Leonard, Stoy, Okruhlik, Whiteaker, Jones, Casteneda, Kelm get I-37 Wi

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Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas @ I-37 Speedway by R&M Promotions, 5/6/17
By JM Hallas

Pleasanton, TX.,(May, 6th, 2017) After suffering a rain out one-third of the way through last weekends event, Pleasanton's I-37 Speedway was back in action Saturday night. Along with all six of the regular track classes(Cash Bred Off Road Modifieds, Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds, SABFI Transportation Street Stocks, All In Designs Pure Stocks, Brown Chevrolet Sport Compacts and the Nogalitos Gear Limited Late Models) the Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas were headlining the evening.

The DCRST is a touring series of 1100-1200cc motorcycle powered replicas of the old coupes of the 30's. For added fan and youngster appeal, most have adopted cartoon character names with pictures on the rear decks of the cars and trucks.

Leonard Lands Win in Modifieds
Young gun Cody Leonard(Sinton) scored the Modified main victory after finding the high line mid race. Leonard chased early leader Greg Dinsmore on the bottom until just before halfway. Despite two over the hill experiences in turn 3 running other classes, Leonard went around Dinsmore on the high side. His win became the first open motor win in the Modifieds in four races.

As the Modified main kicked off it was Dinsmore first into turn 1 trailed by Leonard, Hunter Flanagan, Talon Minten and Chris Swenson. Minten got third from Flanagan leaving him three wide with Swenson and Jamie Campbell. Dinsmore increased his lead while everyone hugged the bottom. Leonard went up top after several laps and slowly crept in on Dismore.

Using the top, Leonard drove around Dinsmore for the lead on lap 8. At halfway it was Leonard, Dinsmore, Minten, Swenson and Flanagan in the top five. The races only caution came on lap 12 when Chris Jones in turn 3 with the leaders coming in on him. They split Jones' car without contact.

Once back to green Dinsmore and Minten gave Leonard a look almost going three wide while Flanagan and Swenson swapped their spot. Leonard was able to stave off the challenges and got away by a couple car lengths to grab the victory in the CD Electric, raceontexas.com, All In Desings, Ace Transmission, Coastal Diesel, Wells Racing Engines powered Harris Chassis.

“We've mad a lot of changes to the car,” replied Leonard. “The first of the season has kind of been some experimenting on things. I think we're finally making progress on it. We're trying to tame it and get it more drivable. It's definitely helping out.

“We ran the Sport Modified race before this and the top was starting to come in. I didn't get try it after breaking a trailing arm. We were told it was there by some friends. After running the bottom and not making any progress I decided to give it a shot on top and see what happened.”

“After two trips over the hill in previous races I was a little concerned about going up there, especially in turns 3-4. I just tried to not enter as high as I was in turns 1-2. It was fine, there was a little more moisture up there.”

“On that last restart I was debating whether to go to the bottom and block. I just decide to run the faster line that I was used to and hope for the best. I saw Greg(Dinsmore) down under me once so I knew he was there. I just search around for where I run best and not be concerned where they are.”

 

Cash Bred Off Road Modifieds
12 Cody Leonard, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 14t Talon Minten, 58 Hunter Flanagan, 48 Chris Swenson, 91 Jeremy Davenport, 29 Jamie Campbell, 15 Chris Jones, 125 Jason Borlace, 92 Jake Rollins

Modified heats
Heat 1; 48 Chris Swenson, 58 Hunter Flanagan, 92 Jake Rollins, 125 Jason Borlace, 15 Chris Jones

Heat 2; 12 Cody Leonard, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 14t Talon Minten, 29 Jamie Campbell, 91 Jeremy Davenport

Stoy Storms to Dwarf Score
Austin's Ryan Stoy looked to be a run away winner in the 20-lap Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas feature at one point building a full straightaway advantage. An ill timed caution set up an exciting finish as James Fitzgerald made a late charge. Fitzgerald tried the high side on the final lap but came up a bit short as Stoy held him off for the checkers.

Stoy grabbed the lead of the 17-car Dwarf Car feature chased by Zac Zearfoss, Richard Smith, Dwain Groff and Tyler Folkerts. Smith began lose spots falling back into a three wide battle with Drew Simental and Dillon Spreen. Spreen, using the high side picked up several spots getting Groff for fourth on lap 5.

A pack formed in the fight for fifth between Fitzgerald, Simental, Gary Buchanan and Groff. By halfway Stoy had built a huge lead over Folkerts, Zearfoss, Spreen and Buchanan. Spreen, still using the top, got third from Zearfoss followed by Fitzgerald and Buchanan.

