THunder Hill Raceway Release, 5/12/04

[NickHolt]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Thunder Hill Raceway, 512.736.8230

 

RACING RETURNS WITH A BANG AT THUNDER HILL

By Jon Sagester and Chuck Licata

 

KYLE—After a two-week layoff caused by rain, stock car racing returned to Thunder Hill Raceway last Saturday night (May 8) with some bumps and bruises.

 

There was an above-average number of yellow, black, and red flags during racing action, which may have been caused by the two weeks of inactivity on the track. In three of the nine feature races, the first lap didn't get completed before the yellow flag flew.

 

Thunder Hill's A-Line Auto Parts (AAP) Street Stocks class had 11 cars (out of a 20-car field) involved in nine cautions. The first yellow came out when Terry Tschoerner (Taylor) hit the infield at the start of the AAP Street Stocks feature.

 

Besides the costly cosmetic damage that occurs when two or more cars are involved in an incident, drivers sometimes face even more expensive problems in on-track action. AAP Street Stock driver Robert Barrow (Dripping Springs) found that out the hard way, as he broke an axle after hitting the wall coming out of Turn Four.

 

There was a moment of concern in the Capital City Trade and Technical School (CCTTS) Hobby Stocks feature when 17-year-old Tracy Tschoerner (Taylor), a senior at Taylor High School, was injured. The race was red-flagged as the ambulance came onto the track. Following the race, Tschoerner’s father reported Tracy had sustained a bruised hip.

 

Despite all the slow downs, there was still plenty of fast-paced excitement for the race-hungry crowd of about 800 fans. Jim Teague (Dale) was the pole sitter - and the winner - in the 25-lap A-Line Auto Parts Street Stock feature race. Bobby LaFont (Volente) started 14th in the 20-car race and worked his way up to a second-place finish. Don Banker (Austin) placed third.

 

In the CCTTS Hobby Stocks feature race, David Hassinger (2003 Rookie of the Year) continued his on-track success as he started eighth in the 10-car race and made his way through the field to claim the checkered flag. The win was Hassinger's second straight of the season. He was pushed by Kevin Bowen (Hutto) and Joseph Tschoerner (Bartlett), who finished second and third, respectively.

 

Wes Ahl (Wimberley) started on the pole for the CCTTS Hobby Stock feature race, but his car got loose in turn two as Jay Simon (Lakeway) slipped past him to take the lead on the second lap (Ahl finished fourth). Simon led for 10 laps before blowing an engine on lap 13.

 

A 50-lap feature by the THR Late Models highlights the action this Saturday night (May 15). The A-Line Auto Parts Street Stocks and the Capital City Trade and Technical School Hobby Stocks will run feature races, along with the always-entertaining Grand Stock class and a 5-lap celebrity race at intermission.

 

Admission gates open at 5:30 p.m. at Thunder Hill Raceway, which is located at exit 210 (Yarrington Road exit) off IH-35 in Kyle. Time trials and heat races star at 6:30 p.m. and Opening Ceremonies start at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in more information can call the track at (512) 262-1352.