Mikulencak Masters Hudgeons Memorial at Texana; Jones tops Jack in 2nd round of Street Stock Shootout

August 28, 2011

It was a special night Saturday as Texana Raceway Park hosted the 2nd Annual Aaron Hudgeons Memorial, plus Round 2 of the South Texas Street Stock Shootout on the 5/16 mile, semi-banked clay track. Fifty-three drivers from across Texas and Louisiana signed in for the $2500 to win Limited Modified Memorial main event, with 35 Street Stocks competing for their increased purse.

Numerous sponsors stepped up adding to the special purse commemorating the life of Aaron Hudgeons, long time racer and chassis builder in the south Texas area. The soft spoken Hudgeons, who was one of those rare competitors that was always willing to help other racers - even those in own class - lost his battle with cancer last year. Hudgeons is highly respected by all those that knew or raced with him over his career.

Along with the big payday for the winner many other special awards were sponsored in the Limited Modified class, as well as the Street Stock class. The unique format included qualifying in the Limited Modified and Street Stocks, with B-mains completing the fields. Two provisionals would be added to make a 26-car Limited Modified starting grid, with 24 taking the green in Street Stocks.

Not only was it a full house in the pits with 100 cars in the three classes, but a huge fan turnout filling the grandstands, and grassy seating areas. During pre-race ceremonies track promoter Ken Bulsterbaum was leading into the invocation relating Hudgeons story and paying tribute to track owner Bruce Tesch’s mother who recently passed away, when two lone birds did a flyover the track. Eerie!

Mikulencak Masters Limited Modified Main

Veteran Corpus Christi ace Lawrence Mikulencak, in a car that’s been ‘transformed’ more times than the movie, used patience to grab the big win in the 26-car feature. Mikulencak, who qualified second behind Dustin Butcher, trailed Butcher the first third of the 30-lap event. Using the high side, Mikulencak took two laps to get by Butcher for the lead on lap 12. East Texas hot shoe, Johno Whittington chased Mikulencak through the last half of the race, but at the checkers it was Mikulencak by four car lengths over Whittington. Art Rodriguez, former NASCAR and USAC driver Paul White and Brandon Blaylock filled out the top five.

Lawrence Mikulencak after winning the Aaron Hudgeons Memorial.  JBHotshots photo.

Lawrence Mikulencak after winning the Aaron Hudgeons Memorial. JBHotshots photo.

Lawrence Mikulencak making the winning pass on the outside of Dustin Butcher (90). JBHotshots photo.

Lawrence Mikulencak making the winning pass on the outside of Dustin Butcher (90). JBHotshots photo.

Kaleb Hudgeons, who begins his racing career next season in a Mini Stock bearing his fathers number 10, paced the starting field in a three-wide salute parade lap. As they green finally waved, Butcher jumped out front, but a mid-pack stack up saw Ray Doyon III get kicked around for a yellow. On the second start Mikulencak and Butcher stayed side by side through turns 1-2 before Butcher edged out front. Doyon again found himself facing the wrong way for a lap 1 caution.

The restart saw a similar back up in the pack with John Lieta, Jesse Manning and Chris Swenson getting tangled in turn 4. Going to single file, Butcher got a good jump on Mikulencak and Art Rodriguez, with Whittington getting past Blaylock for fourth. A caution for debris on lap 4 briefly slowed the action. Once back to green Whittington took third from A. Rodriguez, while White moved up from his eighth qualifying spot to battle with Blaylock for fifth.

Whittington then began to pressure Mikulencak for second on lap 8 with look high. Mikulencak decided it was time to go and gave the high groove a try also. Mikulencak gave Butcher several looks up top, as White and Blaylock continued to swap fifth. Mikulencak got along side Butcher on lap 11 and was able to clear him going into to turn 3 and lead lap 12 as Butcher tried to battle back.

Once Mikulencak cleared Butcher, Whittington moved along side him and got by coming to halfway showing Mikulencak, Whittington, Butcher, A. Rodriguez and Blaylock still wheel to wheel with White for fifth. Trevor Egbert brought out a lap 16 yellow when he had trouble and rolled to a stop in turn 4. As racing resumed Mikulencak eased ahead as Butcher tried Whittington low for second. Butcher spun in turn 2, causing A. Rodriguez to go around for a lap 17 yellow.

Back under green the top four got away as Blaylock now had his hands full with Houston veteran Howard Willis, who was moving up after qualifying through one of the B-mains. With ten to go Mikulencak was inching away from Whittington and A. Rodriguez. That margin was erased on lap 22 when Greg Metz spun in turn 4.

Mikulencak jumped out on green while Blaylock and Willis resumed their battle. As the flagman showed the field five fingers, Mikulencak had only two car lengths on Whittington. Whittington could inch closer in the corners, but Mikulencak could pull him coming off. As the white waved, Mikulencak, in the Ace Transmissions, Randy Young Auto Repair, Premier Graphics, “Frankenstein” chassis had a four car advantage that held for the victory.

“I miss racing racing with Aaron(Hudgeons),” commented Mikulencak. “I really respected and enjoyed racing with him. This is a good race for us to win. He’s one of the guys that more racers need to be like.”

“It took a lot of patience and a good ‘free’ car to pull of the win. Last year I had some mechanical problems and there were a few good cars here. This year there were a lot more fast guys, more than I expected. So this is a big win for us.”

“I didn’t find much on he high side trying to get by Dustin (Butcher). I was just patient out there and tried to run him a little faster. Johno (Whittington) was in the mix too, so I had to do something. I just had a good enough car.”

“This is the same car I’ve been running on asphalt all year. All the weight is on the left front, everything is the same except for the tires. This car is the same one I ran as a Modified and that you’ve been a calling a “Frankenstein” for ten years. It was built on a metric frame and I’ve taken all the Modified rear bars off and put a stock frame on it. It probably still has the cracked motor mount on it.(inside joke)” added the always entertaining Mikulencak who won a Modified race here before with a broken motor mount.

Limited Modifieds

87 Lawrence Mikulencak, 511 Johno Whittington, 22 Art Rodriguez, 2w Paul White, 9b Brandon Blaylock, 12m Howard Willis, 26g JJ Jennings, 75 Joel Couvillion, 66 Johnny Torres, 12 Roly Rodriguez, 63 Shane Hoefling, 174 Mickey Helms, 184 Brian Rye, 9 David Meredith, 20 Dwayne Norvell, 76 Jesse Manning, 4 Robby Minten, 955 Greg Metz, 24 John Lieta, 147 GW Hessong, 9D Ray Doyon III, 90 Dustin Butcher, 48 Chris Swenson, 5A Trevor Egbert, 151 Adam Perks, 19 Bubba Seals