As the race wound down it looked like Stoy would have an easy win, but Larry Carwin spun in turn 2 for a lap 17 caution erasing Stoy's big lead. As Stoy took off on green, Fitzgerald, Folkerts and Spreen were three wide for second. Fitzgerald got the spot and closed on Stoy for the final lap. Fitzgerald gave Stoy some pressure coming to the line, but Stoy was able to hold on for the win.

Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas
20 Ryan Stoy, 6 James Fitzgerald, 15 Dillon Spreen, 42 Tyler Folkerts, 37 Drew Simental, 53 Zac Zearfoss, 12 Dillon Toyne, 99 Gary Buchanan, 25 Dylan Budnik, 17 Brayden Becker, 4 Rodney Rodriguez, 66 Dwain Groff, 51 Richard Smith, 64 Larry Carwin, 50 Jerry Book

DCRST heats
Heat 1; 20 Ryan Stoy, 66 Dwain Groff, 53 Zac Zearfoss, 4 Rodney Rodriguez, 51 Richard Smith, 50 Jerry Book, 64 Larry Carwin

Heat 2; 25 Dylan Budnik, 6 James Fitzgerald, 12 Dillon Coyne, 42 Tyler Folkerts, 99 Gary Buchanan, 17 Brayden Becker, 37 Drew Simental, 15 Dillon Spreen

The Big “O” With the Big “W”
Frank Okruhlik(San Antonio) picked up his first I-37 Speedway Limited Late Model win of the year going flag to flag in the 15-lapper. Okruhlik and Trey Votion stayed side by side through the first turns, but Votion hit a slick spot and pushed up into Okruhlik with slight contact. Okruhlik maintained control while Votion fell back leaving Patrick Kelly to chase Okruhlik throughout the race.

It took two tries to get the Limited Late Model feature underway with Okruhlik getting the lead after contact with Votion in turn 4. Following Okruhlik were P. Kelly, Jason Kelly, Howie Marcx and Votion who recovered after a trip through the infield. Votion quickly made his way back up to third, while Okruhlik moved ahead P. Kelly.

Okruhlik got slowed by door to door traffic, but neither P. Kelly or Votion could capitalize on it. Marcx would go around on lap 12 for the only yellow and rebunch the field. Okruhlik in the Jamie Fuller owned, Reflective Wrecker, CNC Grafix, Cadillac got away clean and was able to ease away to the win.

“I was worried about the water they put down before our feature,” said Okruhlik. “I thought it would be bad but it turned out to be good. It turned out alright. We put in a lot of hard work. We've been tweaking and tweaking on the car and I think we finally got it figured out or it's pretty close.”

“We share a lot of information between this car and Aaron's(Leddy). I was worried about where Trey(Votion) was while I was out there leading. I never know where everyone is, but heard we had a little room. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was.”

Nogalitos Gear Limited Late Models
99 Frank Okruhlik, 84 Patrick Kelly, 57 Jason Kelly, 99v Trey Votion, 93 Aaron Leddy, 13 Howie Marcx, 8 DJ Schroat, 14 Gary Hunter, 15 John Owens, 42 Ron Sprayue---dns

Limited Late Model Heats
Heat 1; 99 Frank Okruhlik, 99v Trey Votion, 8 DJ Schroat, 93 Aaron Leddy, 42 Ron Sprayue---dntg

Heat 2; 84 Patrick Kelly, 14 Gary Hunter, 57 Jason Kelly, 13 Howie Marcx, 15 John Owens

Right Place, Right Time for Whiteaker Win
Steve Whiteaker(Corpus Christi) found himself in the right spot when leader, Talon Minten broke past halfway. Whiteaker, who battled his way past Lawrence Mikulencak and Broc Bowen to be in second, was searching for lines to get by T. Minten when Minten pulled off. Mikulencak and JJ Jennings, who recovered from an early spin chased Whiteaker until he inched away by a few car lengths at the finish.
The 20-lap Sport Modified feature started with Mikulencak first into turn 1 with Bowen, Hunter Flanagan, Whiteaker and T. Minten on his tail. Whiteaker got by Flanagan with he and T. Minten now swapping fifth. Whiteaker had just gotten along side Bowen when Jennings spun in turn 4. During one of three restarts, Leonard broke a trailing arm and went off turn 3 hill, his second trip of the day.
During that caution, Bowen pitted from second.

Finally back under green T. Minten used the high side to get the lead from Mikulencak on lap 5 with Whiteaker following to second. Cody Beddoe got fourth from Eddy Ross leaving Ross and Johnny Torres side by side for fifth. Behind them, Jennings was working the high side gaining on the lead quintet. At halfway it was T. Minten, Whiteaker, Mikulencak, Beddoe and Jennings in the top five.

