rebelracewriter Posted May 30, 2010 Report Share Posted May 30, 2010 Willie Palmer Memorial @ Texas Thunder Speedway 5/29/10 By J M Hallas Killeen, Tx.,(May 29th, 2010) As part of the Memorial Day weekend celebration, Texas Thunder Speedway hosted its 19th Annual Willie Palmer Memorial race on the high-banked ¼ mile clay oval. Palmer, a long time race fan stationed at Ft. Hood paid the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our freedom in the first Gulf War. Many of the tracks racers, crew and fans have ties to the military through Ft. Hood. Dan Corbin & Associates ponied up bonus money paid to the top finishing driver displaying “Willie Palmer” graphics on their cars, in all classes. The night's program included The IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods and Stock Cars, along with the Street Stocks, Dwarf Car and Texas Twister class. The IMCA Stock Car capped off the night with a 'King of the Hill' shootout and free racing with a make up feature for the IMCA Modifieds. Kirkpatrick Collects Twin Wins Benji Kirkpatrick has been a man on mission during the Memorial Day weekend. After winning Friday nights feature at Heart O Texas Speedway(Waco) Kirkpatrick showed the field nothing but his rear bumper again Saturday night taking the regular feature win as well as the make-up checkers. In round one Kirkpatrick, who started eighth, worked his the lead and took the top spot on lap 6 from Allen Waltermire. From there Kirkpatrick cruised away to a big lead and the win. Round two saw Kirkpatrick get by Chase Jupe on lap 2 and then fend off Jupe throughout most of the race until eking out a slight margin near the end for the back to back victories. Kirkpatrick looks for a weekend four-peat as he takes the track again in Waco for a special Memorial weekend Sunday night event. As green waved on the 20-car, 20-lap IMCA Modified main, Allen Waltermire jumped out front with three-wide racing action for second. It was four-wide for the spot on lap 1 with Cham Savage, who leaves on deployment to the Mid East this week, taking second. Kirkpatrick got along side Ben Ketteman on lap 2 to take third and was quickly on Savage for second. Kirkpatrick got by Savage on lap 3, while Mike McCarthy took fifth from Doug Lorenz. Waltermire and Kirkpatrick were wheel to wheel for the lead on lap 5 before Kirkpatrick secured the spot on lap 6 with Savage following through the hole for second. McCarthy grabbed fourth from Ketteman on lap 7. As the lead duo started to gap the pack, McCarthy and Waltermire were side by side for third, as Lorenz ran along side Ketteman for fifth. Coming the crossed flags it was Kirkpatrick, Savage, McCarthy, Waltermire and Lorenz in the top five. Kirkpatrick caught slower traffic just after halfway but once clear still held a half straightaway lead over Savage. Lorenz was able to pick off another spot in the final circuits getting fourth from Waltermire. No one had anything for Kirkpatrick as he held the comfortable margin to snag the victory in the Bush's Chicken, Wilson Chassis Company, Ronnie Symack Construction, Kinds Automotive, Trading House Bar & Grill, Left Hand Graphics, Truckmotive, Affiliated Auto Glass, Superior Race Fuels, Photos by Debbie, Cen-Tex Motorsports powered, Donnie Moore Chassis. “We've doubled up on a weekend before,” replied Kirkpatrick. “But I don't think I've ever won twice in the same night. It's been a good weekend so far and we've got one more chance tomorrow night. I've got to thank a lot of people, mainly Glen Wilson(Wilson Chassis), who works day and night on this car. It takes a lot people to keep this thing going” “In the first race we started eighth and I just tried to stay up side by side with them. I did what I could to get to the bottom and as soon as they split I found a place and we were second or third. It was just a matter of time until we