By J M Hallas
Corpus Christi, Tx., (June 27th, 2009)
The South Texas Modified Championship Series returned to Corpus Christi’s South Texas Speedway for the 5th Annual Chance Brownlee Memorial benefiting the Shriners Hospital for Children. The Modifieds would be running round three of the 9-race series, with the Limited Modified competing in round two. With it’s success in round one the Limited Modifieds competed amongst themselves with a winner-take-all, “team race.”
The race was named after young Chance Brownlee, who lost his life at age 16 after being born with a heart defect. Chance was an employee of Corpus Christi Speedway with his mother, Marcia ,who has worked as head scorekeeper for both of the gulf coast area speedway’s.
Officers from Shriners Hospital were in attendance and recognized by the track, along with a silent auction of racing memorabilia, with proceeds going to the Shriners Hospital.
Also in action on the ¼ mile semi-banked clay oval were the Limited Late Models, Pure Stocks and Bombers, with nearly 100 cars, plus the Go-Karts filling the pits.
Whiteaker walks away with Modified main
After falling short to Temple veteran Paul White the previous week at Texana Raceway Park, Corpus’ Steve Whiteaker jr. showed his home track dominance in the 25-lap Modified main on dry, rough, tricky track. The young gun has become somewhat a master of the high groove, using it to his advantage to get by early leader Dale Flanagan. From there Whiteaker eased away from fellow shop-mate, and series points leader Danny Brown, for the win.
As green waved on the all Flanagan front row, Dale beat Rowdy into turn 1 for the lead, with Darin Leonard and Brown wheel to wheel for third. Whiteaker began his march forward on lap 1 getting past Jesse Manning for fifth, as Brown snared second from R. Flanagan. Whiteaker used the low side to get past Leonard on lap 2 for fourth, then jumped up top to get along side R. Flanagan for third.
Up front, Brown had caught D. Flanagan looking low on lap 6. Whiteaker found the high side smoother, and got along side Brown, taking the spot on lap 7. Yellow waved on lap 9 when Josh Majek looped it in turn 2. Under caution, Jesse Manning, Lawrence Mikulencak, Majek and Jamie Schach, all pulled to the pits. On the restart Leonard and Nick Hardcastle made contact, with Leonard retiring from the event.
Once back to green, Whiteaker again used the top side and took over the point on lap 10. Brown tried to follow in his foot steps but was unable to make the pass. At the crossed flags it was Whiteaker, D. Flanagan, Brown, R. Flanagan and Hardcastle running in the top five. As Whiteaker began to ease away Robert Boyd rolled to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow on lap 15.
Whiteaker got the jump on D. Flanagan who had Brown trying to get by, finally getting the spot on lap 16. Majek brought out his second caution with a spin in turn 4 on lap 17. Once back to green, Whiteaker got away from Brown by three car lengths and again started inching away. Behind the leader duo, the two Flanagan’s were side by side, this time for third. Whiteaker, in the WW Bodies, Jana Schury/Remax Realty, Larry’s Carburetors, Showtime Signs, Youngs Auto Repair, T Roberts Optical, Mullins Race Engines, Hughes Chassis, built a comfortable margin as he took the checkers.
“The job tonight was to not hit the ruts,” said Whiteaker. “I was going to run the top groove all night and didn’t care how fast the bottom was. I wasn’t going to torture my car. This is last night we’ll race it since it’s been sold. I’m kind of glad to end it with a win.”
“On a track like this you just have to be smooth and drive the car in the corners straight. If you got in too sideways, you lost all your momentum. Keep the car straight, easy on the throttle and clear the ruts.”
“I’m not going to complain too much about the track. It’s been good all year and this is the one time it’s been bad. I guess the main thing is thanking the fans for sticking it out through the dust. Other than it was a good night. Danny(Brown) and I one and two out of the same shop, and Hughes Chassis’ in the top three.”
