rebelracewriter

Sport Modified Grudge Race/Texas Dirt Truck Series @ I-37 Speedway by R&M Promotions, 6/29/19

By JM Hallas

Pleasanton, TX.,(June, 29th, 2019) It's a night of seconds in a couple ways. First it's a the second of four scheduled class Grudge Races to pick the final four for a shootout later in the season. Tonight it was the Sport Modifieds turn with multi-time track champ Johnny Torres, Frank Okruhlik(who also represented in the Limited Late Models), Street Stock hotshoe Anthony Gordon and young gun Trent Beaver.

Last week it was Tommy Grimes advancing in the Limited Model Grudge race easily taking the checkers after Okruhlik spun on the first lap.

It would also be the second time around for the Texas Dirt Truck Series on the ¼ mile, semi-banked, dirt oval. In their inaugural visit it was Larry Baggett taking home the victory going wire to wire ahead of Tony Bernal. An event in April was also scheduled, but canceled due to rain.

Minten Gets Win in Wild One

It was a wild 20-lap Sport Modified main event and when the dust settled it was Talon Minten(Seguin) getting the win. On the initial green flag it was ruled that Eddy Ross jumped the start and got sent to the tail. Trent Beaver got a good start, but slipped in turn 2 with Robby Minten shooting past for the lead pursued by Beaver, T. Minten, Johnny Torres and Marcus Mikulencak.

T. Minten got by Beaver on lap 3 bringing Torres along to third a lap later. Beaver and Torres then swapped the spot an T. Minten ran down his brother R. Minten for the lead. Mikulencak then joined the Torres, Beaver battle for third. At the crossed flags it wad R. Minten, T. Minten, Beaver, Mikulencak and Torres in the top five.

After a couple cautions it was T. Minten, Beaver and Mikulencak three wide for second with Mikulencak getting the spot using the bottom. Staying on the low side Mikulencak caught R. Minten for the lead and the fight was on. Mikulenack would get the nose inside R. Minten, but the momentum up top would see R. Minten pull back ahead.

This would go on lap after lap until Mikulencak finally got good enough run off turn 4 to lead lap 17. R. Minten rebounded on the top to get the lead back on lap 18. Coming to take the checkers Mikulencak dove in hard and clipped an infield tire sending him up the track in turn 4. R. Minten saw him coming and moved up toward the wall.

R. Minten clipped the wall, bounced off and hit Mikulencak who was able to continue on to the checkers. After a lengthy discussion among officials the win was taken away from Mikulencak and awarded to T. Minten in the 3-D Landscaping, Ace Transmission, CD Tire, All In Designs, PRC Carbs, Mark Herring Race Engines, IRP Chassis.

“The track was very racy,” replied Minten. “It was a good, hard race up front with an unfortunate ending. I was really hoping Robby would get the win, he definitely deserved it. But that's racing and stuff happens. I have to give all thanks to Ray Doyon for letting me drive the car while my motor is getting fixed.”

Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds

9 Talon Minten, 66 Johnny Torres, 77 Cody Beddoe, 14 Trent Beaver, 08 Frank Okruhlik, 22m Anthony Gordon, bd3 Eddy Ross, 79 Joe Aramendia, 24r Robby Minten, bd4 Cheryl Gray, 11 Tom Grothues, 94 Allen Torres, 5 Ryan Doyon, 51 Jeremy Hernandez, bd2 Marcus Mikulencak, 57 Rowdy Flanagan---dns

Beaver Best in Sport Mod Grudge Race

Trent Beaver(China Grove) joined Frank Okruhlik as Grudge Race winners transferring to the big 4-class shootout later in the season. As the green flew it was Okruhlik getting the early leaving Anthony Gordon and Beaver wheel to wheel for second. The two stayed tied at the rub rails giving Okruhlik some breathing room.

Beaver finally broke free and ran Okruhlik down at halfway. Beaver dove inside Okruhlik to get the spot on lap 5 leaving Okruhlik, Gordon and Johnny Torres battling for the runner up spot. Beaver in the Beaver Heating & Air Conditioning, WW Bodies, Beaver Medical Group, Chris Brown Shocks, Audie Howell Crane & Rigging, PTS powered, Hughes by 89 Motorsports Chassis eased away for the victory.

