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Austin Self notches third Texas Super Racing Series Late Model in a thriller

Kyle, Texas (August 15, 2010) - Fourteen year-old Austin Self continues to impress the Texas stock car racing community as he notched his third Texas Super Racing Series Late Model race of the season and his second-in-a-row at the D-shaped, 3/8-mile speedplant in Kyle, Texas, on Saturday, August 15, 2010.

Self, who started in the seventh spot due to the inversion, quickly moved into second, but fast-qualifier and TSRS points leader Bobby Teer, Jr, slipped under the youngster a lap or two later and to claim the spot and set sail for the leader, JT Schild.

And it wasn’t long before Teer worked his way past Schild to grab the lead and took off, opening a several car-length lead over Schild and Self, who seemed content to stay behind Schild for the time being.

Teer’s lead evaporated on lap 21, however, after a caution flag and subsequent red flag on 27 for liquid on the racing surface.

On the restart Self got under Schild to grab second, but cagey veteran and multi-race winner Robert Barker was quickly moving up through the field after a pit stop during the previous caution.

A lap-33 spin by Kristen Bumbera, who broke a suspension part while running in third place, brought out the second yellow, which then put Barker on Self’s rear bumper and Self on Teer’s rear bumper for the restart.

As the green waved, Self nosed under Teer which moved the leader over just enough to allow Self to get under and pass for the lead. Barker followed Self through the opening which dropped Teer to third. For the next few laps the trio raced nose-to-tail with the large crowd in attendance on their collective feet.

After some paint exchanges up front, Teer got into Barker a bit too hard and Barker spun to bring out the yellow on lap 43. After some discussion, the track ordered Teer to the rear of the pack for the restart with Barker retaining his second place spot behind Self.

On the restart, Barker gave Self a tap, but the youngster held on and retained the lead. But Teer was on a tear and a couple of laps later was filling Barker’s mirror to make it a three car shootout up front with five to go. Barker again tried the bump and run, but this time it backfired and it was Barker who spun to bring out the yellow with five to go.

Would Teer return the favor that Self had used to grab the lead earlier in the race? The large crowd on hand thought so and was on its collective feet as the green waved. And sure enough, the lead pair made a bit of contact and Teer squeezed by to re-take the lead. But as fate would have it, Mike Reininger spun in turn 3-4 to bring out the final yellow of the race before the lap was completed, nullifying the pass for the lead.

So once again the fans were on their feet waiting for the sparks to fly as the green waved with five to go, but this time Self in the FEP Chevrolet was ready and hammered down with Teer having to settle for a last-lap try on the outside which came up a half-car-length short at the finish line.

Taylor Brandes, JT Schild and Jeff O’Neil rounded out the top five.

“I have to credit my team and FEP for this one,” Self said. “Heath and JR gave me an awesome car that was there at the finish. We were a little loose earlier in the day, but the car came to me as the track cooled. That was really an exciting race and I’m glad the fans enjoyed it as much as I did.”

Official Results Texas Super Racing Series Late Model event, August 14, 2010

1. 07 Austin Self, Austin, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.668
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.503
3. 92 Taylor Brandes, Garden Ridge, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.624
4. 25 JT Schild, Leander, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.844
5. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX, 50 laps, QT 16.168
6. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.872
7. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX, 45 laps, QT 15.810
8. 04 Cory Roper, Baytown, TX, 36 laps, QT 15.892
9. 06 Kristin Bumbera, Cypress, TX, 35 laps, QT 16.072
10. 5 Heather Ables, Whitney, TX, 31 laps, QT 16.490
11. 9 Jason Campbell, Cibolo, TX, 3 laps, QT 18.891

QT = Qualifying Time

by Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photo by Tory Christopher

Austin Self scores his first TSRS Late Model win at Thunderhill Raceway

Fourteen year-old Texas Super Racing Series rookie sensation Austin Self started on the pole for the TSRS LM feature at Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, Texas) Saturday night and led all 35 laps to claim his first checkered flag in a full-bodied stock car.

A multi-time champion in national Karting competition, Self’s team decided earlier this year to tackle the premier Late Model series in Texas without the young man ever having turned a lap in a stock car, let alone go up against some of the most experienced and successful teams in Texas and the Southwest.

Although Self has enjoyed more success than most thought possible this early in this season, the win is ample evidence that “the kid is for real.”

Self started on the pole, but immediately TSRS points leader Bobby Teer, Jr. was on his tail and a lap later another multi-race winner and former TSRS Champion, Robert Barker, made the first half of the event on the 3/8-mile, D-shaped, paved oval a three-way paint-swapping contest for the lead.

