Joe Aramendia and Raymond Delahoussaye win final 2011 NASCAR Fiesta Modified event at Houston Motorsports Park

October 17, 2011

It turned out to be a special weekend for Raymond Delahoussaye and all the guys at WD Racing, as driver Joe Aramendia pedaled the No. 5 Tri-Lectric modified to a win in the NASCAR Fiesta Modified’s Double Oak Construction 75 on Saturday night at Houston Motorsports Park.

Joe Aramendia driving the Delahoussaye modified at HMP Saturday. Steve Steinle photo.

Joe Aramendia driving the Delahoussaye modified at HMP Saturday. Steve Steinle photo.

“It was the perfect weekend,” Delahoussaye said. “We were fast when we unloaded the car on Friday and we stayed fast all weekend. It feels great to win the final race of the season at HMP.”

Raymond Delahoussaye (left) and Joe Aramendia celebrate in HMP's victory circle. Steve Steinle photo.

Raymond Delahoussaye (left) and Joe Aramendia celebrate in HMP's victory circle. Steve Steinle photo.

Aramendia topped the field of 19 cars – which included Texas state champion Zak Hausler, who had won 12 races this season on the 3/8-mile high-banked paved oval at HMP – to take the checkered flag.
Aramendia posted the fastest lap time (14.919 seconds) and top speed (90.489 miles per hour) during Saturday night’s main event, as well as the top speed in practice and a win in his heat race.

“Had we been able to run this car all season, we would have definitely challenged Zak for the track and state championship,” said Delahoussaye, winner of 15 local short track championships as a driver, crew chief and owner.

It might not have been possible, after the car, which was originally built by Chris Swenson, was wrecked so badly a few years ago that the only thing salvageable on it was the front half of the car.

But that didn’t deter Delahoussaye and Eddie Nastasi, from Nasty Race Cars, when it came time to put it back together. Working side-by-side, the two rebuilt the rear of the car, the interior and the body.
Then they got help from David Umscheid, from Umscheid Race Services, Scooter Manchester, from Performance Transmission and Dan Finn, a carburetor specialist from Beaumont on other performance issues. They put an engine from Westside Performance in it and it was ready to race.

“We were able to bring Frankenstein back to life,” Delahoussaye said. “It took a lot of hard work and dedication by all the guys that worked on this thing. I can’t thank them enough.”

It was just the second race that Aramendia drove for Delahoussaye and WD Racing. In their first start together, back on Sept. 17, Aramendia finished ninth in the feature race.

“Joe did a great job in his two starts for me this season,” Delahoussaye said. “After the way we just finished off the 2011 season, I can’t wait to get going in 2012.”

Story by Russ Goodall
Steve Steinle photos

Schild, Morman and Albert hit paydirt at Houston Motorsports Park’s 2010 season opener

February 28, 2010

NASCAR Fiesta Late Model driver Larry Schild, III, came home the big winner in the 2010 Season Opener at Houston Motorsports Park Saturday night, winning the “Fiesta 50” in front of a large and appreciative crowd at the immaculate, 3/8-mile, concrete and asphalt speedway.

The winning NASCAR Fiesta Late Model driven Larry Schild III before the race

The winning NASCAR Fiesta Late Model driven Larry Schild III before the race

After starting in the seventh position, Schild battled though the field, avoided numerous spins, escaped a few “fender benders” and ducked under a major lap 15 wreck to take the checkered flag.

Veteran Greg Davidson took the early lead from the pole position before becoming the first of six Fiesta Late Models that would not finish the feature event and three that were knocked out of competition during practice for the event.

Ten cautions slowed the action-filled Late Model 50-lapper. While the majority of the cautions were minor spins, the biggest and scariest incident of the night came on a lap-15 restart involving Joe Aramendia, who was restarting from the inside pole position, and Chris Davidson ,who restarted directly behind him.

