• Home
• About LSS
• Dirt Calendar
• Paved Calendar
• Touring Series

Subscribe

• Login
• Forums
• Audio
• Live Blogs
• Video

McGaha, Abbey, White, Roller win Southern Challenge Championships at Abilene

The 17th Annual Ryan Bard Memorial, Southern Challenge wrapped racing action for year at Abilene Speedway for 2011. With 20 drivers already secured in spots for Sundays Big A-Main and B-mains in the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, the remaining group had one more shot to make the field for the big pay out at the end of the days racing.

Sundays afternoon racing always presents a ‘challenge’ to drivers and teams as track conditions change from Friday and Saturday night racing. The best dry, slick set ups and track position are key to finding the Winners Circle and championship pay day at the end of the day. Crews worked on the track right up until start time in an effort to keep a good track early.

Sunday’s races are always a day of remembrance for Ryan Bard who lost his life after a fiery crash early in the day several years ago. The memory of his loss was made even more emotional when word of Dan Weldon passing away during an Indy Car event in Las Vegas began to surface.

The Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock Shootout also finished up its racing season with heat races and feature to determine its champion.

McGaha ‘The Man’ in Modified main

Abilene’s Josh McGaha topped off a nearly perfect Southern Challenge weekend going wire to wire in the 30-lap IMCA Modified main event. McGaha got the lead from the pole and was chased early by national point’s runner-up Keith White. White’s run ended after an encounter with a lapped car sent him almost to the turn 1-2 wall. Gabe Tucker and Charles Brewer took up the charges after White fell out, but no one could touch McGaha even after a lap 25 caution rebunched the field. It was the biggest career win for the McGaha a former Abilene Speedway track champion.

The 20-car IMCA Modified field was pared down by two before the pack took the green. It was three wide in turn 4 as the race started, but Chris Dawson, Charles Brewer, Bo Newton and Tim Clonch got tangled in the melee ending the night for Clonch and Newton. Brewer would continue, Dawson would pit and return later in the race.

When green finally waved McGaha jumped out front with White getting a break from Hughes Chassis teammate Gabe Tucker to get the bottom. Tucker, Chris Elliott and Brewer lined up behind White. The top five were nose to tail and easing away from GW Egbert IV, Ben Ketteman, Philip Houston and Neal Flowers. As Brewer got by Elliott for fourth, Dawson returned, strolled around and fell in between McGaha and White.

McGaha was able to inch away as Dawson held up the pack. White tried to go outside and Dawson threw a block with Tucker trying to dive low. White again tried high on Dawson with Dawson running White up the track almost to the wall. Brewer snuck past the scramble for second, with Tucker third. White caught up to Dawson and gave him a shot on the bumper with Dawson going around and collecting Flowers.

As the race resumed and came to halfway it was McGaha, Tucker, Brewer, Elliott and Ketteman in the top five. Elliott tried the high side of Brewer for third but got freight-trained by Ketteman, Houston and Egbert. McGaha continued to hold his advantage over Tucker until Fred Wojtek clipped an infield tire in turn 3 with five to go. The field stayed in line on the restart with no one willing to chance the outside. McGaha ran unchallenged to the checkers in the A City Speed, Texas Roadhouse, Extreme Bodies, Lone Star Wind Farm, Five Star Powder Coating, Showtime Signs & Graphics, Fletchers Motorsports, Dirt Works Genesis Chassis.

“This is by far my biggest win,” replied McGaha. “We’ve had a real good year racing here and had a run for the championship with my buddy Charles (Brewer). We barely missed it, but I’ll take winning the Southern Challenge. We won the IMCA Modified championship here four or five years ago. We’ve kind of laid low on running for points and concentrate on feature wins.”

“On Sunday you never have to worry about someone trying to sneak by on top. It’s pretty much guaranteed no one will be out there. You just hope everyone is courteous behind you and they stay off your rear bumper. You just to keep it around the bottom. Rob (Poor) tried to give us a better track for racing on Sunday, but it didn’t happen. Friday and Saturday night is was good and there was lots of racing.”

“You know there’s going to be fast guys behind you. If you make the A-main for the Southern Challenge there will be some good cars. I knew there would be some on my heels. When you’re in the lead you don’t have anything to gauge your pace. I was conservative getting in and able to pull off the corners. I felt a couple taps, but they were good enough not to get me sideways.”

“I’m not much of a point’s racer. We had a real good second half of the season and got in the hunt. We made the feature at Boone(SuperNationals) and won this. We just hope next year will be as good or better, but we’ll just be running for wins. I’ve got to thank my pit man, Bubba, he’s been with since the Icebreaker last year. He puts a lot of hours in for little pay. I couldn’t be here without him.”

IMCA Modifieds
911 Josh McGaha, Abilene, 28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon, 72 Charles Brewer, Abilene, 37 Ben Ketteman, Pflugerville, 71 Philip Houston, Odessa, 717 GW Egbert IV, Belton, 66 Lance Shaw, Sweetwater, 7 Randy Martin, Springtown, 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene, 44 Fred Wojtek, Abilene, 23 Chris Elliott, Eastland, 1 Keith White, Academy, 85 Neal Flowers, Hobbs, NM, 711 Chris Dawson, Post, 19 BJ Baze, Sherman, 16 Bob Sikes. Eunice, NM, 117 Toby Herring, Hobbs, NM, 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 89 Bo Newton, Bangs, 18 Tim Clonch, Quinlan

IMCA Modified B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
37 Ben Ketteman, Pflugerville, 69 Danny Hogue, Abilene, 90 Tommy Fain, Abilene, 71 Philip Houston. Odessa, 117 Toby Herring, Hobbs, NM, 16 Bob Sikes, Eunice NM, 44 Fred Wojtek, Abilene, 89 Bo Newton, Bangs, 66 Lance Shaw, Sweetwater, 7 Randy Martin, Springtown, 318 Scotty Cook, Abilene, 17 Jimmy Tidwell, Round Rock, 29 Jamie Campbell, Adkins, 49 Vince Ogle, Lubbock, 24 Tony Wink, Abilene, 34 Brendon Medcalf, Tolar, 83 Chad Estes, Troy, 63 Hardy Henderson, Taylor, 43 Robby Edwards, Eastland, 141 Monte Bolton, Lubbock—DNS

