4th Annual Showdown @ Cotton Bowl Speedway, 10/10/15

[rebelracewriter]

4th Annual Showdown @ Cotton Bowl Speedway, 10/9-10/15

 

By JM Hallas

Paige, TX.,(Oct. 10Th, 2015) With nearly 60 drivers already locked in from Friday night qualifiers, all other drivers in the local classes had one more chance to grab a spot in the nights A-mains. In Friday night action David Goode jr., Greg Dinsmore took home IMCA Modified wins, JJ Jennings, GW Egbert in IMCA Southern Sportmods, Charles Cosper in IMCA Stock Cars, Andy Roller in IMCA Hobby Stocks and Bryan Meredith in CBS Stock Cars. Ryan McNeely was the Eco-Stock victor and Lil PJ Egbert took the Go-Kart win in their features.

The South Texas Street Stock Shootout saw Craig Oakes grab the most passing points in the two rounds of heats, with 11 other drivers transferring to tonight's show. Multi-time STxSSS champion Wade Jones, who was second in nightly passing points, comes into the night with only a 52 point lead over Heath Stewart while Brian Rye and Anthony Gordon are still within striking distance.

The Billy Bobs Repair and Tire Southern Texas Late Model Series and IMCA Racesaver 305 Sprint Cars each would run a full program. Brandon Brzozowski currently heads the STLMS points by almost 100 over multi-time IMCA National Champion, Keith White and 200 on top of Michael Wagner.

Saturday night brings an end to the Cotton Bowl Speedway's 2015 season that saw Keith White(IMCA Modifieds) grab another track championship, Chris Birmingham(IMCA Southern Sportmod) and Joe O'Bryan(IMCA Stock Car) get their first ever track titles, with Andy Roller(IMCA Hobby Stocks) and Mike Oliver(IMCA Racesaver 305 Sprint Cars) taking home the hardware.

In CBS Street Stocks, Anthony Gordon eked out the championship by only a couple points over Heath Stewart, while Danny Bennett(CBS Stocks) and Brian Bagent(Eco-Stocks) also earned track titles.

PJ Picks Up Payday on Last Lap Pass

 

Over the past ten or so years PJ Egbert(Copperas Cove) and Keith White, both IMCA National Champs, have had some epic races. Tonight was no different. White led the first 24 laps until a late caution gave Egbert one more shot. Egbert in the Phils Motorsports, McElroy Trucking, KLM Transport, D&D Cabinets, McIntyre Motorsports, Abilene Powder Coating, Stephenville Starter, Nightmare Graphics by Nate, TBL Taxidermy, Heart of Texas Hydrographics, KSE Race Engines, '09 GRT Chassis by Phillips, made it work to his advantage as he edged past White coming off turn 4 to beat White back to the checkers for the win.

The start of the 26-car, 25-lap IMCA Modified feature saw White get out front on green followed by Egbert, Kevin Green, Mike McCarthy and Greg Dinsmore. Dinsmore was looking high on McCarthy for fourth until McCarthy had trouble and stopped on the back stretch. The restart saw Dinsmore have steering issues and pull to the infield moving David Goode jr. and Jason Batt up.

Spins on both ends of the track brought out a lap 6 yellow that saw Green give Egbert a look for second on the restart, while Batt and Dwayne Grantham got past Goode jr. Coming to the crossed flags it was White, Egbert trying the middle, Green, Batt and Grantham in the top five, all on the bottom. Robert Stewart had a flat and spun for a lap 15 caution.

Once back to green, White was inching away while Hardy Henderson and Raymond McSpadden were side by side for sixth. Stewart again had trouble on lap 21 ending his night. White eased ahead on green while Batt and Grantham were joined by Greg Atwood in the battle for fifth. As the white was shown McSpadden and Goode jr. made contact collecting Joe Spillman and Billy Bachmeyer jr. The caution set up a wild finish.

As the green was shown for a green, white, checkered finish Egbert tried the high side in turns 1-2, but ducked back in line to keep Batt at bay. Again the white waved with Egbert on Whites bumper. Going into turn 3 Egbert went to the middle and got a run coming off turn 4. With a little rubbing coming down the straightaway, Egbert was able to sneak past White for the win at the line.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky, than fast, commented Egbert. Keith(White) probably had the better car tonight. Then we had that(late) caution. I was kind of bummed about it thinking I might end up finishing third instead of second. They pushed the tractor tire out a little farther after it got hit in turn 1 and took Keith's line away getting in. It benefited me and made a good race on the green, white, checker finish. Good way to end the season.

