Bikes, Trikes, Happy Kids and Plenty of Exciting Racing at Texana

[NickHolt]

Bikes, Trikes, Happy Kids and Plenty of Exciting Racing at Texana

 

Texana Raceway Park Results from July 14, 2007

By: Monty Chamberlain

 

 

July 14th was another historic night at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas. Making up for the July 7th Rain-Out, the track held the annual kids bike give-away. What started off as a small event with just a few bicycles has grown into a huge outpouring of donations in just a few short years. As soon as the heat races wrapped up, there were 38 bicycles, 3 tricycles and a myriad of other give-aways brought out to the front-straight for the drawing. It was clearly apparent that the kids were eager to get the much anticipated event underway. Texana Raceway Park owners Bruce and Donna Tesch donated a large number of bicycles along with over 15 race teams bringing in donations as well, with some teams throwing in the bike helmets along with the bicycles. A true testament to the giving spirit of the drivers and teams, 41 kids went home with new bikes or trikes. Kicking off the drawing, Bruce Tesch stated “I want to thank all of the race teams that donated bicycles. We appreciate the fans and the race teams equally. It takes both to have a successful program, and we truly appreciate both the fans and drivers”. It was a very heart-warming event to see so many happy youngsters.

 

Due to a prior commitment with another track, the Texana Classic Dwarfs were scheduled off for this date. With the heats completed, and bikes given away, it was time for some serious racing action in the feature events with 90 teams ready to snag their part of the feature purse.

 

The mini-stocks were the first group out for the features. Ten of the teenagers made the call for the feature. The determination award on this night goes out to Jacob Burnett and his supporting team. Getting ready on Saturday to head to the track, the Burnett car experienced a mis-fire, which turned into a real fire and melted all electrical wires, spark plug wires, and hoses before the fire could be put out. Jacob’s dad, Tony who has helped numerous other young drivers get started in mini-stocks and other classes by donating race cars and other things to help others out, worked feverishly to replace everything. The hard work payed off, and although a little later than usual, the team rolled in for competition. Jacob did not have as strong of a run as normal, but he did make a showing in both the heat and the feature to keep him in contention for the points chases. The early lead in the feature was seized by Justin Bloom followed by Garrett Hayes, Jason Bloom and Emily Hayes. CK Racing’s Lauren Chamberlain of Louise in the third race of her rookie year tested the power on her Mustang and significantly shaved off some seconds on her lap times, ultimately securing a 7th place finish. As the race progressed, Justin Bloom stretched out his lead over Garrett Hayes and carried his lead to the end. Haley Jansky of Louise had a steady run and scored a top five position. Another great showing by the teens, they ended up being the only class to make it through their feature caution free.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #84 Justin Bloom, 2nd #9 Garrett Hayes, 3rd #49 Jason Bloom, 4th #2 Emily Hayes, 5th #31 Haley Jansky

 

Sixteen cars made the call to start the Bomber feature. Bastrop’s Danny Bennett and Victoria’s Chris Schafer started the field. With Bennett on the low groove and Schafer on the high side the two ran side by side for two laps before Diana Russom took a ride on the outside wall of turn four. Although she suffered some visible damage to the right upper a-arm, Russom was able to continue and work her way back up through the field for a top five finish. The battle for the entire feature was between Bennett and Schafer racing nose to tail and side by side lap after lap. Cuero’s Sandra Hudgeons had one of her strongest runs this year never letting the two leaders pull very far away. David McBride of Richmond also had a very strong run placing him in the top five. Although Schafer never provided Bennett with any breathing room he wasn’t quite able to pull off a pass and Bennett scored his second feature win of the season.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #R4J Danny Bennett, 2nd #38 Chris Schafer, 3rd #88 Sandra Hudgeons, 4th #26 David McBride, 5th #19 Diana Russom

 

In the Hot Stock Trucks, the action was as close as close can get for the front positions. Bob Ort of Inez and Shawn Hansen of Wharton provided one of their classic close races. Ort took the early lead with Hansen hot on his tail. Jimmy Rogers was just a bit behind the pair in third place. As the race progressed, Ort and Hansen raced only inches apart whether it was Ort in front of Hansen on the low groove or Hansen beside Ort when Hansen tried the high groove. A scary moment as one of the trucks in the rear of the pack got out of control coming out of turn 4 and took a hard hit straight into the retaining wall on the front straight. Fortunately the driver was ok, but did take a ride to the pits with the track medical team for brief observation. Back underway, Ort and Hansen resumed their battle. Hansen continued looking for any opening low or high, but skillful veteran Ort rarely one to make a mistake drove a cautious race and just barely held off Hansen as the duo raced down the front straight side by side to the checker.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #43 Bob Ort, 2nd #4 Shawn Hansen, 3rd #9 Jimmy Rogers, 4th #17 Polly Copeland, 5th #18 Cody Loos