IMCA Modified Last Chance Qualifiers(Top 5 to back of B-main)
LCQ #1 16 Bob Sikes, 44 Fred Wojtek, 66 Lance Shaw, 34 Brendon Medcalf, 49 Vince Ogle
LCQ #2 83 Chad Estes, 89 Bo Newton, 318 Scotty Cook, 17 Jimmy Tidwell, 24 Tony Wink

IMCA Modified Heats(Top 6 to Last Chance Qualifier)
Heat 1 16 Bob Sikes, 44 Fred Wojtek, 34 Brendon Medcalf, 302 Bo Briley, 03 Mike Hathcock, 116 Mikel Powers
Heat 2 66 Lance Shaw, 49 Vince Ogle, 104 Kevin Switzer, 13 Jim Thorp, 82 Donald Thatch, 61 Bobby Sikes jr.
Heat 3 *3 Chad Estes, 17 Jimmy Tidwell, 51 Larry Floyd jr., 24 Tony Wink, 318 Scotty Cook, 611 Caleb Stone
Heat 4 89 Bo Newton, 59 Kelly Allen, 102 David Davis, 171 Chad Melton, 144 Joe Spillman, 12 Toby Hubbard

All Abbey in Sportmod Sweep

The 2011 IMCA Southern Sportmod, Dean Abbey (Haslet) showed everyone why he was this year’s titlist. Abbey led from start to finish in the 30-lapper for the Sportmods. Abbey was trailed early by JC Howell until track favorite, Bradley Poor took up the challenges. Poor pressured Abbey throughout the last three quarters of the race waiting for a mistake that Abbey never would make. The final laps saw the top four running nose to tail trading a few bumper taps all the way to the checkers.

It took several attempts to get the 20-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature started under green. When they finally got a lap in the books, Abbey as out front followed by Howell, Poor, Steve Hayes and Matt Mueller. Doug Easterling brought out a yellow on lap 1 to slow the action again. The top eight stayed in line back under green while Shane Priddy got by Justin Shaw for ninth.

Johnny Torres followed Priddy through to tenth, then got by Priddy for ninth. As Abbey built a good lead, Poor got around Howell for second. Priddy brought out a yellow on lap 5 when he went around in turn 3. Back under green Abbey and Poor broke free from Hayes and Mueller. Torres picked up another spot getting by Gary Underwood, bringing Kelly Cross and Michael Tennison.

Tennison got past Torres for seventh and as Torres slid high, Cross and Underwood got past for eighth and ninth. Coming the crossed flags it was Abbey, Poor, Hayes, Mueller and Mark Patterson getting by George Egbert III for fifth. Yellow waved on lap 15 for a get together between Torres, Shane Wojtek, David Elliott and Underwood in turns 1-2.
Once back to green the top four got away as Patterson slowed from fifth splitting the pack.

With ten to go Poor was all over Abbey’s bumper as the two put some distance on Hayes and Mueller. As they battled up front, Hayes and Mueller closed back in with five to go. A game of bumper tag broke out among the lead group with two laps left. The game was clean and Abbey held off the charges in the BG Motorsports, JL Racing, Smileys, Rhino Racing Rearends, Braka Operating, E&E Kustoms, Tumbleweed BBQ, Chase Me Race Engines, Abbey Racing Chassis.

“The car was really, really good all weekend,” commented Abbey. “I can’t complain about anything. We drew good on Friday and ran up front. I couldn’t do this by myself though. All the props go to Brad Gaines and JL Racing for all they do. Without his set up we’d never be where we were.”

“You know that guys will be coming, but you have to run every lap like it’s the first lap and do your thing. You can’t worry about who’s behind and just focus on what you have to do and not make any mistakes.”

“Winning the IMCA Southern Sportmod Championship and winning this race are big accomplishments. We’ve won some titles in Bandeleros and Legend cars and runner up for rookie of year in Sportmods in 2009. This is a really big race for me because it’s the first time I’ve ever made the feature in three years of trying.”

“I’ve run dirt and pavement and while dirt is more fun, I can’t take away from what I learned racing pavement. I learned all the fundamentals running asphalt, the dirt’s just made me better.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
26 Dean Abbey, Haslet, 48 Bradley Poor, Abilene, 38 Matt Mueller, Stamford, 95 Steve Hayes, Eastland, 63 Michael Tennison, Baird, 70 George Egbert, Salado, 103 JC Howell, Mabank, 00 Kelly Cross, Amarillo, 7 Stephen Robison, Abilene, 25 Terry Owen, Merkel, 45 Shane Wojtek, Robert Lee, 88 Doug Easterling, Rule, 172 Mark Patterson, Abilene, 99 Gary Underwood, Abilene, 71 Johnny Torres, San Antonio, 19 David Elliott, Eastland, 55 Justin Shaw, Sweetwater, 766 Shane Priddy, Abilene, 77 Tyler Fain, Tuscola, 17 Scotty Wallace, Lorenzo

IMCA SSM B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
99 Gary Underwood, Abilene, 71 Johnny Torres, San Antonio, 766 Shane Priddy, Abilene, 63 Michael Tennison, Baird, 7 Stephen Robison, Abilene, 17 Scotty Wallace. Lorenzo, 00 Kelly Cross, Amarillo, 45 Shane Wojtek, Robert Lee, 88 Doug Easterling, Rule, 25 Terry Owen, Merkel, 118 Robert Crabtree jr., Clyde, 311 Danny Patterson, Abilene, 97 Julie Boettler, Farmington, NM, 917 Kyle Wisdom, Abilene , 80 Mike Easterwood, Sundown, 144 Tim Ridgeway, Midland, 18 Douglas Gillespie, Amarillo, 511 Cory Williams, Slaton, 31 Brian Heard, Hobbs, NM, 59 Chad Hertel, Shallowater—DNS