Pretty much all year long people fight for the bottom here. My car likes rolling through the middle. The cards fell our way tonight. Keith and I are both pretty much on top of our game. If we're both having a good night it will be a good race to the end. We've both grown to have a lot of respect for one another. Neither of us will give an inch, but we try not to take one either.

Watching Lil PJ win is as big as beating Keith. That father-son moment, there's nothing greater than that. Now I know what my dad has gone through during my racing career once I started winning. The look that you get from your father, is the look you give your son.

IMCA Modifieds
707 PJ Egbert, 1 Keith White, 19 Jason Batt, 5 Kevin Green, 7g David Goode jr., 63 Hardy Henderson, 29 Jamie Campbell, 1b Brandon Hood, 48r Raymond McSpadden, 83 Chad Estes, 38 Billy Bachmeyer jr., 15 Rob Sanderson, 29 Clark Warren, 9w Brian Walker, 13 Jerry Frydrych, 44 Joe Spillman, 27g Dwayne Grantham, 48 Chris Swenson, c4x Greg Atwood, 202 Scott Stubbs, 32 Robert Stewart, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 22 Michael Thompson, 9 Pat McGuire, 20 Mike McCarthy

IMCA Modified B- mains(Top 6 advance to A-main)
IMCA Mod B-main 1; 48 Chris Swenson, 38 Billy Bachmeyer jr., 29 Jamie Campbell, 15 Rob Sanderson, 83 Chad Estes, 29 Clark Warren, 31 Doyle Massa, 77 Robert Liese jr., 49L James Samford, 4 Lonnell Timmons---dns

IMCA Mod B-main 2; 27g Dwayne Grantham, 17 Cody Tidwell, 22 Michael Thompson, 202 Scott Stubbs, 1b Brandon Hood, 9w Brian Walker, 32 Robert Stewart, 27 Marlin Samford, 712 Colton Monroe, 13g David Goode sr

Louden Lands in Victory Lane

 

Vince Louden(Shiner) held off some heavy hitters in taking the win in the 25-lap Southern Sportmod A-main. Louden, who went wire to wire, first had to hold off one of last nights winners, JJ Jennings early, then in the latter stages Trevor and GW Egbert. Louden in the Rock Motors, Pat Foreman Heads, 41 Shocks, Extreme Graphics, IRP Chassis was up to the task holding on for the victory.

Louden was first into turn 1 as green waved on the 24-car field with Jennings, T. Egbert, Shane Hoefling and GW Egbert falling in line. Don Painter made an early challenge on GW. Egbert for fifth. GW Egbert held the spot, then took fourth from Hoefling. T. Egbert picked up second from Jennings before caution waved for problems on both ends of the track.

On the restart GW Egbert got by Jennings for third, while Painter took fifth from Hoefling. At halfway it was Louden, the Egbert brothers side by side for second, Jennings and Painter. A caution for a spin by Jack Barfield jr. rebunched the pack that saw the ensuing restart eliminate two contenders when Jennings and Hoefling made contact stacking up the field.

With the top three now nose to tail, George Egbert and Painter were side by side for fourth. The Egbert brothers continued fighting wheel to wheel for second until GW finally secured the spot on lap 17. A debris caution with five to go put the pack back together on the rear bumper of Louden.

GW Egbert gave Louden a few taps on the bumper as the final circuits clicked off while Craig Oakes took fifth from G. Egbert. GW Egbert was playing offense on Louden and defense on T. Egbert when the white flag waved. Louden was able to hold steady to snag the checkers.

It's been a lot of homework to get the car to handle, replied Louden. The main thing is being smooth, consistent and hitting your marks. I felt a few taps on the bumper. It's about getting a rhythm, if you did that, you were fine. It's not about motor, it's about chassis, homework and dedication.

I tried to just run my own race and not be concerned with who was behind me. I know they're all tough. I try to be the guy in the corner that's always quiet. I wanted to win the race just like they did.

