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DCRST/Points Racing @I-37 Speedway by Comanche Concrete 4-13-24

By JM Hallas

 

Pleasanton, TX.,(April 13^th, 2024) Anyone triskaidekaphobic? Just throwing that out there.

 

Racing resumed at I-37 Speedway Saturday night on the semi-banked, ¼ mile, dirt, oval south of San Antonio. The nights race slate included the Late Models running for $750 to win/$100 to start, the Limited Modifieds and Factory Stocks going after $500 to win in each class plus the Fireballs and Sport Compacts.

 

The Dwarf Car Racing of Texas returned also for its second visit of the season. In their last visit the 20-lap feature wasn't decided until a late caution brought the field back together. It was a shootout of the Dillons/Dylan between Dillon Coyne, Dylan Budnik and race winner Dillon Spreen in the Pro Division. Danielle Long scored the win in the Sportsman Division with her sixth overall finish.

 

Maupin on the Money in Late Model Main

At the start of the 20-lap Late Model Main Jared Maupin and Rory Jordan stayed door to door through turns 1-2 with Jordan edging ahead. Maupin, Marcus Mikulencak, Austin Thiess and Landon Sowder followed. Maupin wasted little time getting by for the lead on lap 2 while Mikulencak took a trip through the infield and fell back.

 

As Mikulencak tried to work his way back he was three wide with Robby Minten and Sowder. As he worked past, Ziggy Reusser, David Lehman and Allison Lehman tangled for a caution. On the restart Jordan went around collecting A. Thiess, Matt Fox and Sowder in turn 4. Once back to green Maupin got away from Mikulencak as M. Fox, A. Thiess and Jordan worked their way back up.

 

Minten's top three run ended when he rolled to a stop for a lap 12 caution. Maupin got clear of Mikulencak while A. Thiess looked low on Jordan who was pressuring Mikulencak. Just as Maupin was taking the white flag, D. Thiess went around in turn 3 to bring out a yellow. This set up a one lap shootout for the win. Maupin was able to get a couple car lengths on green taking the win in the Kris Workman owned, JGR Fab, CNC Grafix, 91 Specialties, Klein crate powered Rocket XR1 Chassis.

Nogalitos Gear Late Models

91 Jared Maupin, 12 Marcus Mikulencak, 7d Austin Thiess, 7x Rory Jordan, 53x Matt Fox, 26 David Lehman, 53 Chandler Fox, 77 Mark Taylor, 7dd David Thiess, 24 Robby Minten, 08 Landon Sowder, 5x Ziggy Reusser, 26r Allison Lehman, 9r Ray Doyon---dns

 

Maupin, Take Two

From the pole, Jared Maupin grabbed the Limited Modified feature lead ahead of Steven Whiteaker III, Bobby Smith, Johnny Torres and Trent Beaver. Torres moved past Smith and along side Whiteaker for second when Marcus Mikulencak looped it on lap 4. On the restart Torres began to pressure Maupin for the lead, but a spin by Rowdy Flanagan a lap later slowed the pace.

 

The top three got away on green while Ray Allen Kulhanek took fourth from Whiteaker. Up front Torres was putting pressure on Maupin for the lead looking low coming off turn 4 with Kulhanek got by Beaver for third. The lead battle ended a lap later when Torres stopped on the edge of the track as Mikulencak got by Whiteaker.

 

Back to green coming to halfway showing Maupin, Kulhanek, Beaver, Whiteaker and Charles Flanagan in the top 5 after Mikulencak pulled off. By lap 15 Maupin and Kulhanek were pulling away from Beaver who had a gap to Whiteaker and Smith. Lap 17 saw Joshua Tuttle slow on the front stretch to bring out yellow.

 

On the restart Maupin got away while Beaver and Kulhanek ran side by side for second. Maupin crept ahead with Beaver finally getting by Kulhanek, but unable to mount a challenge on Maupin who cruised to the victory in the Rick Pollaro owned, RNM Install, JGR Fab, All in Designs, BMF Shocks & Chassis, CNC Grafix, Mission Race Engines, IRP Chassis

Iron Horse RV Limited Modifieds

96 Jared Maupin, 14 Trent Beaver, 21t Ray Allen Kulhanek, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 9s Bobby Smith, 57 Charles Flanagan, 58c Rowdy Flanagan, 26w Robert Wiggins, 10d Clint Everage, 747 Joshua Tuttle, bd3 Marcus Mikulenacak, 11x Johnny Torres

 

 

Another Torres Tally in Factory Stocks

Kyle Kirkland led the field into turn 1 as the 20-lap Factory Stock feature took the green trailed by Michael Keylich, Wade Jones, Jarrett Payton and Paul Reyes. With M. Keylich and Jones door to door for second, Allen Torres got by Reyes for fifth. Jones got second while Torres moved along side Payton for fourth.

 

Torres continued his march to the front taking third from M. Keylich then second from Jones. Kirkland, Torres and Jones were three wide for the lead before a yellow waved for JW Blocker and Reyes spins. On the restart Torres ducked under Kirkland to grab the top spot on lap 7 with Jones following through to second.

 

After a yellow for a spin by Payton, Torres began to flex his muscle while Nathan Rachui got by Kirkland for third. At the crossed flags it was Torres, Jones, Rachui, Dustin Hurley and Kirkland in the top five. Torres stretched out his advantage with Jones and Rachui swapping second. Kirkland worked back past Rachui for third until Robert Keylich looped it for a lap 18 yellow.

