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Lone Star Speedzone - TexasHighDef spotlight shines on the NasKarts

TexasHighDef’s Duke O’Connor mounted an in-car camera on one of the NasKarts at Thunderhill Raceway last Saturday and got some amazing 80 MPH shots inches from the track surface. And Lone Star Speedzone’s Nick Holt had a chance to interview three of the the NasKart drivers and got an inside look into the super-quick, super-competitive NasKart series. Duke and I hope you enjoy this one. We had fun making it.

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

Mark Chrudimsky takes Pro Modified win; Cody Smith “Picks Up” Pro Truck victory at Thunderhill Raceway

Thunderhill Raceway (THR) welcomed the Texas Pro Modifieds and the Texas Pro Trucks to their well-maintained paved track in Kyle this past Saturday and Mark Chrudimsky and Cody Smith are glad they did.

Veteran driver Chrudimsky won the “DWIDUDE.com Pro Modified 50” while first-time truck driver Smith took home the winner’s trophy after the 50-lap Pro Truck main event.

Smith - driving a Pro Truck borrowed from front-running THR regular Shawn Paul Lehman, who missed the race to participate in his younger sister’s wedding ceremony, took the green flag from his pole position and led all 50 laps at the three-eighth mile, D-shaped oval, but it wasn’t as easy as it might seem.

DPS Texas State Trooper D.L. Wilson was the first of three drivers to give Smith a good run for the money, but on the seventh lap fast-qualifier Jason Marshall scooted by Wilson to take over second. No speeding ticket was issued after the pass and Marshall proceeded to make friends with Smith’s rear bumper and otherwise make life difficult for the leader.

After a caution period or two for minor spins, at mid race Marshall began to apply some serious pressure just as Wilson and hard-charging Cory Roper joined the front pair to make it a nice, tight foursome.

On the 29th circuit, Marshall got into Smith’s rear bumper a bit too hard and Smith’s truck went for a smoky spin to bring out the yellow caution flag. Track officials conferred and ruled that Marshall would have to move to the back of the field for the restart due to the contact.

But Smith’s worries were not over as the youngster soon had his mirror full of Wilson and Roper who were having a bit of a battle for second behind right behind him. Roper finally manages to squeak by Wilson for second, but not for long as Roper suddenly gets nearly sideways in turn four which gave Wilson the opportunity he needed to regain the runner-up spot.

All the dicing behind him had allowed Smith to gain a few truck lengths on the pair, but by lap 38 Marshall had worked his way back up to fourth and closed in on Wilson and Roper as the laps clicked down. And with two laps remaining Marshall banged his way past both Wilson and Roper to claim second.

Unfortunately, there were not enough laps for a photo finish showdown and Smith took the checkered flag a few truck lengths ahead of the fast-closing Marshall. Roper, Wilson, newlywed Lynn Hardy and 2008 Pro Truck champion Jim Albert rounded out the top five.

During the post race technical inspection, however, it was determined that both Marshall and Roper were too low to the ground and both were moved to the rear of the finishing order.

Pro Truck feature event results:

Finishing position, Truck number, Name, Laps completed, Qualifying time
1. 28 Cody Smith, 50 laps, QT 16.860
2. 6 D.L. Wilson, 50 laps, QT 16.725
3. 36 Lynn Hardy, 50 laps, QT 17.119
4. 31 Jim Albert, 50 laps, QT 17.028
5. 10 Greg Wade, 50 laps, DNQ
6. 3 David Lewien, 47 laps, QT 17.277
7. 14 Chris Roper, 32 laps, QT 17.224
8. 42 Jason Marshall, QT 16.401, Technical Infraction – too low
9. 04 Cory Roper, QT 16.864, Technical Infraction – too low

DWIDUDE.Com Pro Modified 50

Mark Chrudimsky has proven over the years that he can win in anything from a school bus to a Super Late Model and he showcased his racing savvy again Saturday night in winning the “DWIDUDE.Com Pro Modified 50.”

Fifteen of the low-slung Pro Modifieds lined up at the start with some of the best driving talent in Texas set to take the green flag after a brief shower cooled things down a bit.

Justin Long and his well-known teammate Joe Aramendia were on the front row with Chrudimsky and nationally-known hotshoe Tuffy Hudson poised in row two. Michael Umscheid, who set a new Pro Modified track record at 15.107 seconds in qualifying and racing legend Chris Davidson hunkered down in row three. Just behind them the always aggressive John Heil and veteran John Paul Kliewer lined up in row four. Ian Webster, Jim Nides, John Schultz, Bob Slezinsky, Bubba Menard, Greg Baber and Jay Guthrie rounded out the stellar field.

At the drop of the green the whole field went side-by-side for a lap or two, but at the end of the second lap Nides and Slezinsky got together in turn one and they both spun to bring out the first caution flag of the race.

On the restart there was some bumper tag as the field took the green but everyone hung on with Long out first and Chrudimsky right on his bumper. The super quick Umschied took the inside line to worm past Aramendia taking Hudson and Heil along with him as Aramendia got hung out to dry in the high groove, falling back into line in the fifth spot.

