By J M Hallas
Elm Mott, Tex.,(May 30th, 2010) Heart o' Texas Speedway capped off the Memorial Day weekend with the Smiley's sponsored Sprint Series of Texas, and Young Guns Shootout. Also on the night's program was an IMCA Southern Sportmod regional points race along with the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Hobby Stocks running under a draw/redraw format.
The Sprint Series of Texas, running the 305 CI motors went topless, their first of several races run wingless, as part of the point series events. Drivers from Texas and Oklahoma signed up to fill the field of 24-cars, with 20-cars starting the A-Main.
The Young Guns Mini Stock Shootout features the next group of our racers from 12-16 years old running at different tracks across the state culminating at the Southern Challenge in Abilene this coming October.
Howell Holds Off Hammock for Shortened SST Win
Azle's Jason Howell was in the right spot at the right time when the early leader, Johnny Miller spun, giving up the lead on lap 4. Howell then had to hold off hard charging Jerry Hammock, who worked his way from the back. Hammock gave Howell his best effort after a late caution, but Howell hung on for win.
After the three abreast salute to the fans, the 20-car field lined up for scheduled 20-lap main event, with last race winner Jerry Hammock, sporting the yellow ribbon starting at the tail. On the initial start Steve Haviland got out front, but Mike George rolled to a stop in turn 1 to bring the yellow out. Haviland again led the field into turn 1 but Miller got by in turn 4 to lead lap 1. Dustin Woods brought a red flag on lap 1 after endo'd down the back stretch. Woods was able to walk away, but was done for the night.
Miler, Haviland and Howell led the field back to green, with Hammock on a tear getting by Ed Keaton and Jon Freeman for sixth. Keith Sturgeon brought out a caution a lap later when he stopped in turn 4. Once back to green Howell and Haviland swapped second until Haviland did a 360 and fell back. Miller suffered the same fate when he looped it in turn 4 giving the lead to Howell on lap 4.
Hammock picked off second from Kenny Elwood bringing Mike Herring along to third. Elwood and Freeman then got together in turn 4, but both kept the power on. Hammock had just run down Howell for the lead when Keaton and Elwood got tangled in turn 4 bring out a yellow. Officials cut the race to a green, white, checker finish due to time. Hammock gave Howell a shot inside on the restart, but Howell pulled him off the top and inched ahead for the victory in the All Import Auto Parts, Graph-tech Racing Graphics, Champion Dent Repair, H&H Racing Engines, Maxim Chassis.
Sprint Series of Texas
44 Jason Howell, Azle
4 Jerry Hammock, Waxahachie
99 Mike Herring, Flower Mound
30 Shane Gloeckler, Joshua
83 Jon Freeman, Georgetown
31 Steve Haviland, Argyle
21 Kenny Elwood, Waco
61 Ed Keaton, Grand Prairie
53 Johnny Miller, Garland
56 Mike Hayashi, Forney
7 Carl Lamb, Dallas
11 Bruce Bridges, Weatherford
47 Keith Sturgeon, Springtown
91 Kerry Rush, Irving
50 Cody Whitworth, Tuttle, OK.
05 Dustin Woods, Forney
84 David Garland, Irving
12 Gary Kelly, Lone Grove, OK.
92 James Reed, Wills Point
20 Mike George, N. Richland Hills
“You just had to be smooth and take it easy,” replied Howell. “The back stretch had some choppy spots in it. If you were on the gas going through those it would push you up. Other than that it was a good track. I love this place and look forward to coming back here later in the year. I had some good competition with Jerry Hammock and Mike Herring. Luckily we able to pull it off tonight.”
“I think I had something for Johnny Miller, but he went in there and got high and it was my opportunity. So I stuck my nose in there and he spun around. The next thing I know I'm in first.”
“To run these wingless shows is kind of tricky. You really have to soften the car up. But if you soften it up too much it will start cart-wheeling on you. It's a real fine line. You have to stick that right rear out farther and coast into the corners. With our 305's we can't break the right rear loose like bigger motors. You almost have to unhook these car with the little motors.”