Awards

-$400 Dale Earnhardt die cast from Pray Racing, 87 Lawrence Mikulencak
-$150 Longest tow from defending winner Steve Whiteaker jr., 75 Joel Couvillion(Alexandria, La.)
-$100 Fast Qualifier from Ace Transmission; 90 Dustin Butcher
-$200 Fastest non-qualifier to make A-main from Corpus “C” Cars, 66 Johnny Torres
-$50 each Two highest non-qualifiers to not make A-main from South Texas Speedway, 85 Jeff Nix, 211x Dean Hollier
-H500 Tire, Hard charger from Bebo Race Designs, 12m Howard Willis
-$100 Hard luck award from Big Dog Racing, 5A Trevor Egbert
-(4) $50 O’Riellys gift cards from Art Rodriguez to 4 random non-qualifiers, 2 Robert Boyd, 18 Larry Jernigan, 04 Jacob Burnett, 63s Chase Sanchez

Provisionals; 147 GW Hessong (highest track points to not make A-main—Gave points to points leader Jensen Pray unable to make event due to Family emergency), 151 Adam Perks (promoters choice)

Limited Modified B-mains (Top 3 to A-main)

B-main 1

66 Johnny Torres, 184 Brian Rye, 9 David Meredith, 151 Adam Perks, 8 Lary Paris, 26 David McBride, 56 Brad Titzman, 119 Eric Floyd, 3j Jesse James, 10D Don Painter, 25 John Morgan

B-main 2

5A Trevor Egbert, 12m Howard Willis, 48 Chris Swenson, 83 Monte Nichols III, 37 Bill Pittaway, 115 Chuck Perry, 47 James Myers, 18 Larry Jernigan, 82 Brandon Dorsey, 81 Victor Lindsey, 11 Tom Grothues

B-main 3

174 Mickey Helms, 76 Jesse Manning, 20 Dwayne Norvell, 04 Jacob Burnett, 211x Dean Hollier, 1 Trice Hermes, 147 GW Hessong, 71w Bart Wilcox, 2 Robert Boyd, 3 Abraham Mares

B-main 4

26g JJ Jennings, 12 Roly Rodriguez, 4 Robby Minten, 85 Jeff Nix, 155 Vince Kacir, 63s Chase Sanchez, 68 Chris Shafer, 6 Vince Louden, 118 Anthony Gordon

Jones Out Jousts Jack in Street Stock Shootout

Top-qualifier Wade Jones took command early in the Street Stock Shootout chased by a handful of the best local fender car drivers. Jones was pressured in latter stages by Bobby Jack and Stephan Danielson as the 25-lapper wound down. On the final lap Jack got under Jones in turn 3 and came off tun 4 side by side. Jones won the drag race to the checkers by only a few inches to snag the flag to flag win.

Wade Jones in the Texana victory circle with family and friends. JBHotshots photo.

Wade Jones in the Texana victory circle with family and friends. JBHotshots photo.

Wade Jones (41) makes the inside move on Tony Blankenship on his way to the checkered.  JBHotshots photo.

Wade Jones (41) makes the inside move on Tony Blankenship on his way to the checkered. JBHotshots photo.

As the 24-car field took the green, Jones was first into tun 1 trailed by Tony Blankenship, Jack, Brian King and Danielson. Jack, King and Blankenship were almost three wide for second on lap 1 with Jack getting the spot as the top six sorted out single file. King and Blankenship were side by side for third on lap 3, while Bubba Seals, Dennis Hilla and Eric Floyd were three wide for eighth. Seals and Hilla then went three abreast with Anthony Gordon for seventh as Seals made his way forward.

Alan Kunkel and Mike Moseley tangled on lap 9 leaving Moseley in the front stretch wall for the races first yellow. Once back to racing, Jack and Blankenship were door to door for second, Danielson and Chris Shafer side by side for fourth and Seals taking sixth from King, who began to fade before retiring early. Coming to the crossed flags it was Jones easing away, Jack, Danielson and Blankenship, while Seals and Shafer swapped fifth.

Floyd spun on lap 11, with Aaron Leddy and AJ Wernette spinning behind him bringing out the final yellow. As Jones inched ahead on green, Blankenship and Shafer were door to door, with Seals looking for a way by both. Seals finally got by Shafer for fifth on lap 16, then picked off fourth from Blankenship with AJ Dancer following in his tracks.

With five to go the top three were within a car length and holding a margin over fourth through seventh. Jack began to put the heat on Jones looking low on lap 21 as the top three were nose to tail. Behind them Dancer took fourth from Seals. Jack again got a nose under Jones as they came to the white flag. The two battled into turn 3 where Jack nearly got the advantage. As they raced to the checkers it was Jones in the Opiela Mechanical, Horelka Racing, Mission Auto Parts, SABFI, Mobil 1, Jeff’s Auto Rebuilders, 74 Ranch & Resort, Camaro holding on for the victory by less than a foot.

“It was a tough field out there tonight,” replied Jones. “Bobby Jack, Stephan Danielson and AJ Dancer was moving up quick. I’m lucky I qualified on the pole like I did. We tried a few different things in practice last night. We finally found something(that worked) and took a little wedge out. It worked out pretty good for us.”

“I kind of burned my tires off towards the end and Bobby got inside me. I wasn’t sure what to think when I saw him under me. Bobby’s a real clean racer and he gave me space. I tried to keep him pinned down so he couldn’t get a good run off turn 4. Sure enough it worked out.”

“We didn’t change much from our I-37 set up. We had a little more roll out and changed gears, that’s about it.”

Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones, 88j Bobby Jack, 149 Stephan Danielson, 52 AJ Dancer, 91 Bubba Seals, 77 Chris Shafer, 35 Tony Blankenship, 3 Steve Miller, 11 Shawn Kline, 118 Anthony Gordon, 37w Frank Okruhlik, 26 Eric Floyd, 2x Dennis Hilla, 21x Jason Fox, 23 David Bruns, 53 Jason Kelly, 55 Lauren Chamberlain, 58 James Hoss, 93 Aaron Leddy, 37 AJ Wernette, 9* Brad Hayes, 31 Brian King, 68 Alan Kunkel, 3m Mike Moseley

100 Pole Award from King Racing - Wade Jones #41
(Award formerly for a winner with a Mud Buster sticker was changed to $25 Awards to each B-Main winner)
B-Main winners getting $25 each: Jason Fox #21x and Mike Mosely #3
$100 7th Place Finisher Award from Dynamic Race Craft - Tony Blankenship #35
$50 Hard Charger Award from Dynamic Race Craft - AJ Dancer #52 (started 17th and finished 4th.. Frank Okruhlik #37w also increased the same number of positions, but was not registered in the Shootout series.)
G60 Tire Certificate from Swenson Racing Chassis for Hard Charger - AJ Dancer #52
$250 value Bobby Labonte die cast car from Pray Racing to feature winner - Wade Jones #41
$50 drawn at start of feature for a position between 11th to 24th from G&R Racing. Number was 17 - Lauren Chamberlain #55

Street Stock B-mains(Top 5 to A-main)

B-main 1

21x Jason Fox, 52 AJ Dancer, 3 Steve Miller, 58 James Hoss, 53 Jason Kelly, 2 Scott Stubbs, 7 Cody Leonard, 76 Kevin McElveen, 4 David McGuire, 74 Charlie Raburn—DNS
B-main-2

3m Mike Moseley, 11 Shawn Kline, 37w Frank Okruhlik, 55 Lauren Chamberlain, 9* Brad Hayes, 50 Kevin Willms, 89F Matt Farris, 04 Dustin Robbins, 42 Curtis King, 22 Patricia Lucas

Victor Vargas grabbed the early lead in the 20-lap, 12-car Dwarf Car feature. Mike Christians got around Vargas on lap 2 but gave up the lead to Greg Sexton sr. when he slipped in turns 1-2. From there Sexton sr. stretched out his lead going on to take the win by a comfortable margin over Christians, Vargas, Brad Wright and Douglas Wright.