It wasn’t long before Webster looped it down the back straight and the yellow waved on lap thirteen. Hudson unexpectedly pitted as the field circled slowly under the yellow. He did not return.

It was back to business on lap 16 with Long, Chrudimsky, Umscheid, Heil, Davidson and Aramendia the top six at this point.

Shortly after racing resumed, Umscheid took a couple of long inside looks under Chrudimsky and nearly made it by at least twice, but Chrudimsky held his line and was able to hold second as the top four ran lap after lap nose-to-tail with each driver determined to advance if anyone bobbled.

At halfway it was still Long, Chrudimsky, Umscheid, Heil, Davidson, Aramendia, Schultz, Nides, Slezinsky, Baber, Menard, Guthrie and Kleiwer.

A few laps later Kliewer, Slezinsky and Baber all tangled and slid hard into the turn four tire wall in a huge cloud of tire smoke. Slezinsky hit the hardest and the track went red as the safety crew responded. Slezinsky was able to get out of the car on his own – a bit wobbly perhaps – but was taken to a local hospital for a checkup as a precautionary measure since he didn’t seem to be clicking on all eight after the hit. Later reports were positive with Slezinsky apparently in much better shape than his mangled Pro Modified.

During the red flag period lots of steam poured from Heil’s machine and he pitted after getting permission to leave the track during the red.

The top three jumped out quickly on the lap 32 restart with Davidson watching the action a few car lengths back in fourth. And he had a lot to watch as Umscheid worked Chrudimsky over hard. Meanwhile Long was able to gain a few car lengths as he watched the excitement in his mirror.

Umscheid was unable to get by, however, so Chrudimsky turned his attention to Long, who seemed to be losing some of his handling as the laps clicked down.

With 10 to go, the track suddenly seemed to get a bit slippery and Long bobbled a bit coming off turn four. Chrudimsky got a good run down the straight and headed towards the inside line as the pair prepared to enter turn one. They made contact, Long spun and came to rest at the bottom of the track midway between turn one and turn two where Davidson, with no place to go slid - more or less gently - into the front of Long’s machine.

Race control ruled that Chrudimsky had the line and sent Long to the rear for the contact that brought out a caution. That gave Chrudimsky the lead with only ten laps remaining.

The next ten laps were a picture of clean, hard racing with two experienced drivers putting on a classic show for the good crowd on hand.

Umscheid stalked and studied Chrudimsky’s line for the next few laps and with five to go turned up the heat. He looked inside. He looked outside, then inside again, but Chrudimsky never wavered from his line.

Finally - on the last lap - Umscheid gave Chrudimsky a love tap coming off turn four, but Mark “The Wildman” Chrudimsky didn’t seem to notice and took the checkered with Umscheid right there next to him. A few car lengths back Davidson, Aramendia and Webster rounded out the top five.

Results of the “DWIDUDE.Com Pro Modified 50.”

Finishing position, Car number, Name, Laps completed, Qualifying time
1. 39 Mark Chrudimsky, 50 laps, QT 15.394
2. 5 Michael Umscheid, 50 laps, QT 15.107 NEWTRACK RECORD
3. 41 Chris Davidson, 50 laps, QT 15.650
4. 42X Joe Aramendia, 50 laps, QT 15.584
5. 9 Ian Webster, 50 laps, QT 15.725
6. 14 John Schultz, 50 laps, QT 15.766
7. 22 John Paul Kliewer, 50 laps, QT 15.678
8. 42 Justin Long, 50 laps, QT 15.370
9. 8 Jim Nides, 50 laps, QT 15.732
10. 78 Greg Baber, 50 laps, QT 16.211
11. 98 Jay Guthrie, 49 laps, QT 16.273
12. 65 Bubba Menard, 46 laps, QT 15.895
13. 15 John Heil, 44 laps, QT 15.664
14. 26 Robert Slezinsky, 30 laps, QT 15.777
15. 7 Tuffy Hudson, 15 laps, QT 15.631

In other racing action at Thunderhill Raceway on Saturday, Charles Aikin hung on to win the 50-lap Texas Super Racing Series Allison Legacy feature over former Pro Truck champion Rusty Mirth and Charles Evans, Jr.

Mike Merrell wheeled his VW Scirocco to victory in the 20-lap Texas Pro Sedan feature after Tom Johnson, who dominated the first portion of the race, pitted during a caution period.

Mike Steinman snapped Lyndon Kirk’s win streak in the 20-lap NasKart main event. Richard Gonzales ran a steady race to finish second.

Allen Alexander outgunned points leader Clint LaFont to claim take the 40-lap ASA A-Line Super Stock feature win, Anthony Gordon took the Thunder Stock feature after apparent race winner David Sevilla was deemed “too low” during a post race tech inspection, and J.C. Umscheid beat Brandon Gaither to the finish line in the 20- lap Grand Stock event.

By Nick Holt
Photos by Jeff Garvin

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