Kennedale, Tx.,(Sept. 4Th, 2010)

Saturday concluded the 6th Annual IMCA Southern Sportmod Nationals with final heats and B-mains to fill the remaining 18 spots for the $2,000 Big A-main. The IMCA Modified ran another $1,000 to win All-Star Invitational qualifier with the local Street Stocks filling ot the night’s racing card.

Jones Outdistances Field for Southern Sportmod Nationals Crown

Mansfield’s Sean Jones used a good starting spot and strong car to capture the IMCA Southern Sportmod A-main event. Jones grabbed the lead on lap 1 and never looked back leading flag to flag. The closest anyone got to Jones was under caution and on restarts as Jones would easily pull away from the field.

Jones beat Tom Earl jr. out of turn 2 to take the lead in the 24-car, 25-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod Nationals feature. Earl fell in line second with JP Dowell and David Ferguson following. Defending event champ Dowell got second from Earl on lap 2 as the top eight sorted out single file. Last night’s qualifying winner, Troy Taylor, who drew a six, battled side by side with Matt Mueller for fifth. By lap 5 Jones had already shown his dominance running out a full straightaway lead.

Jones caught the back of the pack, running side by side on lap 7 but sliced his way through without missing a beat. Taylor was able to pick off a spot getting fourth from Ferguson on lap 9. Yellow waved on lap 11 for a bumper taking away Jones’ big advantage. On the restart Dowell got second from Earl followed by Taylor. Taylor then snagged second from Dowell on lap 12 while Ferguson and Earl ran wheel to wheel for fourth.

Randy Timms and Gabe Tucker both got by Johnny Torres for seventh and eighth. Coming to the crossed flags it was Jones opening up his lead, Taylor, Dowell, Ferguson and Earl in the top five with Mueller, Tucker and Timms three wide for sixth. As the top five separated out, the trio scraping it out for sixth kept the fight going until Tucker slowed and stopped along the wall to bring out yellow on lap 17. Jones got a good jump on green as Ferguson got inside Dowell for third.

On lap 18 Timms and Earl were side by side for fifth as yellow waved for Chase Allen who rolled to a stop on the back stretch. Back under green, Jones squirted away leaving Taylor and Ferguson battling for second. With two to go Ferguson gave Taylor a challenge low but to no avail. This gave Jones more distance than he needed to put the Ameritech Pest Control, Rocket Roadside Service, Ameritech Automotive, Wayne Brooks powered, HOT Chassis in the Winners Circle.

“Drawing a two was probably the biggest thing to help me,” replied Jones. “I usually don’t draw good. Then it was get out front early and get down to the bottom. I was expecting a track like last night, dry and smooth. But it was fast on the bottom and middle. I knew it was going to be a good race. I was probably more nervous as I’ve been in a long time”

“I tried to put as many lapped cars as I could behind me, but they didn’t keep them in the line up. Towards the end you kind of start hearing things and the right rear started bottoming out in the ruts. I was worried that I might roll a tire off or get mud packed in the wheel.”

“We freed the car up some from last night because of all the moisture in the track. When we hot lapped after the B-mains it was pretty tight so we loosened it up. We knew with the humidity the track would get tackier as it went along.”

“Since I don’t run wit these IMCA guys I really didn’t know how fast they would be. I haven’t run IMCA in about 12 years. I hope to run more IMCA races and will probably defend my title next year. The main difference between here and Cowtown is the banking. It’s fast track when you’ve the moisture despite the limited banking.”

“I want to thank Joe and Craig for giving me the chance to drive the car and of course all the guys that help. They gave me a good car to drive. That’s the first you have to have.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

94 Sean Jones, Mansfield

56 Troy Taylor, Ft. Worth

64x David Ferguson, Mansfield

65d JP Dowell, Killeen

5t Randy Timms, Okla. City, Okla.

46 Tom Earl jr., Haslet

64 Devin Burgess, Stephenville

38 Matt Mueller, Stanford

35 Jeff Emerson, Sherman

S1 Trevor Egbert, Belton

85 Keith Martin, Mansfield

12 Gary Fox, Haslet

11 Kirk Williams, Seagoville

66 Johnny Torres, San Antonio

28 Gabe Tucker, Carbon

3p Ken Parker jr., Greenville

8j John Riechard, Burleson

7 Acey Light, Lubbock

1 Keith White, Academy

54 David Redmon, Hasletr

29 Jay Bransom, Burleson

1c Chase Allen, Milothian

766 Shane Priddy, Abilene

14B Jacob Pirkle, Venus

Tucker Takes on Best for ROC Checkers

Representing Boyd Raceway, Gabe Tucker(Carbon, Tx.,) made up for some of the weekend’s bad luck in the SMM Race of Champions. Tucker got past early leader Acey Light and built a big lead that was lost to a late caution. Tucker held off Light and multi-time SMM Champion Keith White for the win.

Light beat Donald Owens into turn 1 for the lead of the 12-lap, 13-car feature. Tucker got past Owens while Randy Doyle and Bradley Poor ran side by side for fourth. Owens slipped on lap 2 and fell back with Poor getting third and White making his way up to fourth. Tucker ducked inside Light on lap 3 going wheel to wheel through turns 3-4. Tucker came out of turn 4 with lead on lap 4 while Poor jumped a rut giving White an opening to grab third.

As the top five spread out, Doyle, Ronnie Welborn and Cary Stephens battled for sixth. Welborn got by both for the spot on lap 6. White had just gotten past Light for second when caution waved after Caleb Stone and Albert McCall hooked bumpers on the back stretch erasing Tuckers big lead. On the restart White and Light resumed their fight giving Tucker the chance to put some distance on them. Tucker in the Braka Operating, Arthur Business Products, Triple T Trucking, Fast Signs, E&E Custom, Stacy Farms, Farris Racing Engines, Big Chief Chassis edged away for the victory.

“We studied the track a lot,” commented Tucker. “I don’t know how many laps we have this weekend. We just watched the track and how it changed. Listening to the experience around us helped and Keith(White) has helped us a ton in the Modified and Sportmod. I credit a lot of our success to Keith. Knowing Keith is around pushes me to drive harder, every lap.”

“We had some good runs this weekend even through our results don’t show it. We were moving forward and just had some bad luck in the A-mains. With the class of drivers and field we had, I think was we were good. Winning the Race of Champions gives us a good feeling as we leave for the Super Nationals in Boone(Iowa).”

SSM Race of Champions

28 Gabe Tucker, Boyd Raceway

1 Keith White, Past Champ./HOT Spwy.

7 Acey Light, Lady Luck Speedway

48 Bradley Poor, Abilene Speedway

12 Gary Fox, Kennedale Spwy. Park

20 Ronnie Welborn, Lake County Spwy.(Ardmore)

355 Cary Stephens, Grayson County Spwy.

30 Albert McCall, 85 Speedway

65 Randy Doyle, Texas Thunder Spwy.

8 Jared Rady, National Rookie points leader

6c Caleb Stone, Cardinal Speedway(Eunice)

66 Johnny Torres, I-37 Raceway

16 Donald Owens, 281 Speedway

IMCA Southern Sportmod B-Mains(Top 3 to A-main)

B-Main #1

54 David REdmon

1c Chase Allen

7 Acey Light

37 Bill Pittaway

70 George Gafford

30 Albert McCall

3x Quentin Noel

31 Brian Heard

23Justin Broome

26 Dean Abbey

69 Stevie Fincher

4R Brian Rye—DNS

80 Mike Easterwod—DNS

111 Michael Therwanger—DNS

B-Main #2

28 Gabe Tucker

S1 Trevor Egbert

85 Keith Martin

59 Chad Hertel

99x Matt Winnett

731 Michael Martin

18 Roger Strickland

355 Cary Stephens

210 Sam Cox

164 Danny Ferguson

99 Chase Brewer

27 Terry Schroeder

303 Chase Jupe–DNS

16 Donald Owens–DNS

B-main #3

12 Gary Fox

766 Shane Priddy

8j John Riechard

00 Brad Shirley

8 Jared Rady

5k Kayla Maxey

217 Jason Christopher

2m Brittany McElroy

111x Michael Young

8H Lance Hanson

1x Bosco Garrett

36 Roger Armstrong

487 Mitch Tierney

71 Scott Fincher–DNS

B-Main #4

1 Keith White

35 Jeff Emerson

29 Jay Bransom

79 Steven Abbey

103x Eddie Prator

65 Randy Doyle

20 Ronnie Welborn

6c Caleb Stone

4 Brett Francisco

48 Bradley Poor—DQ(Tech)

224 Mike McDougal—DNS

40 Jeff Reynolds—DNS

15 Brad Dudley—DNS

IMCA southern Sportmod heats(Winner to A-main)

Heat #1

64 Devin Burgess

7 AceyLight

5K Kayla Maxey

37 Bill Pittaway

36 Roger Armstrong

23 Justin Broome

00 Brad Shirley

70 George Gafford

2m Brittany McElroy

111 Michael Therwanger–BF(Rough Driving)

Heat #2

66 Johnny Torres

28 Gabe Tucker

35 Jeff Emerson

59 Chad Hertel

20 Ronnie Welborn

99x Matt Winnett

103 JC Howell

355 Cary Stephens

40 Jeff Reynolds

16 Donald Owens

Heat #3

3p Ken Parker jr

766 Shane Priddy

30 Albert McCall

12 Gary Fox

26 Dean Abbey

111x Michael Young

4R Brian Rye

71 Scott Fincher

217 Jason Christopher

1x Bosco Garrett

80 Mike Easterwood

Heat #4

5t Randy Timms

1 Keith White

S1 Trevor Egbert

48 Bradley Poor

164 Danny Ferguson

79 Steven Abbey

27 Terry Schroeder

210 Sam Cox

224 Mike McDougal

4 Brett Francisco

Heat #5

11 Kirk Williams

54 David Redmon

8 Jared Rady

1c Chase Allen

8J John Riechard

31 Brian Heard

487 Mitch Tierney

69 Stevie Fincher

8H Lance Hanson jr

3x Quentin Noel

Heat #6

14b Jacob Pirkle

85 Keith Martin

29 Jay Bransom

731 Michael Martin

65 Randy Doyle

18 Roger Strickland

6c Caleb Stone

99 Chase Brewer

15 Brad Dudley

303 Chase Jupe

White Whips Stout Field in Modified Main

National points contender Keith White once again showed the 24-car IMCA Modified field his rear bumper on his way to another win. White got by early leader Mike Hathcock and eased away from all but Jeremy Willis. White outdistanced Willis in the waning laps and held his car together despite rough track conditions.

When green waved on the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event Hathcock came out of turn 2 with the lead trailed by White, Tommy Fain, Jacob Pirkle and Willis. Fain saw his night end early when he broke on lap 1 and pulled to the infield. Willis, using the high side, got a run getting along side White for second on lap 3. Willis then slipped in turn 2 opening up the top for White who tried high on Hathcock, while Jeff Emerson got past Pirkle for fourth.

Emerson closed on the lead trio and the quartet ran nose to tail until White again jumped up top. White was able to get around Hathcock for the lead on lap 6. Brandon Watson slowed and stopped on track for a lap 8 caution that saw Emerson retire under yellow. White and Willis got away on the restart with Trevor Egbert getting the best of Chase Jupe for fifth. Yellow quickly came out again on lap 9 for debris.

Once back to green White jumped away from Willis, while Hathcock hooked a rut and fell to the back of he field. At halfway it was White, Willis, Pirkle and Jupe with Egbert side by side with Jay Bransom for fifth. Coming through the pack was Kevin Sustaire from his seventh row starting spot shooting by Bransom and Egbert for fifth. As White and Willis pulled away, Pirkle, Bransom and Sustaire were nose to tail for third. Sustaire used the top groove on Bransom to take third on lap 16.

With two to go Sustaire, Pirkle, Bransom and Matt Martin got wadded up going by the flagstand. Surprisingly all continued on without caution despite some serious cosmetic damage to all four. Willis never was close enough to mount a challenge on White who piloted the Traceys Auto Sales, Braka Operating TCI, Dura-Lite Technologies, Tubbs Paint & Body, Amsoil, Craftmaster Powder Coating, Stephenville Starter, Belton Metals, Cen-Tex Motorsports powered Hughes Chassis to the checkers.

“This Hughes Chassis just wades through those ruts,” explained White. “We just rolled right through them. You can’t tighten the car up even though you want to as slick as it was. But the rough spots make the car handle worse. You have to have it free and be easy on throttle.”

“This win puts us in the Fast Shafts Invitational deal, but we already have our 30 wins for the season. It doesn’t really do anything for that. The best thing was the good car count. It will help with our season average. If we can pull a half a point or so out of that deal we’ll be in good shape. Now we just go out there to win.”

“With this win we have a better feeling heading to Boone. We’ve had a good year and just ran into some bad racing luck yesterday. I hope we hit the round running when we get up there. You want to get in the show, first and foremost. We did that last year but never got to prove how much we could race with them. We’re in the All-Star race already so maybe we can show something there.”

IMCA Modifieds

1 Keith White

010 Jeremy Willis

3p/71 Kevin Sustaire

29 Jay Bransom

11 Matt Martin

41 Jacob Pirkle

151 Tommy Williams jr

2w BJ Dulock

103 Mike Hathcock

121 Scooter Bates

83 Daryl Campbell

20m Mike McCarthy

20 Kenneth Robnett

78 Trevor Egbert

303 Chase Jupe

35 Jeff Emerson

68 Brandon Watson

95 Steve Rutherford

199 Charlie Harmon

905 Tommy Fain

702 Danny Rodgers

28 Gabe Tucker

715 JP Dowell

90 Matt Mueller

IMCA Modified B-Mains(Top 6 transfer)

B-Main #1

3p/71 Kevin Sustaire

29 Jay Bransom

199 Charlie Harmon

28 Gabe Tucker

20m Mike McCarthy

12 Scooter Bates

48j Justin Fowler

07 Joe Morales

44x Joe O’Bryan

103x Eddie Prator

137 Rodney Hicks—DNS

B-Main #2

2w BJ Dulock

90 Matt Mueller

68 Brandon Watson

151 Tommy Williams jr

83 Daryl Campbell

95 Steve Rutherford

183 Chad Estes

28g Brian Guay

62 Mike Miles

116 Damon Hammond

IMCA Modified heats(Top 3 to A-main)

Heat #1

303 Chase Jupe

103 Mike Hathcock

010 Jeremy Willis

199 Charlie Harmon II

3p/71 Kevin Sustaire

29 Jay Bransom

20m Mike McCarthy

137 Rodney Hicks

44x Joe O’Bryan

Heat #2

35 Jeff Emerson

78 Trevor Egbert

702 Danny Rodgers

90 Matt Mueller

95 Steve Rutherford

116 Damon Hammond

62 Mike Miles

28g Brian Guay

Heat #3

905 Tommy Fain

11 Matt Martin

715 JP Dowell

8 Gabe Tucker

103x Eddie Prator

12 Scooter Bates

07 Joe Morales

48j Justin Fowler

Heat #4

1 Keith White

20 Kenneth Robnett

41 Jacob Pirkle

68 Brandon Watson

2w BJ Dulock

83 Daryl Campbell

183 Chad Estes

151 Tommy Williams jr

Sterling Steals Street Stock Scramble

In a race marred by the passing of driver Chris Kent, Michael Sterling came back from the tail and snuck by at the finish for the win. After an early race spin Sterling worked is way back up and when Calvin Williams and Chris Davis made contact on the last lap fighting for the top spot Sterling was in the right place at the right time to steal the victory.