 

The Limited Modifieds had the largest car count of the evening with 25 on hand qualifying for the feature. The track was honored to have several first time visitors and a show for the fans was about to unfold. With the track being dry slick, throttle control and correct set-up was going to be key. With his first time to the track, Cory Babbit qualified well and was the early race leader followed by veteran Vernon Birdwell, Shane Hoefling and Vince Louden. Near the third lap, Hoefling passed Birdwell and then placed his sights towards Babbit. Near the halfway point, the consistency of Baytown’s Barry Moody was showing as he skillfully worked his way inside the top five to the fourth position. A caution collected several cars after the halfway mark and Bill Pittaway was sidelined. Staying in the lead on each restart, Babbit would start the field again during a late race caution. Unfortunately Babbit got loose between turn 1 and 2 and was collected which took him out of the race. This gave the lead to Hoefling who had been biding his time. Hoefling would hold onto the lead to take the win with Victoria’s Mickey Helms having moved up into second and Barry Moody working his way up to finish in third.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #63 Shane Hoefling, 2nd #174 Mickey Helms, 3rd #90 Barry Moody, 4th #14m Wade Moyer, 5th #25 Casey Horton

 

The Super Stock division carried 10 entries to the feature. Heading into the evening there was a tie for the points lead between Kevin Parker and AJ Dancer. By the end of the night there would be one points leader taking the class into the next event. Substitute driving for Monty Chamberlain in the CK Racing #55 was skillful veteran Adam Perks of El Campo. Perks was scouted to drive for the night and did some testing and tuning to pull off a third place finish to demonstrate the car has some potential. Making his first trip this season to Texana was Jed Rollins of Corpus Christi. Rollins took the early lead with Dancer right on his bumper and Perks not far behind in third. Danbury’s Mike Davenport and Victoria’s Brad Hayes battled for 4th and 5th with Davenport moving into the 4th spot. Up front, Dancer cautiously followed Rollins lap after lap looking for an opening. During the last few laps of the race, Dancer made the pass stick and moved past Rollins and held onto the lead for the win. Kevin Parker who suffered fuel pressure issues throughout the night and difficulty with the dry slick conditions finished out of the top five and moved to 2nd in points.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #52 AJ Dancer, 2nd #57 Jed Rollins, 3rd #55 Adam Perks, 4th #70 Mike Davenport, 5th #5 Brad Hayes

 

With this being the seventh night of competition in the Modified Division it was only appropriate that yet another driver would score a win, making seven different winners in as many events. Also, interesting was another first time visitor to Texana taking a feature win. The bets are on now, who if anyone will be a two time winner this season. Qualifying well in the heat race on his first visit to Texana, Georgetown’s Steve Miller took the field to green and took the early race lead. Miller and Santa Fe’s TracyBear did battle up front for several laps with some hard racing. Jerad Herring of Vidor carefully moved his way up into the top five during the event to position himself for a strong finishing position.. Once in the lead, it was difficult for anyone to get around Miller. Kerville’s Greg Dinsmore worked his way up passing Art Rodriguez and then Art’s brother and previous feature winner Roly. A pile up of cars in turns 3&4 sideline previous feature winner Wade Moyer. After clearing that mishap, the laps were counting down for Dinsmore to try and get by Miller. Miller took his modified lap after lap without mistake and Dinsmore tried as best he could to attempt a clean pass and never resorted to anything less than great sportsman ship and respect for Miller. Miller would hold on to the lead and earn the feature win on his very first visit to Texana with Dinsmore in 2nd place.

1st – 5th Results: 1st #8 Steve Miller, 2nd #8G Greg Dinsmore, 3rd #12 Roly Rodriguez, 4th #2w Jerad Herring, 5th #10 Aaron Hudgeons

 

July 21st will be the next event followed by races on August 4th. Go Kart races for the kids will be held on August 4th. Texana Raceway Park has some additional exciting things in store for August so stay tuned for those to be revealed soon.

 

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 by 7:30. Visit Texana on the web at www.texanaracewaypark.org for the latest news.

[JohnnyT66]

Congrats Greg on your 2nd with an imca legal car