“You do worry about breaking stuff on a rough track. I know who touches my car, and Jason(Hughes) builds a good car. That’s one thing I don’t have to worry about is parts failure. Jason builds a really good car and I’m sticking loyal to him. So once we get the money for the sold one, I’m sending it to him to build me another car. The help and tech support you get from him in unreal. I’m loyal to him 100%”
Modifieds
89 Steve Whiteaker jr.
55 Danny Brown
57 Dale Flanagan
582 Rowdy Flanagan
94 Nick Hardcastle
82 Josh Majek
96 Foster Ellison
95 Jeremy Davenport
44 Joey Heinaman
2 Robert Boyd
1A Adan Arambula
76 Jesse Manning
26 Darin Leonard
87 Lawrence Mikulencak
7 Jamie Schach
35 Eddy Ross
38 David Schury
88 Steve Whiteaker sr.—DNS
Modified heats(top 6 redraw)
Heat #1
26 Darin Leonard
76 Jesse Manning
35 Eddy Ross
38 David Schury
87 Lawrence Mikulencak
1 Adan Arambula
Heat #2
582 Rowdy Flanagan
57 Dale Flanagan
82 Josh Majek
2 Robert Boyd
95 Jeremy Davenport—DTG
88 Steve Whiteaker sr.–DNS
Heat #3
8 Steve Whiteaker jr
55 Danny Brown
7 Jamie Schach
4 Nick Hardcastle
44 Joey Heinaman
96 Foster Ellison
Blaylock blasts to Limited Modified win
San Antonio’s James Blaylock found himself the early beneficiary of a caution involving brother, Brandon and polesitter James Myers. Inheriting the lead on lap 4, J. Blaylock held off an early challenge by JJ Jennings and in the latter stages ran out to a big lead as he cruised to the checkers.
After returning from a serious crash in round one of the Limited Modified STMCS race, Myers drew the pole, with J. Blaylock along side as they paced the 24-car field for the 30-lap main. The field stayed side by side through turn 1, with Myers getting the advantage coming off turn 2 for the lead. B. Blaylock kept his brother hung up top taking second, while Kris Rye and Jennings ran side by side for fourth.
Lawrence Mikulencak found himself headed the wrong way on lap 2 to bring out a yellow. On the restart, Jennings tried the top side getting by K. Rye for fourth. B. Blaylock got the nose inside Myers on lap 3 as the two made contact they got hung together sending Myers around in turn 2 to bring out the caution. Myers and B. Blaylock both went to the back, handing the point to J. Blaylock.
The top 4 got away single file with Dustin Butcher and TJ Huston side by side for fifth. As the top two inched away, K. Rye, Bobby Maupin and TJ Huston battled for third through fifth. Opening round feature winner, TJ Huston got by Maupin on lap 5 for fourth. Jennings had just began to put the heat on J. Blaylock when yellow waved for an infield tire kicked on the track.
Once back to green, Jennings looked up top again on J. Blaylock for the lead, while TJ Huston was pressuring K. Rye for third. Butcher moved into the top five on lap 12 when he got around Maupin. K. Rye and TJ Huston were wheel to wheel for third on lap 13 and when Jennings got too high and it was almost three wide for second. K. Rye spun after contact with TJ Huston in turn 2. K. Rye was given the spot back, while TJ Huston pulled off with damage to the right front.
When green waved again, J. Blaylock was able to put three car lengths on Jennings. At halfway the top five were J. Blaylock, Jennings, K. Rye, Butcher and Maupin. Butcher half spun on lap 16 taking a side trip through the infield losing two spots. Monty Nichols III grabbed fourth from Maupin. Charging from the back, both Mikulencak and B. Blaylock made it into the top ten on lap 17.
Adam Schach and Brian Rye ran side by side for seventh on lap 19, while B. Blaylock and Mikulencak were wheel to wheel for ninth. Nichols lost his top five spot on lap 20 when he slipped giving way to Maupin and Butcher. B. Rye, Mikulencak and B. Blaylock were three wide for eighth when yellow waved for Bill Pittaway who spun to avoid an infield tire on the track.
On the restart the top two got away clean while Maupin got under K. Rye for third. With five to go J. Blaylock was moving away from Jennings and Maupin by nearly a half straightaway. Maupin got second from Jennings on lap 27, but J. Blaylock had increased his margin. Coming to the line it was J. Blaylock in the Central Redi-Mix, Valley Truck Center, Diamondback Transport, Bebo’s Race Designs, Steve Wise Ministries, Spreen Race Engines, Allen Autosports Chassis taking the win, with several battles going on behind him, including important spots in the “team race” competition.
“It took a soft right foot and staying out of the holes,” replied J. Blaylock. “It was kind of a rough track tonight, We made a lot of adjustments during intermission and everything paid off pretty well. This is a new car we got over the winter. Every week make a few little changes and get better”
“I was just running my own race, but I knew we were gaining on them and would be able to get up there and put pressure on them. When Brandon got under him(Myers) I was either going try to follow him through or wait until they got together, which they did.”
