Jones/STXSSS, Egbert, Jennings, Batt and Dancer/IMCA winners @ CBS

[rebelracewriter]

Swenson Racing Products South Texas Street Stock Shootout @ Cotton Bowl Speedway, 4/26/14

By J M Hallas

 

As the Texas dirt track racing season gets into full swing, Cotton Bowl Speedway played host to round #1 of the Swenson Racing Products, South Texas Street Stock Shootout. Drivers from all over the state came together for their shot at the nightly prize money and first chance to score points towards the series championship.

 

This years first of eight scheduled races and the first trip of the year to the semi-banked, 3/8 mile, clay oval saw nearly 40 teams sign in for competition. This unique series combines Street Stock rules from several tracks in the state giving drivers options, while still being legal. Besides the nightly purse several other bonus awards are up for grabs. The series returns to Cotton Bowl Speedway again on August 9th, with the next scheduled race Memorial Weekend(May 25th) on the 1/4 mile, high-banked, dirt track, South Texas Speedway, in Corpus Christi.

 

Also competing on the nights racing card were the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stock, along with the CBS Stock Car class. Warm temperatures and high winds quickly dried out the racing surface, but it took plenty of rubber making for a real drivers track.

 

Egbert Excellent for Modified Money

Former IMCA Modified National Champion, PJ Egbert(Copperas Cove) added another win to his impressive young resume grabbing the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event win. Egbert, who charged from his row five starting spot, took over the point from Chase Glick near halfway, then held off Brad Smith in latter stages to get his first win of the season.

 

After one aborted attempt the 22-car IMCA Modified main roared to life with pole sitter Hardy Henderson leading the way. Glick, Smith, Danny Turner and Jamie Campbell fell in line behind Egbert. As the top three eased out it was three wide for fourth between Jimmy Tidwell, Egbert and Turner. Pat McGuire had an off road excursion coming back on track and clipping Tracy Fink who got collected by Robert Stewart.

 

On the restart the top five sorted out single file with David Goode sr., Ben Ketteman and Campbell three abreast for sixth. Glick was now putting pressure on Henderson getting the top spot on lap 5, with Egbert getting by both Smith and Henderson for second. Egbert wasted little time getting around Glick for the lead off turn 2 to lead lap 7.

 

With several side by side battles mid pack, the race came to halfway with Egbert, Glick, Henderson, Smith and Tidwell in the top five. Another IMCA champion, Keith White, made his way to the top five taking that spot from Tidwell on lap 13. Henderson's top three run came to an end on lap 14 when he pulled up in turns 3-4 for a quick caution.

 

White got a good run on the restart and was challenging Glick for second with a four wide fight fifth off turn 2. Joe Spillman came out of that battle with the spot and Ketteman following to sixth. Glick's run up front ended with a spin in turn 2 that caught Wayne Walker up. As Egbert got away on green Smith and White were wheel to wheel for second.

 

As Smith secured the position, Spillman was now on White's tail for third. As the top six spread out, and the white flag was shown, Egbert had about four car lengths on Smith, who had a similar margin over White. This left Egbert, in the Phils Motorsports, McElroy Trucking, Abilene Powder Coating, Stephenville Starter, Nightmare Graphics, GRT Chassis by Phillips, unchallenged the final lap.

 

"It feels good to be back behind the wheel again," said Egbert. "We're having success with the new car. I'm fortunate enough to have the help and support that I've got. I couldn't do it by self."

 

"I have to thank my wonderful girlfriend, Brittany, good friend Kevin McIntyre, motor sponsor, Brandon McElroy and my crew, Lil' P, Chris and Allen."