Sport Modified Grudge Race

14 Trent Beaver, 66 Johnny Torres, 08 Frank Okruhlik, 22m Anthony Gordon

Sport Modified heats

Heat 1; 14 Trent Beaver, 66 Johnny Torres, 11 Tom Grothues, bd2 Marcus Mikulencak, 5r Ryan Doyon, 94 Allen Torres, 51 Jeremy Hernandez, 22m Anthony Gordon

Heat 2; bd3 Eddy Ross, 24r Robby Minten, 9 Talon Minten, 77 Cody Beddoe, 08 Frank Okruhlik, 79 Joe Aramendia, bd4 Cheryl Gray, 57 Rowdy Flanagan

Okruhlik OK in Limite Late Models

Frank Okruhlik(San Antonio) backed up last races win scoring another in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature. This years two hot shoes, Okruhlik and Tommy Grimes, started on the front row. Grimes won the race into turn 1, but Okruhlik got inside Grimes through turns 3-4 to lead at the line on lap 1.

Grimes fell in line second with Matt Fox, Jason Kelly and DJ Scroat following. Grimes would loop it in turn 4 for a caution that saw Fox sent to the tail for jumping the restart. Back to green Okruhlik started to pull away while Patrick Kelly, debuting his new ride, worked his way up to third. Behind him Grimes and Fox were marching back to the front.

At the midway point it was Okruhlik, P. Kelly, Grimes, Pete Arce and Fox in the top five. With five to go Okruhlik had a half straightaway on P. Kelly while Jason Kelly got by Arce and Fox for fourth. Lapped traffic was the only thing to slow Okruhlik as he motored to the victory in the Henderson Motorsports, Mission Racing, Late Model.

Nogalitos Gear Limited Late Models

99 Frank Okruhlik, 84 Patrick Kelly, 22t Tommy Grimes, 57 Jason Kelly, 53x Matt Fox, 9 Pete Arce, 14 Gary Hunter, 95 Jerry Jones, 57sr John Kelly sr., 5 DJ Schroat, 3 Sammy Smith, 18 Shane Moore---dns, 86 Bob Henderson---dns

Limited Late Model heats

Heat 1; 22t Tommy Grimes, 53x Matt Fox, 3 Sammy Smith, 84 Patrick Kelly, 9 Pete Arce, 14 Gary Hunter, 57sr John Kelly sr

Heat 2; 99 Frank Okruhlik, 57 Jason Kelly, 18 Shane Moore, 5 DJ Schroat, 86 Bob Henderson, 95 Jerry Jones

Bagget Bags Truck Tally Again

Larry Baggett(Marble Falls) grabbed his second Texas Dirt Truck Series win at I-37 Speedway. At the start it was Russel Rust getting the early lead chased by Michael Keylich, Baggett, Johnny Brown and John Heil. Rust began to have trouble giving way to Baggett on lap 2. Rusts troubles compounded when he slowed dramatically and collected Heil, Keylich and Russ Parker.

Texas Dirt Truck Series

3 Larry Baggett, 3d Johnny Brown, 77 Michael Keylich, 96 John Heil, m5 Russel Rust, 28 Russ Parker

TDTS heat; 96 John Heil, 77 Michael Keylich, m5 Russel Rust, 3d Johnny Brown, 28 Russ Parker, 3 Larry Baggett

Jourdantons Jones Scores in Street Stocks

It was multi-time track champ Wade Jones taking home the victory in the 15-lap Street Stock feature after a short battle with Anthony Gordon. Jones was first into turn 1, but Gordon pulled back along side off turn 2. After a side by side battle Gordon won the spot off of turn 4 to lead lap 1.

Jones returned the favor and got back on point for lap 2 leaving Gordon battling with Jarrett Barber for second. Barber got the spot a couple laps later, but Jones had checked out. Stretching out his his margin to a full straightaway, Jones in his Opiela Mechanical, SABFI Transportation, Mission Racing, Camaro went unchallenged to the checkers.

Alamo Hot Rod Parts Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones, 19 Jarrett Barber, 22m Anthony Gordon, 4t Mike Trigg, 77 Chris Shafer, 20 Mike Lyon', 33jp James Park, 4 Dwayne Markgraf

Street Stock heats

Heat 1; 41 Wade Jones, 19 Jarrett Barber, 22m Anthony Gordon, 4t Mike Trigg, 20 Mike Lyon, 77 Chris Shafer, 33jp James Park, 4 Dwayne Markgraf

Mikulencak Muscles to Pure Stock Pay Day

Two drivers, making their first trip of the season to I-37 Speedway, battled it out for the always hotly contested Pure Stock win. Ben Mikulencak and Josh Sewell held off the regulars throughout the 20-lap feature that came down to a late one-lap shootout for the win.