Whiteaker was now putting the pressure on T. Minten for the lead showing him the nose in the corners. That fight ended on lap 13 when T. Minten broke and stopped in the turn 4 pit exit. On the restart Mikulencak took a look on Whiteaker for the lead with Torres getting fifth from Ross. Jennings got third from Beddoe on lap 15.

Behind the lead trio Beddoe and Torres, Ross and Flanagan were paired off for position. Whiteaker began inching away from Mikulencak out to five car lengths with two to go. From there Whiteaker, in the DS&S Construction, Cotrell Racing, Performance Graphics, WW Bodies, Churchs Chicken, raceontexas.com, Nasty Cookers, Rhino Rearends, Fletcher Race Engines, Hughes by 89 Motorsports Chassis, cruised to the checkers.

Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds
89c Steve Whiteaker jr., 87 Lawrence Mikulencak, 26g JJ Jennings, bd3 Johnny Torres, 77 Cody Beddoe, 57 Hunter Flanagan, bd2 Eddy Ross, 37 Andy Van Blarcum, 11t Tom Grothues, 21r Eric Ramos, 14 Trent Beaver, 9t Talon Minten, 56 Broc Bowen, 12 Cody Leonard, 24r Robby Minten, 2 Robert Byrd

Sport Modified heats
Heat 1; 56 Broc Bowen, 87 Lawrence Mikulencak, 77 Cody Beddoe, 24 Robby Minten, 26g JJ Jennings, 12 Cody Leonard, 2 Robert Boyd, 37 Andy Van Blarcum

Heat 2; 9t Talon Minten, 57 Hunter Flanagan, 89c Steve Whiteaker jr., bd3 Johnny Torres, bd2 Eddy Ross, 21r Eric Ramos, 14 Trent Beaver, 11t Tom Grothues

Three in a Row for Jourdanton's Jones
Wade Jones became the first to three-peat in either class taking home the hardware in the Street Stock feature again. It was Jones and Cody Leonard battling early until Jones began to pull away. Leonard went sailing off turn 3 late in the race giving Mike Lyon, debuting a new car the chance to try Jones. Jones held off Lyon on the restart and eased out to a comfortable victory.

Jarrett Payton grabbed the lead early in the 20-lap Street Stock feature pursued by Leonard, Shawn Moore, Lyon and Sam Markgraf. After a quick yellow for a spin by Markgraf, Jones was on the move up to third. Leonard got by Payton for the lead on lap 4 with Jones following to second. Jones was looking inside Leonard when Robert Danielson spun in turn 2 for a caution.

Jones kept the pressure on Leonard as green waved again getting past him for the lead on lap 6. Lyon was able to take third from Payton as Jones began to ease away. With five to go Jones had left the field in his dust until Leonard sailed off the turn 3 hill for a caution. He drove back out from the turn 3 pit exit.

On green Lyon tried to hang with Jones with S. Markgraf making his way back into the top five, before pulling off. With Jones now easing away, Cheryl Gray got by Danielson for fourth while Leonard was back in the top five. Jones had a good lead as the checkered flag waved on the SABFI Transportation, Opiela Mechanical, Chevy Camaro powered by an in-house motor.

SABFI Transportation Street Stocks
41 Wade Jones, 20 Mike Lyon, 9s Jarrett Payton, bd1 Cheryl Gray, 7 Cody Leonard, 87 Robert Danielson, 2x Dennis Hilla, 18 Shawn Moore, 8 Jacob Crow, 99 Wayne Wernette, 85 Sam Markgraf, 4 Danny Markgraf

Street Stock heats
Heat 1; 7 Cody Leonard, 20 Mike Lyon, 85 Sam Markgraf, 99 Wayne Wernette, 87 Robert Danielson, 8 Jacob Crow---dns

Heat 2; 41 Wade Jones, 18 Shawn Moore, 9s Jarrett Payton, 2x Dennis Hilla, 4 Danny Markgraf, bd1 Cheryl Gray

Casteneda Captures Pure Stock Pay Day
Mason Casteneda(Corpus Christi) finally broke through for a Pure Stock victory. After a second and third in the last two races, Casteneda got it figured out. Casteneda inherited the lead after the two Dakotas(Hurley and Heinaman) made contact fighting for the top spot. Hurley was sent to the tail, Heinaman had to pit with a flat. After the race was shortened on time, Casteneda inched away from two young ladies, Caitlin Leonard and Cheyloh Brodnax to secure the win.

The sceduled 20-lap Pure Stock feature was rock 'em, sock 'em affair slowed by numerous cautions, and shortened by time limits. Heinaman was out front on the start with Casteneda, Hurley, Leonard and Flanagan in tow. After a couple caution Hurley was pressuring Heinaman for the lead. They made contact sending Heinaman around. When he pitted with a flat this handed the top spot to Casteneda.