Going through turns one and two, Aramendia and Schild, who restarted on the outside pole, made heavy contact with each other causing Schild to slide up the track and giving Davidson a chance to get his nose under Aramendia as they exited turn two. Davidson stuck to the inside down the back stretch, but as the pair entered turn three Davidson’s right front tire climbed Aramendia’s left rear, sending both cars extremely hard into the turn three wall.

The impact brought Davidson’s front tire into the Aramendia’s car, leaving a tire mark on the roll cage less than a foot away from Aramendia’s helmet. The impact nearly flipped Davidson’s ride, but the car came to rest with the dirty side down.

Thanks to their up-to-date chassis designs and no-expense-spared safety equipment, both drivers were able to walk away without injury.

After a lengthy cleanup, it was back to racing with Aramendia’s teammate Brian Moczygemba in the top spot. He was able to hang onto the lead for 15 laps and 3 restarts before door-to-door contact with Todd McClemore sent both cars spinning as they battled for the lead.

Schild now found himself in the lead as the green waved for the restart and he was able to hold off Underwood, Moczygemba, and McClemore throughout the final four restarts. At the finish it was Schild, McClemore, Moczygemba, Underwood, and Charles Evans taking the top five positions.

Unfortunately for McClemore and Evans, during the post-race technical inspection, their Late Models had technical issues and were disqualified. This moved Moczygemba up to second, Underwood up to third, Mason Mitchell up to fourth and Bryan Schild to fifth.

The NASCAR Cricket Modifieds managed to complete their “Cricket 40” feature race with only 4 cautions.

Jason Morman led flag to flag, but the new HMP restart rule shook up the running order behind him. Under the new rule, each driver picks their lane for the double-file restarts instead of restarting single file as in the past. As expected, the leader took the inside lane all night long and for three of the four restarts the second-place car chose the outside lane.

Jason Morman took this ride to the winners circle after winning the NASCAR Cricket Modified race

Jason Morman took this ride to the winners circle after winning the NASCAR Cricket Modified race

At the finish, it was Morman followed by Brent Seeley and Ian Webster. Michael Umscheid and Art Kunseman rounded out the top five. However, the Kunseman modified was found to be too left-side heavy during the post-race technical inspection and fifth place was awarded to Jim Nides.

NASCAR 360 Truck driver Jim Albert made it look easy in the “Twister Drilling Tools 40,” after he got by early race leader Jody Buzbee on the 12th lap.

Jim Albert won the NASCAR 360 Truck event in this sweet ride

Jim Albert won the NASCAR 360 Truck event in this sweet ride

The biggest hit of the race happened with five laps remaining when Erin Sims spun in turn 2 and ended up sideways in the groove. David Lewien was left with nowhere to go and collided solidly with the right side of Sim’s stalled truck. Both drivers walked away from the wreck, but it took three wreckers and almost a half hour to separate the mangled trucks.

Albert easily held the lead through the last two restarts and took a popular win. Jody Buzbee, Cary Stapp, Justin Buzbee, and Byron Reed crossed the line to finish in that order to round out the top five. However, issues in the tech shed ended up shuffling the final results after Chief Tech Official Jack Sanderfur had a close look at the top finishing trucks. The trucks of Justin Buzbee and Reed were disqualified for technical reasons which moved Greg Wade and Tory Christopher into the top five.

In other action, Clayton Green turned his pole position in the Bandolero 15-lap main event into a checkered flag after fending off a determined Christopher Hogan for all fifteen caution-free laps. Hogan made several strong moves to get by Green towards the finish, but slight bobbles to avoid contact would cut short the attempts. Kyle Curtis led a tight battle for third across the finish line but his car did not pass the tech inspection which moved Jon Fernandez, Chase Schubert and Coltin Nordan up a notch to round out the top five.

Not to be outdone by the youngsters, the Eco Stocks also ran their feature without the benefit of a yellow flag in spite of the fact that Brian Stipe (in a convertible with the top down) and Brad Dixon (in a minivan) ran virtually side-by-side for the entire 15 laps. At the finish the race was too close to call, but the electronic timing had Stipe the winner by 0.008 of a second!

