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Cody Smith and the “Young Guns” sweep top spots in Texas Super Racing Series “Operation Interdependence 75″ at Thunderhill Raceway

Like the week before at Houston Motorsports Park, the young guns of the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model division swept the top spots at Thunderhill Raceway during the running of the annual “Operation Interdependence 75.”

Teen drivers Cody Smith, Jake Kruger and Dillon Spreen swept the top three spots at the tricky three-eight-mile, D-Shaped oval in Kyle, Texas. And another youngster, Levi Krauss finished fifth to take four of the top five finishing spots!

Veteran driver Robert Barker finished fourth after a race-long tussle with Spreen for position.

The cleanly-run, seventy-five lap affair only was slowed by one caution period - and that was for some debris on the racing surface on the eighteenth lap.

TSRS point leader Bobby Teer, Jr, took the early lead from his front-row starting-spot on the grid which was set by point standings due to the weather conditions, but Smith and Kruger were quickly into second and third.

After several laps of constant pressure from Smith, Teer finally gave up the lead on the ninth circuit and a good portion of the field, which had pretty much bunched up behind the leaders, freight-trained under the Teer machine, dropping him back to sixth behind another youngster, Kendall Bumbera.

From that point on Smith and Kruger - two very evenly matched drivers in two very evenly matched racing machines – went nose-to-tail at the front while the rest of the field battled for position.

At halfway it was Smith, Kruger, Spreen, Cary Stapp, Barker, Krauss, Teer, Bumbera, Jeff O’Neil, Robert Walton and Todd Farris.

One of the more exciting battles back in the pack was between Teer and Krauss for third. Every time Krauss was able to get his nose under Teer, Teer would slam the door. Finally, after many tries, Krauss made it by on the 50th circuit. Another good battle was waged between Barker and Spreen with Spreen coming out on top in that one.

By the time the checkered flag flew, Smith and Kruger had almost a half lap on Spreen and Barker. Smith took the well-deserved win after running a flawless race. Kruger gave it a great try but came up a bit short for second. Spreen crossed the line a few car lengths over Barker and even further back Krauss and Teer rounded out the top six.

Official TSRS Late Model results:

1. 05 Cody Smith, La Vernia, 75 laps
2. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, 75 laps
3. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, 75 laps
4. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, 75 laps
5. 4 Levi Krauss, Seguin, 75 laps
6. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, 74 laps
7. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, 74 laps
8. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, 74 laps
9. 28 Jeff O’Neil, Round Rock, 73 laps
10. 49 Robert Walton, Bastrop, 70 laps
11. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, 70 laps
12. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio – DNS

By Nick Holt

Texas Super Racing Series set for “Operation Inderdependence 75″ tonight at Thunderhill Raceway

Veteran Bobby Teer, Jr, will lead a strong contingent of Texas Super Racing Series Late Model drivers into tonight’s “Operation Interdependence 75” at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas. The staff and race teams will be honoring the military at this event along with staff from Operation Interdependence.

Youngsters Jake Kruger, winner of the last TSRS event at Houston Motorsports Park, Dillon Spreen, Cody Smith, Kendall Bumbera and Levi Kraus will be looking to make another top three sweep in the 75-lap feature at the 3/8-mile, D-Shaped oval.

The TSRS Allison Legacy Series will also be on hand for a 50-lap feature.

Rounding out the racing action will be the THR Mini Stocks, the always popular Dwarf Cars, the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, the THR Grand Stocks, the NasKarts and the newest THR division – the SportMods.

Spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the racing action takes the green flag at 5:30 with for the TSRS Late Models, TSRS Allison Legacys and the SportMods.

For more information log onto the THR website at http://www.thunderhillraceway.com.