In the pack William Saunders and Sterling Tausch traded some paint while giving up spots to James Dear and Heinaman, who was coming back to the front. Some more yellows slowed the pace with Casteneda getting away on the restarts. The final yellow came on lap 9 when officials cut the race to 15-laps or next caution, whichever came first.

Casteneda again got a good jump on the field once green waved. Behind him the two ladies were battling for second while Dear was holding off Heinaman. Coming to the white flag, Casteneda had built a good lead in the Ace Machine, Pro Line Fabrications, Ace Transmission, raceontexas.com, Opiela Mechanical, Chevy on his way to the win.

All In Designs Pure Stocks
28m Mason Casteneda, 9c Caitlin Leonard, 58 Cheyloh Brodnax, 15d James Dear, 441 Dakota Heinaman, 98 William Saunders, 14 Trey Heald, 48 Pat Lyon, 95 Sterling Tausch, 56 Bob Caulfield, 88 Alexis Hendricks, 38 Billy Kinnaman, 40 Dakota Hurley, 68d Kenny Wright, 30 Riley Heil, 15 William Cavender, 4k David Sheffield, 39 Donald Kinnaman jr---dns

Pure Stock heats
Heat 1; 28m Mason Casteneda, 441 Dakota Heinaman, 9c Caitlin Leonard, 95 Sterling Tausch, 14 Trey Heald, 68d Kenny Wright, 98 William Saunders, 48 Pat Lyon, 30 Riley Heil---dns

Heat 2; 40 Dakota Hurley, 15 William Cavender, 58 Cheyloh Brodnax, 4k David Sheffield, 56 Bob Caulfield, 88 Alexis Hendricks, 38 Billy Kinnaman, 15d James Dear, 39 Donald Kinnaman jr.

Kyle's Kelm Klaims Sport Kompact Kash
Adding a new face to the Sport Compact Winners Circle, Robert Kelm picked up the win and added cash. Kelm and two-time winner Dillon Gaither swapped the lead back and forth early in the 20-lapper. After a midway caution Kelm, Gaither and Jamie Garner broke away from the pack. Garner got second from Gaither, but it was Kelm first to the checkers for the win.

After a front stretch meet-n-greet during intermission, 20-Sport Compacts took the green with GB Carter opting to start at the back. Gaither was first off turn 2 with the lead followed by Kelm, Trevor Bettis, Daniel Zajac and Garner. As Bettis, Garner and Zajac traded spots, Kelm was now putting the heat on Gaither for the lead.

Kelm was able to get the nose out front on lap 4, but Gaither was first to line on lap 5. Kelm regained the point on lap 6 and finally secured the spot. After a caution fest last race, the races only yellow came on lap 9 when Garner got turned lapping past Treyler Caulfield. Garner was given his spot back for the restart.

On the restart Garner took second from Gaither as the top three quickly pulled away from Zajac, Alyson Dorken, Bettis, Gordon Dowdy and Carter, who finally made it to the front. Dowdy made a big move to fourth as the laps clicked off. Up front it was still Kelm holding off Garner in his M&E Automotive, Rachal Plant Picture Taker, Saturn for the victory.

Brown Chevrolet Sport Compacts
8 Robert Kelm, 3 Jamie Garner, 5 Dillon Gaither, 63 Gordon Dowdy, 57 Trevor Bettis, 42 Daniel Zajac, 77 GB Carter, 43 Alyson Dorken, 4 Jeremy Witt, 76 Eric Wilson, 69 Felipe Ruiz, 56 Caleb Dowdy, 33c Charles Earnhardt III, 4t Leland Witt, 13 Jeremy Watson, 53 Treyler Caulfield, 3g Garrett Godfredson, 12 Roy Easler, 50w Robert Wyman, 181 George Quintinilla, 66c Rick Snyder---dns

Sport Compact heats
Heat 1; 5 Dillon Gaither, 57 Trevor Bettis, 3 Jamie Garner, 4t Leland Witt, 3g Garrett Godfredson, 181 George Quintinilla,

Heat 2; 42 Daniel Zajac, 63 Gordon Dowdy, 43 Alyson Dorken, 66c Rick Snyder, 77 GB Carter, 50w Robert Wyman, 76 Eric Wilson, 13m Jeremy Watson

Heat 3; 8 Robert Kelm, 53 Treyler Caulfield, 56 Caleb Dowdy Jr., 4 Jeremy Witt, 12 Roy Easler, 33c Charles Earnhardt III, 69 Felipe Ruiz

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