I-37 Raceway 5/15/09

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May 172009

By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx., (May 15th, 2009) Action resumed on Pleasanton’s I-37 Speedway Friday night, with the Outlaw Modifieds back on the racing card. Also in action on the ¼ mile semi-banked dirt oval were the IMCA Southern Sportmods, Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, Pure Stocks and Front-Runners

As the green waved on the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod A-main the two heat winners raced into turn 1 with James Myers getting the advantage. Aaron Lunsford and Butcher got by Dennis Hilla for fourth and fifth on lap 1. Butcher then got under Lunsford for fifth on lap 2. Continuing his charge, Butcher passed Wesley Malcher on lap 4 for fourth, with Lunsford following in his wake.

Lunsford got back around Butcher on lap 8, with the duo wheel to wheel on lap 9 for the fourth spot. At the crossed flags it was Myers, Livingston, Mark McGahey, Lunsford and Butcher in the top five. Butcher then changed his line going from the bottom to the top way around. The car responded and Butcher went back past Lunsford.

Staying up top, Butcher then blew by McGahey for third on lap 11 and dusted off Livingston for second on lap 13. Quickly moving in to challenge Myers, Butcher had just made the pass for the lead when yellow waved for a spin by Livingston in turn 4. Butcher wasted little time on the restart blowing by Myers for the lead, while Larry Jernigan got around McGahey for third.

Lunsford pounded the turn 1 tire wall to bring out a red on lap 15 after a small fire was spotted. Once back to green, Butcher got a jump on Myers, who was now being pressured by Jernigan for second. The battle ended quickly when Jernigan looped it in turn 4 and brought out a yellow.

As Butcher and Myers got away on green, McGahey, Malcher and defending track champ, Johnny Torres were trying to go three wide for third. Torres got the spot, while Malcher went around on lap 18. When green waved again, Butcher eased ahead of Myers and Torres with Jernigan getting by McGahey for fourth. Butcher, in the Access Ford, Showtime Signs, WW Bodies, Majek powered, Rush Chassis, easily took the checkers ahead of Myers, who didn’t stop on the front stretch and was disqualified.

“If you want to win, you can’t follow them,” replied Butcher. “I was running fifth and the top four were all on the bottom, so I jumped up there. I had seen Stevie(Whiteaker) run the high side a little bit in his feature. So I went up there and it worked out. I was in my car and could see his spoiler over the fence so I knew he was high”

“I figured I was only going finish fifth running the bottom. It doesn’t pay good for fifth, it just pays good to win. I just try to be patient and run where they’re not. I like this track. I have fun at this track. I’d rather run where there’s more cars like Corpus(South Texas Spwy.) With Stevie’s knowledge and his dad’s knowledge we just seem to run good here. You can’t put a price on that knowledge and seat time. Diving as much as possible and getting used to the car.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
90 Dustin Butcher
66 Johnny Torres
18 Larry Jernigan
88 Mark McGahey
89 Doug Livingston
2x Dennis Hilla
771 Wesley Malcher
16 Eric Madden
888 Aaron Lunsford
11 Chris McLendon
47 James Myers-DQ(did not stop on track)

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I-37 Raceway, 4/10/09 Results

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Apr 122009

By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx.,(April 10th, 2009) It was a wild night of racing at Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway Friday night on the 1/4 mile semi-banked dirt track. Under a full moon, on a dry slick track, there were unfortunately a series of several roll-overs, airborne crashes and fires. Fortunately all drivers were able to walk away without serious injury, but there will a lot of work going on this week for many.

In the Modified class, an anonymous donor threw some extra money in the pot, making a $1,000 payday for the winner. The added money caught the attention of several drivers from the Corpus, Austin and Killeen areas. This IMCA SportMod purse was also increased with the winner scoring $350.

Whiteaker wears ‘em out in Modified main
Corpus young gun, Steve Whiteaker jr. has always been a contender at the south Texas tracks, and with the added USMTS experience has taken his game up another notch this year with good finishes in the touring series. Despite a crash in his heat, Whiteaker worked his way to the lead early the main, then pulled away to big margin to pick up the big payday along with an added hard charger bonus put up by 3-D Landscaping’s, Ray Doyon.

Johnny Torres led the field into turn 1 as the green waved on the 20-lap main event. In the pack David Smith jr. got turned around, but kept going falling nearly a full lap down. Whiteaker got past defending IMCA Modified, track champion Greg Dinsmore for second on lap 1. Whiteaker wasted little time running down Torres on lap 2 as Dinsmore was now challenged by veteran Lawrence Mikulencak.

Whiteaker got around Torres for the lead on lap 3, with Mikulencak taking third from Dinsmore. Dinsmore, who found the wall twice in heat race action and thrashed during intermission on the car, faded and pulled off. Mikulencak caught Torres and took over second on lap 6. At halfway it was Whiteaker, Mikulencak, Torres, Elias Anderson and Mike McCarthy in the top five.

Anderson worked his way around Torres on lap 11 for third. Coming from the back, Smith was flying around the top picking off fifth from McCarthy on lap 15. Continuing to work the high side, Smith who was as fast or faster than the leader at the end, grabbed fourth from Torres on lap 18. Up front Whiteaker was holding a big lead over Mikulencak and easily took the checkers in the WW Bodies, Showtime Signs, Jana Schurry/ReMax Realty, Youngs Auto Repair, Hughes Chassis.

“I kind of got lucky,” said Whiteaker. “ Someone got sideways on the first lap and Lawrence(Mikulencak) had to check up and I was able to get by him. Once I got the lead I didn’t really know how far anyone was behind me or how big of a lead I had. You just hope someone isn’t behind you waiting for the last lap to make a move.”

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Championship Night @ I-37 Raceway, 9-26-08

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Sep 272008

By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx.,(Sept. 26th, 2008) As the night kicked off at Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway, all but one points battle was still up for grabs. The local class championships were all still on the line for the Super Stocks, Street Stocks and Pure Stocks while in the IMCA Modified class Greg Dinsmore held a comfortable lead over Bill Pittaway.

Lake Hills’ Johnny Torres clinched his first IMCA Southern Sportmod track championship the previous weekend in convincing fashion, winning the 20 lap main event. Torres locked up his second track championship for the year when South Texas Speedway(Corpus Christi) was forced to cancel it’s Saturday night race with Torres leading, and IMCA points ending.