IMCA SSM Last Chance Qualifiers(Top 5 to back of B-main)
LCQ #1 00 Kelly Cross, 80 Mike Easterwood, 25 Terry Owen, 31 Brian Heard, 917 Kyle Wisdom
LCQ #2 118 Robert Crabtree jr., 88 Doug Easterling, 18 Douglas Gillespie, 45 Shane Wojtek, 97 Julie Boettler

IMCA SSM Heats(Top 6 to Last Chance Qualifier)
Heat 1 00 Kelly Cross, 11 Michael Therwhanger, 25 Terry Owen, 91 Mitchell Wachsmann, 01 Charlie Underwood, 33 Bobby Bentle
Heat 2 80 Mike Easterwood, 31 Brian Heard, 4 Kenneth Graves, 22 Joey Klemish, 917 Kyle Wisdom, 227 Forrest Wemken
Heat 3 45 Shane Wojtek, 18 Douglas Gillespie, 97 Julie Boettler, 32 Rodger Pierce, 166 Brian Carey, 117 JP Vasquez jr.
Heat 4 118 Robert Crabtree jr., 88 Doug Easterling, 690 Todd Bartlett, 122 Brandon Brown, 14 Cody Brosh, 1 Michael Galan

White Wins as Phillips Fails

As if Keith White needed any help, racelong leader David Phillips saw a transmission failure hand the win to White, the 2011 IMCA Stock Car National Champion. Phillips led at green with friend and track rival, Shane Priddy on his tail. Priddy had problems and pulled off leaving White far behind Phillips. White methodically cut into Phillips lead catching him near halfway. A late restart was Phillips downfall as high gear broke on the restart giving White the opening he needed to get by with five to. White then eased away from JC Howell, who gave up spots on the final laps leaving White unchallenged at the checkers.

It was a good start for Phillips in the IMCA Stock Car feature as he jumped out, trailed by Priddy, White, JC Howell and Duain Pritchett. Priddy had trouble and slowed on lap 2 dropping from second and leaving Phillips with a gap back to White. White methodically cut into Phillips’ lead catching him at halfway, with Howell, Pritchett and Chad Estes rounding out the top five.

Trey Melton brought out the races’ first caution with a spin in turn 4. On green the top three stayed nose to tail and eased away from Pritchett and Estes. Pritchett gave up fourth when he slowed and pulled off on lap 18, with Joe Colyer getting by Bo Briley for fifth. Colyer then lost fluid on track and stopped for a lap 24 caution that would prove to be Phillips downfall.

On the restart Phillips couldn’t get the car in high gear with White and the rest of the field diving low to avoid Phillips. White lead coming back to the line for lap 25, with Howell, Estes, Billy Wade and Tim Clonch now in the top five. An infield tire slowed the action on lap 25 briefly, but White would power away on the restart and pull away for the victory in the Tracys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, Triple T Trucking, Stacys Farms, Tubbs Paint & Body, TCI, Craftmasters Powder Coating, Extreme Graphics, BSB Manufacturing, KS Engineering, Bill Whites Auto Sales, Belton Iron & Steel, racinwithneal.com, Kempner Iron & Steel, Stephenville Starter, CenTex Motorsports, Medieval Chassis.

“I hate to win one this way,” said White. “But we’ll spend the money just the same. I thought maybe he lost the clutch, but he lost high gear. We’ve had our share of the same issues in the twenty plus years we’ve been doing this. It doesn’t make it feel any better. They’re good people and I feel for them.

“He pretty much had me covered. I laid back a little but there’s not much you can do with the track that’s one lane. That might breed some of this racing that happens here on Sunday. I wish they’d go to a Thursday. Friday and Saturday night race. We need a night show to be the marquee event for the Southern Challenge”

“You’d like to say that winning one that you might not have and losing one that you might have won equals out, but it doesn’t. When you lose one because of someone that isn’t worth it and lose one to a good person like David Phillips just because of a parts failure. No it doesn’t work out.”

“Even with all my wins in my career it’s still fun to come up here and do good. The people I associate with are all good people and that’s why I come and hang out with them here. We want to win for our sponsors, our family and friends. I really have to thank Gabe Tucker for the use of his Modified this weekend after mine was torn up at Boone.”

“It wasn’t that easy jumping into an I-stock and winning the National Championship. I don’t think of it as a step down either. This is whole different feel, style of driving and there’s good, hard drivers that you can run door to door with. It’s fun to race like that. The Stock Car breed that type of racing. That’s the kind of racing we need to have.”

“Losing the Modified points by just a few again this year kind of bums you out. But that’s the way the points racing is. It’s what got us the Stock Car title. So you win by it and lose by it. So close, but so far away. I feel we gave away a few wins this year and I can count them. Come February of next year we’ll be loaded for bear again.”

IMCA Stock Cars
11 Keith White, Academy, 83 Chad Estes, Troy, 22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 125 Tim Clonch, Quinlan, 103 JC Howell, Mabank, 08 Levi Hodges, Ft Worth, 26 Marc Egbert, Lubbock, 77 Allen Bradley, Farmington, NM, 28 Cory Davis, Eunice, NM, 18 David Phillips, Abilene, 117 Joe Colyer, Abilene, 07 Dennis Bissonnette, Stephenville, 302 Bo Briley, Miles, 221 Duain Pritchett, Combine, 47 Trey Melton, Lubbock, 01 Chris Hale, Ringling, OK, 201 Cody Kays, Hobbs, NM, 10 Mike McCarthy, Round Rock, 771 Shane Priddy, Abilene

