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Robert Barker the TSRS “Spectacular” winner at Thunderhill Raceway

With over 500 feature laps of racing over the one-day 13th Annual Stock Car Spectacular at Thunderhill Raceway, it was only fitting that the last lap of the season was one of the most exciting.

The Texas Super Racing Series 75-lap feature was the nightcap after eleven – yes, that’s a total of twelve – features were packed into the Spectacular schedule. Youngster Cody Smith, who had led the entire race until the final turn of the last lap, and former San Antonio Speedway Late Model track champion, Robert Barker, had a classic battle to finish that wasn’t decided until the checkered flag was in the air.

As green waved on the 16-car, 75-lap TSRA Late Model finale, Smith jumped into the lead, but Mike Reininger spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow quickly before a lap was in the books. On the second try Smith got huge jump when Brian Moczygemba got sideways coming to the green in front of the field. Remarkably, he was able to get straightened out with no contact with any other cars and hung on to second.

Barker quickly fell in behind Moczygemba once everyone was straightened out. Dillon Spreen and TSRS point leader Jake Kruger rounded out the top five as the field settled down. As Barker looked for a way around Moczygemba, Smith edged away.

Barker finally got along side Moczygemba on the fifth lap and took the second spot with Spreen tagging along into third. As the front runners gapped themselves out and settled in to click off laps, Bobby Teer, Jr, got by Kruger for fifth.

After lapping a couple stragglers Smith caught the back of a big pack on lap 25. Smith was able to dice through the traffic without losing ground to Barker who had to negotiate the same traffic.

Yellow on lap 39 slowed the action when Craig Selman and Kendall Bumbera spun in turn 3.

On the restart Smith and Barker got away cleanly while Spreen slipped and fell back to fifth. Barker immediately turned up the heat and poked his nose under Smith going into turn one with Smith quickly slamming the door. Again on lap 53 Barker showed Smith the Blue Oval of his Ford only to get it shut in the door again.

Barker then fell in line behind Smith for several laps, cooling his tires, his emotions and regrouping for a late run. With five to go, Barker was back on Smith’s bumper with a “hello” tap. Barker then stuck the nose under Smith on lap 73 and again Smith closed the door abruptly. Coming to the white flag Barker stayed on Smith’s tail and made his move coming out of turn 2 this time.

Barker got along side going into turn three. Smith tried to slam the door, but Barker was already in. The two locked wheels and slid up the track until Smith found the turn four wall and tire barrier. Barker won the scramble back to the line to the cheers and jeers of the standing crowd, with Moczygemba going around in the turn four melee. Smith recovered for a sixth place finish, but refused post-race tech for the top points chasers.

“I got up next to him (Smith) and he didn’t want me to pass,” Barker said when asked about the last lap incident. “I don’t know what his spotter told him, but it clearly wasn’t a good move. Three times I got the nose under him and he chopped me off. I wasn’t just going to give it to him. If he wants a wrecked racecar, fine. I was just going to wait until the last lap.”

“The adrenaline buzz for this race won’t wear off for a while” said Barker, who book-ended his season with Thunderhill Raceway wins. “We’ll be up all night. This year was up and down. We started with a win, had some motor problems and that took us out of contact with the points. It was a good year once we got back on track.”

“Right now I really don’t know my plans for next season. We’ll just enjoy the off season and see what happens.”

In TSRS Late Model qualifying Robert Barker set fast time in the Mission Auto Parts, Circle K Fencing & Welding, Central Lath & Plaster, BMF Shocks, Oval Components, Screen Pro Graphics, Justice Brothers Ford with a lap of 15.212 seconds.

With his strong 5th place finish, Jake Kruger cemented the 2009 TSRS Late Model Championship.

Official Results of the TSRS 75

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 17 Robert Barker, Boerne, TX 75 laps QT 15.212 (Fast Time)
2. 1 Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX 75 laps QT 15.600
3. 92 (81) Dillon Spreen, Boerne, TX 75 laps QT 15.596
4. 18 Jesse Salazar, San Antonio, TX, 75 laps QT 15.706 (Hard Charger)
5. 14 Jake Kruger, Bastrop, TX 75 laps QT 15.326
6. 50 Brian Moczygemba, San Antonio, TX 75 laps QT 15.458
7. 33 Mike Williams, Hockley, TX 74 laps QT 15.456
8. 54 Steve Green, Marble Falls, TX 74 laps QT 15.528
9. 72 Kendall Bumbera, Sealy, TX 74 laps QT 15.848
10. 38 Craig Selman, Buda, TX 72 laps QT 15.677
11. 15 Brad Burke, Johnson City, TX 68 laps QT 16.268
12. 28 (4) Levi Krauss, Schertz, TX 57 laps QT 15.764
13. 02 Ugo Bevione, Austin, TX 55 laps QT 16.225
14. 3 Mike Reininger, San Antonio, TX 48 laps QT 15.678
15. 00 Beau Bukowski, San Antonio, TX 37 laps QT 15.690
16. 05 Cody Smith, LaVernia, TX QT 15.424 – TI – Declined Tech

The Pro Modified “Prismstream.com 50” got off to a shaky start when outside pole sitter Jason Marmon got sideways in front of the field. As the field spun and scattered, John Paul Kliewer got the worst of it when he tagged the turn four wall hard. Kliewer, Brett Boyd and Mike Williams were unable to make the restart.