Demetrius Carter lead the 19-car, 20-lap feature in turns 1-2 but slipped too high in turn 3. This gave Tyler Muirhead the chance to get by to lead lap 1. His time up front was short as William got by to take the point on lap 2. Tommy Williams broke a trailing arm on lap 2 to bring out a caution. On the restart Sterling got by Muirhead for second but spun coming off turn 2 sending him to the rear.

Once back under green Carter got second from Muirhead with Davis following to third. As Carter caught Williams for the lead Ron Palmer and Shawn Byrd tangled to slow the action on lap 5. During the caution Chris Kent veered through the infield, bounced off a couple infield tires and went head-on into the wall. Paramedics were quickly on the scene, cut him out of the car and transported him to a local hospital. Unfortunately Kent, who may have had a medical issue leading to the crash, was unable to be revived.

As the race restarted with a pall over the drivers and crowd, Williams and Carter pulled away from Davis and John Riechard. Behind them Muirhead and Ryan Powers were side by side for fifth. Williams jumped a rut in turn 4 and got a bumper shot from Carter, as Powers got by Muirhead and Sterling worked his way up to sixth. Powers got a run Davis and Riechard but slowed with sparks flying from under the rearend.

Williams and Carter again made contact fighting for the lead on lap 14 with Carter slowing and Davis getting second. Sterling made his way up to fourth on lap 18 when David Cook slowed on the back stretch for a yellow. Davis gave Williams a look low on the restart then a little rap on the on bumper. The top four ran nose to tail coming to take the white. Williams hit the rut in turn 4 and got tagged by Davis sending Williams around. Sterling found the opening and shot through to take the checkers.

Street Stocks

17 Michael Sterling

8j John Riechard

21 Jimmy Parker

22t Tyler Muirhead

49 Mike Golightly

11 Calvin Williams

41 Cody Parker

32/124 David Cook

44c Demetrius Carter

R12 Ryan Powers

47 Chris Kent

01 David Herring II

69 Shawn Byrd

2x Ron Palmer

55 Jeff Copeland

177 Mike Dingman

47x Chris Clark

1w Tommy Williams jr.

98 Chris Davis—DQ(Rough driving)

124 Paul Jones—DNS

4 John Abney—DNS

Street Stock heat winners; 11 Calvin Williams, 44c Demetrius Carter, 8j John Riechard

Kennedale, Tx.,(Sept. 3Rd, 2010) With the IMCA Super Nationals just around the corner Kennedale Speedway Park hosted the Sixth Annual IMCA Southern Sportmod Nationals for the Labor Day weekend. Drivers from Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma signed in for their shot to qualifying for the $2,000 to win main event on Saturday night.

Included on the ¼ mile, semi-banked dirt oval were the IMCA Modifieds running for $1,000 to win and a spot on next years All-Star Invitational ballot. Completing the nights racing schedule were the always exciting IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Hobby Stocks.

Six drivers made the transfer from tonights Southern Sportmod A-main guaranteeing themselves a spot in Saturdays big show.

Action continues tomorrow with final qualifying for the Southern Sportmods as well as another $1,000 bout for the IMCA Modifieds along with the local Street Stocks.

Taylor Tops after Bransom Busted

Being a non-IMCA regular and usually racing “on the other side of the fence” Fort Worth’s Troy Taylor had a few goals in mind. He hoped to finish in the top six and see what his car for Saturday nights final. Mission accomplished. Taylor grabbed the top spot from the pole, but gave up the lead to Jay Bransom on an early restart. After fending off defending Southern Sportmod Nationals Champ, J P Dowell, Taylor settled in to the runner up spot. Bransom went on to take the win, but failed post-race tech handing the victory to Taylor.

Twenty-Four cars took the green for the 25-lap IMCA SSM Main with Taylor beating Devin Burgess into turn 1 for the lead. Burgess was trailed by Bransom, Matt Mueller and Dowell as the top five sorted out. In the pack Ken Parker, Sean Jones, Chase Brewer and Tom Earl jr. tangled for a lap 1 caution. On the restart Taylor got a good jump on Burgess and Bransom running side by side for second with Dowell looking high.

Dowell gave some thought to going three wide on lap 2 but let discretion be the better part of valor. Bransom got by Burgess for second on lap 3 bringing Dowell along to third. Dowell and Bransom then went wheel to wheel for second while Burgess had Mueller on his side for fourth. Yellow waved on lap 6 when Chad Hertel broke broke and stopped in the pit exit.

As green waved again Bransom jumped Taylor to get the lead with Dowell following to second. It was three wide for the top spot when Burgess clipped an infield scattering the field and bringing out a caution on lap 7. Once back to green Bransom inched ahead of Dowell, Taylor, Mueller and JC Howell. Taylor and Dowell then began a side by side scrap for second as Bransom motored away.

Coming to halfway it was Bransom, Taylor sneaking past Dowell for second, Mueller and Howell still holding the top five spots. In the pack defending and multi-time SSM champion Keith White was battling with Steven Abbey for seventh with Jeff Emerson on his tail. The trio made contact with White and Emerson getting hung up together between turns 1-2. White and S. Abbey were done for the night, Emerson pitted but came back on lap down.

Bransom hustled away on the restart leaving Taylor and Dowell with Howell looking low on Mueller for fourth. Gabe Tucker went around in turn 2 to bring out a yellow on lap 14. Bransom brought the field to green with a slow restart that caused a chain reaction in the pack sending Dean Abbey around in turn 3. Back under green Bransom got away clean as Mueller challenged Dowell for third.

Coming from the back Jones was on a charge getting sixth from Earl on lap 16. As Mueller and Dowell continued to slug it out, Jones picked off Howell for the the fifth spot using the top groove. Howell got in too deep in turn 1 half spinning and loosing several spots on lap 20. Jones picked off both Mueller and Dowell on lap 21 for third, but was a half straightaway behind Taylor.

With two to go Bransom had a good advantage over Taylor, while Jones was cutting into the gap on Taylor and David Ferguson took fifth from Mueller. Bransom cruised on to take the checkers, but couldn’t pass tech inspection giving the win to Taylor in Tru-Color Refinishing, D&D Auto Parts, Swenson Racing Shocks, In-n-Out Beer Barn, Wells Racing Engines, HOT Chassis.

“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good,” replied Taylor. “Tonight we were a little of both. Jay(Bransom) got by on that restart and Dowell did too and I just wanted to keep a little cushion on the field. Tomorrow night we’ll have a complete redraw for the top six. So it really didn’t matter if you won tonight or ran sixth. Either one of those spots and you’re in the show.”

“We pretty much run the same rules over there(Cowtown) except for some minor safety stuff we had to change or add. The only thing we did to the set up was add some weight to help the car roll over. We really needed a spring change, but didn’t do it. Not racing here very much we really didn’t know what the car was going to need. Then we’re racing out there with guys we normally don’t run against so you have to learn their habits and what they’re doing. It’s kind of an eye opener”

“Tomorrow we’re going to scale the car and soften up the right front spring to try and help plant the right side tires better. I felt I was giving up quite a bit entering the corners. That’s about all we’re going to do to it and put some new tires on it, hot lap them and get a heat cycle in them.”

“I was talking to Brett(Root) in the infield and asked why all these classes weren’t on the same tire. One tire for everyone. These cars(SSM) have way too much tire. If anything the Modified should be on this one. If everyone had the same it would be cheaper. The guys in other classes would be able to reuse your take offs. It would be easier for the tracks to police the tires too.”

“My biggest sponsor is my wife, for putting up with all this crap.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods-25 laps(Top 6 transfer to Sat. A-Main)

56 Troy Taylor

94 Sean Jones

65d JP Dowell

64x David Ferguson

38 Matt Mueller

46 Tom Earl jr

66 Johnny Torres

210 Sam Cox

766 Shane Priddy

S1 Trevor Egbert

103 JC Howell

64 Devin Burgess

28 Gabe Tucker

18 Roger Strickland
99 Chase Brewer

35 Jeff Emerson

1c Chase Allen

26 Dean Abbey

79 Steven Abbey

1 Keith White

12 Gary Fox

59 Chad Hertel

3p Ken Parker

29 Jay Bransom–DQ(Tech)

IMCA SSM B-Mains(Top 3 transfer)

B-Main #1

1 Keith White

26 Dean Abbey

766 Shane Priddy

00 Brad Shirley

89 Michael Darby

217 Jason Christopher

5K Kayla Maxey

31 Brian Heard

20E Ronnie Welborn

487 Mitch Tierney

224 Mike McDougal

85 Kirk Martin

11m Mark McDaniel

14b Jacob Pirkle

B-Main #2

99 Chase Brewer

59 Chad Hertel

S1 Trevor Egbert

6c Caleb Stone

71 Scott Fincher

2m Brittany McElroy

36 Roger Armstrong

99x Matt Winnett

48 Bradley Poor

40 Jeff Reynolds

731 Michael Martin—BF(Rough Driving)

111 Michael Therwanger

54 David Redmon—DQ(Tech)

B-Main #3

35 Jeff Emerson

18s Roger Strickland

1c Chase Allen

65 Randy Doyle

37 Bill Pittaway

164 Danny Ferguson

11 Kirk Williams

7 Acey Light

80 Mike Eastwood

98 Curtis Young

27 Terry Schroeder

23 Justin Broome

8 Jared Rady

B-Main #4

79 Steven Abbey

64x Danny Ferguson

210 Sam Cox

5t Randy Timms

303 Chase Jupe

15 Brad Dudley

355 Cary Stephens

3x Quinten Noel

16 Donald Owens

4 Brett Francisco

70 George Gafford

111 Michael Young

4R Brian Rye

IMCA SSM heats(Top 2 transfer)

Heat #1

65d JP Dowell

64 Devin Burgess

1 Keith White

80 Mike Eastwood

37 Bill Pittaway

224 Mike McDougal

164 Danny Ferguson

487 Mitch Tierney

23 Justin Broome

70 George Gafford

Heat #2

12 Gary Fox

103 JC Howell

99x Matt Winnett

79 Steven Abbey

54 David Redmon

4R Brian Rye

59 Chad Hertel

16 Donald Owens
40 Jeff Reynolds

3x Quentin Noel

85 Keith Martin

Heat #3

29 Jay Bransom

46 Tom Earl jr

217 Jason Christopher

35 Jeff Emerson

766 Shane Priddy

27 Terry Schroeder

14B Jacob Pirkle

8 Jared Rady

20E Ronnie Welborn

36 Roger Armstrong

Heat #4

38 Matt Mueller

66 Johnny Torres

15 Brad Dudley

48 Bradley Poor

355 Cary Stephens

111x Michael Young

111 Michael Therwhanger

6c Caleb Stone

4 Brett Francisco—BF(Rough driving)

5 Kayla Maxey—DNS

303 Chase Jupe—DNS

Heat #5

28 Gabe Tucker

3P Ken Parker jr

89 Michael Darby

65 Randy Doyle

26 Dean Abbey

11 Kirk Williams

31 Brian Heard

98 Curtis Young

7 Acey Light—BF(Rough driving)

S1 Trevor Egbert

11m Mark McDaniel

Heat #6

94 Sean Jones

56 Troy Taylor

99 Chase Brewer

64 Danny Ferguson

731 Michael Martin

210 Sam Cox

71 Scott Fincher

5t Randy Timms

2m Brittany McElroy

1c Chase Allen

Dowell Dashes to Modified Main Win

Killeen’s J P Dowell used his front row starting spot to parlay it into Friday night’s IMCA Modified win. Dowell had to fend off race long challenges from Trevor Egbert until Egbert was forced to pit after contact with Jeff Emerson in the waning laps. Last years defending Southern Sportmod Nationals Champion Dowell also put his Sportmod in the show finishing third despite losing the power steering.

As green waved on the 24-car, 20-lap event Dowell out gunned polesitter Mike McCarthy into turn 1 for the lead. McCarthy fell in line second with Egbert third and Damon Hammond running side by side with Rodney Hicks for fourth. McCarthy slipped on lap 1 giving up second to Egbert and again lost ground in turn 1 when Hammond and Gabe Tucker got past for third and fourth. Egbert quickly began to pressure Dowell for the lead and had gotten along Dowell when yellow waved for a spin by Hicks in turn 3.

On the restart Dowell and Egbert edged away while National points contender Keith White got around Hammond for fifth. Yellow waved again on lap 5 when Scooter Bates and Michael Lamb tangled. Egbert gave Dowell a look high on the restart, but a multi-car melee in turn 2 involving Chase Jupe, Jay Bransom, Kirk Martin, Eddie Prator, Matt Mueller and Dwayne Grantham quickly slowed the pace again. On the next single file restart Egbert tried the low side but in the pack Justin Fowler got crossed up causing a back up that saw White wheel hop Hammond ending their nights.

Finally back under green Egbert again looked under Dowell while Tucker and Matt Martin ran side by side for third. Emerson joined that battle going three wide in turn 4 with Emerson getting the spot. Martin was able to follow to fourth. Back in the field Justin Redmon, John Gober and McCarthy were three breast for seventh, with Charlie Harmon picking off fifth from Tucker. At halfway it was still Dowell being hounded by Egbert, Emerson closing with M. Martin and Harmon rounding out the top five.

McCarthy brought out a caution on lap 12 when he looped it turn 2. The top three broke away nose to tail back under green with Emerson now pressuring Egbert for second. As those two battled for second Dowell inched away to a slight lead. Emerson and Egbert were wheel to wheel on lap 15 with the two trading some paint. Emerson drifted up into Egbert after hitting a rough spot on lap 16 with the contact hard enough to break his tie rod.

Egbert was forced to slow and pull to the infield. This gave Dowell all the room he needed to run on to the victory unchallenged in the Ellis Air Systems, Braka Operating, Quality Paint & Body, Smith Construction, Texas Proud Custom Cycles, Joker Icehouse, CenTex Motorsports powered, GRT Chassis.

“We ran the middle and the dry slick and tried to keep up the momentum,” said Dowell. ‘The track got a little rough down low, but it was the fast line because it was still tacky. Trevor(Egbert) is my cousin and he’s really good. We ran side by side and never touched. I saw his nose and could hear him back there. At the end I had to step it up a bit. I didn’t know if he was going to try the inside because it was so rough. I didn’t know what happened to him. From what I understand he got run over by (Jeff) Emerson, but that’s just what I hear.”

“I run up here every once in a while so I have a good baseline on a set up. I love this place. I wanted to bring the Sportmod up here prior to this and do some testing.”

“ Hopefully we repeat our Sportmod Nationals win. We lost the power steering in the feature. I haven’t had that happen in fifteen years. My arms feel like noodles. It was a handful, but we held on and got the car in the show. We’ll fix that and tighten the car a bit if it’s dry slick tomorrow. It was still a bit loose.”

“I want to thank my wife and of course my fans for all their support.”