At the start, Sewell was first off turn to get the lead trailed by Mikulencak, Tryton Temple and Dillon Gaither door to door with Riley Heil. Mikulencak began searching up top and got along side Sewell on lap 3 grabbing the spot on lap 4 while Robert Kelm got by Heil for fifth.

Temple and Sewell were side by side for second while Jennie Barber, Ryan Doyon and George Quintanilla ran three wide in the pack. Allen Torres made his usual charge from mid-pack making his way to sixth. On a restart Sewell gave Mikulencak a good look for the lead, but couldn't complete the pass.

At halfway it was Mikulencak, Sewell, Temple, D. Gaither and Torres in the top five. Mikulencak and Sewell began to ease away from the pack until a late caution set up the dash for the cash. Sewell tried the high side as green and white were shown together, while Torres snuck past Temple for third. At the checkers it was Mikulencak in the Armstrong Lumber Company, Day Motorsports, Empire Race Car holding Sewell off for the win.

All in Design Pure Stocks

13m Ben Mikulencak, 38 Josh Sewell, 94 Allen Torres, 99t Tryton Temple, 5 Dillon Gaither, 30 Riley Heil, 3 Ryan Doyon, 19b Jennie Barber, 48 Robert Kelm, 41t Elgin Tracy, 36 George Quintanilla, 49k Kathrine Keylich, 75 Jerry Miller, 19 Daniel Miller, m13 Jeremy Watson, 4d Dustin Hurley, 28 Chad Miller, 40 Dakota Hurley, 8 Brandon Gaither, 20 Randall Rydl---dns, bd1 Greg Carlucci---dns, 10 Scott Jerkins---dns

Pure Stock heats

Heat 1; 38 Josh Sewell, 75 Jerry Miller, 48 Robert Kelm, 40 Dakota Hurley, 19b Jennie Barber, 19 Daniel Miller, 41t Elgin Tracy, 10 Scott Jerkins

Heat 2; 13m Ben Mikulencak, 5 Dillon Gaither, 94 Allen Torres, 4d Dustin Hurley, 49k Katherine Keylich, 28 Chad Miller, bd1 Greg Carlucci

Heat 3; 99 Tryton Temple, 30 Riley Heil, 3 Ryan Doyon, 36 George Quintanilla, m13 Jeremy Watson, 8 Brandon Gaither, 20r Randall Rydl

Ervin Ekes out Sport Compact Clash

It was another exciting finish in the 20-lap Sport Compact Feature with 23 cars starting. Justin Sitterle led lap 1 with Jamie Garner, Robert Fox, George Compton and Johnny Ervin in tow. Defending track champ, Garner quickly got by Sitterle for the top spot on lap 2 while Michael Burris sr. made his way up to third.

On a restart Sitterle, Ervin and Burris sr. were three wide for second as Garner eased away. Ervin made his way to second leaving Burris sr., Fox, Compton and Scott Lesher battling for third. Burris sr. slipped and fell back out of that battle. At halfway it was Garner, Ervin, Fox, Compton and Lesher in the top five.

After a caution for Dalton McDonald, Garner was called for jumping the restart, a rule that was stressed in the drivers meeting, and sent to the back. This left Ervin on the point for the restart. The top five of Ervin, Fox, Compton, Lesher and Brandon McCall, in a borrowed car, broke away from the pack.

As Fox, Compton and Lesher battled for second, Fox knocked an infield on track setting up a two lap shootout. Ervin got away on green but Compton made a last lap charge but it was Ervin in the Rockin E Designs, M&M Automotive, Smokin Enterprise, raceontexas, Rachel Plant Picture Taker, ChevyFord Motorplex, 2003 Chevy Cavalier, by a fender snagging the win.

Brown Chevrolet Sport Compacts

44 Johnny Ervin, 29t George Compton, 25 Robert Fox, 14/57 Brandon McCall, 18 Michael Burris sr., 1 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 33 Jamie Garner, 38 Kirk Ball, 5L Scott Lesher, 01 Adolph Tracy, 01g Adam Tracy, 23 Kasey Krauss, 7L Jordan Albert, 95m Daniel Lopez, 93 Colton Borlace, 6p Levi Hernandez, 4t Marcus Rivera, 81 Michael Burris jr., 88 Justin Sitterle, 17 Dalton McDonald, 11j Josh Jones, 75 Ethan Jenkins, 57/14 Trevor Bettis---dns

