Texas Super Racing Series Late Model Champion Jake Kruger, 16, sums up his season and shares his future plans
November 28, 2009
Jake Kruger, a 16-year-old late-model driver from Bastrop (TX), refuses to acknowledge a championship he won during a four-race season when he raced quarter midgets years ago.
Kruger shows off his hardware in victory lane with TSRS' trophy girl Tiffany Vogel
It’s not surprising, though, that Kruger – the driver for Kruger Motorsports – won’t soon forget his latest trophy; the 2009 Texas Super Racing Series championship.
“I appreciate this championship and will enjoy it a lot,” stated Kruger, the son of Bill and Deb Kruger. “It took 11 years to get here, but I finally got here.”
Surprising words from one so young.
However, consider his father, Bill, was a long-time local short-track racer and Jake grew up around racing. And consider the youngster – who rebounded to win two races in his Rookie of the Year season in 2008 – didn’t even start the ’08 season-opener because Kruger Motorsports had problems with race engines.
This past season, though, there was very little trouble in a TSRS series filled with great drivers.
Kruger took the checkered flag five times in a 10-race season in ’09 as he beat out long-time racing veteran Robert Barker (Boerne, TX) by 50 points (1,687-1,637).
Don’t get it wrong – Kruger, his parents (Bill and Deb), his younger sister (Nikki), his crew chief (Texas short-track veteran John Heil) and the team’s sponsors and crew all worked very hard to claim the ’09 TSRS title.
Kurger in his familiar John Heil prepared #14 TSRS Late Model
“We were originally thinking that five wins in the season wouldn’t be enough,” Kruger stated.
“We wanted to win six and tie Tommy Gural and Chris Schild (the all-time leaders in TSRS features wins with eight apiece). It didn’t hit me at first (that he’d won the championship) until people came up and congratulated me. I enjoyed it; it felt pretty good.”
Even more important, though – a late-model championship at 16 years old.
“That’s what (crew chief) John Heil told me, the importance of a late-model title,” Kruger said.
“He said you need to put a late-model championship on your resume; as the season went on I understood what he was saying – to be 16 and beating everyone else out there.”
“Jake’s championship is exciting; it’s a very big accomplishment for him,” Deb Kruger remarked. “I’ve been overwhelmed by it all; I’m very proud of what everyone has done to get him there.”
“He’s 10 times the driver that I was,” joked Kruger’s father Bill. “The championships I accomplished were minor compared to what he’s done. I’ve never done what he did at his age and it means a lot to me to say he learned from me; he surpassed my level a long time ago.”
“Consistency” was the word that may have best described the team’s success.
“We won consistently throughout the season,” the younger Kruger remarked. “We didn’t win just in the beginning or just the end of the season. Knowing I was stretching my points lead (after each win) gave me more incentive the next race.”
All three major personalities in Kruger Motorsports agreed on one thing – crew chief John Heil was a major factor in the team’s stellar season.
“A driver is just a spacer behind the wheel, if nothing’s working then it’s time to change the spacer,” the younger Kruger said. “But John Heil was the ‘constant’ in our season and success. We didn’t stick with same setup all year; we changed pretty much every race. What he did and suggested worked each and every race. John did everything – that car all year was in a class of its own and John put it there.”
“John Heil – he’s very good at what he does,” Bill Kruger stated. “He’s very meticulous at everything. He goes over everything then double- and triple-checks everything we do. He’s phenomenal in that respect.”
“John and Jake jelled so well together,” Deb Kruger remarked. “They not only became driver/crew chief but also good buddies. I think that meant a lot to Jake. You always look up to parents and others; Jake looks up to John and they were great as a team.
“They hunt together, race together, work together – especially during summer. It’s like a brotherhood with those two.”
Then, thinking about the dedication of Heil, Deb added, “We also want to thank Teresa and Riley Heil for their sacrifices for not having John at home, because he was at the race shop or at the track helping Jake. We really appreciate their sacrifice.”
