Post by jkelly57 on Jul 19, 2006 7:09:05 GMT -6
Operation Interdependence @ Thunder Hill Raceway 7/15/06
By J M Hallas
Kyle, Tx., As Part of Operation Interdependence, a salute to the
military, Thunder Hill Raxceway hosted the Texas Super Racing Series Late Models, USRA Trucks and Modifieds along with local Street, Hobby and Grand Stocks, Allison Legacy’s and NASKARTS on the slightly banked 3/8 mile track just south of Austin. The weekend festivities were rescheduled from the rained out 4th of July show.
USRA Modifieds - Texasspeedzone.com 50
Naumann Notches Number One in USRA Modified Main
Setting the best time in the USRA Modifieds was winner of the last USRA Modified race at THR, Ryan Englehardt. Engelhardt bested the 14 car field with a lap of in the Third Coast Motorsports, Shoreline Services, FRE Chassis with a KAM Race engine.
"It was a little bit of a handful out there, stated Egelhardt. "We've been out here since yesterday testing. We lost the car for a little while but spent a lot of time with it. We threw a bunch of different things at it before qualifying today. I guess we finally got it right. Anytime you get seat time and something to relate at the same place it helps. We have
quite a few laps here. We're absolutely looking to double up here and I wouldn't want to do anything but win."
It looked like it might have been a full moon when the USRA modifieds attempted to start the Texasspeedzone.com 50 with H E Naumann and Mark Chrudimsky on the front row after the draw for the invert. Fast qualifier, Ryan Engelhardt would start third . On the first try Chrudimsky got a big jump on green, but John Paul Kliewer spun on the front stretch to bring out the yellow. The next try was even uglier when Naumann slowed in turn 4
and stacked up the field. Going into turns 1-2 Billy Becka got turned around for another restart.
Finally the race got underway with Naumann joined by Trey Mitchell on the front row after, current points leader, Chrudimsky pitted under yellow. Naumann and Mitchell stayed wheel to wheel through turns 1-2, as the top six all stayed in formation. Naumann would get the lead by a bumper at the line on lap 1. Mitchell tried to hang on the outside, while it was three wide in
the pack for sixth. Engelhardt slid into second as Mitchell faded a
little on the high side.
Becka then moved to battle with Mitchell getting the spot on lap 3 as the top four began to ease ahead. By lap 8 the lead duo of Naumann and Engelhardt began to put distance on Becka and Mitchell. Newton Barta, Bobby Teer Jr. and Chrudimsky battled for fifth on lap 10
Engelhardt was still pressuring Naumann on lap 15 as they put distance on Becka and Mitchell who had a gap back to Barta, Teer and Chrudimsky. Chrudimsky used the high side to get Teer for fifth on lap 19, then used the low side to get past Becka and Mitchell for third on lap 20. Mitchell and Barta got together, with Bruce Beddoe spinning in the back up on lap 22.
Becka spun in an unrelated incident on the lapin turn 2.
During caution, Engelhardt was checked for a fluid leak, but none was found. On the restart, Teer got crossed-up and turned around to bring the yellow right back out. Finally back to green, Naumann and Engelhardt got away. As the laps wound down, Engelhardt looked for anyway he could find to get by
Naumann. The young Engelhardt tried high in turns 1-2 on lap 36, then again in turns 3-4 on lap 37. Naumann held his ground and fought off the charges.
With ten to go, Engelhardt was still hot on Naumann’s heels as they built a margin over Becka, Barta and Chrudimsky. Engelhardt gave Naumann a rap on the bumper in turn 4 on lap 43, then lost ground on lap 45 after getting loose. Chrudimsky’s chance for a top five ended when he slid off turn 3 into
the grass, then pitted. On the restart, Teer broke something in the suspension and rolled to a stop.
This set up a green, white, checker finish. As green waved, Engelhardt again tried to jump on the top side in turns 1-2, but to no avail as Naumann held steady. Engelhardt gave it the ol’ college try on the last lap but slid high in turn 2. This gave Naumann a little breathing room as he went on to take
his first ever modified victory in the MAN Racing Promotions,
Insty-Prints, Left Hander Chassis powered by a Joe Cantrell Race Engine.
“It was great to get a win at my home track,” replied Naumann. “We had some friends here too. That was some pressure. A lot of people came out to see me. Even if I sit out the rest of the season it was gratifying to pick up a win. I may run a few more when it cools off. It’s too hot out there for me.”
“I was slowing a little in the corners. I had to stay on the low side to hold him off. If he took me outside I knew I could drag race him. I don’t know who would come out ahead but I knew I had some power on the straights. He raced me clean. We bumped a little he ran me clean.”