 

On the GWC restart, Torres got away clean with Rachui retaking a spot from Kirkland but Blocker went around in turn 3 setting up another one lap shootout. Kirkland lost a couple spots on green while Torres put a couple car lengths on Jones taking the win in the Sundowner Performance Diesel, Allens 24/7 Towing, All in Designs, Hercules Foundation Repair, Drive In Truck Salvage, 91 Specialties, (little)crate powered, Destroyer Chassis.

“Starting ninth I had to work my way up to the front,” replied Torres. “I made it to the lead in about three laps. Normally we run last. So when I jacked up the car to make changes for the feature, I didn't know what to change running earlier. So I looked at the track, made some changes and hoped for the best.”

 

“With Jared and Johnny not running their cars tonight it was on me to just not screw up. You've still got Wade(Jones, who dominated the Street Stock class years ago) to look out for and a couple others. At first I was running the bottom in (turns) 1-2 and drive through the middle to run the top in (turns) 3-4. Then I just went for the top and hoped for the best. It was good on top all the way around.”

 

“I ran second in the main in Edna last night. I'm not racing for points. Basically I've finished third every race this year until this weekend.”

 

All in Design Factory Stocks

94 Allen Torres, 41 Wade Jones, 25r Nathan Rachui, 4d Dustin Hurley, 44x Brandon Welker, 18 Kyle Kirkland, 24 Paul Reyes, 92r Robert Keylich, 44k Michael Keylich, 18s Jarrett Payton, b51 JW Blocker, 55 Rusty Head---dns, 4 Austin Bean---dns

 

Maupin Hits the Trifecta

As the 20-lap Fireball feature took the green Shane Stonebraker was first to turn 1. Going into turn 3 Jared Maupin split the middle of Stonebraker and Danny Dear to get the lead. Matthew Hodge followed to second with DJ Schroat, Stonebraker and Dear sorting out in the top five. Maupin and Hodge quickly broke away until Joseph Montemayor lost a wheel.

 

Back to green, Maupin cleared the pack when Hodge pushed high in turn 2 running Schroat to the wall. Howie Marcx capitalized taking third from Schroat. A spin by Dear brought the yellow right back out on lap 4. The restart saw Ryan McDonald get by Stonebraker for fifth then slow for a lap 6 caution and pit.

 

Maupin broke away back under green while Marcx battled past Hodge for second. At the midway point it was Maupin, Marcx, Hodge, Stonebraker and Schroat in the top five. With five to go, Maupin had increased his margin to half a straightaway over Marcx, who had Hodge closing the gap for the second spot.

 

The only thing to slow Maupin in the final laps was lapped traffic as he cautiously looked for a way past. Hodge caught Marcx on the final lap to retake second. But no one had anything for Maupin who scored his third win of the night in the Aaron Leddy owned, JGR Fab, All in Designs, Reflective Wrecker, 91 Specialties, CNC Grafix, Express Chassis

,

Winners Circle Transmissions Fireballs

93 Jared Maupin, 58 Matthew Hodge, 13 Howie Marcx, 8 DJ Schroat, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 17 Scott Walker, 64 Danny Dear, 816 Ryan McDonald, 68 Kenny Wright, 18m Joseph Montemayor, 99 Robby Minten---dns

 

Hernandez Hot Streak Continues

On the initial Sport Compact start Josh Jones caught an infield tractor tire coming to green. On the next try Ryker Hernandez and Joshua Garcia three wide for the top spot. Hernandez took over the point on lap 3 while Sam Walker got by James Baum for fifth. Rod Tait, who flipped last race, made his way past Garcia for third while Baum retook fifth from Walker.

 

At the midway point it was Hernandez, Sitterle, Garcia, Tait and Baum in the top five when Justin Van Winkle lost a tire in turn 4. Hernandez got a good jump on green while Garcia got second from Sitterle. Sitterle tried to fight back as Hernandez began to increase his margin.

 

Tait and Sitterle made hard contact battling for third with Tait losing several spots. Hernandez had clear sailing the final few laps taking another win in the iraceenterprise, Allways Auto Group, Lovett Car Wash, Sullivan Racing, C3 Speed Horses, 2005 Chevy Cavalier.

 

“I just figured it out as I went(at the start),” said Hernandez. “But it all worked out at the finish. I do basically all the work on the car during the week, my dad pays for the parts.”

 

“We made some changes for the different track conditions tonight. It wasn't how I really liked it but I figured it out. I just tried to change my driving to not hit the two wet spots.”

 

Johnson Supply Sport Compacts

22 Ryker Hernandez, 32 Joshua Garcia, 88 Justin Sitterle, 007 James Baum, 18 Eric Wilson, 48 James Polasek, 3% Sam Walker, 70 Rod Tait, 43 Jennifer Kidd, 85 Michelle Conlee, 825 Justin Van Winkle, 11j Josh Jones, 38 Sonny Kinnaman---dns

 

Budnik Best in DCRST

The 20-lap Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas feature saw Dylan Bunik jump out front trailed by Dillon Coyne, Chris Ochoa, Duane Burford and Billy Groff. The race went red early when Colby Urbanosky slowed on the front stretch, Danille Long tried to squeeze between Urbanosky and the front stretch wall. Long's car hooked the wall and started a series of several snap rolls, then going end over end before landing on the roof.

 

Long was able to get out and was checked out by EMS. ***I spoke to a DCRST rep after the race and was told that she is alright and the car wasn't too badly bent up. Amazing!

 

Once back to green the two Dylan/Dillons began to check out running nose to tail. At halfway it was Budnik, Coyne, D. Burford, Ochoa and Groff in the top five. Budnik and Coyne then started to mix it up with Coyne sneaking past Budnik to get the lead on lap 15. It was short lived as Budnik was able retake the point on lap 17 after a side by side battle. From their Budnik in the Sky Haulers, Epperson Paint & Body, Dall Co., Flying V Motorsports, B&B Chassis, dsm, Suzuki GSXR 1000 held on for the victory.