Along with Heil, Kruger Motorsports was thankful to its crew - Heil, Jamie Fuller, Lance, Brandon and Dillon Gaither, TJ Hopper and John Wasek.
Of course, auto racing at any level wouldn’t happen without sponsors.
“We could not have done this without Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports,” Deb Kruger declared. “They’re our biggest contributor this year as a sponsor. They were always there for us; I would call and ask for help and they’d always come through.
“They’re helping us in a huge way for the (upcoming) Snowflake (Derby race in Florida in December) and we couldn’t have done it without Turner Motorsports as the main sponsor.”
Among the team’s other sponsors: BMF Shocks and Chassis, Gen Tech, Oval Components, Aramendia Motorsports (and Joe Aramendia).
What’s ahead for Kruger? A run in the Pro Late Models, be it regional or over on the East Coast.
Plus…
“A lot of sacrifices,” Deb said. “We don’t have a lot of social time; we don’t go to movies, we don’t do special outings as a family outside of going to the races. We don’t drive big fancy vehicles because we don’t need to do that.
“We’re very comfortable with our lifestyle, we’re not materialistic people. We do what we can to put our resources into Jake’s racing.”
The “driver” of the family is cognizant of his family’s efforts on his behalf.
“My mom and dad and my sister are terrific for what they do so I can race,” Jake exclaimed. “I owe a big thanks to my family. (Simply put), I wouldn’t have done anything I’ve done without them.”
“The fact Jake recognizes and acknowledges (our efforts) means a lot to me,” Bill said. “We never forced this on him; it’s been an understanding in the family. We do what we could to give Jake the best of what we can to race.
“We’d like to thank Mary Ann Naumann (owner/operator of TSRS) and her sacrifices for having the series. We have a lot of respect for Mary Ann and what she’s done for both TSRS and for local racing, period.”
Bill then summed up the upcoming future for his son. “We look forward to the next step; we look forward to the work ahead and hope we can continue to climb the ladder of success.”
By Chuck Licata
Photos by Jeff Garvin
Thunderhill Raceway and Mary Ann Naumann ready to move ahead with racing plans for 2010 and beyond
November 16, 2009
After some uncertainty about the future of its property lease, Thunderhill Raceway (THR) in Kyle (TX) has reached a tentative agreement with the landowner.
“We’ve had several meetings with the landowner, and negotiations have gone well,” said Mary Ann Naumann, THR’s Owner and Promoter. “A proposal has been drafted, and everything is now being processed through our attorneys. We expect to sign the final agreement in the next few days.”
As a result of the agreement, the management of Thunderhill Raceway plans to move full-speed ahead with its plans for the 2010 racing season.
“I’m really excited that this new agreement gives us the opportunity to race next year and hopefully beyond then,” Naumann said. “We’ll continue to provide updates as we move forward with our plans for next year.”
To get ready for the 2010 season, Thunderhill Raceway is planning a drivers’ meeting on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 2 p.m. In addition to giving the drivers an opportunity to register for next year, the rules for all classes – including Naumann’s Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) - will be distributed at the meeting.
A pre-season registration discount will be offered to drivers who sign up for next season at the meeting. Drivers will also be given the opportunity to get the discount by registering early on line via Pay Pal (more information to follow).
Prior to the meeting, tentative 2010 schedules for both Thunderhill Raceway and TSRS will be released, hopefully within the next couple of weeks.
“We also want to remind everyone about the 2009 THR/TSRS Awards Banquet that’s scheduled for Saturday, January 16,” added Naumann. “Our drivers, staff, media and sponsors deserve to be recognized, and this banquet will be a great opportunity to honor our champions.”
The awards banquet will be held at the Manchaca Firehall & Community Center at 1310 FM 1626, Manchaca, TX 78748. The banquet will begin with a Social Hour at 5 p.m., followed by an all-you-can-eat catfish dinner at 6 p.m., an awards ceremony at 7 p.m., and live music from 10 p.m.-midnight.”
Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track located at 24801 IH-35, on the access road just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210). Information on Thunderhill Raceway may be found on the track website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.
by Debbie Williams, THR Media & Public Relations Director
Texas Super Racing Series returns to Corpus Christi Speedway after four year absence
April 16, 2009
After nearly a four-year absence from racing at Corpus Christi Speedway, the Texas Super Racing Series Late Model Series returns to the quarter-mile ‘bullring’ on Saturday night.
“I’m thrilled to be able to go back to Corpus Christi,” said Mary Ann Naumann, TSRS founder and owner. “I have always liked the little ‘Bullring.’ It can be a little intimidating for the drivers and given the right respect, it’s a fun track to watch a race there.”
TSRS point leader Robert Barker (17) and defending TSRS Champ Heath Stewart battle at THR
Corpus Christi Speedway, better know as the ‘Bullring’ in the South Texas racing community, has a reputation of being a fast, but challenging quarter-mile asphalt oval. The last time the TSRS Late Models visited the speedway was April 23, 2005. Jamie Fuller won that event.
On Saturday night, the TSRS Late Models and the newly acquired Allison Legacy Series will compete for the first and only time this season at the track.
The Late Models will compete in a 75-lap race and the Allison Legacy Series will compete in a 50-lap main event. The gates open at 6 p.m., qualifying for both series begins at 7 p.m. and the feature races start at 8 p.m.
“I see a different kind of excitement with the staff, officials and the teams that have already pre-registered,” Naumann said. “This will be the first time the series has been away from our home track this season and for the Allison Legacy Series, I think it is going to be extremely exciting for them because it will be the first time that they will really be a part of the TSRS.”
Naumann, also the owner and promoter of Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, said a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm has been developed with both series since she acquired the Allison Legacy Series late last year.
“I know that it is a huge part of Thunderhill by having the TSRS there and adding the Allison Legacy Series too,” Naumann said. “Bringing on the TSRS Allison Legacy Series has been a new branching that to me has put a little more excitement in the series.”
Naumann said she is pleased with the way the TSRS Late Model season has started. After two races there are two different winners on circuit. Robert Barker won the season opener on March 14 and Cody Smith won the last race on March 28. Both races were held at Thunderhill.
TSRS point leader Robert Barker poses with Miss Texas USA after his win last month at THR
“No one is dominating this year,” Naumann said. “I think we are going to see some good side-by-side and good, hard racing. A lot of cars are competitive with each other, and they are not separated.”
Despite a struggling economy, the two series are drawing decent car counts. The Late Models are averaging 17 cars per race and the Allison Legacy almost 14.
“I think that because of the way we’ve scheduled the races that we try to give the teams enough time in between (events),” she said. “And what they have done is budgeted it out where they can afford to run with us.”
Saturday’s race marks the third stop on the TSRS circuit. In addition to the Corpus Christi and Thunderhill, the series’ home-based track, the TSRS Late Models will also be racing at Houston Motorsports Park Speedway and at Red River Speedway in Wichita Falls in 2009.
“I think it’s wonderful for the series that we have four different tracks where we compete,” Naumann said. “I think the reputation that the series has had and the consistency that it has had, has played an important part of why the tracks want the series to be there.”
Barker enters Saturday’s 75-lap TSRS Late Model race with a narrow five-point lead over Bobby Teer Jr. in the series standings. Smith is 39 points back in third, followed by rookies Jeff O’Neill and Kendall Bumbera, who are fourth and fifth respectively. Only 66 points separate the top five drivers in the standings.
“I think once the drivers start seeing the different tracks where they are going to be racing, then they will get more excited about it and it will seem more like a touring and traveling series.” Naumann said.
by Mike Haag, San Antonio Express-News
Photos by Jeff Garvin
Allison Legacy Series to “go racing” with TSRS!