IMCA Stock Car B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
22 Billy Wade, San Angelo, 77 Allen Bradley, Farmington, NM, 08 Levi Hodges, Ft Worth, 10 Mike McCarthy, Round Rock, 117 Joe Colyer, Abilene, 156 Jason Adcock, San Angelo, 201 Cody Kays, Hobbs, NM, 47 Trey Melton, Lubbock, 07 Dennis Bissonnette, Stephenville, 26 Marc Egert, Lubbock, 113 Jim Thorp, Mertzon, 12 Dustin White, Lamesa, 3 Steffan Carey, Bloomfield, NM, 88 Robert Barnett sr. Abilene, 02 Wayne Stremmel, Stamford, 55 Mart Wampler, Snyder, 4 Kelly Brown, Abilene, 69 Lewis Hammond, Midland, 50 Terry Wojtek, Sterling City, 59 Travis Sutherlin, Aztec, NM

IMCA Stock Car Last Chance Qualifiers(Top 5 to back of B-main)
LCQ #1 47 Trey Melton, 26 Marc Egert, 113 Jim Thorp, 55 Mart Wampler, 02 Wayne Stremmel
LCQ #2 156 Jason Adcock, 07 Dennis Bissonnette, 69 Lewis Hammond, 50 Terry Wojtek, 12 Dustin White

IMCA Stock Car Heats(Top 6 to Last Chance Qualifier)
Heat 1 02 Wayne Stremmel, 113 Jim Thorp, 47 Trey Melton, 7 Walter Freeman, 21 Scott Kristinik, 8 Dustin Locke
Heat 2 15 Corbie McLaren, 26 Marc Egert, 131 Mark Lord, 25 Donald Baker, 55 Mart Wampler, 14 Kenneth Graves
Heat 3 07 Dennis Bissonnette, 12 Dustin White, 1 Willie Free, 69 Lewis Hammond, 971 JD White, 992 Karah Ward
Heat 4 156 Jason Adcock, 99 Tim Pfalgraf, 122 Bill Brzezinski, 50 Terry Wojtek, 43 Scotty Cook, 81 Hunter Russell

Rockin’ Roller for Hobby Honors

Scoring the biggest win of his life, Waco’s Andy Roller lead every lap in the feature and nearly every lap on the weekend. Roller only trailed for a single lap during Friday night’s heat race. Roller was pursued throughout the 30-lap event by Billy Briley II who could only get close under yellow. After a mid-race caution, Roller stretched out his advantage over Briley as the top eight spread out. Roller was able to put it on cruise control as he powered his way to the victory.

Roller eased away as green flew on the IMCA Hobby Stock feature with three wide racing in the pack. Billy Briley, Jeremy Carter, Tobie Talk and Allen Montgomery sorted themselves out behind Roller. Terry Comer II went for spin in turn 4 to bring out a lap 1 caution. Roller again jumped out on green leaving Carter pressuring Briley for second. Carter left an opening for Talk to get by for third, but closed the door before Montgomery could get through.

Jerry West and Jordan Lathram tangled in turn 3 to bring out a yellow on lap 9. Back under green, Carter was able to retake third from Talk, but gave the spot up as the two swapped positions. Amanda Brewer brought oit a caution on lap 12 when she spun in turn 1. Roller pulled ahead on green coming to the midway point trailed by Briley, Talk, Montgomery and Carter.

The final half of the race saw the top eight separate out between each other, with only small skirmishes breaking out farther back in the pack. This left Roller all alone out front with no pressure other than making a mistake. At the checkers it was Roller by a comfortable margin in the Howard’s Automatic Transmissions, Hammack Racing, Mach-1, Demon Decals, Southwest Maintenance, A&J Custom Paint, J&J Race Engines, Charger Chassis.

“I’ve never won a race from the pole,” exclaimed Roller. “The car was perfect this weekend, I think we led every lap but one in the heat race. We bought two new tires for today figuring we’d chew them up, and they probably are. This is the biggest win of my career. I won a $500 to win race in Killeen and got to shoot the cannon, but the extra $500 is bigger than that.”

“It’s hard to go outside here on Sunday so I wasn’t too worried about that. They don’t use a line up board here so I didn’t know who was behind me. I saw the 123 car(Billy Briley II) behind me once, but I just started counting down the laps. I tried counting double so they’d go quicker. I was so happy when I saw that white flag. I just tried to hug the tires. That’s the way to run here on Sunday. If you don’t mess up you’ve got a good chance of winning.”

IMCA Hobby Stocks
63 Andy Roller, Waco, 123 Billy Briley II, Midland, 77 Tobie Talk, Abilene, 38 Allen Montgomery, Ft. Worth, 25 Jeremy Carter, Joshua, 56 Justin Cass, Abilene, 85 David Bissonnette, Stephenville, 237 Jordan Lathram, Hobbs, NM, 3 Amanda Brewer, Hillsboro, 23 Alec Smith, Hobbs, NM, 17 Jon Grindstaff, Venus, 37 Lynn Gibson, Rhome, 721 Jaron Shahon, China Spring, 21 Aaron Elliott, Hawley, 818 Dustin Mims, Dublin, 9 Jerry West, Ft. Worth, 72 Tommy Phillips, Abilene, 27 Chase Parsons, Abilene, 15 Terry Comer II, Hawley, 86 Brian Flowers, Hobbs, NM

IMCA Hobby Stock B-Main(Top 10 to back of Big A-Main)
86 Brian Flowers, Hobbs, NM, 72 Tommy Phillips, Abilene, 27 Chase Parsons, Abilene, 237 Jordan Lathram, Hobbs, NM, 15 Terry Comer II, Hawley, 721 Jaron Shahon, China Spring, 3 Amanda Brewer, Hillsboro, 23 Alec Smith, Hobbs, NM, 17 Jon Grindstaff, Venus, 37 Lynn Gibson, Rhome, 55 Wendall Kurts, Hamlin, 122 George Locke, Eunice, NM, 46 Billy Taylor, Gatesville, 827 Chris Mims, Dublin, 117 Derek Sparks, Stephenville, 24 Gordon Pippin, McCaulley

Roberts Rockets to Young Guns Shootout

Jarrett Roberts jumped out front at the start of the 15 lap Young Guns, Jr. Mini Stock feature with Trinten Turley, Tyler Webb, Austin Wanderschied and Bryce Pritchett on his tail. As B. Pritchett moved up to fourth, John Freeman worked his way into the top five. Jarred Marquez spun on lap 5 for the first yellow. Once back under green, Roberts, Turley and Webb broke away.