 

IMCA Modified

ps3(707) PJ Egbert, 88s Brad Smith, 1 Keith White, 444 Joe Spillman, 37 Ben Ketteman, 13g David Goode sr., 29 Jamie Campbell, 38 Billy Bachmeyer, 89t Danny Turner, 29w Mark Warren, 32 Robert Stewart, 35 Wayne Walker, 36b Matt Banker, 6 Jerry Marler, 27 Marlin Samford, 141Rob Sanderson, 117 Jimmy Tidwell, 02 Chase Glick, 63 Hardy Henderson, 9 Pat McGuire, 24 Tracy Fink, 47 Corey Samford, 13 Jerry Frydrych---dns

 

 

IMCA Modified heats

Heat 1; 1 Keith White, 29w Mark Warren, 117 Jimmy Tidwell, 37 Ben Ketteman, 36b Matt Banker, 24 Tracy Fink, 47 Cory Samford, 13 Jerry Frydrych---dns

Heat 2; 63 Hardy Henderson, 13g David Goode sr, 444 Joe Spillman, 88s Brad Smith, 35 Wayne Walker, 38 Billy Bachmeyer, 32 Robert Stewart, 27 Marlin Samford

Heat 3; 02 Chase Glick, ps3(707) PJ Egbert, 9 Pat McGuire, 89t Danny Turner, 141 Rob Sanderson, 6 Jerry Marler, 29 Jamie Campbell

 

Another Payday for JJ in the IMCA Sportmods

Whether driving his own car, or the Skip Gray owned Sportmod, JJ Jennings(Corpus Christi) has got Cotton Bowl Speedway figured out. Tonight he gave the 24-car field all they could handle after getting past Jarrett Roberts, who lead the first few circuits. Once out front Jennings in his G&M Oilfield Services, Grays Recycling, P&K Services, J&L Trucking, Ace Transmissions, CB Race Engines, Western Flyer Chassis easily outran the competition on every restart building nearly a full straightaway advantage over Kevin Green, Talon Minten and Don Painter at the finish.

 

As the 24-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature fired off it was Painter leading into turn 1, but Roberts used the high side for a run to lead lap 1. Painter, Ryan Doyon, Jennings and Zach Riley sorted out in pursuit. Jennings made an early charge getting Doyon, then Painter for second on lap 2. After a lap, Jennings moved past Roberts for the lead on lap 4.

 

After caution for a spin by Chad Hughes, who had help from Gene Burnett, a multi-car melee slowed the restart. Once back under green Jennings and Doyon cleared the side by side battle between Roberts and Painter that lasted for several laps until Scott Stubbs tagged the back stretch wall after contact with Tom Grothues.

 

Jennings again motored ahead, with Roberts and Painter resuming their fight. At the crossed flags it was Jennings, Painter, Roberts, Green and Doyon in the top five. After a quick caution for loose car parts on track, Painter now had Green along side battling for second until Allen Williams, Terry Tschoerner and Brandon Blaylock tangled in turn 2.

 

Jennings took off and got away on green, while Green got second from Painter and Talon Minten got around Roberts and Doyon for fourth. Jennings quickly motored out to a big lead, while T. Minten got by Painter for third with two to go. As the white flag waved it was Jennings, now holding a full straightaway lead easily snagging the win.

 

"Tonight this car was good," explained Jennings. "It would drive through the slick real good. I like this place. It was the nicest track(surface) that they've had in a while. The last time we were here it was a little too wet. It took me hours to wash the car."

 

"It's pretty much just jump in and go between the two cars. When I drive Skips(Gray) car we do the maintenance on it and of course the maintenance on our own car. When I drive his I may drive a little different, but both cars are fast. I'll race either one, it doesn't matter to me."

 

"You never know when you're up in the lead if someone's closing on you. With all the good cars here I didn't expect to get away, but they told me after the race I had a straightaway lead. I was just trying to miss the holes and be smooth. I spun myself out with two to go last week. That wasn't good. I was pretty hard on myself for that."

 

"I really give all the credit to my brother and his wife. They put the best stuff on the car for me. They won't hesitate to ever buy anything. He won't second guess anything I get for it. Tonight was my mom's birthday, and I had my in-laws here. It's a family thing for us. We win as a family, or lose as a family."

