A-Line Auto Parts to sponsor THR SS's

[NickHolt]

Release: March 24, 2004

 

A-Line Auto Parts Returns as Sponsor of "Most Exciting Class" at Thunder Hill Raceway

 

Kyle -- When four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon was asked a few years ago if he were the best stock car driver in the country, he replied, "The best stock car driver in the country is probably racing street stock at some short track, and never got a break."

 

A-Line Auto Parts, with nine locally-owned locations in the Austin area specializing in AC Delco quality auto parts, is often asked to sponsor racing cars. Instead, for the last several years they've elected to sponsor a class, the Street Stock Series at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle.

 

"We feel like we have the most exciting class at Thunder Hill," said A-Line spokesperson Kurt Filbert when the 2004 renewal of the agreement was announced. It's hard to argue with that, as the series last year came down to the wire with five drivers within 30 points for the series title, only to have the final race of the season rained out.

 

The cancellation meant Cary Stapp of San Marcos took his first championship, but also means at least four drivers have a legitimate claim that they could have been the champ. Veteran Doug Ayers of Pflugerville and newcomer Bobby Teer, Jr. of Comfort finished in a tie only ten points back, with Volente's Bobby LaFont and Driftwood driver Marc Currey 25 and 30 points back. It's no wonder that during the season the top two or three in points sometimes changed between heat races and the feature, then again after the feature.

 

All except Currey are expected to be back with a point to prove, while Currey moves up to the late model class. Street stock is the fastest class of cars based on modified sedans or coupes. Late models, like NASCAR Nextel Cup cars, are racing cars with look-alike bodies.

 

The 2004 season gets under way this Saturday, March 27, at Thunder Hill on IH 35 just north of San Marcos (Exit 210, Yarrington Road, from either direction). Gates open at 5:30 pm, with racing action starting at 7:30.