umscheid, using the high groove, began picking off his competition taking Gordon on lap three for third and Schultz on lap four for second. And it wasn’t long before Umscheid ran down Lovell to challenge for the lead.

After a try on the high side, Umscheid ducked low getting by on the inside to take the lead on lap thirteen. Umscheid, who was half a second faster than anyone else in qualifying, had no problem stretching out his advantage. Once safely out front, Umscheid put it on cruise control easily taking the win and Pro Modified Championship.

In qualifying Umscheid posted the fastest Pro Modified lap at 15.214 seconds in his Tri-Lectric, AAA House Leveling, Premier Minerals, Circle Racing Wheels, Day Motorsports, Swenson Racing, The Brake Man, Jani-King sponsored car.

Official Pro Modifieds “Prismstream.com 50” results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 5 Michael Umscheid, Austin, TX 50 laps QT 15.214
2. 61 Cory Lovell, Lockhart, TX 50 laps QT 15.851
3. 14 John Schultz, 50 laps QT 15.865
4. 18 Anthony Gordon, San Antonio, TX 50 laps QT 16.023
5. 65 Bubba Menard, Castroville, TX 50 laps QT 16.014
6. 04 Brad Hudak, 50 laps QT 16.139
7. 07 Matt Kaminski, Corpus Christi, TX 47 laps QT 17.047
8. 26 Bob Slezinsky, Beeville, TX 47 laps QT 15.956
9. 78 Greg Baber, Uvalde, TX 4 Laps QT 15.904
10. 33 Jason Mormon, Seabrook, TX 0 laps QT 15.791
11. 3 Mike Williams, Hockley, TX 0 laps QT 17.799
12. 9 Brett Boyd, Magnolia, TX 0 laps QT 16.054
13. 22 John Paul Kliewer, Boerne, TX 0 laps QT 15.811
14. 44 H. E. Naumann, Del Valle, TX DNQ, DNS
15. 10 Robert Walton, Bastrop, TX DNQ, DNS

A short field of Pro Trucks took the green for the “DWIDude.com 35” with Jim Albert getting the early lead trailed by David Lewein, Keith Riethmeyer and Shawn Paul Lehman.

Early on Riethmeyer’s truck got loose off turn two giving up spots Lehman, with Jason Marshall and Cary Stapp following him through. Marshall then took fourth from Stapp, who was in his first truck ride.

Lehman drifted too high on lap six with Marshall going by for third. After a brief side by side battle, Stapp got by Lehman for fourth. Marshall snared second from Lewien on lap nine, finding himself a half straightaway behind Albert. Slowly and methodically Marshall reeled in the leader, catching him on lap 30. It didn’t take Marshall long to get past Albert on lap 31 after Albert slipped high.

From there Marshall kept on truckin’ along for the victory and Pro Truck title.

Official Pro Trucks ”DWIDude.com 35” results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 42 Jason Marshall, Leander, TX 35 laps QT 16.576
2. 31 Jim Albert, Lockhart, TX 35 laps QT 16.780
3. 3 David Lewien, Blanco, TX 35 laps QT 16.816
4. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos TX 35 laps QT 16.843
5. 28 Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX 35 laps QT 16.753
6. 41 Keith Riethmeyer, Hutto TX. 35 laps QT 16.597

Coming into the final 2009 race for the ASA A-Line Auto Parts Super Stocks, Clint LaFont had already secured the track championship as well as the ASA western Regional title. It also marked the return of multi-time track champ and defending ASA National Champion, Cary Stapp in the familiar black #99 car.

Brent Reeves and Jason Stanley jumped out on green, with Shawn Paul Lehman splitting through the middle of a pack to take the third spot by the end of the first lap and set his sights on Stanley.

After some minor contact with Lehman, Stanley spun in turn four on the fourth circuit to bring out the yellow flag. Lehman was charged with contact and sent to the tail of the pack.

On the restart Stanley kept the pressure on Reeves and got under him on the ninth lap to claim the lead. While Stanley opened some ground on Reeves and the rest, the middle of the pack as playing a high speed game of bumper tag.

Just as Bobby LaFont took over second his night ended as he broke and rolled to a stop on the track to bring out a caution flag.

Once back under green, Clint LaFont and Stapp worked their way past Tommy Gural for third and fourth. Meanwhile Duane Toyne had reeled in Stanley up front by lap 20 with LaFont joining the lead duo on lap 21. As Toyne and LaFont battled for second, Stapp caught up and joined in the action.

After a brief caution for a stalled car, the top four raced nose-to-tail and stayed in contact, literally, as they scrapped it out.

LaFont got by Toyne for second on lap 31 leaving Stapp and Toyne side-by-side for third.

LaFont made contact with Stanley after a brake-check in turn 4 that sent Stanley around. In the stack up Stapp and Toyne had nowhere to go and Toyne stuck it in the turn 4 wall. Toyne was not hurt, but his car was done for the night. LaFont was sent to the tail for the contact.

Stanley got a huge jump on the restart, but the track-savvy Stapp closed in quickly. The waning laps saw Stapp hounding Stanley with Lehman and Chris Birmingham chasing them both down. On the last lap Stapp gave it the good old college try coming out of turn 4, but Stanley won the drag race to the checkers by mere inches.

Stanley’s win was short lived, however, as his car failed to pass the post-race inspection.

