Recaps from THR, 5/14/05

[NickHolt]

RACING CREATES ODD ACCIDENTS

By Jon Sagester

 

KYLE-Auto racing has become synonymous with bumping, banging and crashing, and sometimes with extremely odd results.

 

A week ago fans at Thunder Hill Raceway saw two cars end upside down after a three car crash in the Texas Pro Sedan feature race.

 

Last Saturday it was the Grand Stock Feature that evoked ooh’s and aah’s when Thomas Floyd (54) spun out in the back straight on lap four. Racing close behind Floyd, Marcia Moore (91) hit him and flipped over on the driver’s side, skidding 50 feet and spewing sparks along the track reminiscent of a volcano before turning upright and rolling to a stop in the infield.

 

Track officials and safety personnel immediately checked to see if she was alright and found her laughing. She reportedly told them it was, “Like the Fourth of July with all the sparks flashing past her head.”

 

Later, she stated that she had a flashback to when she was approximately 12-year-old and was watching a NASCAR race on television. A car was hit and flipped over on the driver’s side. Moore said she remembered hearing the commentator state that if the driver turned his wheels to the left, the car would right itself. So that’s what she did and her 1994 O’Reilly Auto Parts Chevrolet flipped back on its wheels.

 

The 25-year-old Cedar Creek resident related she wanted to continue racing, but the incident blew a tire and she was out of the race.

 

Moore related she has a raw spot on her neck from the seat belts, but Floyd was unhurt. He was only able to complete two more laps, however, before he was forced to go to the pits with mechanical problems.

 

As happens nearly every week at Thunder Hill Raceway, the driver’s skill and concentration are exhibited by the way they get through such incidents. It also is a testimonial to the safety regulations demanded by Thunder Hill Raceway and the integrity of the many safety factors built into the race cars.

 

When the race was resumed it was James Lynch, Jr. (13) that took the checkered flag at the end of the 12 lap Grand Stock feature. Jim Bell (20) came in second with Wimberley’s Travis O’Brien finishing third. Of the nine cars that started the race, there were four that finished on the lead lap.

 

Other feature races that had problems included the Thunder Hill Raceway Late Models.

 

Bobby Joe New (3) was leading the ten car field on lap 16 when a blown engine forced him out of the race for the second time in two weeks. The same thing happened last week when he was running in the front and blew an engine.

 

That mishap gave Buda’s James Reeder (41) the opportunity to take the lead, which he never relinquished for the remainder of the 35 lap feature. Reeder, the defending champion from last year, garnered his second win in two THR Late Model appearances at Thunder Hill this season, having won last week after New was forced out of the race with a blown engine.

 

Alvin Stewart, (10) who continues to drive ahead of, or with the front runners, finished second with Ricky Gavin (34) coming in third among the six cars on the lead lap.

 

It was fast action in the 16 car A-Line Auto Parts feature that saw Bobby Teer, Jr. (2) take the win among 12 cars completing the full 30 laps. Doug Ayers (02) came in a close second with Jim Teague (73) picking up third. San Marcos’ Cary Stapp wasn’t able to get to the front Saturday, but still managed a fourth place finish.

 

In the THR Hobby Stock feature it was Kevin Bowen (2) who pulled off his second straight win of the short season with a decidedly strong finish. He started on the pole position in the 20 lap feature race and never relinquished the lead, despite being threatened by Cody Smith (15) and Wes Ahl (23).

 

Starting in ninth place, Smith finished a strong second, with Ahl, of Wimberley, taking third after starting eighth in the 12 car field.

 

Tracy Tschoerner, (11) who didn’t get to practice, or qualify, because of having to take final exams at the University of Texas, did get to the track in time to start scratch in the feature and finish a close fourth. The 18-year-old Taylor native has one win this season.

 

Also starting on the pole, and leading the full 50 laps of the Texas Asphalt Modified Series feature, was John Heil, (15) pushed hard by Chris Swenson (48) in second, and Matt Merrell (03) taking third.

 

A disappointed Mark Chrudimsky had to leave the track with a fuel pressure problem after 37 laps. He posted a new Thunder Hill Raceway track record for Modifieds Saturday night with a 14.94 second (90.36 mph) qualifying run.

 

The Texas Dwarf Car Association 14 car feature race had Buda’s Keith Roach (05) taking the win, with Warren Titerle (18) in second, and Ricky Winks (27) third.

 

Arden Vikre, (72) of San Marcos, had a good start and was pushing up through the pack when he had to leave on the 11th lap of a 20 lap race with mechanical problems. It was the second time in two appearances at Thunder Hill that mechanical problems kept him from finishing.

 

In the 10 lap Mini-Cup feature, it was Kristopher Kerr (24) picking up his second win, with Nick Ison second.

 

Next week brings the exciting Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) to Thunder Hill in the 100 lap “Race Against Hunger” for their second appearance this season.

 

Besides seeing a hard charging, action packed race, fans attending the race will be able to benefit the Capitol Area Food Bank (CAFB) by bringing canned goods. Those donating nutritious, high protein canned goods will receive a $2 discount to Thunder Hill Raceway, Saturday, May 21. For more information on CAFB, visit their website at www.austinfoodbank.org.

 

Along with the TSRS, the A-Line Auto Parts Street Stocks, THR Hobby Stocks, and Grand Stocks will be providing a full night of entertaining action.

 

For more information, call the track at (512) 262-1352, or visit their website at www.thunderhillraceway.com.

 

About the Photo Below:

Marcia Moore, 25, eluded a potentially dangerous situation while racing in the Grand Stock feature race at Thunder Hill Raceway Saturday night, by recalling a NASCAR race she watched on television years ago. (Photo by Jon Sagester)