In the IMCA Modified class, Kerrville’s Dinsmore needed only to show up Friday night, and turn one lap to pick up the points he heeded to secure his second IMCA Modified track title. Not being satisfied with a one and done, Dinsmore went out in heat and blistered the field, securing his track title.

Another Kerrville driver, Moe VanKirk led the Super Stock class into action with a scant nine points lead over Somerset’s Howie Marcx. VanKirk tallied ten points for his heat race win, with Marcx finishing second to A J Dancer in heat two for nine points. To seal the championship Marcx would need to finish 11 places ahead of VanKirk in the 15-car feature.

Street Stocks were even closer, as San Antonio’s Craig Crawley and Austin’s Donald Lewis took the track with only three points separating the two. Lewis took the heat win adding ten points, while Crawley finished 4th in the same race. In the feature the two would start tied for the lead.

In Pure Stocks the race couldn’t be any closer with young Somerset hotshoe Justin Henley and Kerrville’s Sonny Jones tied for the points lead. Henley, has wracked up an impressive wins total for his points, while Jones has used consistency throughout the year to amass his total. Henley and Jones both took heat wins to keep the points chase deadlocked going into the night’s 20-lap feature.

Who needs NASCAR’s silly “Chase” format to end the season with any more excitement and drama than this?

Dinsmore Dazzling on way to Track Championship
With his points title secured already you might think a driver would go out, be easy on his equipment and just take what he could get. But not Dinsmore. In regal fashion, Dinsmore blasted to the lead with bold passes, building a substantial lead. Even a mid-race caution to bunch the field didn’t stop Dinsmore as he again bolted off to comfortable margin to take the victory and all the hardware.

Derrick Flora was first into turn 1 at the start of the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event, but it was Mickey Helms getting the lead on lap 1. Dinsmore and STS Track Champion, Brian Rye surrounded Flora going three wide for second. That duo then inhaled Helms for lead, again going three wide. Dinsmore, using the high side, came out on top leading the second circuit. It was pretty much all she wrote from there.

As Dinsmore increased his lead on Rye and Helms, Bill Pittaway and Chris Swenson worked around Jeff Nix, then began their own battle for fifth. Just before halfway, Rye spun in turn 4 giving up his second spot. Once back to green, Dinsmore got a good jump, while Flora looked inside Helms for second. Flora lost ground and gave up third to Swenson, who quickly got by Helms for second. But Dinsmore was already in the wind.

At halfway it was Dinsmore, Swenson, Helms, Flora and Pittaway, with Dinsmore a half straightaway ahead. Pittaway then got inside Flora for fourth and under Helms for third briefly. Helms fought back retaking the spot as the two continued to go at it. This gave Rye the chance to work his way back up, sneaking by Pittaway for fourth on lap 14.

As the race settled in to the final five laps Dinsmore was continuing to put distance on Swenson, with Helms, Rye, Pittaway and Flora some distance behind Swenson. As the white flag waved, Dinsmore was a full straight ahead of Swenson easily going on to take the checkers in the Sundowner RV, Team Brain Freeze, Azul Margaritas, Lowery Plumbing, Big Worm Motorsports, racetechinfo.com, Jeff’s Performance powered, Harris Chassis.

“One for the money, the rest for the show,” stated Dinsmore. “This was for all for my fans. I thought about just going out there and making laps, but the fans don’t come here to watch that. They want to see a show. Then there’s my pride and the challenge of making the car go. The car just wants to go, the thing practically drives itself.”

“The three wide passes make for some exciting racing and it’s all about putting on a show for the fans. Plus it’s kind of an adrenaline rush and I’m an adrenaline junky.”

Look for Dinsmore and Team Brain Freeze at Kennedale Speedway Park for the KSP Showdown, then Abilene Speedway’s Ryan Bard Memorial Southern Challenge coming up in October.

“We might also do the Fall Classic in Waco(Heart o’ Texas Speedway).’ added Dinsmore. ” We’ll see what happens and if we have all our ducks in a row. I’m not going to run the USMTS show in Edna(Texana Raceway Park). I want to stick more to what I’m trying to help promote, IMCA racing. What I race is IMCA, and I’m proud to be an IMCA racer!”

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I-37 Raceway, 8/8/08

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Aug 152008

By J M HallasPleasanton, Tx.,(August 8th, 2008)
History was made Friday night at Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway as two brothers captured feature win in two classes on the same night. Chris and Brian Rye, from Corpus Christi, scored the victories in the IMCA Southern Sportmods and IMCA Modifieds, respectively.

Chris took his first ever I-37 Raceway IMCA SSM checkers early in the evening grabbing the lead on lap 2 and never looking back. National points contender, Johnny Torres closed in after a couple cautions, but could never mount a serious challenge. Chris inched away in the final five laps to a comfortable margin and the win.

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Dinsmore’s Dominance Continues at I-37

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Aug 032008

I-37 Raceway, 8/1/08By J M HallasPleasanton, Tx.,(August 1st, 2008)

After an unscheduled week off when Dolly dumped six inches of rain in the area, I-37 Raceway’s 1/4 mile dirt track roared back to life Friday night with a full slate of racing. A night of surprises and excitement began when track manager, Jim Knudtson in son Eric’s Street Stock, rolled over after contact with the outside tire barriers in the heat race. Feature races would provide the fans even more excitement, with two features determined on the last lap, two first time winners and a four wide battle for the runner-up spot in the IMCA Modified main.

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I-37 Raceway, 6/7/08

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Jun 292008

Pleasanton, Tx., (June 27th, 2008) Repeat winners was the theme for the as every class saw a repeat winner by the dominant driver in the class. Drivers watched the track closely as conditions changed from tacky in the heat races, going dry slick and rubbering up through the features.

Dinsmore Does it Again
Kerrville’s Greg Dinsmore once again made his way to the Winners Circle in the IMCA Modified main event but had stuff competition on the way there. Over the past few days a friendly, but heated discussion and internet rivalry had started brewing between Dinsmore and some of the Corpus drivers wanting to revert back to open rules for modified’s. Dinsmore is stout IMCA supporter.

Making his way up from the coast was Danny Brown, one of outlaws. In the feature Dinsmore worked his way to the front with Brown and Brian Rye in tow. Grabbing the lead on lap 7, Dinsmore was then challenged by Brown first until his motor let go on lap 13. Rye, another IMCA backer, took up the charge and gave Dinsmore all he could handle in the final laps as they battled down to the checkers.

