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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

Clint LaFont takes ASA West Regional Title; only 0.05 of a point short of the National Title

2009 Thunderhill ASA A-Line Super Stock Champion Clint LaFont added another title to his resume today when the American Speed Association named LaFont as the ASA West Regional Champion after a season-long battle with dozens of other drivers competing at 35 different ASA Member Tracks across the country.

Lafont, a second generation Texas driver (his father, Bobby LaFont, is also a former champion), almost took home the national title as well, falling only 0.05 of a point short of becoming the second ASA A-Line Super Stock driver to win the coveted title from the 3/8-mile, d-shaped oval in Kyle, Texas. Cary Stapp won the Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Championship in 2008.

Another Thunderhill competitor, Shawn Paul Lehman, finished a strong second in the final ASA West Region points behind LaFont.

Tommy Cloce, the 2009 track champion from Adirondack Speedway in New Bremen, NY, was named the 2009 Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Champion. Cloce got the news in a phone call from ASA President Dennis Huth this morning.

“Well, this is great!!! I really appreciate it,” Cloce said after Huth told him. “This is the biggest honor I have ever had in my racing career and to win the ASA Member Track National Championship, this is some great news.”

Cloce won the championship with a point average of 5.0893 with Clint LaFont of Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, TX a close second with a 5.0300. Jeremy Miller of Madison International Speedway in Oregon, WI was third with a 4.8738 with Jeff Mathews of East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL fourth with a 4.8568. Ralph Adams of Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu City, AZ rounded out the top-five with a 4.4260.

As part of the championship, the Canton, NY driver will get a tryout with Joe Gibbs Racing later this year. It’s an opportunity that he is looking forward to because his father, Ed Cloce owns a Toyota dealership in Potsdam, NY where Tommy also serves as the General Manager. “That is really huge, they are a world class organization with world class drivers and to go and shake down one of their cars and make a few laps is quite an honor and to do it through ASA,” Cloce said. But he is also looking forward to more than just driving one of their cars, “Just to see their operation is probably bigger to me than just the test session. To see their work ethic, getting an opportunity to meet JD Gibbs and hopefully Joe Gibbs, who is one person on my top-ten list of people I would like to meet, would mean more to me. I am looking forward to this experience.”

The dream of winning any National Championship has been in the Cloce family for a long time as his father Ed was a competitor and is Tommy’s car owner. He has been involved in racing since the 1950’s and was one of the original owners when the NASCAR Modified Series was formed.

Prior to the announcement, Ed Cloce felt very confident that his son won the 2009 Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track Championship, “Whoever wins this championship has earned it,” Ed Cloce said. “If anyone has a better record than what Tommy had this season, then God bless them because they earned the title.”

He has been keeping a close eye on the points all season long and he felt that Tommy had a season that many other drivers would dream to have, “We competed in 18 races this season and we won 12 of those, finished second three times, finished third twice and one time we were involved in a wreck, fixed the car and he still finished fourth,” Ed Cloce exclaimed. “And in just about every event, we started last except for the Renegade 100 where he was the fast qualifier, started on the pole and led all 100 laps.”

“I really want to thank my dad for all of his support,” Tommy said. “Throughout his racing career, a National Championship has eluded him and now he we have accomplished that goal.”

Tommy said that winning this championship could not have been accomplished without the help of his crew, especially his crew chief Doug Levine, “He has done an awesome job by giving me a great car every week and had no mechanical breakdowns,” Tommy said. “On the night we finished fourth, at the start of the 50-lap feature, two guys tangled in front of me and took out my front end. My guys did a wonderful job to get us back out. At the end of the night, we all looked at each other and thought that maybe it was meant to be and this could be our year to win the ASA Member Track National Championship.”

Cloce, who finished third overall last year and won the East Region last year, really didn’t plan on coming into the 2009 season with the National Championship on his mind, “About mid-season we realized that we had a shot at it, we weren’t planning on going for the championship, it all just kind of happened.”

“We are very excited to have Tommy Cloce as our second Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track Champion,” Dennis Huth, ASA President said. “I have known his father for a long time and I know how much this championship means to Tommy and him. Tommy will be a great representative of the American Speed Association Member Tracks for the next year. We congratulate him on his dream season.”
Cloce now joins Cary Stapp, the 2008 National Champion from Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, TX as the only two Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Champions.

Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, sponsor of the American Speed Association National Short Track National Championship, is the same oil developed and used by Joe Gibbs Racing. The team sells the oil so racers across the country can have access to the latest technology in racing lubricants.

Joe Gibbs Racing is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams and a driver development program. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs - a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame - JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships and more than 80 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500.

The American Speed Association Short Track National Championship is another step by the industry leader in creating new and innovative programs. This follows the recent announcement about extending the insurance coverage for ASA members traveling to, from, and during an ASA-sanctioned event.

ASA members in good standing are eligible for a $500,000 Excess Medical Benefit as well as a $20,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefit. Coverage for the member begins while traveling to a location promoting an ASA-sanctioned event and continues until arrival home again. The American Speed Association, in conjunction with WSIB Motorsports Insurance, is the only sanctioning body to offer insurance coverage which extends beyond the boundary of the racetrack itself (complete details are available online at www.ASA-Racing.com).

The ASA Member Track program is comprised of more than 35 short tracks around the United States, as well as a variety of regional and national touring series. For more information, call (386) 258-2221 or send an e-mail to info@asa-racing.com. For news and information from all the racetracks and tours involved in the ASA, visit www.ASA-Racing.com.

ASA™, ASA Racing™ and American Speed Association® are trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. Racing Speed Associates, LLC is not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC.