Sport Compact heats

Heat 1; 88 Justin Sitterle, 18 Michael Burris sr., 44 Johnny Ervin, 23 Kasey Krauss, 01g Adam Tracy, 17 Dalton McDonald, 93 Colton Borlace, 4t Marcus Rivera

Heat 2; 25 Robert Fox, 29 George Compton, 1 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 81 Michael Burris jr., 11j Josh Jones, 14 Brandon McCall, 7L Jordan Albert, 95m Daniel Lopez

Heat 3

33 Jamie Garner, 5 Scott Lesher, 57 Trevor Bettis 75 Ethan Jenkins, 38 Kirk Ball, 6p Levi Hernandez, 01 Adolph Tracy

Russ Parker Construction Go-Karts

Senior Division; Caylor Nesloney, Peyton Jones, Ryker Hernandez, Charles Flanagan

Junior Division; Cody Clegg, Levi McDaniel, Samuel Markgraf, Gaige Whitaker, Aubry Moore, Johnny Ervin

Youth Division; Blaine Markgraf, Cheston Markgraf, Gabriel Soliz(DQ-tech)

Joe and Heather put a lot of time, effort, BST into that place....Sadly that track has always had car/fan count issues for whatever reason, location probably the biggest. That being said I've been checking results at most tracks and they're not the only one hurting for car count in certain classes.....Times are changing, most kids are no longer interested in anything but phones/gaming. Then there's social media impact..... Joe was great at his weekly track promotion on fb live, but that wasn't enough to overcome the lack of fan interest there. I've known Joe a long time and I'm sure this has broken his heart and spirit....only for now.

5 hours ago, Stevebrown said:

Well, the good old boy theory has been shot down.   Christopher Bell with Joe Gibbs Racing has bden disqualified for ride height violation.   Just to be clear, it us not the shock guys fault.   The shocks were disconnected dyring the process.     That eliminates the two previous media attacks in innocent people

Now I'm impressed....Though it wasn't taking a win away.....Now off the get a Cup car?....We'll see.

16 hours ago, top_shelf_12 said:

Did they start late?

No....I've been taking pictures during heat races, then doing those results at intermission.....It's a hassle, but I deal with it....If that damn Nick would hire me an intern, like the one in my profile avatar, that's be great!

Sorry for delay on Pure Stocks....They teched top five and didn't want to postuntil they cleared.

All in Design Pure Stocks

13m Ben Mikulencak

38 Josh Sewell

94 Allen Torres

99t Tryton Temple

5 Dillon Gaither

30 Riley Heil

3 Ryan Doyon

19b Jennie Barber

48 Robert Kelm

41t Elgin Tracy

36 George Quintanilla

49k Kathrine Keylich

75 Jerry Miller

19 Daniel Miller

m13 Jeremy Watson

4d Dustin Hurley

28 Chad Miller

40 Dakota Hurley

8 Brandon Gaither

20 Randall Rydl---dns

bd1 Greg Carlucci---dns

10 Scott Jerkins---dns

Swenson Racing Products Sport Modifieds

 

9 Talon Minten

66 Johnny Torres

77 Cody Beddoe

14 Trent Beaver

08 Frank Okruhlik

22m Anthony Gordon

bd3 Eddy Ross

79 Joe Aramendia

24r Robby Minten

bd4 Cheryl Gray

11 Tom Grothues

94 Allen Torres

5 Ryan Doyon

51 Jeremy Hernandez

bd2 Marcus Mikulencak

57 Rowdy Flanagan---dns

 

Texas Dirt Truck Series

3 Larry Baggett

3d Johnny Brown

77 Michael Keylich

96 John Heil

m5 Russel Rust

28 Russ Parker

Alamo Hot Rod Parts Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones

19 Jarrett Barber

22m Anthony Gordon

4t Mike Trigg

77 Chris Shafer

20 Mike Lyon'

33jp James Park

4 Dwayne Markgraf

Nogalitos Gear Limited Late Models

99 Frank OKruhlik

84 Patrick Kelly

22t Tommy Grimes

57 Jason Kelly

53x Matt Fox

9 Pete Arce

14 Gary Hunter

95 Jerry Jones

57sr John Kelly sr

5 DJ Schroat

3 Sammy Smith

18 Shane Moore---dns

86 Bob Henderson---dns

Sport Modified Grudge Race

14 Trent Beaver

66 Johnny Torres

08 Frank Okruhlik

22m Anthony Gordon

Sport Compact heats

Heat 1

88 Justin Sitterle

18 Michael Burris sr

44 Johnny Ervin

23 Kasey Krauss

01g Adam Tracy

17 Dalton McDonald

93 Colton Borlace

4t Marcus Rivera

 