Patrick Kelly grabbed the early lead at the start of the IMCA Modified main event. In the pack it was two and three wide as Dinsmore, Brown and Rye worked their way forward. Dinsmore led the way through the field, getting by Rye, Jason Borlace, then Randy Yount for third by lap 2, with Brown on his heels. Up front Chip Godfredson was putting the pressure on Kelly for the lead.
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I-37 Raceway, Results 6/20/08

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Jun 232008

I-37 Raceway, 6/20/08
By J M Hallas
Pleasanton, Tx.,(June 20th, 2008) Friday night’s regular race night was capped off with Powder Puff races for the ladies at the end of the night. Hot, dry, windy weather made for tricky track conditions, with the surface smooth, but dry slick early during the heat races.
During a post-race drivers meeting, track official showed their appreciation for the support with prizes and gift certificates given away to the drivers. An added show was also announced for the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Southern Sportmods and Pure Stocks, with each class paying $1000 to win on Saturday July 5th. More details will be announced in the coming days.

Three Wide Pass for the Lead Gives Dinsmore Another Win
Despite a short field of cars, this weeks IMCA Modified main put on a show that had the crowd on their feet as three past winners fought it out for the win. Coming down to five laps to go Bill Pittaway and Brian Rye went wheel to wheel for the lead, but it was Greg Dinsmore making a bold three wide charge on the outside grabbing the point and inching away for the victory.

As green waved for the 20-lap main event Randy Yount and Pittaway stayed side by side through turns 1-2 with Yount leading the first circuit by a bumper. The duo stayed side by side until Pittaway secured the spot on lap 2, with Rye moving into second. Yount got loose on lap 2 with Dinsmore and Chip Godfredson getting by for third and fourth. Yount got back past Godfredson on lap 4, while Chuck Perry looked inside.

Rye caught Pittaway for the lead on lap 5, while Perry and Godfredson ran wheel to wheel for fourth. Dinsmore ran down the lead duet and tried the high side on Rye, but slid too high and lost third to Yount. Rye began a serious challenge on Pittaway starting on lap 8, as Dinsmore retook third from Yount. Coming to halfway it was Pittaway, Rye, Dinsmore, with Yount and Perry side by side for fourth. Perry picked up the spot on lap 10.

At the head of the class, Pittaway, Rye and Dinsmore were now running nose to tail for the top spot. Rye tried the high side on lap 13 and got along side Pittaway, while Dinsmore waited for an opening. As Pittaway and Rye ran continued to run side by side, Dinsmore decided it was time to make his own opening. Coming out of turn 4, Dinsmore moved up another lane and as they came to the flagstand it was three abreast, as the crowd jumped to their feet.

Dinsmore beat Rye and Pittaway into turn 1 to grab the point, while Rye finally wrestled second from Pittaway. In the final laps, last weeks winner Rye, tried to hang on to Dinsmore, but Dinsmore was able to inch away lap by lap. At the checkers it was Dinsmore in the Team Brain Freeze, Azul Margarita’s, Sundowner RV Repair, Southern Spirits, Big Worm Motorsports, Tailor Made Counter Tops, racetechinfo.com, Jeff’s Performance powered, Harris Chassis taking the win.
“When I saw those two battling, I decided to go in on the top,” commented Dinsmore. “They were battling with each other and I figured they’d be too busy to pay attention to me on the outside. So I thought if the car was going to hold, let’s just go. I was watching the wall, the car in the middle and hoping they’d be focusing on each other.”

“Once I got by I didn’t know I had some breathing room. I thought once they got sorted out they would go with me. (Brain) Rye has been coming on real strong with his 4-bar car lately and (Bill)Pittaway is always good competition. Those two have been getting after it. I really didn’t think I’d get away from them.”

“We just threw something at it we probably shouldn’t have,” added Dinsmore who had handling trouble in the heat race. “There’s something still wrong with it after going over the wall last week. We still don’t know what it is. Something must be bent. We had to Z-link the rear end instead of running on the 4-link which I don’t like to do. The car still wasn’t quite right. It doesn’t have a lot of bite. It tried real hard though. The car was fast at times, but other times it wasn’t. When I was behind them on the bottom, the car wouldn’t get up on the bar. It’s just not wanting to work right.”

IMCA Modifieds1. 8g Greg Dinsmore2. 20 Brian Rye3. 137 Bill Pittaway4. 13 Chuck Perry5. 66 Randy Yount6. 11k Chip Godfredson7. 125 Jason BorlaceIMCA Modified heat winner, 20 Brian Rye

J. Torres Adds to Sportmod Win Total
IMCA SSM points chaser, Johnny Torres added to his total taking another win. J. Torres patiently worked his way up getting by brother Allen, then taking the lead away from last weeks winner, Steve Grantz at halfway. The final half saw J. Torres increase his margin on the field and grab another I-37 Raceway trophy.

Pat Lyon and Grantz paced the 15-car, 20-lap IMCA SSM main to green with Grantz beating Lyon out of turn 1 for the lead, and A. Torres taking second. J. Torres then got third from Lyon on lap 1, followed by Chris McLendon to fourth on lap 2. Chris Rye then put Lyon in his wake taking fifth, then fourth from McLendon. Chip Godfredson, debuting a new car, moved up to fifth getting by James Lee and McLendon on lap 4.

On lap 5 the top three were now nose to tail as J. Torres looked inside brother Allen for second. J. Torres got the spot on lap 6 and was quickly on Grantz for the lead. J. Torres got inside Grantz in turn 1, and they ran side by side down the back stretch into turns 3-4. J. Torres came out with the top on lap 9 and at the crossed flags it was J. Torres, Grantz, A. Torres, Rye and Godfredson in the top five.

A. Torres then put the heat on Grantz for second, while Rye closed in. As A. Torres and Grantz continued to battle, Rye snuck past A. Torres for third on lap 12. Rye then got past Grantz for second on lap 13, while J. Torres had built a half straightaway lead. As the leader began to catch traffic, A. Torres was now wheel to wheel with Grantz for third.