Official ASA, A-Line Auto Parts Super Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX 40 laps
2. 28 Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX 40 laps
3. 9 Chris Birmingham Leander, TX 40 laps
4. 3 Clint LaFont, Volente, TX 40 laps
5. 27 Tommy Gural Elgin, TX 40 laps
6. 15 JC Pilcher, Castroville, TX 40 laps
7. 19 Brent Reeves, Converse, TX 40 laps
8. 36 Roger Davis, Orange Grove, TX 40 laps
9. 97 Ken Tyler, La Grange, TX 40 laps
10. 33 Bubba Gustafson, Austin, TX 40 laps
11. 97X John Witzsche, Corpus Christi, TX 33 laps
12. 48 Duane Toyne, Leander, TX 31 laps
13. 80 Allen Alexander, San Antonio, TX 27 laps
14. 88 Bobby LaFont Volente, TX 17 laps
15. 11 Tracy Tschoerner, Taylor, TX DNS
16. 21 Jason Stanley, San Antonio, TX – Techincal infraction – Illegal rear end

The TSRS Allison Legacy Series feature saw Cole Runco hold off Stephan McCurely in a scheduled 50-lap race that was shortened to 43 laps after numerous spins during the final 10 laps.

The official results from the Legacy race are being withheld pending tech results.

Unofficial TSRS Allison Legacy Series results

1. 19 Cole Runco
2. 07 Rusty Mirth
3. 08 Gavin Boyett
4. 1 Stephan McCurley
5. 88 Kyle Harding
6. 4 Dillon Sampson
7. 56 Lauren Runco
8. 32 James Huff
9. 96 Jake Wright
10. 87 Charles Aiken
11. 34 Tom Harwell
12. 80 Collin Alexander
13. 99 Matt Yevcak
14. 14 Allen Sampson

In the Sportmod (Limited Modified) feature, Anthony Monroe jumped into the lead from the outside row coming out of turn 2. Johny Lewellan ducked under Monroe on lap 2 leading back to the line on lap three.

Veteran dirt and pavement driver, Chris Swenson saw his night end early when he broke and rolled to a stop in turn 2. Once back to green Lewellan inched away from Monroe and Don Painter. A blown motor by Rusty Head on lap 34 slowed the action and re-bunched the field.

On the restart, Painter got past Monroe for second and was hot on Lewellan’s tail.

Shawn Paul Lehman, who had issues with his own car and jumped in his Grandfather’s ride, ended up looking the wrong way on successive laps to bring out a pair of caution periods. With the race shortened to a green, white, checkered finish, the two IMCA legal dirt cars of Lewellan and Painter battled it out for the win.
Lewellan, who’s car is crew chiefed by former Late Model ace Tommy Gural, held steady on the final two laps to notch the victory in the Austin Mobile Marine, Absolute Masonry, Southwest Landscaping sponsored car.

Painter, who’s son is 10 years old, used the “power of 10” to wrap up the Sportmod championship with his second place finish on 10/10, in the #10 car.

Official Sportmod results

1. 27 Johnny Lewallen, San Marcos, TX 42 laps QT 16.159
2. 10 Don Painter, Buda, TX 42 laps QT 16.084
3. 79 Cody Beddoe, Waco, TX 41 laps QT 16.689
4. 68 Rusty Head, Buda, TX 34 laps QT 16.506
5. 88 Duane Sanders, Killeen, TX 9 laps QT 19.550
6. 48 Chris Swenson, Boerne, TX 3 laps QT 16.169
7. 19 Benton Kemp, Corpus Christi, TX QT 17.043 – DNS
8. 28 (5) Junior Medlock, Manchaca, TX QT 18.539 – DNS
9. 64 Abel Arredondo, Kingsville, TX DNQ, DNS
10. 82 Anthony Monroe, Corpus Christi, TX QT 18.131 – TI – Vacuum Test
11. 5 (28) Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX QT 16.488 – TI – Too Light

Mason Teague not only won the 30-lap Thunder Stock feature – the final points race of the season – but also won the season championship with a stirring win over defending champ Joey Tschoerner, Terry Tschoerner, Aaron Brungot and Gary Chancellor.

Coming into the event Teague had a comfortable 60-point lead in the championship standings over Anthony Gordon, who still had a mathematical chance at the title. Gordon’s championship hopes ended, however, when he was forced to pit to change a flat tire at mid race. Gordon ended up finishing a disappointing twelfth, but on the lead lap.

Official Thunder Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 16 Mason Teague, Paige, TX 30 laps
2. 14 Joey Tschoerner, Bartlett, TX 30 laps
3. 10 Terry Tschoerner, Taylor, TX 30 laps
4. 50 Aaron Brungot, Cedar Park, TX 30 laps
5. 4 Gary Chancellor, Bastrop, TX 30 laps
6. 20 Steve Joyce, Buda, TX 30 laps
7. 15 James Cole, San Antonio, 30 laps
8. 58 Patrick Burow, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
9. 13 Stan Easty 30 laps
10. 37 Del Harris, Huntsville, TX 30 laps
11. 74 Jim Teague, Paige, TX 30 laps
12. 22 Anthony Gordon, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
13. 93 Aaron Leddy, Von Ormy, TX 16 laps
14. 8 David Sevilla, Jr., San Antonio, TX 11 laps
15. 88 Eric Robbins Red Rock, TX 10 laps
16. 56 Joey Jenkins, Del Valle, TX 4 laps

Coming to the start of the Grand Stock feature, Layton Carroll had pretty much locked up not only the track championship, but Rookie of the Year honors as well. And with his fourth place finish he took home both titles.