IMCA Modifieds

715 JP Dowell

35 Jeff Emerson

11 Matt Martin

199 Charlie Harmon II

3p/71 Kevin Sustaire

48j Justin Fowler

123 Justin Redmon

718 Michael Lamb

20 Mike McCarthy

52 John Gober

78 Trevor Egbert

28 Gabe Tucker

95 Steve Rutherford

69 Kirk Martin

1 Keith White

116 Damon Hammond

303 Chase Jupe

90 Matt Mueller

29 Jay Bransom

27g Dwayne Grantham

103x Eddie Prator

121 Scooter Bates

137 Rodney Hicks

21 Jimmie Helona—DNS

IMCA Modified B-Mains(Top 6 transfer)

B-Main #1

303 Chase Jupe

3p/71 Kevin Sustaire

199 Charlie Harmon II

121 Scooter Bates

29 Jay Bransom

103 Eddie Prator

86 Victor Keeling

371 Ben Ketteman

905 Tommy Fain

2w BJ Dulock

41 Jacob Pirkle–DNS

B-Main #2

21x Jimmie Helona

90 Matt Mueller

69 Kirk Martin

718 Michael Lamb

95 Steve Rutherford

27g Dwayne Grantham

44x Joe O’Bryan

62 Mike Miles

151 Tommy Williams—BF(Safety)

83 Daryl Campbell

IMCA Modified heats(Top 3 transfer)

Heat #1

715 JP Dowell

78 Trevor Egbert

48j Justin Fowler

41 Jacob Pirkle

3P/71 Kevin Sustaire

103 Eddie Prator

29 Jay Bransom

371 Ben Ketteman

86 Victor Keeling

Heat #2

1` Keith White

116 Damon Hammond

20 Mike McCarthy

21 Jimmie Helona

95 Steve Rutherford

151 Tommy Williams jr

62 Mike Miles

718 Michael Lamb

Heat #3

35 Jeff Emerson

28 Gabe Tucker

11 Matt Martin

303 Chase Jupe

905 Tommy Fain

121 Scooter Bates

199 Charlie Harmon II

2W BJ Dulock

Heat #4

137 Rodney Hicks

123 Justin Redmon

52 John Gober

69 Kirk Martin

27g Dwayne Grantham

83 Daryl Campbell

44x Joe O’Bryan

90 Matt Mueller

Phillips Flies to I-Stock Sweep

David Phillips(Abilene) methodically worked his way up from the fourth row chasing down leader Jason Batt. Phillips and Batt scrapped it out until Phillips secured the spot in the waning stages of the IMCA Stock Car feature. Once by Phillips opened up a comfortable margin on Batt to score the win.

At the start of the IMCA Stock Car feature Batt, Rodney Franklin and Roger Stripland went three wide for the top spot. Batt emerged with lead with Phillips three wide with Franklin and Stripland. Fredrick Widmayer, Robin Rasmussen-Batt, Doug Kennemer and James Potter tangled on the front stretch bringing ut a lap 1 caution. Batt jumped out to a good lead on green with Matt Guillaume getting by Franklin for third.

Phillips then put Franklin back a spot while Guillaume got along side Stripland for second. Phillips used a big run up top to get by Guillaume for third on lap 4 while Aaron Ferrell, Franklin and Daniel Parker three wide for sixth. Phillips took second from Stripland on lap 5 while former IMCA Stock Car Champion Duain Pritchett worked his way to a top five after starting in row 9.

Phillips caught Batt for the lead just before halfway with Stripland, Guillaume and Pritchett holding the top five positions. Pritchett snagged fourth from Guillaume on lap 11 then third from Stripland on lap 13. Up front Phillips was letting Batt know he was there with a couple love taps on the bumper. Stripland slipped and fell back shaking up positions from fourth on back.

Phillips was to get inside Batt on lap 15 take the point on lap 16 while John Morris took fifth from Aaron Ferrell. Once clear, Phillips increased his margin over Batt who held a similar gap back to Pritchett in third. Coming the checkers it was Phillips cruising to the win with a sizable advantage over Batt and Pritchett.

IMCA Stock Cars

181 David Phillips

9 Jason Batt

22 Duain Pritchett

50x Matt Guillaume

50 John Morris

31 Aaron Ferrell

116 Damon Hammond

13 James Potter

15 Roger Stripland

10 Jerry Morris

1 Doug Kennemer

69 Kirk Martin

8 Rodney Franklin

1v Michael Villaneuva

71z Ronnie Christopher

26 Willis Price

6c Caleb Crenshaw

18 AJ Hutten

3p Daniel Parker

20 Fredrick Widmayer

3x Robin Rasmussen-Batt

121 Roman Garcia—DNS

IMCA Stock Car heats(Top 4 redraw)

Heat #1

3P Daniel Parker

9 Jason Batt

50 Matt Guillaume

20 Fredrick Widmayer

1 Doug Kennemer

26 Willis Price

18 AJ Hutton

69 Kirk Martin—DNS

Heat #2

116 Damon Hammond

3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt

15 Roger Stripland

13 James Potter

10 Jerry Morris

22 Duain Pritchett

121 Roman Garcia

Heat #3

181 David Phillips

31 Aaron Ferrell

1v Michael Villaneuva

6c Caleb Crenshaw

8 Rodney Franklin

50 John Morris

71 Ronnie Christopher

Cosper Captures Hobby Stock Checkers

Belton’s Charles Cosper outlasted the IMCA Hobby Stock field taking over the lead early when bad luck befell Ricky Rodriguez. Cosper was chased throughout the race by Jeremy Carter who gave it his best shot coming up a little short as Cosper took home the victory.

Rodriguez got a big jump on Gene Hadley at the start of the 20-lap, 19-car IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Rodriguez’ luck up front ended on lap 1 when he sheared an axle on the back stretch and rolled to a stop on three wheels. Cosper, on the top side got by both Hadley and Brandon Williams to grab the lead on the restart with Carter coming along to second. Jeff Kinniard then got by Hadley for third on lap 3.

Aaron Bayles got hung on an infield tire but was quickly pushed off by the push truck to keep the race under green with Cade Lee, coming from the back working his way up to fourth. At the halfway point it was still Cosper with Carter on his tail, Kinniard, Lee and Smith completing the top five. Tobie Talk got along side Smith for fifth with Andy Roller looking to make it three wide.

As that trio slugged it out Joey Patterson snuck by Roller and Smith for sixth. Tommy Phillips, who hit the pit out tires, wall and rolled surprisingly made the call for feature but found more bad luck on lap 12 when his hood flew up and he stopped in turn 2 to bring out a caution. On the restart Jackie Dooley slowed with a flat stacking up Rick Barrett, Bayles and Brandon Ringrow.

Back under green Cosper got a small advantage on Cater and Kinniard while Talk passed Lee for fourth. Lee fought back to retake the spot and was putting the heat on Kinniard for third. With two to go Cosper had two car lengths on Carter with Kinniard and Lee swapping some paint. Carter caught Cosper on the final circuit but couldn’t pull off a pass as Cosper held on for the win.

IMCA Hobby Stocks

33c Charles Cosper

25 Jeremy Carter

1 Cade Lee

07 Jeff Kinniard

77 Tobie Talk

91 Joey Patterson

63 Andy Roller

15 Brandon Williams

01 Todd Hefner

21x Aaron Elliott

14 Brandon Ringrow

98 Rick Barrett

185 Jackie Dooley

93 Aaron Bayles

41 Tommy Phillips

62 Kyle Harrison

2 Gene Hadley

32 Joe Williams

5r Ricky Rodriguez

0 Rodney Sparks—DNS

IMCA Hobby Stock heats(Top 4 redraw)

Heat #1

07 Jeff Kinniard

32 Joe Williams

5r Ricky Rodriguez

1 Cade Lee

15 Brandon Williams

21` Aaron Elliott

0 Rodney Sparks

Heat #2

63 Andy Roller

98 Rick Barrett

91 Joey Patterson

2 Gene Hadley

62 Kyle Harrison

01 Todd Hefner

14 Brandon Ringrow

Heat #3

25 Jeremy Carter

33c Charles Cosper

93 Aaron Bayles

77z Tobie Talk

185 Jackie Dooley

41 Tommy Phillips

Dinsmore Does Daily Double in Debut(of new car)

It didn’t take long for Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore to find the set up on his new Harris chassis and return to early season form. After a month and a half of construction, waiting for parts and motor work Dinsmore debuted his new ride hot lapping mid week and parlaying that into a win Saturday night on it’s maiden voyage. Though with a support team of Bob Harris, multi-time Super Nationals winner John Logue and veteran IMCA hot shoe Jimmy Gustin you’d expect nothing less.

As green waved on the IMCA Modified 20-lap main event Carlton Leverett was first into tun 1, but it was Robert Liese jr. coming out of turn 2 with the lead. Dinsmore, quickly charging from the back, made quick work of the field getting by Liese to take the top spot on lap 2 followed by Liese, Bill Pittaway and Jamie Campbell. Marlin Samford moved in to battle with Campbell for fourth as Dinsmore began stretching out his lead.

Liese slipped off turn 2 giving Pittaway an opening to get the spot, while Samford and Campbell swapped fourth. Pittaway, in one of his older cars as his regular car is being prepared for the Super Nationals, pulled off on lap 4. Debris brought out the caution on lap 8 erasing Dinsmore’s big advantage. As Dinsmore got away on green, Liese, Campbell and Samford were three wide for second with Samford getting the spot.

At halfway it was Dinsmore edging away, Samford, Liese, Campbell and Bob Leinweber in the top five. Campbell got by Liese for third then grabbed second from Samford on lap 11. Leinweber had problems and pulled off but was close enough to the racing surface to bring out a lap 13 caution. Back under green It was Dinsmore easily inching away from Campbell going on to the checkers in the Sundowner RV, racetechinfo.com, Lowery Plumbing, QTI Graphics, Fast Shafts, Afco Shocks, CenTex Motorsports powered Harris Chassis.

“It’s pretty sweet,” replied Dinsmore. “This car was fast right of the box and has been awesome. I couldn’t ask for anything more. We ran it hard to get up front and when we got through went to the high side and just cruised around. The car was a bullet. The CenTex motor never missed a lick and had plenty of power.”

“We had a little issue with the shock on the rear end housing and it was tight in hot laps. We made a change and it was good to go. I put my old set up on this car even though Bob Harris will say otherwise. But I’ve won races here and up in Boone(Iowa) with this set up and I like it this way. It’s much better with forward bite than it ever was and rolls through the center good.”

“ Bob and John Logue want me to go to a floated set up, but right now I’m winning races and hate to change. We’ll see what happens up in Boone next month. The first night we’ll be able to tell. I talked to Jimmy Gustin too and he told me my set up should work just fine. He runs a similar set up, but not clamped. We ran some numbers and the shock was the part we questioned. Luckily Harris has a lot of people behind me and we all share information.”

“I’m hoping to go up to Boone put on a good show and represent Harris. You have to go to the front there, win your heat and finish in the top five of the main. Other than that you’re racing for points. The biggest thing is to draw good, race clean and race hard. There’s a lot of competition up there. I’ve got a lot of friends up there and we race each other hard, but clean. It’s a give and take thing.”

IMCA Modifieds

8g Greg Dinsmore

29 Jamie Campbell

67 Robert Liese jr.

c31 Marlin Samford

12 Bob Leinweber

24 Tracey Fink

3 Carlton Leverett

37 Bill Pittaway

38/80 Dennis Taylor—DNS

21 Jason Borlace–DNS

IMCA Modified heats

Heat #1

38/80 Dennis Taylor

67 Robert Liese jr.

3 Carlton Leverett

21 Jason Borlace

24 Tracey Fink

Heat #2

8g Greg Dinsmore

c31 Marlin Samford

37 Bill Pittaway

29 Jamie Campbell

12 Bob Leinweber

Blaylock Best in Sportmod Scramble

Despite running a limited schedule at I-37 Raceway the Blaylock’s seem to find their way to the front and/or Victory Lane. James Blaylock patiently worked his way forward on a tricky, dry slick track getting the top spot from Jesse James before halfway. Blaylock then held off James and Bill Pittaway in the final laps to score the win.

As the 14-car IMCA Southern Sportmod field took the green for their 20-lap feature, Tator Mason beat Robby Minten into turn 1. Minten on the high side got by coming out of turn 2 to lead lap 1 with Mason and Larry Jernigan side by side. Jernigan took the spot with James following to third. In the pack Ray Doyon III and Moe VanKirk got hooked together in a three wide battle on the back stretch. Doyon went around in turn 3 collecting Joe Spillman for an early caution.

On the restart James was now pressuring Minten for the lead, while Pittaway worked his way past Mason for third. James took over the point on lap 2 with Pittaway following to second and Blaylock moving up to fourth. Blaylock got around Minten for third on lap 3 while Johnny Torres came along to fourth. Pittaway and James were wheel to wheel for the lead on lap 4, with Blaylock looking to go three wide. James held off Pittaway who now had Blaylock along side.

Blaylock secured the spot as Kris Rye grabbed a top five spot on lap 5. Blaylock got beside James for the lead getting the position on lap 7. At the crossed flags it was still Blaylock out front tailed by James, Pittaway, Torres and Rye. The top four stay close until lap 12 when Blaylock began to creep away. Pittaway and Torres were in a good battle for third when yellow waved for Minten who got turned by Greg Rohmer, who was sent to the tail.

Blaylock got a good jump back under green while Jason Stanley looked inside Rye for fifth. Rye and Stanley raced side by side for a couple laps until Randy Yount and Minten tangled between turns 1-2 and brought out a caution. On the restart James tried the high side on Blaylock giving Pittaway a look low for second. After a brief side by side battle Pittaway got the spot, but had no time to mount a challenge on Blaylock in the Diamondback Transport, Bebo Graphics, The Spine & Orthopedic Institute of San Antonio, Central Ready Mix, Spreen Race Engines, HOT Chassis who eased on to the win.

“I was able to use the bottom and work my way up,” commented Blaylock. “I figured if it was good enough to work forward that it would be good enough to win. So I just stayed glued down there. We did a lot of work on the scales earlier today and had a real good baseline for the track.”

“We had it set up for a dry track in the heat race and had to fight it. We made a few minor adjustments during intermission and watched the track. We figured the track would come back to us as it dried out.”

“It’s a little lighter atmosphere running the weekly shows versus the big shows. You don’t have all the pressure of just trying to make the show. We aren’t running for points anywhere so it’s easier to have a good time and try some things hoping to learn about the car.”

“We’re looking to run the Sportmod Nationals at Kennedale next week and definitely looking forward to the big TMS Dirt Track show. Then we have a couple shows in Oklahoma we’d like to make.”

“I need to thank my dad for all the hours he puts in and send my best wishes to my wife who is doing her military training.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

7b James Blaylock

37 Bill Pittaway

66 Johnny Torres

3j Jesse James

92 Jason Stanley

4$ Kris Rye

18 Larry Jernigan

51 Greg Rohmer

58 Moe VanKirk

12 Tator Mason

66y Randy Yount

4 Robby Minten

3D Ray Doyon III

44 Joe Spillman

99 Billy Meyer—DNS

18s Roger Strickland—DNS

IMCA SSM heats

Heat #1

3D Ray Doyon III

37 Bill Pittaway

58 Moe VanKirk

66 Johnny Torres

4 Robby Minten

51 Greg Rohmer

99 Billy Meyer

18s Roger Strickland—DNS

Heat #2

18 Larry Jernigan

4$ Kris Rye

3J Jesse James

12 Tator Mason

7b James Blaylock

66y Randy Yount

92 Jason Stanley

44 Joe Spillman

Wesley Skains beat Gary Hunter into turn 1 to grab the early lead in the Tator Plumbing Limited Late Model feature. Hunter fell in behind Skains with Chris Brock, Richard Bartosh and Craig Crawley in tow. Hunter and Brock raced side by side on lap 1 with Bartosh taking a look three abreast on lap 2. Brock had just eked past Hunter when he went around in turn 2 sending Hunter through the infield, while Jason Lawrence spun to miss the melee.