 

Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas

25 Dylan Budnik, 12 Dillon Coyne, 14r Duane Burford, 0 Chris Ochoa, 81d Jerry Burford, 30 Billy Groff, 31 David Miller, 93 Adam Stehle, 2 Jerry Book, 36 Joe Sansing, 24 Colby Urbanosky, 08 Danielle Long, 7 Ron Theel---dns, 88 Brandon Spreen---dns

5 hours ago, NickHolt said:

I Always enjoy reading your race reports, Reb!

Thanx Nickster

 

Total Eclipse of the Night by Goldenwest @ I-37 Speedway 4-6-24

By JM Hallas

 

Pleasanton, TX.,(April 6th, 2024) Solar Eclipse Eve, Eve.

 

I-37 Speedway roared back into action less than two days away from the Total Solar Eclipse. An omen perhaps?

 

The nights racing included the regular classes of the Late Models and Limited Modifieds, for their first points race, the Factory Stocks, Fireballs and Sport Compacts, plus the second visit of the STIMS(South Texas IMCA Modified Series.)

 

The inaugural STIMS race on I-37 Speedways ¼ mile, semi-banked, dirt, oval was a barn burner with Chris Morris running down Ryan Doyon in the final laps, Morris and Doyon exchanged slide jobs with Morris edging out Doyon at the checkers and Rick Green third.

 

So far the STIMS has seen two different winners with Jared Maupin, driving Chris Carroll's back up car, took the victory over Chris Morris at Texana Raceway(Edna) with Ryan Doyon taking the third spot. Can a third different winner be coming in race three of the series. Morris, Doyon and Green hold top three spots in points.

 

Leonard Lands Late Model Loot

Robby Minten lead the 20-lap Late Model field into turn 1 on the start, but it was Cody Leonard, making his return to I-37 Speedway, diving low off turn 4 for the lead. Minten, Jared Maupin, Ryan Doyon and Ray Doyon in the top five. Landon Sowder spun off the front stretch for a lap 2 caution. Ziggy Reusser would spin on the restart.

 

Once back under green, Maupin got second from Minten with Ra. Doyon slipping in turn 4 and falling back before pulling off. At halfway it was Leonard and Maupin pulling out to a huge advantage over Minten who had a gap to Ry. Doyon and Sowder.

 

Leonard was able to hold Maupin at about five car lengths as the laps quickly clicked off. After several years away from the track, Leonard in the Farm & Ranch Fabrication, Swenson Racing Shocks & Components, DB Insurance, On Demand Shirts, All in Designs, Smileys, VP Racing Fuels, Kirkland Construction, Ingram crate powered, Swenson Chassis was back in Victory Lane.

 

“Once you've run on a track a few times you get to know it,” said Leonard who hasn't raced here in years. “You learn the surface, the throttle points, the brake points. It sticks with you so coming back to it you feel back in your place.”

 

“With the changing track conditions running two classes you learn what the track is doing. Going into the next class you can tell what lanes doing what. It helps running the next class as well as the additional laps you get.”

 

“You get some hammer down tracks, some slick tracks everywhere you go. It's always something different. You've got to be good on all of them.”

 

“I'm not too sure on what changes they made to the car since they switched to the crate. Chris(Swenson) and David(von Mosch) do all the work on the car. I'm thankful just to hop in and give some feedback.”

“I don't know if the car was too tight, or I wasn't on it,” added Leonard on his second place STIMS run. “I was lacking about everywhere and just making due with what I had. Probably could have freed it up some to keep the momentum up.”

 

Nogalitos Gear Late Models

48 Cody Leonard, 91 Jared Maupin, 24 Robby Minten, 5r Ryan Doyon, 08 Landon Sowder, 5k Ziggy Reusser, 77 Mark Taylor, 23 Johnny Torres, 9r Ray Doyon

 

Late Model heat

Heat 1; 24 Robby Minten, 5r Ryan Doyon, 48 Cody Leonard, 91 Jared Maupin, 9r Ray Doyon, 08 Landon Sowder, 23 Johnny Torres, 77 Mark Taylor, 5k Ziggy Reusser

 

Morris on the Money in IMCA Modifieds

As green waved on the STIMS feature it was polesitter, Ryan Doyon getting the point ahead of Chris Morris, Jacob Hortch, Cody Leonard and Jared Maupin. Lap 3 saw Arien Gassman go around for a quick caution. On the restart Leonard got by Hortch for second while Greg Dinsmore, who started out back, made his way past Chris Carroll. But yellow was right back out when Cody Duke went over the turn 3 hill.

 

Once back to green, Doyon got quickly away, while G. Dinsmore got shuffled way high on the back stretch and fell back. Maupin's run in the top five ended on lap 8 when he had trouble and slowed. Back under green coming to halfway it was Doyon, Morris, Leonard, Hortch and Rick Green in the top five with Darrell Boyd lopping it in turn 2.

 

Doyon and Morris got away clean until Rob Sanderson went for a spin on lap 13. Again Doyon and Morris cleared the pack with Green getting fourth from Hortch and Logan Dinsmore looking to follow. Lap 18 saw Joey Whitehead get into the front stretch wall for a yellow flag. Unfortunately the leader, Doyon, stopped, couldn't refire and was pushed to the pits.