Once green waved, Cory Lovell got out front with John Schultz, Anthony Gordon and Michael Umscheid in pursuit.

Umscheid, using the high groove, began picking off his competition taking Gordon on lap three for third and Schultz on lap four for second. And it wasn’t long before Umscheid ran down Lovell to challenge for the lead.

After a try on the high side, Umscheid ducked low getting by on the inside to take the lead on lap thirteen. Umscheid, who was half a second faster than anyone else in qualifying, had no problem stretching out his advantage. Once safely out front, Umscheid put it on cruise control easily taking the win and Pro Modified Championship.

In qualifying Umscheid posted the fastest Pro Modified lap at 15.214 seconds in his Tri-Lectric, AAA House Leveling, Premier Minerals, Circle Racing Wheels, Day Motorsports, Swenson Racing, The Brake Man, Jani-King sponsored car.

Official Pro Modifieds “Prismstream.com 50” results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 5 Michael Umscheid, Austin, TX 50 laps QT 15.214
2. 61 Cory Lovell, Lockhart, TX 50 laps QT 15.851
3. 14 John Schultz, 50 laps QT 15.865
4. 18 Anthony Gordon, San Antonio, TX 50 laps QT 16.023
5. 65 Bubba Menard, Castroville, TX 50 laps QT 16.014
6. 04 Brad Hudak, 50 laps QT 16.139
7. 07 Matt Kaminski, Corpus Christi, TX 47 laps QT 17.047
8. 26 Bob Slezinsky, Beeville, TX 47 laps QT 15.956
9. 78 Greg Baber, Uvalde, TX 4 Laps QT 15.904
10. 33 Jason Mormon, Seabrook, TX 0 laps QT 15.791
11. 3 Mike Williams, Hockley, TX 0 laps QT 17.799
12. 9 Brett Boyd, Magnolia, TX 0 laps QT 16.054
13. 22 John Paul Kliewer, Boerne, TX 0 laps QT 15.811
14. 44 H. E. Naumann, Del Valle, TX DNQ, DNS
15. 10 Robert Walton, Bastrop, TX DNQ, DNS

A short field of Pro Trucks took the green for the “DWIDude.com 35” with Jim Albert getting the early lead trailed by David Lewein, Keith Riethmeyer and Shawn Paul Lehman.

Early on Riethmeyer’s truck got loose off turn two giving up spots Lehman, with Jason Marshall and Cary Stapp following him through. Marshall then took fourth from Stapp, who was in his first truck ride.

Lehman drifted too high on lap six with Marshall going by for third. After a brief side by side battle, Stapp got by Lehman for fourth. Marshall snared second from Lewien on lap nine, finding himself a half straightaway behind Albert. Slowly and methodically Marshall reeled in the leader, catching him on lap 30. It didn’t take Marshall long to get past Albert on lap 31 after Albert slipped high.

From there Marshall kept on truckin’ along for the victory and Pro Truck title.

Official Pro Trucks ”DWIDude.com 35” results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 42 Jason Marshall, Leander, TX 35 laps QT 16.576
2. 31 Jim Albert, Lockhart, TX 35 laps QT 16.780
3. 3 David Lewien, Blanco, TX 35 laps QT 16.816
4. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos TX 35 laps QT 16.843
5. 28 Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX 35 laps QT 16.753
6. 41 Keith Riethmeyer, Hutto TX. 35 laps QT 16.597

Coming into the final 2009 race for the ASA A-Line Auto Parts Super Stocks, Clint LaFont had already secured the track championship as well as the ASA western Regional title. It also marked the return of multi-time track champ and defending ASA National Champion, Cary Stapp in the familiar black #99 car.

Brent Reeves and Jason Stanley jumped out on green, with Shawn Paul Lehman splitting through the middle of a pack to take the third spot by the end of the first lap and set his sights on Stanley.

After some minor contact with Lehman, Stanley spun in turn four on the fourth circuit to bring out the yellow flag. Lehman was charged with contact and sent to the tail of the pack.

On the restart Stanley kept the pressure on Reeves and got under him on the ninth lap to claim the lead. While Stanley opened some ground on Reeves and the rest, the middle of the pack as playing a high speed game of bumper tag.