On the restart Skains pulled away with Lawrence getting fifth from Shane Moore. Brock quickly moved back up getting by Moore then Lawrence for fifth on lap 4. Lawrence would bring out a yellow on lap 7 when he spun in turn 4. Skains again jumped out on green and pulled away with Brock and Roger Baker battling for fourth. On the final lap Lawrence did a 360 in front the fourth place fight with Brock getting by Baker. Up front it was Skains in the S&S Bridge Painting, Covert Sheet Metal, Reid Graham powered, Harris Chassis taking the victory.

Tator Plumbing Limited Late Models

25x Wesley Skains

7 Richard Bartosh

10 Chris Brock

1 Roger Baker

14 Gary Hunter

18 Shane Moore

25 Jason Lawrence

6c Craig Crawley—Voluntary DQ

Limited Late Model heat winners; 25 Wesley Skains, 10 Chris Brock

The Street Stock 15-lap feature saw Justin Henley beat Greg Lackey into turn 1 for the lead. Dennis Hilla, Lackey and Mike Lyon were three wide for second, with Wade Jones looking on. AJ Wernette spun in turn 4 on lap 2 to start string of yellows. On the restart, Hilla slipped Lackey for second who spun in turn 2. The next try saw Jones look under Hilla for second but Kevin Hyland went around in turn 2. Finally back to green Hilla slipped high off turn 2 giving Jones and Lyon an opening to grab second and third.

Jones ducked inside Henley coming off turn 4 to take the point on lap 5, with Lyon and Henley side by side for second and Jason Campbell getting by Hilla for fourth. Hilla tried to battle back but spun in turn 2 to bring out a caution on lap 5. Just as the race went back to green, debris on the track brought the yellow back out. Back to racing Jones and Henley pulled away from Lyon, Campbell and Wernette who would loop it again for a caution on lap 6.

Jones got a good jump on green, but Henley closed back in as Lackey worked his way to the top five getting by Leland Frautschi on lap 7. Henley got the nose inside Jones on lap 7 going into turn 1 and the two played bumper tag in turn 3. The contact was hard enough to send Henley to the pits on lap 8. Frautschi brought out a lap 11 yellow when he stalled and fell short of making it to pit exit. Once back to green Jones and Lyon got away from Campbell, Hilla and Lackey.

As Hilla and Campbell battled the two made contact in turn 4 to bring out the final yellow on lap 12. The top five all stayed nose to tail on the restart with Jones beginning to inch away on lap 13. At the checkered flag it was Jones in the Opiela Mechanical, Mission Racing, SABFI, Jeff’s Auto Rebuilders, Camaro adding another win to his yearly total.

Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones

40 Mike Lyon

9 Jason Campbell

41g Greg Lackey

37 AJ Wernette

2x Dennis Hilla

31 Leland Frautschi

96 Justin Henley

72 Kevin Hyland

Street Stock Heat winners; 96 Justin Henley, 41 Wade Jones

Charlie Henley grabbed the early lead in the 18-car, 20-lap Pure Stock feature trailed by Brandy Ramzinski, Jerry Jones and Aaron Leddy. Leddy and Frank Okruhlik got past Jones on lap 1 for third and fourth. Leddy passed Ramzinski for second and was looking inside Henley for the lead on lap 2. Leddy took the top spot on lap 3 with Okruhlik coming to second and Marc Roy getting fourth from Henley. Leddy and Okruhlik had just started a side by side battle when a multi-car melee in turn 2 brought out a caution.

On the restart Okruhlik looked low on Leddy, while Roy was trying up top on Ramzinski for third. Ray Radicke stopped in turn 4 as the lead pack charged in. All were able quickly scatter to avoid Radicke as the yellow was shown. Back under green the side by side battle for the lead resumed between Leddy and Okruhlik. Okruhlik was able to sneak by for the lead on lap 6 as the top three distanced themselves from the field.

As Okruhlik began to inch away from Leddy and Roy, Ramzinski, Jones, Janel Hilla and Eric Watson were slugging it out for fourth. Okruhlik was able to put some distance on Leddy and Roy as he diced through lapped traffic, while Hilla and E. Watson got past Jones. In the closing laps Hilla got around Ramzinski for fourth, but no one had anything for Okruhlik who took the checkers in the Odie Racing, Ximenex Trucking, Chevy.

Pure Stock

99 Frank Okruhlik

93 Aaron Leddy

24 Marc Roy

7x Janel Hilla

88 Brandy Ramzinski

95 Jerry Jones

43 Eric Watson

15 William Cavender

3 David Sevilla

66r Rick Snyder

3d Talon Minten

1 Charlie Henley

19 Freddy Geirisch

27 Emet Sevilla

77 Ray Radicke

13x Gary Chain

44 James Watson

02 Philip Haywood

Pure Stock heat winners; 1 Charlie Henley, 93 Aaron Leddy, 88 Brandy Ramzinski

In the Front Runner 15-lap feature James Samford got out to the early lead followed by Charlie Earnhardt III, Amber Clay and Nick Hencey. Hencey got past Clay for third as Earnhardt pressured Samford for the lead. Samford got sideways in turn 4 and was finished off by Earnhardt to bring out a caution on lap 4. Hencey pitted from third but was black flagged on his return for speeding in the pits. On green Earnhardt pulled away from Steven Stanley, Clay, Corey Samford and Kenneth Wright working his way up to fifth.

C. Samford slowed with a flat and pulled off giving way to Wright who took third from Clay on lap 7. Wright, in his first appearance at I-37, then got second from Stanley on lap 10, but was nearly a half track behind Earnhardt. In the pack Clay, Cindy Snyder, Richard Whitehead and Cameron Smith had their own fight going on for fourth. Whitehead emerged from that scrum with the spot with Snyder puling off with trouble. Back up front it was Earnhardt in the Earnhardt & Sons Automotive sponsored car taking the victory.

Front Runners

33 Charlie Earnhardt III

68 Kenneth Wright

96 Steven Stanley

67 Richard Whitehead

35 James Samford

13 Cameron Smith

98 Amber Clay

57 Trevor Bettis

113 Hailee Marcx

66c Cindy Snider

55 James Samford

911 Nick Hencey—BF(speeding on pit lane)

12 Roy Easler jr.—DNS

4 Johnny Japora–DNS

Front Runner heat winners; 4 Johnny Japora, 911 Nick Hencey

Kennedale, Tx.,(July 24th, 2010) Kennedale Speedway Park was the site for another round of weekly racing action on the semi-banked, ¼ mile dirt oval. The weekly series includes the IMCA Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, plus the Street Stocks, Crate Models, Racesaver 305 Sprint Cars, Jr. Mini Stocks and an added attraction this weekend, the Lone Star Dwarf Cars.

The nights off track activities were highlighted by a tribute and prayer for ASCS Sprint Car drivers Travis Rilat and Wayne Johnson, both injured on the west coast, and the memory of Tyson Perez, crew member of Rilat who succumbed to injuries from a shop accident. Racesaver Sprint Car drivers passed the helmet through the stands taking up collections to help cover medical expenses.

On the track the Lone Star Dwarf Cars saluted Lori Palanza a long time official who lost her battle with cancer. The Dwarf Cars all flew the pink “Say No To Cancer” ribbons for the feature fittingly won by her son Dominick Palanza.

White Picks Up One More Win

Embroiled in the IMCA Modified National points chase, Keith White pocketed another win taking over from Mike Miles on lap 5. From there White was able to stretch out his advantage slowing only for slower traffic in the final laps. White took the checkers with a full straightaway lead.

At the start of the 14-car, 20-lap IMCA Modified main, Miles and Jerry Robinson stayed side by side until Miles inched ahead to lead lap 1. Robinson fell in line second with Matt Martin and Damon Hammond side by side for third. Robinson kept the heat on Miles for the lead while White moved into the top five Using the high side White powered around Martin for fourth and was quickly on the leaders.

It was three wide for the top spot on lap 4 with White on top using the momentum to get out front on lap 5. Jeremy Willis brought out the yellow on lap 6 when he stopped in turn 2. White got a good jump on Jay Bransom, Jacob Pirkle and Martin with Mike Hathcock rounding out the top five at the crossed flags. As the top five spread out Justin Fowler, Miles and Robinson battled for sixth

With five to go White had built a huge advantage over Bransom while Hathcock reeled in Martin for fourth. White ran up on slower traffic in the final laps but kept his edge as he piloted the Traceys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, TCI, Craftmasters Power Coating, Tubbs Paint & Body, D&S Painting, Belton Metals, Amsoil, Cen-Tex Motorsports powered Hughes Chassis to the victory.

“I guess we were three or four wide there at one point,” said White. “It paid off. I don’t know if it was a Hero or Zero move, but it was one I thought we could make. The car was fast and Richard(Snider) did a lot of work on this track from the way it was last week, heavy and rough. It was a fast track with good racing in every class.”

“We don’t have to change a lot between the two tracks actually. We had the car a little tighter tonight since I was starting mid pack. We had it so it would drive through traffic.”

“This win is a confidence builder for the remaining races and chasing David(Murray) in the points. As hot as it is now we’re hoping the tracks are going to be this way. We have a real good set up for this type track. That’s what this car is built for and what I like. I’m very confident we can roll off several in a row.”

IMCA Modifieds

1 Keith White

29 Jay Bransom

41 Jacob Pirkle

11 Matt Martin

103 Mike Hathcock

48 Justin Fowler

27 Robert McKinney

30 Jerry Robinson

137 Rodney Hicks

62 Mike Miles

42 Kevin Kent

83 Daryl Campbell

010 Jeremy Willis

116 Damon Hammond

IMCA Modified heats

Heat #1

010 Jeremy Willis

30 Jerry Robinson

29 Jay Bransom

11 Matt Martin

103 Mike Hathcock

83 Daryl Campbell

48j Justin Fowler

Heat #2

116 Damon Hammond

1 Keith White

41 Jacob Pirkle

27 Robert McKinney

62 Mike Miles

42 Kevin Kent

137 Rodney Hicks—DNS

Young Wires Sportmod Feature

Michael Young ran the race of his life to grab his first IMCA Southern Sportmod win. Not only did M. Young lead green to checkers, but was forced to fend off multi-time SSM Champion Keith White. White had just made a pass for the lead when caution waved giving M. Young his spot back. From there M. Young stayed glued on the bottom to fend off White at the finish.

Fifteen-cars took the green for the 20-lap IMCA SSM main with M. Young quickly jumping out front. Curtis Young, George Gafford fell in behind with Devin Burgess and White side by side for fourth. As the two Youngs led the field, White got by Gafford for third. White got by C. Young on lap 4 for second and the chase was on.

White reeled in M. Young for the lead on lap 7 and the veteran put the pressure M. Young trying low then high. At the crossed flags it was still M. Young holding off White, with C. Young, Kirk Martin and Tom Earl jr. rounding out the top five spots. White got inside M. Young on lap 13 with the two wheel to wheel through turns 1-2. White edged ahead on lap 14 only to see the yellow wave for a spin by Justin Broome in turn 4. The caution put M. Young back on point for the restart.

Once back to green Earl got held off Gary Fox for fourth, with three wide racing in the pack. Up front White was pulling out everything from his bag of tricks to get by M. Young. M. Young kept hanging on the bottom forcing White to run high. White’s car looked to push on top and loose ground, but could close back in on the bottom. White gave it the ol’ college try on the last lap but came up short as M. Young in the Youngblood Auto Repair, Proctor Custom Trim, Fast Track A/C, City Motors, in-house work and homemade chassis scored his first SSM victory.

“I used lots of control on the throttle,” replied M. Young. “I just tried to stay on the bottom and stay out front. That’s where my car was good. I was hoping and praying.”

“I had to tell myself to calm down and think about things after Keith(White) got by me. I tend to get a little excited at times. I just tried to pace myself, keep it straight and slow in the corners. Slower is Faster, so I went with that thought.”

“I wonder where Keith is when I’m out there. I’ve been watching him for a while. I’m one of those that feels that running with the more experienced guys in his class helps make us better. It makes for better competition.”

“I was probably a little too tight,” added White. “The couple I tried the outside it shoved the front end. I should have been freer through the middle. He did everything he needed to do. He kept the car on the bottom and made me have to work and earn it.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

111 Michael Young

1 Keith White

12 Gary Fox

64x David Ferguson

70 George Gafford

29 Jay Bransom

64 Devin Burgess

26/46 Dean Abbey

54 David Redmon

00 Brad Shirley

14 Colin Cloud

23 Justin Broome

85 Keith Martin

146 Tom Earl jr—DQ(Tech)

98 Curtis Young—DQ(Tech)

IMCA SSM heats

Heat #1

111 Michael Young

70 George Gafford

12w Gary Fox

00 Brad Shirley

46/26 Dean Abbey

85 Keith Martin

14 Colin Cloud

23 Justin Broome

Heat #2

98 Curtis Young

1 Keith White

146 Ton Earl jr

64 Devin Burgess

64x David Ferguson

54R David Redmon

29 Jay Bransom

Pritchett Out-paces Parker for I-Stock checkers.

Former IMCA Stock Car National Champion, Duain Pritchett and Daniel Parker put on another epic IMCA Stock Car battle. The two ran side by side the final five circuits of the 20-lap feature with Pritchett in the Arty & Sons, Wise County Detail, CA’s Auto Supply, CenTex Motorsports, Advantage Chassis edging out Parker at the line for the win.

Roman Garcia got a good jump on the initial start of the the 15-car IMCA Stock Car feature, but AJ Hutten spun in turn 4 to bring about a complete restart. The second try saw Rodney Franklin get by Garcia to lead lap 1 trailed by Garcia, Aaron Ferrell and Ronnie Christopher. Ferrell and Christopher got second and third from Garcia with Daniel Parker moving up to fourth.

It was three wide for the lead on lap 3 between Ferrell, Franklin and Parker, with Pritchett getting a top five spot. Parker came out of that three abreast battle with the lead on lap 4 while Garcia spun in turn 4. On the restart Pritchett got past Ferrell for second and the top two began to pull away. At halfway it was Parker, Pritchett, Ferrell, Damon Hammond and Christopher I the top five. Pritchett closed in on Parker, while Hammond took third from Ferrell.

Pritchett got the nose inside Parker on lap 12 with the two side by side on lap 14. Pritchett got the bumper out front on lap 15 but Parker stayed along side on the top. They continued to stay glued at the door bars until lap 17 when Garcia spun in front of the two. On the restart Parker tried the high side again Pritchett while trying hold off Hammond. Pritchett edged out Parker by a car length with Hammond hot on their heels.

“The track was more to my liking,” commented Pritchett. “It finally went dry for me. I prefer a dry track over a heavy, tacky track any day.”

“I just followed the #3 car(Daniel Parker) to the front and then passed him when it was time. I don’t mind racing with Daniel. He and I race side by side about very week. Last week he beat me by a half bumper and this week I was able to beat him.”

