Texana Raceway Park recap, 4/14/07

[NickHolt]

Texana Raceway Park Season Cranked Up

Results from April 14, 2007

 

After battling the weather for two straight weekends, the Texana Raceway Park crew kicked off the season on April 14th under clear skies and cool temperatures. 106 competitors entered the grounds anxious to kick off the racing season. Track conditions were excellent for those who desire a tacky track, with the track continuing to bring up moisture for the majority of the night. Everyone was treated to some impressive driving talents, with several well known drivers like Whiteaker, Dinsmore, the Blaylocks, Flannagan, and Armbula just to mention a few visiting the track. The cool temperatues along with the track conditions provided for some blistering speeds in all of the classes, with at least three racing grooves being used in many of the classes. The multiple grooves provided for some exciting side by side competition with passing on the inside and outside.

 

The night started off with the Mini-Stock class, for drivers age 13-19, which welcomed some first time drivers making their season debut, including Haley Jansky from Louise, driving her #31 entry and Garret Hayes of Victoria in his #9. The youngsters didn’t have any problem getting racey on their first night out. During the feature, several of the veteran mini-stock competitors demonstrated their skills working through the traffic and putting on a show with two-wide racing. The #00 of Dakota Taylor, with a season and a half under his belt demonstrated his patience carefully working his way from the back of the 11 car field in the feature by moving up to 5th when the checker flag waved. In the end, it was Nicholas Moore of Victoria taking the feature win with 2006 class champion, Justin Bloom in second.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #6 Nicholas Moore, 2nd #84 Justin Bloom, 3rd #4 Jacob Burnett, 4th #9 Garrett Hayes, 5th #00 Dakota Taylor.

 

The exciting Texana Classic Dwarf class provided some of the fastest laps of the night. El Campo’s Doug Schmidt in the #79 started on the pole position for the feature and carried the large group of cars into the 20 lap event. Shmidt set a pace the other competitors would be challenged to keep up with but eventually surrendered the lead. As the event progressed there was a lot of exciting two and three wide competition with a lots of passing. As the checker flag waved it was Gary Hanson taking the win.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #54 Gary Hanson, 2nd #25 Dave Tedford, 3rd #19 Andrew Cline, 4th #4 Stew Savage, 5th #3x Frank Fruia

 

The Bomber class again proved to be a crowd favorite as they kicked off their 2007 season. As the feature progressed for the large field of cars, three of the ladies in the group gave the gentleman a driving lesson by taking three of the top five positions when the checker waved. The event provided several lead changes and a tremendous amount of side by side competition. The early lead was established by the #2 entry of Josh Blanchard. Blanchard appeared to be the driver to beat as he seemed to pull away from the large field of cars proving he inherited the driving talents of his father Gary. Eventually Blanchard got caught up in lapped traffic and was passed by the #33 of Charlie Mills piloting his Pontiac during his first night of racing. The 2006 Favorite Driver, Sandra Hudgeons patiently moved up through the crowded field to finish in fourth place. Diana Russom piloted her #19 to prove she took a few notes during her freshman season and will be a strong competitor in her sophomre year ending up in 2nd. Returning to competition after a two year absence, it was El Campo’s Janet Perks in the #12 proving she still has what it takes as she picked off cars one by one to be the first to take the checker.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #12 Janet Perks, 2nd #19 Diana Russom, 3rd #60 Al Perez, 4th #88 Sandra Hudgeons, 5th #00 Aaron Lunsford

 

The Truck class posted one of the largest counts seen for the group in the last couple of years. There was plenty of excitement during the event. The greatest excitement was provided by one driver searching for the four-wheel drive switch and attemping a wall climb on the back straight-away. After a caution to remove the truck, he continued on to finish the feature. The 2006 Favorite Driver and shared Class Champion Bob Ort demonstrated his classic consistency and pulled off a 2nd place finish in the feature with the #3 of Darryl Davis in third. In the end, it was Jimmy Rogers in his #9 entry taking the feature win.

1st – 5th Results : 1st 9 Jimmy Rogers, 2nd #43 Bob Ort, 3rd #3 Darryl Davis, 4th #44 John Leita, 5th #55 Russell Bloom

 

The Super Stock class provided one of the most heart-warming finishes for fans and drivers alike. At the start of the feature event it was Red Rock’s AJ Dancer in his #52 setting the pace from the pole position for the field. Returning to competition after a partial 2006 absence was Victoria’s Kenny Densman working his way up to a 5th place finish after an early race spin. But, the crowd pleaser of the night was Edna’s own veteran driver Kevin Parker in his #7 taking his first ever feature win. After experiencing hard luck in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Parker proved he plans to be a front runner in 2007. Parker never really received a fierce challenge from any of the competitors once he got to the lead, but the #26 of Eric Floyd was slowly gaining ground. There just were not enough laps to mount a real challenge for the lead. A visibly joyful Parker stated “This is an awesome feeling. I’ve waited a long time for this”.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #7 Kevin Parker, 2nd #26 Eric Floyd, 3rd #52 AJ Dancer, 4th #44 John Gay, 5th #75 Kenneth Densman

 

The Late model class had a lower count than all of the other classes with three entries. The feature win went to the #23 of Chris Jewel, followed by #18 Michael Wagner, and #65 Buck McFarlin

 

When the limited modifieds and modified hit the track it was time to take some driving lessons with several notable names on hand and several drivers doing double duty in both classes. In the limited modified class, 2006 track champion Aaron Hudgeons in his #68 machine proved he didn’t miss a beat during the off season by winning the feature event. Always a closely competitive class, the season opener was no exception for the limited modifieds. Steve Whitaker Sr. demonstrated his talents pulling off a 2nd place finish.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #68 Aaron Hudgeons, 2nd #88 Steve Whiteaker Sr., 3rd #9B Brandon Blaylock, 4th #7B James Blaylock, 5th #90 Barry Moody

 

Capping off the night was the impressive talents of the modified drivers. This night was owned by Corpus Christi’s Steve Whiteaker Jr. in his #89, seeming to do absolutely no wrong with every lap. Whiteaker found the groove low, high and anywhere he wanted to plant the car. Whiteaker demonstrated why his talents are recognized by many as he absolutely blistered the track with some 17 second laps on the 5/16 mile oval. While Whiteaker could not be passed, he never escaped from the field. The #55 of Danny Brown finished in 2nd place not far behind Whiteaker. The #2 of James Blaylock came in third piloting the ride prepared by well known chassis man Jim Chapman. The competion in the modified class was a sight to behold with many talented drivers.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #89 Steve Whiteaker Jr, 2nd #55 Danny Brown, 3rd, #2 James Blaylock, 4th #57 Dale Flanagan, 5th #17 Adan Armbula

 

The next scheduled event is April 28th. An added bonus for the night will be a Spectator race during intermission, paying $125 to win based on a minimum of 8 entries. Rules for the spectator race can be found on the track website at www.texanaracewaypark.org under the drivers area.

 

Texana Raceway Park is located 2 miles south of Edna on SH 111. Pit gates open at 4pm, general admission at 5:30 and racing starts at 7:30.