Just as Bobby LaFont took over second his night ended as he broke and rolled to a stop on the track to bring out a caution flag.

Once back under green, Clint LaFont and Stapp worked their way past Tommy Gural for third and fourth. Meanwhile Duane Toyne had reeled in Stanley up front by lap 20 with LaFont joining the lead duo on lap 21. As Toyne and LaFont battled for second, Stapp caught up and joined in the action.

After a brief caution for a stalled car, the top four raced nose-to-tail and stayed in contact, literally, as they scrapped it out.

LaFont got by Toyne for second on lap 31 leaving Stapp and Toyne side-by-side for third.

LaFont made contact with Stanley after a brake-check in turn 4 that sent Stanley around. In the stack up Stapp and Toyne had nowhere to go and Toyne stuck it in the turn 4 wall. Toyne was not hurt, but his car was done for the night. LaFont was sent to the tail for the contact.

Stanley got a huge jump on the restart, but the track-savvy Stapp closed in quickly. The waning laps saw Stapp hounding Stanley with Lehman and Chris Birmingham chasing them both down. On the last lap Stapp gave it the good old college try coming out of turn 4, but Stanley won the drag race to the checkers by mere inches.

Stanley’s win was short lived, however, as his car failed to pass the post-race inspection.

Official ASA, A-Line Auto Parts Super Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 99 Cary Stapp, San Marcos, TX 40 laps
2. 28 Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX 40 laps
3. 9 Chris Birmingham Leander, TX 40 laps
4. 3 Clint LaFont, Volente, TX 40 laps
5. 27 Tommy Gural Elgin, TX 40 laps
6. 15 JC Pilcher, Castroville, TX 40 laps
7. 19 Brent Reeves, Converse, TX 40 laps
8. 36 Roger Davis, Orange Grove, TX 40 laps
9. 97 Ken Tyler, La Grange, TX 40 laps
10. 33 Bubba Gustafson, Austin, TX 40 laps
11. 97X John Witzsche, Corpus Christi, TX 33 laps
12. 48 Duane Toyne, Leander, TX 31 laps
13. 80 Allen Alexander, San Antonio, TX 27 laps
14. 88 Bobby LaFont Volente, TX 17 laps
15. 11 Tracy Tschoerner, Taylor, TX DNS
16. 21 Jason Stanley, San Antonio, TX – Techincal infraction – Illegal rear end

The TSRS Allison Legacy Series feature saw Cole Runco hold off Stephan McCurely in a scheduled 50-lap race that was shortened to 43 laps after numerous spins during the final 10 laps.

The official results from the Legacy race are being withheld pending tech results.

Unofficial TSRS Allison Legacy Series results

1. 19 Cole Runco
2. 07 Rusty Mirth
3. 08 Gavin Boyett
4. 1 Stephan McCurley
5. 88 Kyle Harding
6. 4 Dillon Sampson
7. 56 Lauren Runco
8. 32 James Huff
9. 96 Jake Wright
10. 87 Charles Aiken
11. 34 Tom Harwell
12. 80 Collin Alexander
13. 99 Matt Yevcak
14. 14 Allen Sampson

In the Sportmod (Limited Modified) feature, Anthony Monroe jumped into the lead from the outside row coming out of turn 2. Johny Lewellan ducked under Monroe on lap 2 leading back to the line on lap three.

Veteran dirt and pavement driver, Chris Swenson saw his night end early when he broke and rolled to a stop in turn 2. Once back to green Lewellan inched away from Monroe and Don Painter. A blown motor by Rusty Head on lap 34 slowed the action and re-bunched the field.

On the restart, Painter got past Monroe for second and was hot on Lewellan’s tail.

Shawn Paul Lehman, who had issues with his own car and jumped in his Grandfather’s ride, ended up looking the wrong way on successive laps to bring out a pair of caution periods. With the race shortened to a green, white, checkered finish, the two IMCA legal dirt cars of Lewellan and Painter battled it out for the win.
Lewellan, who’s car is crew chiefed by former Late Model ace Tommy Gural, held steady on the final two laps to notch the victory in the Austin Mobile Marine, Absolute Masonry, Southwest Landscaping sponsored car.

Painter, who’s son is 10 years old, used the “power of 10” to wrap up the Sportmod championship with his second place finish on 10/10, in the #10 car.