“There’s a coupe tracks struggling with car counts in the I-Stocks but we’re doing alright here. There’s a few more being built and next year all three of my kids will be in one

IMCA Stock Cars

22 Duain Pritchett
3p Daniel Parker

116 Damon Hammond

31 Aaron Ferrell

1x Tommy Williams

71z Ronnie Christopher

8 Rodney Franklin
50 John Morris

13 James Potter

10l Jerry Morris

121 Roman Garcia

18 AJ Hutten

07 Dennis Bissonette

IMCA Stock Car heats

Heat #1

121 Roman Garcia

50 John Morris

3p Daniel Parker

13 James Potter

18 AJ Hutten

10L Jerry Morris

1x Tommy Williams

Heat #2

07 Dennis Bissonette

116 Damon Hammond

31 Aaron Ferrell

71z Ronnie Christopher

8 Rodney Franklin

22 Duain Pritchett

Kinniard Claims Hobby Stock Honors

Jeff Kinniard worked his way up from the fourth row to battle with Cade Lee for lead just before halfway. After several tries and a brief side by side battle Kinniard finally secured the spot with five to go. From there Kinniard slowly inched away to capture the win as fights, literally and figuratively, continued for position behind him

When green waved on the 20-lap, 17-car IMCA Hobby Stock feature the front row of Jeff Mueller and Kevin Rutherford swapped some paint. This gave Lee an opening to sneak past both for the lead. Rutherford spun in the pack scattering everyone but no caution came as they all motored on. Debris in turn 2 did bring out a yellow on lap 2. On the restart Kinniard got past Ricky Rodriguez and Mueller for second.

Mueller got loose and after a few tank-slappers gave up spots to Michael Gaunett and Kyle Harrison. Gaunett slowed with a flat right front giving up fourth to Harrison, Jeremy Carter and Bryan Sewell. Back up front it was Kinniard getting along side Lee for lead on lap 7. Kinniard edged ahead on lap 8, but Lee retook the point on lap 9. Jamey Lough gave the leaders a scare when he spun in front of them to bring out the yellow on lap 9.

On the restart Nathan Sodek got turned by Mueller who got the black flag. The next try saw Lee and Kinniard get away while Sewell moved past Harrison for third. Brandon Taylor spun at halfway to bring out the yellow. Once back to green Kinniard looked inside Lee for the lead on lap 12 and 13. The two were side by side on lap 14 with Kinniard getting the lead on the back stretch for lap 15.

As Kinniard slowly eased ahead Sewell closed in on Lee for second as Jeremy Montgomery moved past Carter for fifth. Montgomery then made his way past Harrison for fourth on lap 18. Kinniard had a comfortable lead over Lee as the white flag waved. In the pack Harrison and Carter traded paint in turns 1-2 and as Kinniard was taking the checkers, Harrison quarter-paneled Carter in turn 3 sending him around. Kinniard in the Big Jim Racing, Extreme Graphics, Reliable Home Service, North Texas Carpet Care, Wes Machine Shop, BMF Chassis got the win and trophy, Harrison got the black flag.

“It took a whole lot of patience,” reported Kinniard. “That’s for sure! I was just watching the cars ahead of and waiting to make my move. It was a good track. It was just picking and choosing where I could go. ”

“I used to be a dry slick track person but I like about any track now. It doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m able to race. I’ve kind of adapted to all types of tracks now.”

“When they start getting wild out there you just have to watch what they’re doing and be careful. Try to anticipate and get slowed down. Accidents happen so you just have to be careful.”

IMCA Hobby Stocks

07 Jeff Kinniard

1 Cade Lee

44 Bryan Sewell

11 Jeremy Montgomery

5* Brandon Taylor

98 Rick Barrett

2 Gene Hadley

65 Heather King

25 Jeremy Cater

60 Nathan Sodek

9 Kevin Rutherford

25x Michael Gaunet

5r Ricky Rodriguez

31 Gene Yates

81 Jamey Lough

62 Kyle Harrison—DQ(Rough Driving)

13 Jeff Mueller–DQ(Rough Driving)

IMCA Hobby Stock heats

Heat #1

98 Rick Barrett

07 Jeff Kinniard

5R Ricky Rodriguez

13 Jeff Mueller

31 Gene Yates

15 Brandon Williams—DNS

Heat #2

9 Kevin Rutherford

44 Bryan Sewell

1 Cade Lee

5* Brandon Taylor

11 Jeremy Montgomery

81 Jamey Lough

Heat #3

62 Kyle Harrison

25x Michael Gaunet

25 Jeremy Carter

2Gene Hadley

65 Heather King

60 Nathan Sodek

Hall Hauls to Sprint Car Cash

As green flew on the 15-car, 20-lap 305 Sprint Car feature James Reed was first out of turn 2 with the lead. Reed was followed Danny Merrell, David Garland and Ryan Beechler. Garland and Beechler moved past Merrell for second and third before racing wheel to wheel for second giving Reed a chance to build a margin.

In the pack Ryan Hall was powering his way to the front getting by Shane Glockler for for fifth, while Jerry Hammock charged by Hall and Merrel for fourth. Kerry Rush brought out the yellow on lap 7 when he spun in between turns 3-4. Once back under green, Garland had big run getting around Beechler and Reed to get the top spot on lap 8. Beechler then got second from Reed, with Hall following to third and Hammock to fourth and Reed holding fifth at halfway.

Mike Hayashi lost the front nose wing on lap 10 to bring out a caution to retrieve the debris. Hall motored from third to first on the restart, while Hammock got third from Beechler. Hammock then put Reed in his wake as the top two inched away. The final caution waved on lap 13 for a spin by Walter Lane in turns 3.

Beechler snagged third from Reed on the restart as Hall began inching away. Further back Jason Howell grabbed a top five spot, then snared fourth from Garland on lap 16. With two to go Hall ran up on slower traffic, but Beechler and Hammock were in their own fight for second. Hall, piloting the TM Well Service, Valvoline Express Care, Rollins Racing Engines, Maxim Chassis was able clear traffic without problems, while Beechler took second from Hammock.

305 Sprint Cars

79 Ryan Hall

6 Ryan Beechler

4 Jerry Hammock

44 Jason Howell

69 Brian Fielder

91 Kerry Rush

83 Joe Freeman

84 David Garland

92 James Reed

56 Mike Hayashi

30 Shane Glockler

88 Walter Lane

05 Dustin Woods

06 Craig Woods

47 Danny Merrell

Sprint Car heats

Heat #1

47 Danny Merrell

84 David Garland

6 Ryan Beechler

92 James Reed

56 Mike Hayashi

88x Walter Lane

06 Craig Woods

44 Jason Howell

Heat #2

79 Ryan Hall

4 Jerry Hammock

30 Shane Glockler

91 Kerry Rush

69 Brian Fielder

83 Joe Freeman

05 Dustin Woods

The 13-car Crate Model feature saw Zach Manry grab the early lead of the 20-lap feature. Aaron Benedict and Rowdy Holbert closed on Manry with Benedict getting the point on lap 2. Holbert spun on lap 3 in turn 3 while at the same time Justin McNeil, Michael Mason and Charles Armstrong jr tangling in turn 2. On the restart Eric Winnett ducked under Benedict for the lead with Benedict spinning in turn 4 collecting Charlie Wilson.

As green waved again Manry spun in turn 2 with Ju. McNeil breaking and rolling to the infield. On the single file restart Winnett, John McNeil and Ronnie Davis pulled away from Robert Ferron and Cody Harper. As the top three continued to creep away Benedict moved back up to battle with Ferron and Harper.

Winnett, Jo. McNeil and Davis were nose to tail on lap 12 with Jo. McNeil taking looks low on Winnett for the lead. Jo. McNeil lost some ground to Winnett on lap 16 but closed the gap in the final laps. With two to go Winnett had a car length on Jo. McNeil, who now had Davis trying outside. As the white waved Jo. McNeil gave Winnett one more try low but lost ground off turn 2 giving Winnett a free run to the checkers.

Crate Models

21 Eric Winnett

89 John McNeil

31 Ronnie Davis

23x Robert Ferron

77a Aaron Benedict

55 Charlie Wilson

123 Cody Harper

8 Zach Manry

22 Michael Mason

44 Rowdy Holbert

1 Justin McNeil

00 Charles Conklin

3 Charles Armstrong Jr

2 Charles Armstrong III–DNS

Cate Model heats

Heat #1

44 Rowdy Holbert

21 Eric Winnett

8 John McNeil

55 Charlie Wilson

77a Aaron Benedict

23x Robert Ferron

00 Charles Conklin

Heat #2

22 Michael Mason

3 Charles Armstrong jr

1 Justin McNeil

8 Zach Manry

123 Cody Harper

2 Charles Armstrong III

31 Ronnie Davis

David Herring II took the point early in the 20-lap Street Stock feature wit Shawn Byrd, Wes Milliorn an Michael Sterling three wide for second. Andrew Richards spun on lap 1 to bring out a quick caution. On he restart Sterling kept pressure on Herring for the lead getting the top spot on lap 2. Herring fell back to a three wide battle with Ryan Powers and S Byrd.

John Riechard got by Herring and S. Byrd for third as Powers secured second. Riechard closed on Sterling in traffic with Powers hot on his tail. Sterling broke out of traffic with Powers and Riechard side by side for second. Yellow waved on lap 12 when Mike Dingman spun in turn 1. On the restart David Cook began challenging for a to spot looking high on Powers for second. S. Byrd and Joey Barnes tangled in turn 1 to bring the yellow back out.

The top three got away on the single file restart with Powers putting the heat on Sterling. Powers got inside with five to go as Milliorn had pressure from Cook. Sterling and Powers were door to door for the lead on lap 16. Those two battles continued until Powers got by Sterling in traffic for the lead on lap 18. Cook tried to sneak by for second, but Sterling got back by as Powers was taking the checkers.

Street Stocks

R12 Ryan Powers

17 Michael Sterling

32 David Cook

107 Wes Milliorn

01 David Herring II

13 Robbie Cummins

47 Chris Kent

21 Jimmy Parker

55 Jeff Copeland

69 Shawn Byrd

31 Kevin Byrd

25x Andrew Richards

07x Joey Barnes

371 Douglas Holleman

27x Sean Wofford

8mx John Riechard

11 Mike Dingman

20 Tim Murray

45 Tom Johnson

19 Casey Fielding—DNS

2x Ron Palmer—DNS

124 Paul Jones—DNS

41 Cody Parker—DNS

Street Stock heat winners; 17 Michael Sterling, 8mx John Riechard, 01 David Herring II

Dick Booker led the Lone Star Dwarf Car feature into turn 1, but gave way to Terry Boyer on lap 2. Dominick Palanza moved in on Boyer with two running side by side for the lead until Palanza secured the spot on lap 6. Sebie Davis and Michael Murphy moved to second third with own scrap going on for the position.

A lap 11 spin by Brian Bellows brought the field under caution and slowed the action.

Once back under green Murphy gave Palanza a look low but was still trying to fend off Davis. Murphy and Davis again went door to door giving Palanza a little breathing room. Palanza had good lead as the white flag and he hit traffic on the final lap. Palanza scored the emotional victory, with Davis out battling Murphy for the runner-up spot.

Lone Star Dwarf Cars

11 Dominick Palanza

51 Sebie Davis

50 Michael Murphy

00 Terry Boyer

47 Jason Walters

14 Dick Booker

54 Darwin Hamilton

7 Adam Segura

52 Gary Harris

98 Dan Noble

5 Louie Younts

86 Jim Lewis II

43 Donnie Reagan

99 Kenton Kinney

34 Brian Bellows

19 Jason Bellows

97 Bill Pickett

45 Mike Perlin

Dwarf Car heat winners; 00 Terry Boyer, 11 Dominick Polanza

Calton Pritchett grabbed the early lead in the Jr. Mini Stock feature but was run down by Austin Theiss. Theiss got past C. Pritchett for the lead on lap 3. Bryce Pritchett took over second from his brother Calton, but was unable to close the gap on Theiss who motored on the checkers.

Jr Mini Stock

7D Austin Theiss

KSP1 Bryce Pritchett

97 Dakota Landers

12 Calton Pritchett

5 Travis Bailey

15x Coy Pennington

Jr Mini Stock heat winner; 7D Austin Theiss

Pleasanton, Tx.,(April 24th, 2010) After a scheduled week off, which was probably a good thing after rains soaked the track, racing resumed at Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway Saturday evening under sunny skies. Several new drivers showed up making their first appearance on the 1/4 mile, semi-banked clay oval just south of San Antonio.

There was plenty of action throughout the night with two cars taking tumbles, and two new first time winners. During intermission James Blaylock, still trying to shake down a new car, rolled over the turn 3 hill in hot laps. Blaylock rebounded to finish third in the main. Roy Easler clipped an infield tire while battling for the Front Runner lead and ended up on his roof. He was able to climb out uninjured.

Pittaway Picks Off Modified Win

Corpus Christi’s Bill Pittaway found his way back into the Winners Circle for the first time this season holding off Darin Leonard early, then Rick Green in the final laps. Pittaway took over the lead from early leader Joe Spillman, then battled with Leonard making contact ending Leonard’s night. Green made a big charge at the finish but came up a little short as Pittaway in the C-D Electric, Wells Racing Engines, Harris Chassis held on for the win.

At the start of the 20-lap IMCA Modified A-main, Joe Spillman grabbed the lead in turn 1 with Pittaway second and Leonard along side Robert Liese jr. for third. Leonard secured the spot on lap 1, with Green following through to forth. Spillman slipped high of turn 2 giving Pittaway an opening to sneak past for the lead on lap 3. Leonard then got by Spillman a lap later for third. Spillman had trouble with turn 2 gain on lap 4 as he looped it to bring out a yellow.

On the restart the top three got away clean, with Leonard taking a look inside Pittaway on the back stretch. Leonard again took a peek under Pittaway on lap 5 while Spillman worked his way back to the top four. Marlin Samford had turn 2 bite him when he went around on lap 6 to bring out a caution. Back under green, the top three were again pulling away, while Spillman’s trouble continued after he spun off turn 2 and found the infield water hole. Spillman got righted without caution, but pulled off.

Meanwhile up front, Green was pressuring Leonard for second as they came to the crossed flags it was Pittaway, Leonard and Green with a gap back to Samford and Leinweber rounding out the top five. Leonard closed in on Pittaway who was slipping high coming out of turn 2. Leonard got along side Pittaway and as they dove into turn 3 the two made contact. Leonard got by only to spin to the infield with a broken center link on lap 12.

On the restart Pittaway again slid up in turn 2 giving Green a look low, but Green was unable to capitalize. Pittaway then inched ahead of Green who had a good margin back to Samford and Leinweber. In the final laps Green quickly closed back in on Pittaway to within two car lengths on lap 18. Green was able to get to Pittaway’s bumper as the white flag waved. Green tried low in turns 1-2 to no avail, then tried to diamond off turns 3-4 and duck under Pittaway. Coming to the checkers it was Pittaway holding off Green by a car length at the line for the win.

“I didn’t feel like I had the best car, but I won,” commented Pittaway. “I think Darin(Leonard) had a better car than I did. I pushed up out of turn 2 and when I finally got the car to turn and come down we made contact. I hated to see it happen. I had the car set up tight and didn’t have time to change it after the Go-Kart races,”

“With Darin having basically the same car it’s good running someone heads-up in equal equipment. On these Harris cars you really have to protect the nose. I’ve had two center links bent already this year too.”

“I never saw or heard Rick(Green). I wear ear plugs to drowned out most of the noise. I just want to hear my motor in case anything goes wrong. We’ve run each other clean all year and it makes it easier to come back the next race and be ready instead of having to fix stuff.”