TSRS LATE MODEL POINTS AS OF MAY 2, 2009

Position, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Points

1. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX 652
2. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX 639
3. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX 606
4. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX 595
5. 05 Cody Smith, LaVernia, TX 589
6. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX 574
7. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, TX 574
8. 4 Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX 561
9. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, TX 557
10. 7 Chris Schild, Leander, TX 294
11. 28 Jeff O’Neill, Round Rock, TX 292
12. 51 Chad Menard, Castroville, TX 284
13. 15 Bradley Burke, Johnson City, TX 256
14. 1 Heath Stewart, Del Valle, TX 175
15. 1 Colt James, North Carolina 170
16. 93 Kyle Sirizzotti, Helotes, TX 170
17. 54 Todd McLemore, Austin, TX 160
18. 33 Mike Williams, Hockley, TX 150
19. 79 Brian Moczygemba, San Antonio, TX 146
20. 12 Adam Haugh, Round Rock, TX 138
21. 20 Mark Mathias, San Antonio, TX 127
22. 6 Jason Hollander, Round Rock, TX 124
23. 00 Beau Bukowski ,San Antonio, TX 5
24. 49 Robert Walton, Bastrop, TX 0

Fifteen year-old Jake Kruger takes charge in TSRS event at Corpus Christi Speedway

Fifteen year-old Jake Kruger from Bastrop, TX – known by his team as “The Boss” – cracked the whip in Saturday night’s 75-lap Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Model race at Corpus Christi Speedway.

Although Kruger has raced at Corpus Christi Speedway before with the Allison Legacy Racing Series, he is only in his second year in the TSRS Late Model class. He finished fifth in the 2008 TSRS Late Model points race and captured the TSRS Late Model Rookie of the Year title.

Kruger had his sights set on breaking the track record and began his weekend by turning in some impressive practice laps on Friday evening. Not surprisingly, Kruger turned in the top qualifying time on Saturday afternoon – clocking in with 14.072 seconds and shattering the track record of 14.515 seconds set by Ervin Breiten, Jr., on September 18, 2004.

Kruger’s good fortune continued when he grabbed the pole position in a post-qualifying draw. After leading the starting lineup to the green flag, Kruger quickly pulled ahead by several car lengths. He never looked back for the rest of the 75-lap event.

Kruger was eager to share his race strategy following his win. “I drove the car at half throttle throughout the entire race. I only used the brakes to set the nose, and then I’d just ease into the gas.”

“I was also able to get some really good starts after the cautions,” added Kruger. “I could usually gain two-three car lengths on the starts, which helped me stay in the lead.”

Kruger credits John Heil, known as “The Corpus Christi King,” with giving him the advice he needed to pull off the win. “John told me to take it easy on the throttle, don’t use the brakes much and save the tires. And John knows his stuff when it comes to Corpus Christi Speedway.”

Kruger is sponsored by Kruger Motorsports, Turner Motorsports, TRC Racecars and BMF Shocks.

Prior to the TSRS Late Model race, the newly acquired TSRS Allison Legacys awed the fans with their 50-lap feature race.

Rusty Mirth from Austin, TX, had clocked the second-fastest qualifying time earlier in the day and had also drawn the pole starting position. Similar to Kruger, Mirth held off the remaining field for the entire race.

Even though Mirth was a strong competitor with the Pro Trucks during the last few years, it’s his first season with the TSRS Allison Legacys. With just one prior race under his belt, he was able to capture his first victory this season.

Mirth is sponsored by Austin Boat Clinic, Austin Auto Signs and Graphi-Tees.

Interestingly enough, Kruger is currently mentoring 12-year-old Jake Wright in the TSRS Allison Legacy Series. After starting in the seventh position, Wright was able to battle his way up through the field to claim the second position – showing his mentor that he could also pull off a strong finish.

The TSRS Late Models will make the next stop on their tour at Houston Motorsports Park on May 2 as part of the “Adrenaline on Asphalt” show.

The TSRS Allison Legacys will be racing again this Saturday night (April 25) at Thunderhill Raceway – along with the Pro Trucks, Pro Modifieds, the ASA A-Line Super Stocks, Thunder Stocks, Grand Stocks, Mini Stocks and NasKarts.

Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. The racing action will begin with qualifying at 5:30 p.m., heat races at 6 p.m. and feature races at 7 p.m.

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 and a detailed schedule of this Saturday’s activities, visit the THR website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.