worked our way to the front just staying on the bottom. I had no idea what kind of lead I had. I never look back that leads to making mistakes.” “Chase(Jupe) pushed up a little bit I the second feature and gave me just enough room. Once I got under him I just tried to hug the (infield) tires from then on. It was a good battle. Chase is a good driver, he runs with us every week. It felt good to pull it off. We'll see if we can “four-up” tomorrow.” “Glen does a lot of set up changes on the car between the two tracks. But dry is dry and heavy is heavy. We've got a couple different set ups we use, but usually conditions are about the same at both tracks. It's an old chassis we got from Brian Killingsworth that Glen has reworked. It's about wore out and we could use a new one if anyone would like to help out.” Dodge Country IMCA Modifieds 47 Benji Kirkpatrick C4 Cham Savage 20 Mike McCarthy 555 Allen Waltermire 97 Doug Lorenz 37 Ben Ketteman 717 PJ Egbert 303 Chase Jupe 23 Greg Atwood 12 Scooter Bates 63 Hardy Henderson 88s Brad Smith 07A Allen Williams 44s Joe Spillman 63j Jake Henderson 19 George Lamphere 29 Keith Tibbetts 247 Bill Lecompte 52 Ken Old 3w Terry Woodall 44x Joe O'Bryan---DNS IMCA Modified heats Heat #1 47 Benji Kirkpatrick 555 Allen Waltermire 717 PJ Egbert 52 Ken Old 20 Mike McCarthy 303 Chase Jupe 63j Jake Henderson 19 George Lamphere Heat #2 23 Greg Atwood 3w Terry Woodall 97 Doug Lorenz 07A Allen Williams 88s Brad Smith 247 Bill Lecompte---BF(fuel leak) Heat #3 C4 Cham Savage 37 Ben Ketteman 12 Scooter Bates 44s Joe Spillman 29 Keith Tibbetts 44x Joe O'Bryan 63 Hardy Henderson Benji Backs Up Win With four drivers not returning and one sidelined earlier in the night, 14-cars took the green for the make-up IMCA Modified main. Chase Jupe grabbed the early lead but was pressured by Benji Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick got the nose inside Jupe on lap 1 and led back to the line at lap 2 while Greg Atwood snuck by Cham Savage for fourth. The races only caution waved on lap 3 when Mike McCarthy spun and collected Ken Old and Hardy Henderson. Back under green Savage got along side Jupe for second, while Atwood tried to hold off Doug Lorenz for fourth. Atwood, Savage and Lorenz played a game of bumper tag as they all tried to find room on the bottom. Jupe began trying a new line cutting the edge of the tire berm using the protruding edge as a cushion and closed on Kirkpatrick. Using that line Jupe was able to get the bumper inside Kirkpatrick, but couldn't get the bite off the corner. As the lead duo battled, Atwood got past Savage for third on lap 7. At the halfway point it was Kirkpatrick, Jupe, Atwood, Savage and Lorenz still holding the top five spots. Kirkpatrick got some breathing room with five to go edging out a couple car lengths on Jupe. In the final laps Jupe tried to close the gap but never got the chance for a serious challenge as Kirkpatrick took his second Modified feature checkers of the night. IMCA Modified Make up feature 47 Benji Kirkpatrick 303 Chase Jupe 23 Greg Atwood C4 Cham Savage 97 Doug Lorenz 63 Hardy Henderson 37 Ben Ketteman 555 Allen Waltermire 52 Ken Old 3w Terry Woodall 19 George Lamphere jr. 247 Bill Lecompte 29 Keith Tibbetts 20 Mike McCarthy 717 GW Egbert---DNS 3j Brad Jordan---DNS 49 Lee Chasse---DNS 223 Brian Sandage---DNS 44x Joe O'Bryan---DNS McDaniel Motors to First Sportmod Main of Season Mark McDaniel had the IMCA Sportmod field covered as he got the lead early then wired the remaining 14 laps to snag his first win of the 2010 season. David Goode jr. made a late charge, but never close enough to mount a challenge on McDaniel who currently ranks second in National points behind multi-time and defending champion, Keith White. Dennis Purrington and Colton Monroe stayed side by side through turns 1-2, but it was McDaniel sneaking by both in turn 