Dwarf Cars

14 Greg Sexton, Sr, 13 Mike Christians, 24 Victor Vargas, 1 Brad Wright, 66 Douglas Wright, 15 Gary Faris, 11 Jerry Godfrey, 4 Geoffrey Youngblood, 6 Keith Samples, 5 Keith Horella, 7 Greg Sexton, Jr, 2EZ Easy Casey

Dwarf Car heat winners; 2EZ Easy Casey, Greg Sexton, Sr.

Story by JM Hallas
Photos by JBHotshots

Wiley Travis Rilat wins wild ASCS Gulf South war at Texana Raceway Park

May 15, 2011

Texan Travis Rilat used lapped traffic to reel in two-time ASCS National Champion Jason Johnson in Saturday night’s 25-lap Smiley’s Racing Products ASCS Gulf South main event at Texana Raceway Park - not once, but twice.

Travis Rilat reached victory lane in Saturday night's 25-lap Smiley's Racing Products ASCS Gulf South main event at Texana Raceway Park (ASCS Gulf South photo)

Travis Rilat reached victory lane in Saturday night's 25-lap Smiley's Racing Products ASCS Gulf South main event at Texana Raceway Park (ASCS Gulf South photo)

Coming to take the checkers it was nearly four-wide coming of turn 4 in the race to the flag. Both cars made contact with slower traffic and had two wheels off the ground as Rilat eked out the victory, by maybe 3 feet, followed by a celebratory “wing dance.

After missing last year due to Mother Nature the ASCS Gulf South Region Sprint Car stars made the trip to Edna’s Texana Raceway Park on the tight, ¼ mile, paper-clip-shaped gumbo oval. Always a crowd favorite, these winged warriors put on an exciting, high speed show to the delight of the crowd. Tonight would be no exception with one of the wildest finishes this reporter has seen in my 40 years of being involved in racing.

Running in support of the Sprints were the local ‘Outlaw’ Modifieds, Limited Modifieds, Late Models Street Stocks and Hot Stock Trucks.

Wiley Rilat Wins Wild One

As green waved on the 20-car starting field, Johnson jumped out front from the outside pole. In the pack Beau Smith flipped on the back stretch with points leader Tommy Bryant getting a piece of the action and pitting for repairs. On the second try as they dove into turn 1 Evan Pardo jumped wheels sending him airborne in a cork-screw flip into turn 2. Both drivers were able to climb out and walk away.

Finally, the third time was a charm as Johnson again broke out front, followed by T. Rilat and Aaron Reutzel making a big charge from sixth to third. It wasn’t long until the high-flying Johnson caught the back of the field on lap 4. This gave T. Rilat the chance to close. T. Rilat was on Johnson’s rear nerf bar on lap 7 as they duo diced through slower cars. Reutzel used the battle and slower cars to reel in both the leaders.

T. Rilat ducked low on Johnson, who got ‘picked’ up top, to get the point on lap 10. At the crossed flags it was T. Rilat, Johnson, Reutzel, previous night’s winner, Channin Tankersley and George White in the top five. The top two were still nose to tail until Johnson put a classic slide job on T. Rilat going into turn 1 to regain the top spot on lap 18.

Johnson looked to be a runaway winner until he again caught a large pack of slower cars in the final laps. With five to go the lead battle was shaping up again as slower cars became rolling obstacles in the waning laps. As the flagman showed the lead duo two to go, Johnson had a five car length margin on T. Rilat. With the white flag in the air that margin had shrunk to only about a car length as the near capacity crowd rose to its feet.

Johnson, running the top, held the advantage going into turn 3 with two slower cars side by side ahead. T. Rilat took the low road getting along side Johnson in the middle of the corner. T. Rilat made it three wide coming off turn 4 on the bottom, while Johnson carried the momentum up top. T. Rilat jumped a tire sending him bicycling towards the infield as Johnson ran out of room and into the back of Gary Watson.

T. Rilat regained control landing it back on all fours just short of the finish line while Johnson was climbing the tail tank of Watson. At the line it was T. Rilat in the F&J Construction, shoptheboss.com, Murray & Son Enterprises, Shark Racing Engines, Triple X Chassis getting the win by a couple feet as Johnson, with only the rear wheels on the ground, was being carried piggy-back by Watson across the line.

The crowd was going crazy after witnessing what I’d call the biggest OMG racing finish in my lifetime. T. Rilat did a couple do-nuts before climbing out and giving the fans a wing dance.

Several other drivers found themselves looking at the wrong side of the track with Dustin Welch going over in the B-main, while Roger Oakes and Chris Coker flipped in heat race action.

“That was pretty spectacular,” replied Rilat. “It was kind of like a movie script, like Stroker Ace who crossed(the line) upside down. That’s about what this was. I thought for sure I was going to go over there. I knew I had to make a move on the last lap, but those lapped cars were there and I had to get through them. It was pretty exciting and we got it done.”

“I don’t think I could have run Jason(Johnson) down. The lapped cars helped out a lot. Our cars were pretty equal. I passed him him earlier the same way in lapped traffic, on these short tracks it always comes into play.”

“Running these regional shows is a little different than the national shows. There are always some good cars that show up, like Jason and some others. You still have to go all out and be heads up. You can never back down whether it’s a regional or national show.”

“I’m back in good health and everything is coming along good. We’re wining races so it can’t be to bad. We’re just going race here and there the rest of the year and give a shot at the championships next year.”