TSRS Results - Corpus Christi Speedway -April 18, 2009

TSRS Allison Legacys
1. 07 Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.814
2. 96 Jake Wright, Shenandoah, TX, 50 laps, QT 16.724
3. 53 Charles Evans, Jr., Friendswood, TX, 50 laps, QT 15.748 **New Track record**, Penalized one position for jumping restart
4. 56 Lauren Runco, Spring Branch, TX, 49 laps, QT 16.703
5. 32 James Huff, Houson, TX, 49 laps, QT 16.552
6. 88 Kyle Harding, Conroe, TX, 48 laps, QT 16.452
7. 08 Gavin Boyett, Buda, TX, 12 laps, QT 15.887
8. 19 Cole Runco, Spring Branch, TX, 11 laps, QT 15.959

TSRS Late Models
1. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.072 **New Track record**
2. 2 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.270
3. 4 Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.515
4. 81 Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.237
5. 96 Todd Farris, College Station, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.620
6. 51 Chad Menard, Castroville, TX, 75 laps, QT 14.255
7. 79 Brian Moczygemba, 75 laps, QT 14.438
8. 05 Cody Smith, La Vernia, TX, 59 laps, QT 14.229
9. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX, 21 laps, QT 14.516
10. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX, 4 laps, QT 14.285
11. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy,TX, 0 laps, QT 14.896
12. 00 Beau Bukowski, San Antonio, TX, DNQ- Broke in practice

By Debbie Williams, TSRS Public Relations Director
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Texas Super Racing Series returns to Corpus Christi Speedway after four year absence

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.”

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.

“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

Pursley, East and Barker score big wins at Allstate Texas Racefest at Thunderhill Raceway

It was bone-chilling cold in Kyle, Texas, but the racing on the 3/8-mile Thunderhill Raceway oval was plenty hot as the Allstate Texas Racefest took the green flag at Thunderhill Raceway Saturday night. About 4,000 fans braved chilly, 50 degree temperatures for a rare NASCAR Grand National West appearance as well as an equally rare visit by the USAC National Midgets and the season opener for the Texas Super Racing Series Late Models.

A controversial finish highlighted the featured NASCAR Grand National West 150-lapper at the tight 3/8-mile, paved Thunderhill oval.

After leading the last third of the race, Mike David of Modesto, CA, found himself facing a green, white checkered finish because of a caution period on the next to last lap. Since NASCAR utilizes side-by-side restarts, Eric Holmes of Escalon, CA, lined up outside the leader with Greg Pursley of Newhill, CA, positioned directly behind David.

David and Holmes raced door-to-door for a lap with David forcing Holmes up the track as the field took the white flag. This gave Pursley a chance to dive to the inside and the trio went into turn one three wide, which doesn’t usually work well at the Kyle speed plant.

Pursley, on the very inside, collided with David as he came back down the track, sending the latter into a spin, then took the lead and sprinted to the finish line for his first win in the prestigious series.

“Mike and Eric were beating each other up pretty good,” Pursley said. “I got under (David) and he turned down. It definitely wasn’t intentional. We don’t run that way. David is a friend of mine and we’ve been racing together a long time.”

However, David appeared to be upset at the turn of events after he led for more than 60 laps before the mishap on the last circuit.

“It’s just one of those thing,” Pursley said.

Moses Smith of Tempe, AZ, who had not been a factor in the race until the end when he scooted around the last lap skirmish, finished second while Holmes took third.