3 to lead. Goode, Monroe and Randy Doyle fell in line behind McDaniel. Doyle got third from Monroe leaving him wheel to wheel with Jared Rady for fourth. Rady cleared Monroe and got along side, then by Doyle for third on lap 6. At the midpoint it was McDaniel, Goode, Rady, Doyle and Monroe in the top five. Brittany McElroy got by Monroe for fifth on lap 9. With five to go McDaniel had five car lengths on Goode with a gap back to Rady, Doyle and McElroy. Rady lost third to Doyle when he slipped off turn 2. Up front Goode tried to run down McDaniel but came up short as McDaniel in the McAdams & Sons Roofing, Brazos Roofing, McClennan County Tile, Gage Telcom, Cen-Tex Motorsports, Destroyer Chassis scored the win. “The track was good and smooth around the bottom,” said McDaniel. “I got out front right off the bat and just held my own. This was first win of the year and I'm second in National points, it's a wonderful night. The only bad thing is that my dad(Myron) wasn't here, he was home sick. He's the one that pays for it all.” “We've been second six times this year. I've been leading and Keith(White) has gotten by me. I usually never talk to myself in the car but tonight I said 'Dad this is for you.' I stayed focused, hit my lines and got lucky missing a lapped car.” “Chasing Keith in the points is an uphill battle, too. We kind of know that we're running for second. But let him mess up, and, you never know. He and I are good friends, we talk all the time. So if I run second to him I feel good.” “The biggest difference between here and Waco is our gear. Like tonight I didn't have the right gear after breaking a transmission last night up there. I had about a 6.00 and you need to be at 6.50. That's why I was borrowing a rear end from Randy(Doyle). It didn't hurt much tonight being dry slick and we had plenty of motor.” Danny's Transmissions IMCA Southern Sportmods 11m Mark McDaniel 7g David Goode jr 65 Randy Doyle 8 Jared Rady 2m Brittany McElroy 05 Dennis Purrington 712 Colton Monroe 2 Bennie Fijkus 12 Joseph Lewis 27j Garrett Jonse 13g Sarah Goode IMCA SSM Heat 7g David Goode 11 Mark McDaniel 65 Randy Doyle 05 Dennis Purrington 712 Colton Monroe 8 Jared Rady 13g Sarah Goode 2 Bennie Fajkus 2m Brittany McElroy 27 Garrett Jonse 12 Joseph Lewis Batt Blasts I-Stock Field Jason Batt found an opening early in the 15-lap IMCA Stock Car feature and found himself in the lead while others were beating the body panels off each other, literally and figuratively. Batt then cruised out to a large lead while friends and rivals Eric Jones and Matt Guillaume fought it for second. Chuck Hatfield and Michael Walters tried to stay side by side in turn 1 but slid up, with four-wide racing behind them. Hatfield got to the line to lead lap 1 with Joe Charnock trying to get inside. As they traded some paint, Ken Plonsky tried to find a third hole on the bottom. After more contact Hatfield did a half spin collecting Matt Guillaume and Anthony Otken, as well a stacking up the field. Batt slipped through the melee and found himself leading on lap 2. Hatfield and Otken found each other again going around in turn 2 this time catching up Daniel Shipman and Mark Dean to bring out a yellow. As Batt took off on green, Dave Meadows got hung out high falling back from third. Jones got by Plonsky on lap 3 for third followed by Guillaume on lap 4. As Batt was easing away the rest of the field was digging for the bottom, on the one lane track. Jones then took second from Charnock who tried to to slam the door on Guillaume, but Guillaume pushed back and got the spot. At halfway it was Batt, Jones, Guillaume, Charnock and Plonsky. Robin Rasmssen-Batt got under Plonsky for fifth on lap 12 but got shut off by Charnock. With Batt out to a comfortable margin, Guillaume closed in on Jones in the final laps. As Batt in the Kwik Kar Oil & Lube, hoffmanfabrications.com, Lorenz