Cody Smith ignored all that and won the 30-lapper leaving Carolyn Aramendia, Art Ganss, Carroll and Marcia Moore to fight it out for second at the checkered flag.

Official Grand Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 53 Cody Smith, Niederwald, TX 30 laps
2. 50 Carolyn Aramendia, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
3. 12 Art Ganss, Driftwood, TX 30 laps
4. 58 Layton Carroll, Yoakum, TX 30 laps
5. 91 Marcia Moore, Cedar Creek, TX 30 laps
6. 03 Chris Trevino, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
7. 79 James Aramendia, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
8. 7 Kris Wilson, Austin, TX 30 laps
9. 8 Brandon Gaither, La Vernia, TX 20 laps
10. 65 Floyd Reed, Spicewood, TX 18 laps
11. 23 Bob Meyers DNS

The Texas Pro Sedan 34-lap feature (in honor of the 34 years that the TPS has been in continuous operation) had the TPS championship on the line after a season-long battle between Mike Merrill and Tom Johnson. The TPS group had 21 for the 4-cylinder racers in the pits, the most of any class participating in this year’s Spectacular.

After four single-car spins on the initial start, Johnson got out front, with Merrill on his heels. The top two blistered the field quickly and started encountering lapped traffic by the third lap. By lap 15 the lead duo had lapped more than half the field.

The two continued their torrid pace, lapping the fourth-place car driven by Corpus Christi Speedway’s Cody Limerick by mid-race. In fact Johnson had just lapped Sergio Hexsel, who was running in the third spot, when caution waved for Dennis Taylor’s blown engine on lap 24.

Since the scoring went back to the last completed lap, this put Hexsel back on the lead lap.

As the green waved on the restart, Johnson quickly got away from Merrill who had lapped cars to contend with. And it turns out that Merrell’s VW developed a vibration that got worse as the laps clicked off which gave Hexsel an opportunity to close the gap.

With Merrell slowing a bit on every lap, Johnson was now able to motor off to an easy win.

But with valuable TPS points on the line, Merrell was able to hold of Hexsel for second and thus secure the championship by a single point, the closest margin in TPS’ long history.

Official Texas Pro Sedan results

Finish Car # Driver/Hometown Car Type/Engine CC Qualifying Feature Laps

1, 15 Tom Johnson/Kingsland, TX Ford Mustang/2340-arca 16.951 34 Laps
2, 70 Mike Merrell/Kingsland, TX VW Scirocco/1690 17.142 34 Laps
3, 20 Sergio Hexsel/Live Oak, TX VW GTI/2042 17.713 34 Laps
4, 73 r-Cody Limerick/Corpus Christi,TX Ford Mustang/2348 (ccs) 17.999 33 Laps
5, 04 r-Nathan Robbins/Bastrop, TX Ford Pinto/2338 18.143 32 Laps
6, 27 Bill Labarge/Bryan, TX BMW/2313 18.044 32 Laps
7, 48 Mike Knotts/Universal City, TX VW Scirocco/1648 18.096 32 Laps
8, 22 Harry Osburn Jr./San Antonio, TX Ford Mustang/2349-svo 18.037 31 Laps
9, 3 Bob Sherland/San Antonio, TX VW Rabbit/1790 17.911 31 Laps
10, 01 r-Tory Christopher/Universal City Toyota Celica/1950 19.094 31 Laps
11, 75 r-Daniel Wilkerson/Corpus Christi Ford Pinto/2338 20.313 31 Laps
12, 23 r-J.J. Osburn III/Converse, TX Ford Mustang/2338-svo 20.429 30 Laps
13, 18 Lanny Young/Kingsland, TX VW Karmen Ghia/2275 19.641 30 Laps
14, 97 Kevin Hallman/Cibolo, TX Ford Mustang/2338 21.394 29 Laps
15, 71 Bruce Mabrito/San Antonio, TX VW Scirocco/1980 20.440 29 Laps
16, 50 Rick Dawdy/San Antonio, TX VW Rabbit/1648 24.159 29 Laps
17, 40 r-Robert Robbins/Bastrop, TX Ford Pinto/2000 23.287 29 Laps
18, 55 John Miesen/Marion, TX VW Sedan/1915 21.916 28 Laps
19, 88 r-Dennis Taylor/Live Oak, TX Chevrolet Cobalt/2232 19.654 26 Laps
20, 26 Lalo Leal/Corpus Christi, TX Ford Cobra/2342-arca 17.523 6 Laps
21, 38 Dave Parks/San Antonio, TX 2001 VW Sedan/1588 26.141 1 Laps
dna, 2 r-Johnny Guerra/Corpus Christi, TX Ford Mustang/2338
dna, 9 r-Bobby Burrows/Yorktown, TX Ford Fusion/2338-svo D
dna, 77 Pete Wright/Ft. Worth, TX VW Scirocco/2008
dna, 07 r-Mike O’Connor/Weatherford, TX Pontiac Sunfire/2167

Margin of Victory 10:21 seconds.

The Dwarf Car Series of Texas feature saw Jerry Young, Mike Young, Jim Rogers, Coby Young and Arden Vikre take the top five spots.