I thought the whole time about being a sitting duck in the lead. Yep, having the Egberts behind me, I was a sitting duck. I watched the races earlier and I didn't see anyone making any radical passes. I knew track position meant a lot tonight.

This is my new home track. I've been racing here the last few races. I like IMCA, having a good car count and the guys out here. I never thought I'd need a license to drive a racecar though. Danny(Bennett) does a good job prepping the track to where you can go four wide. I like it out here, it's a nice place. I have to thank my grumpy dad and all my family and friends out here.

IMCA Southern Sport Mods
6 Vince Louden, 717 GW Egbert, 78 Trevor Egbert, 10d Don Painter, 99 Craig Oakes, 70 George Egbert, 174 Mickey Helms, 0 Brandon Blaylock, 66 Johnny Torres, 24r Robby Minten, 9d Olin Dillard, c3 Chris Birmingham, 14t Talon Minten, 21t Taylor Florio, 43g Gene Burnett, 115 Jack Barfield jr., 0k Thomas Bennett, 777 James Hanusch, 551 Gerald Henderson, 01t Teresa Gural, 04x Christopher Burnett, 26g JJ Jennings, 63 Shane Hoefling, 175 Bo Beckner

IMCA Southern Sport Mod B-mains(Top 6 to A-main)
IMCA SSM B-1; 43g Gene Burnett, c3 Chris Birmingham, 0k Thomas Bennett, 04x Christopher Burnett, 24r Robby Minten', 777 James Hanusch, 79 David Meredith, 68 Rusty Head---dns, 28 Lee Williams---dns, 25 Brandon Prewitt---dns

IMCA SSM B-2
99 Craig Oakes, 14t Talon Minten, 21t Taylor Florio, 01 Teresa Gural, 9d Olin; Dillard, 551 Gerald Henderson, 11 Tom Grothues, 11c Rusty Chambers, 04 Nathan Robbins, 686 Kevin Tindall

Cosper Conquers IMCA Stock Cars

 

Charles Cosper(Belton) fell one heat race short of a weekend sweep in the IMCA Stock Cars. Cosper, who only managed a third in Friday nights heat race, took the checkers in the A-qualifier, then Saturday's A-main. Cosper, in the Spillman Excavating, Average Joes Performance, Fat Daddys Designs, Brazos Auto Sales, Swenson Shocks, Nortons Automotive, Cedar Cove Speed powered, SCS Chassis, led every lap of the feature.

Cosper got out to a big lead at the start of the 25-lapper trailed by Zach Riley, Anthony Otken, Peter Delevan and Joe O'Bryan. As the top five sorted out it was scramble for sixth among Justin McCullough, Nic Preim, Chad Estes, Robin Batt, Eric Jones and Ken Plonsky with positions changing nearly every corner.

Cosper built a big margin over Riley while Otken and Delevan ran door to door for third. The races only caution came on lap 8 after Batt, Jones and Estes tried to go three wide. Jones and Estes made contact with Thomas Hall and Duane Toyne spinning to avoid them. Once back under green Cosper was easing away again coming to halfway with Riley, Delevan, Otken and O'Bryan still holding the top five spots.

Delevan finally got past Riley for second with ten to go and an eight car battle still going on for seventh. The only thing to slow Cosper down was lapped traffic, and even then no one could close the gap. Cosper easily sliced through slower cars the final two laps to secure the victory.

I'm still driving for my dad, this is his racecar and I'm still his driver said Cosper. This year has been a real success for us. Winning the Texas IMCA Nationals in Waco on the Fourth of July, all the wins, the track championships. It all came together. Honestly I couldn't be any happier.

I really enjoy a dry track. I was watching it for a while and it was real soupy on the bottom for the longest time. No one wanted to go down there. Everyone hitting it would wash up the track. I was a little nervous. The track came around quick. Having a track that I like is part of my consistent success.

We come prepared for a dry slick track. If it's not then we work around it. Everything we work for is for the dry. It's a lot of work. It takes tire prep, just being right on set up. This week I put it on the scales and it was five pounds off. So I made quarter turns here, half turns there, remeasured ride heights and checked everything. I try to take my car to track the same every week.

