USMTS @ STS Friday night recaps

[rebelracewriter]

South Texas Winter Nationals @ South Texas Speedway, 11/16/07

By J M Hallas

 

Corpus Christi, Tx.(Nov. 16th, 2007) Night two of the Inagural USMTS South Texas Winter Nationals kicked off with with several new drivers showing up to take their shot at the 1/4 mile semi-banked dirt rack. Both the Thursday night's winners would suffer troubles, be relegated to making their way through the B-mains and fall short of repeat wins.

 

Horner Holds Off Holzkamper in Modified Main Thriller

Steve Holzkamper and David Horner paced the 24-car USMTS Modified main to green with hotshoes Kelly Shryock and Jason Hughes having to take provisionals and tag the tail. As the green waved and the field dove into turn 1 Nicholas Littlejohn got turned around and got drilled by Zack VanderBeek. Under caution Hughes pulled off, Lawrence Mikulencak pitted and returned, and Littlejohn parked in the infield. The second start saw Horner out run Holzkamper to turn 1 and dive down to secure the lead.

 

The yellow was quickly back out after Dale Flanagan spun and got T-boned by Paul White who had nowhere to go. Both were alright, but White was done for the night. Once back to green, Horner got a good jump on Holzkamper, while Steve Majek, Dena Wilson and Randy Timms went three wide for fifth. Flanagan, who tried to return with a wounded car, brought out yellow on lap 3 when he rolled to a stop in turn 1. On the restart the top three got away clean while Steve Pugh and David Grigg ran side by side for fourth.

 

Chris Brown stopped in turn 3 to bring the yellow out again on lap 4. Once back to green the top seven quickly got into single file as the midle of the pack stacked up in turn 3. Everyone was able to get righted and continue without yellow. Horner had jus built a slight gap over Holzkamper, who had a similar margin to Steve Miller, but caution would be back on after Greg Skaggs spun with a flat left rear on lap 7. The restart saw a multi-car melee in turn one collecting Tommy Weder jr., Eddy Ross, Lawrence Mikulencak, Skaggs and John Armstrong. Weder, Mikulencak, Ross and Armstrong were all done for the night.

 

The next restart was single file with Horner and Holzkamper pulling away from the field. On lap 8, Shryock who was quietly working his way up, went three wide with Majek and Timms for sixth. Shryock grabbed the spot leaving Majek and Timms now battling three abreast with Scott Green for seventh. Shryock then caught Grigg for for fifth, with Shryock using the high side to get the position, while Steve Whiteaker jr was getting by Majek for ninth. Shryock continued his march to the front on the top groove taking fourth from Pugh on lap 14.

 

It wasn't long until Shryock ran down Miller for third and snared the spot on lap 17, but was almost a full striaghtaway behind the lead duo. At the crossed flags it was Horner, Holzkamper, Shryock, Miller and Pugh running in the top five. Green was able to use Shryock's grove to get past Grigg for sixth on lap 20. By lap 25 the top three had checked out from a pack battling hard for fourth through twelveth. Shryock caught a break on lap 26 when Whiteaker and Brown tangled in turn 1 to bring out a yellow and erase the margin Horner and Holzkamper held.

 

On the restart Holzkamper took a look inside Horner for the lead, while Shryock tried the high side. All three held position while VanderBeek and Green ran side by side for fifth. VanderBeek grabed the spot with Skaggs keeping the pressure on Green for sixth. With ten laps to go, the fight to finish started to heat up, with Holzkamper challenging Horner for the top spot and Shryock sticking the bumper in from time to time.

 

Holzkamper changed his lines using the top side and got a run on Horner. As Horner drifted up on the front stretch, Holzkamper got into his quarter panel, but neither missed a beat as Shryock looked on. Shryock then tried the low side to get by Holzkamper, but was not able to get around. Horner edged ahead by a couple car lengths, but Holzkamper made one last charge on the final lap. Coming off turn 4, Holzkamper had it wound up on the high side and as the came to the line it was Horner by, maybe, six inches ekeing out the victory in the Modern Motorsports, Finishline Decals, HSPC Oilfield Products, Hwy. 105 Machine, Skyrocket Chassis.