February 21, 2009
The Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS), the premier racing series in Texas, announced today its expansion of operations to now include the oval track touring part of the Texas Allison Legacy Racing Series.
As part of the transition, this class of cars will be named the “TSRS Allison Legacies,” and it’s expected that the Legacies will travel with the Late Models to several Texas race tracks (plans not finalized yet).
Kris Kerr and his #24 TSRS Allison Legacies car
Currently, the TSRS Late Models compete at tracks all over the state of Texas – including Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, TX), Houston Motorsports Park (Houston, TX), Corpus Christi Speedway (Corpus Christi, TX) and Red River Speedway (Wichita Falls, TX).
Randy Andersen (Dickinson, TX) has been managing this group of talented drivers for the past year and is really happy about this change. “This is a huge step in Texas racing,” said Andersen. “Advancing this series is something I’ve wanted to see happen for quite some time. This is the best opportunity for some of these young drivers to gain valuable experience – locally and beyond. To be tied into the premier racing series in Texas can only be a good thing for the Legacies drivers.”
Mary Ann Naumann is the owner and founder of the Texas Super Racing Series – along with being the owner and promoter for Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, TX) – and she is very pleased about adding this group to her TSRS team. “I’m incredibly excited about the Allison Legacies becoming part of TSRS,” said Naumann. “I’ve always been proud of the TSRS Late Models, and now we’ll have a great opportunity to help young drivers sharpen their racing skills and fulfill their dreams to go as far as they want in the racing world.”
Three current TSRS Late Model drivers are already doing quite well due to their background with the Allison Legacies and the skills they’ve acquired. Jake Kruger (age 15) claimed two wins in 2008 and finished 5th in the overall TSRS Late Model points’ battle. He also earned the Rookie of the Year title. Fourteen-year-old Dillon Spreen finished 7th and claimed several Top 10 finishes. Levi Krauss (17) will be a newcomer to the TSRS Late Models this year, after finishing fifth in points and capturing the Rookie of the Year title in the ASA A-Line Super Stock class at Thunderhill Raceway.
Plans are underway for this series to include a mentoring program where each of the TSRS Allison Legacies drivers will be paired up with a current TSRS Late Model driver to gain valuable insights on how to improve his/her performance on the track.
The Allison Legacy Series features 3/4-scale stock cars that are patterned after the NASCAR Sprint Cup cars. These cars are safe, durable and affordable. Many of the drivers in this series are very young (minimum age is 12), and the experience they gain on the track prepares them to move on to more advanced forms of racing.
The TSRS Allison Legacies will make the first appearance under the new structure at the March 21 season opener at Thunderhill Raceway (THR). All of the THR local classes – including the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, Thunder Stocks, Grand Stocks, Mini Stocks and NasKarts – will also be on the agenda, along with the Pro Modifieds and SportMods. The racing action will begin at 6 p.m.
The TSRS Late Models were established in 2003, and the series has continued to grow throughout the years. This prestigious group will be part of the Allstate Texas Racefest that’s scheduled on March 14 at Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, TX) – along with the NASCAR Grand National Division, USAC National Midgets and the TSRS Late Models.
Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track that’s located at 24801 IH-35, just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210).
For more information on Thunderhill Raceway, please visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com. Information on the TSRS Late Models may be found at www.manracingpromotions.com, and details about the TSRS Allison Legacies may be found at www.texomalegacymotorsports.com.
By Debbie Williams and Lone Star Speedzone staff
Photo courtesy of Texas Super Racing Series
Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - 1/26/2009
January 26, 2009
In this week’s show, the crew headed out to Kyle to see what Thunderhill Raceway will have in store this season. We caught up with Debbie Williams and Mary Ann Naumann along with a few other characters we ran into in the pits!
Join Chris Doelle and Nick Holt for all the great racing action.
Stick with Lone Star Speedzone for all of your racing coverage in 2009!
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