Turley and Webb made contact battling for second with Webb going into the back stretch wall for a lap 6 yellow. Roberts pulled away from B. Pritchett back under green with Wanderschied and Brook Cooper side by side. Copper was then able to get around B. Pritchett for second when Casey Carnes spun in turn 4 for a yellow on lap 12.

On the restart Cooper tried to dive under Roberts for the lead but ended up spinning in turn 2 for another yellow on lap 13. Officials cut the race to a green, white, checker finish that saw Roberts get away clean from B. Pritchett and go the final two laps without any pressure.

Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock Shootout
6 Jarrett Roberts, 21 Bryce Pritchett, 7d Austin Thiess, Ksp1 Jarred Marquez, 155 Austin Wunderschied, 21x John Freeman, 5k Kelsey Baggett, 94 Brook Cooper, 86 Casey Carnes, 17 Trinten Turley, 56 Tyler Webb, 77 Jeremy Hamlin, 22 Calton Pritchett, 74 Emily Phillips, 00 Jesney Reagan

By J M Hallas

Umscheid Race Services Live, Interactive Updates from Houston Motorsports Park, 6/11/2011

Can the “Zak Attack” keep winning? Will someone claim the $4K (plus the $1K 1st place money) bounty bonus?

You really should be at Houston Motorsports Park for this one, but if you just can’t make it, I will do my best to bring you the lap-by-lap racing action as it unfolds at the 3/8-mile oval.

Yes, you can ask questions. Yes, you can make comments. But there will be a delay in seeing your posts because I have to manually approve each one and sometimes I just can’t get to the comments when I’m actually trying to do the play-by-play.

To get started, click the icon below.

Texas High Def video of the Mini Stock feature at THR, 5/21/2011

Another great job by Duke O’Connor and Texas High Def.

Live Updates from Houston Motorsports Park, 5/29/2010

For fans who are unable to make it out to Houston Motorsports Park tomorrow, Lone Star Speedzone’s Nick Holt will bring you Live Updates from the track starting around 5:00 p.m., Saturday, May 29, 2010.

This live blog is interactive which means you can ask questions and make comments, but your comment or question will not show up right away since I have to approve all of them first and I may be busy at the time you post.

To join in the blog, click on the large LSS icon below.

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

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

David Murray wins the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational Qualifier at Boyd Raceway

Four-time IMCA National Modified Champ David Murray made the trip down to Boyd Raceway from Oberlin, Kansas, well worth the effort by winning the IMCA Modified Fast Shafts All Star Invitational Qualifier Race this Friday at Boyd’s quarter-mile, semi-banked dirt oval.

Murray, winner of over 400 IMCA sanctioned A-Mains over his career, started the feature in the third row beside Tim Clonch with front-row starters Tommy Fain and Sam Cox and Chris Bragg and Chris Dawson in row two – a very formidable lineup.

Hot shoes Gabe Tucker, Jeff Emerson and Charlie Harmon started 11th, 12th and 13th respectively while Chris Elliott started in the 19th spot.

Fain jumped to an early lead as Murray roared to the top of the track to pick off both Bragg and Cox.

Murray then set his sights on Dawson and Fain, but the steering in Dillon Smith’s ride broke and he slid to a stop in turn 3-4 in front of the charging field. Charlie Harmon and Greg Kruger stacked up beside Smith without much damage, but Michael McLaughlin couldn’t avoid the mayhem and ran across the front of Smith’s car, twisting the front clip way out of shape.

The race resumed with Fain, Dawson, Murray, Cox and Bragg the top 5.

As they took the green, Dawson dove under Fain in a challenge for the lead and pulled him by half a car length. They drag raced side-by-side down the front stretch with Fain battling back in turn 1 & 2. But Murray, in what some might say is his classic style, made the move of the night and by jumping to the high side and powered by both as the threesome tore down the backstretch.

After that, Murray was never seriously challenged by Fain, who finished second, but he had to survive two caution periods, one of which put Clonch out for the night with major damage to his car.

As the laps counted down, the on-track battle was for third among Cox, Bragg and Tucker with Tucker working his way past both Cox and Bragg in the late stages.

At the checkered flag it was Murray by half a straightaway over Fain, Tucker, Bragg and Cox.

IMCA Modifieds

1. 97m David Murray, Jr Oberlin, KS
2. 90 Tommy Fain Abilene, TX
3. 28 Gabe Tucker Carbon, TX
4. 24b Chris Bragg Springtown, TX
5. 3 Sam Cox Flower Mound, TX
6. 35 Jeff Emerson Hobbs, NM
7. 6 Varian Sisson Springtown, TX
8. 199 Charlie Harmon II Oak Point, TX
9. 7 Randy Martin Springtown, TX
10. 23 Chris Elliot Abilene, TX
11. 52 John Gober Poolville, TX
12. 316 Junior Styles Boyd, TX
13. 12 Toby Hubbard Weatherford, TX
14. 18 Daniel Wyatt Princeton, TX
15. 7x Chris Dawson Post, TX
16. 118 Tim Clonch Quinlain, TX
17. 7k Greg Kruger Pilot Point, TX
18. 715 Michael McLaughlin Aubrey, TX
19. 71m Chad Melton Springtown, TX
20. 3 Dillon Smith Waco, TX

In the Boyd Mini Stocks feature it didn’t take Eric Bragg long to get to the front from his sixth-place start and lead most of the race. He seemed to leave the rest of the field to race for second place until late in the action when Ruben Broussard showed up in second from his ninth-place start.