Complete 2009 ASA West Region Point Standings

Pos. Car No. Name Track (Track Point Standing) Avg Points
1 3 Clint LaFont Thunderhill Raceway (1) 5.0300
2 28 Shawn Paul Lehman Thunderhill Raceway (2) 4.5557
3 23 Chris Fenton Meridian Speedway (2) 4.4454
4 73 RALPH ADAMS Havasu 95 Speedway (1) 4.4260
5 8 Dan Alamaa I-25 Speedway (1) 4.3616
6 80 Allen Alexander Thunderhill Raceway (3) 4.3330
7 84 Aaron Paulson I-25 Speedway (2) 3.9706
8 12 Thomas Hill Meridian Speedway (1) 3.9661
9 41 Michael Haddenham Rocky Mountain Raceway (10) 3.9129
10 2 Jason McClure I-25 Speedway (3) 3.9069
11 30 Nick Parker Rocky Mountain Raceway (2) 3.8808
12 58 Russ Ward Meridian Speedway (3) 3.8322
13 77 Jeffrey Hill Meridian Speedway (6) 3.8237
14 6 Charlie Ham Jr. Meridian Speedway (5) 3.7799
15 26 NATHAN HOVDAL Havasu 95 Speedway (2) 3.7713
16 01 Michael Hale Rocky Mountain Raceway (1) 3.7228
17 50 Roger Wilson Rocky Mountain Raceway (6) 3.7212
18 79 Jeffrey Webster Rocky Mountain Raceway (12) 3.6841
19 99 Chase Stapp Thunderhill Raceway (4) 3.6735
20 95 Tony Ackerland Meridian Speedway (7) 3.6597
21 10 Jason Aposhian Rocky Mountain Raceway (5) 3.6382
22 24 Shelby Stroebel Meridian Speedway (4) 3.6245
23 18 Johnny Luttmer Rocky Mountain Raceway (11) 3.6240
24 20 Dan McCoy Rocky Mountain Raceway (3) 3.6152
25 40 JIM CARLO Havasu 95 Speedway (3) 3.6060
26 7 Bryan Wordelman Rocky Mountain Raceway (4) 3.5843
27 11 Tracy Tschoerner Thunderhill Raceway (5) 3.5572
28 55 Linny White Orange Show Speedway (1) 3.4678
29 10 Mark Shackleford Orange Show Speedway (2) 3.4321
30 28 Jeff Verlin Rocky Mountain Raceway (13) 3.4245
31 29 RICKY MADDOX Havasu 95 Speedway (5) 3.4120
32 15 J.C. Pilcher Thunderhill Raceway (6) 3.3515
33 27 Tim Hasbrouck I-25 Speedway (5) 3.2697
34 84 Mark Ith Jr Rocky Mountain Raceway (7) 3.2468
35 4 Lynn Hardy Rocky Mountain Raceway (9) 3.2047
36 12 JOHN LEWIS Havasu 95 Speedway (4) 3.1642
37 48 Rob Kiemele Orange Show Speedway (3) 3.1529
38 44 Randy James Celia Rocky Mountain Raceway (14) 3.1475
39 48 Duane Toyne Thunderhill Raceway (7) 3.1154
40 05 Randy Eaker I-25 Speedway (4) 3.0206
41 44 William Frick I-25 Speedway (6) 3.0144
42 20 Zach Fortner I-25 Speedway (7) 2.9830
43 00 Tyler Whetstone Rocky Mountain Raceway (8) 2.9467
44 22 Glenn Cummings Orange Show Speedway (4) 2.9403
45 57 Chris Rigney I-25 Speedway (10) 2.9322
46 52B RICK LAYMAN Havasu 95 Speedway (6) 2.8412
47 7 Bob Myer I-25 Speedway (8) 2.8369
48 64 BUD SCHIENLEY Havasu 95 Speedway (7) 2.8234
49 9 Chris Birmingham Thunderhill Raceway (8) 2.8046
50 13 Greg Thurlow I-25 Speedway (11) 2.8020
51 56 ALEX MARTINEZ Havasu 95 Speedway (8) 2.7870
52 4 Alan Colwell Meridian Speedway (12) 2.7828
53 39 Rachelle Loftin-Lewis I-25 Speedway (13) 2.7636
54 79 Jimi Dye I-25 Speedway (9) 2.7096
55 08 Toni McCray Orange Show Speedway (5) 2.7044
56 51 Michael James Celia Rocky Mountain Raceway (15) 2.6619
57 45 Shawn Price Rocky Mountain Raceway (17) 2.6271
58 33 Billy Osoro Rocky Mountain Raceway (16) 2.6117
59 7 Rodney Rodriguez Thunderhill Raceway (9) 2.4126
60 1 Dee Cable Orange Show Speedway (6) 2.3976
61 03 DAVE MITCHELL Havasu 95 Speedway (9) 2.3497
62 18 Newt Lujan Jr I-25 Speedway (15) 2.3410