IMCA Modifieds

37 Bill Pittaway

82 Rick Green

c31 Marlin Samford

12 Bob Leinweber

26 Darin Leonard

44s Joe Spillman

67 Robert Liese jr

IMCA Modified heat

37 Bill Pittaway

67 Robert Liese jr

44s Joe Spillman

12 Bob Leinweber

82 Rick Green

c31 Marlin Samford

26 Darin Leonard

Rye Does It Ryet for Sportmod Win

Brian Rye didn’t let starting ninth in the IMCA Sportmod feature phase him. Rye methodically worked his way up, avoiding wrecks and caught a break when early leader Doug Livingston had trouble. The Corpus Christi driver took over the lead near halfway then held off a charging Dustin Butcher in the waning laps to snag his second win of the season.

Seventeen cars took the green in the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod main with Randy Yount and Livingston staying wheel to wheel through turns 1-2. Livingston came out of turn 2 with lead with Yount, Bill Pittaway, Ray Doyon III and Rye along side Greg Rohmer for fifth. As the top six sorted out single file it was still two wide racing for seventh and ninth. Rohmer spun in tricky turn 2 scattering the pack with JJ Jennings going around, and EJ Gilpin forced to pit with a flat.

On the restart Pittaway got a good jump on Yount for second, but passed before the cone bringing the yellow back out. The next restart saw Pittaway again try to get inside Yount, with Doyon looking for an opening of his own. As the trio went into turn 3 Pittaway and Doyon tangled sending Pittaway around and both drivers to the tail. The third time wasn’t a charm either after Randy Bennett and David Routen spun between turns 1-2. Under caution Yount pulled off from second.

Finally back under green with a new top five of Livingston, Rye, Butcher, Jason Stanley and Johnny Torres running up front. Rye took a look under Livingston while Stanley was trying to get under Butcher and James Blaylock was grabbing fifth from Torres. Livingston slowed coming off turn 2 handing the top spot to Rye on lap 8. Robby Minten went around in turn 2 to bring out a yellow, with Livingston puling to the pits.

With Rye now out front, Blaylock got along side Stanley for third once the green waved again. Blaylock got the spot on lap 9 while Jennings, Gilpin and Doyon, who was now on a mission, ran three wide for seventh with Doyon getting the spot. At halfway the top five were Rye, Butcher, Blaylock, Stanley and Torres. Doyon then picked off sixth from Rohmer on lap 12. Butcher was just starting to pressure Rye for the lead when Bennett went around bringing out a caution on lap 16.

On the final restart Blaylock got along side Butcher for second giving Rye some breathing room out front. Blaylock and Butcher continued battling side by side down the back stretch with Butcher holding the position. As the white flag was shown the top three were running nose to tail and it was anyones race. Butcher took his shot ducking low in turn 2 but Rye was able to hang on and snare the victory in the SBG Racing, RPM Racing, Willie Cotton Race Engines, HOT Chassis.

“I just ran the bottom,” replied Rye. “Everyone else was running the top at the beginning of the race and I was able to get under them. I was able to pick up several spots with the cautions. I try not to look back to see who’s there. I didn’t see anybody until about two to go when Dustin(Butcher) tried to get under me. ”

“The groove moved about mid-race. Once I got up to second I tried to pass the leader on the bottom and I couldn’t get by him I moved up to the top and he slipped and I dove under him. It was still a little high for the way I like to run here. The redo on the track hasn’t effected my car, I usually just run the bottom”

“We took a few weeks off to run Go-Karts with my nephew so the car has just been parked. We’re going to come up here a few more times this year, run in Corpus and some big shows at the end of the year.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

4R Brian Rye

90 Dustin Butcher

7b James Blaylock

92 Jason Stanley

66 Johnny Torres

D9 Ray Doyon III

21 EJ Gilpin

37 Bill Pittaway

51 Greg Rohmer

75 Flint Brown

09 David Routen

22 Randy Bennett

26 JJ Jennings

89 Doug Livingston

4 Robby Minten

66y Randy Yount

10 Travis Penny

00 Leland Frautschi—DNS

IMCA SSM Heats

Heat #1

66y Randy Yount

66 Johnny Torres

26g JJ Jennings

37 Bill Pittaway

75 Flint Brown

4 Robby Minten

Heat #2

D9 Ray Doyon III

89 Doug Livingston

21 EJ Gilpin

90 Dustin Butcher

10 Travis Penny

00 Leland Frautschi

Heat #3

92 Jason Stanley

7B James Blaylock

4R Brian Rye

51 Greg Rohmer

22 Randy Bennett

09 David Routen(infield violation)

The week off was probably a good thing for Wesley Skains giving them time to make repairs on the car. After several off-track excursions two weeks ago, Skains came back as good as ever. Multi-time track champion Gary Hunter grabbed the early lead of the 15-lap Limited Late Model feature with Skains in pursuit. Skains gave up second briefly to Patrick Kelly on lap 2. Skains then charged past Kelly and Hunter for the lead on lap 3.

Ellis Tracey brought out the yellow on lap 4 with a harmless spin. Once back to green Skains slid up in turn 1 giving Hunter a look low, but Hunter was unable to clear Skains. Hunter and Kelly then ran side by side on lap 6, with Hunter holding the spot. Richard Bartosh moved in Kelly with a short door to door battle for third. As Skains motored away Hunter and Kelly renewed their fight for second. The two made contact on the last lap and spun in turn 3 at the same time Skains, sponsored by S&S Bridge Painting, Reid Graham and Covert Sheet Metal, was taking the checkers.

Tator Plumbing Limited Late Models

25 Wesley Skains

7 Richard Bartosh

6 Ellis Tracey

14 Gary Hunter

84 Patrick Kelly

33 Barry Major

18 Shane Moore—DNS

Limited Late Model heat winner; 25x Wesley Skains

It was another trip to Victory Lane for Wade Jones in the 10-lap Street Stock feature. Jones took over the lead from AJ Wernette on lap 4. Jones then pulled away in his Opiela Mechanical, Horelka Racing, Camaro taking the win for his son, Peyton, who celebrating his first birthday.

Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones

37 AJ Wernette

74x Steve Mireles

18 Shawn Moore—DNS

Street Stock heat winner; 41 Wade Jones

A dozen cars took the green for 20-lap Pure Stock feature with Jarrett Payton getting out front after Brandy Ramzinski spun from the pole, but kept the power on. Ray Radicke brought out the yellow on lap 1 when he broke and stopped on the front stretch. On the restart Frank Okruhlik got around Payton on the high side to lead lap 2. Defending track champ Marc Roy moved along side Payton as they fought it out for second. Ramzinski spun again on lap 3 this time bringing out a yellow.

Back under green Roy was now pressuring Okruhlik for th lead while Pat Kelly sr. was trying to get under Payton for third. Okruhlik got some distance on Roy after he went airborne over a infield tire coming off turn 2. Kelly finally completed the pass on Payton for third on lap 7. Ramzinski went around a third time in turn 2 bringing out the yellow on lap 9. Once back to green it was Okruhlik, Roy, Kelly Payton and Mike Harrison coming to the mid point.

Roy had trouble in turn 2 again, spinning and losing numerous spots. With five to go Okruhlik had a half straight advantage over Kelly with gap back to Payton, Harrison and Janel Hilla. Okruhlik lost that margin when Rick Snyder brought out yellow on lap 15 when he got hung up on an infield tire. On the restart Payton spun from third, while Roy worked his way past Hilla to get back in the top five.

Payton spun again on lap 18 and was facing the wrong way in turn 1 to bring out the yellow setting up a green, white, checker finish. Kelly took a look low in turn 1 back under but lost some ground, as Roy was trying low on Harrison. Kelly again ducked low in turn 1 on the final lap, while Okruhlik began to slow with clutch problems. Kelly led the final ¾ of a lap to score a win for the “Blue Oval” fans in the Northside Ford, Kelly Racing sponsored Ford.

Pure Stocks

64k Pat Kelly sr.

71 Mike Harrison

24 Marc Roy

7x Janel Hilla

15 William Cavender

9 Jarrett Payton

99 Frank Okruhlik

88 Brandy Ramzinski

66r Rick Snyder

1 Charlie Henley

44 James Watson

77 Ray Radicke

17 Patrick White–DNS

13 Jason Smith—DNS

13x Gary Chain—DNS

Pure Stock heat winners; 24 Marc Roy, 88 Brandy Ramzinski

As the green flag dropped on the 15-lap Front Runner feature the two heat winners, Roy Easler and Chad Thrush stayed side by side. In the pack Brent Bouchillion slid over the turn 3 hill bringing about a complete restart. Once again Easler and Thrush ran side by side with Nick Hencey, Steven Stanley and Scott Schneider in tow. Easler and Thrush were still door to door until Easler slipped high giving Thrush the lead on lap 3.

Easler came back to get the point again on lap 4 with Thrush still challenging. While passing a slower car the two made contact sending Thrush over turn 3 to bring out a caution. On the restart Hencey and Stanley were now battling with Easler for the lead. Easler got turned to the infield, clipped an infield tire and rolled over to bring out a red.

Once back to racing, it was Hencey now on the point with Stanley, Cameron Smith, Schneider and Cody Earnhardt running in the top five. As the top five pulled away Co. Earnhardt moved in to battle with Schneider for fourth until Schneider broke and stopped on the back stretch to bring out a yellow. Hencey got a big jump on green, while Smith began to fade with a flat right rear. Hencey cruised on to take his first feature win.

Front Runners

911 Nick Hencey

96 Steven Stanley

66R Cindy Snider

98 Amber Clay

57 Trevor Bettis

33 Cody Earnhardt

T30 Chad Thrush

14 Kathy Hime

113 Hailee Marcx

13 Cameron Smith

35 James Samford

3 Scott Schneider

20 Brent Bouchillion

12 Roy Easler

33c Charlie Earnhardt III

Front Runner heat winners; 12 Roy Easler, T30 Chad Thrush

Pleasanton, Tx.,(March 27th, 2010) After a scheduled week off racing resumed at Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway just south of San Antonio. The regular IMCA Modifieds IMCA Southern Sportmods, Tater Plumbing Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Front Runner classes were all in action on the semi-banked, ¼ mile dirt oval. Making their first visit to the track this season, the Brazos Mini Sprints added to the nights festivities, as well as the kids Go-Karts.

Two drivers repeated as feature winners while another pair scored their first ever I-37 Raceway wins, and one youngster grabbed his first ever victory.

Dinsmore Double Dips, Part Deaux

After a sub-par 2009 race season, Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore seems to be back on track, literally and figuratively. The 2008 IMCA Modified track champion once again bested the field in both the heat and main event. The main saw Dinsmore chase early leader Bill Pittaway waiting for an opening on the tricky dry slick track. Just past halfway Dinsmore got his chance and capitalized on it then pulled away for the victory.

Adding to the Dinsmore winning tradition at I-37 Raceway, son Logan took the checkers in the Go-Kart feature during intermission.

Coming to green for the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event Robert Liese jr. got loose with drivers scrambling to avoid contact. Pittaway was into turn 1 firat with the lead with Rick Green and Dinsmore second and third. Green slowed on lap 3 and pulled off moving Dinsmore to second, Doug Cameron third and Matt Fox fourth.

Dinsmore ran down Pittaway for the lead on lap 5 and the battle was on. Cameron’s night ended early when he pitted from third on lap 6. Dinsmore would try Pittaway low, but found no bite on the bottom and fell back a few car lengths, then close again. Marlin Sanford brought out the yellow on lap 9 with a spin in turn 4.

On the restart Pittaway and Dinsmore got away clean with Dinsmore again taking a look low. Coming to the crossed flags it was Pittaway, Dinsmore, Liese, Sanford and Fox. Dinsmore was able to sneak along side Pittaway down the back stretch. The two went into turn 3 side by side and Dinsmore was able to sneak by for the lead on lap 11.

Lap 12 saw caution wave for a second spin by Sanford, this time in turn 3. Once back to green, Pittaway tried to hang on to Dinsmore’s bumper and took a peek low in turn 1. Pittaway gave Dinsmore one more shot on lap 15, but pushed high and lost ground. From there Dinsmore in the Racetechinfo.com, Big Worm Motorsports, Lowery Plumbing, Afco Shocks, Fast Shafts, Cen-Tex Motorsports powered Harris Chassis eased away for his second win of the season.

“It was a good race,” commented Dinsmore, “Bill’s got a new car and that 2010 chassis is fast and he’s got a good bullet in it. I followed him for quite a while until he made a mistake. I was thinking about how I was going to get by. A lot of things go through your mind. You just have to be patient enough to ride and wait without making a mistake yourself.”

“I tried going to the bottom like last race thinking there would be something, but there was nothing. I played around down there for several laps because he(Pittaway) had the preferred line that I wanted. I could get up on him but didn’t want to hit him and knew he didn’t want to hit me.”

“I’m still thinking about running for another points championship here. I really want to but we usually take a couple weeks to go up to Boone for the Super Nationals and visit family up there. It just depends on how the season goes. If it’s in the cards it could be.”

“ With Cen-Tex doing my motors they’re staying together and being able to finish races is key. Their motors put out good horsepower and aren’t giving me any problems so far. Right out of the box the guys at Cen-Tex have been awesome. I’ve got the right combination of chassis and engine right now. That’s important to get your total program right. Bob Harris, racetechinfo and Cen-Tex are behind me 100%.”

IMCA Modifieds

8g Greg Dinsmore

37 Bill Pittaway

c31 Marlin Sanford

67 Robert Liese jr.

53 Matt Fox

721 Doug Cameron

82 Rick Green

29 Jamie Campbell—DNS

IMCA Modified heat

8g Greg Dinsmore

82 Rick Green

37 Bill Pittaway

67 Robert Liese jr.

c31 Marlin Sanford

29 Jamie Campbell

53 Matt Fox

Gilpin Grabs First I-37 Gold

There’s an old racing adage, “in order to finish first, you must first finish.” So it was during the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature. Corpus Christi’s EJ Gilpin looked like he’d be battling with Johnny Torres, Jason Stanley and Bill Pittaway for second as they all watched Steve Whiteaker jr. run away.

Racing luck can be your friend or be fickle sometimes. Whiteaker got the bad end this time when he broke a motor on lap 11 giving th lead to Gilpin. Gilpin held off Torres after several restarts, then stretched out his lead at the end, to take his first ever I-37 Raceway win.

It took several tries to get the 16-car Sportmod main under way. On the initial start Larry Jernigan got the jump but hooked bumpers with Dennis Hilla in turn 2. The second try saw Hilla get too big of a jump, with Leland Frautschi and Travis Penny tangling in turn 2. Finally under green with Jernigan again beating the pack into turn 1. Jernigan and Hilla were side by side on lap 1 with a three wide battle for third.

Hilla slipped high giving up second to Doug Livingston when David Routen and Clark Warren tangled in turn 2. Once back to green Stanley was looking low on Livingston for second, while Whiteaker marched forward and got by Stanley. Jernigan and Livingston hooked bumpers on lap 2 sending both around and bringing out the caution.

This handed the point over to Whiteaker on the restart followed by Stanley, Mark McGahey, Gilpin and Torres. Whiteaker got good jump on green while McGahey slowed giving third and fourth to Gilpin and Torres. As Whiteaker began checking out, Gilpin and Torres were wheel to wheel for third on lap 5. At the halfway point it was Whiteaker, Stanley, Gilpin, Torres and Pittaway in the top 5 while JJ Jennings worked his way up from starting last.