 

This set up a green, white, checker finish with Morris now on point. Morris and Leonard got away while L. Dinsmore got a good jump on Green for third, but too good and would be docked two spots. Morris in his ACM Services, AMT Concrete, Austin Cutting and Coring, Tina Reagan Realty, Lonestar Concrete, Bigfoot Concrete Pumping, Truform Products, Trackmaster, Disabled Outdoorsmen USA, All in Designs, Lonestar Pumping, Maxwell Medical Supplies, Sellman Specialties, Guzman Automotive, Empire Income Tax, crate powered Lethal Chassis held off Leonard for the victory, his second STIMS I-37 Speedway win, in the final laps.

 

“Like they say,” replied Morris. “Sometimes it pays to be lucky rather than good and tonight that was the case. I had a good car but Ryan was just a little better than me in (turns)3&4. I wouldn’t have had anything for him until he ran out of fuel.”

Hortch Speed Shop STIMS

94 Chris Morris, 12 Cody Leonard, 82 Rick Green, 73d Jacob Hortch, 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 18s Shawn Sandergren, 45 Brian Machicek, 77 Robert Liese, 366 David Gibson, 16 Landon Bednarz, 141 Rob Sanderson, 22zDarrell Boyd, 5r Ryan Doyon, 17m Joey Whitehead, 48r Raymond McSpadden, 15 Chris Carroll, 88 Arien Gassman, 91 Jared Maupin, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 26d Cody Duke, 71 Anthony Gordon

 

STIMS heats

Heat 1; 5r Ryan Doyon, 82 Rick Green, 71 Anthony Gordon, 17w Joey Whitehead, 16 Landon Bednarz, 22z Darrell Boyd, 77 Robert Liese

 

Heat 2; 94 Chris Morris, 12 Cody Leonard, 15 Chris Carroll, 26d Cody Duke, 48r Raymond McSpadden, 45 Brian Machicek, 366 David Gibson

 

Heat 3; 91 Jared Maupin, 73d Jacob Hortch, 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 18s Shawn Sandergrin, 88 Arien Gassman, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 141 Rob Sanderson

 

Beaver Best in Limited Modifieds

The start of the 20-lap Limited Modified feature saw first time ever Limited Modified heat race winner Steven Whiteaker III and Bobby Smith stay wheel to wheel in turn 1 with Smith getting the run off turn 2 to lead. Whiteaker, Sterling Tausch, Trent Beaver and Charles Flanagan filled the top five. Smith slipped allowing Whiteaker to get the top spot on lap 2.

 

Beaver was able to grab second from Tausch after Smith retired. At the crossed flags it was Whiteaker, Beaver, Tausch, Logan Dinsmore and Johnny Torres in the top five. Lap 12 saw yellow wave for Tausch who went around from third.

 

On the restart Beaver dove under Whiteaker in turn 1, the two made a little contact with Beaver coming out the leader and Torres following to second. Young Whiteaker's trouble continued as he clipped an infield tire, Dinsmore who couldn't get slowed in time, got into Whiteaker sending him around on the front stretch.

 

On the single file restart, Beaver and Torres got away and pulled out to a good lead over Dinsmore who had a gap back to Flanagan while Clint Leverage and Mike Terry had their own personal battle going on for fifth. At the checkers it was Beaver in the Beaver Heating & Air Conditioning, Bear Wash, Beaver Medical Group, Auburn Custom Homes, LaVernia Mini Storage, WW Bodies, Best Race Engines, Innovated Race Car Chassis getting the win.

 

“Right place, right time,” explained Beaver on the pass for the lead. “I don't know, they said I moved him. I really don't see that. It was racing. I tried to keep it straight and not over run the corner. We had some work after the heat race. I knocked the left front off, but we freed it up a bit and it ran pretty good.”

 

“We've raced a few other tracks like Cotton Bowl and Texana once in a while. We're going to try to run I-37 Speedway most of the time. We'll see how things go if I try to run for points this season. If we can make every race, we will.”

Iron Horse RV Limited Modifieds

14 Trent Beaver, 11x Johnny Torres, 30 Logan Dinsmore, 57 Charles Flanagan, 15t Mike Terry, 10d Clint Leverage, 26w Ryan Wiggins, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 95s Sterling Tausch, 10c Colton Birmingham, 9s Bobby Smith, 88k Kaden Moran, 91 Jared Maupin---dns

 

Limited Modified heats

Heat 1; 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 14 Trent Beaver, 11x Johnny Torres, 30k Logan Dinsmore, 57 Charles Flanagan, 15t Mike Terry, 26w Ryan Wiggins

 

Heat 2; 9s Bobby Smith, 95s Sterling Tausch, 10d Clint Everage, 10c Colton Birmingham, 88k Kaden Moran, 91 Jared Maupin

 

Torres Tallies Again

The Factory Stock 20-lapper started with a restart after a couple spins. Jarrett Payton was out first into turn 1 trailed by Michael Keylich, Johnny Torres, Trey Heald and Robert Keylich. Kasey Krauss got by R. Keylich bringing along Rusty Head and Wade Jones. Torres then began to challenge M. Keylich with Heald looking for a way past Torres.

 

Torres finally made the pass on M. Keylich but a half corner behind Payton. Krauss got by Heald for fourth, then M. Keylich for third until a caution when Jones and Dylan Kowalik made contact. Back to green Torres looked low on Payton and got by coming to halfway showing Torres, Payton, Krauss, Heald and M. Keylich in the top five.

 

As Torres began to ease away, Head and Jones got around M. Keylich. With three to go, Krauss got second from Payton, but a half straight behind Torres and only three laps to go. From there Torres was able to cruise on to add to his victory total in the Scott Ball Racing, 8T1 Construction, All in Designs, Diffs by Dale, CRS Suspension, Sundowner Performance, 1st Class Towing, Hercules Foundation, Rush Gear by Austin Witt, Allen’s 24/7 Towing, Mission Auto Parts, Dirt Defender, Best Engines, Outlaw chassis.