63 98 Rick Fowble Meridian Speedway (8) 2.3408
64 81 Jeff Larsen Jr I-25 Speedway (12) 2.2445
65 40 Dylan Caldwell Meridian Speedway (10) 2.2152
66 84 Barry Karr Orange Show Speedway (7) 2.1964
67 77 Todd Beach Rocky Mountain Raceway (18) 2.1718
68 5 John Manke Orange Show Speedway (9) 2.1701
69 80 Andre Prescott Orange Show Speedway (7) 2.1582
70 05 GARY FELISH Havasu 95 Speedway (13) 2.1404
71 02 Doug Ayers Thunderhill Raceway (13) 2.0916
72 18 Dave Sheidecker Orange Show Speedway (10) 2.0902
73 58 PHILIP WATERMAN Havasu 95 Speedway (11) 2.0772
74 66 Tim Elam Meridian Speedway (13) 2.0323
75 88 Bobby LaFont Thunderhill Raceway (12) 2.0188
76 41 Alan Smith I-25 Speedway (14) 1.9894
77 38 Rick Greenstreet I-25 Speedway (17) 1.9126
78 14 Travis Milburn Meridian Speedway (9) 1.9074
79 33 Bubba Gustafson Thunderhill Raceway (15) 1.8515
80 11 Chad Wilson I-25 Speedway (16) 1.8064
81 19 Brent Reeves Thunderhill Raceway (16) 1.8044
82 31 RYAN ZYNDA Havasu 95 Speedway (12) 1.7887
83 3 Mark Womble Rocky Mountain Raceway (20) 1.7697
84 11 Brian Terry Meridian Speedway (18) 1.7469
85 67 Montie Potter Meridian Speedway (14) 1.7116
86 98 Rickey McCray Orange Show Speedway (12) 1.6994
87 48 Rob Davis Rocky Mountain Raceway (19) 1.6975
88 27 Frankie Gould Orange Show Speedway (11) 1.6953
89 17 Dustin Stephenson Meridian Speedway (15) 1.6752
90 1 Rod Cummings Meridian Speedway (19) 1.6322
91 18 Mickey McKim Thunderhill Raceway (17) 1.6083
92 30 Keri Davey Meridian Speedway (22) 1.5469
93 49 Kevin Zimmer Meridian Speedway (16) 1.5148
94 64 Rodney Houpt Meridian Speedway (25) 1.5074
95 90 Chris Granger Thunderhill Raceway (14) 1.4816
96 51 Greg Rohmer Thunderhill Raceway (10) 1.4715
97 22 Mike Winchel Meridian Speedway (20) 1.4684
98 20 Jentry Pisca Meridian Speedway (11) 1.4185
99 20 Dean Cast Douglas County Speedway (1) 1.3315
100 91 Lee Hackney Meridian Speedway (17) 1.3302
101 50 STEPHANIE FELISH Havasu 95 Speedway (14) 1.3280
102 46 JEFF CLEARY Havasu 95 Speedway (15) 1.2533
103 86 Travis Stockman Orange Show Speedway (13) 1.2417
104 97 Ken Tyler Thunderhill Raceway (18) 1.2154
105 23 Tom Ford Douglas County Speedway (2) 1.2144
106 36 Matt Banker Thunderhill Raceway (19) 1.1943
107 10 Matt Levin The New Tucson Raceway Park (1) 1.1369
108 89 Jim Simmons Douglas County Speedway (4) 1.1233
109 12 Steven Snawder Douglas County Speedway (3) 1.1130
110 51 Jake Engle Orange Show Speedway (15) 1.0515
111 16 Roger Brown Orange Show Speedway (14) 1.0513
112 74 Mathew Williams The New Tucson Raceway Park (4) 1.0434
113 80 Tod Alonzo Rocky Mountain Raceway (21) 1.0271
114 35 Jeff Goade Meridian Speedway (28) 1.0116
115 48 Darrel Dolling Meridian Speedway (26) 0.9578
116 24 ANDREW CAMPBELL Havasu 95 Speedway (17) 0.9240
117 17 Nathan McConnayghy I-25 Speedway (18) 0.9180
118 8 Rick Chavez Orange Show Speedway (16) 0.9094
119 21 Robert Mayberry Thunderhill Raceway (21) 0.9070
120 05 Pete Tramell Meridian Speedway (27) 0.9039
121 59 Chris Evans Orange Show Speedway (17) 0.8920
122 96 Jerry Thitchener The New Tucson Raceway Park (3) 0.8777
123 27 Tommy Gural Thunderhill Raceway (20) 0.8561
124 25 Abraham Carter Rocky Mountain Raceway (22) 0.8559
125 58 Steven Stouffer I-25 Speedway (20) 0.8539