Official Sportmod results

1. 27 Johnny Lewallen, San Marcos, TX 42 laps QT 16.159
2. 10 Don Painter, Buda, TX 42 laps QT 16.084
3. 79 Cody Beddoe, Waco, TX 41 laps QT 16.689
4. 68 Rusty Head, Buda, TX 34 laps QT 16.506
5. 88 Duane Sanders, Killeen, TX 9 laps QT 19.550
6. 48 Chris Swenson, Boerne, TX 3 laps QT 16.169
7. 19 Benton Kemp, Corpus Christi, TX QT 17.043 – DNS
8. 28 (5) Junior Medlock, Manchaca, TX QT 18.539 – DNS
9. 64 Abel Arredondo, Kingsville, TX DNQ, DNS
10. 82 Anthony Monroe, Corpus Christi, TX QT 18.131 – TI – Vacuum Test
11. 5 (28) Shawn Paul Lehman, Manchaca, TX QT 16.488 – TI – Too Light

Mason Teague not only won the 30-lap Thunder Stock feature – the final points race of the season – but also won the season championship with a stirring win over defending champ Joey Tschoerner, Terry Tschoerner, Aaron Brungot and Gary Chancellor.

Coming into the event Teague had a comfortable 60-point lead in the championship standings over Anthony Gordon, who still had a mathematical chance at the title. Gordon’s championship hopes ended, however, when he was forced to pit to change a flat tire at mid race. Gordon ended up finishing a disappointing twelfth, but on the lead lap.

Official Thunder Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 16 Mason Teague, Paige, TX 30 laps
2. 14 Joey Tschoerner, Bartlett, TX 30 laps
3. 10 Terry Tschoerner, Taylor, TX 30 laps
4. 50 Aaron Brungot, Cedar Park, TX 30 laps
5. 4 Gary Chancellor, Bastrop, TX 30 laps
6. 20 Steve Joyce, Buda, TX 30 laps
7. 15 James Cole, San Antonio, 30 laps
8. 58 Patrick Burow, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
9. 13 Stan Easty 30 laps
10. 37 Del Harris, Huntsville, TX 30 laps
11. 74 Jim Teague, Paige, TX 30 laps
12. 22 Anthony Gordon, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
13. 93 Aaron Leddy, Von Ormy, TX 16 laps
14. 8 David Sevilla, Jr., San Antonio, TX 11 laps
15. 88 Eric Robbins Red Rock, TX 10 laps
16. 56 Joey Jenkins, Del Valle, TX 4 laps

Coming to the start of the Grand Stock feature, Layton Carroll had pretty much locked up not only the track championship, but Rookie of the Year honors as well. And with his fourth place finish he took home both titles.

Cody Smith ignored all that and won the 30-lapper leaving Carolyn Aramendia, Art Ganss, Carroll and Marcia Moore to fight it out for second at the checkered flag.

Official Grand Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 53 Cody Smith, Niederwald, TX 30 laps
2. 50 Carolyn Aramendia, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
3. 12 Art Ganss, Driftwood, TX 30 laps
4. 58 Layton Carroll, Yoakum, TX 30 laps
5. 91 Marcia Moore, Cedar Creek, TX 30 laps
6. 03 Chris Trevino, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
7. 79 James Aramendia, San Antonio, TX 30 laps
8. 7 Kris Wilson, Austin, TX 30 laps
9. 8 Brandon Gaither, La Vernia, TX 20 laps
10. 65 Floyd Reed, Spicewood, TX 18 laps
11. 23 Bob Meyers DNS

The Texas Pro Sedan 34-lap feature (in honor of the 34 years that the TPS has been in continuous operation) had the TPS championship on the line after a season-long battle between Mike Merrill and Tom Johnson. The TPS group had 21 for the 4-cylinder racers in the pits, the most of any class participating in this year’s Spectacular.

After four single-car spins on the initial start, Johnson got out front, with Merrill on his heels. The top two blistered the field quickly and started encountering lapped traffic by the third lap. By lap 15 the lead duo had lapped more than half the field.

The two continued their torrid pace, lapping the fourth-place car driven by Corpus Christi Speedway’s Cody Limerick by mid-race. In fact Johnson had just lapped Sergio Hexsel, who was running in the third spot, when caution waved for Dennis Taylor’s blown engine on lap 24.

Since the scoring went back to the last completed lap, this put Hexsel back on the lead lap.

As the green waved on the restart, Johnson quickly got away from Merrill who had lapped cars to contend with. And it turns out that Merrell’s VW developed a vibration that got worse as the laps clicked off which gave Hexsel an opportunity to close the gap.

With Merrell slowing a bit on every lap, Johnson was now able to motor off to an easy win.

But with valuable TPS points on the line, Merrell was able to hold of Hexsel for second and thus secure the championship by a single point, the closest margin in TPS’ long history.