 

USMTS/O'reilly Auto Parts - Modified

A Main Finish 11/16/2007

 

1 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (2)

2 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (1)

3 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (23)

4 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (18)

5 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (3)

6 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (9)

7 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (21)

8 144 - David Grigg -- Springdale, AR (4)

9 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (20)

10 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (10)

11 21 - Chris Brown -- Cleveland, TX (15)

12 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (5)

13 54 - Dena Wilson -- Coweta, OK (6)

14 82 - Steve Majek -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)

15 89 - Steven Whiteaker -- Corpus Christi, TX (14)DNF

16 35 - Eddy Ross -- Corpus Christi, Tx (22)DNF

17 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (16)DNF

18 87 - Lawrence Mikuleneak -- Corpus Christi, TX (17)DNF

19 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (19)DNF

20 55m - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (11)DNF

21 57 - Dale Flanagan -- Corpus Christi, TX (8)DNF

22 2w - Paul White -- Temple, TX (12)DNF

23 76 - Nicholas Little John -- Everman, TX (13)DNF

24 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (24)DNF

 

Lap leader: 1-40 #156 David Horner

 

 

 

 

 

The first USMTS Modified B-main, that included Kelly Shryock and Jason Hughes, saw Joey Heinaman grab the early lead while Nicholas Littlejohn and Chris Brown side by side for second. Lawrence Mikulencak got by Shryock for fourth as Shryock fell back giving up spots to Hughes, Armstrong and Jack Sullivan on consecutive laps. Littlejohn got inside Heinaman on lap 4 and grabbed the lead on lap 5.

 

C. Brown got by Heinaman on lap 7 for third, with Mikulencak following along to fourth. Sullivan was challenging Hughes for fifth when Elias Anderson blew up and coasted to the infield with a small fire that was stubborn about going out. On the restart a multi-car tangle in turn saw Shryock, Hughes and Danny Brown getting caught up. Hughes' troubles would continue as he would spin on the restart. Once back to green C. Brown was pressuring Littlejohn for the lead as Heinaman was giving up the final transfer to Scott Green. Littlejohn would hold off C. Brown for the win.

 

USMTS/O'reilly Auto Parts - Modified

B Main Finish 11/16/2007

 

1 76 - Nicholas Little John -- Everman, TX (4)

2 21 - Chris Brown -- Cleveland, TX (2)

3 87 - Lawrence Mikuleneak -- Corpus Christi, TX (5)

4 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (6)

5 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (9)

6 44 - Joey Heinaman -- Corpus Christi, Tx (1)

7 51 - Jack Sullivan -- Greenbrier, AR (8)

8 17B - Bruce Barber -- Corpus Christi, TX (15)

9 55 - Christopher Brown -- Corpus Christi, TX (13)

10 37 - William Pittaway -- Corpus Christi, TX (11)

11 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (7)DNF

12 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (3)DNF

13 31 - Elias Anderson -- Austin, TX (10)DNF

14 40F - Steven Fite -- Bastrop, TX (12)DNF

15 721 - Doug Cameron -- San Anito, TX (14)DNS

 

 

 

 

Local young gun Steve Whiteaker jr. got a big jump to grab the lead in the second USMTS Modified B-main with Jordan Grabouski moving into second. Rodney Sanders slid high on lap 1 falling from fifth to tenth. On lap 2, T J Huston got sideways with Brian Rye and Mike Riley tangiling in turn 1. On the restart, Grabouski broke and rolled to a stop to bring out yellow. Once back to green, Tommy Weder jr moved into second with Zack VanderBeek and David Schurry side by side for third.

 

Midway through, Eddy Ross, Schurry and Sanders had good fight going for the fifth and final transfer spot while Whiteaker, Weder and VanderBeek pulled away. Sanders and Ross came out on top of the three car fight getting transfers, leaving Schurry outside looking in. Up front it was Whiteaker easily taking the checkers.

 

B-main #2 Finish

1 89 - Steven Whiteaker -- Corpus Christi, TX (1)

2 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (5)

3 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (8)

4 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (4)

5 35 - Eddy Ross -- Corpus Christi, Tx (13)

6 38 - David Schury -- Corpus Christi, TX (2)

7 8mr - Mike Riley -- Corpus Christi, TX (11)

8 15 - Chuck Perry -- Corpus Christi, TX (10)- 1 Lap

9 13 - Ken Hobbs -- Corpus Christi, TX (12)- 1 Lap

10 L1 - Larry Clevenger -- Greenwood, LA (6)DNF

11 14 - Newton Barta -- Lytle, TX (14)DNF

12 8g - Jordan Grabouski -- Jerrville, TX (3)DNF

13 98 - Trevor Huston -- McAllen, TX (7)DNF

14 20x - Brian Rye -- Corpus Christi, TX (9)DNF

 