Official Dwarf Car Series of Texas results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 18 Jerry Young, Helotes, TX 20 laps Qt 18.105
2. 3 Mike Young, Helotes, TX 20 laps DNT
3. 6 Jim Rogers, Ingleside, TX 20 laps QT 17.952
4. 55 Coby Young, Helotes, TX 20 laps DNT
5. 72 Arden Vikre, San Marcos, TX 20 laps QT 17.646
6. 15 Dwain Groff, Helotes, TX 20 laps DNT
7. 27 Butch Havelka, Portland, TX 20 laps QT 18.459
8. 16 Chris Knandel, Corpus Christi, TX 20 laps QT 18.126
9. 30 Billy Groff, Helotes, TX 30 laps QT 19.398
10. 60 Richard Smith, Wimberley, TX 30 laps QT 18.587
11. 8 Chuck McCormick, Helotes, TX 30 laps QT 18.191
12. 13 John Flake, Austin, TX 30 laps QT 18.755
13. 32 Hoppy Malatek, Fentres, TX 30 laps QT 20.122
14. 05 Keith Roach, Buda, TX 16 laps QT 17.808

Tracy Tschoerner, Brady Ramzinski, Michael Espinoza, Jerry Woolf and Kris Wilson were the top five finishers in the 15-lap Mini Stock feature.

Official Mini Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 01 Tracy Tschoerner, Taylor, TX 15 laps
2. 88X Brandy Ramzinski, San Antonio, TX 15 laps
3. 18 Michael Espinoza 15 laps
4. 10 Jerry Woolf, San Antonio, TX 15 laps
5. 03 Kris Wilson, Austin, TX 15 laps
6. 02 Dalton Wall, Kyle, TX 14 laps
7. 68 Kenneth Wright, McQueeney, TX 14 laps
8. 88 Brandon Spreen, Boerne, TX 12 laps
9. 77 Eric Robbins, Red Rock, TX 11 laps

Lyndon Kirk and Mike Steinman broke away early in the 27-lap NasKart feature until caution re-bunched the field. Steinman got shuffled back on the restart leaving Kirk to battle with Richard Gonzales, who took over the lead until they made contact giving Steinman and Chris Terry a run at the top two spots. Kirk made a last lap charge to sneak in for the victory.

Official NasKart results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 5 Lyndon Kirk, Austin, TX 27 laps
2. 17 Richard Gonzales, San Antonio, TX 27 laps
3. 71 Mike Steinman, Austin, TX 27 laps
4. 12 Frank Mena, Leander, TX 27 laps
5. 24 Chris Terry, Oklahoma City, OK 27 laps
6. 88 Kayleb Kreis, Lake Travis, TX 27 laps
7. 07 Megan Smith Austin, TX 27 laps
8. 29 Marty Kreis, Lake Travis, TX 27 laps
9. 77 Andy Taylor, TX 27 laps
10. 18 Chris Birmingham, Leander, TX 27 laps
11. 8 Gary Smith, Austin, TX 11 laps
12. 48 Kevin Hummell, Lake Travis, TX DNS

By J.M. Hallas and Nick Holt
Front page and story photos by Jeff Garvin

Phillips, Evans, Litton take home Texas World Dirt Track Championships

Proving once again that everything is bigger in Texas, the Texas World Dirt Track Championship set a new standard for total car count. With 60 entries for the SUPR Late Model, $3,500 to win main event, the total number of cars in the pits climbed to 385, easily surpassing the old mark.

With final qualifying features for the Modifieds and Limited Modfieds, plus a full race program for the SUPR Late Models, fans were in store for an exciting conclusion to this year’s championship races.

Evans elusive enough for Limited Modified main win

One way to keep from being passed for the lead is keeping your competitors far enough behind that they can never mount a challenge. Bullard’s Travis Evans put this strategy into practice on his way to the Limited Modified Championship. Evans got away on the start and subsequent restarts keeping the 26-car field at bay. Evans’ only pressure came early, when Shane Hebert tried to stay with him.

Evans and Jamie Burford paced the field to green for the 30-lap championship main event. Evans was first into turn one, with Hebert second and Ted Thomas, Chris Hennigan and Burford three-wide for third after Burford slid high in turn one. Hebert closed in Evans on lap two for the lead, but never mounted an attack.

On lap three Joe Courvillion, Matt Mueller and Michael Robertson were three-abreast for fifth. As Courvillion took the spot, Dennie Geiber moved in making it three-wide for sixth. By lap five Evans began to open up an advantage on Hebert.

Mueller brought out the yellow on lap seven when he spun in turn two and ended up on top of the infield guard rail.

Once back under green, Evans again inched ahead of Hebert who quickly built a margin over Thomas, Courvilion, Hennigan and Geiber running nose to tail. Robertson, using the high groove, got along side and then by Geiber for sixth on lap eight. Robertson then passed Hennigan for fifth a lap later, while Courvillion was looking under Thomas for third.

Geiber then put the heat on Courvillion for fourth, with Robertson spinning ending his charge to the front. On the restart, Geiber took a peek under Thomas, while former IMCA Sportmod National champion, Jeff Turner, worked his way past Burford and Hennigan for sixth. Geiber was finally able to get under Thomas for third on lap 11.

At halfway the top five were Evans, Hebert, Geiber, Thomas and Courvillion.

By lap 20 Evans had run away to nearly a full straightaway lead over Hebert. The margin shrunk quickly when former USAC Silver Crown champion, Paul White broke and rolled to stop in turn two.

As the field went back to green, Geiber was putting pressure on Hebert for second, giving Evans the chance to again motor away.

Geiber got the position from Hebert,who slowed and pulled off on lap 22.