Results of the USRA Modified Series “TexasSpeedZone.Com 50”
1. (40) H.E. Naumann, Del Valle, TX, 50 Laps
2. (53) Ryan Engelhardt, Lake Travis, TX, 50
3. (29) Billy Becka, La Vernia, TX, 50
4. (47) Trey Mitchell, Wimberely, TX, 50
5. (26) Bob Slezinsky, Beeville, TX, 50
6. (18) Bruce Beddoe, Robstown, TX, 50
7. (89) Newton Barta, Lytle, TX, 50
8. (22) John Paul Kliewer, Boerne, TX, 49
9. (97) John Witzsche, Corpus Christi, TX, 49
10. (39) Mark Chrudimsky, Hutto, TX, 49
11. (2) Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 47
12. (45) Clare Randell, Portland, TX, 46
13. (96) Milton Krauss, Bulverde, TX, 28
14. (81) David Machen, Austin, TX, 0
USRA Truck Series - Magnum Trailers 50
Green Goes Green to Checkers in USRA Truck Tussle
In USRA Truck qualifying, Steve Green was quickest of the 10 trucks on hand. Green set the pace with a second lap, nearly breaking the old track record. Absent from today's event was current points leader Shawn Paul Lehman on a one (race) week hiatus. This would insure a new points leader by the end of
the night. "It was kind of hot out there, but the truck's much better now," said Green. ". We came out last night, practiced and made change after change. I think we changed 10 springs last night. We were looking to step it up some tonight. If we don't hit on something the first time, we take it out
and try something else. A lot of it is trial and error, and a little bit of knowledge. If we go the right way we keep trying until we start backing up. "Im going to race Craig(Roper) hard and clean, like races us. He's a class guy and has caught a lot of flack the past few weeks. I don't think that it was due him. We're going to run it as hard as we have to run it to beat him.”
Steve Green not only set fast time for the Magnum Trailers 50, but drew the number 1 chip to start on the pole. It was all over after that as Green put on a driving clinic on his way to the flag to flag win. Green and Jason Marshall paced the short field of USRA Trucks to green and quickly got the advantage going into turn 1. Marshall fell in line second, with multi-time winner Craig Roper third. Rusty Mirth and Jody Buzbee traded a little paint on lap 1 as they battled for fourth. Green wasted little in inching away from the field that sorted and separated out by lap 7.
Roper looked inside Marshall for second on lap 8 and got past on lap 9 when Marshall got loose in turn 4. Roper, one of hottest drivers recently, then tried to cut into Green’s two second lead. It wasn’t long until Mirth and Buzbee caught Marshall for third, while Wendell Bolton, Cameron Moore jr and Jim Albert fought for sixth.
Green continued to stretch out his margin as the race came to halfway. As the crossed flags were shown it was Green by over three second on Roper with Marshall, Buzbee and Mirth rounding out the top five. Mirth was able to get around Buzbee for fourth. Even traffic couldn’t slow Green down as he easily got by slower trucks.
Jason Campbell brought out yellow on lap 36 when he had trouble and stopped on track. This erased Green’s huge lead, but left him with three lap trucks between he and Roper on the restart. Green got away easily, while Roper, Marshall and Mirth tried to negotiate through traffic. That trio finally cleared on lap 37, but were already two and half seconds behind Green.
With Green setting sail up front the battle heated up for second.
Marshall got past Roper for second on lap 42 bringing Mirth along to third. Mirth then got the better of Marshall snagging second on lap 43. Roper tried to fight back on Marshall retaking third on lap 45, with Buzbee following through the hole. Mirth then tried to take up the charge on Green and got a break when Bolton got turned around by Moore to bring out the yellow with two to go.
On the restart, Green got a good jump to shake Mirth off his bumper. Buzbee, Marshall and Brent Bell got tangled in turn 3 sending Albert through the grass to avoid the melee. Under yellow, Mirth and Green made contact as they scuffed their tires knocking the fender off Mirth’s truck. When the green waved, Green waved bye as he motored away from Mirth. Buzbee was slow to get going and stacked up the rest of the field. Green went on the grab the win by a comfortable margin of nearly a second.
“Tonight it was pretty easy,” quipped Green. “This truck was awesome. I didn’t abuse it. It was a really good piece tonight. We’ve been making changes every race and we’ve got the truck better than the driver. So I’m going to have to catch up to the truck now.” “With Shawn missing this race I think that puts us in the points lead. It’s going to be hard to hold it though. It will be a pretty tight finish. It’s not going to be a blow out this year. I think we’re going to have to fight
every week.”
Results of the USRA Truck Series “Magnum Trailers 50”
1. (54) Steve Green, Marble Falls, TX, 50 Laps
2. (07) Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 50
3. (40) Cory Roper, Vernon, TX, 50
4. (42) Jason Marshall, Leander, TX, 50
5. (1) Jody Buzbee, Waco, TX, 50
6. (72) Brent Bell, Katy, TX, 49
7. (31) Jim Albert, Lockhart, TX, 49
8. (38) Cameron Moore, Buda, TX, 48
9. (5) Bill Hamilton, Red Oak, TX, 48
10. (43) Jason Campbell, Adkins, TX, 20
Gural Gets Gift in Texas Super Racing Series Scramble
In TSRS qualifying it was rookie Cody Smith taking his first ever Late Model pole position in the RTM Construction, Oval Components, Salazar Racing, Dillon Chassis powered by a Longs Race Engine. Smith, a former Hobby Stock champion at age set the fastest time with a 15.702. "This is my first one. I'm real happy," replied the elated young gun, Smith. "I wasn't pushing it that hard. That's how good the car felt. I didn't think it was that fast. John Salazar helped me out a lot with the set-up. I really
appreciate that. I hope I can draw the number 1 for the invert. I just want to stand my ground and hope I win it."
Defending series champion, Chris Schild and former THR Late Model track champion, James Reeder paced the 17-car starting field for the Operation Interdependence 75. Schild got the advantage on green as Reeder dirt tracked out of turn 4 as the flag waved. Reeder, former ARTS champion, Robert Walton and fast qualifier Smith then tried three wide. The trio made it through turns 1-2, but turn 3 saw Reeder and Walton make contact. Reeder was the big loser as he slid high and fell back to ninth.
