San Antonio Speedway

[GoGirl]

The fans in the grandstand at San Antonio Speedway were gathered together this past Saturday to witness the NASCAR Road Runner feature event. Coming down the aisle first was groom-to-be J.R. Eichelberger with Mark Mathias alongside. Marching right behind them were Mona Turner and Randy Frautschi (in the borrowed car of Ken Jones). As the ceremony began, Mathias moved into the lead, but not for long as heavy smoke erupted from his racecar on Lap 3. Eichelberger took charge, and on Lap 15 the checkered flag (not rice) was thrown over his head. A small reception and photos greeted Eichelberger in victory circle. Unfortunately, it was not very blissful for Eichelberger during post-race inspection when he was disqualified due to an illegal carb spacer. Frautschi became the "best man" with Turner finishing in the second position.

 

Thirteen NASCAR Sportsman drivers were on tap for their 25-lap feature event. Tom Casey paced the field around for the green flag followed by Craig Crawley, Justin Oates and Jamie Evans. Crawley and Evans each took a turn at leading before Oates secured the spot on Lap 2. The yellow flag waved on Lap 8, when Casey spun out in Turn 4. Greg Rohmer, Eric Knudtson and Keith Garrett had raced their way through traffic, and were now sitting on Oates' back bumper. Rohmer inherited the lead on Lap 9, when a mechanical woe ended Oates' night. Rohmer was able to fend off all of his competitors to capture his fourth win of the season! Knudtson, Garrett, Garfield Shanklin and Evans filled out the top five finishing positions.

 

Eleven shiny and sleek NASCAR Late Models hit the high-banked oval for their 40-lap feature event. Starting on the pole was Donny Horelka followed by Brian Moczygemba, Mark Ackerman, Jamie Fuller and Joe Aramendia. Starting in the sixth position was Robert Barker, who set fast time during qualifying (19.86 seconds). The start of this race saw a very close side-by-side battle between Horelka and Moczygemba, with Moczygemba finally getting the point on Lap 2. The yellow flag waved on Lap 4, when Lloyd Alexander came to a stop in Turn 3. One lap later, the yellow flag was flying again when Aramendia tried to get under Ackerman, and the pair made contact. The red flag emerged shortly after the restart, when a fire was spotted under David Barker's racecar. Moczygemba was still showing the way with Horelka, R. Barker, Fuller and Gary Harvey in tow. Moczygemba's spectacular run came to an end on Lap 10, when he slowed and exited into the pits. That moved R. Barker into the top spot with Horelka on his tail. The caution lights lit up on Lap 11 for debris on the track. When racing resumed, Mike Reininger jumped the start, and not only was the yellow flag waving, but the red one also....as Reininger was disqualified for unsportsman-like conduct. R. Barker was absolutely untouchable, being slowed only when Alexander spun out right in front of him with five laps to go. Robert Barker motored to his ninth win of the season, and celebrated it with a backwards victory lap. Horelka, Fuller, D. Barker and Ackerman were the next contenders to cross the stripe.

 

There was a new face in victory circle after the NASCAR Women on Wheels 6-lap feature event. Missy Jones held off the hard-charging Mona Turner to claim her very first winning trophy!

 

Making their second appearance of the year at SAS, the Texas Pro Sedans rolled onto the track for 25 laps of racing excitement. A first lap crash took Bryce Dishman out of contention as he ran out of racetrack attempting to maneuver his Mustang between Lloyd Hart and the front stretch wall. Bill LaBarge took the lead away from Jack Dishman on Lap 2, and held it until Hart spun out with just three laps remaining. On the restart, Sergio Hexsel dived under LaBarge to take the No. 1 position...the win...and the points' lead. LaBarge, Tom Johnson, Eddie Orr and Mike Knotts finished in positions 2 - 5.

 

On a sad note, there was a pre-race ceremony dedicated to the memory of Greg Wood, a former Texas Pro Sedans and SAS driver, who suddenly lost his life earlier in the week. Wood was best known for driving his No. 54 Volkswagon Rabbit in the TPS series. Our condolences are extended to his family during this difficult time.

[walshes]

Congratulations to Sergio on his second win in TPS this year!

It was a good race in memory of Greg wood! After the race Bill Labarge told me - in true "Woody" style - "I coulda won "

 

We are looking forward to racing again in San Antonio!

 

John Walsh

Crew for #27 TPS