126 88 TED LAMACKI Havasu 95 Speedway (16) 0.8392
127 10 MARCELLO MORALES Havasu 95 Speedway (18) 0.8339
128 27 Rob Vest Meridian Speedway (23) 0.8167
129 76 ROSS REYNOSO Havasu 95 Speedway (25) 0.7852
130 69 Jim Conklin Orange Show Speedway (18) 0.7514
131 43 ERIC LAMACKI Havasu 95 Speedway (21) 0.7271
132 2 Wonacott Tony Meridian Speedway (29) 0.7124
133 3 Kris Nace Douglas County Speedway (9) 0.7098
134 00 Jeffrey Spencer The New Tucson Raceway Park (8) 0.7093
135 17 Bret Edwards Orange Show Speedway (19) 0.7042
136 20M Mike Murgoitio Meridian Speedway (21) 0.7011
137 55 Brad Queen Red River Speedway (1) 0.6858
138 3X Kevin Thomas I-25 Speedway (21) 0.6807
139 59 Charlie Wilson I-25 Speedway (19) 0.6678
140 63 Joe Paladenic The New Tucson Raceway Park (2) 0.6601
141 27X Mike Hathaway I-25 Speedway (22) 0.6337
142 41 Josh Cournoyer Red River Speedway (2) 0.6212
143 4W Mark Sopr I-25 Speedway (24) 0.6071
144 4 Joe Schmidt I-25 Speedway (23) 0.6042
145 01 Terry Tschoerner Thunderhill Raceway (22) 0.6034
146 56 Justin Fornstrom I-25 Speedway (25) 0.5988
147 37 Glenn Davis Rocky Mountain Raceway (23) 0.5933
148 73 Ben Fahrner Rocky Mountain Raceway (24) 0.5804
149 57 David Ross Orange Show Speedway (21) 0.5741
150 9 Jimmy Rouse Jr. Orange Show Speedway (20) 0.5574
151 15 Ronald Norman The New Tucson Raceway Park (5) 0.5571
152 00 KELLEY STONE Havasu 95 Speedway (21) 0.5417
153 15 BRYANT SUTTERFIELD Havasu 95 Speedway (19) 0.5396
154 99 Scott Sheraden Jr. Douglas County Speedway (6) 0.5387
155 24 Shelby Stroebel Rocky Mountain Raceway (25) 0.5374
156 1 Mark Pinson Red River Speedway (5) 0.5248
157 5 Tony Phernetton Meridian Speedway (23) 0.5109
158 0 TRAVIS JARECZ Havasu 95 Speedway (20) 0.5015
159 3 Gary Hobbs I-25 Speedway (26) 0.4994
160 56 Scott Murri Meridian Speedway (33) 0.4872
161 20 Gentry Pisca Meridian Speedway (35) 0.4856
162 25 Scott Rueschenberg The New Tucson Raceway Park (9) 0.4822
163 19 Willie Thompson Douglas County Speedway (5) 0.4810
164 24J Steve Jones Meridian Speedway (30) 0.4802
165 9 Ronald Norman The New Tucson Raceway Park (5) 0.4665
166 38 JD White The New Tucson Raceway Park (15) 0.4633
167 5 Clark Phernetton Meridian Speedway (35) 0.4281
168 54 Tim Sowell Thunderhill Raceway (23) 0.4231
169 21 Greg Rohmer Thunderhill Raceway (10) 0.4166
170 13 DAVID ROSE Red River Speedway (11) 0.4142
171 15 MIKE SUTTERFIELD Havasu 95 Speedway (26) 0.4142
172 21 Dave Larson The New Tucson Raceway Park (14) 0.4120
173 11 Jeff Eshleman Orange Show Speedway (22) 0.4057
174 44 Rick Butler The New Tucson Raceway Park (11) 0.4011
175 54 Marvin Buck Thunderhill Raceway (25) 0.3834
176 38X Steve Rosandich I-25 Speedway (27) 0.3586
177 51 Greg Rohmer Thunderhill Raceway (33) 0.3570
178 77 Buddy Morgan Red River Speedway (4) 0.3473
179 89 JAMES BLANTON Red River Speedway (7) 0.3382
180 50 Aaron Brungot Thunderhill Raceway (26) 0.3315
181 44 Robby Ybarra Red River Speedway (6) 0.3171
182 21 Jason Stanley Thunderhill Raceway (24) 0.3144
183 8 Tom Elam Douglas County Speedway (7) 0.3042
184 2 Rick Anderson Douglas County Speedway (8) 0.3024
185 96 LOREN SHEFFIELD Havasu 95 Speedway (23) 0.2937
186 98V Justin Johnson Orange Show Speedway (23) 0.2918
