Post by jkelly57 on May 4, 2008 15:38:31 GMT -6
Texana Raceway Park, 5/3/08
By J M Hallas
Edna, Tx., With an extra $1,000 thrown in the pot, by an anonymous donor, for the modified purse, several new drivers rolled in from Corpus Christi and Houston to mix it up with the Texana regulars on the 1/4 mile, paper clip shaped, black gumbo track. Also on the nights event card were Limited Modifieds, Hot Stock Trucks, Bombers, Mini Stocks and Texana Classic Dwarf Cars.(Super Stocks had the night scheduled off in the rotating class schedule).
Hardcastle Hustles to Modified Min Win
Corpus Christi driver, Nick Hardcastle would lead flag to flag in the 20-lap Modified main event, but it wasn't easy. With extra money thrown in the pot for the rest of the field, Hardcastle had to hold off challenges from several top guns, including a final shootout after a late caution.
On the initial start, Hardcastle was first into turn 1, with Jesse Manning and Lawrence Mikulencak side by side for second. Kevin Pratt slid too high falling several spots, but caught a break when a multi-car tangle brought out a caution for a complete restart. Hardcastle again was out first as green waved on the second try, but a spin by Pratt brought the out the yellow again.
The third time was the charm as Hardcastle beat the field into turn 1, with Mikulencak and Armstrong side by side for second and Manning wheel to wheel with Dale Flanagan for fourth. Armstrong got second from Mikulencak and fell into the clutches of Flanagan. As they battled for the spot, Manning went by both for third. Hardcastle began putting some distance on Armstrong, while Manning, Flanagan and Mikulencak got stacked up behind a slower car.
As the top seven sorted out single file, a good five car fight was going on for eighth. Yellow waved on lap 8 when Max Helms spun in turn 1 to bring the field back together. On the restart Manning tried to pinch down on Armstrong with the two making contact and sending Armstrong to the infield with a flat. Flanagan was able to jump on the opening taking second.
At the crossed flags it was Hardcastle, Flanagan, Manning, Mikulencak and Art Rodriguez in the top five, with the top four nearly nose to tail. Hardcastle got a little breathing room when a lapped car slowed Flanagan. This gave Manning the chance to retake second on lap 14. Lap 15 saw yellow wave when Vince Kacir spun in front of the second place battle, at the same time Robert Carson spun in turn 4.
Flanagan got back by Manning for second as green waved again, but Stew Savage spun in turn 3 collecting Pratt, Frank Fruia and Brian Spindelman. Once back to green Manning held off Flanagan for second as Hardcastle pulled ahead slightly. Flanagan and Manning continued to scrap it out for second, giving Hardcastle the chance to increase his margin.
Just as the white flag waved, Hardcastle had nearly a half straightaway lead over and while Flanagan and Manning were swapping second corner for corner, Helms spun to bring out a yellow. This would set up a one lap shootout to the checkers. The double file restart behind the leader worked to Hardcastle's advantage as Flanagan and Manning stayed side by side giving him a small lead. Hardcastle, in the Dubs Garage, Bruce Sanders powered, Skyrocket Chassis was first to the line, while Rodriguez edged out Mikulencak for fourth.
“It was nerve-racking out there,” replied Hardcastle. “I was fortunate to start up front, not make any big mistakes and came home with it finally. I only felt the pressure on the restarts. I felt if I could get to the back stretch I'd be alright.”
“I try not to think too much while I'm out there about some of these guys I've raced against for a long time. Sometimes that's my downfall. I knew Lawrence(Mikulencak) was back there, and late in the race thought Dale(Flanagan) might be there. I saw Armstrong in the infield so I knew he as out. I just tried not to think and keep from spinning out.”
“I liked that the track spread the bonus money down through the field, those guys in the back typically have more bent wheels or cut tires. It's good for the track. That's the way to do it.”