All we basically do between all the tracks we run is change some Swenson shocks. I use the same baseline set up and wheel offset to each track, even the same gear. That's all we do from track to track. The car has just been on a rail, and it's fun to drive.

IMCA Stock Cars
33c Charles Cosper, 98 Peter Delevan, 110 Zach Riley, 489 Anthony Otken, 14 Joe O'Bryan, 52 AJ Dancer, 47 Justin McCullough, 83 Chad Estes, 84x Eric Jones, 3 Robin Batt, 17 Nic Preim, 74 Jeff Bauser, 20t Thomas Hall, 11v Zach Spillman, 17d Dean Preim, 4k Ken Plonsky, 8w Mike Wilburn, 48 Duane Toyne, 22 Justin Weirenga, 47x Trent Miller---dns, 17f John Frydrych---dns, 77 JR Siegmam---dns

IMCA Stock Car B-main
48 Duane Toyne, 84x Eric Jones, 3 Robin Batt, 83 Chad Estes, 17d Dean Priem, 11v Zach Spillman, 8w Mike Wilburn, 74 Jeff Bauser, 22 Justin Weirenga, 47x Trent Miller, 77 JR Siegman, 47x Trent Miller

Rockin' with Roller in Hobby Stocks
Waco's Andy Roller capped off his weekend sweep with another checkered flag. Roller took his heat and qualifier on Friday night, then backed it up with the win in Saturdays IMCA Hobby Stock feature. The perfect topper for the season that saw Roller, in the Howards Automatic Transmission, Southwest Maintenance, Ben's Boat Repair, J&J Carbs, Lambs Muffler, Demon Decals, A&J Custom Paint, Crate powered, Charger Chassis take home the track championship as well.

Roller grabbed the top spot from the front row as the 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature took the green chased by Sean Burnett, Dale Caswell, Joe Williams and David Shed. Roller quickly checked out while Keith Klump made his way past D. Shed for fifth.

With Roller way out front, Klump and Williams were fighting for fourth on the final lap when they hooked bumpers and slid to the infield. Roller went unchallenged to checkers while Williams and Klump tried to disconnect in the infield.

Slower was faster tonight, explained Roller. We had another good night. We had some brake issues last night, bought a new master cylinder and they're still not right. They were either all the way on, or all the way off. I got lucky and got by Sean(Burnett) on the first lap. If he'd have pinched me down it might have been a different race. We were lucky to pull away to a good lead, not having any cautions helped there.

I don't know if running a crate motor here is a big advantage. I think I could have done the same with a claimer. A crate is cheaper, for me, in the long run. If everyone would have been here tonight we would have been door to door like always.

It's pretty much the same for me whether I'm running a 20-lap feature here or running those 300-lap enduros in Baytown last weekend. The only difference is here I don't have to worry another 160 cars on the track. I still get nervous before a race, especially starting on the pole tonight. Everything worked out and we got another win

Next weekend is Abilene(Southern Challenge) and I believe I'm the defending champion. I know I've twice there. I expect they'll have a lot more cars there. We raced against some of the New Mexico guys this year, and there are some heavy hitters. Hopefully we'll get another win and another big cardboard check.

IMCA Hobby Stocks

63 Andy Roller, 57 Sean Burnett, 22 Dale Caswell, 09 David Shed, 528 Stephanie Henderson, 32 Joe Williams, 04 Alexis Shed, 43x Keith Klump, 43 Stacey Robinette---dns

White Whips 'Em in Sprints

 

Former USAC Silver Crown and NASCAR Sunbelt Region champion, Paul White had it all his way in the 305 Racesaver Sprint Car feature going flag to flag for the victory. White, in the Danny and Mylinda Bennett owned Sprint Car eased away early from Mike Kovorski and AJ Weaver. Track champ Mike Oliver would get by Weaver for third, but no one had anything for White in the J.Irwin Company, Shale Equipment & Services, Ladds Coins, Screen Pro Graphics, Sprinter.

