Post by cassy14 on Mar 22, 2008 12:45:41 GMT -6
I-37 Raceway, 3/21/08
By J M Hallas
Pleasanton, Tx., (March 21st, 2008) The second weekend for I-37 Raceway's 1/4 mile semi-banked track saw drivers faced with different track conditions from the previous week. This weeks track was quite a bit smoother, but turned dry slick early. This weeks winner's included another first timer, a two repeaters and some old familiar faces picking up checkers.
Whiteaker Whips 'em Again
The young Corpus Christi hotshoe, Steve Whiteaker jr. became the first repeat winner of theyear as he found the track surface to his liking. Whiteaker quickly moved up from his row 4 starting spot, snagged the lead on lap 4 and never looked back.
Brian Rye and Bill Pittaway lead the 13-car field to green for the 25 lap main event. Rye came out of turn 2 with the top spot, while Whiteaker was making an early charge, getting past Randy Yount and Curt Clegg for third on lap 1. Following in his tracks was last week's runner-up Greg Dinsmore as he by both for fourth on lap 2.
Pittaway got a litle loose giving both Whiteaker and Dinsmore the opening they needed to get second and third, respectively. From there Whiteaker wasted little time getting under Rye for the top spot on lap 4. Dinsmore was able to get a look at the second spot a lap later. After some contact between Clegg and Chris Swenson, Jason Borlace spun to avoid the melee to bring out a caution on lap 6.
On the restart, Dinsmore got a run on Rye for second while Darin Leonard was getting fourth from Pittaway. Leonard then got inside Rye and he two battled side by side for two laps before Leonard secured the spot. At the crossed flags t was Whiteaker, Dinsmore, Leonard, Rye and Pittaway, with Whiteaker inching away from the field.
In the pack, Swenson, who was biding his time, finally made his move getting fifth from Pittaway on lap 13, then Rye for fourth on lap 14. Patrick Kelly and Bob Lienweber tangled in turn 2 to bring out caution on lap 14. Once back to green, Whiteaker got three car lengths on Dinsmore who was able ease away from Leonard, Swenson, Rye and Pittaway on lap 15. Swenson ducked inside Leonard on lap 16 and picked up third coming out of turn 4. The final yellow waved on lap 18 for Lienweber who was stopped just off the racing surface on the back stretch.
When green waved again, Swenson got inside Dinsmore, while Rye was looking to get back by Leonard. Swenson had just gotten by Dinsmore when he got a little sideways coming out of turn 2. Dinsmore, who was on the gas, tapped Swenson who did a 360 and kept going, but lost several spots. This gave Whiteaker the chance to build a huge lead. In the final laps, Whiteaker in the B&W Motorsports, WW Bodies, Texas Service Industries, Access Chevrolet, Holdsclaw & Hermann, T. Roberts Optical, Swenson Racing Products, Young Auto Repair, Hughes Chassis, had it on cruise control as he easily backed up last weeks win.
"I don't have real secrets on winning here," replied Whiteaker after his second straight win. The track was odd tonight, lots of room for error. It was slick all over. I felt like I was messing up every lap, but we get to take both trophies home in the same trailer tonight."
"Someone else will have a chance next weekend, I'll be at former IMCA Rookie of th Year, Trevor Egbert's wedding. I got to be good friends with the Egbert's a few years ago. I might take the car up there with me if they are plannng on running at Heart O' Texas on Friday night. We'll see."
"I'm going to be running the USMTS Southern Series also, so I won't be here every race night. When we go to new track, the first thing I look at is the water truck. If it's a good truck, the track is going to be good." he added jokingly.
IMCA Modified main
1. 89 Steve Whiteaker jr.
2. 8g Greg Dinsmore
3. 25r Brian Rye
4. 26 Darin Leonard
5. 137 Bill Pittaway
6. 66 Randy Yount
7. 48 Chris Swenson
8. 125 Jason Borlace
9. 35 Curt Clegg
10. 12 Bob Lienweber
11. 84 Patrick Kelly
12. 82 Rick Green
13. 11j Justin Radcliff
IMCA Modified heat winners, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 89 Steve Whiteaker jr.
Butcher Bags First SportMod Checkers
The always competitive IMCA SportMod class saw it's second, first time winner in as many weeks, as Dustin Butcher got out front from the front row. Then held off a restart charge of Johnny Torres to grab his first ever win.
Butcher jumped out front of the 20-lap, 13-car field going into turn 1 at the drop of the green, with J. Torres grabbing second. As the lead duo inched away, Bill Pittaway and Chris McLendon ran side by side for third, while Jimbo Meyers and Andy Van Blarcum got by Keith Cockrell for fifth and sixth. Van Blarcum continued his making his way to the front, getting past McLendon then Meyers.