“I had no clue how big of a lead I had near the end. When I saw Jennings get along side of me a couple times, I was concerned I wasn’t being aggressive enough. That’s the problem being out front, you don’t know where the other guys are running or how fast they are. I just tried to hit my marks and be consistent. So I figure I was doing the right thing and kept on doing it.”
“I really have to thank my dad and brother for the countless hours they put in working on the car all week long, and my wife for all her support.”
The team of J. Blaylock, B. Blaylock and Schach edged out Maupin, Mikulencak and Butcher by one point after B. Blaylock got past Mikulencak in the final laps.
Limited Modifieds
7 James Blaylock
77 Bobby Maupin
26g JJ Jennings
4$ Kris Rye
90 Dustin Butcher
07 Adam Schach
9 Brandon Blaylock
87 Lawrence Mikulencak
83 Monty Nichols III
4R Brian Rye
2 Eddy Ross
21g Steve Grantz
82 Josh Majek
37 Bill Pittaway
46 Gene Hyde
5R Ziggy Reusser
47 James Myers
74 James Starry
93 Clay Huston
13 Bill Stephens
98 TJ Huston
97 Bryan Huston
8 Ken Hobbs
1 Roger Strickland
56 James Lee—DNS
1c Keith Cockrell–DNS
(1 & 8 Alternates)
Limited Modified heats(top 4 transfer)
Heat #1
9 Brandon Blaylock
90 Dustin Butcher
83 Monty Nichols III
4r Brian Rye
07 Adam Schach
18 Larry Jernigan
44 Gene Hyde—DNS
22 Dwayne Norvell—DNS
Heat #2
98 TJ Huston
7 James Blaylock
87 Lawrence Mikulencak
37 Bill Pittaway
2 Eddy Ross
93 Clay Huston
82 Josh Majek
115 Chuck Perry
Heat #3
4$ Kris Rye
77 Bobby Maupin
21g Steve Grantz
56 James Lee
5R Ziggy Reusser
1c Keith Cockrell
1 Roger Strickland
10 Travis Penny
Heat #4
26g JJ Jennings
47 James Myers
97 Bryan Huston
74 James Starry
13 Bill Stephens
46 Todd Evans
8 Ken Hobbs
Limited Modified B-Main(top 8 transfer)
07 Adam Schach
2 Eddy Ross
5R Ziggy Reusser
93 Clay Huston
82 Josh Majek
13 Bill Stephens
46 Todd Evans
1c Keith Cockrell
8 Ken Hobbs
1 Roger Strickland
115 Chuck Perry
10 Travis Penny
18 Larry Jernigan–DNS
22 Dwayne Norvell—DNS
44 Gene Hyde—DNS
The STMCS moves to McAllen’s, Rio Grande Speedway for round three for the Limited Modifieds featuring the Firecracker 50 and $1,000 to win on July 3rd.
The Limited Late Model feature turned into an All American Car Wash team sweep. Leo Hinojosa got out front on the first lap, with Joby Palsey and Barry Major on his tail. Major put early pressure on Palsey for second, while Mark Gavlik was trying to work his way past Tom Carlisle for fourth. Carlisle was able to fend off Gavlik and get by Major for third on lap 7.
Gavlik was next to challenge Major with the two side by side on lap12 before Gavlik got the spot on lap 13. Gavlik then moved back in on Carlisle for third getting by on lap 18. Up front Hinojosa held a safe margin over Palsey for the final two laps, with the All American Car Wash, Valvoline Express Care, Clear Vision Windshield, Quality Power Wash team taking the first three spots.
Limited Late Models
7 Leo Hinojosa
70 Joby Palsey
07 Mark Gavlik
28 Tom Carlisle
33 Barry Major
50 Jerry Neal
20 N/A
Limited Late Model heat winner, 7 Leo Hinojosa
As the green dropped on he 20-lap Pure Stock feature, Curtis King got the top spot, followed by Bobby Jack and Brad Titzman as the three heat winners flexed their muscle. Jack tried the high side of King for the lead, but Titzman closed up the bottom to get by for second. Jack then was challenged by Miguel Mendoza until yellow waved for a spin in turn 2.
Once back to green Titzman gave King a look low, while Scott Diem got by Greg Carlucci jr. and Mendoza for fourth. Diem continue his charge getting past Jack for third on lap 6. Yellow waved on lap 7 when Richard Valdez spun in turn 2. King got away by several car lengths on the restart, with Carlucci taking fifth from Mendoza.