“No, winning never gets old,” exclaimed Torres. “Brandy says(jokingly) it's the only place I can win at so I'll have to go someplace and prove him wrong. I'm hoping to see what this car has on a dry slick track. They've all been heavy tracks for now. I've run this car four times and it's been a hammer down track at all of them. I'd like to see what it can do on a slick track.”

 

“It's never easy. Just passing cars clean without having to door slam people is a lot harder than dooring them out of the way. Doing it clean isn't easy some times because of your momentum. You just have to bide your time and see how the cards fall.”

 

“There was multiple grooves here tonight, so I was happy for that. I'm the type of driver that doesn't think I'm that good so I make changes to the car to make it better. I make a lot more changes than other people to try to get it good every time. Luckily Russell(Vickery) was here to help on both cars, I couldn't have made all the changes without him. It's a lot work. Sometimes I'm not sure if it's worth it. Most of the time it pays off.”

 

All in Designs Factory Stocks

66 Johnny Torres, 53k Kasey Krauss, 16s Jarrett Payton, 14t Trey Heald, 55r Rusty Head, 41Wade Jones, 24 Paul Reyes, 29 Dylan Kowalik, 92r Robert Keylich, 44k Michael Keylich, b51 JW Blocker, 18 Kyle Kirkland---dns

 

Factory Stock heats

Heat 1; 14t Trey Heald, 18s Jarrett Payton, 55r Rusty Head, b51 JW Blocker, 44k Michael Keylich, 41 Wade Jones

 

Heat 2;c66 Johnny Torres, 24 Paul Reyes, 53k Kasey Krauss, 29k Dylan Kowalik, 92r Robert Keylich, 18 Kyle Kirkland---dns

 

Marcx Motors to First Fireball Victory

Joseph Montemayor got a good jump the Fireball feature start leaving Danny Dear, Jared Maupin, Mark Pivarnik and Howie Marcx. Maupin took second from Dear while Marcx got past Pivarnik then Dear quickly. This left Pivarnik, Ryan McDonald and Johnny Walker Brown. McDonald, in his first race in a Fireball, got by them then grabbed fourth from Dear.

 

Maupin and Marcx caught Montemayor in traffic with Maupin getting by coming to halfway ahead of Montemayor, Marcx, McDonald and Dear. Marcx was able take second before a spin rebunched the field. On the restart Maupin and Marcx got away while Montemayor and McDonald swapped third.

 

A tangle by DJ Schroat and AJ Wernette quickly brought the yellow back out. This time the top four got out with Pivarnik taking fifth from Dear. McDonalds top four run ended when he had right front go down, and him pulling off. Pivarnik would spin in turn 2 getting t-boned in the passenger side by William Cavender.

 

This set up a final shootout that saw Marcx trying find a way around Maupin for the lead. After a try low, Marcx gave the high side a shot and got along side Maupin on the final lap. Maupin then had his right front go down making contact with Marcx who would take the lead going on to his first victory in about 14 years, in his RST, Double K Landscaping, Rockin B Villa Ranch, Supreme Foundations, Somerset Animal Clinic, JGR, Constantinos Pizza, Nogalitos Gear, Donna Kay & Sonny Kinnaman, Paradise Paint, Howies Lawn Service, Sheppards Machine Shop powered 20 year old home built Camaro

“I raced Late Models here before and I can't afford that,” said Marcx. “They started this Fireball class and I've had this car for about 20 years, so we just put it back together.”

 

“I started fifth and worked my way up to Jared(Maupin). I couldn't get around him on the bottom. The last couple laps I tried to make a move on the outside. I didn't know he was going to roll a right front tire off. We both got damage, but I prevailed in the end. It was fun racing against him(Jared). I didn't know if I could beat him or not.”

Winners Circle Transmissions Fireballs

13 Howie Marcx, 18m Joseph Montemayor, 8 DJ Schroat, 09 Clint Montanio, 28 Levi Hernandez, 93 Jared Maupin, h2s Shane StoneBraker , 1 Dale Caswell, 64 Danny Dear, 14 Mark Pivarnik, 15 William Cavender, 816 Ryan McDonald, 37 AJ Wernette, 99 Johnny Walker Brown, 68 Kenny Wright---dns

 

Fireball heats

Heat 1; 13 Howie Marcx, 18m Joseph Montemayor, 99 Johnny Walker Brown, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 37 AJ Wernette, 09 Clint Montanio, 1 Dale Caswell, 816 Ryan McDonald

 

Heat 2; 93 Jared Maupin, 14Mark Pivarnik, 64 Danny Dear , 8 DJ Schroat, 15 William Cavender,28 Levi Hernandez, 68 Kenny Wright

 

Hernandez Hauls in Sport Compact Cash

At the start of the 20-lap Sport Compact feature Ronnie Schoenfeld beat James Gottsch into turn 1 for the early lead over Gottsch, Josh Jones, Michelle Conlee, James Baum and Ryker Hernandez. Justin Van Winkle rolled to a stop for an early caution.

 

On the restart Hernandez and Jones stayed side by side for third until Hernandez took the spot. Both picked up positions when Gottsch slowed from second. Hernandez caught Schoenfeld for the lead and ducked under him to take the spot coming to halfway with Eric Wilson, Baum and Jones third through fifth.

 

Wilson was able to get by Schoenfeld for second, while Jones and Baum were side by side for fourth. Hernandez, back in a Sport Compact after running a Limited Modified to a championship in 2023,

built a huge lead and was able to cruise to the win in the iraceenterprise, Allways Auto Group, Lovett Car Wash, Sullivan Racing, C3 Speed Horses, 2005 Chevy Cavalier.