 

IMCA Southern Sportmods

26 JJ Jennings, 5d Kevin Green, 14t Talon Minten, 10d Don Painter, 5r Ryan Doyon, 6 Jarrett Roberts, 110 Zach Riley, 43g Gene Burnett, 53 Robert Schrivner, 41 Chad Hughes, r3w Rick Wolfe, 4 Johnny Brown, 24r Robby Minten, 07a Allen Williams, 01 Terry Tschoerner, 44 Anthony Simcik, 9* Brandon Blaylock, a11n Mark Salango, c3 Chris Birmingham, 11 Tom Grothues---BF, 202 Scott Stubbs, qwik1 Mark Wagner, 53x Edward Oakes, 91 Craig Oakes

 

IMCA SSM B-main(Top 12 to A-main)

11 Tom Grothues, 01 Terry Tschoerner, 24r Robby Minten, 91 Craig Oakes, 07a Allen Williams, 43 g Gene Burnett, 44 Anthony Simcik, 4 Johnny Brown, a11n Mark Salango, 41 Chad Hughes, c3 Chris Birmingham, 202 Scott Stubbs, 33j Jordan Whitehead, 8 Richard Clickner, 66m Mitchell Morrison---dns, 9r Ray Doyon III---dns, 20j Jeremy Jackson---dns

 

IMCA SSM heats(Top 3 to A-main)

Heat 1; 5d Kevin Green, 110 Zach Riley, r3w Rick Wolfe, 11 Tom Grothues, 20j Jeremy Jackson, c3 Chris Birmingham, 66m Mitchell Morrison

Heat 2, 52 Edward Oakes, 10d Don Painter, 14t Talon Minten, 07a Allen Williams, 8 Richard Clickner, 4 Johnny Brown, 33j Jordan Whitehead

Heat 3; 26g JJ Jennings, 9* Brandon Blaylock, 6 Jarrett Roberts, 01 Terry Tschoerner, 24r Robby Minten, 44 Anthony Simcik, a11n Mark Salango

Heat 4; 5r Ryan Doyon, qwik1 Mike Wagner, 53 Robert Schrivner, 91 Craig Oakes, 43g Gene Burnett, 202 Scott Stubbs, 41 Chad Hughes

 

Batt Best in Stock Car Bash

Long-time IMCA Stock Car competitor, Jason Batt(Harker Heights) scored yet another victory for his career, but with a twist. Tonight Batt was driving his wife, Robin's, car after blowing the motor in his own ride Friday night in Waco. Batt, in the Hoffman Fabrication, Garvins Machine Shop, Cheater Chassis got by early leader Jeff Bauser before the one third point of the 15-lap event. Then he stretched out his advantage while David Goode sr., Bauser and Nic Priem battled for second, at one time going three wide.

 

"Well I blew the motor in my car last night, Daphne had a T-ball game and Robin had a wedding to go to," commented Batt. "So I came in her car and it worked out well. Who'd have thought we could run this well in another car. I've already heard a lot about it, just about every which way you can too. She told me I'll never get to drive it again. At least I didn't wreck it."

 

"Our cars are very close on set up. She has a little bit different springs in hers. So maybe I need to go back to the drawing board on my car. It was a good run. I have to really thank Robin for letting me drive her car. The car felt really good. I almost made some changes between the heat and feature, but left it where she had it."

 

"We really don't change much between here and Waco. I think we're close on the gear for here, but a little off there. We haven't raced much in Waco this year. Texas Thunder Speedway being five miles from the house spoiled us. With all the things going on now, the kids and that, it's hard to travel two nights."

 

" It seems whenever you're around that I seem to shine. I haven't won a lot of races lately, So thank you for being here. When I saw you over here I thought better use the opportunity to talk to you."

 

IMCA Stock Car

3(9) Jason Batt, 83g David Goode sr., 17 Nic Priem, 74 Jeff Bauser, 20 Trevor Sparkman, 45 Chris Cockrell, 17d Dean Priem

 

IMCA Stock Car heat; 3(9) Jason Batt, 20 Trevor Sparkman, 74 Jeff Bauser, 17d Dean Priem, 17 Nic Priem, 45 Chris Cockrell

 

Jourdanton's Jones Jubilant in Street Stock Shootout Sweep.

