Chance Brownlee Race Recap

[top_shelf_12]

I know it's a little late but the work week has been pretty tiresome this week. Here's a little recap from last Saturday Night at South Texas Speedway for the Chance Brownlee Memorial.

After a very emotional weekend/week, the racers, fans, and officials were ready to come to work and put on a good show Saturday, August 22nd. It was an event that is near and dear to most of our hearts in Corpus Christi and add to the unfortunate events of losing a racer and friend to a lot of the racing community in South Texas and honoring the memory of another that was taken too soon. This annual event has become a "can't miss" event at South Texas Speedway and all for a good cause, the Shriner's.

The E Mods kicked off the show and we had some fireworks early and often in their main event. Coming to the opening green flag, Pole Sitter and last event Feature winner, Dennis Cox got turned head on into the front straight wall just past he flag stand, sending the other 19 cars scrambling to avoid. Travis Penny was the unfortunate victim that ran over Cox and both of their nights ended before it can start. Second verse, same as the first as it was Miguel Mendoza Sr getting turned this time and slammed driver side door into the end of the wall at the entry of turn one. Thankfully, STS had tires covering that end and they did their job as Mendoza eventually drove off and rejoined the race and finished 13th. The top 5 started separating from the pack once laps were able to be completed, James Parks, Cody Leonard (in the 127 machine), Zach Calhoun, Miguel Mendoza Jr, and Thomas Rye. The crowd was bunched back up as Rye, Hunter Flanagan and Mason Castaneda came together in turn 1-2. Parks and Leonard spent the next several laps racing hard and clean as they pulled away. Leonard finally captured the lead exiting 2 and a late caution set up a 3 lap dash for the victory. Leonard crossed the line first but was DQ'd in tech handing the victory to James Parks who may have known something as he did his celebratory burnouts against the front straight wall before exiting the track. A last lap tangle in two moved James Lee and Amelia Perez into the top 5 on the track, good solid runs by both and with the DQ, David Grobe rounded out the top 5. A good mix of young talent and grizzled veterans in the E Mod class and the racing has been good every night.

Up next were the 9 Sport Compacts, a big count for them. As one could expect, GB Carter was the class of the field with Abel Solis a distant second. Brayden Becker in his first race on dirt finished 3rd Todd Evans and Raymond Dibrell rounded out the top 5. Usual front runner Jeremy Witt had problems all night but you can bet he'll be ready to get back up front. Good to see some more cars coming out for this class.

Seemed like the Pure Stocks wouldn't stop coming over the hill and onto the track as 21 made the call for the feature with a lot of heavy hitters and new cars and drivers in the field. Very nice to see the 19 car back out there driven by Case Duncan. The top 7 of Chuck Perry, Chuck Barber, Cody Bradshaw, Travis Weatherford, Jamie Dear, Joshua Sewell, and Jesse Sandoval locked in an intense battle with some clean, hard racing, showing why the Pure Stocks are a popular class for the fans. Unfortunately, it didn't last as Bradshaw was turned down the back straight and as he was heading through the infield between 3-4, hit the drainage grate and ended his night. While that was going on the 24T machine driven by Alan Totter lost a motor down the front straight then ignited in turn 1. He made a quick exit and Freddy Malik and crew quickly aided him and the car. Freddy's crew is the best in the business and all involved were ok. Back under green, Perry used the lap traffic to create a gap over Barber and held on for the win. Weatherford, Dear and Sandoval rounded out the top 5.

Twelve Street Stocks were in attendance but unfortunately, Bill Stephens couldn't make the main. Tony Blankenship experienced an early problem in his 355 machine as Frank Okruhlik's big lead was erased. Okruhlik would pull away again as Curtis King, Jarrett Barber, Craig Oakes, and Richard Fitch engaged in battle. Oakes would leave that group and catch Okruhlik but couldn't get around him as Fitch, Barber, and King traded paint and bent some sheet metal battling it out for third. Lawrence Mikulencak started gaining positions and got into Fitch sending Fitch spinning just as Oakes captured the lead. Okruhlik, Oakes, Mikulencak, King, Barber, Kyle Carter and Nathan Sturtz were left in the hunt after that yellow. Oakes would capture the lead and the win as the rest stayed in that order.

For the Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas race summary, you can find it here: http://www.lonestarspeedzone.com/…/67271-new-winner-in-dcr…/

The final race of the night was the 17 Limited Modifieds as Steve Whiteaker Jr, and Shane Hoefling set the pace that would never be challenged. Marcus Mikulencak, Craig Oakes and Nick Hardcastle trying to keep up. Mikulencak would slip back and finish 6th. Good job by these guys as they ran over half the race without a caution until the BD3 of Johnny Torres came to a stop. It would have taken an act of God Saturday night to dethrone Shane Hoefling as Steve Whiteaker Jr, the only one close enough to read the 63 on the fuel cell. Hardcastle, Oakes and Dustin Butcher were the top 5.

It was a great night of racing action, emotional night with the memorials and gathering to show support for some of the racing family. South Texas Speedway returns to action August 29th with the $1500 to win E Mod Challenge. Also in attendance that night, the return of the South Texas Street Stock Shootout. Come join us and bring the family for some high paced, action packed racing.

[NickHolt]

Almost like being there! Thanks, Jon!

 

Nick

[South Texas Speedway]

Awesome Job Top Shelf!!!

 

Ken Hobbs