The battle for third was just as heated as Samantha Marshall, Lizzie Baker, and several others swapped paint and positions several times as the tight pack raced right behind the two leaders. Baker held on to claim third.

In the 25-lap Pro Stock feature, J.T. Schild and Lynn Hardy picked up where they left off at the end of the 2009 season – bumper-to bumper and door-to-door - waging hard-fought clean, caution-free battles. This episode went to Schild who held off Hardy’s repeated attempts – both high and low – to get by the Schild. Veteran Pro Stock standout Del Harris finished third.

Unofficial Houston Motorsports Park results, 2/27/2010

Bandolero feature

1. 54 Clayton Green, 15 laps
2. 81 Christopher Hogan, 15
3. 24 Jon Fernandez, 15
4. 22 Chase Schubert, 15
5. 72 Coltin Nordan, 15
6. 12 Scott Smith, 15
7. 6 Jake Thomasson
DQ 25 Kyle Curtis

Eco Stock feature

1. 115 Brian Stipe, 15
2. 17 Brad Dixon, 15
3. 13 Lizzie Baker, 15
4. 7 Unknown, 15
5. 18 Gabriel Acosta, 15
6. 43 Bob Berndt, 15
7. 02 Samantha Marshall, 15
8. 44 Scott Harmon, 14
9. 9 LeAnn Albert, 14

Pro Stock feature

1. J.T. Schild, 25
2. 70 Lynn Hardy, 25
3. 1 Del Harris, 25
4. 31 Quentin Epler, 25
5. 18 Nathan Demski, 25
6. 8 Jim Axley, 24
7. 88 Freddy Davila, 22
8. 12 Richard Smith, Sr, 18

NASCAR Cricket Modifieds “Cricket 40″

1. 33 Jason Morman, 40
2. 5 Brent Seeley, 40
3. 13 Ian Webster, 40
4. 15 Michael Umscheid, 40
5. 8 Jim Nides, 40
6. 4 Kalif Sellier, 40
7. 82 Pat Kinsey, 39
8. 3 Mike Williams, 24
9. 88 Larry Hughes, 21
DQ 1 Art Kunseman

NASCAR 360 Trucks “Twister Drilling Tools 40″

1. 31 Jim Albert, 40
2. 77 Jody Buzbee, 40
3. 99 Cary Stapp, 40
4. 10 Greg Wade, 40
5. 44 Tory Christopher, 39
6. 28 Kevin Wiseman, 37
7. 3 David Lewien, 35
8. 6 Erin Sims, 34
9. 07 Rusty Mirth, 34
10. 72 Brent Bell, 17
11. 767 GW Egbert, 8
12. 36 Lynn Hardy, Jr., 5
DQ 19 Justin Buzbee
DQ 60 Byron Reed

NASCAR Fiesta Late Models “Fiesta 50″

1. 11 Larry Schild III, 50
2. 179 Brian Moczygemba, 50
3. 99 Mark Underwood, 50
4. 57 Mason Mitchell, 49
5. 97 Bryan Schild, 47
6. 16 Terry Clark, 27
7. 79 Joe Aramendia, 15
8. 41 Chris Davidson, 15
9. 96 Greg Davidson, 13
DQ 54 Todd McClemore
DQ Charles Evans, Jr.

by Brian Sommers and Nick Holt
Photos by Nick Holt

Fiesta Pro LM Champ Joe Aramendia leaves Houston Motorsports Park 2009 Awards Banquet with $15K check; David Starr keynote speaker

January 25, 2010

Lone Star Speedzone traveled to Houston Motorsports Park’s annual awards banquet this past weekend and it turned out to be quite an impressive affair with about 250 in attendance, a $15K check being handed out and a rousing speech by NASCAR star David Starr.