ASCS Sprint Cars, 25 laps

29 Travis Rilat, 41 Jason Johnson, 87 Aaron Reutzel, 71 Channin Tankersley, 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek, 31 Brandon Berryman, 15T Travis Elliott, 10 George White, 93 Chris Sweeney, 69 Larry Howery, 14E Tommy Bryant, 3 Gary Watson, 51 Jimmy Brooks, 5c Chris Coker, 19 Klint Angelette, 35 Greg Rilat, 12b Logan Bledsoe, 1(52) Roger Oakes, 54 Evan Pardo, 51s Beau Smith

ASCS B-main(Top 6 to A-main)

93 Chris Sweeney, 31 Brandon Berryman, 69 Larry Howery, 51 Jimmy Brooks, 5c Chris Coker, 52 Roger Oakes, 17 Bruce Griffith, 15 Andy VanBlarcum, 7w Dustin Welch

ASCS heats(Top 14 passing points to A-main)

Heat 1

29 Travis Rilat, 54 Evan Pardo, 3 Gary Watson, 14c Tommy Bryant, 12B Logan Bledsoe, 69 Larry Howery, 7w Dustin Welch 5c Chris Coker

Heat 2

87 Aaron Reutzel, 51 Beau Smith, 35 Greg Rilat, 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek,15t Travis Elliott, 31 Brandon Berryman, 17 Bruce Griffith, 15 Andy VanBlarcum

Heat 3

71 Channin Tankersley, 41 Jason Johnson, 10 George White, 19 Klint Angelette, 93 Chris Sweeney, 51 Jimmy Brooks, 52 Roger Oakes

Manning Masters Modified Main

Brazoria’s Jesse Manning bested a short, but stout field in the Outlaw Modified 20-lapper. Manning, running a part-time USMTS schedule, got past another USMTS contender, Rory Jordan early then pulled away throughout the race to take the checkers with a good advantage.

Jordan beat Dustin Brandl off turn 2 to get the early lead with Manning up to second followed by Brandl, Tanner Whitmire and Jason Borlace. Manning got inside Jordan coming off turn 2 on lap 1 with a brief side by side battle down the back stretch. Manning got the best run into turn 3 coming out with the lead on lap 2. Coming to halfway it was Manning, Jordan, Whitmire Brandl and Nick Hardcastle getting by Borlace for fifth.

Stew Savage slowed the action on lap 11 with the races only caution for his spin in turn 4. On the restart, Manning quickly broke out front, while Hardcastle slipped giving up spots to Borlace, Terry Woodall and Brandl. As Manning eased away, Whitmire got by Jordan for second. Hardcastle was able to retake a top five position in the waning laps. Up front it was Manning, with a huge lead, putting the JTC Motors, Auto Repair Unlimited, Jays Equipment, 105 Machine, Evolution Chassis in Victory Lane.

“We’ve been working hard on the set up on this new Evolution Chassis,” commented Manning. “We’ve been struggling for a while, but working with Howard Willis and Russell Moore it’s coming around now. We’ve got on top of it and it’s working out. We’ve got a couple wins under our belt this year and hope to have more.”

“When you get into a new chassis it’s driver preference mostly. It’s the feel and everyone has a different set up they like. What works for one(driver) doesn’t always work for another. So you take a little bit of what they are doing and your own ideas and go for it.”

“It’s a short but stout field here. These guys have come a long way. We all get along well and travel for some of the USMTS Southern Series shows. I wish there more cars around here, but with the economy it’s just the way it goes right now.”

Modified

76 Jesse Manning, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 7x Rory Jordan, 21 Jason Borlace, 94 Nick Hardcastle, 3w Terry Woodall, 00x Dustin Brandl, 77 Jason Lewis, 4 Stew Savage

Modified heat

00x Dustin Brandl, 7x Rory Jordan, 21 Jason Borlace. 76 Jesse Manning, 101 Tanner Whitmire, 94 Nick Hardcastle, 4* Stew Savage, 77 Jason Lewis, 3w Terry Woodall

White Wins Another One

The past few years Texana Raceway has been kind to the former USAC Silver Crown and NASCAR Sunbelt Region champion Paul White(Temple) driving as a hired gun. Tonight would be no different as he battled with GW Hessong and Wade Moyer early in the 20-lap feature. White took over near halfway and then left Moyer, Jensen Prey and Mickey Helms battling for second as he was snagging another checkers.

Seventeen Limited Modified took the green with Hessong getting the run off turn 2, but a tangle back in the pack brought out the caution. Hessong and Moyer stayed side by side on the next start until Hessong got the advantage coming off turn 4 to lead lap 1. Moyer fell in line second trailed by White, Prey and Helms running wheel to wheel with Vince Kacir.

Moyer moved in the give Hessong a look for the lead on lap 2. This gave White an opening to sneak past Moyer for second on lap 3. White then got beside Hessong for the lead but yellow waved for a spin by Bo Beckner on lap 4. On the restart White gave Hessong a look low, but Hessong held on, as the top three got away.

White got a run on Hessong to grab the top spot on lap 8 followed by Moyer to second. Coming to halfway it was White, Moyer, Hessong, Helms and Shane Hoefling getting by Prey for fifth. Helms then picked off Hessong for third on lap 10. Yellow waved on lap 11 for Hoefling who spun in turn 3 and got T-boned by Kacir, ending both their nights.

Back under green, White got away clean with Moyer and Helms fighting for second. Tim Heatherly brought out a yellow on lap 12 when stopped in turn 1. On the restart, Art Rodriguez went around on the front stretch causing Chase Sanchez and Allgayer to spin as they tried to dodge him. Back under green White got a big jump when Helms slipped and fell back to fourth.

Helms and Prey then battled for third swapping the spot on lap 16. Both Helms and Prey caught Moyer with two to go in the scramble for second. Up front it was White, on cruise control and easing away. At the checkers it as White in the B&D, Craftmasters Powdercoating, Westside Performance powered, Big Chief Chassis adding another TRP win to his total.

“We really diced around pretty good,” said White. “The track got tricky enough that it made it a lot of fun. I was trying to take advantage where my car was better they were messing up. One of them was slipping a bit in the middle of the turns and mine was actually a little tight. I just tried to keep myself in the right position and keep working at it until I could get there.”

“This (Bruce Tesch car) is a new one for me after being in the Bridwell car for so long. We’re still trying to get all we can get out of it. We were happy with the other car and knew what we needed to do on it. The things we used to do don’t work on this car like the other one. We had to go another direction to make it all work.”

Limited Modifieds

2w Paul White, 23 Wade Moyer, 57 Jensen Prey, 174 Mickey Helms, 147 GW Hessong, 6 Vince Louden, 22 Art Rodriguez, 24 John Lieta, 26 David McBride, J1 Tim Heatherly, 24x Mike Lieta, 75 Bo Beckner, 11 Jeff Allgayer, 4 Chase Sanchez, 63 Shane Hoefling, 155 Vince Kacir, 21c Barry Codling

Limited Modified heats

Heat 1

23 Wade Moyer, 2w Paul White, 155 Vince Kacir, 174 Mickey Helms, 22 Art Rodriguez, 4 Chase Sanchez, 63 Shane Hoefling, 24 John Lieta

Heat 2

147 GW Hessong, 57 Jensen Prey, 6 Vince Louden, 75 Bo Beckner, J1 Tim Heatherly, 24x Mike Lieta, 11 Jeff Allgayer, 26 David McBride, 21c Barry Codling

In the 12-lap Late Model feature it was Eric Neal going wire to wire for the win. Neal was chased throughout the race by Michael Wagner, who was never able to mount a serious challenge. The races only yellow flew when David Kulhanek spun while battling with Randy Kacir for third.