Schild then easily built a lead over Walton, Tommy Gural, Smith, Walton and Craig Sellman. David Sevilla spun on lap 4 in turn, with Bobby Joe New spinning into the grass to avoid contact. Schild got a car length on To. Gural as green waved again, while Reeder worked his way around Ian Webster for sixth. Schild again began stretching out his lead, while Reeder caught
the four-car pack battling for second.
Michael Cullen spun in between turns 3-4 and was narrowly missed by David Snokhaus on lap 18 to bring out yellow. Reeder got past Sellman for fifth on restart while Schild got to six car lengths on To. Gural and Smith. Sellman had trouble on lap 28 as he pitted trailing a shower of sparks. Schild held the same margin as the race came to halfway with To. Gural, Smith, Walton
and Reeder rounding out the top five. Walton began to trail some smoke from the rear end on lap 39. Reeder would
slide high, possibly in fluid from Walton’s car. Deed Dupont brought the yellow on lap 40 when he looped his ride. During yellow Walton was sent to the pits to check for leaks. On the restart the field accordianed with Teresa Gural getting the worst damage in the deal, but still able to continue. By lap 50, the top three separated apart by four car lengths with a gap back to Reeder, Kyle Sirozzotti and Cullen.
Yellow waved again on lap 55 when Adam Haugh and Dupont both spun separately on the back stretch. During caution Reeder pitted for repairs from damage on the previous restart. Once back to green, To. Gural hung with Schild, but yellow was quickly back out when Haugh and Ricky Gavin went off the back
stretch after contact with Walton. Walton was black flagged for
aggressive driving.
When green waved, Schild was unable to get going as the field shuffled by. To. Gural got the lead on lap 66, with Schild spinning on the front stretch with a flat tire. The youngster, Smith tried to hold on to To. Gural’s bumper as the race went back to green for the final laps. To. Gural, Smith, Sirozzotti and Cullen got away from Reeder who had worked back to fifth. As the white waved Smith still on To. Gural, but was never able to take a shot
at the win as To. Gural took the checkered flag in the Magnum Custom Trailers, Terry’s Body Shop, Pflugerville Engine and Machine, with an in house chassis and motor combination.
“I was in the right place, at the right time,” stated Gural.
“He(Schild) was pretty much checking out and we would have had a hard time. After two or three laps, he was gone. I think this is seven or eight wins in the series, I don’t know how many at this track.” “I try not to focus on being the points leader. It usually does nothing but bring you backwards. It’s better just to go out and race for fun. However it plays out is the way it’s going to play out.” “I’m looking forward to the road race at Texas World Speedway,” he added. “I’m a little concerned about it, but I think it will be fun. It’ll be different. We’re geared up for it.”
Street Stock
The always popular and hotly contested Street Stock class saw Duane Toyne get the jump on the 19 car field with Chris Birmingham second and Micky McKim third. Toyne quickly built a good lead over Birmingham, McKim, Shawn Paul Lehman and Cary Stapp worked his way to the top five from the back.
Stapp and Lehman ran side by side on lap 11, with Stapp getting the spot on lap 12.
Lap 14 saw the yellow wave when Tracy Tschoerner spin in turn 3, James Reeder blow up in a ball of fire and Kris Wilson spin in Reeder’s fluid. On the restart David Webster tried the high groove to get by Dale Caswell for fifth. Tschoerner had the throttle hang going into turn as she slid off the track into the tire wall. Toyne got a big lead on the restart when Birmingham got sideways. McKim and Stapp both got for second and third.
At halfway the top five were Toyne, Stapp, McKim, Caswell and Jim Teague. Stapp, the defending class champion and current points leader, methodically cut into Toyne’s lead as the two pulled ahead of the field by a straightaway. Stapp caught Toyne on lap 32 and was about to pass when Toyne pulled up lame giving Stapp the spot unchallenged. From there Stapp ran
away leaving the field to fight for second. Stapp took the win by a comfortable while it was three wide coming to finish for third.
Street Stock feature results
1. 99 Cary Stapp
2. 73 Jim Teague
3. 31 David Webster
4. 1 Dale Caswell
5. 02 Doug Ayers
6. 36 Don Banker
7. 3 Clint LaFont
8. 9 Chris Birmingham 34 laps
9. 7 Kris Wilson 33 laps
10. 4 Duane Toyne 28 laps
11. 33 Walt Clark 26 laps
12. 24 Todd Weeks 23 laps
13. 03 Steve Richardson 12 laps
14. 5 Shawn Paul Lehman 8 laps
15. 11 Tracy Tschoerner 8 laps
16. 54 James Reeder 8 laps
17. 40 Stan Easty 8 laps
18. 83 David Hassinger 2 laps
19. 81 Charles Buxton DNS
20. 8 Doug Ripple DNS
21. 18 Mickey McKim DQ
Hobby Stocks
Steve Osborne and James Lynch jr paced the 11-car Hobby Stock feature to green with Osborne getting out front first. The two stayed side by side for a lap and half until Lynch started to fall back on the high side. Roy Loveday slid off the turn 3 hill on lap 2 while Aaron Brungot got by Steve Joyce for second. Joey Tschoerner and Gary Chancellor jr both moved past Brungot just as yellow waved for Loveday, who couldn’t get restarted.