“I don't necessarily prefer outlaw rules over IMCA. This is just what we had already. It would have expensive and a lot of work to change over when South Texas Speedway changed this year. We just thought that they're paying pretty good here, the track is nice and Bruce(Tesch) does a good job. So we figured to give this a try.”
Modifieds
1. 94 Nick Hardcastle
2. 76 Jesse Manning
3. 57 Dale Flanagan
4. 22 Art Rodriguez
5. 87 Lawrence Mikulencak
6. 4 Stew Savage
7. 3x Frank Fruia
8. 37 Brian Spindelman
9. 29 Max Helms
10. 77 Robert Carson
11. 95 Kevin Pratt
12. 155 Vince Kacir
13. 51 Benny C Perry
14. 39 John Armstrong
15. 54 Gary Hanson
5 Joe Mayhew---DNS
357 Brian Killingsworth---DNS(broke in hot laps)
Modified heat winners, 94 Nicky Hardcastle, 39 John Armstrong
Louden Breaks Long Drought for Limited Modified Win
Vince Louden, the Shiner, Texas driver, broke through into the Winers Circle after a long winless streak. Louden had to hold off numerous challenges from Mickey Helms throughout the race to get the hard earned victory.
As green waved, it was Helms first into turn 1, but Louden came out of turn 2 with the top spot. Aaron Hudgeons and Lawrence Mikulencak ran side by side for third, with Art Rodriguez getting by Troy Baugh for fifth on lap 1. The top four had just started to pull away when Jason Zarbock slowed on the front stretch forcing the flagman to throw a yellow, as the lead quartet was coming in a hurry.
On the restart, Helms and Hudgeons made contact with Hudgeons wheel-hopping into the air and sliding up into the wall. After a brief check by track officials, Hudgeons was able to continue and placed back in his spot. As green waved again, Helms ducked inside Louden with the two wheel to wheel until Jeff Moore spun and collected Dane Tipton and Zarbock.
Louden held off Helms when the race resumed, but yellow was back out quickly on lap 7 for a spin by Zarbock. On the restart, Hudgeons got by Helms for second, but Helms fought back retaking to spot on lap 9. At halfway the top five were Louden, Helms, Hudgeons, Mikulencak and Josh Majek.
Louden got slowed by a lapped car giving Helms an opening to get by in turn 1. Louden was able to regain the lead coming out of turn 2 after a classic crossover move. In the final laps Helms continued to hound Louden as Helms was better going in and would get the nose inside. Louden was stronger coming off and was able to pull Helms off the corners. With two to go, Helms made his last charge going into turn 1, but ended up loosing ground when the attempt failed. At the checkers it was Louden in the Hardhead Motorsports, Rush Racing Chassis, primarily sponsored by his Dad grabbing the win.
“A lot of homework,” commented Louden. “Staying on top of the car, taking notes from other people and listening to see what fits my driving style. On those restarts, I just ran my line. If I change lines I don't know I my car will take it”
“I could feel, hear and see Mickey(Helms). He raced me clean. I appreciate that a lot. I've learned if you beat on people, they'll retaliate back. That's part of maturing and experience. You learn to respect the car and your fellow racers.”
“It looked like he was staying on the bottom. Towards the end of the race I maybe moved down a half a lane to try to slow him down some. I didn't want to make a drastic change going from the top to he bottom. I really didn't see anything on the bottom. The longer green runs my car was better. The cautions were killing me. “
Limited Modifieds
1. 6 Vince Louden
2 174 Mickey Helms
10 Aaron Hudgeons
82 Josh Majek
22 Art Rodriguez
9 David Meredith
88 Troy Baugh
888 Aaron Lunsford
33 Jason Zarbock
21 Victor Lindsey
1 Jeff Moore
34 Dane Tipton
12w Matthew Konvicka
87 Lawrence Mikulencak---DQ (tech)
Limited Modified heat winners, 174 Mickey Helms, 6 Vince Louden
Jimmy Rogers got out front of the Hot Stock Truck feature with Bob Ort battling his way up to second. Rogers increased his lead as the pack swapped spots behind him. Rogers only scare came on lap 12 when Darryl Davis got sideways in front of the leader nearly clipping the tail of Rogers as he snuck by on the inside. From then there it was Rogers running away from Ort to take the uncontested win.
