San Antonio Speedway

[GoGirl]

LIGHTS! ENGINES! NON-STOP ACTION! This past Saturday night the Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) and the SAS NASCAR Late Models were on location at San Antonio Speedway to co-star in the "Twin 50's - Part II." The script called for the SAS NASCAR Late Models to hit the track for the first of two 50-lap races. The TSRS drivers were also invited to get in on the act. The lead role in this smash hit was...THE YELLOW FLAG! Starting on the pole was Danny Garcia, who set fast-time during qualifying with a lap clocked in at 19.86 seconds. The opening scene saw Garcia jump into the lead with Larry Bendele, James Cole, Robert Barker and Joe Aramendia hot on his trail. The yellow flag made four appearances during the first 10 laps, mostly for minor incidents. Following a Lap 10 caution, Bendele was able to capture top-billing, only to lose it just three laps later after contact with Garcia sent him spinning. Out of the picture, due to this melee were Bendele and Todd Farris. Cole and Aramendia were forced to hit the pits to change flat tires. Up on the marquee, in the No. 1 position was R. Barker followed by Scott Jerkins, Mike Balzer, John Heil and Donny Horelka. On the restart, Heil easily motored to the second position. The action was slowed on Lap 19, when Mike Reininger and Chris Schild spun out. Finally the fans enjoyed several laps of green flag racing. R. Barker was still showing the way, with Heil and Horelka battling for the second spot. As the laps wound down, there were two additional yellow flags - one for the spun out cars of Mark Ackerman and Reininger, the other for debris on the track. On Lap 50, it was time to roll out the red carpet for R. Barker in victory circle! Chasing him to the checkers were Heil, Horelka, Aramendia and Cole. Cole's fifth place finish landed him a part in the Showdown.

 

The second 50-lap sequel was a Texas Super Racing Series (TSRS) points' event, which was rated "R" for Really Racy! The plot thickened when the SAS NASCAR Late Models joined in to bring the car count to 15. Sitting side-by-side on Aisle 1 were Joe Aramendia and Mike Balzer. Ronnie New and Chris Schild started on Aisle 2, but quickly found the exit, compliments of a first-lap crash. C. Schild was able to re-enter, by taking over the reins of his brothers' #11 racer. Aramendia leaped into the lead, as the other major characters jockeyed around for position. On Lap 13, Damon Bean brought out the caution flag when he backed into the outside wall near Turn 3. On the restart, C. Schild spun, and the yellow flag was flying again. Aramendia took off when racing resumed, with Balzer, John Heil, Jeff Pollard and Scott Jerkins right on his bumper. The racing was clean and green, until just past the halfway marker when Lloyd Alexander spun out. By this time, Heil was running in the second position, and loomed large in Aramendia's rearview mirror. On Lap 39, Pollard ducked into the pits. After a brief yellow flag for debris, Heil rolled past Aramendia on Lap 42. As the laps clicked down, some of the cast were seen leaving the set...victims of crashes or spins. However, for Aramendia and Heil, it was two thumbs up for their stunning performances. When the checkered flag dropped...THE ENVELOPE PLEASE, AND THE WINNER WAS JOE ARAMENDIA! Heil finished a close second with Balzer, Ryan Englehardt and C. Schild next to cross the stripe. Englehardt's fourth place finish was his ticket to the Showdown.

 

Those "Twin 50's" were just a "sneak preview" for what was about to come in the "Texas All-Star Late Model Summer Showdown." Twelve drivers were scheduled to start in this event - ten qualifiers from the June Twin 50's, plus James Cole and Ryan Englehardt. As the storyline unfolded, only eleven drivers were revved up for this blockbuster. Balzer paced the field to the green flag, by luck of the draw. The only dialogue that could be heard was the sound of the engines. Balzer bolted into the lead, with John Heil, Donny Horelka and Mark Ackerman in the same frame. The yellow flag waved, when Lloyd Alexander spun out with just a handful of laps remaining. When the time came to call it a wrap, it was Balzer getting the coveted Oscar (winning trophy)! Once again, Heil finished in the runner-up position after a heated battle with third-place finisher Horelka. Joe Aramendia and Ackerman filled out the top five.

 

It was showtime for the NASCAR Sportsman division. Justin Oates looked to be star of this event, however, with two laps remaining, something went awry with his racer. Eric Knudtson was at the right place, at the right time and took the BIG win over Keith Garrett, Garfield Shanklin, Jamie Evans and Craig Crawley.

 

Before the screen faded to black, points' leader Mark Mathias was able to fend off the hard-charging JR Eichelberger to win the NASCAR Road Runner feature event.

 

Congratulations to all of the winners!