By lap five, Butcher had built a good margin over J. Torres, who had a big gap back to Pittaway, Van Blarcum, Meyers and Chris Rye. Rye took over fifth getting around Meyers on lap 7. The lead duo hit traffic on lap 8, with Butcher losing some of his lead for a moment, but J. Torres had trouble getting through as well giving Butcher his big lead back coming to halfway.
The top five at the midpoint were Butcher, J. Torres, Pittaway, Van Blarcum and Rye. McLendon brought out a yellow on lap 11 after he spun in turn 2. On the restart, J. Torres took a look under Butcher, but fell back in line as the top four stayed nose to tail. Butcher got some breathing room over J. Torres, while Rye got by Van Blarcum for fourth.
Pittaway then put the heat on J. Torres for second getting inside on lap 16. The two stayed wheel to wheel for two laps until Pittaway finally secured the spot on the last lap. In the meantime, Butcher was motoring away from the field to go unchallenged in his B&W Motorsports, WW Bodies, Texas Service Industries, Access Chevrolet, Holdsclaw & Hermann, T. Roberts Optical, Swenson Racing Products, Youngs Auto Repair, Rush Chassis.
"This feels great after last weekend," said the elated Butcher. "It's no fun loading the car on the wrecker. So this feels good. Steve (Whiteaker) sr. drove the car for a couple years, they're family and without them and their help, I'd be out of the ballpark on setting this car up. They help me out a lot!"
"My first priority is helping Steve jr. with his USMTS racing. Then just trying to get some seat time. I've got a lot to learn."
IMCA Southern Sportmod main
1. 90 Dustin Butcher
2. 137 Bill Pittaway
3. 66 Johnny Torres
4. 4$ Chris Rye
5. 15 Andy Van Blarcum
6. 47 Jimbo Meyers
7. 44 Gene Hyde
8. 2x Dennis Hilla
9. 1c Keith Cockrell
10. 11 Chris McLendon
11. 11F Mike Finkel
12. 22 Rene Mares
13. 5 Jordan Leuck
94 Alan Torres---DNS
IMCA Southern SportMod Modified heat winners, 137 Bill Pittaway, 66 Johnny Torres
The 15-lap Super Stock feature saw M K Wallace get the early lead as green waved on the six car field. Trey Votion quickly worked his way around Richard Bartosh for third, then Howie Marcx for second, while Gary Hunter snagged fourth from Bartosh.
Votion got inside Wallace for the lead on lap 6 and took over the top spot on lap 7. Wallace took numerous looks trying to get the lead back from Votion, while Marcx and Hunter battled for third. Wallace tried high, then low in the final laps, but Votion held on to snare the victory.
Super Stock feature
1. 99 Trey Votion
2. 48 M K Wallace
3. 13 Howie Marcx
4. 14 Gary Hunter
5. 7 Richard Bartosh
6. 33 Steve Reynolds
33A Walt Clark---DNS
Super Stock heat winner, 99 Trey Votion
Randy Guzman grabbed the lead of the 20-lap, 9-car Street Stock feature going into turn 1. Donald Lewis, Craig Crawley and Wade Jones made their way up to second-fourth, Lewis and Crawley were side by side for second on lap 2. Tommy Casey joined that three car scramble, and ran door to door with Jones for two laps, but Jones held the spot. Crawley lost second on lap 6 when he spun but kept going to avoid a caution.
Jones grabbed second from Lewis on lap 7, but a caution for Joe Horne stopped on the track, reset the positions. Once back to green, Jones again took his shot at Lewis for second and got the spot, but gave it when he spun and brought out a yellow on lap 11. When green waved again, Casey then took his opportunity to look at getting by Lewis. Crawley, who had worked his way back up to third, spun again and fell back.
Casey was finally able to wrestle second away from Lewis on lap 13 and slowly began inching closer to Guzman. Casey got his chance when Horne spun on lap 19, setting up a one lap shootout for the win. Guzman was quickly away on green and was able to make his debut in a different car pay off, as took the checkers.
Street Stock Feature
1. 21 Randy Guzman
2. 42 Tommy Casey
3. 51 Donald Lewis
4. 41 Wade Jones
5. 08 Alton Fambru
6. 25 Anthony Malhorin
7. 6 Craig Crawley
8. 67 Joe Horne
9. 37 Austin Wernette
24 Jeremy Hernandez---DNS
3 Abraham Mares Jr. - DNS
Street Stock heat winners, 21 Randy Guzman, 41 Wade Jones
Sonny Jones wasn't first into turn 1 as the 13-car Pure Stock feature roared off, but Jones was in the lead coming out of turn 2. Daniel Pierce brought out an early caution when he rolled to a stop on the edge of the track. On the restart, Dubba Hawkins looked under Justin Henley for second, but Henley held him off and began pressuring Jones for the lead.