Late Models

97 Eric Neal, 18 Michael Wagner, 36 Randy Kacir, 9 Mitch Wagner, 37 David Kulhanek

Late Model heat winner, 97 Eric Neal

Justin Bloom took advantage of the misfortune of Jason Bloom to get the lead early in the 12-lap Hot Stock Truck feature. Ja. Bloom got out front on green, but spun off to the turn 4 mud puddle and lost the clutch trying to get out. This gave the lead to Ju. Bloom who pulled away from the field as it spread out, for the victory.

Hot Stock Trucks

84 Justin Bloom, 76 Justin Airhardt, 15 KC Jimmerson, 43 Bob Ort, 88 Mikey Harvel, 62 Scott Symonds, 44 Billy Ragsdale, 49 Jason Bloom

Hot Stock Truck heat winner, 84 Justin Bloom

Chris Shafer jumped out front at the start of the 12-car, 20-lap Street Stock feature with Tony Blankenship second and Mike Moseley, AJ Solis and Jason Fox going three wide for third. Fox and Solis tangled on lap 1 for an early caution that saw Fox pit with a flat tire. On the restart Shafer and Blankenship eased away as Lauren Chamberlain moved past Solis for fourth.

Brian King started his march to the front getting by Fox for fifth on lap 2 and along side Chamberlain. After putting her back a spot, King got by Moseley for third on lap 3 as Kasey Garvin got sixth from Solis. Up front Blankenship ducked under Shafer to get the lead on lap 6, then held off Shafer who tried to retake the spot.

As Blankenship eased away, Moseley slipped and went backwards giving up several positions. Brad Hayes and Solis then began a lap by lap battle for fifth. Shafer was able to chase down Blankenship in traffic with five to go, while Hayes and Solis continued to swap fifth. At the checkers it was Blankenship able to hold the lead and grab the victory over Shafer.

Street Stocks

35 Tony Blankenship, 77 Chris Shafer, 31 Brian King, 55 Lauren Chamberlain, 9* Brad Hayes, 21 AJ Solis, 36 Lucky Gilbert, 19 Kasey Garvin, 58 James Hess, 3 Mike Moseley, 88 Johnny Hess, 21x Jason Fox
Street Stock heat winners, 77 Chris Shafer, 3 Mike Moseley

By JM Hallas
ASCS Gulf South photo in story
Joe Orth photo on front page

Texana Raceway Park ready for Season-Opener under new Management

March 21, 2010

There is an excitement in the air at Texana Raceway Park (TRP) this year. The new track officials are “pumped” and everything’s set for a fantastic 2010 season at the quarter-mile dirt track located in Edna, Texas.

A little history: At the end of the 2009 season and during the off-season, there was uncertainty as to the future of Texana Raceway Park. There was no news about the 2010 season and the rumor mill was working overtime with all kinds of stories being told, re-told and told again.

Then in January at the TRP Racer’s Awards banquet, everyone waited in great anticipation to hear what the future of this great racing facility would be. After all the trophies and awards had been presented, track owner Bruce Tesch made the announcement to squelch the rumors and uncertainty.

Tesch stood up and announced that the track would indeed be open for the 2010 season, but that there would be some management changes since he and his wife, Donna, wanted to spend more time with their family and children. He then announced that former track flagman and “Jack-of-all-trades” around the track, Ken Bulsterbaum, had accepted their request that he take over the promoter/track manager role at the track.

New Texana Raceway Park Promoter and Track Manager Ken Bulsterbam

New Texana Raceway Park Promoter and Track Manager Ken Bulsterbam

Bulsterbaum, who accepted his new position with great humbleness, has been busy putting the upcoming season in motion with a great deal of support from the Texas racing community.

“We have a new flagman this year,” Bulsterbaum said, “It’s Ricky Konvinka, who is a former racer like me. He brings the experience of a racer to the flag stand and he’s excited to be a part of this race track.

“So now the pieces are in place,” Bulsterbaum continued, “And it’s time to get the new season started. The machinery has been working, fields are mowed, track is prepped, concessions are loaded, drinks are cold and we are waiting for the opening night of the season. Come Saturday April 3rd, we’ll hear those famous words, “Start your engines!” and the new season will be under way. “

Opening night will be a double points night for the racer’s, which should provide a little extra incentive for them. And a “Parade of Champions” for last year’s champs is on the schedule as well.

“We have heard that some racers are coming back after a season or two off,” Bulsterbaum said, “And that a few Houston and Corpus Christi “Hot Foots” will be making a run for the championship in their respective classes too. The ‘word’ is out. We are excited to be racing Street Stocks (bombers), Mini-Stocks, Texana Classic Dwarfs, Hot Stock Trucks, Limited Modifieds, and the “ground-pounding” Modifieds. And on Friday, July 2nd, will be hosting the ASCS Sprint Cars which is always a highlight of any season,” Bulsterbaum concluded.

Check out the Texana Raceway Park website for more information at www.texanaracewaypark.org.

by Nick Holt and Ken Bulsterbaum
Photo courtesy of Texana Raceway Park

Tommy Bryant bags ASCS Gulf South Sprint Car win at Texana Raceway Park

July 5, 2009

Tommy Bryant bagged his second American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region 25-lap feature win of the season as the series completed its two-night Fourth of July weekend spectacular at Texana Raceway Park on Saturday night.

Bryant battled past Friday night winner George White at the midway point on his way to victory lane in David Miller’s B&M Jr. No. 21T J&J.

While Bryant gridded the field outside the third row, third-starter Kent Lewis, Jr., disposed of front row starters Glenn Martin and White to lead the opening seven circuits before White surged back into the lead.

Tommy Bryant mastered the Texana Raceway park clay with his #21 Sprint Car

Tommy Bryant mastered the Texana Raceway park clay with his #21 Sprint Car

Bryant battled to the front and took the lead away from White on the 13th round, with the pair dicing for the point over the ensuing circuits until White crashed in the final handful of laps as the leaders raced through traffic.

Bryant went on to take the checkered flag in front of series points leader Aaron Reutzel, with Ray Allen Kulhanek, Lewis, Jr., and Channin Tankersley rounding out the top five.

Travis Elliott was sixth, with Brandon Berryman, Scottie McDonald, Larry Howery and Junior Jenkins completing the top ten.

Tankersley, Martin and Travis Knighton topped heat race action, with Steve Hubbard winning the “B” Main.

ASCS Gulf South Region Results from Texana Raceway Park:

Locked in from Friday night’s preliminary feature: 10-George White, 30-Scottie McDonald, 21T-Tommy Bryant, 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr.

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 71-Channin Tankersley, 2. 17c-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 3. 35-Greg Rilat, 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 5. 40-Junior Jenkins, 6. 19-Klint Angelette, 7. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 8. 12-Kent Lewis, Sr.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 5m-Glenn Martin, 2. 31-Brandon Berryman, 3. 15T-Travis Elliott, 4. 69-Larry Howery, 5. 21-Blake Roberts, 6. 96-Rod Craddock, 7. 70-Anthony Reaves.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 61-Travis Knighton, 2. 14e-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 88-Bubba McDonald, 4. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 5. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 6. 3-Gary Watson, 7. 23-Darryl Wills.