SST B-Main(top 5 to A-main)
91 Kerry Rush
20 Mike George
47 Keith Sturgeon
05 Dustin Woods
56 Mike Hayashi
87 Rick Webb
07 Mike Knowles
82 Billy Harris
25 Sean Mayfield
SST heats(Top 5 to A-main)
Heat #1;
30 Shane Gloeckler
50 Cody Whitworth
11 Bruce Bridges
61 Ed Keaton
84 David Garland
87 Rick Webb
25 Sean Mayfield
20 Mike George
Heat #2;
83 Jon Freeman
44 Jason Howell
99 Mike Herring
53 Johnny Miller
92 James Reed
91 Kerry Rush
56 Mike Hayashi
47 Keith Sturgeon
Heat #3;
12 Gary Kelly
4 Jerry Hammock
31 Steve Haviland
21 Kenny Elwood
7 Carl Lamb
07 Mike Knowles
05 Dustin Woods
82 Billy Harris
White Wins First of Two in Modified Main
The Academy ace, Keith White, put another notch in his win column after working his way up to battle with early leader Benji Kirkpatrick. White caught Kirkpatrick just past halfway and got the spot when Kirkpatrick spun during a three wide battle in lapped traffic. White then cruised off to a big lead taking the checkers with nearly a half track margin.
Looking for the weekend four-peat, Kirkpatrick jumped into the lead with Pat McGuire, Robert Black and National points leader, Chris Dawson falling in line. Dawson got by Black on lap 2 when Black spun and collected Ben Ketteman and Bill Pittaway. Chase Jupe and Keith Green were forced over the hill in an effort to avoid the three-car tangle. On the restart the two points leaders Dawson and K. White were side by side and spun in turn 3. K. White continued through the infield with Dawson scattering the field. In the melee Paul White got hung up on JP Dowell.
Once back to green, Kirkpatrick eased ahead of K. White and McGuire who were wheel to wheel for second. Yellow waved quickly when Steven Mac Isaac and Joe O'Bryan got together in turn 4. Kirkpatrick got a slight advantage on the restart, but McGuire closed up and was looking inside. Green was able to get by Mike Miles for fifth on lap 4. McGuire as along side Kirkpatrick for the lead on lap 5 but Kirkpatrick had a good run off the high side to hold the point.
In the pack, P. White worked his way back up getting by Miles and Dawson for sixth. Back up front K. White snagged second from McGuire on lap 8, while Dawson got past Miles for seventh. Coming to the crossed flags K. White had closed on Kirkpatrick with Jupe, McGuire and Green rounding out the top five. K. White and Kirkpatrick were side y side on lap 10 as they ran up on traffic. As they raced three wide around a slower car Kirkpatrick spun in turn 4, wih K. White now out front.
Green took a look for third on McGuire, but gave up fourth to P. White on lap 14. With five to go, K. White had built a full straight lead over Jupe, McGuire, P. White and Green. P. White's run to the front ended on lap 16 when he slowed with problems and pulled off. As the white flag wave K. White had nearly a half track gap on Jupe as he rolled comfortably to th checkers in the Tracy's Auto Sales, Braka Operating, Tubbs Paint & Body, Amsoil, Craftmaster Powder Coating, Stephenville Starter, Belton Metals, Cen-Tex Motorsports powered Hughes Chassis.
“I was running third there and really needed one of them to clear the other.” said White. “Once they got lined out we went to working on them. We could run the top on one end and the bottom on the other. Benji(Kirkpatrick) drew the front row and it seems everywhere we go there are fast cars up front.”
“Chris(Dawson) and I are friends. We borrowed an A-frame for Brandon's car tonight and he needed some fuel. We race hard together and race each other tough. We treat each other right.”
