Tuesdays with TMAC – Monkey on a String!
(Bill W) July 21, 2009 – Terry McCarl did his “Monkey on a String” act twice again last weekend, coming from the back of the pack to finishes in the top five. He put together a third place finish at ELKO Speedway, a 21st to fourth run at Knoxville and a run from the tail to second at Huset’s. This week, he’ll be busy with five races throughout the Midwest.
The weekend started at ELKO Speedway in New Market, Minnesota on Friday. The speedway put dirt over the pavement…always a good thing! TMAC had the honor of setting quick time on the new surface with the IRA. “What a beautiful facility, and a cool place,” he says. “Tom (owner) really did a fabulous job with the event, and putting the dirt on. The fans were really excited and I think a good show was put on.”
After running from sixth to second in his heat, TMAC finished third in the main. “We set the track record on Friday night, and I heard they were faster on Saturday, so you know it got better as the weekend went on,” he says. “Later on, it did get a little narrow on Friday, and we had some motor issues, but it was a fun time. It’s always good to race with the IRA and it was good to see Jake (Peters) get a win.”
After setting the fifth quick time of the night at Knoxville, TMAC suffered mechanical problems in the heat. “We had a motor problem in the heat that sent us to another B main,” he says. “You know I like to put good shows on for the fans, but it’s getting a little ridiculous and it’s costing me some feature wins!”
After winning the B going away, TMAC lined up 21st for the 20-lap feature. He put on a charge, and with three laps to go, had moved into a spot that would have landed him on the podium. “I thought we had a shot at the win before the yellow with three to go,” he says. “I had just gotten by Kerry (Madsen for third), but that was erased. Kerry took my line on the restart, our tire didn’t take off like we would have wanted and we ended up racing Brian Brown to finish fourth. I just thought we had a shot without the yellow…second definitely, and maybe we could have had something for Dusty (Zomer), but he was fast.”
After setting quick time at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota on Sunday night, TMAC finished fifth in his heat. He accepted an offer to start at the tail and go for a $5,000 bonus. If not for the fact he hit a snag, he very well could have been in victory lane. “We were caught behind two slower cars for literally ten laps,” he says. “I had gotten by them early on, but a yellow came out. I had to go back behind them and I was sitting there for ten laps. The track was so narrow in one and two, I couldn’t make a move without crashing someone, and that’s not how I operate. Once I cleared them, it was game on.”
The mad rush to the front was on, and TMAC settled a half a straightaway behind winner, Mark Dobmeier, at the checkers. “We got to second and we were gaining, we just ran out of time,” he laments. “I guess we put on another show for the fans, but I hate doing that without getting the win. Sometimes, I feel like a monkey on a string. Throw a quarter in the cup and watch me dance!”
You can watch TMAC dance with the All Stars this week at US36 Raceway near Osborn, Missouri on Wednesday, the Belleville Highbanks in Kansas on Thursday, and the Thunder Hill Raceway near Mayetta, Kansas on Friday. He’ll return to Knoxville on Saturday, before going for the $10,000 to win All Stars finale at Huset’s on Sunday night.
Websites for the McCarl Gang!
Driverwebsites.com has developed websites for the McCarl boys. Check out the new look of www.TerryMcCarl.com, and check out the newly developed www.AustinMcCarl.com and www.CarsonMcCarl.com!
Front Row Challenge/Ultimate Challenge Tickets On Sale!
Order your tickets now for the $10,000 to win Front Row Challenge, and $15,000 to win Ultimate Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday beginning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to renew your seats!
Infield Party Passes for the August 10 and 11 events will be $25!
For more information on the Challenges, visit www.OskyChallenges.com!
In"Terry"gation
George Van Peursem in Cedar Rapids, IA asks: I read that you were hoping to get a Speedweek together for 2009. How is that coming along?
TMAC Answers: It’s really in the talking stage right now, but I’d put it at 50/50. I talked to Ralph (Capitani) about it last week, and he’s excited about it. Knoxville needs to be the anchor and we will work backwards from there…they just need to find a date that works. We really need a good paying race that is an event for the Knoxville locals when the Outlaws aren’t around. We’re aiming for an IRA vs. Knoxville vs. Outsiders type thing. I think it’s going to be good. There’s definitely a lot of interest from the tracks, so I feel positive about it.
Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.
This Day in TMAC History!
On this day in 2007, the famous “Wave” incident occurred. While passing Donny Schatz late in the race at K-C Raceway in Ohio, TMAC’s “wave” was caught on the ESPN2 cameras. After starting outside the fourth row, he won the World of Outlaws event over Schatz, Chad Kemenah, Rob Chaney and Daryn Pittman.
Website Updates
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
"Tuesdays with TMAC"!
"Tuesdays with TMAC" is an up close and personal look at colorful sprint car veteran Terry McCarl. To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, AmeriCashAdvance.com, DeBerg Concrete and Remington Treestands.
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
Monroe, IA USA
sprntcar@iowatelecom.net
- administrator on Jul 28, 2009
- Article Date: 7/28/2009