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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

Gator Motorplex enjoys action-packed opening night

The Lone Star Speedzone crew made the trip from San Marcos to Gator Motorplex in Wills, Texas, to catch the “opening night” racing action at the wonderfully-prepared, red clay, high-banked, quarter-mile “almost-oval” oval. I say “almost” because the entry to turns one and three are tighter than the exits to their corresponding turns, two and four, making for some interesting differences in driving styles as drivers searched for the quick way around.

Despite the threat of rain, a great opening night crowd was on hand, with the crowd about evenly divided between the concrete “grandstands” and the terraced hillside just outside turn 3-4. The clouds only turned dark enough to actually rain for a brief 15-minute period and the track was soon race ready thanks to some quick work by the two famous Gator school buses, one of which has six wheels on the rear axle.

Since this was my first race at Gator, I only knew a couple of drivers - Lone Star Speedzone’s very own Arthur Hermiz in the Hobby Stock class and David Lege, Jr (I actually know your dad, David…) in the Limited Modified division. So, if I have messed up someone’s name or have something else totally mixed up, please be nice.

Modifieds

The Modified feature had Kevin Sturgess and Jeff Wood on the front row, but the 20-lapper got off to a rocky start with lots of banging and bumping and a spin or two which brought out an immediate yellow flag.

The next start was much better with Sturgess getting out first, followed by Wood who went to the inside. Bryan Vollmer quickly moved into third as Wood worked the outside while Sturgess searched for grip down low.

Meanwhile, Steve Pugh moved into fourth behind Vollmer while Ricky Bain took over the fifth spot.

Not sure at what lap, but after a few laps of working on Sturgess, Wood pulled into the infield, done for the night. Pugh, who had gotten by Vollmer a bit earlier, then inherited the tough job of running down Sturgess.

Pugh’s job was made much easier, though, when the yellow flew at about mid race for a turn 3-4 spin by Russell Moore.

On the restart, Pugh seemed poised to make a move on Sturgess, but his engine went up in a cloud of blue smoke going down the front straight. It was pretty much a cakewalk for Sturgess after that.

Sturgess, who ran a smart, smooth race was followed to the line by Kaif Sellier, who took advantage of the fact that several in front of him had problems, Pugh and Belge.

Russell Moore and Bryan Vollmer won their heat races.

Modified results showing Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown

1 1 121 Kevin Sturgess Tomball , Tx
2 12 4$ Kalif Sellier Katy , Tx
3 6 156 Steve Pugh Willis , Tx
4 9 7 Mike Belge Willis , Tx
5 5 44 Marcus Berndt Katy , Tx
6 10 32 Doug Byrns Willis , Tx
7 3 148 Russell Moore Conroe , Tx
8 7 55 Roger Faulkner Conroe , Tx
9 13 167 Alan Drewry
10 8 07 Keith Wright Willis , Tx
11 4 129 Bryan Vollmer Tomball , Tx
12 2 51 Jeff Wood Willis , Tx
13 11 28 Ricky Bain College Station, Tx

Hobby Stocks

The Hobby Main featured a great duel between eventual winner Ronnie Williams and heat-race winner John Warner.

Ronnie Williams and Mark Gallagher started on the front row with Rodney Mears and John Gregory in row two. Williams got out first but Gallagher and Jessie Flowers tangled in 3-4 to bring out the caution flag before a lap was complete. That moved Mears up to the front row and Warner inherited a row two spot for the restart.

Warner moved past Flowers using the outside immediately after the restart and set his sights on and quickly caught Williams.

The front-running pair easily separated themselves from the rest of the field and made a bit of contact with each other occasionally as they diced for the lead. They had half a lap on the field at the halfway flags with Mears and Ricky Hudson heading the rest of the pack. But Hudson lost his spot after taking a quick trip through the infield.

With six left, Clayton Lorenz stopped his damaged car in turn four. This bunched up the field which had become so spread out that the leaders were about to start lapping the back markers.

The restart had Williams, Warner, Brandon Moore and Arthur Hermiz up front. Williams got a great jump and took off with Warner in hot pursuit, but debris in turn one only a lap later brought out another yellow.

Warner valiantly tried the inside for the last few laps, but Williams took the checkered flag with his rival glued to his rear bumper.

Jessie Flowers, John Warner and Rodney Mears were the heat winners.

Hobby Stock Results showing Finishing Position, Starting Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown

1 2 2 Ronnie Williams Conroe , Tx
2 6 20 John Warner Conroe , Tx
3 13 123 Brandon Moore
4 9 76 Daniel King
5 15 777 Arthur Hermiz Conroe , Tx
6 4 17 Ricky Hudson Montgomery , Tx
7 1 6M Mark Gallagher Bryan , Tx
8 11 41 Charles Viereck Willis , Tx
9 7 27VF John Gregory Montgomery , Tx
10 10 21R Ronnie Racer Shelby Conroe , Tx
11 3 77 Rodney Mears Tomball , Tx
12 14 21 Earl Schultz Spring , Tx
13 8 777L Clayton Lorenz Willis , Tx
14 12 67 E. Wade Johnson Willis , Tx
15 5 333 Jessie Flowers Conroe , Tx

Pure Stocks

Terry Parsley and Robb Slott started on the front row, but a multi-car free-for-all down the front straight as the green waved scattered cars everywhere. No real harm done except to heat winner Casey Garvin’s car which made all sorts of evil noises as he joined the rear of the field for the restart.