Diem and Titzman started a bout for second with the two door to door on lap 10, before Diem took the spot. Behind them Carlucci and Jack were side by side for fourth. Diem then ran down King for the lead as James Park jr. snagged fourth getting around Jack and Carlucci. Up front the fight was just beginning.
Diem got along side King for lead on lap 14, and using lapped traffic to his advantage, Diem led lap 15. Undaunted, King fought back with the duo door to door again on lap 15. King returned the favor using a lapped car as a pick to retake the top spot on lap 16. In the pack, there was plenty of rubbing and paint swapping, with positions getting shuffled. Coming to the checkers it was King, rebounding from ending up on his top during the last STMCS event, taking the win in the Kuhn Crane Service, Ace Transmission sponsored car.
Pure Stocks
42 Curtis King
2 Scott Diem
56 Brad Titzman
34c Greg Carlucci jr
6(38) Hector Aguirre
88 Bobby Jack
33jp James Park sr
82 James Park jr
07 Richard Valdez
17g Jeff Gavlik
00 David Royal
74x Steve Mireles jr
39m Miguel Mendoza
25 Shane Turner
68 Billy Kinsel
49 Paul Vogt—DNS
46 Sonny Matula—DNS
Pure Stock heat winners, 88 Bobby Jack, 42 Curtis King, 56 Brad Titzman
As the 20-car Bomber feature took the green for it’s 15-lap event, Rowdy Flanagan grabbed the early lead. Justin Jackson got by Flanagan for the lead on lap 2 while Karen Jack and Tommy Miller battled door to door for 4th. J. Jackson’s time on the point was short-lived when he got a flat right rear and spun out of turn 4 collecting his brother, Kyle Jackson.
Flanagan re-assumed the lead for the restart on lap 4. David McGuire got by Brandon Skinner for fourth on lap 6 with Tom Thrower trying to follow under Skinner. As they ran up on a lapped car, Skinner slammed the door on Thrower. Jack was able to reel in Flanagan on lap 6, with McGuire battling Miller for third.
Miller tried the high groove and got by Jack for second and along side Flanagan for the lead. That charge came to halt as Miller began to lose ground on the high side giving Jack the spot back. McGuire, Skinner and Lauren Palsey all got past Miller, before he could get back to the bottom.
McGuire moved into to battle with Jack for second with the two making contact in turn 1. Jack was still sideways when McGuire tagged her again sending her into an infield tire and over to bring out a red. On the green, white, checkered restart, the top three stayed nose to tail. On the final lap, Miller spun from fourth, as Flanagan was holding off Skinner and Palsey for the win.
Bombers
5 Rowdy Flanagan
2 Brandon Skinner
70 Lauren Palsey
93 Corey Collier
52 Tom Thrower
26L Cody Leonard
54 Tommy Miller
4 David McGuire
0 Kim Royal
81 Noe Villarreal
4A Tony Allen
38 Karen Jack
11 John Henderson
9 Marcus Mikulencak
55 Brancen Pittman
13 Justin Jackson
33 Anna Major
113 Kyle Jackson
74 Julian Villarreal
76 Denver Wilmon
17 Dean Brown—DNS
Bomber heat winners, 5 Rowdy Flanagan, 13 Justin Jackson, 38 Karen Jack
Go-Karts
Youth
7 James Parker
9 Caitlin Leonard
21 Colin Carroll
17g Isiah Garcia
100 Waylon Schiedt
99 N/A
Junior
14 Dylan Whitehead
8r Ryan Carlucci
8 Brennan Riley
99K Austin Kennemer
17 Julie Brown
777 Nathan Corpus
28 Dylan Dela Garza
22 Zach Calhoun
37 Aaron Trevino
36 Amelia Perez
3m Dillon Moseley
Senior
13 David Jackson
19 Jarrett Barret
4 Dennis Cox
01 Devon Phelps
89 Justin Hoffstadt
33 Mereda Major
33J Jacob Franke
1 Trey Heald
7 Derrick Gonzalez
8 Cody Leonard
22 Jon David Jarish
Alcohol
66 John McKinney
88 Wesley Varn
50 Kevin Donagan
71 Graig Lapore
8 William Hoffstadt
Yard Karts
6 Erica Six
4 Zylac Bryant
34 James Park Jr.
9 Bill Six
97 James Boggs
21 David Settles
7 Glenn Gonzalez
Tags: boyd, engine, hallas, limited modifieds, Modified, modifieds, short, South Texas Speedway, speedway, stocks, UMP