Heat 2

25 Robert Fox

29 George Compton

1 Ronnie Schoenfeldt

81 Michael Burris jr

11j Josh Jones

14 Brandon McCall

7L Jordan Albert

95m Daniel Lopez

 

Heat 3

33 Jamie Ball

5 Scott Lesher

57 Trevor Bettis

75 Etrhan Jenkins

38 Kirk Ball

6p Levi Hernandez

01 Adolph Tracy

Street Stock heats

Heat 1

41 Wade Jones

19 Jarrett Barber

22m Anthony Gordon

4t Mike Trigg

20 Mike Lyon

77 Chris Shafer

33jp James Park

4 Dwayne Markgraf

 

Pure Stock heats

Heat 1

38 Josh Sewell

75 Jerry Miller

48 Robert Kelm

40 Dakota Hurley

19b Jennie Barber

19 Daniel Miller

41t Elgin Tracy

10 Scott Jerkins

 

 

Heat 2

13m Ben Mikulencak

5 Dillon Gaither

94 Allen Torres

4d Dustin Hurley

49k Katherine Keylich

28 Chad Miller

bd1 Greg Carlucci

 

 

Heat 3

99 Tryton Temple

30 Riley Heil

3 Ryan Doyon

36 George Quintanilla

m13 Jeremy Watson

8 Brandon Gaither

20r Randall Rydl

Sport Modified heats

Heat 1

14 Trent Beaver

66 Johnny Torres

11 Tom Grothues

bd2 Marcus Mikulencak

5r Ryan Doyon

94 Allen Torres

51 Jeremy Hernandez

22m Anthony Gordon

 

 

Heat 2

bd3 Eddy Ross

24r Robby Minten

9 Talon Minten

77 Cody Beddoe

08 Frank Okruhlik

79 Joe Aramendia

bd4 Cheryl Gray

57 Rowdy Flanagan

TDTS heat

96 John Heil

77 Michael Keylich

m5 Russel Rust

3d Johnny Brown

28 Russ Parker

3 Larry Baggett

Limited Late Model heats

Heat 1

22t Tommy Grimes

53x Matt Fox

3 Sammy Smith

84 Patrick Kelly

9 Pete Arce

14 Gary Hunter

57sr John Kelly sr

 

 

Heat 2

99 Frank Okruhlik

57 Jason Kelly

18 Shane Moore

5 DJ Schroat

86 Bob Henderson

95 Jerry Jones

Josh, How'd he do in the down-sized car?

Quote

I think you are simply trying to make a point, which I assume you will continue to push for the foreseeable future. 

Nick, I'll just quit replying and see what happens....lol

 

 

 

 

Mike apparently I was wrong....It appears you can get all your racing needs at Wally World.....lmao

 

ALRIGHT>>>>>GEEZ

We're looking for solutions that won't ruin the tracks or racers financially....Not playing the blame game.....We can "what if" this mofo to death and never find a suitable solution....I mean we, as a collective group of racers, are creative enough to find ways around tech, rules, etc.....We should be able fix a problem before A) racers quit racing, B ) insurance companies quit insuring tracks, C) tracks close because the two fore-mentioned reasons.

FOCUS

Quote

be easy man .

Sorry Mike....forgot you worked at Auto Zone

1 hour ago, arob said:

I guess first thing is don't have a catwalk / seating that doesn't have a fence in front of it.

 

In the one case the catwalk you would think is high enough....it has a k-barrier/fence below it.

In the other two cases, a sprint car and midget went over/through the fence into the grandstands. Not just parts, the whole car.

Direct from qa1 site;

Quote

What is a "tie-down" and "easy-up" shock?

In circle track racing, “tie-down shock” and “easy-up shock” are two common terms used to describe valving characteristics of a shock. A “tie-down shock” is used to describe a shock that has stiffer rebound settings than compression settings. This term is widely used when describing a 4-link dirt modified right front shock or asphalt cars front shocks. An “easy-up shock” is a common term used to describe a shock with stiff compression and soft rebound. This term is widely used when describing a 4-link dirt modified left rear or left front shock. When someone is trying to describe a shock and uses one of these terms, it’s best to ask which valving they are actually describing. A 3-5 is considered a tie-down while a 3-12 is also considered a tie-down. As you can see, this term can describe two very different shocks! Here’s an example: A 7-3 valved right front street shock is considered an “easy-up shock” and a 3-5 valved left rear street shock is considered a “tie-down shock.”