Hot Stock Trucks
1. 9 Jimmy Rogers
2. 43 Bob Ort
3. 84 N/A
4. 15 Gordon Boehm
5. 55 Russell Bloom
6. 8 Larry Paris
7. 3 Darryl Davis
8. 79 Stephen Wusterhausen
9. 24 John Leita
10.38 Johnathan Arterberry
11.39 Nathan Kildair
Hot Stock Truck heat winners, 8 Larry Paris, 9 Jimmy Rogers
At the start of the Bomber feature, Randy “Bubba” Seals battled side by side briefly with Danny Bennett before securing the top spot. The top three of R. Seals, D. Bennett and Gary Seals then began to pull away. Randy Kacir and Monty Chamberlain had good battle going on for fourth as they ran door to door. The caution waved on lap 5 when Kassey Champion spun between turns 1-2.
Once back to green, R. Seals inched ahead of D. Bennett and father, G. Seals. Chris Shafer was on the move, getting by Kacir and Chamberlain for fourth. Yellow waved again on lap 10 when Brian McDevitt and Jackie Burnett made contact and spun, just as the leader was going by both. Shafer picked up third from G. Seals as green waved again. R. Seals motored away from D. Bennett for the win and was halfway back to Houston as the checkers waved.
Bombers
1. 19 Bubba Seals
2. R4J Danny Bennett
3. 77 Chris Shafer
4. 119 Gary Seals
5 36 Randy Kacir
6 55 Monty Chamberlain.
7 18 Michael Wager.
8.33 Charlie Mills
9 88 Sandra Hudgeons.
10.25 Mike Bennett
11.5 Jackie Burnett
12.89 Ricky Konvicka
13.357 Brain McDevitt
14.01 Lane Tipton
15.27 Lloyd Williams
16.C91 Kassey Champion
17.26 David McBride
18 76Gary Wright
19.1 Nicholas Moore
67x Domingo Maldondo jr.---DNS
11 N/A---dns
Bomber heat winners, 119 Philip Seals, 19 Bubba Seals, r4j Danny Bennett
As green waved on the Jr. Mini Stock feature, Garett Hayes got the jump on the field. To good in fact, as the yellow was out for a complete restart. On the second start, Hayes got out into the lead. In the field Dakota Taylor moved past Chase Sanchez and Zachary Tesch for third.
Jason Bloom was able to run down Hayes for the lead and grab the top spot on lap 5. Taylor continued to charge to the front getting by Hayes on lap 7 only to spin into the infield a lap later. Bloom, with a comfortable advantage over Hayes, was first to the checkers for the win
Jr. Mini Stocks
1. 49 Jason Bloom
2. 9 Garett Hayes
3. 72 Zachary Tesch
4. 63 Chase Sanchez
5. 55 Lauren Chamberlain
6. 31 Haley Jansky
7. 24 Sarah Konvicka
8. 00 Dakota Taylor
9. 12 Ashley Perks
04 Jacob Burnett---DNS
Jr. Mini Stock heat winners, 9 Garett Hayes, 04 Jacob Burnett
At the start of the Texana Classic Dwarf Car feature, Victor Vargas took the early lead, with Andrew Cline jr. and Greg Sexton sr. in second and third. As the three heat winners began to check out out on the field, Vargas and Cline traded the top spot, until Vargas slid too high and fell to third.
Sexton then moved in to challenge Cline for lead getting the top spot in turns 1-2. Gary Hanson brought out caution when he went for a spin. Mike Christians got past Vargas for third on the restart, while Douglas Schmidt and John Armstrong worked their way up. Schmidt got by Joseph Snow and Vargas, with Armstrong following in his tracks.