187 1 Scott Walker The New Tucson Raceway Park (16) 0.2916
188 88X BEN SHEPERD Havasu 95 Speedway (24) 0.2880
189 05 Austin Murphy Orange Show Speedway (25) 0.2846
190 7 ERIC CAUDELL Red River Speedway (12) 0.2818
191 51 Brad Tilton I-25 Speedway (28) 0.2801
192 28W Kirk Wartman Meridian Speedway (31) 0.2757
193 94 Dusty Davis Orange Show Speedway (24) 0.2741
194 44 John Ricketts Red River Speedway (10) 0.2620
195 23 Curtis Langing The New Tucson Raceway Park (16) 0.2511
196 78X BOBBY THOMAS Havasu 95 Speedway (28) 0.2499
197 02 Steve Snauder Meridian Speedway (32) 0.2484
198 4 Mark Shaffer The New Tucson Raceway Park (13) 0.2392
199 88B RICHARD SELPH Havasu 95 Speedway (29) 0.2392
200 14 Joey Tschoerner Thunderhill Raceway (30) 0.2349
201 36 Don Banker Thunderhill Raceway (29) 0.2293
202 33 EDWARD BROWN Red River Speedway (14) 0.2273
203 71 Chris Schlaht Douglas County Speedway (10) 0.2244
204 13 Tim Fahrner Rocky Mountain Raceway (28) 0.2225
205 91 Jack Madrid Orange Show Speedway (26) 0.2220
206 77 Sterling Kohel I-25 Speedway (30) 0.2211
207 95 JUSTIN SCHILLING Havasu 95 Speedway (33) 0.2211
208 15S Tom Smith Thunderhill Raceway (27) 0.2146
209 33 Brian Fitzbiggons Orange Show Speedway (29) 0.2114
210 29 Jentry Pisca Rocky Mountain Raceway (29) 0.2081
211 49 Michael Daniels Rocky Mountain Raceway (26) 0.2068
212 19 Jim Conklin Orange Show Speedway (26) 0.2058
213 99 BOBBY ERDMAN Havasu 95 Speedway (36) 0.2058
214 7 DUANE DILLARD Havasu 95 Speedway (30) 0.2029
215 58X RICKY BOONE Havasu 95 Speedway (30) 0.2029
216 09 Clint Montanio Thunderhill Raceway (27) 0.1959
217 26 Dustin Jones The New Tucson Raceway Park (12) 0.1934
218 07X THOR CONLEY Havasu 95 Speedway (33) 0.1914
219 83 BRANDON LOLLIS Red River Speedway (9) 0.1864
220 04 DAVE BRETT Havasu 95 Speedway (30) 0.1859
221 81X George Wetzel I-25 Speedway (31) 0.1804
222 8 Gary Rodriguez Orange Show Speedway (26) 0.1791
223 1 Ron Cable Orange Show Speedway (30) 0.1775
224 36 BOBBY NETTLES Red River Speedway (8) 0.1759
225 07 DAVE MITCHELL Havasu 95 Speedway (9) 0.1754
226 7 Cassie Gannis The New Tucson Raceway Park (18) 0.1739
227 9 Cheyenne Torgerson Rocky Mountain Raceway (27) 0.1727
228 25 Ronald Norman The New Tucson Raceway Park (5) 0.1699
229 90 Donald Bailey Thunderhill Raceway (30) 0.1693
230 07 DON STEWART Havasu 95 Speedway (39) 0.1671
231 22 STEVE COOPER Red River Speedway (13) 0.1671
232 8 Matt Hicks Orange Show Speedway (30) 0.1671
233 61 Brent Lewis The New Tucson Raceway Park (19) 0.1636
234 9 JIMMY ROUSE JR. Havasu 95 Speedway (37) 0.1626
235 21 Greg Rohmer Thunderhill Raceway (33) 0.1625
236 8 Ron Daniels Orange Show Speedway (32) 0.1530
237 15 Scott Ruschenburg The New Tucson Raceway Park (9) 0.1520
238 14 Mike Sutterfield Havasu 95 Speedway (38) 0.1498
239 31 Brandon Pinson Red River Speedway (3) 0.1457
240 33 Ralph Grimmer Meridian Speedway (34) 0.1456
241 65 Stuart Campbell Douglas County Speedway (11) 0.1416
242 6 Nacole Torlez Red River Speedway (15) 0.1285
243 54 Roy Shipley I-25 Speedway (29) 0.1284
244 2 Kevin Bowen Thunderhill Raceway (32) 0.1229
245 72 John Sereika Orange Show Speedway (33) 0.1227
246 96X BRIAN BERTIE Havasu 95 Speedway (33) 0.1217
247 78 MIKE SUTTERFIELD Havasu 95 Speedway (26) 0.1087