Race Engines, Garvin Race Engines, Teresa Garvin CPA, Reds BBQ, Lorenz/Garvin (hybrid)powered, SCS Chassis was crossing under the checkers, Guillaume snuck by Jones coming to the line for second. “Some of those guys in front of me got together,” commented Batt. “I don't know how, but I just missed it. Then I looked up and I was leading the race. I thought when that caution waved it might go back and I'd be in second, but it didn't. It was just a lucky break for me.” “When the track dries out it's just about the way it was before it was reworked. You're running right on the bottom. We do have the smaller tires around the edge instead of the big tractor tires. I'm told those tires are more than just a suggestion, but I like running inside them as much as possible. The biggest difference is no cushion up on top for someone to get a run on. The groove just changes from the top to the bottom as the night goes on.” “In the King of the Hill against Eric(Jones) I really thought I was burnt after the coin toss. My only thought was go as high as I could and be on the gas faster than him. He told me he spun the tires and it was too late after that. I couldn't believe I pulled him, but once I got in turn 1 I knew he wasn't going to get back by.” “I want to make sure I thank Robin and Daffney. I read your stuff all the time so I want to get that in there. I also want to put a feeler out for next year. I want to try running the asphalt (Pro) Truck Series. So if anyone is willing to help me out I'm willing to learn, take advice and help with financing.” Dan Corbin & Assoc. IMCA Stock Cars 9 Jason Batt 50 Matt Guillaume 84x Eric Jones 27 Joe Charnock 3 Robin Ramussen-Batt 96 Richard Valentine 4 Ken Plonsky 20 Trevor Sparkman 74 Dave Meadows 20m Mike McCarthy 44 Ron Simpson 99D Mark Dean 31 Chuck Hatfield 38 Daniel Shipler 489 Anthony Otken 29 Ray Tinkey 141 Michael Walters T4 Tony Hamil---DNS IMCA Stock Car Heats Heat #1 9 Jason Batt 50 Matt Guillaume 38 Daniel Shipler 31 Chuck Hatfield 20 Trevor Sparkman T4 Tony Hamil Heat #2 74 Dave Meadows 489 Anthony Otken 4 Ken Plonsky 27 Joe Charnock 99D Mark Dean 44 Ron Simpson Heat #3 141 Michael Walters 84x Eric Jones 3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt 29 Ray Tinkey 20s Mike McCarthy 96V Richard Valentine IMCA Stock Car King of the Hill Semi's; 84x Eric Jones over 96 Richard Valentine 9 Jason Batt over 50 Matt Guillaume Finals 9 Jason Batt over 84x Eric Jones In a race that started off a little on the rough side, the 21-car, 20-lap Street Stock feature had the crowd on their feet in the final laps as two drivers battled it out for the win. Gary Norman got the lead from the outside front row to lead lap 1. Chris Florio half spun on lap 1 collecting Tim Carmen jr and Paul Kohl with all continuing without caution. Terry Tschoerner, Dennis Simmons and Duane Toyne sorted out behind Norman, with Carmen working his way back to up to fifth. Just as Tschoerner got by Norman for the lead, yellow waved for a spin by Tim Fasano in turn 2. With Norman back on the point the green waved again with top five pulling away after Florio spun again and backed up the rest of the field. Tschoerner kept the pressure on Norman for the lead while trying to play defense on Simmons who was looking for a way around. Carmen took fourth from Toyne on lap 7 when caution came out for a tangle between Kevin Ashley and Cody Bible. Norman got away on green but Robert Dose and Gene Burnett hooked bumper to bring the yellow quickly back out. Norman tried a slow restart as the race resumed, but Tschoerner was able to hang with Norman and got inside. In the pack Toyne went around collecting Kohl, Jason Bernal and Ryan Anderson who was unable to get going and brought out the yellow on lap 8. Tschoerner again hung on to Norman's bumper once back to green and was able to get by for the top