Up front, Sexton was increasing his advantage over Cline as the laps wound down and Armstrong was able to sneak around Christians to grab third. As the checkers waved in was Sexton taking home the hardware.
Dwarf Cars
1. 1 Greg Sexton Sr.
2. 19 Andrew Cline Jr.
3.12 John Armstrong
4.13 Mike Christians
5.79 Douglas Schmidt
6. 2 Grant Hanson
7. 24 Victor Vargas
8. 15 Gary Faris
9. 54 Gary Hanson
10. 01 Joseph Snow
11. 12th Donnie Hunt
12. 07 Michael Dion
13. 4 Stew Savage
14. 82 Brandon Dorsey
15. 20 Bobby Gestner
16. 3x Frank Fruia
2EZ Easy Casey---DNS
00 Stan Jolliffe---DNS
Dwarf Car heat winners, 24 Victor Vargas, 1 Greg Sexton sr., 19 Andrew Cline
Personal notes;
This was my first ever trip to Texana, a unique Martinsville shaped track, with long straightaways and sharp, short hairpin turns. This made for interesting racing, with drivers appearing to have to set the car twice, and square off the corners versus rolling in and around. The track surface was smooth and took rubber with two lines throughout the night.
The Tesch family took over the track in 2004, making changes and improvements to the facility. Fans have the option of grandstand seating, or bringing lawn chairs for grassy hillside seating. One new touch was the scoring booth, my home for the evening.
During intermission, Max and Mickey Helms had a family feud grudge race between Mickey in a Limited Modified and Max, in a full Modified. Mickey took Max to school winning by nearly a half track.
I want to thank Monty Chamberlain, who not only races in th Bomber class, but does much of the tracks PR work and was fill in announcer when their regular one who was busy with a local school event. I also want to thank the track's staff of scoring ladies that helped me out with finishes and drivers names. It looks like we only missed a couple along the way.
By J M Hallas
Edna, Tx., With an extra $1,000 thrown in the pot, by an anonymous donor, for the modified purse, several new drivers rolled in from Corpus Christi and Houston to mix it up with the Texana regulars on the 1/4 mile, paper clip shaped, black gumbo track. Also on the nights event card were Limited Modifieds, Hot Stock Trucks, Bombers, Mini Stocks and Texana Classic Dwarf Cars.(Super Stocks had the night scheduled off in the rotating class schedule).
Hardcastle Hustles to Modified Min Win
Corpus Christi driver, Nick Hardcastle would lead flag to flag in the 20-lap Modified main event, but it wasn't easy. With extra money thrown in the pot for the rest of the field, Hardcastle had to hold off challenges from several top guns, including a final shootout after a late caution.
On the initial start, Hardcastle was first into turn 1, with Jesse Manning and Lawrence Mikulencak side by side for second. Kevin Pratt slid too high falling several spots, but caught a break when a multi-car tangle brought out a caution for a complete restart. Hardcastle again was out first as green waved on the second try, but a spin by Pratt brought the out the yellow again.
The third time was the charm as Hardcastle beat the field into turn 1, with Mikulencak and Armstrong side by side for second and Manning wheel to wheel with Dale Flanagan for fourth. Armstrong got second from Mikulencak and fell into the clutches of Flanagan. As they battled for the spot, Manning went by both for third. Hardcastle began putting some distance on Armstrong, while Manning, Flanagan and Mikulencak got stacked up behind a slower car.
As the top seven sorted out single file, a good five car fight was going on for eighth. Yellow waved on lap 8 when Max Helms spun in turn 1 to bring the field back together. On the restart Manning tried to pinch down on Armstrong with the two making contact and sending Armstrong to the infield with a flat. Flanagan was able to jump on the opening taking second.