On the restart, Chancellor Jr. and Sr. passed Joyce with Jr. Rooting Brungot out of second. Up front Osborne and Tschoerner were pulling away. The Chancellor’s and Joyce continued to battle running three wide until Joyce got the worst of it going hard into the turn 4 tire barrier. On the restart the top four played a little bumper tag with Chancellor Jr then going
to the high side. Dad moved along on lap 9 as they ran door to door, with dad getting the spot.
Chancellor Sr then tried the top groove, but had Jeff Smith get inside. Smith then got into the back of Tschoerner sending him for a spin. Back under green, Chancellor Sr jumped back up top and got along side Osborne for the lead. The elder Chancellor took over the top spot on lap 13 and began to pull away while the field bunched up behind Osborne. Chancellor Jr and
Osborne hooked bumpers on lap 15 further stacking up the pack causing Brungot to spin on the back stretch.
Chancellor Sr got a good jump on green as Osborne was still trying to hold off Chancellor Jr for second. Chancellor Jr final got the spot when Osborne got sideways in turn 3. The yellow waved on lap 18 when Tschoerner spun Lynch on the back straight. With the green, white, checker finish it would
dad trying to hold off son the final two laps. Jr. Got to dad’s bumper on the final lap but had nothing for his dad as Chancellor Sr grabbed the win.
Hobby Stock feature results
1. 4 Gary Chancellor
2. 44 Gary Chancellor Jr.
3. 04 Steve Osborne
4. 15 Jeff Smith
5. 50 Aaron Brungot
6. 65 James Lynch Jr.
7. 25 Rick Latimer
8. 14 Joey Tschoerner 18 laps
9. 8 Roy Loveday13 laps
10. 20 Steve Joyce 7 laps
11. 5 Kevin Wilson 7 laps
Grand Stock
Ten cars took the green in the Grand Stock feature with Richard Fitch getting the early lead in the 15 lapper. James Lynch Jr worked his way from the back to second by lap 3 with Byron Reed in tow, third. Lynch used the top groove to get by Fitch for the lead on lap 7. Fitch fought back retaking the top spot on lap 9. The two continued to battle up front until Lynch secured the spot for good on lap 11. Lynch held the point while Reed
and Fitch battled for second. The two traded paint several times until Reed pulled off on lap 12. Lynch went on to take the checkers unchallenged.
Grand Stock feature results
1. 13 James Lynch Jr.
2. 00 Jim Lynch
3. 65 Floyd Reed
4. 92 Travis O’ Brien
5. 57(68) Mike Farish
6. 18 Robert Alexander
7. 91 Marcia Moore 14 laps
8. 83 Bryon Reed 12
9. 69 Art Ganss DNS
10. 39 Mark Chrudimsky DNS
11. 7 Richard Fitch DQ
Allison Legacy
Tom Harwell and John Riley led the 13-car Allison Legacy feature to green for the first attempt. Harwell got out front, but Dillon Sampson and John Martin made contact with D. Sampson losing body parts on track. On the second try Taylor Brandes and Dillon Spreen got together with Spreen spinning. The third time was the charm with Riley getting the point. It wasn’t long until yellow waved again for a multi-cat tangle in turn 2.
On the restart Harwell got bumped and lost several spots falling to sixth. Riley started to pull away from Allen Sampson and Jake Kruger. In the pack their was a good car fight going on for sixth. Jason Hollander and D. Sampson made contact sending him to the infield grass. Kruger took a look on Riley as green waved but was unable to get by.
Riley and Kruger then began to inch away from the field on lap 10. Kruger continued to put the heat on Riley as A. Sampson closed in on lap 14. A. Sampson caught the leaders on lap 14, while Jeff Weir got by Harwell for fifth. Riley then inched away from Kruger who was being challenged by A. Sampson until lap 23 when A. Sampson spun. Kruger was able to relight the fire on Riley after the restart. Hollander spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow on lap 26. The race was to cut five laps to go on the time limit rule for the restart. Kruger tried to get inside Riley, but Riley slammed the door. Two laps later, Kruger again got the nose inside Riley on the front stretch. Riley tried to close the hole
again, but Kruger forced his way by for lead as the white flag waved. Kruger went on to take the win while Riley spun from second.
Lone Star Legacy Feature Results
1. 71 Jake Kruger 38 laps
2. 81 Dillon Spreen 38 laps
3. 9 Taylor Brandes38 laps
4. 4 Dillon Sampson 38 laps
5. 1 Allan Sampson 38 laps
6. 14 Tom Harwell 38 laps
7. 69 John Riley 38 laps
8. 58 John Martin 38 laps
9. 88 Eric Brunner 38 laps
10. 6 Jason Hollander 36 laps
11. 11 Jeff Weir 32 laps
12. 32 Levi Krauss 1 lap
13. 24 Kris Kerr 1 lap
NASKARTS
After being thrown from his kart in practice, taking a trip to the
hospital, Chris Terry almost made a remarkable come back in the NASKART feature. Starting scratch in a back up kart he worked way back up and took the lead after halfway. Terry was challenged by Cory Williams, Frank Mena and Brian Kuemple. It was three wide coming to the checkers with Williams eking
out the win by a toe.