Stanley slipped on lap 10 giving second to Gilpin who was nearly a full straightaway behind Whiteaker. Whiteaker’s lead came to an end on lap 11 when he blew up and rolled to a stop at pit out to bring out yellow on lap 12. As Gilpin took off back under green, Torres got by Stanley for second, with Pittaway trying to follow to third. Routen brought out the caution on lap 12 when he looped it in turn 4.

On the restart Pittaway continued to pressure Stanley for third finally getting by on lap 13 leaving Stanley side by side with Jennings for fourth. Jernigan brought the yellow back out on lap 14 with a spin on the back stretch. Once back to racing Pittaway was now looking under Torres for second when Routen Spun again on lap 15 to bring out the yellow.

As green waved for the final five laps Jennings got under Stanley for fourth. While Torres and Pittaway fought it out for second, Gilpin was increasing his advantage. As the checkers waved it was Gilpin in the D&M Oilfield Services, Shell Machine Works, Sybesma Graphics, Superior Trailer Sales, Titzman Race Engines, Rush Chassis taking the victory.

“It was a lot of hard work,” replied Gilpin. “My brother and some of my good friends helped me out a lot. The first two races this year I got taken out both times. So I came up here to see how my luck would go.”

“I doubt we had anything for Stevie(Whiteaker), he’s real good. It was fun though, it was racing. This was only my fourth time up here and my best finish was third. I like this little track. We’re definitely going to be coming back more when we can.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

21 EJ Gilpin

66 Johnny Torres

37 Bill Pittaway

26 JJ Jennings

92 Jason Stanley

18 Larry Jernigan

2x Dennis Hilla

09 David Routen

4 Robby Minten

189 Steve Whiteaker jr.

88 Mark McGahey

00 Leland Frautschi

60 Pat Lyon

89 Doug Livingston

989 Clark Warren

10 Travis Penny

IMCA SSM heats

HEAT #1

21 EJ Gilpin

189 Steve Whiteaker jr

89 Doug Livingston

37 Bill Pittaway

10 Travis Penny

09 David Routen

4 Robby Minten

00 Leland Frautschi

Heat #2

92 Jason Stanley

66 Johnny Torres

88 Mark McGahey

2x Dennis Hilla

18 Larry Jernigan

60 Pat Lyon

989 Clark Warren

Multi-time class champion, Gary Hunter jumped into the lead of the 15-lap Tater Plumbing Limited Late Model feature. Behind him Wesley Skains and Barry Major ran side by side for second until Skains did a half spin and fell back. Major the put pressure on Hunter for the lead looking under him on lap on lap 7.

Major got along side Hunter on lap 8 but couldn’t complete the pass. As the duo battled up front, Skains quickly closed the gap. Skains snuck past Major on lap 9 for second, then around Hunter for the lead on lap 11. Skains would increase his lead over the final circuits going unchallenged for his second victory of the year.

Tater Plumbing Limited Late Models

25 Wesley Skains

14 Gary Hunter

33 Barry Major

6 Ellis Tracey

18 Shane Moore

Limited Late Model heat winner; 25 Wesley Skains

Allen Torres lead the field of Street Stocks into turn 1 as the 15-lap feature took the green. AJ Wernette and Wade Jones charged by Tommy Casey and Torres with Wernette getting the lead. Yellow waved on lap 2 to retrieve Dennis Jasik who went over the turn 2 hill. Once back to green Wernette, Jones, Casey and Torres stayed nose to tail until Jones began to look inside. Jones got inside Wernette on lap 4 coming across the line in a virtual dead heat on lap 5 when yellow waved for debris.

On the restart Jones ducked inside again and got the bumper out front on lap 6. Wernette used his momentum up top to get back by Jones for the top spot on lap 7. As the top three pulled away Casey began to put the heat on Jones for second getting along on lap 11. As Casey and Jones fought it out for second Wernette , who turned 18 last week, inched away to give himself a birthday present win.

Street Stocks

37 AJ Wernette

41 Wade Jones

15 Tommy Casey

8 Dennis Jasik

94 Allen Torres

74x Steve Mireles

5 Danny Shroat—DNS

40 Mike Lyon—DNS

Street Stock heat winner; 94 Allen Torres

The always exciting Pure Stock class saw Jarret Peyton lead the 15-car field into turn 1 followed by Janel Hilla, with Rick Snyder and Frank O’Krulik side by side for third. Peyton slid high in turn with Hilla getting by for the lead, while O’Krulik, Snyder and Miguel Mendoza jr. were three wide for third. O’Krulik got by Peyton for second while Snyder and Mendoza jr. ran door to door for fourth.

O’Krulik began challenging Hilla for the lead, as Peyton spun off the back stretch and Mendoza jr. pitted, shaking up the top five order. Gilbert Amezquita brought out the yellow on lap 5 when in front of traffic. Once back to green, O’Krulik kept the heat on Hilla for lead finally getting under then by on lap 7. Snyder got by Hilla on lap 7, while Freddie Gierisch and Brandon Eure ran side by side for fourth.

As the lead quintet scrapped it out Snyder spun and collected Hilla, Eure, Gierisch and Miguel Mendoza sr. On the restart the top five were now O’Krulik, Sean Terry, William Cavender, Erik Watson and James Watson. O’Krulik and Terry took off once green waved again. Terry got inside O’Krulik on the back stretch and by in turn 3 for the top spot on lap 10.

O’Krulik stayed with Terry as th laps clicked off trying to get inside on lap 16. Brandy Ramzinski spun on lap 18 to bring out a caution setting up a green, white, checkered finish. Terry and O’Krulik again got away clean on green, with Terry easing out to a car length lead. O’Krulik gave it the ol’ college try as they came to the checkers, but it as Terry getting the win by about 3/4′s of a car length.

Pure Stocks

23 Sean Terry

99 Frank O’Krulik

15 William Cavender

43 Erik Watson

44 James Watson

9 Jarret Peyton

88 Brandy Ramzinski

24 Marc Roy

77 Philip Haywood

7x Janel Hilla

39 Miguel Mendoza jr

66R Rick Snider

4 Brandon Eure

19 Freddie Gierisch

33 Miguel Mendoza sr

72 Gilbert Amezquita

80 JW

13x Gary Chain—DNS

13 Jason Smith—DNS

17 Patrick White—DNS

Pure Stock heat winners; 39 Miguel Mendoza jr., 99 Frank O’Krulik, 33 Miguel Mendoza sr.

Kathy Hime grabbed the lead on lap 1 of the 13-car, 15-lap Front Runner feature with Jerry Jones making a big charge up to second. Jones was able to get by Hime for the lead on lap 2 with Cameron Smith, Cindy Snider and Brent Bouchillon in pursuit. As Bouchillon and Snyder went three wide past a lapped car, Nick Hencey and Charlie Earnhardt III closed in. Hencey and Earnhardt split the middle of the Bouchillon, Snyder battle for third and fourth.

Up front it was still Jones and Smith slicing and dicing through traffic, with James Sanford moving into the top five just before halfway. Smith tried low on Jones but lost ground on lap 13. Traffic slowed the leader as the white flag waved allowing Smith to reel him back in. Smith got under Jones, who was hung behind a lapped car, stealing the win in the last two corners.

Front Runners

13 Cameron Smith

95 Jerry Jones

33 Charlie Earnhardt III

911 Nick Hencey

35 James Sanford

66c Cindy Snider

20 Brent Bouchillon

57 Trevor Bettis

113 Haley Marcx

14 Kathy Hime

T30 Chad Thrush

98 Amber Clay

96 Steve Stanley

18 Shannon Moore—DNS

Front Runner heat winners; 911 Nick Hencey, 35 James Sanford

Action started early in the Brazos Mini Sprint 20-lap feature when Hunter Montgomery and Kyle Thompson tangled before the green was shown. Montgomery took a tumble down the front stretch wall ending up on his side, but climbed out uninjured. Michael Hernandez and Jacob Gillian stayed wheel to wheel through turns 1-2 with Hernandez getting the lead.

Hernandez quickly built a big margin over Gillian as the short field spread out. Hernandez looked to be a runaway winner until racing fate stepped in. On lap 15 Hernandez blew up and rolled to the infield handing the lead Gillian. Gillian went on to take the Stock class win, his first ever checkers, while Trever Bair scored the Outlaw class victory.

Brazos Mini Sprints

14 Jacob Gillian(S)

84 Trevor Bair(O)

42 Scott Blakely

22 Michael Hernandez

87 Kyle Thompson

5 Hunter Montgomery

Brazos Mini Sprint heat winner; 22 Michael Hernandez

Go-Karts

8g Logan Dinsmore

13 Cody Smith

37 Aaron Trevino

5 Tylor Barr

Pleasanton, Tx.,(March 13th, 2010) I-37 Raceway kicked off its 2010 racing season with a new look, on a new night and the return of the IMCA Modified class. Over the off season the ¼ mile, semi-banked, clay oval got a face lift with new banking and corner transition, plus the removal of the tire barriers making way for a wider track and run off area.

The new year also marked the return of the popular Modifieds running under IMCA sanction again. Other classes on the weekly racing card include the IMCA Southern Sportmods, Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Front Runners. The Brazos Mini Sprints and Dwarf Cars will make occasional appearances throughout the year.

Dinsmore Dominates Modifieds Again

Just like riding a bike, Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore took over where he left off at the end of his 2008 championship season. Dinsmore flexed his muscle early taking the heat race and dominating the IMCA Modified main. Starting from inside row 2, Dinsmore quickly jumped out front and began pulling away. After a caution Dinsmore was briefly challenged by Darin Leonard driving the championship winning car of Dinsmore. By the time the checkers waved, Dinsmore had nearly a half track advantage on the field.

At the drop of the green Rick Green was first into turn 1 with Dinsmore along side Bill Pittaway for second. As Green drifted up in turn 3 Dinsmore ducked under him to lead lap 1. Green, Leonard and Pittaway fell in line until lap 3 when Matt Fox spun in turn 4 for a caution. On the restart Fox clipped an infield breaking the steering box and sending him around again.

Dinsmore got a good jump on green, while Leonard looked high on Green for second. Leonard got along side Green on lap 4 then by on lap 5 bringing Pittaway along to third. Leonard and Pittaway then waged a three-lap, wheel to wheel battle for second, while Jason Borlace moved by Jamie Campbell for fifth. At halfway it was Dinsmore by a full straightaway, Leonard, Pittaway, Green and Borlace in the top five.

As Leonard and Pittaway continue to slug it out for second,Dinsmore increased his margin. In the waning laps Borlace closed in on Green for fourth and Green slipped too high on lap 18 Borlace was able to snag the spot. Up front it was Dinsmore on cruise control easily powering his way to the win driving the Racetechinfo.com, Lowery Plumbing, Big Worm Motorsports, AFCO Shocks, Cen-Tex Motorsports powered, Harris Chassis.

“I watched the Sportmods run around the bottom and the bottom prevailed.’ replied Dinsmore. “So I thought I’d run it there and see what happens. There was a couple strips of moisture coming onto the straightaway right near the tires. As long as you stuck it there it would just hug the corners. The car would rock, it did all the work. It was like driving a Cadillac.”

“I set the car up to run the bottom. When they went into the corner and pushed up, the car stayed on the bottom and away we went. I had it tight to roll the corner on the bottom. We did some grinding on the tires and changed the offset like Bob Harris tells me. I get a lot of help from crew, some of which are down from Iowa and my crew chief/wife, Candace.”

“I didn’t know how big of a lead I had. I try to never look up. It seems if I look up the car knows and we mess up together. I just listen for someones motor. If I hear someone I’ll push a little harder and see if the car can take it.”

“I’d really like to support the track again since they’ve got IMCA back. The track was in great shape with the new contour. They made it a lot wider too. It got a little dry with the afternoon practice they had earlier. Nine cars is kind of low, but I’m hoping for more. It’s a start.”

IMCA Modifieds

8g Greg Dinsmore

26 Darin Leonard

37 Bill Pittaway

21 Jason Borlace

xx/82 Rick Green

29 Jamie Campbell

12 Bob Lienweber

67 Robert Liese jr

53x Matt Fox

IMCA Modified heat

8g Greg Dinsmore

26 Darin Leonard

37 Bill Pittaway

21 Jason Borlace

XX/82 Rick Green

29 Jamie Campbell

54x Matt Fox

12 Bob Lienweber

67 Robert Liese jr

Rye Right in Sportmod Shootout

Corpus Christi’s Brian Rye used patience and the right line to edge out Steve Whiteaker jr. in the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod main. Rye caught early leader Whiteaker as the two waged a ten-lap side by side shootout, swapping the lead until Rye secured the spot on the final lap and held of Whiteaker for the victory.

Whiteaker, up top, was first into turn 1 but polesitter Doug Livingston tried to come back low. Whiteaker held the lead on lap 1 with Larry Jernigan, Livingston and Robby Minton falling in line. Minton spun on lap 1 from third with the field scattering to avoid him. Jernigan pulled off from the top five under the caution. On the restart Chuck Perry gave Johnny Torres a look for the third spot as Whiteaker began to inch away.

Livingston, Torres and Rye were three wide for second , with Torres getting the spot. Rye kept the pressure Torres for second and were side by on lap 4 when Danny Brown spun to bring out a caution. Once back to green Rye and Torres again were side by side, while Bill Pittaway and Ray Doyon ran wheel to wheel sixth. Pittaway and Doyon ran down Perry going three wide for fifth on lap 5.

Rye closed in Whiteaker taking a peek inside on lap 7. As Pittaway got by Livingston for fourth on lap 8, Rye got under Whiteaker and had the nose out front on lap 9. As spin by Minton on lap 9 brought out the caution. Whiteaker, on the high side, got along side Rye once the green waved again, while Pittaway challenged Torres for third. At the crossed flags it was Rye, Whiteaker, Torres, Pittaway and Livingston in the top five.

Rye and Whiteaker were still side by side on lap 11, with Doyon getting along side Livingston for fifth and Jason Stanley lurking. Minton had his third spin on lap 12 sending him to the pits for the night. As racing resumed, so did the wheel to wheel fight for the top spot, with Stanley now side by side with Livingston. Whiteaker was able to use momentum on top to get the nose out front on laps 13-14.

Rye, hugging the bottom, slowly inched his way back to lead on lap 15. Whiteaker again came back to lead lap 16-17, with the duo running a virtual dead heat on lap 18. Rye finally got the edge as the white flag waved as Whiteaker tried to crossover and get underneath. Rye held off the hard charging Whiteaker on he final circuit to take an exciting, hard-earned win in SBG Racing, Willie Cotton powered, HOT Chassis.

“That was probably one of the best races I’ve ever had,” commented Rye. “I usually like to run the bottom and know Steve(Whiteaker) likes to run the top. I always have a lot of luck running the bottom at this track. I know they say a green car is bad luck, but I’ve always wanted a green car and we needed a change of luck. It worked pretty good for me”

“He actually helped find a better line. He got in deeper and rolled around me, so I let my car roll around more on the bottom and find a better line off. I tried not to pay much attention to him. I figured if I just hit my marks I’d be alright. Steve’s a good driver and I know he’s going to race me clean.”