HMP’s announcer, “Uncle Bob,” did his usual professional job as the MC making sure we were all done and dancing by 9:30 after giving out numerous awards and trophies – we’ll go over some of those in a minute.

HMP General Manager John Mandabach took over the podium early in the evening and sincerely thanked everyone for their professionalism and for putting on such an impressive, entertaining show every race night. He went over some of the progress the track has made over the past four years and told the story of how he met Keith Jacobson, the Marketing Manager for Fiesta Mart, Inc, the company that has played an important role in that progress by teaming up with the speedway in numerous, mutually beneficial ways. I’ll let John tell the story the next time you talk with him.

As for 2010, John announced the following:

1. NASCAR Sanctioning - 3 sanctioned classes this year – Must have license to be eligible for points, purse & awards

NASCAR Fiesta Late Models – Feature Division – ages 16 and up

- $25,000 Track Points Fund thanks to Fiesta
- $3,500 State Points Fund & $40,000 National Points Fund
- Track Champion receives a Commerative Helmet
- State Champion receives a Custom Championship Driver Uniform
- State Champon Crew Chief gets $500
- State R.O.Y. gets $1,000
- Will pay $950 to Win, $100 to Start

NASCAR Cricket Modifieds – ages 14 and up

- $750 Win - $75 Start
- $10,000 Points Fund thanks to Cricket Wireless

NASCAR 360 Trucks – ages 14 and up

- $10,000 Points Fund thanks to 360 Motorsports
- $750 Win - $100 Start

2. Legends

- Nine Race Summer Shootout
- Some Purse and Points Fund
- If class develops will be full schedule class in 2011

3. Fiesta’s SpeedFest presented by Cricket Wireless

- All Purses Guaranteed with No Minimum Car Counts for Full Purse – All Classes
- $5,000 Win NASCAR Fiesta Late Models “Delmar Systems 75”
- $3,000 Win NASCAR Modifieds “Cricket 50”
- $1500 Win NASCAR 260 Trucks “DDC 50”
- $500 Win Pro Stock – possibly more based upon sponsorship
- $300 Win Eco Stock

4. Fiesta Gift Cards - 1st, 2nd, 3rd – all classes including Trucks & Legends

5. Improving Points System - Hybrid of NASCAR’s points system for all classes for feature (no bando or leg)
- Based upon # of licensed cars starting the Feature
- Winner gets 2 points per car up to 23 cars plus 5 point bonus
- Each finishing position after that will be decrease by 2 points
- 23rd position and lower all get 2 points
- Heats will be same system but based on 1 point per car with no win bonus.

6. Race Format remains the same

- Best Practice lap is qualifying time for heat
- Coin toss at Drivers Meeting
- How finish heat is how start feature

7. 2010 Advertisement

- TV Commercials – All Events
- Ad in the Houston Chronicle – All Events
- Posters at Fiesta & O’Reilly Auto Parts – All Events

8. Email & Internet presence

- HMP Facebook Page – over 1000 members already
- Email database added everyday
- Lone Star Speedzone “Live Updates” when available

Sounds like a great year coming up for HMP!

Next, David Starr, a Houston area racer who has successfully moved up into the NASCAR upper racing divisions and who was asked to be the keynote speaker for the evening delivered a very inspirational speech which centered on the need for all of us involved in local racing to remain passionate about our hobby. David detailed how he got his start and how important it is to form positive relationships within, as well as apart from, the racing community. The one thing that kept coming through as he spoke was the pride he takes in being a part of the Texas stock car racing community and how he keeps his “racing roots” in sight wherever he goes. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see David back racing at HMP from time to time next season. The guy’s a racer. I had a chance to talk for a while with David with the digital audio recorder after the banquet. Hopefully that interview will be up on the front page of Lone Star Speedzone some time in the near future.

Now, on to the awards.

The Houston Motorsports Park “Extra Mile Awards” went to:

Amy Hogan, who contributed in many way to HMP’s success in 2009 including taking care of the banquet decorations and table arrangements, which were very impressive.