But Self, driving like a seasoned veteran, was able to fend off Teer’s repeated challenges and even pulled away a bit as Teer became pre-occupied with Barker’s constant attention to his rear bumper. Eventually – after several laps of repeated bumper contact - Barker got under Teer in turn one, but when J.T. Schild tried to follow him through, Schild and Teer made hard contact with Teer spinning to a stop in turn two to bring out the yellow flag.

That put Barker on the youngster’s bumper and over the next several laps Barker tried every move in the book to work his way by, but Self never bobbled and took the checkered flag by less than a car length over Barker.

“It was nerve wracking with those veterans on my tail. I kept as calm as I could, but I get a lot more nervous leading than I do watching the guy in front of me lead,” Self said after the race. “I’m lucky to have a great team and to get a win this early in the season. We’re still learning and this is just the beginning. “

When asked who he wanted to thank, the young man immediately replied, “Jesus Christ is the Number One for me.” And almost as an afterthought he added, “And thanks to FEP for giving me a great car and to my crew Heath and JR and the guy who keeps me calm, Chris Baker, and my parents and Applied Mechanical.”

Teer recovered to finish third while JT Schild and Craig Sellman rounded out the top five.

Results of the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model feature at Thunderhill Raceway, 6/19/2010

Finish, Car number, Name, Hometown, Laps completed, Qualifying Time
1. 07 Austin Self, Austin, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.664
2. 17 Robert Barker, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.427 (Hard Charger)
3. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.292 (Fast Time)
4. 25 JT Schild, Leander, TX, 35 laps, QT 15.684
5. 38 Craig Sellman, Buda, TX, 35 laps, QT 16.045
6. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX, 35 laps, QT 16.182
7. 5 Heather Ables, Whitney, TX ,26 laps, QT 16.421

by Nick Holt
Photo by Jeff Garvin

Veteran Teer notches first Texas Super Racing Series Late Model win at Thunderhill Raceway

Bobby Teer, Jr., has seen many second-place finishes in Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model competition over the years, but the veteran driver finally made it all the way to the top spot this past Saturday night (May 22, 2010) at Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, Texas) during the “Operation Interdependence 50.”

Teer set fast time in qualifying (15.280 seconds) and led all but the first lap or two on his way to the winner’s circle.

But it wasn’t all that easy because David Barker, who was substituting for his younger brother, Robert Barker, who had won all three previous TSRS events this season, and rookie JT Schild gave him plenty of competition and perhaps a few taps on his back bumper along the way.

Barker got the early jump on the 14-car field, but it wasn’t long before Teer, who had started on the outside pole, made a clean inside pass to take the lead when Barker exited turn four a bit too high.

Mike Reininger, Taylor Brandes and JT Schild were all tucked in behind the leaders and were waging their own private war for third in the early going until the threesome tried to make it three wide and heavy contact sent Reininger and Brandes into twin spins while Schild was able to maintain control. Schild then lined up behind Barker on the ensuing restart with Cody Iltis right behind him.

Meanwhile, fourteen year-old rookie Austin Self, who had started at the rear due to being a bit too left-side heavy after qualifying, had worked his way up to sixth and was obviously on a mission to get to the front.

For the next several laps Teer had his hands full as Barker lurked right on his bumper while Schild, in turn, worked on Barker’s rear bumper. Iltis completed the tight, four-car breakaway.

But Barker seemed to be losing the handle a bit and Schild got more and more aggressive as they passed the half-way point. Schild, after looking inside for several laps, finally got a good run going into turn three and the pair made heavy contact with Barker spinning to bring out the yellow.

The track ruled that Schild had position and Barker was sent to the rear for the restart. That moved Schild into second with Iltis third and Self fourth. A lap or two later Self worked his way past Iltis to take third.

With twelve laps remaining Larry Bendele’s engine exploded just past the flag stand in a cloud of smoke while running in the fifth spot and everyone behind went sliding through the oil. Barker spun to a stop near the apron and Brandes, also completely at the mercy of the oil, slammed into Barker’s driver’s side door as the rest of the field miraculously didn’t hit anything too hard. Brandes was done for the night but Barker’s crew patched the car up and he returned to the track without losing a lap.

Unfortunately for Self, his hood had bent up to block a good portion of his view and he spent the remainder of the race holding off Iltis. Iltis gave it one last shot on the last lap and got into Self’s rear bumper, but instead of Self spinning, it was Iltis who sat in the middle of turn 3-4 as the checkered waved for Teer who had opened up a car length or two on Schild as they came to the line.

It was all smiles and congratulations in the TSRS winner’s circle for Teer and crew and plenty of high-fives for rookies Schild and Self.