Three-time and defending STXSSS champ, Wade Jones picked up where he left off last year taking the 25-lap feature win, in his first race of the season. Rob Slott took the early advantage, but gave up the spot to Anthony Gordon near halfway. Jones followed Gordon past Ro. Slott for second and was able to dive under Gordon for the top spot after a restart. From there it was Jones in the SABFI Transportation, Opiela Mechanical, Jeffs Auto Rebuilders, Auto Parts Experts, Horelka Racing, Mission Race Engines, Camaro, dicing through traffic and lengthening his lead on the way to the victory.

 

With the field of starters set, five other drivers opted for a "buy back" in order to get back in the race making a 27-car starting field after a couple of scratches. Stephan Danielson was the first to take the 'drop back challenge' picking up $150 to fall to the tail from his eighth starting spot, and a chance to pick up another $100-300, if he could finish in the top three.

 

The first attempt wasn't very good with several drivers going for spins in turn 1-2. Finally underway it was Ro. Slott with the advantage off turn 2 for the lead chased by Gordon, Jones, Gary Harris and Steven Doty. Gordon began looking for an opening on Ro. Slott as the top 3 pulled away from the field.

 

The lead trio caught slower traffic on lap 8 which gave Gordon an opportunity to get a run on R. Slott to get along side, then by for the lead on lap 11. Jones followed in Gordon's tracks for second as the race came to halfway showing Gordon, Jones, Ro. Slott, Harris and Doty in the top five spots.

 

Behind that quintet, Shawn Kline, Heath Stewart, Tony Blankenship and Jamie Campbell were scrapping it out for sixth. After a couple yellows, Jones got a run on Gordon and ducked inside on lap 15. The two ran door to door on lap 16 before Jones secured the spot to lead lap 17 while Stewart and Harris were side by side for fifth.

 

Jones began to inch away from Gordon and Ro. Slott, who had a gap back to Doty. Jones caught the back of the pack with five to go, but even dicing through slower traffic was able to increase his lead. Once clear of traffic, which Gordon and Ro. Slott were now stuck in, Jones had a comfortable lead going on to the victory.

 

"The off season didn't seem to slow me down," said Jones. "I thought it was going to. We had some problems and just got the car ready this week. The first time I drove it is when I put it on the trailer. I was a little worried, but I just thought back to what we did last year. Everything worked out O.K."

 

"We had a good battle up front. I think Rob(Slott) pushed up and Anthony(Gordon) got by him and I was able to follow him. On that last restart Gordon pushed up and I was able to get under him and get into the lapped traffic. I didn't have anyone showing me my margin. I just thought about getting ahead of the traffic as quickly as possible."

 

"It's going to be really tough this year to repeat again. If we keep the car in one piece and have consistent finishes, it can be done though. That's what I'm aiming for. We're going to make all the shootout races and see about what comes up with family stuff."

 

South Texas Street Stock Shootout

41 Wade Jones, 118 Anthony Gordon, 48r Rob Slott, t9 Steven Doty, 2 Heath Stewart, 22b Gary Harris, 35 Tony Blankenship, 11 Shawn Kline, 149 Stephan Danielson, 211 Chris Florio, 82 Edward Oakes, 7a Will Arnold, 29 Jamie Campbell, 49r Ryan Slott, 97 Sam Blacklock, 1 Jarrett Barber, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 36 Lucky Gilbert, 3d Ryan Doyon, 08 Alton Fambro, 04 Nathan Robbins, 9 Brian Morris, 711 Tim Fazano, 37 AJ Wernette, 22 Rene Mares, 10 Landon Sowder, 40 Mike Lyon, 911 Nathan Renfro---dns

 

STXSSS pole dash(by time); 48r Rob Slott, 21.285, t9 Steven Doty, 21.530, 41 Wade Jones, 21.576, 11 Shawn Kline, 21.920, 911 Nathan Renfro, 22.277