“B” Feature (10 Laps): 1. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 2. 19-Klint Angelette, 3. 3-Gary Watson, 4. 12-Kent Lewis, Sr., 5. 70-Anthony Reaves, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 96-Rod Craddock. DNS: 23-Darryl Wills.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 3. 17c-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 4. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 5. 71-Channin Tankersley, 6. 15T-Travis Elliott, 7. 31-Brandon Berryman, 8. 30-Scottie McDonald, 9. 69-Larry Howery, 10. 40-Junior Jenkins, 11. 19-Klint Angelette, 12. 21-Blake Roberts, 13. 10-George White, 14. 14e-Eric Baldaccini, 15. 5m-Glenn Martin, 16. 35-Greg Rilat, 17. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 18. 61-Travis Knighton, 19. 88-Bubba McDonald, 20. 51-Jimmy Brooks.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 1,948, 2. Tommy Bryant 1,874, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,863, 4. Channin Tankersley 1,830, 5. Scottie McDonald 1,760, 6. Brandon Berryman 1,755, 7. Kent Lewis, Jr. 1,724, 8. Greg Rilat 1,651, 9. Jimmy Brooks 1,594, 10. Gary Watson 1,543.

By Lonnie Wheatley

Tommy Bryant

Tommy Bryant

George White notches his first ASCS Gulf South win at Texana Raceway Park

July 4, 2009

The American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region kicked off a two-night Fourth of July weekend spectacular at Texana Raceway Park with George White capturing his first career series win in Friday night’s 25-lap feature event.

White became the race’s fourth different leader on the 17th round en route to victory lane, taking the checkered flag in front of 11th-starter Scottie McDonald and Tommy Bryant, who set the pace for a dozen laps along the way.

After pole starter Kent Lewis, Jr., paced led the opening three rounds, Bryant set the pace for the next ten rounds before Skip Wilson surged into the lead. Wilson was out front for just a lap before engine woes ended his run.

Bryant took back over the point and led two more rounds before White raced into the lead. Lewis, Jr., crossed the stripe behind the lead trio, with Aaron Reutzel padding his points lead by racing from 16th to round out the top five for his 12th consecutive top-ten run.

Channin Tankersley was sixth, with Eric Baldaccini, Greg Rilat, Larry Howery and Gary Watson completing the top ten.

Wilson, Watson, Ray Allen Kulhanek and Lewis, Jr., topped heat race action, with Darryl Wills and Reutzel winning the “B” Mains.

The night came to an early end for both Terry Monroe and two-time series champion Brandon Berryman who tangled and crashed in heat race action.

ASCS Gulf South Region Results from Texana Raceway Park:

Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 65-Skip Wilson, 2. 14e-Eric Baldaccini, 3. 21T-Tommy Bryant, 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 5. 30-Scottie McDonald, 6. 15T-Travis Elliott, 7. 19-Klint Angelette, 8. 70-Anthony Reaves.

Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 3-Gary Watson, 2. 40-Junior Jenkins, 3. 96-Rod Craddock, 4. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 5. 5-Jack Spencer, 6. 12s-Steve Hubbard, 7. 20-Terry Monroe, 8. 31-Brandon Berryman.

Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 17c-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 2. 71-Channin Tankersley, 3. 21-Blake Roberts, 4. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 5. 35-Greg Rilat, 6. 61-Travis Knighton, 7. 23-Darryl Wills, 8. 13-Matt Brooks.

Heat Four (8 Laps): 1. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 2. 10-George White, 3. 12-Kent Lewis, Sr., 4. 69-Larry Howery, 5. 30x-Bean Elliott, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin, 7. 88-Bubba McDonald.

First “B” Feature (10 Laps): 1. 23-Darryl Wills, 2. 21-Blake Roberts, 3. 30x-Bean Elliott, 4. 70-Anthony Reaves, 5. 5m-Glenn Martin, 6. 17-Bruce Griffith, Jr., 7. 12s-Steve Hubbard. DNS: 31-Brandon Berryman, 20-Terry Monroe.

Second “B” Feature (10 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 2. 35-Greg Rilat, 3. 61-Travis Knighton, 4. 15T-Travis Elliott, 5. 12-Kent Lewis, Sr., 6. 19-Klint Angelette, 7. 13-Matt Brooks, 8. 88-Bubba McDonald.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 10-George White, 2. 30-Scottie McDonald, 3. 21t-Tommy Bryant, 4. 1b-Kent Lewis, Jr., 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 6. 71-Channin Tankersley, 7. 14e-Eric Baldaccini, 8. 35-Greg Rilat, 9. 69-Larry Howery, 10. 3-Gary Watson, 11. 23-Darryl Wills, 12. 17c-Ray Allen Kulhanek, 13. 40-Junior Jenkins, 14. 51-Jimmy Brooks, 15. 65-Skip Wilson, 16. 61-Travis Knighton, 17. 21-Blake Roberts, 18. 5-Jack Spencer, 19. 96-Rod Craddock, 20. 30x-Bean Elliott.

ASCS Gulf South Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Aaron Reutzel 1,802, 2. Tommy Bryant 1,724, 3. Ray Allen Kulhanek 1,719, 4. Channin Tankersley 1,690, 5. Scottie McDonald 1,626, 6. Brandon Berryman 1,619, 7. Kent Lewis, Jr. 1,582, 8. Greg Rilat 1,533, 9. Jimmy Brooks 1,484, 10. Gary Watson 1,468.

by Lonnie Wheatley

ASCS Gulf South set for 8th Annual 4th of July “Weekend Spectacular at Texana Raceway Park this weekend

July 1, 2009

The American Sprint Car Series Gulf South Region is set for its Eighth Annual Fourth of July Weekend Spectacular with two nights of action atop the high-banked, 5/16-mile Texana Raceway Park dirt oval in Edna, TX, this Friday and Saturday.

The pair of weekend events put the ASCS Gulf South Region at the midpoint of the 2009 season with 19-year-old Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, in the driver’s seat to become the series’ sixth different champion.

ASCS Gulf South point leader, Aaron Reutzel

ASCS Gulf South point leader, Aaron Reutzel

Riding an ASCS Gulf South record streak of eleven consecutive top-ten feature finishes aboard the Motor Mike-powered KCR Racing No. 87 Triple X, Reutzel has stretched out a 69 point advantage over 2005 series champion Ray Allen Kulhanek, who has topped two of the series most recent three events.

RayAllen Kulhanek, 2nd in ASCS Gulf South points

RayAllen Kulhanek, 2nd in ASCS Gulf South points

Tommy Bryant, who subbed impressively for Jerry Bell in this past weekend’s Lucas Oil ASCS National competition in Missouri, is currently ranked third, with 18-year-old Channin Tankersley and two-time and defending series champion Brandon Berryman rounding out the current top five.

The balance of the current top ten in ASCS Gulf South points includes Scottie McDonald, Kent Lewis, Jr., Greg Rilat, Jimmy Brooks and Gary Watson.