NasKart Results
1. 71 Mike Steinman
2. 11 Chris Terry
3.12 Frank Mena
4. 10 Brian Kuemple
5. 07 Smitty
6. 7 Bobby Dahl
7. 44 Russell Williams
8. 20 Scott Arthurs
9. 8 Stephen Pepper
10. 36 Rich Farkas
11. Tom Freireich
12. 05 David Linnebur
By J M Hallas
Kyle, Tx., As Part of Operation Interdependence, a salute to the
military, Thunder Hill Raxceway hosted the Texas Super Racing Series Late Models, USRA Trucks and Modifieds along with local Street, Hobby and Grand Stocks, Allison Legacy’s and NASKARTS on the slightly banked 3/8 mile track just south of Austin. The weekend festivities were rescheduled from the rained out 4th of July show.
USRA Modifieds - Texasspeedzone.com 50
Naumann Notches Number One in USRA Modified Main
Setting the best time in the USRA Modifieds was winner of the last USRA Modified race at THR, Ryan Englehardt. Engelhardt bested the 14 car field with a lap of in the Third Coast Motorsports, Shoreline Services, FRE Chassis with a KAM Race engine.
"It was a little bit of a handful out there, stated Egelhardt. "We've been out here since yesterday testing. We lost the car for a little while but spent a lot of time with it. We threw a bunch of different things at it before qualifying today. I guess we finally got it right. Anytime you get seat time and something to relate at the same place it helps. We have
quite a few laps here. We're absolutely looking to double up here and I wouldn't want to do anything but win."
It looked like it might have been a full moon when the USRA modifieds attempted to start the Texasspeedzone.com 50 with H E Naumann and Mark Chrudimsky on the front row after the draw for the invert. Fast qualifier, Ryan Engelhardt would start third . On the first try Chrudimsky got a big jump on green, but John Paul Kliewer spun on the front stretch to bring out the yellow. The next try was even uglier when Naumann slowed in turn 4
and stacked up the field. Going into turns 1-2 Billy Becka got turned around for another restart.
Finally the race got underway with Naumann joined by Trey Mitchell on the front row after, current points leader, Chrudimsky pitted under yellow. Naumann and Mitchell stayed wheel to wheel through turns 1-2, as the top six all stayed in formation. Naumann would get the lead by a bumper at the line on lap 1. Mitchell tried to hang on the outside, while it was three wide in
the pack for sixth. Engelhardt slid into second as Mitchell faded a
little on the high side.
Becka then moved to battle with Mitchell getting the spot on lap 3 as the top four began to ease ahead. By lap 8 the lead duo of Naumann and Engelhardt began to put distance on Becka and Mitchell. Newton Barta, Bobby Teer Jr. and Chrudimsky battled for fifth on lap 10
Engelhardt was still pressuring Naumann on lap 15 as they put distance on Becka and Mitchell who had a gap back to Barta, Teer and Chrudimsky. Chrudimsky used the high side to get Teer for fifth on lap 19, then used the low side to get past Becka and Mitchell for third on lap 20. Mitchell and Barta got together, with Bruce Beddoe spinning in the back up on lap 22.
Becka spun in an unrelated incident on the lapin turn 2.
During caution, Engelhardt was checked for a fluid leak, but none was found. On the restart, Teer got crossed-up and turned around to bring the yellow right back out. Finally back to green, Naumann and Engelhardt got away. As the laps wound down, Engelhardt looked for anyway he could find to get by
Naumann. The young Engelhardt tried high in turns 1-2 on lap 36, then again in turns 3-4 on lap 37. Naumann held his ground and fought off the charges.
With ten to go, Engelhardt was still hot on Naumann’s heels as they built a margin over Becka, Barta and Chrudimsky. Engelhardt gave Naumann a rap on the bumper in turn 4 on lap 43, then lost ground on lap 45 after getting loose. Chrudimsky’s chance for a top five ended when he slid off turn 3 into
the grass, then pitted. On the restart, Teer broke something in the suspension and rolled to a stop.
This set up a green, white, checker finish. As green waved, Engelhardt again tried to jump on the top side in turns 1-2, but to no avail as Naumann held steady. Engelhardt gave it the ol’ college try on the last lap but slid high in turn 2. This gave Naumann a little breathing room as he went on to take
his first ever modified victory in the MAN Racing Promotions,
Insty-Prints, Left Hander Chassis powered by a Joe Cantrell Race Engine.
“It was great to get a win at my home track,” replied Naumann. “We had some friends here too. That was some pressure. A lot of people came out to see me. Even if I sit out the rest of the season it was gratifying to pick up a win. I may run a few more when it cools off. It’s too hot out there for me.”
“I was slowing a little in the corners. I had to stay on the low side to hold him off. If he took me outside I knew I could drag race him. I don’t know who would come out ahead but I knew I had some power on the straights. He raced me clean. We bumped a little he ran me clean.”