Cory Roper and Craig Sellman rounded out the top five.

TSRS Late Models “Operation Interdependence 50” results, 5/22/2010

1. 2 Bobby Teer Jr., Comfort, TX 50 laps QT 15.280 Fast Time
2. 25 JT Schild, Leander, TX 50 laps QT 15.553
3. 07 Austin Self, Austin, TX 50 laps QT 15.514 Post Qualifying Tech Infraction - Too much left side weight (started at rear)
4. 04 Cory Roper, Baytown, TX 50 laps QT 16.303 Hard Charger
5. 38 Craig Sellman, Buda, TX 50 laps DNT
6. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX 50 laps QT 15.966
7. 17 David Barker, Boerne, TX 50 laps QT 15.447
8. 5 Heather Ables, Whitney, TX 50 laps QT 16.478
9. 11 Cody IItis, Austin, TX 50 laps QT 15.757
10. 37 Mark Ackerman, San Antonio, TX 45 laps QT 16.123
11. 23 Larry Bendele, Adkins, TX 38 laps QT 15.956
12. 92 Taylor Brandes, Garden Ridge, TX 30 laps QT 15.454
13. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio, TX 23 laps QT 15.510
14. 56 Joey Jenkins, Del Valle, TX 4 laps QT 19.469

QT – Qualifying Time
DNQ – Did Not Qualify
DNS – Did Not Start

by Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Robert Barker blasts to third-straight Texas Super Series Late Model win

Robert Barker has a pretty decent Texas Super Racing Series Late Model batting average this season - three-for-three - with the latest coming this past Saturday at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas.

Barker set fast second- fast time in qualifying at the 3/8-mile, D-shaped oval with his Mission Auto Parts Ford Fusion, drew the pole in the line-up draw and led all 50 laps to complete a nearly flawless race weekend.

But that perfect batting average may soon be in jeopardy as youngsters JT Schild and Austin Self, along with seasoned veteran Bobby Teer, Jr. are coming on strong.

Schild, who started on the outside pole next to Barker, got hung out a bit at the drop of the green which allowed Self , who had lined up on the inside row two, to grab the second spot early, but Schild quickly returned the favor, dropping Self to third in the early going.

Meanwhile, Teer, who was quickest in time trials, had worked his way up to Self’s bumper from his sixth starting spot while Barker and Schild went nose-to-tail for several laps until Schild slipped a bit exiting a turn and Barker took off, never to be seriously challenged again.

At that point all eyes were on the heated battle for third between Self and Teer, who was using every trick in the book to force Self to make a mistake, but the youngster, driving only his second TSRS Late Model race, proved his second place finish in the last TSRS event was no fluke and hung tough.

Finally on lap 16 Teer made a textbook inside pass – no paint whatsoever traded - to take the spot.

At just past the halfway point, a caution bunched the nine-car field.

On the restart Barker got away cleanly, but Self made a huge move on Teer and grabbed third while veteran Mike Reininger took command of the fifth spot behind Teer.

A couple of laps later Teer got into the back of Self coming off turn four getting him a bit sideways, but Self was able to recover and hold the spot as while Barker and Schild pulled away once again.

For the next several laps Teer backed off a bit, cooling his tires and plotting his next move. And with five to go he gave Self a bit of a nudge in turn one and scooted by on the inside as the pair exited turn two to claim third once again.

Up front, Barker was long gone, but Teer and Self seemed to be closing in on Schild, who had faded a bit in second with handling issues. The pair ran out of laps, however, and at the checkered it was Barker by several car lengths over Schild, a fast-closing Teer, a determined Self and a fast-improving Reininger the top five.

Texas Super Racing Series Late Model 50-lap feature results

1. 17 Robert Barker Boerne, TX, 50 laps QT 15.234
2. 25 JT Schild Waller, TX, 50 laps QT 15.853
3. 2 Bobby Teer Jr. Comfort, TX, 50 laps QT 15.202 Fast Time/Hard Charger
4. 07 Austin Self Austin, TX, 50 laps QT 15.407
5. 3 Mike Reininger San Antonio, TX, 50 laps QT 15.806
6. 92 Taylor Brandes Garden Ridge, TX, 50 laps QT 15.420
7. 28 Jeff O’Neill Round Rock, TX, 50 laps QT 15.879
8. 5 Heather Ables Whitney, TX, 48 laps QT 16.852
9. 56 Joey Jenkins Del Valle, TX, 48 laps QT 16.177

by Nick Holt, Lone Star Speedzone
Photos by Jeff Garvin

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

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

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