Brad Dixon, who together with Brian Stipe were instrumental in putting the new Eco Stock class on the map at HMP in 2009.

Jim Beasley, who has done for the Pro Trucks what Dixon and Stipe have done for the Eco Stocks.

Bandoleros:
R.O.Y. - Chase Schubert
Most Improved Driver - Jon Fernandez
3rd Place - Taylor Myers
2nd Place and Bandit Track Champ - Christopher Hogan
Champion – Travis Benson

Legends:
Champion Zach Hausler

Eco Stocks:
R.O.Y and 3rd Place – Bob Berndt
2nd Place – Brad Dixon
Champion – Brian Stipe

Limited Modifieds:
3rd Place – Todd Manchester
2nd Place and R.O.Y. – Quentin Epler
Champion – Kalif Sellier

Pro Stocks:
R.O.Y – JT Schild
3rd Place – Richard Smith, Jr.
2nd Place – Richard Smith, Sr.
Champion – Lynn Hardy, Jr.

Pro Trucks:
3rd Place and R.O.Y. – Lynn Hardy, Jr.
2nd Place - Jim Albert
Champion – DL Wilson

NASCAR Cricket Modifieds:
3rd Place – Justin Long
2nd Place and R.O.Y. Brent Seeley
Champion – Denny Burton

NASCAR Fiesta Late Models
R.O.Y. Jacklyn Harris
3rd Place – Brandon Bendele
2nd Place – Carl Smith
Champion – Joe Aramendia

It was pretty impressive to see all the loot Joe took home – a large-size $15,000 check, a beautiful commemorative helmet, a custom made fire suit, a handsome trophy or two and probably some other stuff I missed. Keith Reithmeyer and Homer Pitner, both of whom work on the Aramendia team, were co-winners of the NASCAR Crew Chief of the Year Award.

By Nick Holt
Photos by Steve Steinle

Dillon Spreen, 15, wins his first Texas Super Racing Series Late Model race at Thunderhill

July 12, 2009

Fifteen year-old Dillon Spreen of Boerne, Texas, won his first-ever Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Models feature race Saturday night at Thunderhil Raceway in the “Rebecca Cooper CPA 75.”

Fifteen year-old Dillon Spreen wins his first ever TSRS LM race Saturday at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle. TX

Fifteen year-old Dillon Spreen wins his first ever TSRS LM race Saturday at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle. TX

Spreen held off 19-year-old Cody Smith of La Vernia, Texas, at the line for the victory. Eleven cars finished on the lead lap; points leader Jake Kruger (Bastrop, TX) finished 11th.

Finishing behind Spreen and Smith were Brian Moczygemba (San Antonio), Robert Barker (fast qualifier award; Boerne, TX) and Lloyd Alexander (San Antonio) rounded out the top five. Cary Stapp (San Marcos) was the top-finishing rookie, claiming a 6th-place finish.

TSRS Late Models - Official Results of the “Rebecca Cooper CPA 75″ at Thunderhill Raceway

Pos. Car# Driver, Hometown (TX) Laps

1. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, 75
2. 05 Cody Smith, La Vernia, 75
3. 50 Brian Moczygemba, San Antonio, 75
4. 17 +Robert Barker, Boerne, 75
5. 1 Lloyd Alexander, San Antonio, 75
6. 99 *Cary Stapp, San Marcos, 75
7. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, 75
8. 33 Mike Williams, Hockley, 75
9. 12 Adam Haugh, Round Rock, 75
10. 02 Ugo Bevione, Austin, 75
11. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, 75
12. 28 *Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, 74
13. 7 Chris Schild, Leander, 67
14. 49 Robert Walton, Round Rock, 63
15. 79 Joe Aramendia, San Antonio, 61
16. 4 *Levi Krauss, Schertz, 38
17. 72 *Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, 11

* — denotes TSRS LM series rookie
+ — denotes Fast Qualifier

by Chuck Licata
Photo by Tory Christopher

NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Modifieds on tap Houston Motorsports Park Saturday, 5/30/09

May 30, 2009

Beautiful Houston Motorsports Park is hosting the NASCAR Late Models and NASCAR Modifieds tonight in their “Adrenaline on Asphalt” stock car racing program at the 3/8-mile paved oval in Northeast Houston.