Results of the USRA Modified Series “TexasSpeedZone.Com 50”
1. (40) H.E. Naumann, Del Valle, TX, 50 Laps
2. (53) Ryan Engelhardt, Lake Travis, TX, 50
3. (29) Billy Becka, La Vernia, TX, 50
4. (47) Trey Mitchell, Wimberely, TX, 50
5. (26) Bob Slezinsky, Beeville, TX, 50
6. (18) Bruce Beddoe, Robstown, TX, 50
7. (89) Newton Barta, Lytle, TX, 50
8. (22) John Paul Kliewer, Boerne, TX, 49
9. (97) John Witzsche, Corpus Christi, TX, 49
10. (39) Mark Chrudimsky, Hutto, TX, 49
11. (2) Bobby Teer, Jr., Comfort, TX, 47
12. (45) Clare Randell, Portland, TX, 46
13. (96) Milton Krauss, Bulverde, TX, 28
14. (81) David Machen, Austin, TX, 0
USRA Truck Series - Magnum Trailers 50
Green Goes Green to Checkers in USRA Truck Tussle
In USRA Truck qualifying, Steve Green was quickest of the 10 trucks on hand. Green set the pace with a second lap, nearly breaking the old track record. Absent from today's event was current points leader Shawn Paul Lehman on a one (race) week hiatus. This would insure a new points leader by the end of
the night. "It was kind of hot out there, but the truck's much better now," said Green. ". We came out last night, practiced and made change after change. I think we changed 10 springs last night. We were looking to step it up some tonight. If we don't hit on something the first time, we take it out
and try something else. A lot of it is trial and error, and a little bit of knowledge. If we go the right way we keep trying until we start backing up. "Im going to race Craig(Roper) hard and clean, like races us. He's a class guy and has caught a lot of flack the past few weeks. I don't think that it was due him. We're going to run it as hard as we have to run it to beat him.”
Steve Green not only set fast time for the Magnum Trailers 50, but drew the number 1 chip to start on the pole. It was all over after that as Green put on a driving clinic on his way to the flag to flag win. Green and Jason Marshall paced the short field of USRA Trucks to green and quickly got the advantage going into turn 1. Marshall fell in line second, with multi-time winner Craig Roper third. Rusty Mirth and Jody Buzbee traded a little paint on lap 1 as they battled for fourth. Green wasted little in inching away from the field that sorted and separated out by lap 7.
Roper looked inside Marshall for second on lap 8 and got past on lap 9 when Marshall got loose in turn 4. Roper, one of hottest drivers recently, then tried to cut into Green’s two second lead. It wasn’t long until Mirth and Buzbee caught Marshall for third, while Wendell Bolton, Cameron Moore jr and Jim Albert fought for sixth.
Green continued to stretch out his margin as the race came to halfway. As the crossed flags were shown it was Green by over three second on Roper with Marshall, Buzbee and Mirth rounding out the top five. Mirth was able to get around Buzbee for fourth. Even traffic couldn’t slow Green down as he easily got by slower trucks.
Jason Campbell brought out yellow on lap 36 when he had trouble and stopped on track. This erased Green’s huge lead, but left him with three lap trucks between he and Roper on the restart. Green got away easily, while Roper, Marshall and Mirth tried to negotiate through traffic. That trio finally cleared on lap 37, but were already two and half seconds behind Green.
With Green setting sail up front the battle heated up for second.
Marshall got past Roper for second on lap 42 bringing Mirth along to third. Mirth then got the better of Marshall snagging second on lap 43. Roper tried to fight back on Marshall retaking third on lap 45, with Buzbee following through the hole. Mirth then tried to take up the charge on Green and got a break when Bolton got turned around by Moore to bring out the yellow with two to go.
On the restart, Green got a good jump to shake Mirth off his bumper. Buzbee, Marshall and Brent Bell got tangled in turn 3 sending Albert through the grass to avoid the melee. Under yellow, Mirth and Green made contact as they scuffed their tires knocking the fender off Mirth’s truck. When the green waved, Green waved bye as he motored away from Mirth. Buzbee was slow to get going and stacked up the rest of the field. Green went on the grab the win by a comfortable margin of nearly a second.
“Tonight it was pretty easy,” quipped Green. “This truck was awesome. I didn’t abuse it. It was a really good piece tonight. We’ve been making changes every race and we’ve got the truck better than the driver. So I’m going to have to catch up to the truck now.” “With Shawn missing this race I think that puts us in the points lead. It’s going to be hard to hold it though. It will be a pretty tight finish. It’s not going to be a blow out this year. I think we’re going to have to fight
every week.”
Results of the USRA Truck Series “Magnum Trailers 50”
1. (54) Steve Green, Marble Falls, TX, 50 Laps
2. (07) Rusty Mirth, Austin, TX, 50
3. (40) Cory Roper, Vernon, TX, 50
4. (42) Jason Marshall, Leander, TX, 50
5. (1) Jody Buzbee, Waco, TX, 50
6. (72) Brent Bell, Katy, TX, 49
7. (31) Jim Albert, Lockhart, TX, 49
8. (38) Cameron Moore, Buda, TX, 48
9. (5) Bill Hamilton, Red Oak, TX, 48
10. (43) Jason Campbell, Adkins, TX, 20
Gural Gets Gift in Texas Super Racing Series Scramble
In TSRS qualifying it was rookie Cody Smith taking his first ever Late Model pole position in the RTM Construction, Oval Components, Salazar Racing, Dillon Chassis powered by a Longs Race Engine. Smith, a former Hobby Stock champion at age set the fastest time with a 15.702. "This is my first one. I'm real happy," replied the elated young gun, Smith. "I wasn't pushing it that hard. That's how good the car felt. I didn't think it was that fast. John Salazar helped me out a lot with the set-up. I really
appreciate that. I hope I can draw the number 1 for the invert. I just want to stand my ground and hope I win it."
Defending series champion, Chris Schild and former THR Late Model track champion, James Reeder paced the 17-car starting field for the Operation Interdependence 75. Schild got the advantage on green as Reeder dirt tracked out of turn 4 as the flag waved. Reeder, former ARTS champion, Robert Walton and fast qualifier Smith then tried three wide. The trio made it through turns 1-2, but turn 3 saw Reeder and Walton make contact. Reeder was the big loser as he slid high and fell back to ninth.