 

“I was tired of losing in the Limited Modified,” said the always talkative Hernandez. “I had to go back to something I'm good at. This is our same old car. It was a little difficult, but I figured it out.”

 

Johnson Supply Sport Compacts

22 Ryker Hernadez, 18 Eric Wilson, 007 James Baum, 11j Josh Jones, 3% Sam Walker, 85 Michelle Conlee, 43 Jennifer Kidd,76y Donald Lewis, 83 James Gottsch, 825 Justin Van Winkle, 88 Justin Sitterle---dns, 70 Rod Tait---dns

 

Sport Compact heats

Heat 1; 83 James Gottsch, 825 Justin Van Winkle, 3% Sam Walker, 11j Josh Jones, 85 Michelle Conlee, 76y Donald Lewis, 43 Jennifer Kidd

 

Heat 2; 22r Ryker Hernandez, 18 Eric Wilson, 98 Ronnie Schoenfeld, 007 James Baum, 70 Rod Tait, 88 Justin Sitterle

Johnson Supply Sport Compacts

22 Ryker Hernadez

18 Eric Wilson

007 James Baum

11j Josh Jones

3% Sam Walker

85 Michelle Conlee

43bJennifer kidd

76y Donald Lewis

83 JamesGottsch

825 Justin Van Winkle

88 Justin Sitterle---dns

70 Rod Tait---dns

Nogalitos Gear Late Models

48 Cody Leonard

91 Jared Maupin

24 Robby Minten

5r Ryan Doyon

08 Landon Sowder

5k Ziggy Reusser

77 Mark Taylor

23 Johnny Torres

9r Ray Doyon

Iron Horse RV Limited Modifieds

14 Trent Beaver

11x Johnny Torres

30 Logan Dinsmore

57 Charles Flanagan

15t Mike Terry

10d Clint Leverage

26w Ryan Wiggins

88 Steven Whiteaker III

95s Sterling Tausch

10c Colton Birmingham

9s Bobby Smith

88k Kaden Moran

91 Jared Maupin---dns

Hortch Speed Shop STIMS

94 Chris Morris

12 Cody Leonard

82 Rick Green

73d Jacob Hortch

8jr Logan Dinsmore

18s Shawn Sandergren

45 Brian Machicek

77 Robert Liese

366 David Gibson

16 Landon Bednarz

141 Rob Sanderson

22zDarrell Boyd

5r Ryan Doyon

17m Joey Whitehead

48r Raymond McSpadden

15 Chris Carroll

88 Arien Gassman

91 Jared Maupin

8g Greg Dinsmore

26d Cody Duke

71 Anthony Gordon

All in Designs Factory Stocks

66 Johnny Torres

53k Kasey Krauss

16s Jarrett Payton

14t Trey Heald

55r Rusty Head

41Wade Jones

24 Paul Reyes

29 Dylan Kowalik

92r Robert Keylich

44k Michael Keylich

b51 JW Blocker

18 Kyle Kirkland---dns

Winners Circle Transmissions Fireballs

13 Howie Marcx

18m Joseph Montemayor

8 DJ Schroat

09 Clint Montanio

28 Levi Hernandez

93 Jared Maupin

h2s Shane StoneBraker

1 Dale Caswell

64 Danny Dear

14 Mark Pivarnik

15 William Cavender

816 Ryan McDonald

37 AJ Wernette

99 Johnny Walker Brown

68 Kenny Wright---dns

Sport Compact heats

Heat 1

83 James Gottsch

825 Justin Van Winkle

3% Sam Walker

11j Josh Jones

85 Michelle Conlee

76y Donald Lewis

43 Jennifer Kidd

 

 

 

Heat 2

22r Ryker Hernandez

18 Eric Wilson

98 Ronnie Schoenfeld

007 James Baum

70 Rod Tait

Fireball heats

Heat 1

13 Howie Marcx

18m Joseph Montemayor

99 Johnny Walker Brown

h2s Shane Stonebraker

37 AJ Wernette

09 Clint Montanio

1 Dale Caswell

816 Ryan McDonald

 

Heat 2

93 Jared Maupin

14Mark Pivarnik

64 Danny Dear

8 DJ Schroat

15 William Cavender

28 Levi Hernandez

68 Kenny Wright

Factory Stock heats

Heat 1

14t Trey Heald

18s Jarrett Payton

55r Rusty Head

b51 JW Blocker

44k Michael Keylich

41 Wade Jones

 

Heat 2

66 Johny Torres

24 Paul Reyes

53k Kasey Krauss

29k Dylan Kowalik

92r Robert Keylich

18 Kyle Kirkland---dns

Heat 1

88 Steven Whiteaker III

14 Trent Beaver

11x Johnny Torres

30k Logan Dinsmore

57 Charles Flanagan

15t Mike Terry

26w Ryan Wiggins

 

 

Heat 2

9s Bobby Smith

95s Sterling Tausch

10d Clint Everage

10c Colton Birmingham

88k Kaden Moran

91 Jared Maupin

STIMS heats

Heat 1

5r Ryan Doyon

82 Rick Green

71 Anthony Gordon

17w Joey Whitehead

16 Landon Bednarz

22z Darrell Boyd

77 Robert Liese

 

Heat 2

94 Chris Mottis

12 Cody Leonard

15 Chris Carroll

26d Cody Duke

48r Raymond McSpadden

45 Brian Machicek

366 David Gibson

 

Heat 3

91 Jared Maupin

73d Jacob Hortch

8jr Logan Dinsmore

18s Charles Strong

88 Arian Gassman

8g Greg Dinsmore

141 Rob Sanderson

24 Robby Minten

5r Ryan Doyon

48 Cody Leonard

91 Jared Maupin

9r Ray Doyon

08 Landon Sowder

23 Johnny Torres

77 Mark Taylor

5k Ziggy Reusser

Redneck Stress Relief 5 by Allways Auto Group @ I-37 Speedway 3/23/24

By JM Hallas

 

Pleasanton TX.,(March 23rd, 2024) And so it begins….points that is.