 

STXSSS B-mains

B-main 1(Top 5 to A-main); 97 Sam Blacklock, 2 Heath Stewart, 36 Lucky Gilbert, 1 Jarrett Barber, 08 Alton Fambro, 17 Aaron Leddy, 31 Jeff Hendricks, d97 Ken Tyler, 8 Kevin Sullivan, 182 Richard Wells, 10 Landon Sowder, 37w Wayne Wernette

 

B-main 2(Top 4 to A-main); 7a Will Arnold, 49r Ryan Slott, 29 Jamie Campbell, 711 Tim Fazano, 2x Dennis Hilla, 22 Rene Mares, 21 Jimmy Parker, 04 Nathan Robbins, 37 AJ Wernette, 69 Cody Parker, 4 Darin Kelly

 

STXSSS Heats(Winner to time trials, Top 3 transfer)

Heat 1; t9 Steven Doty, 211 Chris Florio, 82 Edward Oakes, 36 Lucky Gilbert, 04 Nathan Robbins, 10 Landon Sowder, 37 AJ Wernette, 31 Jeff Hendricks

Heat 2; 911 Nathan Renfro, 35 Tony Blankenship, 3d Robby Minten, 49r Ryan Slott, 17 Aaron Leddy, 711 Tim Fazano, 4 Darin Kelly, d97 Ken Tyler

Heat 3; 48r Rob Slott, 40 Mike Lyon, 9 Brian Morris, 97 Sam Blacklock, 21 Jimmy Parker, 182 Richard Wells, 69Cody Parker, 37w Wayne Wernette

Heat 4; 41 Wade Jones, 118 Anthony Gordon, 99 Frank Okruhlik, 7a Will Arnold, 2 Heath Stewart, 29 Jamie Campbell, 1 Jarrett Barber

Heat 5, 11 Shawn Kline, 149 Stephan Danielson, 22b Gary Harris, 8 Kevin Sullivan, 2x Dennis Hilla, 08 Alton Fambro, 22 Rene Mares

 

Dancer Dashes to Hobby Stock Honors

Veteran AJ Dancer(Red Rock) made easy work of the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature jumping into the lead on lap 1 and never looking back. Dancer, in the Dancer Motorsports, Hill Country Fireplace, Browning Auto Parts, Destroyer Chassis was chased early by Trevor Hudson and Damion Snyder, but both had problems. At the checkers it was Dancer sweeping the IMCA Hobby Stock night over Matthew Bice and Hudson.

 

IMCA Hobby Stock

52 AJ Dancer, 38 Matthew Bice, 555 Trevor Hudson, 7d Scott Stubbs, 44 Damion Snyder

 

IMCA Hobby Stock heat; 52 AJ Dancer, 44 Damion Snyder, 555 Trevor Hudson, 38 Matthew Bice, 7d Scott Stubbs

 

Meredith Motors to Stock Car Cash

Austin area driver, Bryan Meredith scored another win for the year taking the 15-lap feature ahead of Robert Danielson. The two heat winners battled side by side early with Danielson having the top spot until lap 4, when Meredith got by for the lead. The two then broke free of the field with Meredith in the Texas Pro Solutions, Larry Darity, Meredith Race Engines, Chevy Nova making his way through slower cars and adding to his lead as the checkers waved.

 

CBS Stock Car

30 Bryan Meredith, 87 Robert Danielson, 0k Thomas Bennett, 73 John Matula, D30 Mark Chrudimsky, 0* Bryan Mayeux, 132 Chris McDonald, 88s Craig Stuckey, 8* Tim Homeyer, 10x Michael Rogers, 45 Brian Bagent, 3 Jr Garcia, 77 Jason Dismuke, 9 Nathan Masterson, 44 James Watson, 27 Jarod Leitchman, 8 Bianca Weaver, 2 David Crane, r1 Ty Kemp, 007 Monique Bagent, 48 David DiVita

 

CBS Stock Car heat winners; 87 Robert Danielson, 30 Bryan Meredith