Schild then easily built a lead over Walton, Tommy Gural, Smith, Walton and Craig Sellman. David Sevilla spun on lap 4 in turn, with Bobby Joe New spinning into the grass to avoid contact. Schild got a car length on To. Gural as green waved again, while Reeder worked his way around Ian Webster for sixth. Schild again began stretching out his lead, while Reeder caught
the four-car pack battling for second.
Michael Cullen spun in between turns 3-4 and was narrowly missed by David Snokhaus on lap 18 to bring out yellow. Reeder got past Sellman for fifth on restart while Schild got to six car lengths on To. Gural and Smith. Sellman had trouble on lap 28 as he pitted trailing a shower of sparks. Schild held the same margin as the race came to halfway with To. Gural, Smith, Walton
and Reeder rounding out the top five. Walton began to trail some smoke from the rear end on lap 39. Reeder would
slide high, possibly in fluid from Walton’s car. Deed Dupont brought the yellow on lap 40 when he looped his ride. During yellow Walton was sent to the pits to check for leaks. On the restart the field accordianed with Teresa Gural getting the worst damage in the deal, but still able to continue. By lap 50, the top three separated apart by four car lengths with a gap back to Reeder, Kyle Sirozzotti and Cullen.
Yellow waved again on lap 55 when Adam Haugh and Dupont both spun separately on the back stretch. During caution Reeder pitted for repairs from damage on the previous restart. Once back to green, To. Gural hung with Schild, but yellow was quickly back out when Haugh and Ricky Gavin went off the back
stretch after contact with Walton. Walton was black flagged for
aggressive driving.
When green waved, Schild was unable to get going as the field shuffled by. To. Gural got the lead on lap 66, with Schild spinning on the front stretch with a flat tire. The youngster, Smith tried to hold on to To. Gural’s bumper as the race went back to green for the final laps. To. Gural, Smith, Sirozzotti and Cullen got away from Reeder who had worked back to fifth. As the white waved Smith still on To. Gural, but was never able to take a shot
at the win as To. Gural took the checkered flag in the Magnum Custom Trailers, Terry’s Body Shop, Pflugerville Engine and Machine, with an in house chassis and motor combination.
“I was in the right place, at the right time,” stated Gural.
“He(Schild) was pretty much checking out and we would have had a hard time. After two or three laps, he was gone. I think this is seven or eight wins in the series, I don’t know how many at this track.” “I try not to focus on being the points leader. It usually does nothing but bring you backwards. It’s better just to go out and race for fun. However it plays out is the way it’s going to play out.” “I’m looking forward to the road race at Texas World Speedway,” he added. “I’m a little concerned about it, but I think it will be fun. It’ll be different. We’re geared up for it.”
Street Stock
The always popular and hotly contested Street Stock class saw Duane Toyne get the jump on the 19 car field with Chris Birmingham second and Micky McKim third. Toyne quickly built a good lead over Birmingham, McKim, Shawn Paul Lehman and Cary Stapp worked his way to the top five from the back.
Stapp and Lehman ran side by side on lap 11, with Stapp getting the spot on lap 12.
Lap 14 saw the yellow wave when Tracy Tschoerner spin in turn 3, James Reeder blow up in a ball of fire and Kris Wilson spin in Reeder’s fluid. On the restart David Webster tried the high groove to get by Dale Caswell for fifth. Tschoerner had the throttle hang going into turn as she slid off the track into the tire wall. Toyne got a big lead on the restart when Birmingham got sideways. McKim and Stapp both got for second and third.
At halfway the top five were Toyne, Stapp, McKim, Caswell and Jim Teague. Stapp, the defending class champion and current points leader, methodically cut into Toyne’s lead as the two pulled ahead of the field by a straightaway. Stapp caught Toyne on lap 32 and was about to pass when Toyne pulled up lame giving Stapp the spot unchallenged. From there Stapp ran
away leaving the field to fight for second. Stapp took the win by a comfortable while it was three wide coming to finish for third.
Street Stock feature results
1. 99 Cary Stapp
2. 73 Jim Teague
3. 31 David Webster
4. 1 Dale Caswell
5. 02 Doug Ayers
6. 36 Don Banker
7. 3 Clint LaFont
8. 9 Chris Birmingham 34 laps
9. 7 Kris Wilson 33 laps
10. 4 Duane Toyne 28 laps
11. 33 Walt Clark 26 laps
12. 24 Todd Weeks 23 laps
13. 03 Steve Richardson 12 laps
14. 5 Shawn Paul Lehman 8 laps
15. 11 Tracy Tschoerner 8 laps
16. 54 James Reeder 8 laps
17. 40 Stan Easty 8 laps
18. 83 David Hassinger 2 laps
19. 81 Charles Buxton DNS
20. 8 Doug Ripple DNS
21. 18 Mickey McKim DQ
Hobby Stocks
Steve Osborne and James Lynch jr paced the 11-car Hobby Stock feature to green with Osborne getting out front first. The two stayed side by side for a lap and half until Lynch started to fall back on the high side. Roy Loveday slid off the turn 3 hill on lap 2 while Aaron Brungot got by Steve Joyce for second. Joey Tschoerner and Gary Chancellor jr both moved past Brungot just as yellow waved for Loveday, who couldn’t get restarted.