With five to go Evans had half a straight lead on Geiber, who had a big gap to Courvillion, Thomas, Turner, Burford, Jacob Pirkle and Andy Claiborne. Thomas, Burford and Turner took it three-wide for fourth on lap 26. Up front, Evans was still holding a comfortable margin on Geiber as he took the checkers in the Four Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning, Dent Magic, Jeff’s Performance, IRP Chassis.

Limited Modified A-main
4 Travis Evans, Bullard
124 Dennie Gieber, Frankston
30 Joe Courvillion, Sharon, La.
44 Jeff Turner, Kaufman
19 Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La.
148 Andy Claiborne, Conroe
74 Ted Thomas, Post
8 Robert Vetter, Wolfe City
41 Jacob Pirkle, Midlothian
01H Chris Hennigan, Marshal
71m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak
40p Jeff Wood, Conoe
25 Ray Petty, Princeton
18 Tim Clonch, Quinlan
1w Keith White, Academy
1x Brent York, Bullard
75 Kyle Nelson, Mansfield
9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
216 Paul White, Temple
Boo Randy Thomas, Elk City, Okla
07 Robert Black, Hallsburg
051 Michael Robertson, Minden, La
38 Matt Mueller, Stamford
61 Glenn Leuschner, Irving
5c Chris Cogburn, Robinson
81 Cody Simpson, Quinlan

“A little bit of good and a lot of luck”, said Evans, “When we had the (pole) dash I knew we had to get pole. Once I got that done I felt better about getting this done. I just held on and hit my marks and didn’t worry about what everyone else was doing. I figured if they were that fast that they would just come on around.

“My car was pretty good from the day we got here. We made some changes throughout the weekend. We gambled a little here tonight doing some work with the tires. I think it paid off.
This is first car that Jason Ingalls built. We’re real proud of it. Hopefully he’ll sell a lot of them now.”

Phillips fends off Arpin in Modified finale

Missouri’s Terry Phillips and Canadian Steve Arpin put on a classic battle throughout the 40-lap Modified Championship finale. Arpin got out front early, but gave way to Phillips on lap 7. Arpin used lapped traffic near the midway point to get the lead back for one lap until Phillips re-assumed the point. On the final lap Phillips had to dodge a lapped car giving Arpin one last run at him coming to the checkers. Phillips eked out the win by a mere car length at the line.

Arpin beat Phillips into turn one at the start of the 26-car, $3000 to win, Modified main event. Phillips fell in line second, with William Gould third. As the top five sorted out single file, John Allen and Jason Armstrong battled side by side for sixth. Arpin had Phillips on his bumper as they eased away from Gould. With nearly everyone on the bottom grove, Chad Wheeler was using the high side to get along side Tate Cole and Rodney Sanders.

Phillips took his first look for the lead on lap 10 and finally got beside Arpin on lap 11. After a brief wheel to wheel battle, Phillips took over the point on lap 12. Arpin then moved to the top looking for a way to get the lead back. The lead duo caught traffic on lap 15, with Arpin pinning Phillips behind a slower car to get the top spot back on lap 16.

Phillips was able to get the nose back under Arpin on lap 17, retaking the lead on lap 18. Phillips and Arpin were still side-by-side on lap 18 as they were forced to go three wide around a lapped car. At the crossed flags it was Phillips beginning to creep away with Arpin, Gould, Tommy Meyer and Timothy Culp in the top five.

With Phillips increasing his margin, Gould began reeling in Arpin for second catching him on lap 26. Arpin was able to regain some space as the two worked lapped traffic, but Gould closed the gap once clear on lap 32.

With five laps to go, Phillips had a 1/4 straightaway lead over Arpin and Gould, who held gap to Meyer.

Phillips again had slower cars become rolling road blocks with two to go. This gave Arpin the opportunity to sneak back in, with Gould in tow. As the white flag waved Arpin was there, along with Gould and a rapidly closing Meyer. Coming out of turn four Phillips had to move high to avoid a lapped car. Arpin gave it the ol’ college try coming to the line, but fell a car length short as Phillips in the Andy’s Frozen Custard, Don Babb Motorsports, Hatfield Racing Engines, Integra Shocks, Simpson, GRT Chassis, was taking the victory.

Modified Main
75x Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
00X Steve Arpin, Estavan, Canada
60 William Gould, Calera, Okla.
65 Tommy Meyer, Blooming Praire, Minn.
11 Jason Armstrong, Marshall
98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
c8 Timothy Culp, West Monroe, La.
12D Scott Drake, WebbCity, Mo.
18 Tim Clonch, Quinlan
99T Eric Turner, Hermitage, Mo.
9H Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La.
89 Tate Cole, Muskogee, Okla.
88 Chad Wheeler, Muskogee, Okla.
120 Rodney Sanders, Hapy
14T Jon Tesch, Watertown, S.D.
97 Rich Lewerke, Garner, Ioa
21 Chris Brown, Cleveland
1V Vance Wilson, Frankford, Mo.
88x Clyde Dunn jr, Forney
30 Chase Allen, Midlothian
1H TJ Herndon, Atwood, Tenn.
301 Ken Couch, Midlothian
31 Neal Debord, Amarillo
47x Melvin Pilcher, Springdale, Ark
X2 Brain Bolin, Fort Scott, Kan.
12HX Mike Hansen, Alton, Iowa

“I was fortunate enough to get some lucky breaks early,” stated Phillips. “Running the race is easy, getting into the race was the hard part with this field of cars. Knowing we had the front after the dash was a big weight off me. I just watched the track to see what it was going to do. With a big race like this and so many good cars, you’ve got have a lot of luck and be I the right place at the right time.”