 

After Mother Nature intervened at the end of the 2023 season, Redneck Stress Relief 5 was postponed til the start of the 2024 season with some new ideas. Action on the 1/4 mile, semi-banked, dirt oval just outside Pleasanton consisted of the Factory Stocks Sport Compacts and Fireballs starting there points season. Plus the Sport Compacts in a 2-driver team race, mechanics race, trailer race and Factory Stock 'King of the Hill.'

 

What's a team race you ask?…..Each team consists of two cars wearing matching colored flags. Teams will be split in the heats, and lined up for the feature by heat finish. The winning team will be crowned by combined finish points. Conceivably it would be possible for one team car to, let's say, run blocker for the lead car of a rival team, but surely that wouldn't happen right on a full moon night, right?

Sport Compact Teams

Josh Jones/Shaun Tracy—Flying Dutchman

Rod Tait/Sonny Kinnaman—Slow as Shell

Joshua Garcia/Michael Polacek—The Smoking Guns

Jennifer Kidd/Sam Walker—Cupcake Queen/Duchess of Dirt

James Baum/Eric Wilson—Melon Heads

Justin Sitterle/Ronnie Schoenfeldt—Team Texas

James Gottsch/Michelle Conlee—The Underdogs

 

The night was capped off by destroying a vehicle and a flaming RV.

 

Torres Topples Field

As the Factory Stock 20-lapper fired off it was Dakota Hurley first into turn 1. Wade Jones got a run off turn 2 on the top, but it was Hurley leading ahead of Jones, Johnny Torres, Brian Schneider and Robert Keylich. Craig Oakes got by R. Keylich, who would slow and pull off. Torres quickly got by Jones for second on lap 2, but wasn't finished as he powered by Hurley for the lead on lap 3.

 

Jones followed past Hurley a lap later while C. Oakes challenged Schneider for fourth, taking the spot on lap 5. The top four separated out with a gap to Schneider, Hunter Peterson, Nathan Oakes, and Michael Keylich scrapping it out for fifth. At the crossed flags it was Torres, increasing his margin, Jones, Hurley, C. Oakes and Schneider holding the top five spots.

 

N. Oakes was able to work past Schneider for fifth, with M. Keylich following to sixth before taking fifth from N. Oakes. With five to go, Torres had built nearly a full straightaway advantage over Jones, while C. Oakes grabbed third from Hurley who would give up fourth to M. Keylich a lap later.

 

Torres, a multi-time, multi-class track champion, continued to run away from the field to nearly a half track as the white waved. It was easy going to the checkers for Torres in his Scott Ball Racing, 8T1 Construction, All in Designs, Diffs by Dale, CRS Suspension, Sundowner Performance, 1st Class Towing, Hercules Foundation, Rush Gear by Austin Witt, Allen’s 24/7 Towing, Mission Auto Parts, Dirt Defender, Best Engines, Outlaw chassis.

All in Design Factory Stocks

66 Johnny Torres, 41 Wade Jones, 91 Craig Oakes, 44x Brandon Welker, 53 Nathan Oakes, 40 Dakota Hurley, 34h Hunter Peterson,56 Brian Schneider, 18 Kyle Kirkland, 44k Michael Keylich, 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 92r Robert Keylich, 18s Jarrett Payton---dns

 

Factory Stock heats

Heat 1; 44x Brandon Welker, 40 Dakota Hurley,34h Hunter Peterson, 92r Robert Keylich, 7 Johnny Walker Brown

 

Heat 2; 66 Johnny Torres, 53 Nathan Oakes, 56 Brian Schneider, 18 Kyle Kirkland

 

Heat 3; 41 Wade Jones, 91 Craig Oakes, 18s Jarrett Payton, 44k Michael Keylich

 

Factory Stock KotH

Johnny Torres defeats Michael Keylich

Gordon Grabs Gold

At the start of the 20-lap Fireball feature it was Howie Marcx and Anthony Gordon side by side through turns 1-2. Matthew Hodge got a run down the back stretch and split the two going three wide into turn 3 coming out with the lead. Marcx, Gordon, Mark Pivarnik and Joseph Montemayor sorted out behind Hodge.

 

Montemayor brought out an early caution losing a tire. On the restart, Gordon got by Marcx for second while Pivarnik and Shane Stonebraker were side by side for fourth. Those two battled door to door for five laps until Pivarnik finally secured the spot. By halfway the top three had gapped that battle.

 

Gordon began diving low off the corners and was able to get by Hodge for the lead on lap 12. This left Hodge side by side with Marcx for second for three laps. Hodge changed his line and ran Gordon back down, but in the final laps slipped up allowing Gordon in the old San Antonio Speedway Camaro of Tommy Casey to snag the win.