IMCA Modifieds
1 Keith White
303 Chase Jupe
9 Pat McGuire
5g Keith Green
7x Chris Dawson
47 Benji Kirkpatrick
07 Robert Black
26 Darin Leonard
44x Joe O'Bryan
137 Bill Pittaway
43m Steven Mac Isaac
2w Paul White
62 Mike Miles
715 JP Dowell
37 Ben Ketteman
721 Doug Cameron
IMCA Modified heats
Heat #1
9 Pat McGuire
715 JP Dowell
62 Mike Miles
137 Bill Pittaway
43 Steven Mac Isaac
44x Joe O'Bryan
26 Darin Leonard
721 Doug Cameron
5g Keith Green
Heat #2
7x Chris Dawson
37 Ben Ketteman
47 Benji Kirkpatrick
1 Keith White
07 Robert Black
2w Paul White
11j Justin Radcliff---DNS
White Whips 'em Again
After a convincing win the IMCA Modified main, K. White put on another driving clinic as he dominated the IMCA Southern Sportmod Regional race. K. White got by early leader Dean Abbey on lap 5 then ran away from the four-car pack fighting for second. K. White again outdistanced the field by nearly half a track at the checkers.
Gary Fox jumped to the lead as green waved on he 25-lap Regional Sportmod race. Fox then looped it in turn 4 giving the top spot to Dean Abbey, who was being challenged by BJ Dulock. K. White made his move early getting past TJ Green on lap 2 for third and Dulock on lap 3 for second. On lap 4 D. Abbey was slowed by a lapped car giving K. White a run past him for the lead on lap 5 with TJ Green getting third from Dulock.
As K. White quickly eased away, D. Abbey and TJ Green had a gap back to Dulock and Chris Cogburn. Coming to halfway, K. White had a straightaway over D. Abbey, TJ Green, Dulock and Cogburn who were now running nose to tail for second through fifth. K. White ran up on heavy traffic holding that huge margin while Kevin Green and Sid Kiphen got by Steven Abbey for sixth and seventh.
Once K. White cleared traffic he built half track advantage over the pack running for second that was now in that traffic. TJ Green tangled with one of the lapped cars going around and losing several spots. Kiphen and K. Green ran side by side in the final laps with Kiphen getting the spot. At th point it was K. White in the Braka Operating, Craftmaster Powder Coating, Belton Metals, TCI, Tracy's Auto Sales, Stephenville Starter, Amsoil, Tubbs Paint & Body, Cen-Tex Motorsports, Western Flyer Chassis taking his second win of the night.
Tom Earl jr, pulled to the claim area and registered a claim on K. Whites motor. After tech Earl was found to have altered lifters prompting IMCA officials to deny the motor claim.
“Knowing the race track is most of our key to being fast here.” added White. “Being on the track the race before that helped too. Cen-Tex Motorsports does a good job with the motor. It had 40 races on it and needed freshened up. BJ(Dulock) and Donut(Kenneth Drake) did a good job getting it ready.
“They just told me I get to keep my motor because his wasn't legal. So that's good news. We won it all tonight. That's what I'm talking about.”
“It's been an awesome weekend. We got first, second and third with the Modified and two wins plus a second with the Sportmod. If we can just finish the season the way we started we'll end with a good points finish. I don't really start thinking about the points until we get to 30 races. Now the northern guys are getting some races in too. We have a good opportunity to win both classes and since next year we have to pick one it would be a nice going away present.”
IMCA Southern Sportmods
1w Keith White
26 Dean Abey
sly1 BJ Dulock
5c Chris Cogburn
58 Sid Kiphen
5d Kevin Green
79 Steven Abbey
55 TJ Green
11 Mark McDaniel
2w Paul White
46 Tom Earl jr
28 Larry Killian
137 Bill Pittaway
8 Jared Rady
1111 Lyndon Kirk
5m Bobby Mercer
75 Edward Schmidt
12w Gary Fox
61 Rick Poteet
IMCA SSM heats
Heat #1;
5c Chris Cogburn
Sly1 BJ Dulock
12w Gary Fox
11 Mark McDaniel
2w Paul White
137 Bill Pittaway
1111 Lyndon Kirk
Heat #2;
79 Steven Abbey
55 TJ Green
5m Bobby Mercer jr.