“I could hear him (Arpin) out there. I knew he was close, but I was having a little trouble (with my brakes). I wasn’t going to block, but I wasn’t going to give him the good line either. He kind of picked me on the lapped cars, which is what he needed to do. He’s a good driver and raced me clean. It worked out for us. It must have been a heck of a race to watch.

“We had a pretty good car, but that’s about the time my brakes went away. These race cars are hard to drive with no brakes. I hit my corners right without having to use much brake. I knew if stayed patient and didn’t over drive the car I’d be alright.”

“On the last lap I slid up a little bit and he’d go to the bottom. I had to get around that lapped car. I went in there and the pedal went to the floor and it pushed up. I tried to keep the car down as much as I could so he couldn’t drift up and get a good run off the corner. Once I got mine straight I eased in the gas and tried to beat him to the line. I knew we were ok then.

I like running these mods as a hobby, a serious hobby, because these guys are serious.”

Litton leads charge in SUPR Late Model lid lifter

Alexandria, Louisiana’s Rob Litton picked up his second Texas World Dirt Track title, but the road to the winner’s circle was not an easy one. Litton was challenged early by Kurt Kile with the two making contact in the latter stages, that sent Kurt Kile around. In the final laps Litton had to hold off 2008 SUPR Rookie of the Year, Kevin Sitton for the win.


Polesitter Doug Ingalls was first into turn one at the start of the 22-car, 40-lap, $3,500 to-win SUPR season opener. But it was Litton coming out of turn 2 with lead followed by Kurt Kile, John Anderson, Lee Davis and Ingalls. As the top six began to string out, Allen Tippen and Patrik Daniel were side by side for eighth. Sitton got along side and by Ingalls on lap 3 for sixth, then put Tippen in his wake on lap four for fifth.

Sitton continued his march to the front putting pressure on Anderson for fourth on lap eight. In the pack, James Ward and Ingalls were dicing for sixth, while Howard Willis was making his way up to seventh from near the back of the field. Kurt Kile snuck past Litton for the top spot on lap 19 as they negotiated traffic. Litton re-grabbed the point on lap 20, with Sitton and Anderson door-to-door for third.

The lead duo got hung up in traffic while Ward and Willis moved their way into the top five. As the race wound down to the final five laps, Kurt Kile got into the back of Litton sending Kurt Kile around and to the rear of the field for the restart. Sitton tried to hang on to Litton once the green waved as they put some distance on Ward and Willis who were separated by lapped cars.

Ward slipped too high on lap 36, losing ground and regaining control right in front of Willis making a battle for third. Up front Litton was inching his way ahead of Sitton.

As Litton took the white flag he held a five car length edge over Sitton and motored on to the checkers in the LMS Truck Center, Litton Motorsports, TWM Racing Products, Wall to Wall Performance Engines, Stuckey Enterprises, Rocket Chassis, where he found Victory Lane once before in 2004.

SUPR Late Model Main
68 Rob Litton, Alexandria, La.
20s Kevin Sitton, Baytown
W3 James Ward, Lettsworth, La.
23w Howard Willis, Dayton
14 David Ashley, Zachary, La.
21 Lee Davis, Greenwood, La.
77K Kurt Kile, Nichols, Iowa
71a Allen Tippen, Minden, La.
93 Ray Moore, Haughton, La.
43G Jeremy Grady, Story City, Iowa
75D Patrik Daniel, Wils Point
75S Cody Skythad, Fargo, N.D.
11c Jeff Chandler, Minden, La.
10B Mike Balcaen, Winnipeg, Canada
R51 Rusty Cummings, Minden, La.
47E Tom Earl III, Haslet
88 Kevin Kile, West Liberty, Iowa
14M Doug Ingalls, Longview
R5 Kyle Cummings, Sibley, La.
c28 Kenny Merchant, Ruston, La.
5M Jon Mitchell, Texarkana
2A John Anderson, Omaha, Nebr.

“It was a lot of luck,” said Litton. “We’ve got a bunch of guys that work on the car and they do a great job. We try to be as prepared as we can, but it takes some luck too.

“Even in our heat race there was always someone close. With 60 cars from across the country you know there’s a tough field. You always know someone’s right there. When we got out in clean air the car felt real good. I knew someone would have to be unbelievably good to get around me. Lapped traffic is different story.

“We don’t have any communication with the crew, but we do use hand signals. It’s still hard to tell who’s behind you. Here you can look up at the scoreboard and tell who’s there.

By J M Hallas

Photos by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

TWS Dirt Track Championships boast big Friday nite numbers

In what is rapidly becoming the biggest dirt track racing event in the region, Texas Motor Speedway’s Dirt Track is hosting another successful version the annual Texas World Dirt Track Championship presented by O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on their four tenth-mile, semi-banked track just north of Ft. Worth, Texas.

Over 300 drivers from fourteen states and one Canadian province rolled through the pit gate, quickly filled the designated pit area and spilled over into the adjacent camping area.

The 212 Modified entries include not only regional and local Track Champions and Rookies of the Year, but also National Champions as well - a virtual “who’s who” in the dirt modified racing community. The heat races looked more like feature races typically seen at “Anytrack, USA,” on a Saturday night.