Official Texas Pro Sedan results

Finish Car # Driver/Hometown Car Type/Engine CC Qualifying Feature Laps

1, 15 Tom Johnson/Kingsland, TX Ford Mustang/2340-arca 16.951 34 Laps
2, 70 Mike Merrell/Kingsland, TX VW Scirocco/1690 17.142 34 Laps
3, 20 Sergio Hexsel/Live Oak, TX VW GTI/2042 17.713 34 Laps
4, 73 r-Cody Limerick/Corpus Christi,TX Ford Mustang/2348 (ccs) 17.999 33 Laps
5, 04 r-Nathan Robbins/Bastrop, TX Ford Pinto/2338 18.143 32 Laps
6, 27 Bill Labarge/Bryan, TX BMW/2313 18.044 32 Laps
7, 48 Mike Knotts/Universal City, TX VW Scirocco/1648 18.096 32 Laps
8, 22 Harry Osburn Jr./San Antonio, TX Ford Mustang/2349-svo 18.037 31 Laps
9, 3 Bob Sherland/San Antonio, TX VW Rabbit/1790 17.911 31 Laps
10, 01 r-Tory Christopher/Universal City Toyota Celica/1950 19.094 31 Laps
11, 75 r-Daniel Wilkerson/Corpus Christi Ford Pinto/2338 20.313 31 Laps
12, 23 r-J.J. Osburn III/Converse, TX Ford Mustang/2338-svo 20.429 30 Laps
13, 18 Lanny Young/Kingsland, TX VW Karmen Ghia/2275 19.641 30 Laps
14, 97 Kevin Hallman/Cibolo, TX Ford Mustang/2338 21.394 29 Laps
15, 71 Bruce Mabrito/San Antonio, TX VW Scirocco/1980 20.440 29 Laps
16, 50 Rick Dawdy/San Antonio, TX VW Rabbit/1648 24.159 29 Laps
17, 40 r-Robert Robbins/Bastrop, TX Ford Pinto/2000 23.287 29 Laps
18, 55 John Miesen/Marion, TX VW Sedan/1915 21.916 28 Laps
19, 88 r-Dennis Taylor/Live Oak, TX Chevrolet Cobalt/2232 19.654 26 Laps
20, 26 Lalo Leal/Corpus Christi, TX Ford Cobra/2342-arca 17.523 6 Laps
21, 38 Dave Parks/San Antonio, TX 2001 VW Sedan/1588 26.141 1 Laps
dna, 2 r-Johnny Guerra/Corpus Christi, TX Ford Mustang/2338
dna, 9 r-Bobby Burrows/Yorktown, TX Ford Fusion/2338-svo D
dna, 77 Pete Wright/Ft. Worth, TX VW Scirocco/2008
dna, 07 r-Mike O’Connor/Weatherford, TX Pontiac Sunfire/2167

Margin of Victory 10:21 seconds.

The Dwarf Car Series of Texas feature saw Jerry Young, Mike Young, Jim Rogers, Coby Young and Arden Vikre take the top five spots.

Official Dwarf Car Series of Texas results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 18 Jerry Young, Helotes, TX 20 laps Qt 18.105
2. 3 Mike Young, Helotes, TX 20 laps DNT
3. 6 Jim Rogers, Ingleside, TX 20 laps QT 17.952
4. 55 Coby Young, Helotes, TX 20 laps DNT
5. 72 Arden Vikre, San Marcos, TX 20 laps QT 17.646
6. 15 Dwain Groff, Helotes, TX 20 laps DNT
7. 27 Butch Havelka, Portland, TX 20 laps QT 18.459
8. 16 Chris Knandel, Corpus Christi, TX 20 laps QT 18.126
9. 30 Billy Groff, Helotes, TX 30 laps QT 19.398
10. 60 Richard Smith, Wimberley, TX 30 laps QT 18.587
11. 8 Chuck McCormick, Helotes, TX 30 laps QT 18.191
12. 13 John Flake, Austin, TX 30 laps QT 18.755
13. 32 Hoppy Malatek, Fentres, TX 30 laps QT 20.122
14. 05 Keith Roach, Buda, TX 16 laps QT 17.808

Tracy Tschoerner, Brady Ramzinski, Michael Espinoza, Jerry Woolf and Kris Wilson were the top five finishers in the 15-lap Mini Stock feature.

Official Mini Stock results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 01 Tracy Tschoerner, Taylor, TX 15 laps
2. 88X Brandy Ramzinski, San Antonio, TX 15 laps
3. 18 Michael Espinoza 15 laps
4. 10 Jerry Woolf, San Antonio, TX 15 laps
5. 03 Kris Wilson, Austin, TX 15 laps
6. 02 Dalton Wall, Kyle, TX 14 laps
7. 68 Kenneth Wright, McQueeney, TX 14 laps
8. 88 Brandon Spreen, Boerne, TX 12 laps
9. 77 Eric Robbins, Red Rock, TX 11 laps

Lyndon Kirk and Mike Steinman broke away early in the 27-lap NasKart feature until caution re-bunched the field. Steinman got shuffled back on the restart leaving Kirk to battle with Richard Gonzales, who took over the lead until they made contact giving Steinman and Chris Terry a run at the top two spots. Kirk made a last lap charge to sneak in for the victory.