By Kevin Ramsell and Nick Holt

Front Page Photo by Jeff Garvin

First Timers steal the show at Thunderhill Raceway

Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas, had several first-time feature winners for the eighth race of the 2009 racing season – in the Mini Stocks, Grand Stocks, Thunder Stocks and NasKarts.

Bobby Chaffee (New Braunfels, TX) started on the inside of the second row and passed newcomer Jerry Woolf on the last lap to claim victory in the Mini Stock feature race. Chaffee is one of the THR announcers, and he switched hats to win his first race on Thunderhill Raceway’s (THR) 3/8-mile asphalt oval.

Marcia Moore (Cedar Creek, TX) was the first female racer to claim a Grand Stock victory this year. Moore started on inside of the second row, and she quickly grabbed the lead on the first lap. She was able to hold off the hard charge by the previous feature winner, Floyd Reed, for the 25-lap feature event. Moore started racing with the Grand Stocks when the class was introduced in 2005 and is currently in fifth place in the 2009 Grand Stocks points’ race.

Aaron Brungot (Cedar Park, TX) has been racing in the Thunder Stock class since 2005, and he finally pulled off his first career feature win. Brungot took over the lead at the halfway point by passing teammate and 2008 Thunder Stock champion, Joey Tschoerner. He maintained the lead for the rest of the 30-lap Thunder Stock feature race – barely holding off the current points’ leader Mason Teague.

Clint LaFont (Volente, TX) claimed another victory after patiently working his way up through the field of the ASA A-Line Super Stock feature race. LaFont started in the 10 position in the 40-lap feature race and finally took over the lead with only three laps left to go. He held off Shawn Paul Lehman, who is currently running second in track points, for the victory. LaFont is currently leading the THR ASA A-Line Super Stock points’ race, and he has turned in some very impressive results so far this year (three wins and eight Top 3 finishes). He was also heading up the ASA Joe Gibbs National Championship competition going into Saturday’s race, so this win should help him maintain the lead.

Richard Gonzales (San Antonio, TX) is a NasKart rookie, and he was also a first-time feature winner on Saturday night. The fans were treated to some close racing action, especially when Lyndon Kirk and Chris Terry threatened Gonzales for the lead near the end of the 27-lap NasKart feature race.

Gavin Boyett (Buda, TX) is on a two-race winning streak following his victory on Saturday night in the 50-lap TSRS Allison Legacys race. This 13-year-old youngster started on the outside pole and took over the lead from Lauren Runco on the first lap. Kris Kerr passed Boyett on Lap 4 and remained in the lead until the last lap. The two drivers tangled coming out of Turn 4, and Boyett was the first to cross the finish line. Boyett is currently leading the TSRS Allison Legacys points’ race.

Jason Marshall (Leander, TX) grabbed his second win in the Pro Trucks at Thunderhill Raceway this year. He turned in the fastest qualifying time with 16.420 seconds. Following a draw for the inversion, Marshall started in the fourth position. He worked his way up to the front and took over the lead from D.L. Wilson on Lap 20 and held on for the win. Marshall is currently leading the Pro Trucks points’ race at THR – only four points ahead of Wilson.

Top five report - Thunderhill Raceway - ASA TRACK MEMBER - JUNE 27, 2009

Mini Stocks
01 Bobby Chaffee, New Braunfels, TX 10 laps
10 Jerry Woolf, San Antonio, TX 10 laps
02 Gunnar Frid, Cedar Park, TX 10 laps
77 Eric Robbins, Jr., Red Rock, TX 10 laps

Grand Stocks
91 Marcia Moore, Cedar Creek, TX 25 laps
65 Floyd Reed, Spicewood, TX 25 laps
88 Mike Farish, Kempner, TX 25 laps
12 Art Ganss, Driftwood, TX 25 laps
03 Chris Trevino, San Antonio, TX 25 laps

Thunder Stocks
50 Aaron Brungot Cedar Park, TX 30 laps QT 17.740
16 Mason Teague, Paige, TX 30 laps QT 17.753
92 Jason Stanley, San Antonio, TX 30 laps QT 17.591
22 Anthony Gordon, San Antonio, TX 30 laps QT 17.778
20 Steve Joyce Buda, TX 30 laps QT 18.228

ASA A-Line Super Stocks
3 Clint LaFont, Volente, TX 40 laps
28 Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX 40 laps
80 Allen Alexander, San Antonio, TX 40 laps
99 Chase Stapp, San Marcos, TX 40 laps
7 Rodney Rodriguez Round Rock, TX 40 laps

NasKarts
17 Richard Gonzales, San Antonio, TX 27 laps
5 Lyndon Kirk, Austin, TX 27 laps
24 Chris Terry, Oklahoma City, OK 27 laps
48 Kevin Hummell, Lake Travis, TX 27 laps
88 Kayleb Kreis, Lake Travis, TX 27 laps