Limited Modifieds had 123 drivers signed in, headed by two National champions, one of whom came up a little short in the Friday night qualifying races and failed to qualify for the upcoming feature race.

Many of the top SUPR Late Model series drivers were on hand for “hot lap” sessions throughout the night, readying themselves for the $3,500-to-win SUPR season opener on Saturday.

Phillips flies to Modified A-Qualifier win

Springfield, Missouri’s Terry Phillips may be better known for his prowess driving a dirt Late Model, but Friday night he proved he can handle a Modified as well. Phillips, who started in the second row of Friday night’s A-qualifier, battled by Tommy Meyer for second, then grabbed the lead from Canadian Steve Arpin halfway through the 15-lap event. From there Phillips ran away to notch the win.

,br clear=”left”>Meyer and Arpin paced the 21-car starting field to green in a fight for the top eight spots to be locked in for Saturday nights championship race. Arpin jumped out coming down the front stretch beating Meyer in to turn 1 for the lead. In the pack small wars were erupting with some expected paint-trading and rubbing.

Timothy Culp and Vance Wilson made contact several times before Wilson ended up facing the wrong direction in turn 4 at the end of the first lap to bring out the yellow. Wilson was done for night, while Culp continued with a slightly adjusted door panel. On the restart the field broke away clean, with William Gould quickly moving from the last row into the top ten.

Gould had just gotten past John Allen for the transfer spot, when Rodney Sanders spun to bring out the caution on lap three. Once back to green the top three eased away from the rest of the field. On lap five Phillips started challenging Arpin for the lead. Phillips took a look outside, with Meyer filling the hole low looking for second.

Phillips continued to chase Arpin on the high side and got the edge coming out of turn 2 beating Arpin back to the line to lead on lap seven. Meyer then began to put the heat on Arpin for second, with Gould finally securing the final transfer spot. Phillips was able to pull away while Meyer took second from Arpin. As the white flag was shown, Phillips had built nearly a full straightaway lead, easily cruising to the win.

Modified A-qualifier(Top 8 locked in to Saturday’s A-main)
1. 75x Terry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. 65 Tommy Meyer, Blooming Prairie, Minn
3. 00 Steve Arpin, Estavan, Canada
4. 21c Chris Brown, Cleveland
5. 8C Timothy Culp, West Monroe, La.
6. 98 John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
7. 11 Jason Armstrong, Marshall
8. 60 William Gould, Calera, Okla.
9. 30 Chase Allen, Midlothian
10. 5M Morgan Bagley, Longview
11. 00EH Jeff Taylor, Joneboro, Ark.
12. 99T Eric Turner, Hermitage, Mo.
13. 9H Shane Hebert, Lafayete, La.
14. 7J Ron Jones, Princeton, Minn.
15. 120 Rodney Sanders, Happy
16. xxx Rick Hurnsberger, Hot Springs, Ark.
17. 88x Clyde Dunn jr.
18. 11H Jim Hernandez, Topeka, Kan.
19. 21C Wade Cross, Phillips, Nebr.
20. 87 Justin McCoy, Ovilla
21. 1V Vance, Wilson, Frankfort, Mo.
2J Grant Junghans, Manhatten, Kan.—DNS
12HXMike Hansen, Alton, Iowa—DNS
1x Chris Ableson, Souix City, Iowa—DNS

Hebert hot as Cajun cooking for Limited Modified victory

Lafayette, Louisiana’s Shane Hebert showed the Limited Modified field nothing but his rear bumper in the 15-lap A-qualifier. Hebert started on the pole, got a big jump on Matt Meuller when green waved, and proceeded to lead every lap. Hebert got a late challenge from fellow Cajun, Jamie Burford but was up to the task for the win.

As Hebert grabbed the early lead, Travis Evans snagged second, with Meuller and Chris Hennigan falling into line. As the top six sorted out single file, from seventh on back it was still side-by-side through the pack. Hennigan and Burford both got by Meuller on lap one for third and fourth. The lead quartet then pulled away from Andy Claiborne, who had also gotten past Meuller.

By lap five, Hebert had put some distance on Evans, who had opened a gap back to Hennigan and Burford. Burford picked off third from Hennigan on lap six, while former IMCA Sportmod champ, Jeff Turner and Ted Thomas got past Claiborrne and Meuller in the fight for the last transfer position. With five laps to go the battle in the pack was still wheel to wheel.

As Hebert was on cruise control, Burford ran down Evans for second catching him on lap 11. After a brief battle, Burford got by Evens on lap 12 and went in search of the leader. Burford was only able to get close as the white flag waved, but never close enough to mount a serious challenge as Hebert took the checkers with a slight margin.

Limited Modified A-qualifier(Top 8 locked in for Sat. A-main)
1. 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La
2. 19 Jamie Burford, Keatchie, La.
3. 4 Travis Evans, Bullard
4. 01H Chris Hennigan, Marshall
5. 44 Jeff Turner, Kaufman
6. 74 Ted Thomas, Post
7. 148 Andy Claiborn, Conroe
8. 38 Matt Meuller, Stamford
9. 28 Wendall Bolden, Greenville
10. 40p Jeff Wood, Conroe
11. 124 Dennie Gieber, Frankston
12. 118 Tim Clonch, Quinlan
13. 199 Matt Winnett, Colbert, Okla
14. 71m Bobby Malchus, Red Oak
15. 69R Kenny Grigsby, Marshall
16. 30 Joe Corvillion, Sharon, La.
17. 5D Kevin Green, Waco
18. OK Ron McCartney,
19. 051 Michael Robertson,
20. Boo Randy Thomas, Elk City, Oka.
21. 15 Joe Collier, Clyde
22. 41 Jacob Pirkle, Midlothian
23. 1x Brent York, Bullard
24. 5t Randy Timms, Oklahoma City, Okla.

by J.M. Hallas

Keith White wraps up “Ice Breaker” weekend at Abilene Speedway with third win

The final night of Abilene Speedway’s Ice Breaker special saw Keith White collect his third win of the weekend, while Vince Ogle won for the second time and Billy Wade and Jeff Kinnaird both collected their first checkers.