Official NasKart results

Finish, Car Number, Name, Hometown, Laps Completed, Qualifying Time

1. 5 Lyndon Kirk, Austin, TX 27 laps
2. 17 Richard Gonzales, San Antonio, TX 27 laps
3. 71 Mike Steinman, Austin, TX 27 laps
4. 12 Frank Mena, Leander, TX 27 laps
5. 24 Chris Terry, Oklahoma City, OK 27 laps
6. 88 Kayleb Kreis, Lake Travis, TX 27 laps
7. 07 Megan Smith Austin, TX 27 laps
8. 29 Marty Kreis, Lake Travis, TX 27 laps
9. 77 Andy Taylor, TX 27 laps
10. 18 Chris Birmingham, Leander, TX 27 laps
11. 8 Gary Smith, Austin, TX 11 laps
12. 48 Kevin Hummell, Lake Travis, TX DNS

By J.M. Hallas and Nick Holt
Front page and story photos by Jeff Garvin

Jake Kruger’s recent success in TSRS Late Models had a rough start

The date – April 19, 2008. It was the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Models’ season-opening race at Thunder Hill Raceway, a 3/8-mile asphalt oval in Kyle, TX.

As one would expect at the first race of the season, there were a lot of good-looking race cars lined up for driver introductions. Except for then-14-year-old Jake Kruger, a series rookie – he and his team were standing out on the front straightaway without a car. They were there to be recognized, but reality hit when the race started and the Krugers – with their car sitting without a working engine – were watching the race from the stands.

“It was a very sick feeling,” recalled Deb Kruger, Jake’s mom and co-owner of Kruger Motorsports along with her husband Bill. “We went through five motors trying to get ready for the first race. The last one blew up in practice. It was just a bunch of bad luck.”

The Krugers, smarting from that experience, went with a different engine builder, Lozano Brothers of San Antonio, an outfit that still provides engines for team.

Obviously, Jake and his parents, along with sister Nikki and the rest of the team, had no where to go but “up” from that first race.

Fast forward just four weeks later – TSRS had its first race at Houston Motorsports Park (HMP). On May 17, 2008, Kruger – just two races from not having a car to run – went out and beat the field (which included future 2008 series champ Heath Stewart) for his first-ever TSRS victory.

As the ’08 summer got hotter so did Kruger, who reeled off seven more top-10 finishes before the season’s last race, the Sept. 27th Texas Stock Car Spectacular at THR. Kruger capped off a fantastic “comeback” season by grabbing the checkers in that race, clinching the TSRS Rookie of the Year award with his second win of the season. He also claimed fifth place in the overall ’08 drivers’ points standings.

Fast forward once more, now to this coming Saturday (July 11, 2009). As Kruger and the rest of the TSRS Late Model drivers are getting ready for the seventh race of the ’09 season – the Rebecca Cooper CPA 75 at THR – the Bastrop, TX resident (now 16 years old) is setting the pace for the series.

Thus Kruger, who didn’t have a car to hit the track just 15 months ago, has won three of the last four races and four of seven since taking the ’08 Texas Stock Car Spectacular feature. Kruger (994 points) leads racing veteran Bobby Teer, Jr. by 27 points going into Saturday’s race at Thunder Hill.

“This season is a continuation of the last race of last season,” stated Kruger, who’s sponsored by Kruger Motorsports, Turner Motorsports, BMF Shocks, Gen-Tech Generators and Oval Components. “Knowing we’ve won half the races this year makes us feel pretty good. I definitely have more experience from last year to this year and I believe I’ve learned from that.”

Noting that he’s got five total wins and trails TSRS all-time win leaders Chris Schild and Tommy Gural (eight wins apiece), Kruger added, “We’re just three races off the all-time win list – it’d be great to tie Chris and Tommy. Still, our season-long goal is to win the championship although right now we’re just out to win races.”

Among the many reasons for the team’s success is the crew - Lance Gaither, Brandon and Dillon Gaither and TJ Hopper – along the crew chief, John Heil.

“I personally want to thank all the crew members for their dedication,” Deb Kruger stated. “They work their butts off to make good things happen for Jake. And we wouldn’t be where we’re at right now without folks like Turner Motorsports and BMF Shocks (owned by Heil) – plus we’ve had a lot of help from Oval Components.”

Bill Kruger, a former racer himself, added, “Having good people to work with us and work around us has been a huge plus for this team. A lot of times we have people step up and just do things. This crew doesn’t have to be told what to do; usually everyone jumps in and does it. Everyone does their job and we all get along.”