Two San Antonio-area drivers - Joe Aramendia and Brandon Bendele - sit atop the Late Model point standings but are expected to face strong challenges in their “Fiesta 50″ main event from Houston-area drivers Greg Davidson, Thad Felton and Carl Smith.

Thad Felton (29) and Joe Aramendia are expected to compete tonight at HMP

Thad Felton (29) and Joe Aramendia are expected to compete tonight at HMP

A fast field of NASCAR Modifieds including expected entrants Denny Burton, who leads the NASCAR Modified point standings, Justin Long, who won the season opener back in March, the always quick Tuffy Hudson and Brad Hudak will compete in the “Cricket 40.”

Also on the full racing lineup are the Houston Pro Stocks, the fun-to-watch Limited Modifieds, the Legends, Bandoleros and the newest HMP class - the Eco Stocks.

Racing action gets started at 6:00 p.m. with heat races and features in all divisions.

For more information log onto the HMP website at http://www.houstonmotorsportspark.com.

by Nick Holt

Houston Motorsports Park to fire up “Fiesta’s Super Spring Fling” this Saturday

May 15, 2009

The fire-breathing NASCAR Fiesta Late Models, the low-slung, lightning-quck NASCAR Cricket Modifieds and the always-competitive Texas Pro Trucks will be the featured racing divisions this Saturday at Houston Motorsports Park.

Two San Antonio area Late Model drivers - Joe Aramendia and Brandon Bendele - will lead a strong contingent into the “Fiesta 50″ at the immaculate, 3/8-mile, Northeast Houston facility. Aramendia sits atop the Late Model point standings, but Bendele - winner of the first Late Model event in March - is only three points behind. Also expected to make a strong showing is Greg Davidson who won the last Late Model show earlier this month.

Veteran campaigner Denny Burton, Justin Long and Corpus Christi hotshoe Tuffy Hudson are the NASCAR Cricket Modified point leaders and all three are expected to be near the front at the finish line of Saturday’s “Cricket 40.”

The Pro Trucks will be making their second stop of the season at the HMP oval to compete in the “Specialty Supply 30.”

Also on tap are the Houston Pro Stocks, the Limited Modifieds, Bandoleros, Legends and Eco Stocks in heat and feature races.

This flyer says it all... .

This flyer says it all... .

Racing action gets underway at 5:00 p.m. For more information visit the Houston Motorsports Park website at http://www.houstonmotorsportspark.com.

Staff Report

Veteran Greg Davidson overcomes adversity, bides time, wins in NASCAR Late Model “Fiesta 50″ at HMP

May 5, 2009

Veteran NASCAR Late Model driver Greg Davidson experienced some unexpected adversity before the race, but enjoyed some unexpected good fortune in winning the “Fiesta 50″ for the NASCAR Fiesta Late Models at Houston Motorsports Park on Saturday.

During the pre-race practice, Davidson couldn’t avoid a spin by another driver and the collision resulted in major damage to the right front suspension of his sleek, black Late Model. Davidson’s experienced pit crew quickly got to work and by race time the right front suspension had been completely rebuilt and his ride declared race ready.

Davidson lined up towards the back of the 12-car field and patiently worked his way past a few cars and was running comfortably in fifth behind Kyle Sirizzotti and Carl Smith with 20 laps in the books.

Meanwhile up front, Thad Felton, who had led from the drop of the green, was busy fending off a very determined Joe Aramendia. The pair had been battling for the lead for the better part of the first half of the race as Larry Schild, III, watched from his third place spot. Not far behind Schild Carl Smith, youngster Kyle Sirizzotti, Davidson, and points-leader Brandon Bendele battled nose-to-tail for the fourth spot.