Also running with the ASCS Sprint Cars on Friday night will be the Texana Teen Mini-Stocks, Texana Classic Dwarfs, and the fan favorite Hot Stock Truck division. The local points competition is very close in each of these classes as the season has cleared the mid-point. Running with the Sprints on Saturday night will be the Texana Bombers, Limited Modifieds, and Modifieds.

Both nights of racing action are slated to go green at 7:30 p.m.

The high-banked, 5/16-mile Texana Raceway Park dirt oval is located two miles east of Edna, TX, on SR 111, then left on Haines Road. For more information, contact the track at 361-781-0411.

The ASCS Gulf South Region is set for 27 nights of racing action at eleven different tracks throughout Texas in 2009.

Past ASCS Gulf South Region Feature Winners at Texana Raceway Park:
8/30/08 – Jason Johnson

The American Sprint Car Series, in its 18th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing events, brings the best of Sprint Car racing to nearly 100 different tracks throughout 25 states and Canada in 2009. Anchored by the Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Dirt Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of a dozen different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

by Lonnie Wheatley

Paul White doubles at Texana Raceway Park with two well-deserved wins

June 21, 2009

It wasn’t a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination, but Temple’s Paul White bagged a double at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas, Saturday night winning both the Modified and Limited Modified feature events before a packed house.

Originally billed as the second race in the nine-race South Texas Modified Championship Series for Modifieds and Limited Modifieds, only the Modifieds actually competed for Series points due to a controversy over the Limited Modified tire rules. Both divisions were racing for $1,000 first place prize money, however, and the racing in both classes was intense.

Earlier in the season White - a former USAC Silver Crown Champion - had great success almost everywhere he raced. He scored double feature wins at Battleground Speedway, Houston Raceway Park and dominated Texana Raceway Park to the point that TRP owner Bruce Tesch placed a bounty on him - both in the Modified and Limited Modified classes. The bounties brought out stiff competition and both were eventually claimed.

Paul White (#216) uses the outside to challenge Shane Hoefling for the lead

Paul White (#216) uses the outside to challenge Shane Hoefling for the lead

In the 20-lap Limited Modified feature White chased race leader Shane Hoefling for all but the last ten feet of the last lap. Hoefling did everything he needed to do to stay in the lead, scouting out sticky spots and using lapped traffic whenever and wherever possible to keep White at bay. With five to go it appeared that Hoefling had the race well in hand, but apparently White was just cooling the tires and plotting a late-race charge.

With two to go, White moved back to within striking distance and as the white flag waved White made his move, diving hard into the first turn on the bottom and getting to Hoefling’s bumper. The dirt-saavy veteran then went up top in turns 3-4 with the pair exiting turn four nearly sideways and wheel to wheel. Somehow White got his bumper out front with ten feet to go and took the checkered by about three feet.

Paul White knows his way to victory circle at Texana.  This time in the Limited Mod...

Paul White knows his way to victory circle at Texana. This time in the Limited Mod...

“I tried that move a couple of times earlier,” White explained. “When I got the right run on him we were in lapped traffic and that messed it up. I set that up a whole lap before and made sure I had all the ground to make it up. I got up under him a little and he blocked me down, so I went outside as quick as I could to have a nice entry into turn three. That’s really what made it work. It gave me enough momentum to get through the middle.”

“It was driver error,” Hoefling said. “When Paul White is on your tail, you don’t make a driver error. I slipped up a little bit and he got around me on the top side. I knew he was there. I saw him in turns 1-2 on the last lap and again in turns 3-4.”

Unofficial Limited Modified results

1. 216 Paul White
2. 63 Shane Hoefling
3. 175 Mickey Helms
4. 6 Vince Louden
5. 00 Derrick Flora
6. 37 Bill Pittaway
7. 34 Michael Walker
8. 27 Johnny Lewellan
9. 888 Aaron Lunsford
10. 10d Don Painter
11. 15 Andy VanBlarcum
12. 04 Jacob Burnett
13. 7k Kevin Parker
14. 47m Ruben Montes
15. 21 Victor Lindsey

The Modified feature proved to be just as exciting with White and young Steve Whiteaker, Jr, going side by side for much of the race with White using the very low line and Whiteaker searching for traction mostly on the high side.

Paul White (#2w) way low and Steve Whiteaker on the high side battled like this for the entire race

Paul White (#2w) way low and Steve Whiteaker on the high side battled like this for the entire race

The race was plagued, however, by a number of caution periods as the track grew more towards slick than tacky.

The Paul White Modified stops for a quick pic after battling with Steve Whiteaker, Jr, for the entire race

The Paul White Modified stops for a quick pic after battling with Steve Whiteaker, Jr, for the entire race

Several restarts saw White go very low into the turns with Whiteaker right there beside him on the high side. More often than not White was able to get off the turns better with Whiteaker perhaps gaining the advantage through the turns.

Behind the leaders the Series point leader Danny Brown was having to fend off a determined Lawrence Mikulencak as the pair of Corpus Christi drivers battled for third. And not far behind them Dale Flanagan, Jesse Manning and Josh Majek were slicing and dicing for fifth.

But the show that everyone was watching was the chess match being played out up front.

As the laps clicked down, there were more cautions which prompted the track to shorten the event by two laps.

On the final restart with two to go, Whiteaker sailed into turn one on the top and got along side White once again. And once again White again was able to find bite on the bottom and pulled away from Whiteaker a bit coming off turn two. Whiteaker tried to drive it in harder in turn three, but White still held the lead as they entered the front stretch.

As the white flag waved, White was still cat-fishing the low side, with Whiteaker looking for moisture anywhere he could find it. But at the checkered flag it was White by a car length in the Bridwell Motorsports, Engines by Adan & Jeff, Dust Devil chassis. White took home the trophy, some bragging rights and a check fo $1,000.

Brown’s third place finish was enough for him to retain the series points lead while Mikulencak took over second from Manning, with Whiteaker, unofficially, taking over fourth in the Series point standings.

“I could hear him (Steve Whiteaker) out there and saw him the turns a couple times,” White said after the race. “But I really didn’t feel that it made any difference as long as I didn’t mess up on my entrance and getting through the middle. As long as I hit my spots there was no way - no matter who it was - anyone was going to pass me.

“ I felt after I came in from the Limited Modified feature that we needed to put all the bite in it we could to get it off the turns and not worry about blasting around the top. I didn’t think anybody had anything for me if I didn’t mess up on the bottom. That’s just what we elected to go with and it paid off.”

Unofficial Modified results

1. 2w Paul White
2. 89 Steve Whiteaker, Jr
3. 55 Danny Brown
4. 87 Lawrence Mikulencak
5. 57 Dale Flanagan
6. 82 Joshua Majek
7. 76 Jesse Manning
8. 174 Max Helms
9. 96 Foster Ellison
10. 125 Jason Borlace
11. 95 Jeremy Davenport
12. 12 Rolie Rodriguez
13. 15 Chris Carrol
14. 55b Wesley Anderson
15. 16. James Jennings
16. 22 Art Rodriguez
17. 155 Vince Kacir

by J.M Hallas and Nick Holt

Photos by Brenda Dancer

Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast - 3/30/09

March 30, 2009

In this Lone Star Speedzone Video Cast, the crew heads down to Texana Raceway for their opening night. Nick Holt and Chris Doelle will talk to drivers and track management and they’ll also bring you some racing action.