spot coming to halfway. Behind them Simmons, Carmen and Toyne held the top five positions. Simmons got by Norman for second on lap 10 but slipped on lap 11 giving Carmen an opening to get by both he and Norman for second. Jennifer Silva spun on lap 12 to bring up the caution and set up the battle for the win. As green flew again Toyne snuck under Norman for fourth as the lead duo inched away. The more experienced Carmen turned up the heat on Tschoerner sticking the nose inside on lap 14 and again on lap 15. Carmen got along side Tschoerner on lap 15 as they ran three wide past lapped traffic. Lap 17 was nearly a dead heat with Tschoerner ahead by 2/1000h of a second. Lap 18 was just as close as the two stayed together at the line. Tschoerner pushed up a little giving Carmen the advantage on lap 19. From there Carmen held on in the Hanks Tire & Muffler, TTD Bookkeeping, Nightmare Graphics, Stacy Carmen sponsored Chevy to for the thrilling victory. Goode Towing Street Stocks 0 Tim Carmen jr 01 Terry Tschoerner 83 Dennis Simmons 21 Chris Florio 48x Duane Toyne 84 Tony McPherson sr. 27 Tim Fasano 96 Paul Kohl 3 Gary Norman 555 Jason Bernal 81 Cody Bible 96v Tony McPherson jr. 48 Ryan Anderson 2 Kevin Ashley 28 Donald Merritt 43 Gene Burnett 19j Jennifer Silva 5 Robert Dose 23 Leon Mendenhall 69 Jesse Johnson 22 Ron Mendenhall 14 Don Rea--DNS Street Stock heat winners; 01 Terry Tschoerner, 0 Tim Carmen jr., 3 Gary Norman Billy White took the early lead in the Dwarf Car feature with Scott Lindquist on his tail. Daniel Bauer and James Tanner tangled on lap 1 to bring out the yellow. Once back to green, White and Lindquist began to pull away until Peter Simpson spun on lap 2 to slow the action. White got a good restart leaving Lindquist behind, but Lindquist closed the gap catching White on lap 4. Lindquist tapped White sending him around on lap 5 just off the track surface. After Lindquist was black-flagged yellow waved on lap 6 to get White out of harms way. White was able to refire, but was now a lap down. This left Michael Dion up front for the restart. Dion got away clean as White marched towards the front getting by Dion to unlap himself . White caught a break when a late caution came out for a spin by Donald Hunt. As the green and white waved together White wasted little time getting back to the front sneaking by Dion at the line for the hard earned win. Red BBQ Dwarf Cars 17 Billy White 07 Michael Dion 7t James Tanner 3c Brian Scheible 8 Donald Hunt 10 Scott Lindquist---BF(rough driving) 4 Peter Simpson 25 Daniel Bauer Dwarf Car heat winner; 07 Michael Dion After an aborted start in the Texas Twister feature when Kevin Yagalla went over the back stretch hill, Brenda Mitchell grabbed the early lead. Don Krahn got by Mitchell to lead lap 2, with 5-wide racing in the pack. Coming out of that pack was Austin Smith charging through the field. Smith caught Neil Powell for third taking the spot on lap 7. Smith then closed in on Michael Hilliard snaring second on lap 10. Krahn held a decent lead, but Smith diced around slower traffic and reeled in the leader on lap 12 with the two making slight contact. Coming to take the white flag Smith was able to get around Krahn on the high side. Krahn took a shot to get back by Smith but pushed up into Smith who was able to hold on and snag the win driving for Smith Construction, Cullen-Dixon Trucking and Grayson Trucking Budweiser Racing Texas Twisters 313 Austin Smith 17 Don Krahn 23 Michael Hilliard 51 Tommy Hultz 02 Neil Powell 911 Daniel Wade 56s Shelly Sakhini 3 Kevin Ashley 110 Zack Riley 35 Zach Driskell 27 Joe Charnock 55 Erin Wood 77y Kevin Yagalla 13 Samuel Piper 86 James Avant Shelly Lee 20 Jackie Ashlock 10 Brenda Mitchell 56 Jacob Sakhini 84 Daniel Reed 28 Jeffery Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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