Jones and Henley ran side by side on lap 3 before Henley captured the top spot on lap 4. Tom Williams stalled on track during lap 4 to bring the yellow flag out. On the restart, Jones tried to look back inside Henley, but in the pack, Nathan Lorenz and Anthoney Malhorin made contact, with Joseph Nicholson stopping on the track.
Back under green, the top three of Henley, Jones and Hawkins stayed nose to tail, while Adam Torres got fourth from J D Reynolds. Hawkins got loose on lap 5 and lost ground to the lead duo, while Jones was putting the heat back on Henley for the top spot. Henley began to creep away from Jones on lap 8, as Torres was getting third from Hawkins. Torres didn't keep that spot long as he spun on lap 12 to bring out the caution.
On the restart, Jones got along side Henley for the lead, at the same time Reynolds was taking a trip through the infield losing several spots. Jones was able to retake the point on lap 13, with Henley staying on his bumper. Torres again had a spin on lap 14 to bring out the final caution.
When green waved again, Jones and Henley pulled away from Hawkins to decide the race between the two. Henley got up to bumper of Jones as they diced through slower traffic. On the final lap Henley gave it 'the ol' college try' coming out of turn 2, but Jones held him off and thought he was going to take his first ever I-37 Raceway victory. Post race inspection found Jones's car to be illegal, giving the win to Henley
Pure Stock feature
1. 96 Justin Henley
2. 5x J D Reynolds
3. 40c Jerry Adams
4. 15 William Cavender
5. 68 Dubba Hawkins
6. 66 Adam Torres
7. 57 Tom Williams
8. 889 Sean Ward
9. 70 Joseph Nicholson
10. 25 Anthony Malhorin
11. 29p Daniel Pierce
55 Sonny Jones---DQ, originally 1st
07 Nathan Lorenz---DQ, originally 8th
79 George Lowt jr.---DNS
Pure Stock heat winners, 96 Justin Henley, 5x J D Reynolds
By J M Hallas
Pleasanton, Tx., (March 21st, 2008) The second weekend for I-37 Raceway's 1/4 mile semi-banked track saw drivers faced with different track conditions from the previous week. This weeks track was quite a bit smoother, but turned dry slick early. This weeks winner's included another first timer, a two repeaters and some old familiar faces picking up checkers.
Whiteaker Whips 'em Again
The young Corpus Christi hotshoe, Steve Whiteaker jr. became the first repeat winner of theyear as he found the track surface to his liking. Whiteaker quickly moved up from his row 4 starting spot, snagged the lead on lap 4 and never looked back.
Brian Rye and Bill Pittaway lead the 13-car field to green for the 25 lap main event. Rye came out of turn 2 with the top spot, while Whiteaker was making an early charge, getting past Randy Yount and Curt Clegg for third on lap 1. Following in his tracks was last week's runner-up Greg Dinsmore as he by both for fourth on lap 2.
Pittaway got a litle loose giving both Whiteaker and Dinsmore the opening they needed to get second and third, respectively. From there Whiteaker wasted little time getting under Rye for the top spot on lap 4. Dinsmore was able to get a look at the second spot a lap later. After some contact between Clegg and Chris Swenson, Jason Borlace spun to avoid the melee to bring out a caution on lap 6.
On the restart, Dinsmore got a run on Rye for second while Darin Leonard was getting fourth from Pittaway. Leonard then got inside Rye and he two battled side by side for two laps before Leonard secured the spot. At the crossed flags t was Whiteaker, Dinsmore, Leonard, Rye and Pittaway, with Whiteaker inching away from the field.
In the pack, Swenson, who was biding his time, finally made his move getting fifth from Pittaway on lap 13, then Rye for fourth on lap 14. Patrick Kelly and Bob Lienweber tangled in turn 2 to bring out caution on lap 14. Once back to green, Whiteaker got three car lengths on Dinsmore who was able ease away from Leonard, Swenson, Rye and Pittaway on lap 15. Swenson ducked inside Leonard on lap 16 and picked up third coming out of turn 4. The final yellow waved on lap 18 for Lienweber who was stopped just off the racing surface on the back stretch.