Jake points to the great relationship with his crew chief as the big reason for his personal success on the track.

“With John Heil as our crew chief, we’ve won four of the six races we’ve been working together,” stated the ’09 TSRS LM points leader. “John is very easy to talk to – he can explain everything to me so I understand it. I can talk to him about the car – he makes a recommendation and so I’m learning how to talk about making adjustments to the car.

“You’re not going to win if you don’t have a great relationship with someone who works on your car. We spend a lot of time together; we have a special bond between us. I can talk to him about anything; we don’t always talk about racing. My mom once said John said I’m like the son he’s always wanted to have. That means a lot to me.”

Jake’s father concurred. “John is very meticulous about a lot of things. He makes me that way and both of us working together helps make sure we keep everything in line. If I don’t think of something he does and if I don’t think of it he does.”

While the team chases the ’09 TSRS LM championship, Bill Kruger admits the team is also looking towards the near future.

“We hope to run a few Pro Late Models races this year,” stated the elder Kruger. “We’re in communications to get some seat time, both locally (in Houston) and on the East Coast. We hope to make a trip out east to see how and where we stack up against that competition. We want to get our feet wet and want to make sure we keep moving up the ladder.”

The elder Kruger concluded, “We’re looking to get our name out there and see where we stack up. We’re only going to get one chance to make a first impression; we’re talking to a lot of folks to make deals happen.”

by Chuck Licata
Photo by Jeff Garvin

The “Young Guns” of the TSRS Late Model Series took the “Old Timers” to school at Houston Motorsports Park

The ‘young guns” of the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) took the “old timers” to school last Saturday at Houston Motorsports Park during the running of the TSRS Late Model “Insty Print 75.” It was fifteen year-old Jake Kruger who ended up in victory circle while the best the veterans could manage was a fifth place finish.

Nineteen year-old Kyle Sirizzotti, fourteen year-old Dillon Spreen and sixteen year-old Kendall Bumbera filled the top four spots behind Kruger in the finishing order.

And it wasn’t because there weren’t any quality “old school” Late Model drivers at the at the well-maintained 3/8-mile oval that night.

Chris Schild - who currently sits at the top of the “most TSRS Late Model wins” column along with Tommy Gural - lined up on the front row next to seventeen year-old Levi Krauss, who set fast time during time trials. And multi-race winner Robert Barker started in row two next to another rookie, fourteen year-old Dillon Spreen. And Bobby Teer, Jr, Cary Stapp, Robert Walton, Todd Farris and Mike Williams – all top-notch racers with years of racing experience - haven’t sat through a fourth-period study hall in quite a while.

Schild grabbed the early lead when Krauss drifted high in the first turn after solid contact with another competitor. Krauss was freight trained by a good portion of the 15 car field as he struggled to re-gain contol. Barker took over second with Kruger assuming the third spot.

Schild soon had his mirror full of Barker’s borrowed race car and the pair battled for the lead for a dozen laps. Meanwhile, Spreen had moved up through the field to challenge for fourth, then third as the field sorted itself out.

The race was only a few laps old when - for no apparent reason - Schild spun. The caution flag flew as the track personnel checked for possible fluid on the track surface as Barker wheeled what appeared to be a broken race car into the pits, his night over early.

Despite the spin, TSRS officials reinstated Schild as the race leader as Spreen, Kruger, Teer Jr., and Sirizzotti lined up behind him for the restart.

Over the next several laps Spreen took a few good looks under Schild, but the leader was able to handle the repeated challenges even though Spreen may have had the faster car at that point.

On the 32nd lap, Spreen and Schild made contact with Schild spinning to a stop to bring out the caution flag once again. Race officials ruled that Spreen was at fault for the contact and Schild resumed the race from the front while Spreen was sent to the rear.

A few laps laterTeer, Jr, running in third behind Kruger at the time, lost control in turn four , drifted up out of the groove and held on. Teer was able to regain control after Cody Smith scooted by to take over that spot.

A lap later both Kruger and Smith were able to work their way past Schild, who seemed to be experiencing growing problems with the handling. But as Krauss tried to get by, he and Schild made solid contact and the pair ended up in a wad on the back straight. Krauss was able to return, but without some of his bodywork.

The race was restarted on lap 51 with Kruger, Smith, Schild – reinstated to his third place spot after it was determined that Krauss was at fault for the accident - Mike Williams and Teer, Jr, the new top five.

With 20 to go, Kruger and Smith began to separate themselves from the pack as Sirizzotti and Teer Jr battled for third and fourth a short distance back. A few laps later Schild spins again to bring out the yellow flag.