While Grantz and A. Torres slugged it out, Godfredson was able to reel them in. Up front, J. Torres had cleared traffic, maintaining his advantage over Rye, who was now into traffic. A. Torres kept the pressure on Grantz the final few laps, with Godfredson in tow. As the checkers waved it was J. Torres in the 24/7 Towing, Pro Image Graphics, Cen-tex Motorsports powered, Moser Chassis taking the victory.
“We’ve been changing the car up and it’s working pretty good,” replied J. Torres. “It was fast in the beginning, but we started having carburetor problems with five to go. That kind of scared me, but we pulled it out. I want to thank Greg and Candace(Dinsmore) for helping me out at the track. Dan Finn from Performance Specialists helps us out a bunch too.”
“Lots of lapped traffic out there tonight, I think that helped me a little bit. I was just trying to go as fast as I could without tearing up the car. Saving the car is number 1, going fast is number 2.”
“We’re going to be headed to Corpus(South Texas Speedway) for points instead of Edna(Texana Raceway Park) for the bonus money. Owen(Pittman) runs a pretty good show. I love racing their. So we’re going to stick with Corpus all year.”IMCA Southern Sportmods1. 66 Johnny Torres2. 4$ Chris Rye3. 21g Steve Grantz4. 94 Allen Torres5. 11b Chip Godfredson6. 11 Chris McLendon7. 1c Keith Cockrell8. 60 Pat Lyon9. 56 James Lee10. 11F Mike Finkel11. 22 Rene Mares12. 89 Doug Livingston13. 39 Miguel Mendoza14. 88 Mark McGahey 137 Bill Pittaway—DNS(broke in heat)IMCA SSM heat winners, 4$ Chris Rye, 94 Allen Torres, 21g Steve Grantz
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Steve Grantz Wins at I-37

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Jun 142008

I-37 Raceway, 6/13/08
By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx.,(June 13th, 2008) A Friday the thirteenth night of racing for all the triskaidekaphobic’s, with B&A Foreign Car Specialists adding $100 to each purse going to the winner. You would have thought it was full moon during hot laps on top of being the 13th. In IMCA Southern Sportmods, Steve Grantz tried to knock down the turn 4 fence after having bolts break in the steering wheel hub.

Then in IMCA Modifieds, Greg Dinsmore did his best “Flying Walinda” impression after sailing his car over the turn 3 tire barrier, going airborne, landing on the nose, doing a half twist before landing back on all fours. Fortunately both drivers escaped uninjured and miraculously both cars were ready for heat race action.

Rye Races to Win One
Rookie Corpus Christi area driver, Brian Rye finally picked up his first ever IMCA Modified win Friday night. Rye got by early leader, Ken Hobbs and held charges from Bill Pittaway and Greg Dinsmore until pulling away the last half of the race for an unchallenged victory.

Hobbs got the jump on Marlin Sanford at the start of the 20-lap IMCA Modified main event. Coming out of turn 2 it was Rye, Pittaway and Sanford three wide for second. Rye took a look low on Hobbs, while former Sprint Car pilot, Chip Godfredson and Dinsmore got past Sanford. Pittaway reeled in Rye and Hobbs on lap 3 just as Hobbs spun in turn 3.

On the restart, Dinsmore jumped inside Pittaway and was looking under Rye. Pittaway fought back as he and Dinsmore ran side by side. Godfredson joined that battle, getting along side Pittaway for third when yellow waved after Sanford and Patrick Kelly got together in turn 2.

Once back to green, Dinsmore quickly tried to duck inside Rye for the lead in turns 1-2, but Rye was able to hold him off. With the top four pulling away at halfway it was Rye, Dinsmore, Pittaway, Godfredson and Hobbs in the top five. Godfredson got around Pittaway for third and was putting the heat on Dinsmore, with an ill sounding motor, for second.

Godfredson and Dinsmore were wheel to wheel for second lap 11, with Godfredson getting the spot as Dinsmore slowed. Dinsmore pulled off a lap later after breaking the ceramics on the plugs. In the final laps the field spread out with Rye holding a half-straightaway lead and running off to his first checkers in the SBG Racing, JR Voila Cleaners, Willie Cotton powered, K-Mod Chassis.

“The track was good for us,” replied Rye. “I just up on top and rolled through the top. We really didn’t get challenged too hard. I just tried to stay smooth and out front. We switched to this (#20) car, it’s about 10 years newer, with a four bar rear suspension. We were struggling with the three link, swing arm in the #25r car so we put it in the shop. This four bar car works much better on the dry slick. Everyone’s been telling us we need to get away from that three link. Bobby(Grobe) has been running this car a few times since it’s his car. I want to thank Bobby and Susan Grobe, my crew(brother Chris, Dewey, Leonard and Al) and my mom for all the help”

“This is my first modified win for my rookie season. We ran a few races last year. The main reason we come up here is so we can run for IMCA Rookie of the Year points. I’m second in points down in Corpus, but Danny Brown keeps winning. I can’t catch him that way. I guess I need to keep getting wins here, maybe pick up a couple there too.”

IMCA Modifieds1. 20/25r Brian Rye2. 11k Chip Godfredson 3. 137 Bill Pittaway4. 13 Ken Hobbs5. 12 Bob Lienweber6. 84 Patrick Kelly7. 2 Marlin Sanford8. 8g Greg Dinsmore66 Randy Yount—-DNS(motor)IMCA Modified heat winners, 20/25r Brian Rye, 137 Bill Pittaway

Shrimp Scores Sportmod Checkers
After trying to knock down the fence in hot laps, most drivers would have probably packed it in. Determined to get back on the horse that threw him, Steve “The Shrimper” Grantz mounted that horse and rode it to victory. Grantz got past recent graduate, Allen Torres just past halfway then fended off challenges from Johnny Torres and Chris Swenson for his first I-37 Raceway win.

At the start of the 12-car, 20-lap IMCA SSM main, polesitter Pat Lyon pushed high coming out of turn 4 giving A. Torres an opening to shoot into the lead. J. Torres grabbed fifth Chris Rye on lap 1. As the Torres brothers ran side by side, Swenson was looking for a mistake by either. J. Torres, Grantz and Chris McLendon tried three wide in turn 1 with McLendon getting pinched in the middle and spinning to bring out a caution.

Once back to green, Grantz and J. Torres got by Lyon for second and third, with Swenson following to fourth. Swenson then moved in on J. Torres as the duo battled side by side for two laps before Swenson secured the spot on lap 8. At the crossed flags it was A. Torres, Grantz, Swenson, J. Torres and J J Jennings running in the top five. Grantz, using the high side, got along side A. Torres and took the point on lap 11.