“I’m glad the tires are gone around the outside. I didn’t really notice it much since I run the bottom.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods

4R Brian Rye

189 Steve Whiteaker jr

66 Johnny Torres

37 Bill Pittaway

92 Jason Stanley

D9 Ray Doyon

10 Travis Penny

88 Mark McGahey

89 Doug Livingston

2x Dennis Hilla

115 Chuck Perry

4 Robby Mintn

55 Danny Brown

18 Larry Jernigan

4$ Kris Rye—DNS

771 Wesley Malcher—DNS

09 David Routen—DNS

IMCA SSM Heats

Heat #1

D9 Ray Doyon

92 Jason Stanley

37 Bill Pittaway

18 Larry Jernigan

88 Mark McGahey

09 David Routen—DNS

Heat #2

189 Steve Whiteaker jr

89 Doug Livingston

4R Brian Rye

4 Robbie Minten

2x Dennis Hilla

771 Wesley Malcher(flipped)

Heat #3

66 Johnny Torres

115 Chuck Perry

10 Travis Penny

55 Danny Brown

4$ Kris Rye

A J Dancer beat Bruce Farquar into turn 1 for the early lead of the 15-lap Limited Late Model feature. Wesley Skains then got by Farquar for second, but spun in turn 2 collecting Multi-time track champ Gary Hunter and Richard Bartosh. Once back to green, Dancer edged away while Barry Major got by Farquar for second.

Yellow waved again on lap 3 when Ellis Tracey had trouble and stopped at the bottom of turn 3. Dancer was able to inch ahead of Major as green waved again with Skains working his way back up to third getting past Farquar. Skains gave the spot back when he did a 360. At the checkers it was the “semi-retired,” Dancer driving Walt Clarks car to the victory

Tater Plumbing Limited Late Model

32 AJ Dancer

33 Barry Major

55 Bruce Farquar

25 Wesley Skains

6 Ellis Tracey

14 Gary Hunter

7 Richard Bartosh

Limited Late Model heat winner

25 Wesley Skains

The start of the 15-lap Street Stock feature saw A J Wernette jump out front in turns 1-2, but loop it in turn 3 giving the lead to Mike Lyon. Wernette was able to refire and keep going without caution. 2009 track champion, Wade Jones got by Lyon on lap 3 for the top spot. As Jones and Lyon raced they were still able to put some distance on Tommy Casey and Wernette.

Casey had a lazy spin on lap 9 giving up third to Wernette, but continued with no yellow. Lyon hung with Jones with the lead duo separated by a only a couple car lengths. Lyon tried several times to duck inside Jones in the final laps, but at the checkers it was Jones in the Opiella Mechanical, Team Horelka, Chevy Camaro taking he win.

Street Stocks

41 Wade Jones

40 Mike Lyon

37 AJ Wernette

15 Tommy Casey

94 Allen Torres

Street Stock heat winner

41 Wade Jones

As expected the 20-lap Pure Stock feature was a real slam-bang affair. Kevin Hyland jumped out to the early lead, with a three wide battle for second. Paul Lipp came out of the fight then got by Hyland for the lead on lap 2. Frank O’Krulik then got by Hyland, who was slowing with a flat, and 2009 champ, Marc Roy took fourth from Sonny Jones. Rick Snyder brought out the first caution when he spun on lap 3.

Lipp got a good jump on O’Krulik, Roy and Jones with a gap back to Janel Hilla in fifth. Roy snagged second from O’Krulik on lap 5, with Jones following to third. Hyland had his troubles continue when he spun in turn 2 on lap 10 to bring out a caution. Jones got around Roy for second on the restart but yellow quickly waved again on lap 11 for a blown motor.

Jones put the heat on Lipp once back to green, while Miguel Mendoza snared fifth from Hilla. Roy began looking inside Jones for second on lap 12 with them going three-wide passing a lapped car. Hyland and Erik Watson tangled on lap 14 in turn 2 to low the action again.

But action picked up quickly as green flew with Jones diving inside Lipp in turns 1-2. The two traded some paint as Jones snuck by out of turn 2. Lipp tried to return the favor in turns 3-4 with the contact sending Jones around. Both were sent to the tail handing the point to Roy on the restart. Roy, O’Krulik and Mendoza got away clean on the restart, while Snyder and Justin Henley ran door to door for fifth. Lipp spun on lap 18 for the final yellow, setting up a green, white, checker finish. O’Krulik stayed on Roy’s bumper for the final two laps, but Roy held on for the win in the Tater Plumbing, Screen Pro Graphics, Plantinum Equestrian Center, Chevy.

Pure Stocks

24 Marc Roy

99 Frank O’Krulik

39 Miguel Mendoza

7x Janel Hilla

66r Rick Snyder

555 Sonny Jones

13x Gary Chain

44t Justin Henley

43 Erik Watson

33 Anna Major

72 Kevin Hyland

83 Paul Lipp

17 Patrick White

15 William Cavender

77 Steven Stanley

82 n/a

13 Jason Smith

9 Jarrett Payton

88 Brandy Ramzinski

Pure Stock heat winners

66r Rick Snyder, 24 Marc Roy, 555 Sonny Jones

The 10-car, 15-lap Front Runner feature saw Cindy Snyder get out front on lap 1, but suffer a flat right front. Cody Earnhardt took over the top spot on lap 2 and had a close call when he barely clipped Trevor Bettis who spun in turn 4. Earnhardt got a good on Cameron Smith and Brenton Bouchillon when green waved again.

As the top three separated themselves out, Bettis and Shannon Moore battled for fourth. The two made contact on lap 6 sending Moore into the wall to bring out a yellow. Smith gave Earnhardt a challenge on green, but was unable to find his way by. Earnhardt then pulled away from Smith, who had a big gap back to Bouchilon and Bettis. At the checkers, it was Earnhardt taking his first ever win,

in his first ever race.

Front Runners

33 Cody Earnhardt

13 Cameron Smith

20 Brenton Bouchillon

57 Trevor Bettis

14 Kathy Hime

113 Haley Marcx

18 Shannon Moore

95 Jerry Jones

66c Cindy Snyder

68 Seth Bartlett—DNS

Front Runner heat winner

95 Jerry Jones

Corpus Christi, Tx.,(Jan. 28th, 2010) The 2010 season begins at South Texas Speedway with the Inaugural Snowbird Nationals for Sport Modifieds offering a possible $4,500 to win over three nights of racing. The event kicks off on the 1/4 mile, semi-banked clay oval Thursday night Feb. 11th with $1,000 to win. Friday nights winners share jumps up to $1,500, and the Saturday finale climbs with $2,000 going to the victor.

The city also offers racers and their families the chance for a racing vacation with scenic coastline and beaches, U.S.S. Lexington, state aquarium, nightlife and dining along the seawall.

New racing program each night. Passing points determine main line ups, Top 8 redraw, IMCA Southern SportMod rules apply.(Exceptions; no IMCA stamp required, no claim, 12″ vacuum@ 1200rpm, 175# compression maximum, body modifications per STS rules, headers)

Pit gates open 4:00PM, draw closes at 6:00PM, racing starts at 7:00PM.
Spectator gates open 6:00 PM
Pit passes $25, Spectator $10, Military/Seniors $8, Children under 12 Free

Thursday Feb. 11th, $1,000 to win 100 to start($60 entry)
Friday Feb. 12th, $1,500 to win 150 to start($80 entry)
Saturday Feb. 13th, $2,000 to win 200 to start($100 entry)
**Non-qualifiers pay out each night
For more information, rules, purse, visit www.southtexasspeedway.com

Goliad, Tx., (Jan. 23rd, 2010) Goliad’s Shady Oaks Speedway kicked off its 2010 racing season with the first of four races on the 3/8 mile, high-banked clay oval. A short, but stout field of racers from Houston, to the Hill Country and along the coast signed in for the first of four Winter Series races. Several other racers filled the stands and pits to watch, with their cars still not completed.

The season opener also served as a homecoming, of sorts, as track owner/promoter Jim Scribellito made his return to the track after being seriously injured in a Dwarf Car grudge race during the middle of the 2009 season. Scribelitto suffered spinal injuries requiring treatment, surgery and rehab with an extended stay in a Houston area hospital.

Scribelitto and Ken Bulsterbaum, the new rack promoter for Texana Raceway Park, kept the crowd entertained as co-announcers. Hopefully Jim will be ready to take over the announcing reigns full time again when the regular season starts in March. Rumor has it, a special “guest” announcer will lend a hand during the next Winter Series event.

The Modified main saw Rory Jordan get the jump on the field to lead lap 1 only to spin in turn 2 and narrowly avoid contact with Jeff Nix who half spun and stalled. This put Joe Spillman on the point for the restart on lap 2. Spillman held off Jordan, who was shaking down a new car, until lap 4 when he retook the lead.

Jordan struggled with handling nearly going around on lap 6 giving Spillman a chance to close back up. By lap 8 Jordan had found the handle and was motoring away from Spillman. With five to go Jordan had a full straight advantage over Spillman, who a good margin on Roy January. At the checkers it was Jordan in the Jordon-Aire Heating & Air Conditioning, 2010 Hughes Chassis scoring the win.

Modified feature

7x Rory Jordan

44 Joe Spillman

69 Roy January

85 Jeff Nix

8g Greg Dinsmore—DNS(broke motor in hot laps)

Modified heat winner
7x Rory Jordan

As green waved on the Limited Modified feature, defending track champion, Mickey Helms was first into turn 1. Outside polesitter, and Battleground Speedway owner/promoter, Mike Walling slipped back to fourth but worked his way to third behind Vince Louden. Louden slid off turn 2 while Troy Cockrell got past Walling for second.

Walling began to challenge Cockrell while Louden and Ken Hobbs pulled to the infield. Jacob Burnett brought out the caution with a trip over the hill in turn 2 on lap 3. Helms got away clean on the restart while Walling and Cockrell swapped second. Helms easily inched out to a good margin, as Kevin Sullivan got by Garrett Jonse for fourth.

Walling and Cockrell continued to battle for second with Waling getting by in turns 1-2, Cockrell fighting back by on the back stretch and Walling getting advantage in turn 3. Jonse brought out the yellow on lap 8 when he went over turn 4. Back under green, Helms pulled away again with Walling and Cockrell side by side. Cockrell got the spot only to have Walling dive under in turns 1-2 but half spin in turn 3 to bring out the yellow on lap 11.

As racing resumed with Helms secure on the point, Cockrell got loose in turn 4 and Walling slipping back by. With five to go and Helms pulling away, Walling went off turn 2 bringing out a caution. Under the two-spin rule, Walling was sent off. Helms wasted little time getting his margin back on Cockrell and walked away for the victory in his Cole, Cole & Easley, Mickey’s Auto Repair, Qwik Chassis.

Limited Modified feature

175 Mickey Helms

1c Troy Cockrell

27j Garrett Jonse

6 Vince Louden

29 Mike Walling

8 Kevin Sullivan

8x Ken Hobbs

04 Jacob Burnett

81 Aaron Ivory–DNS

Limited Modified heat winners
Heat 1. 175 Mickey Helms
Heat 2. 29 Mike Walling

In the Super Stock feature, Jerry Neal took the lead into turn 1 only to spin in turn 3 handing the point to Eric Floyd. Under caution Mike Davenport pulled off with a flat left rear. Floyd held off GW Hessong on the restart with Neal trying to work his way back up. Neal would have a second spin on lap 4 sending him to the pits with the two spin rule. Once back to racing Floyd pulled away from Hessong to take the win unchallenged.

Super Stock feature

26f Eric Floyd

47 GW Hessong

50 Jerry Neal

70 Mike Davenport

Super Stock heat winner
50 Jerry Neal

After losing three cars in heat action, four Street Stocks took the green with Brian King beating Shawn Kline out of turn 2 for the lead. Kline began looking inside for the lead while Mike Horelka pitted with a flat. AJ Wernette slid too high in turn 4 giving up ground to the lead duo.

Kline moved off the bottom for several laps following in King’s tracks until diving back to the bottom on lap 8. The two were side by side with Kline getting edge on lap 9. Kline held off King until lap 11 when King powered off the top to lead lap 12. Kline retook the top spot on lap 12 hanging on the bottom.

Kline inched away from King for several laps until King closed back in for the final laps. Wernette had problems on lap 16 and pulled off. This left Kline and King, but the two put on a show the final few circuits. Coming to the white flag Kline and King were door to door for the win. At the checkers it was Kline edging out King for his first Shady Oaks Speedway victory.

Street Stock feature

11 Shawn Kline

31 Brian King

37 AJ Wernette

220 Mike Horelka

76 Gary Wright—DNS(wreck in heat)

68 Alan Kunkel—DNS(wreck in heat)

05 Richard Dechert—DNS(broke in heat)

Street Stock heat winner
11 Shawn Kline

The Dwarf Car feature saw Buck McFarlin take off leaving Brandon Dorsey and Douglas Wright in the dust, literally and figuratively. McFarlin breezed out to huge lead nearly lapping Wright and Dorsey coming to the checkers.

Dwarf Car feature

65 Buck McFarlin

82 Brandon Dorsey

66 Douglas Wright

Dwarf Car heat winner
65 Buck McFarlin

There were six Farm Trucks for a six pack, and a hot dog(winner’s purse) as green waved on the feature with Josh Valente jumping out front. John Valenta snuck past Andrew Fromme for second as Jordan Glass slowed on the back stretch. Glass was unable to clear the edge of the track to bring out the yellow.

On the restart, Js. Valenta pulled away from Jn. Valenta who held a margin over Fromme. At halfway the caution was shown and drivers were instructed to turn around and run the last half of the race in the opposite direction.(Yes it’s in the rules!)

Js. Valenta had his truck set up for either direction as he again got clear of Jn. Valenta. Behind them Brian Barnes tangled with Barnes putting Fromme out with two flats.(In a show of sportsmanship, Barnes apologized in the infield) Js. Valenta cruised on to the win by a comfortable margin over Jn. Valenta

Farm Truck feature

81 Josh Valenta

26 John Valenta

13 Brian Barnes

31 Andrew Fromme

23k Kyle Frnka

25x Jordan Glass

Farm Truck heat winner
81x Josh Valenta

Track owner, Joe Gonzalez and Promoter, Jim Knudtson were keynote speakers, with long time race announcer, Milton Hope emceeing the night. Both Gonzalez and Knudtson recognized track supporters, and families as well as their thoughts on changing to Saturday night racing in 2010.

Class champions were awarded trophies, bonus money and jackets provided by Swenson Racing Products, other top five drivers picked up plaques and a majority of attendees scored one of many door prizes.

Former track photographer, Marc Roy picked up not only the track championship honors, but Rookie of the Year running his first time on dirt. Mark McGahey(IMCA SportMods), Wade Jones(Street Stocks), Jarret Peyton(Frontrunner) also took home inaugural track titles, with Moe VanKirk(Limited Late Model). repeating as titlist. Andrew Hesler(Limited Late Models) and Freddie Gierisch(Street Stock) went home with rookie awards in their respective classes.

Plans for 2010 were also unvieled with the top two competition changes coming in Modifieds, where once again the popular, alcohol burning, ground pounders will be running under the IMCA banner. New rules changes in the Limited Late Models allowing 3-link suspensions, alcohol, and four barrel Quadra-jets hope to bring the class closer to other area track rules, bring some cars out of retirement and increase car counts.

Track changes were also discussed, with the addition of new billboards on the back stretch, signage along I-37 and removal of tire wall barrier around the outside of the corners.

The new year looks to be an exciting one for racers and fans of I-37 Raceway, as the Brazos Mini Sprints and Dwarf Cars have been included on the schedule for select nights.

For more information, schedule and track rules, visit www.i37raceway.com