IMCA Racesaver 305 Sprint Cars
r4j Paul White, 40 Mike Kovorski, 2 Mike Oliver, 55 AJ Weaver, 02 Harry YerringtonDQ(motor), 86 Nick Robins---dntg, 69 Larry Howery---dns

IMCA Racesaver 305 Sprint Car heat
55 AJ Weaver, r4j Paul White, 40 Mike Kovorski, 2 Mike Oliver, o2 Harry Yerrington, 69 Larry Howery, 86 Nick Robins

Sitton Sweeps Southern Texas Late Models

 

Kevin Sitton(Baytown) swept the Southern Texas Late Model Series events taking both his heat and feature win in convincing fashion. Sitton beat polestitter Ronnie Warman off turn 2 at the start of the 25-lap STLMS feature and never looked back. Warman fell in line second with Robbie Starnes, Kody Hardage and Michael Wagner in tow.

A couple quick cautions didn't deter Sitton who would pull back away while Austin Theiss was working along side Hardage. Theiss' charge would end on lap 7 with Keith White sitting on top of the nose in turns 1-2. Sitton had two tense moments, the first on lap 17 when Brandon Brozozowski spun in front of him erasing a huge lead.

Sitton led Starnes, Warman, Ricky Begnaud and Colton Horner back to green with R. Begnaud getting by Warman. The top five saw a big shake up in the order when Starnes broke from second. Then Horner, Hardage, Wagner and Warman all tangled in turns 1-2. Sitton pulled away on the final restart, then had to dodge a stalled car in turn 4 coming to the checkers and score the win in the Mirage Construction, Phoenix Erectors, Trick Shocks & Suspension, Late Model.

Billy Bobs Repair and Tire Southern Texas Late Models
20 Kevin Sitton, 104 Brandon Brzozowski, 32 Ricky Begnaud, 1 Doug Begnaud, 21w Ronnie Warman, 84 Mike Davenport, 18 Michael Wagner, 82 Jarrod Stepanski, 56 Colton Horner, 12 Kody Hardage, 77 Robbie Starnes, 45 Brian Machiecek, 7d Austin Theiss, 69c Keith White, 99 Nate Jantz

STLM heats(Line up by heat finish for A-main)
Heat 1; 21w Ronnie Warman, 12 Kody Hardage, 18 Michael Wagner, 1 Doug Begnaud, 104 Brandon Brzozowski, 84 Mike Davenport, 45 Brian Machiecek

Heat 2; 20 Kevin Sitton, 77 Robbie Starnes, 32 Ricky Begnaud, 56 Colton Horner, 99 Nate Jantz, 82 Jarrod Stepanski, 7d Austin Theiss

Oakes Outrun Jones in Street Stock Shootout

 

San Antonio's Craig Oakes took home the South Texas Street Stock Shootout win over a stout field in the 23-car event. Oakes got by early leader, Tony Blankenship near halfway then had to fend off challenges from Jeff Schultea and four-time StxSSS champ, Wade Jones to secure the victory.

At the start of the 25-lap feature, Mickey Helms took the drop back bonus money from the pole. Other drivers moving to the back, to pick up passing points, were Jones, Heath Stewart and Anthony Gordon. Blankenship jumped into the lead on green with Schultea, Oakes, Tim Sikorski and Kyle Carter in pursuit.

Schultea got along side Blankenship briefly as the top three ran nose to tail while Tommy Gural took fifth from Carter. Oakes grabbed second from Schultea as Jones was making his way forward. Oakes then was side by side with Blankenship on lap 10 taking over the lead on lap 11. At halfway it was Oakes, Schultea, Blankenship, Shane Hoefling and Gural in the top five.

Jones was now picking off cars on his way to the front getting by Gural, then Blankenship. As Oakes was dicing through heavy traffic he got a break when Gerald Johnson stopped on track for a caution on lap 22. Bad news was, this put Jones on his bumper. Back under green Oakes got a little space while Jones and Schultea battled.

That was short-lived once Jones cleared Schultea as the white flag waved. Jones tried the middle in turns 1-2 to no avail, then ducked under Oakes in turn 3. Coming off turn 4 they were side by side, trading paint on their way to the line. At the checkers it was Oakes by inches in the Skip and Cheryl Grey owned, Greys Recycling, Chevy eking out the victory.

