All-Star Race Trucks @ SAS 8/14/04 results

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All-Star Race Truck Series @ San Antonio Speedway 8/14/04

By J M Hallas

McLemore Motors On

San Antonio; Through practice on Saturday, Todd McLemore continually increased his track speeds and come qualifying time it paid off. McLemore set fast time posting a 21.619 second lap on the high-banked ½ mile track. McLemore would the draw a three for invert, placing Jeff Rosenbeck and Bryan Meredith on the front row.

 

As green flew on the eleven truck field, Meredith jumped out front, while Bill Hamilton was getting squeezed into the wall. Hamilton suffered some body damage, but was able to soldier on with no caution. McLemore moved up to second with 2003 ARTS Champ, Robert Walton getting up to third.

 

McLemore quickly began putting pressure on the young Meredith, getting along side on lap 3 but not completing the pass. McLemore fell back slightly, then ran Meredith back down getting inside on lap 7. The two made contact in turns 1-2, with McLemore getting ahead just as caution waved for debris(body parts) from Hamiltons truck.

 

Under yellow McLemore pitted to check for damage and tires , giving the top spot back to Meredith. On the restart, Walton got by Meredith to grab the point as McLemore began his charge back to the front. By lap 12 McLemore was battling side by side with Shawn Paul Lehman for fourth.

 

Mark O’Donnell brought out yellow on lap 13 when he spun in turn 4 to bunch the field. Walton got out to a three car lead back under green, with McLemore passing Rosenbeck for third. After doing a little bump drafting on Meredith, McLemore was able to grab second on lap 15.

 

McLemore was looking on the high side of Walton for the lead on lap 16 going into turn 1. This gave Meredith the chance to move back inside as the trio battled for the lead. McLemore got inside Walton going into turn 3 and ran him up the track. Walton battled back and pinched McLemore low coming out of turn 4.

 

The two battled door to door down the front stretch with McLemore trying a slide job in turn 1. The two briefly hooked bumpers, but broke free as McLemore got the lead. Lehman brought out a yellow on lap 18 after he spun in turn 3. On the restart McLemore got a slight advantage, but yellow was quickly back out for debris off Lehmans truck. Walton pulled off from second place during the caution.

 

McLemore again jumped out on green, while Rosenbeck and Meredith battled for second and Keith Patrick and Hamilton fought it out for fourth. Coming to halfway the top five were McLemore who was sailing away, Meredith and Rosenbeck who would close and then fall back, Patrick and Hamilton who was doing quite well despite missing the rear spoiler.

 

With ten to go the top three got strung out with the only battle being Patrick, Hamilton and Larry Latham for fourth. Meredith was able to cut into McLemores big lead with five laps remaining, while Hamilton was forced to retire, smoking badly. As the checkers waved it was McLemore by a comfortable margin in Magnum Trailers/Rays Marine sponsored truck rolling in to Victory Lane.

 

ARTS Results

Pos/Car#/Driver/Start

1 77 Todd McLemore (3)

2 30 Bryan Meredith (2)

3 8 Jeff Rosenbeck (1)

4 21 Keith Patrick (7)

5 29 Larry Latham (9)

6 22 Shane Harris (8)

7 5 Bill Hamilton (4)

8 31 Mark O'Donnell (10)

9 10 Robert Walton (6)

10 28 Shawn Paul Lehman (5)

11 23 Matthew Howell (11)

69 Jim Beasley--DNS

 

Fast time 77 Todd McLemore 21.619, drew a 3 for the invert.

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