Slott won the drag race to turn one as the green waved, but had Parsley on his tail right away.

Parsley tried the inside line while Slott used the outside to his advantage for several laps in the early going as the pair opened up a big gap back to the pack.

It wasn’t long before the dueling duo was dealing (sorry… ) with lapped traffic. Parsley was able to peel off Slott using a lapped car to take over the lead at about halfway.

Meanwhile, back in the pack, there was lots of beating and banging as the leaders tried to work their way through. Parsley worked traffic to his advantage and for the next few laps opened up a several car-length lead.

As the laps wound down the Parsley was able to maintain his advantage over Slott, but someone spun (not sure who) and the caution flag waved to set up a green, white, checkered finish that was bound to produce some fireworks.

But it was not to be as Parsley was called into the infield by race officials for an unexplained reason and did not return to the track.

Slott was then easily held off Matthew Berry, who finished second.

Will Carter, Stetson Adams and Casey Garvin and won their respective heat races.

Pure Stock Results showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 48ROB Rob Slott
2nd 02 Matthew Berry
3rd 89 Corey Hamilton
4th 818 Stetson Adams
5th 77 Garrett Gregory
6th 2 Preston Lawson
7th 29 Kasey Garvin
8th 57 Mike Hooper
9th 723 Ronnie Mekalip
10th 20N Syble Matthews
11th 179 Donald Cain Jr
12th 2R Ricky Kelley
13th 81 Dale Spencer
14th 89C Codey Hamilton
15th 3P Terry Parsley
16th 43 Bubba Matthews
17th 14 Derek Legg
18th 55 Tyler Moore

Street Stocks

Theresa Waller and Mike DeGroot started on the front row with DeGroot getting the point on the first lap. Mike Johnson and Barry McIllwain soon joined the front pair and the four of them took off.

At halfway the front four were still nose-to-tail with everyone running basically the same line - more or less in the middle - with no one searching low or looking for the berm up high.

After a brief caution for a minor spin, DeGroot got a good jump on Waller as the green flew as does McIllwain who challenged Waller for a lap or two. I’m not too sure what happened to Johnson who was running third earlier. Conner Lazenby made it a four-pack up front at the laps wound down.

This foursome ran close and clean for the rest of the race with DeGroot, Waller, McIllwain and Lazenby finishing in that order.

Johnson and DeGroot were the heat race winners.

Street Stock resutls showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 21 Mike DeGroot
2nd 3 Theresa Waller
3rd 41 Barry McIllwain
4th 10 Connor Lazenby
5th 29 Jason Kibby
6th 20 Mike Johnson
7th 32 Chanc Towery
8th 2H Jeffrey Jackson
9th 43 David Jackson

Limited Mods

Twenty-two Limited Modifieds lined up for their 20-lap, $1,000 to win feature.

As you might imagine, it was a wild start, but they all made it through with Jeff Wood jumping out first and Johnny Holder in second.

Wood looked very strong in the early going with Holder not able to mount much of a challenge. Tommy Moore looked pretty strong in third, but a spin in the pack brings out the yellow with only a few laps in the books.

As they got back to racing, Holder and Moore made some serious contact but both were able to hold on as Dalton Faulkner moved into fourth.

After a caution for a spinner, Holder tried the very low side for a lap or two, but Wood made the center of the track work for him as the red clay got blacker and blacker.

Wood was never seriously challenged after Holder determined that the bottom wasn’t going to work and went wire-to-wire for a very convincing win.

Holder, Wood, Moore and (not too sure, but maybe) Brad Brumbly won their heats.

Limited Modified resutls showing Finishing Position, Car Number, Name

1st 40P Jeff Wood
2nd 4 Johnny Holder
3rd 148 Tommy Moore
4th 27 Dalton Faulkner
5th 71 Chase Bresee
6th 7 Brad Brumley
7th 5C Steve Clayton
8th 86 Justin Collins
9th 14 Roy Catlin
10th 24 James Gunter
11th 388 Steve Burrow
12th 9 David Lege Jr
13th 78 Andy Mahoney
14th 92 Tim Ferguson
15th 627 Mark Jackson
16th 17 Cody Dusty
17th 107 Todd Jouett
18th 18 Bobby Middleton
19th 87 Dennis Miley
20th R3W Rick Wolfe
21st 20 Eddie Holley
22nd 590 Jonathan Walker

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