The lap 65 restart has Kruger, Smith, Sirizzotti, Teer, Spreen and Kendall Bumbera at the front. But a lap later Smith and Kruger tangle in turn two to bring out yet another caution flag. Smith was deemed at fault in this one and was sent to the rear with Kruger retaining his first place position.

This restart had Kruger, Sirizzotti, Teer, Spreen and Bumbera the top five combatants.

Sirizzotti was soon hot on Kruger’s heels with Teer and Spreen right there to form a tight four-car pack. But with two laps remaining, Teer spun solo in turn three to bring out the final caution period of the night.

Kruger, Sirizzotti, Spreen, Bumbera, and Cary Stapp were now facing a two-lap shootout for the win.

Sirizzotti gave it all he had, first looking low, then high, then low again, but Kruger retained his composure and held off the determined Sirizzotti for the win. Spreen, Bumbera and Stapp finished in that order.

“I want to thank Kyle (Sirizzotti) for running me clean those last few laps,” Kruger said after the race. “We wanted to run a clean, steady race and we did. It feels good to win.”

Official results:

Finishing position, Car number, Name, Hometown, Laps completed, Starting position, Qualifying time, Points awarded, Notes

1 14 Jake Kruger Bastrop, TX 75 5 15.084 180
2 93 Kyle Sirizzotti Helotes, TX 75 6 15.138 170
3 81 Dillon Spreen Boerne, TX 75 4 15.072 165
4 72 Kendall Bumbera Sealy, TX 75 10 15.509 165 Hard Charger Bonus Points (5)
5 99 Cary Stapp San Marcos, TX 75 11 15.471 160 Hard Charger Bonus Points (5)
6 49 Robert Walton Bastrop, TX 75 13 15.921 0 Broke Impound - Scratch Start Non TSRS member - No Points
7 33 Mike Williams Hockley, TX 75 9 15.442 150
8 05 Cody Smith La Vernia, TX 75 7 15.192 146
9 2 Bobby Teer, Jr. Comfort, TX 75 8 15.262 142
10 4 Levi Krauss Schertz, TX 75 2 14.952 143 Fast Qualifier Bonus Points (5)
11 7 Chris Schild Leander, TX 74 1 15.123 134
12 96 Todd Farris College Station, TX 56 12 DNQ 130
13 1 Robert Barker Boerne, TX 12 3 14.992 127
14 56 Todd McLemore Austin, TX 0 DNS DNQ 5 Broke in Friday practice

By Nick Holt
Photos by Jeff Garvin

Proven field lines up for Texas Super Racing Series opener this weekend at THR

There will plenty of “bragging rights” at the start/finish line when the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) Late Models line up to take the green flag for their season opener this Saturday for the Allstate Texas Thunder 50 at the 3/8-mile asphalt oval that is Thunderhill Raceway (Kyle, TX).

Among the drivers expected to start the TSRS season opener, there are 22 track and series championships, along with four Rookie of the Year (ROY) trophies.

Included in that barrage of championships and ROY titles is 2005 TSRS champion Chris Schild (Leander, TX), who had a four-year run of winning at least one race, which was snapped last season. Schild, the 2005 TSRS champion, has more than enough incentive to drive to victory lane on Saturday, as he’s tied with ‘06 series champ Tommy Gural for the most career wins in TSRS history (eight).

And expect Schild to start near the front as he’s the series leader in Fast Qualifier Awards (13).

There will be plenty of competition from a field that includes a host of up-and-coming youngsters. Fifteen-year-old Jake Kruger (Bastrop, TX) won two series races in ’08 and beat out Dillon Spreen (age 14) for the ROY award last season. Spreen, from Boerne (TX), is a nine-time champion (seven quarter-midget regional championships, two Allison Legacy championships) and will be out to add another drivers’ award to his large trophy case.

Two more young guns who will take their first laps in TSRS at Thunderhill Raceway (THR) on Saturday: Levi Krauss (age 17, Schertz, TX), the ‘08 ASA A-Line Super Stock ROY at THR; and, Kendall Bumbera, (Sealy, TX) the sister to Kristin Bumbera, who is currently driving in the NASCAR Camping World Series East for Bobby Hamilton, Jr.

Schild is one of a few “grizzled veterans” who will be spotlighted Saturday. Cody Smith, who was the 2006 TSRS ROY and Runner-up Champion as well as the ’05 THR Hobby Stock Champion, will steer his #05 car onto the track. He and Schild will be joined – among others – by Cary Stapp, the 2008 ASA National Champion and four-time THR ASA A-Line Super Stock champ; and, Bobby Teer Jr. (Comfort, TX) the 2004 THR Super Stock champ.

Information on TSRS can be found at www.manracingpromotions.com. Information about THR and the Allstate Texas Racefest can be found at www.texasracefest.com.

by Chuck Licata
Photo by Jeff Garvin

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