While fighting for second, A. Torres and Swenson hooked bumpers, giving J. Torres the chance to grab second. Mark McGahey spun in turn 2 to bring out yellow, just as A. Torres had his car spit out water on the track. This was a break for Swenson who was put back in second, while A. Torres pitted. Back under green Grantz, Swenson and J. Torres put some distance on the battle between Jennings and Rye for fourth.

With three to go, J. Torres was looking low on Swenson for second, as Jennings closed on the lead trio. Swenson and J. Torres were back to racing wheel to wheel as the white flag waved, but still pressuring Grantz for the lead. Coming out of turn 4 at the run to the checkers it was nearly three wide. Swenson and J. Torres made contact in the corner, giving Grantz breathing room at the line in the Chris’s Marine, Tecate Light, Andrews Distributing, KO Graphics, Jeff’s Performance, Smileys Chassis.

“The car was real good,” said Grantz. “I found in the heat race that the high line was pretty fast. So I just stuck with that. I started on the outside and it was slick in turns 1-2. I felt I was better in turns 3-4. I just started picking them off slowly. The cushion kept moving up and I followed it up, pretty close to those tire magnets. Once we got out front I knew I was the only one that could mess it up for myself. I knew Chris Swenson and Johnny(Torres) were back there and knew they’d take advantage if I made a mistake. On the last lap I saw Swenson’s bumper and knew Torres was there too. I used more brake trying to keep the car under me. Once I could give it the gas, I was on it and on my way to the checkered flag.”

“This is my first win here. They’re doing a good job prepping the track now. Hopefully the car count comes back up. It’s a good place to come race on a Friday night. I want thank the track management for giving us a good track to race on.”

“The car was really fast in hot laps until the steering coupler broke.” he added on his early incident. “After we went head-on into the wall, I was sitting there thinking, if the (frame) horns are bent, I’m going to cry. The tire barrier lifted the car enough that nothing was bent, other than a spindle and a tie rod. So we reset the toe, riveted the body back on and we were ready for the heat race. I want to thank my wife, son and daughter for all the time they put in to get the car back out there.”

IMCA Southern SportMod1. 21g Steve Grantz 2. 66 Johnny Torres3. 48 Chris Swenson4. 4$ Chris Rye5. 26 J J Jennings6. 60 Pat Lyon7. 11 Chris McLendon8. 88 Mark McGahey9. 89 Doug Livingston10. 22 Rene Mares11. 37 Bill Pittaway12. 94 Allen TorresIMCA SSM heat winners, 11 Chris McLendon, 66 Johnny Torres

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Manning Safety Services Night at the Races, I-37 Raceway, 5/9/08

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May 142008

Manning Safety Services Night at the Races, I-37 Raceway, 5/9/08
By J M Hallas
Pleasanton, Tx.,(May 9th, 2008)
Friday night kicked off with another night of racing on the 1/4 mile semi-banked, clay oval just south of San Antonio. The night was sponsored by Manning Safety Services, who stepped up to add $750 to the Super Stock and IMCA Modified feature purses. Along with night’s racing was a tribute to all the mothers in crowd, with gift baskets and grand prize, spa treatment given away at intermission.

Dinsmore Does Double-take for IMCA Modified WinGreg Dinsmore backed up last weeks main event win, with a similar run. Dinsmore quickly moved to front early, got by leader Bill Pittaway, then was able to stretch out his advantage, leaving the rest of the field in his wake.Pittaway grabbed the top spot when green was shown for the 20-lap main event, with Dinsmore, on the bottom, getting up to second. After a brief side by side run in turns 1-2, Dinsmore got the lead on lap 2. Rick Green got fourth from Patrick Kelly, who would bring out a caution after breaking something in the drive lineand stopping in turn 2. On the restart, Dinsmore got a good jump when green waved, while Danny Brown got by Green and Randy Yount for third. Brown then snagged second from Pittaway as Green and Yount ran wheel to wheel for fourth. At the crossed flags it was Dinsmore with a full straight lead over Brown, with Pittaway, Yount, Green and Curt Clegg running nose to tail.Clegg took fifth from Green on lap 11. Pittaway fell several spots losing third to Yount on lap 14, fourth to Clegg on lap 15, then fifth to Green on lap 16. In the final laps Yount and Clegg battled side by side for third with Green lurking in fifth. Dinsmore caught that trio in the final laps, but still maintained a big advantage over Brown. As the checkers waved in was Dinsmore, in the Team Brain Freeze, Azul Margaritas, Big Worm Motorsports, Racetechinfo.com, Southern Spirits, Jeff’s Performance powered, Team Harris Chassis, taking his second win in a row. “The track had a good cushion up on top tonight,” replied Dinsmore. “The track was pretty fast. It was a good race. It was kind of heel to toe at first, but once we got out front the car was really fast. It was awesome. The car just loves this track. I’m hoping we can go to Corpus tomorrow and have another top five finish. There’s good competition at both tracks.”“It would be nice to pull some more cars here. A good 16-20 car field would be awesome here. It’s a matter of time.”“I look at the line up and decide what I think I need to do. I knew Danny(Brown) was back there, and he’s going to be charging, he always does. Randy(Yount) has stepped up his program and pulled away in the heat race. Curt Clegg is always a good finisher.

Rick Green is a competitor. This Harris Chassis just likes this track. There’s something about it. It’s fast, easy to drive.”“ The chassis help I get from Racetechinfo is one my biggest keys. Bob Harris and John Logue have been a tremendous help. They’ve kind of taken me under their wing. It’s been a great experience with them. I can talk to them, take notes and it woks out. My advice to anyone starting out is buy a name brand chassis where you can always get help from someone”IMCA Modified1. 8g Greg Dinsmore2. 55 Danny Brown3. 66 Randy Yount4. 35 Curt Clegg5. 37 Bill Pittaway6. 82 Rick Green7. 84 Patrick KellyIMCA Modified heat winner, 66 Randy YountMares Motors to first ever SportMod Main WinIn an increasingly competitive class, Abraham Mares added his name to list of first time winners for the 2008 season.