When green waved again, Swenson got inside Dinsmore, while Rye was looking to get back by Leonard. Swenson had just gotten by Dinsmore when he got a little sideways coming out of turn 2. Dinsmore, who was on the gas, tapped Swenson who did a 360 and kept going, but lost several spots. This gave Whiteaker the chance to build a huge lead. In the final laps, Whiteaker in the B&W Motorsports, WW Bodies, Texas Service Industries, Access Chevrolet, Holdsclaw & Hermann, T. Roberts Optical, Swenson Racing Products, Young Auto Repair, Hughes Chassis, had it on cruise control as he easily backed up last weeks win.
"I don't have real secrets on winning here," replied Whiteaker after his second straight win. The track was odd tonight, lots of room for error. It was slick all over. I felt like I was messing up every lap, but we get to take both trophies home in the same trailer tonight."
"Someone else will have a chance next weekend, I'll be at former IMCA Rookie of th Year, Trevor Egbert's wedding. I got to be good friends with the Egbert's a few years ago. I might take the car up there with me if they are plannng on running at Heart O' Texas on Friday night. We'll see."
"I'm going to be running the USMTS Southern Series also, so I won't be here every race night. When we go to new track, the first thing I look at is the water truck. If it's a good truck, the track is going to be good." he added jokingly.
IMCA Modified main
1. 89 Steve Whiteaker jr.
2. 8g Greg Dinsmore
3. 25r Brian Rye
4. 26 Darin Leonard
5. 137 Bill Pittaway
6. 66 Randy Yount
7. 48 Chris Swenson
8. 125 Jason Borlace
9. 35 Curt Clegg
10. 12 Bob Lienweber
11. 84 Patrick Kelly
12. 82 Rick Green
13. 11j Justin Radcliff
IMCA Modified heat winners, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 89 Steve Whiteaker jr.
Butcher Bags First SportMod Checkers
The always competitive IMCA SportMod class saw it's second, first time winner in as many weeks, as Dustin Butcher got out front from the front row. Then held off a restart charge of Johnny Torres to grab his first ever win.
Butcher jumped out front of the 20-lap, 13-car field going into turn 1 at the drop of the green, with J. Torres grabbing second. As the lead duo inched away, Bill Pittaway and Chris McLendon ran side by side for third, while Jimbo Meyers and Andy Van Blarcum got by Keith Cockrell for fifth and sixth. Van Blarcum continued his making his way to the front, getting past McLendon then Meyers.
By lap five, Butcher had built a good margin over J. Torres, who had a big gap back to Pittaway, Van Blarcum, Meyers and Chris Rye. Rye took over fifth getting around Meyers on lap 7. The lead duo hit traffic on lap 8, with Butcher losing some of his lead for a moment, but J. Torres had trouble getting through as well giving Butcher his big lead back coming to halfway.
The top five at the midpoint were Butcher, J. Torres, Pittaway, Van Blarcum and Rye. McLendon brought out a yellow on lap 11 after he spun in turn 2. On the restart, J. Torres took a look under Butcher, but fell back in line as the top four stayed nose to tail. Butcher got some breathing room over J. Torres, while Rye got by Van Blarcum for fourth.
Pittaway then put the heat on J. Torres for second getting inside on lap 16. The two stayed wheel to wheel for two laps until Pittaway finally secured the spot on the last lap. In the meantime, Butcher was motoring away from the field to go unchallenged in his B&W Motorsports, WW Bodies, Texas Service Industries, Access Chevrolet, Holdsclaw & Hermann, T. Roberts Optical, Swenson Racing Products, Youngs Auto Repair, Rush Chassis.
"This feels great after last weekend," said the elated Butcher. "It's no fun loading the car on the wrecker. So this feels good. Steve (Whiteaker) sr. drove the car for a couple years, they're family and without them and their help, I'd be out of the ballpark on setting this car up. They help me out a lot!"
"My first priority is helping Steve jr. with his USMTS racing. Then just trying to get some seat time. I've got a lot to learn."
IMCA Southern Sportmod main
1. 90 Dustin Butcher
2. 137 Bill Pittaway
3. 66 Johnny Torres
4. 4$ Chris Rye
5. 15 Andy Van Blarcum
6. 47 Jimbo Meyers
7. 44 Gene Hyde
8. 2x Dennis Hilla
9. 1c Keith Cockrell
10. 11 Chris McLendon
11. 11F Mike Finkel
12. 22 Rene Mares
13. 5 Jordan Leuck
94 Alan Torres---DNS
IMCA Southern SportMod Modified heat winners, 137 Bill Pittaway, 66 Johnny Torres
The 15-lap Super Stock feature saw M K Wallace get the early lead as green waved on the six car field. Trey Votion quickly worked his way around Richard Bartosh for third, then Howie Marcx for second, while Gary Hunter snagged fourth from Bartosh.