Broussard got inside Bragg with one lap to go and the pair battled over that top spot like a couple of cur dogs fighting for a t-Bone. The battle was intense as they came off turn four door- to-door headed for the checked. They separated going down the front stretch and opened the door for Zac Sydney to thread the needle between them and steal the win. Talk about edge of your seat action. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Broussard wound up in second with Bragg, Austin Gregg and Alex Hunt rounding out the top 5.

Mini Stocks

1. 2z Zac Sydney Farmersville, TX
2. 51 Ruben Broussard Paradise, TX
3. 24b Eric Bragg Springtown, TX
4. 1A Austin Gregg Granbury, TX
5. 5 Chris Hunt Ft. Worth, TX
6. 9 Ronnie Evans Springtown, TX
7. 13 Jeremy Rutenchroer Weatherford, TX
8. 157 Paul Simmons Weatherford, TX
9. 15 Mark Rutenschroer Weatherford, TX
10. 40 Shanna Ferrrell Haslet, TX
11. 87 Zac Raybourn Azle, TX
12. 73 Ronald Allison Dallas, TX
13. 49 John Holbrook Azle, TX
14. 50 Matt Lingo Springtown, TX
15. 5 Kris Lunsford Azle, TX
16. 146 Donnie Johnson Springtown, TX
17. 4 Jimmy Doremus Springtown, TX
18. 66 Rod Murphy Weatherford, TX

The IMCA Southern SportMods were up next with Matt Mueller starting outside of Don Owens on the front row for this one. Mueller took the early lead and hung on for several laps before Jeff “The Jet” Turner worked his way up from 11th to take the point.

Dean Abbey finished in second, several car lengths behind Turner. Abbeys’ brother, Steven Abbey came home in third in spite of being hindered, no doubt, by the front cowling on his car which was turned straight up after he ran up under Mueller when he broke on the backstretch. Fourth went to Ronnie Welborn and fifth was Brad Shirley.

IMCA SportMods

1. 44 Jeff Turner Kaufman, TX
2. 37x Dean Abbey Comanche, TX
3. 95 Steven Abbey Comanche, TX
4. 20 Ronnie Welborn Princeton, TX
5. 0 Brad Shirley Springtown, TX
6. 6c Caleb Stone Hobbs, NM
7. 16 Donald Owens Azle, TX
8. 99 Matt Winnett Colbert, OK
9. 77 Tyler Fain Tuscola, TX
10. ZZ Brandon Holbrooks Springtown, TX
11. 5 Chris Hunt Ft. Worth, TX
12. 10 Dustin Robinson Post, TX
13. 86 Paul Vines Prosper, TX
14. 99m Tyler McDaniel Edgewood, TX
15. 2c Chris Custard Flower Mound, TX
16. 12w Gary Fox Haslet, TX
17. 7 Chris Meyers Eunice, NM
18. 38 Matt Muller Stanford, TX
19. 07t Jarrod Thomas Ft. Worth, TX
20. 28 Gabe Tucker Carbon, TX

Cory Davis started on the pole of the IMCA Stock Car A-main with Doug Kennemer on his outside. Jeff Turner started third but it didn’t take too long to get to the front.

Most of this race there were 6 cars together at the front in an intense battle for the lead. Turner was in classic form after blowing a motor last week and kept the lead to win this one.

Doug Kennemer finished second after fending off a strong challenge from Duain Pritchett as the laps wound down. Cory Davis and Michael Childs round out the top five.

IMCA Stock Cars

1. 44t Jeff Turner Kaufman, TX
2. 1 Douglas Kennemer Boyd, TX
3. 22 Duain Pritchett Combine, TX
4. 28 Cory Davis Eunice, NM
5. 1 Michael Childs Weatherford, TX
6. 69 Krik Martin Aledo, TX
7. 4x Rowdy Holbert Cleburne, TX
8. 88 Jackie Dooly Weatherford, TX
9. 23 Robert Ferron Venus, TX
10. 31 Aaron Ferrell Haslet, TX

Boyd Raceway continues to WOW the fans by hosting some of the country’s best race teams! If you race at Boyd, you race not only with a host of the area’s Top Local Talent, but some of the Nation’s Best as well! With names like Turner, Pritchett, Bragg, Montgomery, Mueller, Tucker, Winnett, Abbey, Bissonnette, Coleman, Kinnaird and Sewell on the roster every week, you can be guaranteed of a Great Show!

Then you add into the mix names like Clonch, Emerson, Stone, Fain, Dawson, Smith, Cox, Mims…. OH! And did I mention Murray! Yes, David Murray Jr.… 4 time IMCA National Champ! Murray, winner of over 400 IMCA sanctioned A-Mains, made the trip down from Oberlin Kansas to mix it up with the local talent Boyd hosts on a regular basis.

He slipped in unannounced and surprised even local racing pal, Chris Bragg who has raced with him all over the country! The racers were certainly surprised to see him parked there next to the fence as they pulled in! That was the first clue that this night was going to be something to see!

This season, Boyd has seen some new regular faces in the pits, names like Jeff Emerson; Jeff has partnered with WH Stone of Hobbs New Mexico and formed Southwest Racing Specialties. SRS will build and market the Racing Chassis Jeff is known for as well as provide racing products to West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. In addition, Southwest Racing Specialties is the 2009 Title Sponsor for the IMCA Southern Sport Mods!

Dillon Smith, a name well known in this region, has made every Boyd race this season; Steven Abbey has joined brother Dean and is proving to be a force to be reckoned with! Chris Elliott is becoming a familiar face at Boyd and I hear tell his dad David will soon have a new Taylor Modified in their stable as well! Gabe Tucker has added a Hughes Modified to his arsenal and has been HOT right from the start! Dustin Mims, an IMCA Hobby Stock racer, he is second in Hobby Stock points now!