Winners Circle Transmissions Fireballs

99 Anthony Gordon, 13 Howie Marcx, 58 Matthew Hodge,14 Mark Pivarnik, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 64 Danny Dear, 18m Joseph Montemayor

 

Fireball heats

Heat 1; 58 Matthew Hodge, 13 Howie Marcx, 14 Mark Pivarnik, 64 Danny Dear

 

Heat 2; 99 Anthony Gordon, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 18m Joseph Montemayor

 

Factory Stock/Fireball mechanics race

Kurtis Opiela(Factory Stock)

Brad Hunt(Fireball)

 

Van Winkle Wins Again

The first attempt for the Sport Compact feature was waved off for a bad start. On the second try Rod Tait jumped out front trailed by Justin Van Winkle, Ronnie Schoenfeldt, Justin Sitterle and Abraham Mares. Van Winkle wasted little time ducking under Tait to get the top spot on lap 2. Josh Jones joined the party as Van Winkle began to ease ahead.

 

Sitterle brought out the caution on lap 6 with a spin in turn 4. On the restart, Van Winkle got away while Schoenfeldt and Tait battled for second. Schoenfeldt got crossed up in turn 3 and fell back through pack. In that pack, James Baum, Jennifer Kidd and Michelle Conlee were three wide with Conlee lightly kissing the front stretch wall without caution.

 

At halfway it was Van Winkle, increasing his lead, Tait, Jones, Mares and Eric Wilson cracking into the top five. By lap 13 Van Winkle was in traffic, but holding his margin over Tait at nearly a half track. Wilson was able to get past Mares for fourth with five to go.

 

With two to go Van Winkle again caught some slower traffic that was about the only thing to slow him down. Some contact was made, so Van Winkle eased off and still easily took the checkers with a big lead in his Darlas Bar & Grille, 2.2 Eco-tech, Pontiac Sunfire.

***With their combined finishes Wilson and Baum took home the extra money up for grabs in the team challenge.

Johnson Supply Sport Compacts Team Race

825 Justin Van Winkle, 70 Rod Tait, 11j Josh Jones, 18 Eric Wilson, 76y Abraham Mares, 3% Sam Walker, 007 James Baum, 83m Michelle Conlee, 98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 48 Michael Polasek, 43 Jennifer Kidd, 32 Joshua Garcia, 88 Justin Sitterle, 21t Shaun Tracy, 38 Sonny Kinnaman---dns, 8 James Gottsch---dns

Sport Compacts heats

Heat 1; 88 Justin Sitterle, 76y Abraham Mares, 007 James Baum, 8 James Gottsch, 21t Shaun Tracy

 

Heat 2

825 Justin Van Winkle, 70 Rod Tait, 32 Joshua Garcia, 43 Jennifer Kidd, 83m Michelle Conlee, 48 Michael Polasek

 

Heat 3; 98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 11j Josh Jones, 18 Eric Wilson, 3% Sam Walker, 38 Sonny Kinnaman

 

Trailer Race

Jacob Crow outlasted Ray Doyon and copilot Preston Leet to take home the victory. Early leader and crowd favorite, Rod Tait and copilot James Gottsch(the nights rollover champion) were DQ'd after losing the jet ski and 95% of the trailer, with Phillip Crow third after knocking the radiator out.

***A few years back another race was actually won by a car with part of a trailer, but it was still attached to the car by the hitch, in this case it was only hanging on by a safety chain, sliding along to track and deemed a safety hazard.

Jacob Crow

Ray Doyon/Preston Leet

Phillip Crow

Rod Tait/James Gottsch

 

For his victory J. Crow was awarded the opportunity to destroy the flaming trailer. Well that, and his was only vehicle left in operable condition. The term “volunteered” comes to mind but he powered his 'Black and Green Wrecking Machine' Ford pick up with over 400K miles through the trailer.

***Several extra safety precautions were put in place, don't try this at home.

Johnson Supply Sport Compacts Team Race

825 Justin Vanwinkle

70 Rod Tait

11j Josh Jones

18 Eric Wilson

76y Abraham Mares

3% Sam Walker

007 James Baum

83m Michelle Conlee

98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt

48 Michael Polasek

43 Jennifer Kidd

32 Joshua Garcia

88 Justin Sitterle

21t Shaun Tracy

38 Sonny Kinnaman---dn

Winners Circle Transmissions Fireballs

99 Anthony Gordon

13 Howie Marcx

58 Matthew Hodge

14 Mark Pivarnik

h2s Shane Stonebraker

64 Danny Dear

18m Joseph Montemayor

All in Design Factory Stocks

66 Johnny Torres

41 Wade Jones

91 Craig Oakes

44x Brandon Welker

53 Nathan Oakes

40 Dakota Hurley

34h Hunter Peterson

56 Brian Schneider

18 Kyle Kirkland

44k Michael Keylich

7 Johnny Walker Brown

92r Robert Keylich

Sport Compacts heats

Heat 1

88 Justin Sitterle

76y Abraham Mares

007 James Baum

8 James Goettch

21t Shaun Tracy

 

 

Heat 2

825 Justin Vanwinkle

70 Rod Tait

32 Joshua Garcia

43 Jennifer Kidd

83m Michelle Conlee

48 Michael Polasek

 

 

Heat 3

98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt

11j Josh Jones

18 Eric Wilson

3% Sam Walker

38 Sonny Kinnaman

Fireball heats

Heat 1

58 Matthew Hodge

13 Howie Marcx

14 Mark Pivarnik

64 Danny Dear

 

 

Heat 2

99 Anthony Gordon

h2s Shane Stonebraker

18m Joseph Montemayor

Factory Stock heats

Heat 1

44x Brandon Welker

40 Dakota Hurley

34h Hunter Peterson

92r Robert Keylich

7 Johnny Walker Brown

 

 

Heat 2

66 Johnny Torres

53 Nathan Oakes

56 Brian Schneider

18 Kyle Kirkland

 

 

Heat 3

41 Wade Jones

91 Craig Oakes

18s Jarrett Payton

44k Michael Keylich