USMTS/O'reilly Auto Parts - Modified

Heat Races 11/16/2007

Heat 1 Finish Driver

1 8 - Steve Miller -- Georgetown, TX (2)

2 57 - Dale Flanagan -- Corpus Christi, TX (4)

3 5t - Randy Timms -- Wheatland, OK (6)

4 39 - John Armstrong -- Bellaire, TX (3)

5 20 - Rodney Sanders -- Happy, TX (8)

6 12 - Jason Hughes -- Westville, OK (9)

7 15 - Chuck Perry -- Corpus Christi, TX (1)

8 13 - Ken Hobbs -- Corpus Christi, TX (5)

9 17B - Bruce Barber -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)

 

Heat 2 Finish Driver

1 82 - Steve Majek -- Corpus Christi, TX (4)

2 54 - Dena Wilson -- Coweta, OK (3)

3 55m - Alan Mondus -- Lakeville, MN (6)

4 89 - Steven Whiteaker -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)

5 98 - Trevor Huston -- McAllen, TX (1)

6 20x - Brian Rye -- Corpus Christi, TX (5)

7 37 - William Pittaway -- Corpus Christi, TX (2)

8 55 - Christopher Brown -- Corpus Christi, TX (8)DNF

 

Heat 3 Finish Driver

1 561 - David Horner -- Houston, TX (1)

2 144 - David Grigg -- Springdale, AR (4)

3 2w - Paul White -- Temple, TX (6)

4 3 - Kelly Shryock -- Fertile, IA (5)

5 87 - Lawrence Mikuleneak -- Corpus Christi, TX

6 51 - Jack Sullivan -- Greenbrier, AR (7)

7 8mr - Mike Riley -- Corpus Christi, TX (3)

8 35 - Eddy Ross -- Corpus Christi, Tx (2)

 

Heat 4 Finish Driver

1 5 - Steve Holzkamper -- Gentry, AR (1)

2 27 - Greg Skaggs -- Bixby, OK (3)

3 21 - Chris Brown -- Cleveland, TX (2)

4 8g - Jordan Grabouski -- Jerrville, TX (5)

5 02 - Tommy Weder Jr. -- Woodward, OK (8)

6 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (7)

7 40F - Steven Fite -- Bastrop, TX (6)

8 721 - Doug Cameron -- San Anito, TX (4)DNF

 

Heat 5 Finish Driver

1 156 - Steve Pugh -- Willis, TX (1)

2 44 - Joey Heinaman -- Corpus Christi, Tx (2)

3 38 - David Schury -- Corpus Christi, TX (3)

4 76 - Nicholas Little John -- Everman, TX (5)

5 L1 - Larry Clevenger -- Greenwood, LA (6)

6 25 - Scott Green -- Derby, KS (7)

7 31 - Elias Anderson -- Austin, TX (8)

8 14 - Newton Barta -- Lytle, TX (4)

 

 

 

 

Hoefling Hot in Limited Modified Main

 

The 20 lap Limited Modified feature saw Jerry Majek first into turn 1, but it was Shane Hoefling coming out of turn 2 with the lead. Bobby Maupin ran side by side with Johnny Torres on lap 2 and took the fourth spot. Maupin then got past Bill Pittaway for third on lap 3 bringing Torres along to fourth. With Hoefling pulling away, Maupin caught Majek for second and got by on lap 5. Torres had just gotten third from Majek when caution flew for Lawrence Mikulencak and Dustin Butcher who tangled in turn 4.

 

On the restart Maupin tried Hoefling for the lead, but fell back into second, while Torres was repassing Majek for third. Bobby Fehring picked off a top five spot getting around Pittaway on lap 6. T J Huston then took sixth from Pittway who had Keith White and Aaron Hudgeons closing rapidly. At halfway it was Hoefling, Maupin, Torres, Majek and Fehring in the top five, with Huston taking fifth from Fehring.