Unofficial Results

1. 26 Greg Pursley, Newhall, CA, 155 laps
2. 16 Moses Smith, Tempe, AZ, 155
3. 20 Eric Holmes, Escalon, CA, 155
4. 88 Jamie Dick, Albuquerque, NM, 155
5. 61 Brett Thompson, Jerome, ID,155
6. 17 David Mayhew, Atascadero, CA, 155
7. 2 Mike David, Modesto, CA, 155
8. 34 Johathon Gomez, Twin Falls, ID, 155
9. 6 Jason Bowles, Ontario, CA, 154
10. 10 James Warm, Aurora, OR, 154
11. 21 Blake Koch, West Palm Beach, FL, 154
12. 3 Wes Banks, Oakdale, CA, 153
13. 15 Jack Sellers, Sacramento, CA, 152
14. 5 Jonathan Hale, Rio Linda, CA, 152
15. 1 Jim Inglebright, Fairfield, CA, 150
16. 09 Bow Carpenter, San Antonio, TX, 147
17. 12 Paulie Harraka, Wayne, NJ, 106
DNF 04 Phillip Hollis, Evandale, TX, 29
DNF 31 Jim Marchino, Modesto, CA, 5

Earlier in the evening, Bobby East of Pittsboro, IN, knocked out an easy victory in the Texas Lightning 100 USAC midget car race. By the time 30 of the race’s 60 laps were in the books, East had lapped seven cars and had built a huge lead over the 22-car field.

“I could tell the car was fast, but you never know how fast until you run,” East said.

Even after a caution flag bunched the cars after 30 laps, East re-asserted himself and won virtually without contest.

“We had a great lead and the car ran great the whole race,” East said. “Hopefully, it’s a sign of things to come.”

The win was East’s first in four starts this season. Within three weeks, he said, his team will be back up in Indiana, where midget racing enjoys its greatest popularity. After starting the season with three races in California, East wasn’t alone in expecting the Texas weather to be more accommodating.

However, race night temperatures in the upper 40s kept the track from heating up enough to prevent sliding.

“It was colder here today than it was in Indiana,” East said.

Unofficial Results

1. 4 Bobby East, 60 laps
2. 3 Darren Hagen, 60
3. 7A Dakoda Armstrong, 60
4. 67 Kevin Swindell, 60
5. 21 Tracy Hines, 60
6. 17B Brad Kuhn, 60
7. 1 Cole Whitt, 60
8. 11 Jerry Coons Jr, 60
9. 98 Bobby Santos, 60
10. 7C Caleb Armstrong, 60
11. 30 Chad Boat, 60
12. 49 Brad Sweet, 60
13. 20 Levi Jones, 60
14. 69 A.J. Fike, 59
15. 8 Ricky Ehrgott, 58
16. 97 Cale Conley, 58
17. 12 Henry Clarke, 57
18. 06 Mario Clouser, 54
19. 17 Chris Windom, 44
20. 16 Slade Miller, 25
21. 31 Buddy Lowther, 21
22. 5D Zach Daum, 4

In the night’s first race, a 50-lap Texas Super Racing Series feature, Robert Barker beat Heath Stewart by one-half car length after the two raced neck and neck for the duration.

Barker, the runnerup to 2008 TSRS Late Model champion Heath Stewart last season, got a bit of revenge as he got the jump on Stewart at the very start of the race then held off Stewart for the entire race and won by a scant half-a-car length at the finish.

The win is Barker’s fourth career TSRS win, moving him up into a tie for fifth place on the all-time TSRS win list with Stewart as well as former series champ Ronny New.

This race also generated a bit of controversy.

On Lap 44, Stewart, who was being challenged hard by ‘08 Rookie of the Year Jake Kruger, spun coming out of Turn 2 after contact with Kruger. After some discussion among race officials it was ruled that Kruger had spun Stewart and sent Kruger to the back while Stewart retained his second-place spot.

Official Results
1. Robert Barker, Boerne
2. Heath Stewart, Del Valle
3. Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort
4. Chris Schild, Leander
5. Cary Stapp, San Marcos
6. Jeff O’Neill (R), Round Rock
7. Dillon Spreen, Boerne
8. Jake Kruger, Bastrop
9. Bradley Burke, Johnson City
10. Kendall Bumbera (R), Sealy
11. Todd Farris, College Station
12. Mark Mathias (R), San Antonio
13. Jason Hollander, Round Rock
14. Cody Smith, La Vernia
15. Levi Krauss (R), Schertz

(R) Denotes 2009 TSRS Rookie

Staff Report
Photos by Jeff Garvin and Tory Christopher

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