rebelracewriter Posted June 1, 2003 Report Share Posted June 1, 2003 Texas Asphalt Modified Series @ Thunder Hill Raceway 5-31-02 By J M Hallas Iceman makes it three in a row at THR Kyle, Tx., Chris Swenson proved it’s still possible to win a pavement modified race with a dirt chassis, taking the win on Thunder Hill’s tricky 3/8th mile D-shaped track Saturday night. 20 of the 22 cars on hand timed in with James Cole in his Southwest Public Safety/Precision Collision/Swenson Race Chassis setting quick time with a 15.41. Corpus Christi winner, Jerry Schild was second fastest to start along side Cole on row one. The 20 car field took the green with Schild grabbing the point, as Jason Ray joined the tail of the pack, with an ill motor after bending a valve during practice. The caution was out early when Todd Evans spun on lap 2 to slow the action. Back under green the top three of Schild, Cole and Swenson started to edge ahead of the group fighting for fourth on back. Caution flew again on lap 8 when David Machen and Kenny Stone got together in turn 2. Once back to racing, Cole was looking low on Schild coming out of the corners, until lap 11 when he got into Schild’s quarter panel sending them both spinning to the infield. Cole’s car showed a small fire from the rear of the car, forcing him to the pits, while Schild got his lead position back. Swenson then took up the challenge and gave Schild a couple looks inside on lap 13. John Schultz brought out the yellow hankie on lap 14 when he got turned around by Don Banker, sending Banker to the tail. On the restart Schild got a slight lead, but it wasn’t long until Swenson reeled him back in. Ray Doyon, Bruce Beddoe and Chris Snocker fought it out for fourth, with Doyon and Snocker moving past Beddoe on lap 19. Schild and Swenson were pulling away as the crossed flags were shown for halfway. Rounding out the top five at that point were Joey Hieneman, Doyon and Snocker as the field was fairly well strung out. The lead duo had nearly a full straightaway lead as they ran up on traffic by lap 30. Swenson turned up the pressure on lap 35, and was able to get inside Schild, who was starting to get loose coming out of the corners. Swenson grabbed the lead on lap 36, and dodged a bullet two laps later when Kenny Huggins spun in front of top two. Swenson got a good jump on the restart, only to have it erased on lap 41 when Jimmy Phillips took a trip off turn two. With five to go Swenson had built a five-car advantage over the ill handling car of Schild, while 3rd-7th battled hard in a nose to tail pack. That battle brought out the final yellow when Doyon got sideways and was finished off by Snocker. This set up a green, white checker shootout to the finish. As the green came out Swenson got a car length on Schild and was able to hold on for the win in his Gain Racing/A+Cash/Synergyn/B & A Automotive/Spreen Racing Engines/Swenson Race Chassis. This was Swenson’s second THR win of the season, and third in a row there dating back to last year. Several weeks ago at San Antonio Speedway, Swenson’s pavement car was trashed in a lap one accident. Swenson and crew dusted off an old dirt chassis and made several changes to the suspension, along with lowering the roll center in order to make the Corpus Christi show two weeks ago. Swenson was able to get a third place finish and take the point’s lead in the series. The crew then reskinned the car with the pavement sheet metal having to make several improvisations for the fit. All the hard work paid off, as Swenson rolled the car in victory lane. Finish order 1 48 Chris Swenson 2 5 Jerry Schild 3 46 Joey Hieneman 4 28 Chris Snocker 5 18 Bruce Beddoe 6 41 John Hieneman 7 35 Eddy Ross 8 44 John Schultz 9 11 Kenny Huggins 10 9 Ray Doyon 11 20 Matt Gardener 12 6 Ed Gilfus 13 37 Don Banker 14 1 Jimmy Phillips 15 02 Terry Brooks 16 14 James Cole 17 77 Jason Ray 18 53 Ron Zearfross 19 81 David Machen 20 31 Kenny Stone 21 Todd Evans DNS-Steve Clegg-Blown motor Hard Charger Award of $100 sponsored by Bartell Motorsports went to Kenny Huggins for most improved position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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