 

Fehring fought back on Huston with the two trading some paint, while White and Hudgeons ran wheel to wheel for eighth. Huston held off Fehring and moved on Majek taking fourth away on lap 12. The top four then spread out leaving Fehring battling with Majek for fifth as White looked for an opening or mistake. Fehring and White finally got past Majek on lap 16. With two to go, Hoefling had built a good lead over Maupin, while Huston reeled in Torres. On the last lap, Huston got third and White fifth. Up front it was Hoefling cruising to victory in the API Pipe & Supply, J-4 Oilfield Services, Middleton Outdoor Advertising, Oates Oilfield, Pflugerville Engine & Machine powered, Rush Chassis.

 

Limited Mod

A Main Finish 11/16/2007

1 63 - Shane Hoefling -- Meyersville, TX (2)

2 77 - Bobby Maupin -- Weslaco, TX (5)

3 98 - Trevor Huston -- McAllen, TX (9)

4 66 - Johnny Torres -- San Antonio, TX (6)

5 1 - Keith White -- Academy, TX (12)

6 33 - Bobby Fehring -- Mt. Vieu, TX (7)

7 17 - Jerry Majek -- Corpus Christi, TX (1)

8 10 - Aaron Hudgeons -- Cuero, TX (8)

9 191 - Steve Bullock -- Texas City, TX (10)

10 60 - Billy Gould -- Huffman, TX (14)

11 37 - William Pittaway -- Corpus Christi, TX (4)

12 69 - Lawrence Mikulencak -- Corpus Christi, TX (13)

13 25 - Paul White -- Temple, TX, (20)

14 41 - John Heinaman -- Corpus Christi, TX (16)

15 90 - Dustin Butcher -- Corpus Christi, TX (11)

16 21 - Dean Hollier -- Groves, TX (17)

17 47m - James Myers -- Corpus Christi, TX (18)

18 45 - Abraham Mares -- Poteet, TX (21)

19 96 - Keith Cockrill -- Corpus Christi, TX (3)DNF

20 1L - Brandon Stewart -- Academy, TX (19)DNF

21 88 - Steve Whiteaker, Sr. -- Corpus Christi, TX, (15)DNF

 

 

John Heinaman grabbed the lead of the first Limited Modified B-mains, while Vince Louden worked his way quickly up to fourth from the back. The top three ran nose to tail and pulled away from the field. Louden tried to run down the lead trio, but fell short of laps and the transfer spot. At the head of the class, Heinaman took the win with James Myers and last night's winner Paul White getting the transfers.

Limited Mod

B Main #1 Finish 11/16/2007

1 41 - John Heinaman -- Corpus Christi, TX (1)

2 47m - James Myers -- Corpus Christi, TX (2)

3 25 - Paul White -- Temple, TX, (3)

4 6 - Vince Louden -- Shiner, TX (11)

5 GO - Kevin Peters -- Longview, TX (8)

6 4 - Art Cox -- Corpus Christi, TX (5)

7 82 - Joshua Majek -- Corpus Christi, TX (12)

8 911 - Russell Salinas -- La Joya, TX (6)

9 20 - Danny Norvell -- Corpus Christi, TX (9)

10 x11 - Mark Salinas -- La Joya, TX (10)

11 46 - Randy Bridges -- Rosharon, TX (7)

12 15 - Chuck Perry -- Corpus Christi, TX (4)DNF

 

 

A big melee at the start of the second Limited Modified B-main brought about a complete restart. On the second try Dean Hollier got he point and quickly pulled away from Brandon Stewart and Abraham Mares. Hollier would run uncontested to the checkers with Stewart and A. Mares gabbing the final transfer spots.

 

B-main #2 Finish

1 21 - Dean Hollier -- Groves, TX (1)

2 1L - Brandon Stewart -- Academy, TX (5)

3 45 - Abraham Mares -- Poteet, TX (9)

4 39 - Miguel Mendoza -- Orange Grove, TX (3)

5 22 - Rene Mares -- Elmendorf, TX (4)- 1 Lap

6 42 - Leslie Bennett -- Riviera, TX (10)- 1 Lap

7 15P - Andy Vanblarcum -- Robstown, TX (2)- 2 Lap

8 26G - JJ Jennings -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)- 3 Lap

9 9 - Todd Evans -- Bishop, TX (6)DNF

10 21G - Steve Grantz -- Aransas Pass, TX (8)DNF

11 64 - David Ferguson -- Fort Worth, TX (11)DNS

 

Limited Mod

Heat Races 11/16/2007

Heat 1 Finish Driver

1 96 - Keith Cockrill -- Corpus Christi, TX (1)