A. Mares got around early leader Chris McLendon then motored away to a full straightaway advantage on route to his first ever checkered flag.McLendon grabbed the point as green waved on the 12-car field, while A. Mares got by Rene Mares for second. The top five sorted out, while Bill Pittaway, Johnny Torres and Chris Swenson battled for sixth. Yellow waved on lap 5 when Andy Van Blarcum got into Allen Torres getting him sideways. J. Torres and Pittaway got a piece of that action, while other scattered to avoid the melee. On the restart, McLendon got a three car advantage over A. Mares, while Dustin Butcher took sixth from Swenson. A. Mares quickly caught back up with McLendon and got the lead on lap 7. In the pack, Butcher got hung up with J. Torres exchanging some paint, allowing Swenson to ge by both. At halfway the top five were A. Mares, McLendon, R. Mares, Pittaway and Swenson.Butcher and J. Torres joined Swenson and Pittaway in a good battle for fourth, while R. Mares was getting second from McLendon. Swenson, debuting his newest creation, then began his march to the front going around Pittaway, then McLendon for third. With five to go, A. Mares had built a straightaway lead over R. Mares who was being pressured by Swenson.Swenson got the position on lap 16, as J. Torres was taking fourth from McLendon. Butcher then got by McLendon for fifth and caught J. Torres for fourth. Push came to shove as Butcher and J. Torres exchanged some more paint, a little sheet metal and bent a few bumpers as they scrapped it out in the final laps. Up front A. Mares was cruising away, as Swenson was only able to put a small dent in his huge lead. As the checkers waved in was A. Mares getting the first SportMod victory in his career with the Mares Race Team, Texas National Towing, Acme Brick, Dons Automotive, Sheppard s Machine shop powered, Villarreal Chassis.“It was right foot on the gas, and a lot of sponsors help,” Commented Mares on his first IMCA SSM win. “We switched from a 4412 to a quadrajet, thanks to Donald Lewis. Don sponsors my carbs, and he’s never let us down. I never doubt the man.”“This is just eight races for us with this car. I had gotten it for my 15 year old boy, but he didn’t like it. So we switched cars. I’m building him a Street Stock, which was going to be my car, but he’ll be driving it and I’ll keep this one.”“My only thought when I got out front was don’t let off the gas, because the vultures are coming. They’re coming and they’re coming hard. The track really came in for the main event. It was totally different. It was greasy during the heats, but it really came in for the main event.” “I really want to thank my wife, my mom and dad, grandfather. We, the Mares Race Team, are one big family that’s been racing for a long time. That’s what it’s all about.
”IMCA Southern SportMod
1. 4 Abraham Mares2. 48 Chris Swenson3. 22 Rene Mares4. 66 Johnny Torres5. 11 Chris McLendon6. 48T Mitch Tierney7. 37 Bill Pittaway8. 15 Andy Van Blarcum9. 90 Dustin Butcher10. 89 Doug Livingston11. 92 Jason Stanley12. 94 Allen TorresIMCA SSM heat winners, 22 Rene Mares, 94 Allen Torres

The Super Stock 20-lap feature saw Chico Cox go into turn 1 first, but it was Richard Bartosh with the lead coming out of turn 2. Moe VanKirk saw his chance of a three-peat end after making contact with Cox and cutting down a tire. Wesley Skains, moved into second on lap 2 getting by Eric Knudtson, who then lost third to Howie Marcx. Skains got inside Bartosh for the lead on lap 6, but was showing some smoke from a tire rub on the right rear.Marcx took over second from Bartosh on lap 7. Skains saw his chance at picking up a victory end on lap 10 when the right rear finally blew out. Marcx assumed the point and quickly ran off from the field. Knudtson lost several spots on the final laps, as he too was bitten by the flat tire bug, while Marcx was taking the checkers by nearly a half track. Super Stock1. 13 Howie Marcx2. 7 Richard Bartosh3. 14 Gary Hunter4. 29 David Boudreau5. 27 Eric Knudtson6. 41 Wade Jones7. 25 Wesley Skains8. 21 Chico Cox9. 58 Moe VanKirkSuper Stock heat winners, 13 Howie Marcx, 29 David Boudreau A J Wernette out gunned polesitter, Alton Fambro for the early lead in the Street Stock feature. Fambro fought back getting the top spot back on lap 3. Craig Crawley got sideways coming out of turn 2, starting a chain reaction that involved, Tommy Casey, Shawn Moore and Wade Jones, with Crawley getting spun on the back stretch.Once back to green, Jones methodically began to pick off positions one by one until he grabbed the lead from Fambro on lap 8. Fambro and Casey then battled in the final laps, while Jones was pulling away. Casey snuck past Fambro on the final lap for second, while Jones was motoring off to another feature win.Street Stock1. 41 Wade Jones2. 42 Tommy Casey3. 6 Craig Crawley4. 08 Alton Fambro5. 51 Donald Lewis6. 37 A J Wernette7. 18 Shawn MooreStreet Stock heat winner, 41 Wade Jones

As green dropped on the Pure Stock feature, it was nearly three wide coning into turn 1. Jared Ganze came out of that scramble with the top spot on lap 1. Sonny Jones and Ty Coad sr. made contact in turn 2, with both going around, but continuing without caution. Justin Henley, was quickly on the move getting by Sean Terry on lap 3 for second. Seven Hawkins brought out the races only yellow when he stalled and stopped on the track’s edge. On the restart, Henley got past J. Ganze who slowed with a flat tire. The Terry’s, Sean and Brain had a brief battle for second, while Curtis King moved in to challenge. King took third from B. Terry on lap 6. Jones was working his way back up after the early spin going past Mark Pivarnik on lap 8 for fifth, then B. Terry on lap 11 for fourth. Up front it was all Henley as he pulled away, picked his way through traffic and never missed a beat and thought he had added another win to his young career. Unfortunately on the tech pad, chief inspector, Barry Codling found Henley’s car illegal(tires). This would have handed the win to S. Terry, but his car failed tech for vacuum, giving the victory to third place, KingPure Stock1. 56 Curtis King2. 555 Sonny Jones3. 55 Mark Pivarnik4. 22 Brian Terry5. 7x Janel Hilla6. 55x Ty Coad sr.7. J8 Jared Ganze8. 13 Steven Hawkins9. 64K Patrick Kelly96 Justin Henley—DQ(Tires)23 Sean Terry—DQ(Vacuum)8g2 Paige Ganze—DNSPure Stock heat winners, 96 Justin Henley, 23 Sean Terry