Temple’s Paul White continues his win streak with “double” at Texana Raceway Park

March 30, 2009

Temple’s Paul White bagged another double Saturday night at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas. White won both the Limited Modified and the Outlaw Modified features before a good opening-night crowd after scoring four victories the previous weekend – two at Battleground Speedway on Friday and two at Houston Raceway Park on Saturday.

White's winning Modified at speed (Photo by Brenda Dancer)

White's winning Modified at speed (Photo by Brenda Dancer)

The evening’s racing program was designated the “Aaron Hudgeons Benefit” with many drivers and fans making donations to help defray the medical expenses that popular stock car driver Hudgeons is facing as he battles cancer. Hudgeons is a favorite with both fans and competitors alike at the 3/8-mile track where he has a well-earned reputation as someone always willing to pitch in should anyone need a helping hand. By the end of the night more than $5,000 had been collected.

Aaron Hudgeons (69) and Paul White side by side (Photo by Brenda Dancer)

Aaron Hudgeons (69) and Paul White side-by-side in the Limited Modified main(Photo by Brenda Dancer)

The first of White’s twin wins came in the 20-lap Limited Modified feature where he led a very competitive 24-car field from wire to wire.

By the halfway point, White had a big lead over JJ Jennings and Jeff Mueller, who were waging their own personal war for second some distance behind. With five laps to go, Mueller took advantage of slower cars to power past Jennings to take second place for good, but was unable to make up any ground on White as the laps wound down.

Limited Modified Results

1. 216 Paul White
2. 43 Jeff Mueller
3. 26g J J Jennings
4. 90x Dustin Butcher
5. 175 Mickey Helms
6. 66 Hunt Harrison
7. 90 Barry Moody
8. 33 Jason Zarbock
9. 00x Dustin Brandl
10. 10D Don Painter
11. 47 James Myers
12. 88 Mark McGahey
13. 37 Bill Pittaway
14. 46 Randy Bridges
15. 888 Aaron Lunsford
16. 36 Cody Hilderbrandt
17. 69 Aaron Hudgeons
18. 42 Ricky Konvicka
19. 63 Shane Hoefling
20. 78 Brad Ball
21. 89 Doug Livingston

White did not have it so easy in the 20-lap Outlaw Modified feature even though he once again started on the pole.
During the first half of the race Houston ace Howard Willis hounded White and almost made it by using the outside line while White ran towards the bottom with both grooves seeming to work equally well. Eventually the lower groove came in better – or perhaps the outside groove went away – and White was able to put a car length on Willis after they had run side-by side for several laps.

At the start of the race, Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore looked like he was going to be a major factor, but after only one lap pulled into the infield with no power.

By mid-race Corpus Christi driver Steve Whiteaker, Jr, had worked his way through the field and was on White’s rear bumper following the same low line as the leader while Willis continued to work the high side.

Meanwhile, Lawrence Mikulencak and Nick Hardcastle had moved through the field and entertained the crowd with a spirited battle not all that far back from the leaders. At one point Mikulencak took a short, unplanned trip through the infield, losing a couple of positions in the process.

As Willis faded a bit, Whiteaker took over the task of trying to find a way around the steady, smooth White.

After a lap-16 caution, Whiteaker was able to get beside White briefly, but wasn’t able to make it happen and White took his second checkered flag of the evening a couple of car lengths in front of Whiteaker. Willis finished third with Danny Brown and Nick Hardcastle rounding out the top five.

Outlaw Modified results

1. 2W Paul White
2. 88 Steve Whiteaker, Jr.
3. E Howard Willis
4. 55 Danny Brown
5. 94 Nick Hardcastle
6. 20 Mike McCarty
7. 51 Benny Perry
8. 26 Darin Leonard
9. 82 Josh Majek
10. 371 Ben Ketteman
11. 122 Perry Johnson
12. 87 Lawrence Mikulencak
13. 66 Johnn Torres
14. 37 Bill Pittaway
15. 76 Jesse Manning
16. 155 Vince Kacir
17. 44 Markus Berndt
18. 8g Greg Dinsmore

In other action, Hot Stock Truck driver Justin Bloom held off second place finisher Lary Paris while Bloom’s father, Russell Bloom finished third.

Hot Stock Truck results

1. 84 Justin Bloom
2. 8 Lary Paris
3. 55 Russell Bloom
4. 13 Gregory Turner
5. 15 Gordon Boehm
6. 39 Nathan Kildair
7. 43 Bob Ort
8. 24 John Lieta—DNS

In the 20-lap Bomber main, Chris Shafer got out first and was never seriously challenged beating runner-up Brian King by several car-lengths. Monty Chamberlain rounded out the top three.

Bomber results

1. 77 Chris Shafer
2. 31 Brian King
3. 55 Monty Chamberlain
4. 36 Randy Kacir
5. 26 David McBride
6. 12 Janet Perks
7. 76 Gary Wright
8. 81 Aaron Ivory
9. 71 Nic Priem
10. 1 Nick Moore
11. 58 James Hoss
12. 63 Chase Sanchez

In the action-packed 12-lap Junior Mini Stock race, Jason Bloom avoided several on-track incidents to take the win over Lauren Chamberlain and Zach Tesch.

Junior Mini Stock results

1. 49 Jason Bloom
2. 55 Lauren Chamberlain
3. 72 Zack Tesch
4. 12 Ashley Perks
5. 03 Justin Sickle
6. 22 Patricia Lucas
7. 14k Stanley Kraly
8. 7 Hunter Lisano
9. 14 Roger Churan

Willie Veach took the win in the entertaining Dwarf Car feature over Andrew Cline, Buck McFarlin, Frank Fruia and Dave Tedford. Twenty-four of the motorcycle-engine powered coupes took the green flag and treated the the opening night crowd to some close, exciting racing in spite of several caution periods for spins.

Texana Classic Dwarf Cars
1. 41 Willy Veach
2. 19 Andrew Cline
3. 65 Buck McFarlin
4. 3x Frank Fruia
5. 25t Dave Tedford
6. 01s Joseph Snow
7. 24 Victor Vargas
8. 13 Mike Christians
9. 54 Gary Hansen
10. 30 Ronny Fikes
11. 36 Greg Sexton
12. 1 Brad Wright
13. 2ez Easy Casey
14. 82 Brandon Dorsey
15. 7 Steven Gilbert
16. 55 Bryan Heady
17. 97 Brian Breaux
18. 99 Brice Baros
19. 4 Karl Veach
20. 15 Gary Faris
21. 21 John Armstrong
22. 8 Donnie Hunt
23. 79 Douglas Schmidt
24. 12 Robert Smith

Staff Report