2 77 - Bobby Maupin -- Weslaco, TX (3)

3 90 - Dustin Butcher -- Corpus Christi, TX (4)

4 41 - John Heinaman -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)

5 39 - Miguel Mendoza -- Orange Grove, TX (8)

6 911 - Russell Salinas -- La Joya, TX (2)

7 21G - Steve Grantz -- Aransas Pass, TX (5)DNF

8 6 - Vince Louden -- Shiner, TX (6)DNF

 

Heat 2 Finish Driver

1 17 - Jerry Majek -- Corpus Christi, TX (2)

2 66 - Johnny Torres -- San Antonio, TX (1)

3 1 - Keith White -- Academy, TX (3)

4 21 - Dean Hollier -- Groves, TX (6)

5 15 - Chuck Perry -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)

6 9 - Todd Evans -- Bishop, TX (5)

7 20 - Danny Norvell -- Corpus Christi, TX (8)

8 64 - David Ferguson -- Fort Worth, TX (4)DNS

 

Heat 3 Finish Driver

1 191 - Steve Bullock -- Texas City, TX (1)

2 10 - Aaron Hudgeons -- Cuero, TX (3)

3 69 - Lawrence Mikulencak -- Corpus Christi, TX

4 47m - James Myers -- Corpus Christi, TX (6)

5 22 - Rene Mares -- Elmendorf, TX (5)

6 46 - Randy Bridges -- Rosharon, TX (2)

7 45 - Abraham Mares -- Poteet, TX (7)

8 82 - Joshua Majek -- Corpus Christi, TX (8)

 

Heat 4 Finish Driver

1 37 - William Pittaway -- Corpus Christi, TX (1)

2 63 - Shane Hoefling -- Meyersville, TX (3)

3 60 - Billy Gould -- Huffman, TX (4)

4 15P - Andy Vanblarcum -- Robstown, TX (5)

5 4 - Art Cox -- Corpus Christi, TX (2)

6 26G - JJ Jennings -- Corpus Christi, TX (7)

7 x11 - Mark Salinas -- La Joya, TX (6)DNS

 

Heat 5 Finish Driver

1 33 - Bobby Fehring -- Mt. Vieu, TX (6)

2 98 - Trevor Huston -- McAllen, TX (2)

3 88 - Steve Whiteaker, Sr. --Corpus Christi, TX , (1)

4 25 - Paul White -- Temple, TX, (7)

5 1L - Brandon Stewart -- Academy, TX (3)

6 GO - Kevin Peters -- Longview, TX (4)

7 42 - Leslie Bennett -- Riviera, TX (5)

[NickHolt]

Great stuff, Reb!

 

Nick

[poorboy]

Those USMTS guys are lucky I have an ingrown toenail and can't make it tonight. I was going to show them what fast was.

[rebelracewriter]

Thanks Nick, I need to get you proofread my stuff, sooooooooo many typo's to correct. LOL This new laptop isn't like my PC keyboard and misses a lot of letters. Any idea how I can get Word Pad to run a spell check?

 

 

LMAO @ Bruce......ingrown toenail These USMTS guys are fast, fast, fast!!! I really figured little Steve would have home field advantage on them.

[storm'71]

Those fans that had planned to wait until Saturday to attend missed a heck of a Mod Feature Friday night...40 laps and a photo finish. In addition, #3 started the Feature dead last (23rd or 24th?) and finished 3rd. Don't think I've ever seen as good of a feature race at STS. Awesome. Just as good of a Feature race as was at the IMCA Lone Star Nationals.

 

Too bad about Saturday's rain out...

Looking forward to IMCA in 2008...

 

...just a fan

Got I-Stock?

[fullview]

Did anybody else notice the right side fin on the rear spoiler being removed on the Hughes and Shryock car and the reason to remove it, aero advantage or what?.Maybe on some other cars as well.

[ks2290]

I noticed it to and was wondering the same thing.

[Desert COP]

REB ,

After reading your re-cap of the race night, I really feel like I was there. Military duty kept me on the other side of the water, and my youngest daughters birthday at the Disney on Ice Show. Wish I could have been there though. Looks as though there were allot of cars tore up, and I really hated seeing that.

See ya'll at the next event, events, etc. Hope this one made stands fill up for ya Owen.

 

Dennis in the Desert (home in CC)