I want give a special “Thank You” to Greg and Candace Dinsmore for giving a chance to do something great..hot lap an IMCA Modified. It was an awesome experience, I surprised myself and only scared myself twice. Not sure how many times I scared Greg. LOL After praying all night that the car would survive, Greg took his second feature win in a row without incident. After doing the interview with Abraham Mares, the SportMod winner, I went to do the one with Greg. When I got to the pits, Candace hit me with a choice of drivers suits. My heart rate increased. Greg brougt the car back from tech and asked if I was ready…born ready. I climbed in, strapped in and finished getting into the helmet, neck brace and driving gloves. Greg gave me a crash course(poor choice of words) on his backwards clutch set up, gear position and we fired it up. Backed out and rolled to the entry lane, without killing it, but having trouble with the shift. There was someone else on the track, so I had to sit and wait. Greg reschooled me on the shift, and the track was clear. I rolled her down the entry chute, made my shift and headed to the track.Once I hit the track on the backstretch, I cracked the throtle, and the car launched hard. I eased into turn 3 and through turn 4. I was surprised how easy it was to steer, and the quickness of the throtle response. Knowing that poor Greg, Candace, my friends and peers were watching, I tried NOT to screw up, or look like I was out just putting around. Had some slight trouble in the seat, Greg being bigger and stouter, I sloshed around a bit, and the side was a little high and dug into my armpit when turning. So after being slid all the way to one side, I pulled my arm inside the seat side, and got comfortable. I turned some surpringly good laps, for me anyway, as the car was set up and hooked up. My two scares were coming out turn 2, were the track had a little washboard effect that chattered the car high coming out, headed towards the weeds. The last place I wanted to end up. After ten laps, that went by too fast, I pulled back in, the car in one piece and returned it the rightful owner.So thanks Greg, Candace, Team Brain Freeze, Azul Margaritas, Team Harris Racing, Big Worm Motorsports and Jeffs Performance, for giving me the opportunity, and such an easy handling car, that even a novice could drive, at speed, and do surprisingly well in.

When asked which is scarier, being in a 24 car main at one of the faster tracks, like Cowtown or TMS Dirt Track or watching me hot lap his car, Greg added, “I’ll admit, in the beginning, I was pretty freaked out. You actually got out there and did a pretty good job. You kept the car under control and everyone was shocked. We were pretty surprised and I started relaxing there towards the end. You were rolling the car in pretty hard and getting on it. No doubt about it. You need to quit this reporter stuff and go dirt mod racing.”

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I-37 Raceway, Results 5/2/08

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May 142008

I-37 Raceway, 5/2/08
By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx., (May 2nd, 2008)
Action resumed on Pleasanton’s I-37 Raceway after taking a scheduled week off. Several new drivers made their inaugural visit to the semi-banked 1/4 dirt track, south of San Antonio. Missing were some of the regular faces, including past winners looking to score repeat wins.

The track was smooth and tacky throughout the entire night making for fast paced, high speed action.

Dinsmore Finally Does it
After several second place finishes or suffering mechanical woes while running up front, Greg Dinsmore finally found his way to I-37 Raceway winner’s circle. Dinsmore, who started second row inside, got past early leader Randy Yount and pulled away from the field in the caution-free 20 lapper.

The start of the IMCA Modified main saw Yount grab the lead from the pole, with Dinsmore moving second, and Jason Borlace third. Dinsmore was quick to challenge Yount getting along side on lap 2 down the back stretch and by in turn 3. Borlace, Brian Rye and Chris Swenson all chased Yount running nose to tail for third.

On lap 8, Borlace was putting pressure on Yount, while Swenson got around Rye for fourth. At he crossed flags it was Dinsmore by a full straightaway over Yount, Borlace, Swenson, and Rye. During lap 10, Borlace and Swenson both slipped by Yount, leaving him side by side with Rye for fifth. Rye was finally able to wrestle the spot away on lap 15.

Up front Dinsmore was stretching out his advantage to half track as he approached the back of he field. Swenson was turning up the heat on Borlace for second, while Yount got fourth back from Rye who slid too high. As the white flag waved, Dinsmore was easily cruising along in the Team Brain Freeze, Azul Margaritas, Sundowner RV Repair, Big Worm Motorsports, Pro Tech, Tailor Made Cabinets, Jeff’s Performance Racing Engines, Harris Chassis. Swenson made a last lap pass to snatch second away from Borlace.

“It took a little effort,” commented Dinsmore. “The car is finally coming around and working well for us. The track was awesome tonight. They’ve been working the track really well. It was real racey top to bottom. It had a couple slick spots where you had to work your car.”

“After the luck I’ve had lately, you start to think, something’s got to give, something’s got to break. You’re always thinking in the back of your mind, what bolt did you miss, what’s going to break next. But the track was really nice tonight
and he competition is good. Hopefully we’ll pull some more cars out here.”

“I really didn’t know I had such a big lead. I thought I could feel the motor noises out there. I put mufflers on the car to try to hear more of what was going on around me. When I got in lapped traffic, I figured I was running pretty good and started pedaling the car. I didn’t want to overdrive it, or maybe take out some lapped cars.”

“My wife(Candace) said I was doomed to follow, hopefully tonight I broke that!”

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Allen Torres Spormod winner at I-37

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Apr 212008

Media Night @ I-37 Raceway, 4/18/08
By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx.,(April 18th, 2008)

With the B&W Motorsports team of Steve Whiteaker jr. and Dustin Butcher off in east Texas chasing the USMTS Southern Series points, the IMCA Modified field was wide open for a new winner, as well as the IMCA Southern Sportmod class looking at the possibility of a new face in Victory Lane.

It was a “Family Affair” in the IMCA Southern Sportmods as brothers and previous winners, Allen and Johny Torres slugged it out for half the race. The younger brother got the best of of big bro, to take his second ever IMCA SSM victory fending off several challenges along the way.

In the 20-lap, 14-car IMCA Southern Sportmod main, Jordan Lueck got the edge on Mike Finkel as green waved, but it was Allen Torres quickly coming up through to lead lap 1. Danny Norvell, Johnny Torres and Andy Van Blarcum moved up getting by Lueck as the field separated into two, four-car packs up front. Finkel brought out the yellow on lap 3 as he rolled to a stop in turn 2 along the edge of the track.