South Texas Street Stock Shootout
bd1 Craig Oakes, 41 Wade Jones, 97 Jeff Schultea, 2 Heath Stewart, co2 Shane Hoefling, 184 Brian Rye, 99k Kyle Carter, 22p Mickey Helms, 30 Bryan Meredith, 89 Mike Whitehead, 22m Anthony Gordon, 355 Joe Boop, 6m Mark Gallagher, 00 Nathan Hawken, 998 Justin Whitehead, 7 Brian Kubiak, 00x Boyd Bumbera, 37 Lincoln Morris, 9 Tommy Gural, 09 Gerald Johnson, 35 Tony Blankenship, 7t Tim Sikorski

Sims Storms to Stock Car Victory

 

'Stormin' Steve Sims(Austin) rebounded from problems on Friday night to score the 20-lap CBS Stock Car victory. An oil leak and crash sidelined him on qualifying night early, but tonight was a whole new story as Sims, in the Austin Mobile Marine, Browning Auto Parts, Terry's Body Shop, Arbor Auto Works, MCG Graphics, Chevy Nova battled race-long with track champion Danny Bennett.

As the 16-car field took the green Bryan Meredith quickly got out front, but in turn 3 Bryan Mayeux slapped the wall bringing out a caution and ending his night. As racing resumed it was Meredith on point trailed by Bennett, Dan Kohlert, Mike Nuby and Sims. Sims used a couple early restarts to his advantage picking his way up to second.

Meredith gave up the lead on lap 5 when he spun himself out in turn 4 with Kohlert and David Crane spinning to miss him. This handed the point over to Sims for the restart with Bennett on his tail, ironic since the two had issues last night. Sims and Bennett broke away from the pack coming to halfway with Nuby, Adam Torres and Jared Leitchman in the top five.

As the lead duo continued battling they were forced to go three wide splitting a lapped car while Torres and Meredith, who both restarted at the tail, fought for fifth. The top two got a scare on lap 15 when Steven Osborn clipped the wall and spun in front of them. In the final laps, Sims was able to get a couple car lengths on Bennett at the checkers for the win.

It's a big deal, said Sims who raced many years on pavement. After the problems we had last night. I got black flagged twice and that's something that's never happened before. That was the first race we haven't finished all year. In every race we've started we've never been out of the top five. Having four wins this year has been great. We didn't run all the races to be there in the points. This is one of the most satisfying wins we've ever had. It's great to be able to do it on dirt.

I didn't think that race was in the bag until we got to the checkered flag. What's crazy about driving without a mirror is not knowing how close anyone is. I laugh at myself when I watch the videos at home seeing how close people really were. It was a great race. He(Danny Bennett) drove me really clean, I really respected that. I would have done the same with him tonight. I was a big win for us, it really was.

You definitely are a sitting duck out front. Until you see someone trying to get nose under you, hear or feel them out there, you just don't really know. You have to just go for it the whole race. That was all that my car had tonight.

When I first started on dirt everyone kept telling to stop driving that asphalt line. I was so used to getting to the bottom every single lap. The bottom line was preferred at those tracks. Dirt seems to have two or three different lines. That's what I love about it. I can't believe how much fun it is. I neglected to do it for a long time because I'm kind of a clean freak. We're looking forward to running all the races next year and running for the championship.

I had just planned to come out and watch some of my other friends race. Don(Painter) at Browning had this car that someone started to build, but never finished it. Tommy(Gural) has really turned it into a racecar. He just built the motor that's in it. This is the first race weekend on it and it ran like we expected it to. Winn Casper has helped me from the beginning of my racing. He's the one constant that's always there to help me. I really appreciate everything that everyone has done. All these people came together.

CBS Stock Cars
58 Steve Sims, r4j Danny Bennett, 30 Bryan Meredith, 76 Gary Hutchinson, 22 Mike Nuby, r1 Ty Kemp, 10x Michael Rogers, 56 Drake Pruitt, 04 Steven Osborn, 66 Adam Torres, 2 David Crane, 52 Dan Kohlert, 13 James Lynch, 48x David Davita, 0* Bryan Mayeux, 12 Jarod Leitchman---DQ(Weight), 32b Wayne Parker---dns, 33 Paul Smith---dns

[NickHolt]

Great job, Jay. I know you put in a bunch of time and effort into this coverage and lots of folks truly appreciate your work.

 

Nick