Votion got inside Wallace for the lead on lap 6 and took over the top spot on lap 7. Wallace took numerous looks trying to get the lead back from Votion, while Marcx and Hunter battled for third. Wallace tried high, then low in the final laps, but Votion held on to snare the victory.
Super Stock feature
1. 99 Trey Votion
2. 48 M K Wallace
3. 13 Howie Marcx
4. 14 Gary Hunter
5. 7 Richard Bartosh
6. 33 Steve Reynolds
33A Walt Clark---DNS
Super Stock heat winner, 99 Trey Votion
Randy Guzman grabbed the lead of the 20-lap, 9-car Street Stock feature going into turn 1. Donald Lewis, Craig Crawley and Wade Jones made their way up to second-fourth, Lewis and Crawley were side by side for second on lap 2. Tommy Casey joined that three car scramble, and ran door to door with Jones for two laps, but Jones held the spot. Crawley lost second on lap 6 when he spun but kept going to avoid a caution.
Jones grabbed second from Lewis on lap 7, but a caution for Joe Horne stopped on the track, reset the positions. Once back to green, Jones again took his shot at Lewis for second and got the spot, but gave it when he spun and brought out a yellow on lap 11. When green waved again, Casey then took his opportunity to look at getting by Lewis. Crawley, who had worked his way back up to third, spun again and fell back.
Casey was finally able to wrestle second away from Lewis on lap 13 and slowly began inching closer to Guzman. Casey got his chance when Horne spun on lap 19, setting up a one lap shootout for the win. Guzman was quickly away on green and was able to make his debut in a different car pay off, as took the checkers.
Street Stock Feature
1. 21 Randy Guzman
2. 42 Tommy Casey
3. 51 Donald Lewis
4. 41 Wade Jones
5. 08 Alton Fambru
6. 25 Anthony Malhorin
7. 6 Craig Crawley
8. 67 Joe Horne
9. 37 Austin Wernette
24 Jeremy Hernandez---DNS
3 Abraham Mares Jr. - DNS
Street Stock heat winners, 21 Randy Guzman, 41 Wade Jones
Sonny Jones wasn't first into turn 1 as the 13-car Pure Stock feature roared off, but Jones was in the lead coming out of turn 2. Daniel Pierce brought out an early caution when he rolled to a stop on the edge of the track. On the restart, Dubba Hawkins looked under Justin Henley for second, but Henley held him off and began pressuring Jones for the lead.
Jones and Henley ran side by side on lap 3 before Henley captured the top spot on lap 4. Tom Williams stalled on track during lap 4 to bring the yellow flag out. On the restart, Jones tried to look back inside Henley, but in the pack, Nathan Lorenz and Anthoney Malhorin made contact, with Joseph Nicholson stopping on the track.
Back under green, the top three of Henley, Jones and Hawkins stayed nose to tail, while Adam Torres got fourth from J D Reynolds. Hawkins got loose on lap 5 and lost ground to the lead duo, while Jones was putting the heat back on Henley for the top spot. Henley began to creep away from Jones on lap 8, as Torres was getting third from Hawkins. Torres didn't keep that spot long as he spun on lap 12 to bring out the caution.
On the restart, Jones got along side Henley for the lead, at the same time Reynolds was taking a trip through the infield losing several spots. Jones was able to retake the point on lap 13, with Henley staying on his bumper. Torres again had a spin on lap 14 to bring out the final caution.
When green waved again, Jones and Henley pulled away from Hawkins to decide the race between the two. Henley got up to bumper of Jones as they diced through slower traffic. On the final lap Henley gave it 'the ol' college try' coming out of turn 2, but Jones held him off and thought he was going to take his first ever I-37 Raceway victory. Post race inspection found Jones's car to be illegal, giving the win to Henley
Pure Stock feature
1. 96 Justin Henley
2. 5x J D Reynolds
3. 40c Jerry Adams
4. 15 William Cavender
5. 68 Dubba Hawkins
6. 66 Adam Torres
7. 57 Tom Williams
8. 889 Sean Ward
9. 70 Joseph Nicholson
10. 25 Anthony Malhorin
11. 29p Daniel Pierce
55 Sonny Jones---DQ, originally 1st
07 Nathan Lorenz---DQ, originally 8th
79 George Lowt jr.---DNS
Pure Stock heat winners, 96 Justin Henley, 5x J D Reynolds