On the restart, Chancellor Jr. and Sr. passed Joyce with Jr. Rooting Brungot out of second. Up front Osborne and Tschoerner were pulling away. The Chancellor’s and Joyce continued to battle running three wide until Joyce got the worst of it going hard into the turn 4 tire barrier. On the restart the top four played a little bumper tag with Chancellor Jr then going
to the high side. Dad moved along on lap 9 as they ran door to door, with dad getting the spot.
Chancellor Sr then tried the top groove, but had Jeff Smith get inside. Smith then got into the back of Tschoerner sending him for a spin. Back under green, Chancellor Sr jumped back up top and got along side Osborne for the lead. The elder Chancellor took over the top spot on lap 13 and began to pull away while the field bunched up behind Osborne. Chancellor Jr and
Osborne hooked bumpers on lap 15 further stacking up the pack causing Brungot to spin on the back stretch.
Chancellor Sr got a good jump on green as Osborne was still trying to hold off Chancellor Jr for second. Chancellor Jr final got the spot when Osborne got sideways in turn 3. The yellow waved on lap 18 when Tschoerner spun Lynch on the back straight. With the green, white, checker finish it would
dad trying to hold off son the final two laps. Jr. Got to dad’s bumper on the final lap but had nothing for his dad as Chancellor Sr grabbed the win.
Hobby Stock feature results
1. 4 Gary Chancellor
2. 44 Gary Chancellor Jr.
3. 04 Steve Osborne
4. 15 Jeff Smith
5. 50 Aaron Brungot
6. 65 James Lynch Jr.
7. 25 Rick Latimer
8. 14 Joey Tschoerner 18 laps
9. 8 Roy Loveday13 laps
10. 20 Steve Joyce 7 laps
11. 5 Kevin Wilson 7 laps
Grand Stock
Ten cars took the green in the Grand Stock feature with Richard Fitch getting the early lead in the 15 lapper. James Lynch Jr worked his way from the back to second by lap 3 with Byron Reed in tow, third. Lynch used the top groove to get by Fitch for the lead on lap 7. Fitch fought back retaking the top spot on lap 9. The two continued to battle up front until Lynch secured the spot for good on lap 11. Lynch held the point while Reed
and Fitch battled for second. The two traded paint several times until Reed pulled off on lap 12. Lynch went on to take the checkers unchallenged.
Grand Stock feature results
1. 13 James Lynch Jr.
2. 00 Jim Lynch
3. 65 Floyd Reed
4. 92 Travis O’ Brien
5. 57(68) Mike Farish
6. 18 Robert Alexander
7. 91 Marcia Moore 14 laps
8. 83 Bryon Reed 12
9. 69 Art Ganss DNS
10. 39 Mark Chrudimsky DNS
11. 7 Richard Fitch DQ
Allison Legacy
Tom Harwell and John Riley led the 13-car Allison Legacy feature to green for the first attempt. Harwell got out front, but Dillon Sampson and John Martin made contact with D. Sampson losing body parts on track. On the second try Taylor Brandes and Dillon Spreen got together with Spreen spinning. The third time was the charm with Riley getting the point. It wasn’t long until yellow waved again for a multi-cat tangle in turn 2.
On the restart Harwell got bumped and lost several spots falling to sixth. Riley started to pull away from Allen Sampson and Jake Kruger. In the pack their was a good car fight going on for sixth. Jason Hollander and D. Sampson made contact sending him to the infield grass. Kruger took a look on Riley as green waved but was unable to get by.
Riley and Kruger then began to inch away from the field on lap 10. Kruger continued to put the heat on Riley as A. Sampson closed in on lap 14. A. Sampson caught the leaders on lap 14, while Jeff Weir got by Harwell for fifth. Riley then inched away from Kruger who was being challenged by A. Sampson until lap 23 when A. Sampson spun. Kruger was able to relight the fire on Riley after the restart. Hollander spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow on lap 26. The race was to cut five laps to go on the time limit rule for the restart. Kruger tried to get inside Riley, but Riley slammed the door. Two laps later, Kruger again got the nose inside Riley on the front stretch. Riley tried to close the hole
again, but Kruger forced his way by for lead as the white flag waved. Kruger went on to take the win while Riley spun from second.
Lone Star Legacy Feature Results
1. 71 Jake Kruger 38 laps
2. 81 Dillon Spreen 38 laps
3. 9 Taylor Brandes38 laps
4. 4 Dillon Sampson 38 laps
5. 1 Allan Sampson 38 laps
6. 14 Tom Harwell 38 laps
7. 69 John Riley 38 laps
8. 58 John Martin 38 laps
9. 88 Eric Brunner 38 laps
10. 6 Jason Hollander 36 laps
11. 11 Jeff Weir 32 laps
12. 32 Levi Krauss 1 lap
13. 24 Kris Kerr 1 lap
NASKARTS
After being thrown from his kart in practice, taking a trip to the
hospital, Chris Terry almost made a remarkable come back in the NASKART feature. Starting scratch in a back up kart he worked way back up and took the lead after halfway. Terry was challenged by Cory Williams, Frank Mena and Brian Kuemple. It was three wide coming to the checkers with Williams eking
out the win by a toe.
NasKart Results
1. 71 Mike Steinman
2. 11 Chris Terry
3.12 Frank Mena
4. 10 Brian Kuemple
5. 07 Smitty
6. 7 Bobby Dahl
7. 44 Russell Williams
8. 20 Scott Arthurs
9. 8 Stephen Pepper
10. 36 Rich Farkas
11. Tom Freireich
12. 05 David Linnebur