At the crossed flags it was Hardcastle, Flanagan, Manning, Mikulencak and Art Rodriguez in the top five, with the top four nearly nose to tail. Hardcastle got a little breathing room when a lapped car slowed Flanagan. This gave Manning the chance to retake second on lap 14. Lap 15 saw yellow wave when Vince Kacir spun in front of the second place battle, at the same time Robert Carson spun in turn 4.
Flanagan got back by Manning for second as green waved again, but Stew Savage spun in turn 3 collecting Pratt, Frank Fruia and Brian Spindelman. Once back to green Manning held off Flanagan for second as Hardcastle pulled ahead slightly. Flanagan and Manning continued to scrap it out for second, giving Hardcastle the chance to increase his margin.
Just as the white flag waved, Hardcastle had nearly a half straightaway lead over and while Flanagan and Manning were swapping second corner for corner, Helms spun to bring out a yellow. This would set up a one lap shootout to the checkers. The double file restart behind the leader worked to Hardcastle's advantage as Flanagan and Manning stayed side by side giving him a small lead. Hardcastle, in the Dubs Garage, Bruce Sanders powered, Skyrocket Chassis was first to the line, while Rodriguez edged out Mikulencak for fourth.
“It was nerve-racking out there,” replied Hardcastle. “I was fortunate to start up front, not make any big mistakes and came home with it finally. I only felt the pressure on the restarts. I felt if I could get to the back stretch I'd be alright.”
“I try not to think too much while I'm out there about some of these guys I've raced against for a long time. Sometimes that's my downfall. I knew Lawrence(Mikulencak) was back there, and late in the race thought Dale(Flanagan) might be there. I saw Armstrong in the infield so I knew he as out. I just tried not to think and keep from spinning out.”
“I liked that the track spread the bonus money down through the field, those guys in the back typically have more bent wheels or cut tires. It's good for the track. That's the way to do it.”
“I don't necessarily prefer outlaw rules over IMCA. This is just what we had already. It would have expensive and a lot of work to change over when South Texas Speedway changed this year. We just thought that they're paying pretty good here, the track is nice and Bruce(Tesch) does a good job. So we figured to give this a try.”
Modifieds
1. 94 Nick Hardcastle
2. 76 Jesse Manning
3. 57 Dale Flanagan
4. 22 Art Rodriguez
5. 87 Lawrence Mikulencak
6. 4 Stew Savage
7. 3x Frank Fruia
8. 37 Brian Spindelman
9. 29 Max Helms
10. 77 Robert Carson
11. 95 Kevin Pratt
12. 155 Vince Kacir
13. 51 Benny C Perry
14. 39 John Armstrong
15. 54 Gary Hanson
5 Joe Mayhew---DNS
357 Brian Killingsworth---DNS(broke in hot laps)
Modified heat winners, 94 Nicky Hardcastle, 39 John Armstrong
Louden Breaks Long Drought for Limited Modified Win
Vince Louden, the Shiner, Texas driver, broke through into the Winers Circle after a long winless streak. Louden had to hold off numerous challenges from Mickey Helms throughout the race to get the hard earned victory.
As green waved, it was Helms first into turn 1, but Louden came out of turn 2 with the top spot. Aaron Hudgeons and Lawrence Mikulencak ran side by side for third, with Art Rodriguez getting by Troy Baugh for fifth on lap 1. The top four had just started to pull away when Jason Zarbock slowed on the front stretch forcing the flagman to throw a yellow, as the lead quartet was coming in a hurry.
On the restart, Helms and Hudgeons made contact with Hudgeons wheel-hopping into the air and sliding up into the wall. After a brief check by track officials, Hudgeons was able to continue and placed back in his spot. As green waved again, Helms ducked inside Louden with the two wheel to wheel until Jeff Moore spun and collected Dane Tipton and Zarbock.