The opening night IMCA Modified winner, White had his work cut out in duplicating Saturday’s Southern SportMod triumph as he had to chase down early leader and defending track champion Josh McGaha.

White stayed glued to McGaha’s bumper throughout several restarts, then in a bold move on a tricky track, jumped to the high side taking the lead on lap 12. From there White put it on cruise control as he inched away from McGaha on his way to the checkers.

Ogle, the Saturday IMCA Sunoco Stock Car winner, topped Sunday’s Modified final.

A two-time track champion at Abilene in the division, Ogle led from start to finish after passing pole starter Chris Elliott on the opening circuit. The front pair pulled away from the rest of the field, with Ogle stretching his advantage over the last two circuits.

Wade got around early Stock Car leader Tony Ritterbush after a restart, held off Ritterbush after another caution and built his lead on the way to the finish.

Eric Jones took one last shot at Wade and Ritterbush on the final lap but came up short and settled for third.

After following Allen Montgomery across the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock stripe both Friday and Saturday, Kinnaird took it upon himself to spoil Montgomery’s bid for the weekend sweep.

Kinnaird used track position to get out front early and build a good lead, while Montgomery was forced to make his way through the front of the pack. Montgomery used lapped traffic to close in at one point, but Kinnaird again ran away once clear and grabbed the win.

Feature Results
Modifieds – 1. Vince Ogle, Lubbock; 2. Chris Elliott, Eastland; 3. Richard McDaniel, Edgewood; 4. Chris Dawson, Post; 5. Monte Bolton, Lubbock; 6. Tommy Fain, Abilene; 7. Chad Maurer, Eaton Rapids, Mich.; 8. Keith White, Academy; 9. Jason Schoenberger, Gorham, Kan.; 10. Jeff Emerson, Sherman; 11. Fred Wojtek, Robert Lee; 12. Bob Sikes, Eunice, N.M.; 13. Charles Brewer, Abilene; 14. Gabe Tucker, Carbon; 15. Kelly Allen, Lubbock; 16. Joe Colyer, Abilene; 17. Neal Debord, Amarillo; 18. Levi Ely, Abilene; 19. Mark Patterson, Abilene; 20. Kenneth Graves, Tahoka.

Southern SportMods – 1. Keith White, Academy; 2. Josh McGaha, Brownwood; 3. Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi; 4. David Riley, Wolforth; 5. Brandon Stewart, Academy; 6. Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 7. Matt Mueller, Stamford; 8. Mark Patterson, Abilene; 9. Jeff Whitehead, Slaton; 10. Gabe Tucker, Abilene; 11. Tyler Fain, Tuscola; 12. Shane Wojtek, Robert Lee; 13. James Myers, Corpus Christi; 14. Jonathon Campbell, Abilene; 15. Justin Shaw, Sweetwater; 16. Danny Hogue, Abilene; 17. Dean Abbey, Comanche; 18. Bradley Poor, Abilene; 19. Chris Meyers, Eunice, N.M.; 20. Scotty Wallace, Lorenzo.

Stock Cars – 1. Billy Wade, San Angelo; 2. Tony Ritterbush, Dunlap, Iowa; 3. Eric Jones, Killeen; 4. Terry Wojtek, Sterling City; 5. Willie Free, Snyder; 6. Mike Van Genderen, Newton, Iowa; 7. Mart Wampler, Snyder; 8. Kevin Opheim, Mason City, Iowa; 9. Matt Guillaume, Tomball; 10. Jeremy Gettler, Adair, Iowa; 11. Wayne Stremmel, Stamford; 12. Cory Davis, Eunice, N.M.; 13. Bill Brzezinski Sr., Roby; 14. Dustin Locke, Eunice, N.M.; 15. Duain Pritchett, Combine; 16. Vince Ogle, Lubbock; 17. Jason Batt, Killeen; 18. John Armstrong, Merkel.

Hobby Stocks – 1. Jeff Kinnaird, Mansfield; 2. Allen Montgomery, Fort Worth; 3. Charles Cosper, Belton; 4. Matt Drottz, Ankeny, Iowa; 5. Tobie Talk, Abilene; 6. Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Iowa; 7. Tommy Phillips, Abilene; 8. Billy Taylor, Gatesville; 9. Will Poston, Midland; 10. Dustin Mims, Dublin; 11. Jaron Shahan, China Springs; 12. Robert Barnett, Sweetwater; 13. Terry Comer II, Hawley; 14. Melvin Burrows, Gatesville; 15. Dale Roys, Merkel; 16. Edward Johnson, Odessa; 17. Cody Brosh, Robert Lee; 18. Rodney Sparks, Abilene; 19. Adam Reeves, Sweetwater; 20. Evan Davis, Mineral Wells.

By J M Hallas

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