On the restart, Bill Pittaway got by Van Blarcum for fourth, while J. Torres was putting pressure on Norvell for second. Norvell clipped the front stretch wall, breaking the right front, and sliding into the turn 1 tire wall at the entry/exit opening. Once back to green, the Torres’ stayed glued at he bumpers, with Van Blarcum retaking third from Pittaway.

At halfway it was A. Torres, J. Tores, Van Blarcum, Pittaway and Jimbo Myers n the top five. Rene Mares spun on lap 10 and barely got missed by Steve Grantz as the final yellow waved. Once back to green it was J. Torres giving little brother a slight bumper tap and he looked inside on the back stretch. Allen held off Johnny as the top six stayed in line.

In the final 8 laps J. Torres would get his brothers bumper, and occasionally along side, but Allen was faster off the corners to keep him just out of reach of the lead. With three to go, Johnny was again to get along side in turn 3, but Allen held him off once again. At he checkers it was the birthday boy, A. Torres in the 24/7 Towing, Pro Image Graphics, Cen-Tex Motorsports, Smiley’s Chassis by Clonch, celebrating his 18th birthday with his second ever win.

“It was awesome,” replied the young Allen. “It feels really good. I know when it’s Johnny chasing me, his is the only car with a white frame. I’m not going to let him beat me again, so I crowd him a little more than anyone else.”

“He can consider this an early birthday present,” stated Johnny. “It was really just one groove out there. I could go in with him, but couldn’t come off together. With some of the ruts, you didn’t know where you’d go. I didn’t want to try coming off side by side and end up with two cars to fix. It was fun and now I don’t owe him anything for his birthday.”

“Dad always says just don’t take each other out. That was all I was thinking about”

Interestingly enough, the drove each thr’s car on the hauler, not their own.

“I’ve watched these two race each other on tricycles, bicycles, go-karts, everything,” added proud father Frank Torres, who over the off-season had a heart monitor implanted. “The can e racing out front 10 yards ahead of everyone and still crash each other. They’ve learned these aren’t bumper cars though. As long as they don’t wreck each other, and I collect the money, it’s all god.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
1. 94 Allen Torres
2. 66 Johnny Torres
3. 15 Andy Van Blarcum
4. 37 Bill Pittaway
5. 47 Jimbo Myers
6. 4$ Chris Rye
7. 89 Doug Livingston
8. 21g Steve Grantz
9. 60 Pat Lyon
10. 5 Jordan Lueck
11. 22 Rene Mares
12. 20 Danny Norvell
13. 11F Mike Finkel
11 Chris McLendon—DNS

IMCA Southern Sportmod heat winners, 137 Bill Pittaway, 94 Allen Torres

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I-37 Raceway Results 4/11/08

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Apr 132008

I-37 Raceway, 4/11/08
By J M Hallas

Pleasanton, Tx., (April 1th, 2008) After a week’s scheduled hiatus, I-37 Raceway’s ¼ mile dirt track hosted their fourth race race of the season. The hotter, dryer weather played havoc with track prep for the new track owners, as dry, dusty conditions faced drivers come feature time.

This week saw two repeat winners and three new faces find their way to victory lane for the first time this year.

Another Win for Whiteaker
for the fourth week in a row, the Corpus Christi young gun, Steve Whiteaker jr. outran the IMCA Modified field. A new player, Danny Brown didn’t make it easy as Whiteaker was forced to fight harder than ever for the win. Whiteaker only lead a lap and a half, but the most important one, the final lap.

As the field roared into turn 1, Bill Pittaway was out front, with Greg Dinsmore charging his way up to second. Brown moved in to battle with Dinsmore as the pair ran side by side for two laps before Brown finally secured the spot. In the pack, Whiteaker was carefully picking his way up getting by Patrick Kelly for fifth on lap 3, then taking fourth from Curt Clegg.

Brown caught the leader on lap 4, while Whiteaker reeled in Dinsmore for third. Just as Whiteaker took third, Dinsmore slowed and pulled off. With the fight for the lead heating up, Whiteaker began closing the top two, while Randy Yount took fifth from Kelly. Brown began sticking the nose inside Pittaway with the duo side by side at halfway, with Whiteaker, Clegg and Yount rounding out the top five.

Brown was able to wrestle the lead away and hold the point on lap 11 with a brief wheel to wheel battle as Whiteaker followed into second. The next seven laps saw Whiteaker try every line, every groove and every trick to get by Brown. Whiteaker as able to get along side Brown on a couple tries and finally, using the edge of the infield, get the top spot on lap 18. From their it was Whiteaker in the B&W Motorsports, Access Chevrolet, Texas Service Industries, WW Bodies, Swenson Race Products, Randy Youngs Auto Repair, Holdsclaw and Hermann, T Roberts Optical, Hughes Chassis grabbing his fourth track trophy.

“Danny(Brown) was tough competition tonight,” said Whiteaker. “The track was bad. It was dusty, you couldn’t see, I don’t know what the track is going to do. They aren’t going make it like this. Everyone was complaining about it. It’s just going to go downhill if they don’t try to fix it.”

“With the track like this it’s hard to put a set up on it,” added the outspoken Whiteaker.” You just say let’s try this when you go into every corner. It’s hard to be consistent, you can’t see, it’s really dangerous. That’s the main thing. Having a dry track, or heavy track or bumpy track is one thing, but this was dangerous. We’d have probably run one lap an pulled off if this had been a full field. You’re just guessing every lap.”

“I’ve already mentioned to the track about putting tires around the infield. Maybe they will see they need them. Maybe after me running the infield tonight, they’ll change that now.”

Another one of this years top contenders, Greg Dinsmore stated, “We finally just threw in the towel. I want to be able to see my kids graduate. When Stevie(Whiteaker) passed me and I got hit by his dust rooster-tail, I thought about just rolling around the top until the finish, but decided to just pull of.”

“We used the same amount of water we did last race,” replied track manager Jim Knudtson.” I was out on Wednesday watering, but the sun and wind were just sucking it up as fast as we put it down. The last time we prepped the track it still had moisture the next day, this week it was dried out. We thought it would be enough after watering today, it still had moisture when we packed it in.”

It’s going to be a steep learning curve for the new track owners and prep crew as they figure what it will take to keep a smooth, track surface at the same time keeping dust to a minimum as warmer weather sets in. I plan on putting them in touch with track prep guru, Richard Snider from Kennedale Speedway Park, who also does track prep for several of the big Texas race shows.

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