The point is this: Boyd Raceway is fast becoming the Friday Night Home to most of the region’s top IMCA talent! The reconfigured track consistently provides competitive racing that rivals any you will see at any track across America! David Murray Jr. remarked while at Boyd that “it was one of the best he had raced on! ”

By Neal Palmer and Nick Holt

“Spring Kick-Off” kicks off 2009 race season at Kennedale Speedway Park

Five IMCA divisions see their first action of the new race season at Kennedale Speedway Park in this weekend’s Spring Kick-Off special.

The second annual event is Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, with features both nights for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, Southern SportMods and GM Performance Crate Models.


All applicable IMCA points will be awarded for each show.

The Modified features pay $600 to win. Top prize for the Stocks, SportMods and Crate Models will be $500 and the Hobbies race for $300 to win.

Gates open at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 6 for registration and practice. On Saturday, gates open at 4 pm, the draw closes at 6:30 pm and racing starts at 7 pm.

On Sunday the pit gates open at 11am, the draw closes at 1:00 pm and racing gets underway at 2 pm.

Pit passes are $25 and there is no charge for grand stand admission on Friday. Grandstand admission Saturday and Sunday is $12 for adults, $5 for children 6-11 and free for kids five and under.

Mufflers are required.

More information about the Spring Kick-Off is available by calling 817 478-7223, 817 229-0287, 817 444-7258 or 817 831-2885.

2009 Kennedale Speedway Park Schedule (Tentative Schedule…Subject to Change )

MARCH
Fri-Sat-Sun, 6th, 7th, 8th “Spring Kick-Off”
Saturday, 14th OFF
Sunday, 22nd Open Practice 2:00 - 6:00
Saturday, 28th Regular Race Program

APRIL
Saturday, 4th Regular Race Program
Saturday, 11th Regular Race Program
Saturday, 18th Winged Modifieds plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 25th Regular Race Program

MAY
Saturday, 2nd Regular Race Program
Saturday, 9th Demolition Derby, 600 Mini Sprints plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 16th Kids Boxcar Race plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 23rd Sprint Cars plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 30th Kids Ride on Racecars plus Regular Race Program

JUNE
Saturday, 6th $1.00 Hot Dog Night, Chain Race plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 13th Kid’s Bicycle Race plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 20th Sprint Series of Texas plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 27th Dwarf Cars plus Regular Race Program

JULY
Saturday, 4th Regular Race Program
Saturday, 11th ASCS Sprint Cars plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 18th Demolition Derby plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 25th Trailer Race plus Regular Race Program

AUGUST
Saturday, 1st Regular Race Program
Saturday, 8th Winged Modifieds plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 15th Sprint Series of Texas plus Regular Race Program
Friday, 21st ASCS Sprint Cars, Dwarf Cars, Crate Late Models, Street Stock, Young Guns Shootout
Saturday, 22nd Chain Race, $1.00 Hot Dog Night plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 29th Demolition Derby plus Regular Race Program

SEPTEMBER
Saturday, 5th Kids Ride on Racecars plus Regular Race Program
Saturday, 12th Closed
Saturday, 19th 600 Mini Sprints plus Regular Race Program
Adult General Admission will be $15.00

OCTOBER 1st, 2nd & 3rd..KSP’s 3rd Annual “SHOWDOWN”

Gates Open 5:00, Races Start 7:00
Grandstand Admission Adults 12 & up $12.00, Children 6-11 $5.00, 5 & under Free
All Pit Passes, All Ages $25.00

Regular Race Program… IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Crate Late Models, Street Stocks, Jr Mini Stocks

From Staff Reports

Keith White wraps up “Ice Breaker” weekend at Abilene Speedway with third win

The final night of Abilene Speedway’s Ice Breaker special saw Keith White collect his third win of the weekend, while Vince Ogle won for the second time and Billy Wade and Jeff Kinnaird both collected their first checkers.

The opening night IMCA Modified winner, White had his work cut out in duplicating Saturday’s Southern SportMod triumph as he had to chase down early leader and defending track champion Josh McGaha.

White stayed glued to McGaha’s bumper throughout several restarts, then in a bold move on a tricky track, jumped to the high side taking the lead on lap 12. From there White put it on cruise control as he inched away from McGaha on his way to the checkers.

Ogle, the Saturday IMCA Sunoco Stock Car winner, topped Sunday’s Modified final.

A two-time track champion at Abilene in the division, Ogle led from start to finish after passing pole starter Chris Elliott on the opening circuit. The front pair pulled away from the rest of the field, with Ogle stretching his advantage over the last two circuits.

Wade got around early Stock Car leader Tony Ritterbush after a restart, held off Ritterbush after another caution and built his lead on the way to the finish.

Eric Jones took one last shot at Wade and Ritterbush on the final lap but came up short and settled for third.

After following Allen Montgomery across the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock stripe both Friday and Saturday, Kinnaird took it upon himself to spoil Montgomery’s bid for the weekend sweep.

Kinnaird used track position to get out front early and build a good lead, while Montgomery was forced to make his way through the front of the pack. Montgomery used lapped traffic to close in at one point, but Kinnaird again ran away once clear and grabbed the win.

Feature Results
Modifieds – 1. Vince Ogle, Lubbock; 2. Chris Elliott, Eastland; 3. Richard McDaniel, Edgewood; 4. Chris Dawson, Post; 5. Monte Bolton, Lubbock; 6. Tommy Fain, Abilene; 7. Chad Maurer, Eaton Rapids, Mich.; 8. Keith White, Academy; 9. Jason Schoenberger, Gorham, Kan.; 10. Jeff Emerson, Sherman; 11. Fred Wojtek, Robert Lee; 12. Bob Sikes, Eunice, N.M.; 13. Charles Brewer, Abilene; 14. Gabe Tucker, Carbon; 15. Kelly Allen, Lubbock; 16. Joe Colyer, Abilene; 17. Neal Debord, Amarillo; 18. Levi Ely, Abilene; 19. Mark Patterson, Abilene; 20. Kenneth Graves, Tahoka.