Louden held off Helms when the race resumed, but yellow was back out quickly on lap 7 for a spin by Zarbock. On the restart, Hudgeons got by Helms for second, but Helms fought back retaking to spot on lap 9. At halfway the top five were Louden, Helms, Hudgeons, Mikulencak and Josh Majek.
Louden got slowed by a lapped car giving Helms an opening to get by in turn 1. Louden was able to regain the lead coming out of turn 2 after a classic crossover move. In the final laps Helms continued to hound Louden as Helms was better going in and would get the nose inside. Louden was stronger coming off and was able to pull Helms off the corners. With two to go, Helms made his last charge going into turn 1, but ended up loosing ground when the attempt failed. At the checkers it was Louden in the Hardhead Motorsports, Rush Racing Chassis, primarily sponsored by his Dad grabbing the win.
“A lot of homework,” commented Louden. “Staying on top of the car, taking notes from other people and listening to see what fits my driving style. On those restarts, I just ran my line. If I change lines I don't know I my car will take it”
“I could feel, hear and see Mickey(Helms). He raced me clean. I appreciate that a lot. I've learned if you beat on people, they'll retaliate back. That's part of maturing and experience. You learn to respect the car and your fellow racers.”
“It looked like he was staying on the bottom. Towards the end of the race I maybe moved down a half a lane to try to slow him down some. I didn't want to make a drastic change going from the top to he bottom. I really didn't see anything on the bottom. The longer green runs my car was better. The cautions were killing me. “
Limited Modifieds
1. 6 Vince Louden
2 174 Mickey Helms
10 Aaron Hudgeons
82 Josh Majek
22 Art Rodriguez
9 David Meredith
88 Troy Baugh
888 Aaron Lunsford
33 Jason Zarbock
21 Victor Lindsey
1 Jeff Moore
34 Dane Tipton
12w Matthew Konvicka
87 Lawrence Mikulencak---DQ (tech)
Limited Modified heat winners, 174 Mickey Helms, 6 Vince Louden
Jimmy Rogers got out front of the Hot Stock Truck feature with Bob Ort battling his way up to second. Rogers increased his lead as the pack swapped spots behind him. Rogers only scare came on lap 12 when Darryl Davis got sideways in front of the leader nearly clipping the tail of Rogers as he snuck by on the inside. From then there it was Rogers running away from Ort to take the uncontested win.
Hot Stock Trucks
1. 9 Jimmy Rogers
2. 43 Bob Ort
3. 84 N/A
4. 15 Gordon Boehm
5. 55 Russell Bloom
6. 8 Larry Paris
7. 3 Darryl Davis
8. 79 Stephen Wusterhausen
9. 24 John Leita
10.38 Johnathan Arterberry
11.39 Nathan Kildair
Hot Stock Truck heat winners, 8 Larry Paris, 9 Jimmy Rogers
At the start of the Bomber feature, Randy “Bubba” Seals battled side by side briefly with Danny Bennett before securing the top spot. The top three of R. Seals, D. Bennett and Gary Seals then began to pull away. Randy Kacir and Monty Chamberlain had good battle going on for fourth as they ran door to door. The caution waved on lap 5 when Kassey Champion spun between turns 1-2.
Once back to green, R. Seals inched ahead of D. Bennett and father, G. Seals. Chris Shafer was on the move, getting by Kacir and Chamberlain for fourth. Yellow waved again on lap 10 when Brian McDevitt and Jackie Burnett made contact and spun, just as the leader was going by both. Shafer picked up third from G. Seals as green waved again. R. Seals motored away from D. Bennett for the win and was halfway back to Houston as the checkers waved.
Bombers
1. 19 Bubba Seals
2. R4J Danny Bennett
3. 77 Chris Shafer
4. 119 Gary Seals
5 36 Randy Kacir
6 55 Monty Chamberlain.
7 18 Michael Wager.
8.33 Charlie Mills
9 88 Sandra Hudgeons.
