NickHolt Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Texas Super Racing Series Public Relations Office (512) 784-3026 Series Information Line (512) 844-3582 Press Office Phone (281) 482-6798 Press Office E-mail: campmayberry@hotmail.com Walton Wins Bayou Classic By: Pat Mayberry Rain showers throughout the day at Houston Motorsports Park threatened to dampen the spirits of the Texas Super Racing Series stars. Two different times heavy showers soaked the 3/8 mile high banked tri-oval. But thanks to Mother Nature and the great HMP crew, fans who braved the weather saw Robert Walton become the third rookie of the season to win as he took home his first series victory in the Bayou Classic. Walton had practiced well all day, but had trouble in qualifying when the right rear spring bucket came out. Walton elected to pull his car from the impound lot and start the race from the back of the field so he could fix the problem. It was a gamble that paid off big for the former ARTS truck series champion. As the green flag flew over the field, pole sitter Shane Harris spun his tires allowing Chris Schild, Tommy Gural and Ian Webster the chance to get by him before turn one. The field quickly stretched out and laid down some very quick laps. Walton was showing patience and picking off a car every couple of laps. On lap twelve problems popped up all around the track and Walton managed to avoid them all. On the back stretch David Snokhouse and Mike Cullen got together to bring out the first caution of the night. Meanwhile, Rookie point leader, Cody Smith, and veteran Bobby Joe New traded some paint on the front stretch, sending both to the pits for repairs. Then, rookie Kyle Sirizzotti pulled to a stop when his cockpit filled up with smoke. After all cars paid a visit to the pits everyone made it back out on the track, but for Smith and Sirizzotti it looked like it a very bad night in their chase for a championship. Little did they know fate would help them before the night was over. On the restart Walton now found himself in sixth trailing Schild, Gural, Webster, Harris and Teresa Gural. On lap 27 Schild pulled up high and made his way to the pits, handing over the lead to Gural. On lap 28, Gural pushed up high out of the racing groove and Webster assumed the lead. Webster has run every race in series history and now found himself leading his first lap. Meanwhile, Harris moved up to second and Walton was now running in third as the drivers past the midway point in the race. With 25 laps to go, New was racing to get a lap back and got by Webster. Walton dropped in behind New and went right by Webster for the lead. From that point on Walton just concentrated on hitting his marks and opened up a nearly three second lead over the field. "Words really can't explain it. It's the best win I've ever got," said a tired Walton after the win. "This one is for Ricky and my Mom & Dad. If it weren't for all the people who helped me there is no way possible I could have been here. Wednesday we didn't even have the motor in the car. We had run another race the week before the Mid Summer Shootout and the motor came apart on us. That's why we missed TWS. My motor builder was great. He came right back to us with even a better one than before. Walton was followed under the double checkers by Teresa Gural, Bill Hamilton, Harris, Webster as the only cars on the lead lap. Rounding out the top ten were Gary Chancellor who made his first start with the series, Smith, Snokhouse, Schild and Leland Waddell. Series point leader, Tommy Gural, ended the night ten laps down and in twelfth place. Despite early problems Smith finished seven places better and has brought the championship race to a dead heat between the two drivers. The next stop will be September 2nd at Thunder Hill Raceway for the July 2nd rainout make up date. Both Gural and Smith have won track championship at Thunder Hill so it will be very exciting to see who leaves with the points lead. For more information on the Texas Super Racing Series, please visit their website at www.manracingpromotions.com. Race Information: Name: Robert Walton City: Del Valle, TX. Age: 38 Years in racing: 22 Chassis: Howe Body: Monte Carlo Engine Builder: Loftin Performance Brakes: Wilwood Shocks: Bilstiens Sponsors: Loftin Performance, QRS Trucking, Racing GrafX.com, Enterprise Rent-a-car, Miss Diane's Dance Unlimited, Continental Collision, Burly Inspections, Terry's Race Cars, Mom & Dad Cautions: 6 for 9 laps Fastest green flag lap: Bobby Joe New 15.325 Lap Leaders: 1 - 27 Chris Schild 28 Tommy Gural 29 - 49 Ian Webster 49 - 75 Robert Walton Margin of victory: 2.733 seconds Time of Race: 45:01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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