TSRS Allison Legacys
08 Gavin Boyett Buda, TX 50 laps QT 17.401
24 Kris Kerr San Antonio, TX 50 laps QT 17.364
07 Rusty Mirth® Austin, TX 50 laps QT 17.681
53 Charles Evans, Jr. ® Friendswood, TX 50 laps QT 17.311
19 Cole Runco® Spring Branch, TX 50 laps QT 17.650

®Rookie

Pro Trucks
42 Jason Marshall Leander, TX 50 laps QT 16.420
6 D.L. Wilson China Spring, TX 50 laps QT 15.559
28 Shawn Paul Lehman Manchaca, TX 50 laps QT 16.749
31 Jim Albert Lockhart, TX 50 laps QT 16.740
72 Brent Bell, 50 laps QT 16.968

by Debbie Williams, THR Media & Public Relations Director
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Thunderhill Raceway Super Stock driver Clint LaFont sets his sights on the ASA National Championship

Clint LaFont will be heading into this weekend’s ASA A-Line Super Stock races at Thunderhill Raceway (THR) with a definite goal in mind – positioning himself to stay at the top of the West Region point standings for the Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil ASA Member Track National Championship title.

So far, LaFont seems to be following in the footsteps of last year’s track and national champion, Cary Stapp, who also raced with the THR Super Stocks.

LaFont is currently leading the ASA A-Line Super Stock points’ chase at Thunderhill Raceway, which makes him eligible for the national title. Going into the race this Saturday (June 13), LaFont holds a slim 35-point lead over Shawn Paul Lehman (Manchaca, TX).

On the regional level, LaFont’s point average is 1.2202, and he’s followed closely by Russ Ward from Meridian Speedway (Meridian, ID) with a 1.1362 point average. LaFont has finished in the Top 3 positions in all six of the feature races so far this year – capturing two wins along the way.

LaFont is excited about leading the regional standings going into the midpoint of the 2009 season, but he’s also a bit cautious about the rest of the season.

“I’m not going to get a big head about it,” commented LaFont. “I’m excited that we’re in contention for the national title at this point in the season, and I plan to continue what I’ve already been doing so far this year. When I’m racing, I block out everything except my focus on finishing the race – purposely not thinking about anything else like points or championships.”

This 26-year-old driver from Volente, TX, has been racing with the Super Stocks since 2006, and he knows he has to race cleanly to stay on top of his game.

“Between my full-time job and also my part-time job as a CNC Programming Instructor at Austin Community College, I have very little time to work on my car,” added LaFont. “So, one of my main goals is to drive the car onto the trailer at the end of the night with nothing more than tire marks on the door.”

While LaFont knows that he needs to stay on top in the track point standings to compete for the national title, he realizes that he faces even more challenges on a national level.

“I know I’m up against a lot of good racers across the country, but I don’t know them personally or their racing abilities. Although I really don’t know what to expect, I’m very grateful to ASA for giving us the opportunity to compete for a national title.”

LaFont is sponsored by Navy Master Chief John Matheson and his wife Sandi who support “Go Navy.” LaFont’s Crew Chief and fellow competitor is his dad, Bobby LaFont. The elder LaFont is a racing legend and well-respected driver at Thunderhill Raceway, who also competes in the Super Stock class.

“My dad got me into racing,” said LaFont. “I started out as his Crew Chief, making all of the critical chassis adjustments, and then I decided I wanted to drive. Dad has guided me through everything associated with racing, and I’ve tried to learn his driving style by watching him methodically work his way up through the field without taking anyone out intentionally. I believe consistency and clean, hard racing will be keys to winning the championship.”

The ASA A-Line Super Stocks will be part of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce Night at the Races at Thunderhill Raceway this Saturday – along with the TSRS (Texas Super Racing Series) Late Models, TSRS Allison Legacys and the Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas. The racing action will also feature the Thunder Stocks, Grand Stocks, Mini Stocks and NasKarts.

Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. Qualifying is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by heat races at 6 p.m. and opening ceremonies and feature races immediately afterwards.

Thunderhill Raceway is a 3/8-mile, D-shaped asphalt oval track that’s located at 24801 IH-35, on the access road just north of San Marcos (TX) near Yarrington Road (Exit #210). For more information on Thunderhill Raceway, visit www.thunderhillraceway.com.

by Debbie Williams, Thunder Hill Raceway Media & Public Relations Director

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