Thad Felton (29) and Joe Aramendia battler for the lead early in the NASCAR Fiesta 50 at Houston Motorsports Park

Thad Felton (29) and Joe Aramendia battler for the lead early in the NASCAR Fiesta 50 at Houston Motorsports Park

Schild drifted a bit too wide at one point and suddenly Smith, Sirizzotti, Davidson and Bendele roared by and the quartet set sail for Felton and Aramendia who were continuing to play bumper tag up front. But Smith seemed to be losing some of his cornering speed as the laps wound down giving Sirizzotti, Davidson and Benedele a chance to freight train past just before the halfway point.

Bendele, watching the laps wind down, put some pressure on Davidson and after a bit of bumper tag made a clean pass under Davidson to take over fourth. And it wasn’t long before both Sirizzotti and Bendele had caught Felton and Aramendia to make it a four-car battle for the lead with 15 laps remaining.

Greg Davidson (96) battles Brandon Bendele on his way to victory at Houston Motorsports Park

Greg Davidson (96) battles Brandon Bendele on his way to victory at Houston Motorsports Park

By now Felton was really beginning to feel the heat and at one point grazed a lapped car as the foursome sped down the front straight. Felton bobbled a bit but quickly recovered to retain the lead as the cars behind checked up anticipating a possible spin.

With 14 to go Aramendia got into the back of the leader who spun in turn four after the contact to bring out the caution flag. Under the track’s “all-involved” rule, both Aramendia and Felton were sent to the rear and Sirizzotti inherited the lead with Bendele now in second with just 14 laps left.

For the next 10 laps Bendele did everything he could think of to get by Sirizzotti for the lead but the wily veteran couldn’t find a way as Sirizzotti would find a way to slam the door in every corner. Davidson patiently watched the fierce battle a car length or two behind anticipating that the leaders would eventually take each other out.

With four laps to go, Bendele got a great run, ran up under Sirizzotti , pulled alongside and seemed ready to take over the lead. The pair traded a bit of paint and came off the turn with Sirizzotti able once again to hold off the inevitable.

Brandon Bendele (6) gets under Kyle Sirizzotti in an attempt to take over the lead.

Brandon Bendele (6) gets under Kyle Sirizzotti in an attempt to take over the lead.

Two laps later Bendele got another great run, poked his nose under Sirizzotti but had to back off as Sirizzotti held his ground. By this time the good crowd on hand was on its feet and cheering as the white flag flew.

Then, the inevitable - with Bendele on the inside and Sirizzotti to the outside, they scrape a bit too hard in turn three and the pair spin to a stop with the caution flag flying instead of the checkered.

Both Bendele and Sirizzotti take their place at the rear of the pack for the restart with Davidson now in the catbird seat in front of Aramendia, Schild and Johnny Walker for a “green- white-checkered” finish.

Davidson wasn’t to be denied and held off Aramendia for the popular win.

“We had a third place car, but I’ll take the win,” Davidson said after the race. “After all we went through just to make the race it feels good to win it. We really had the car to beat before we got in that wreck in practice, so I don’t feel too bad about winning.”

Official results:

Finish, Car number, Name, Best lap time, Laps completed

1. 96 Greg Davidson, 14.403, 51 laps
2. 79 Joe Aramendia, 14.308, 51
3. 7 Larry Schild III, 14.506, 51
4. 72 Johnny Walker, 14.552, 51
5. 29 Thad Felton, 14.338, 51
6. 40 Craig Roper, 14.517, 51
7. 93 Kyle Sirizzotti, 14.272, 51
8. Brandon Bendele, 14.342, 51
9. 14 Carl Smith, 14.371, 51
10. 28 Hanna Baker, 14.610, 50
11. 2 Jacklyn Harris, 14.701, 48
12. 99 Bryan Schild, 14.595, 13

by Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone

Front page photo by Jeff Garvin
Photos in story by Chris David