Southern SportMods – 1. Keith White, Academy; 2. Josh McGaha, Brownwood; 3. Bill Pittaway, Corpus Christi; 4. David Riley, Wolforth; 5. Brandon Stewart, Academy; 6. Ronnie Welborn, Princeton; 7. Matt Mueller, Stamford; 8. Mark Patterson, Abilene; 9. Jeff Whitehead, Slaton; 10. Gabe Tucker, Abilene; 11. Tyler Fain, Tuscola; 12. Shane Wojtek, Robert Lee; 13. James Myers, Corpus Christi; 14. Jonathon Campbell, Abilene; 15. Justin Shaw, Sweetwater; 16. Danny Hogue, Abilene; 17. Dean Abbey, Comanche; 18. Bradley Poor, Abilene; 19. Chris Meyers, Eunice, N.M.; 20. Scotty Wallace, Lorenzo.

Stock Cars – 1. Billy Wade, San Angelo; 2. Tony Ritterbush, Dunlap, Iowa; 3. Eric Jones, Killeen; 4. Terry Wojtek, Sterling City; 5. Willie Free, Snyder; 6. Mike Van Genderen, Newton, Iowa; 7. Mart Wampler, Snyder; 8. Kevin Opheim, Mason City, Iowa; 9. Matt Guillaume, Tomball; 10. Jeremy Gettler, Adair, Iowa; 11. Wayne Stremmel, Stamford; 12. Cory Davis, Eunice, N.M.; 13. Bill Brzezinski Sr., Roby; 14. Dustin Locke, Eunice, N.M.; 15. Duain Pritchett, Combine; 16. Vince Ogle, Lubbock; 17. Jason Batt, Killeen; 18. John Armstrong, Merkel.

Hobby Stocks – 1. Jeff Kinnaird, Mansfield; 2. Allen Montgomery, Fort Worth; 3. Charles Cosper, Belton; 4. Matt Drottz, Ankeny, Iowa; 5. Tobie Talk, Abilene; 6. Nyle Godwin, Redfield, Iowa; 7. Tommy Phillips, Abilene; 8. Billy Taylor, Gatesville; 9. Will Poston, Midland; 10. Dustin Mims, Dublin; 11. Jaron Shahan, China Springs; 12. Robert Barnett, Sweetwater; 13. Terry Comer II, Hawley; 14. Melvin Burrows, Gatesville; 15. Dale Roys, Merkel; 16. Edward Johnson, Odessa; 17. Cody Brosh, Robert Lee; 18. Rodney Sparks, Abilene; 19. Adam Reeves, Sweetwater; 20. Evan Davis, Mineral Wells.

By J M Hallas

Buescher has solid Camping World Truck Series run in California

As the stars of the big screen arrived in Tinseltown for the Academy Awards, the stars of the NASCAR Camping World Series rumbled into California for round 2 of the 2009 season.

After a dynamic performance during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway that earned Texan James Buescher the nod for the top spot in the ARCA ReMax Series and a stint at the front of the field in his first Camping World Truck Series start for Circle Bar Racing, Buescher headed cross country to Auto Club Speedway for the San Bernardino 200.

Not only was the Raybestos Rookie of the Year Candidate making only his 3rd series start it was the first time he had seen the Auto Club Speedway. Crew chief Jamie Jones and the team on Buescher’s International MaxxForce Diesel Ford F-150 prepared a stable truck they could adjust and make faster during practice.

Buescher’s first laps on the 2-mile oval were tentative as the rookie made his first laps on a new racetrack. As the first practice session wore on Buescher steadily climbed the speed charts. By the second session, Buescher was comfortable and turning top 20 lap times. Buescher hit his marks in qualifying and improved on his practice lap times to start outside of the eighth row.

With the drop of the green flag, spotter Jason Hedlesky helped Buescher work traffic and in his first start at Auto Club Speedway Buescher moved quickly towards the top 10. With 20 of 100 laps in the books, Buescher’s International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 was loose in, loose in the middle and loose off.

With a caution on lap 26, crew chief Jamie Jones called Buescher to pit road for a double pit stop for 4 fresh Goodyear Wranglers on the first stop and a full load of Sunoco fuel on the second. Always performing, the International MaxxForce Diesel over-the-wall-crew picked up three spots on pit road.

Back under green Buescher was sliding around in oil being dropped from the 25 truck of Terry Cook, but with oil on the track the caution flag waved yet again. Jones brought the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 back to pit road to top of the fuel tank and make a track bar adjustment.

Back under green the Plano, Texas native started working his way into the top 10, lap 48-11th, lap 49-10th, lap 50-9th, lap 51-8th.

As the laps wore on so did Buescher’s Goodyears.

By lap 70 the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 was sliding around on the track and sliding back in the field. Buescher was looking for a caution for fresh tires but the race stayed green until the finish. With the new pit rules requiring 2 stops to take gas and tires Jones could only bring the International MaxxForce Diesel F-150 one time. On lap 81 Buescher made his way down pit road for gas and another track bar adjustment. The final adjustment was enough for Buescher to hang on for 13th and the top finishing Ford.

James on his weekend; “I’m proud to lead the Ford contingent in only my second start at Circle Bar. The credit goes to Jamie (Jones) and all the guys on our International MaxxForce Diesel team, they do a great job, not only with our trucks but also helping me get around. We had a solid truck that kept getting better all weekend, I wish we had gotten an opportunity to put on some fresh tires in the second half of the race. I’m looking forward to Atlanta.”

The International MaxxForce Diesel Team will be in action when the NASCAR Camping World Series holds round 3 of the 2009 season in the American Commercial Lines 200 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 PM EST. Live coverage of the race provided by Speed, MRN and Sirius Radio. Pre-Race Show on Speed at 1:30 PM EST.

By Circle Bar Racing
Photo courtesy of Ronda Greer.

Next Page »

Copyright © 2005-2009 Lone Star Speedzone · 139 E. Hopkins, Suite 200-E, San Marcos, TX 78666 · Log in