10.25 Mike Bennett
11.5 Jackie Burnett
12.89 Ricky Konvicka
13.357 Brain McDevitt
14.01 Lane Tipton
15.27 Lloyd Williams
16.C91 Kassey Champion
17.26 David McBride
18 76Gary Wright
19.1 Nicholas Moore
67x Domingo Maldondo jr.---DNS
11 N/A---dns
Bomber heat winners, 119 Philip Seals, 19 Bubba Seals, r4j Danny Bennett
As green waved on the Jr. Mini Stock feature, Garett Hayes got the jump on the field. To good in fact, as the yellow was out for a complete restart. On the second start, Hayes got out into the lead. In the field Dakota Taylor moved past Chase Sanchez and Zachary Tesch for third.
Jason Bloom was able to run down Hayes for the lead and grab the top spot on lap 5. Taylor continued to charge to the front getting by Hayes on lap 7 only to spin into the infield a lap later. Bloom, with a comfortable advantage over Hayes, was first to the checkers for the win
Jr. Mini Stocks
1. 49 Jason Bloom
2. 9 Garett Hayes
3. 72 Zachary Tesch
4. 63 Chase Sanchez
5. 55 Lauren Chamberlain
6. 31 Haley Jansky
7. 24 Sarah Konvicka
8. 00 Dakota Taylor
9. 12 Ashley Perks
04 Jacob Burnett---DNS
Jr. Mini Stock heat winners, 9 Garett Hayes, 04 Jacob Burnett
At the start of the Texana Classic Dwarf Car feature, Victor Vargas took the early lead, with Andrew Cline jr. and Greg Sexton sr. in second and third. As the three heat winners began to check out out on the field, Vargas and Cline traded the top spot, until Vargas slid too high and fell to third.
Sexton then moved in to challenge Cline for lead getting the top spot in turns 1-2. Gary Hanson brought out caution when he went for a spin. Mike Christians got past Vargas for third on the restart, while Douglas Schmidt and John Armstrong worked their way up. Schmidt got by Joseph Snow and Vargas, with Armstrong following in his tracks.
Up front, Sexton was increasing his advantage over Cline as the laps wound down and Armstrong was able to sneak around Christians to grab third. As the checkers waved in was Sexton taking home the hardware.
Dwarf Cars
1. 1 Greg Sexton Sr.
2. 19 Andrew Cline Jr.
3.12 John Armstrong
4.13 Mike Christians
5.79 Douglas Schmidt
6. 2 Grant Hanson
7. 24 Victor Vargas
8. 15 Gary Faris
9. 54 Gary Hanson
10. 01 Joseph Snow
11. 12th Donnie Hunt
12. 07 Michael Dion
13. 4 Stew Savage
14. 82 Brandon Dorsey
15. 20 Bobby Gestner
16. 3x Frank Fruia
2EZ Easy Casey---DNS
00 Stan Jolliffe---DNS
Dwarf Car heat winners, 24 Victor Vargas, 1 Greg Sexton sr., 19 Andrew Cline
Personal notes;
This was my first ever trip to Texana, a unique Martinsville shaped track, with long straightaways and sharp, short hairpin turns. This made for interesting racing, with drivers appearing to have to set the car twice, and square off the corners versus rolling in and around. The track surface was smooth and took rubber with two lines throughout the night.
The Tesch family took over the track in 2004, making changes and improvements to the facility. Fans have the option of grandstand seating, or bringing lawn chairs for grassy hillside seating. One new touch was the scoring booth, my home for the evening.
During intermission, Max and Mickey Helms had a family feud grudge race between Mickey in a Limited Modified and Max, in a full Modified. Mickey took Max to school winning by nearly a half track.
I want to thank Monty Chamberlain, who not only races in th Bomber class, but does much of the tracks PR work and was fill in announcer when their regular one who was busy with a local school event. I also want to thank the track's staff of scoring ladies that helped me out with finishes and drivers names. It looks like we only missed a couple along the way.