26 Dean Abbey
58 Sid Kiphen---DNS
75 Edward Schmidt---DNS
Heat #3;
5D Kevin Green
28 Larry KiIlian
1 Keith White
46 Tom Earl jr.
8 Jared Rady
61 Rick Poteet
Robin is Best Batt in I-Stock Bash
Robin Rasmussen-Batt took her first ever IMCA Stock Car feature win holding off significant other Jason in the final laps. Points leader, Duain Pritchett got out front and looked to be the victor until a late-race caution. Pritchett had the shifter break and quickly fell back with R. Batt getting the lead on lap 13. From there R. Batt kept J. Batt at bay the final eight circuits for her first checkers in the I-Stock division.
Pritchett led from the pole into turn 1 while R. Batt and Trevor Sparkman ran side by side for second. R. Batt got the spot on lap 1 with J. Batt following by for third. J. Batt put pressure on R. Batt for second getting the front bumper inside, but never far enough to complete a pass. The top three then put some distance on Sparkman, Brandt Willis, Ron Simpson, Caleb Crenshaw and Richard Valentine.
Simpson spun from that battle to the infield on lap 9 but far enough off the racing surface to not bring out the caution. Just as Pritchett began to pull away Crenshaw and Valentine tangled in turns 3-4 to bring out the yellow. As green waved again Pritchett was unable to get going and the field taking evasive action. R. Batt got the top spot with J. Batt in pursuit ans able to hold on for the victory, and house bragging rights, in the Kwik Kar Oil & Lube, The Party Bus, Reds BBQ, Fred Garvin Machine Shop, SCS Chassis
“I just tried to hold my line,” commented Robin. “I try not to run over any cars and I had to do some passing out there. It was just a matter of staying in my line and not letting anyone get past me.”
“I don't think I had anything for Duain(Pritchett) though. My goal was just to run up there with him and I was really going to be happy with second. I was worried when the caution came out. I was afraid I'd go backwards like I usually do. When Duain had his problem I was behind him and almost stopped. I saw Jason on the outside going around him and I was going to let him get the lead. So I figured I better hurry up and go.”
“I hope Jason didn't just let me win. I talked to Trevor(Sparkman) and he didn't feel like Jason let up any. I hope he didn't, but if he did I'd be glad since it as my first(win.) Just my win is a big accomplishment for me. I never thought this day would come.”
“I didn't just give her the win,” added Jason. “I had it matted. I could get in the corners better, but once she got it straight off the corner I couldn't get by.”
IMCA Stock Cars
3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt
9 Jason Batt
20T Trevor Sparkman
96 Richard Valentine
29 Brandt Willis
6c Caleb Crenshaw
88 Brian Mendenhall
44 Ron Simpson
22 Duain Pritchett
116 Damon Hammond
50 Matt Guillaume
IMCA Stock Car heat winners; 96 Richard Valentine, 29 Brandt Willis
Bissonette Bests Kemp for Last Lap Hobby Stock Win
David Bissonette didn't lead the most laps, really didn't even lead a whole lap, but as the checkers waved he was first across the line. Bissonette chased down Ray Kemp jr, who took over the lead from Andy Roller on lap 4. Bissonette and Kemp traded some paint twice on the final circuit with Bissonette holding on, literally, to steal the win on the last lap.
Roller jumped out front at the start of the 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock event with Kemp and Chris Cogburn side by side for second. Kemp secured the spot and began to put some heat on Roller for the lead. Kemp got along side Roller on lap 2 and finally edged past on lap 4 for the lead. Cogburn tried to hold off Jeremy Oliver on lap 5, but Oliver got by lap 6 for third.
Yellow waved on lap 6 when Charlie Norris, Billy Taylor and Joe Williams tangled in turn 4 after Garrett Rawls had trouble and stopped in the corner. Once back to green, Cogburn got by Roller for second with Shannon Dulock coming along to third. Bissonette was next in line to put Roller back a spot getting fourth on lap 8 then taking third from Dulock. Bissonette continued his march to the front going past Cogburn on lap 9 for second.
At the mid point it was Kemp, Bissonette, Dulock, with Cogburn and Jeff Sexton side by side for fourth. Sexton got the position with Roller getting back by Cogburn for fifth. Bissonette had just caught Kemp ,and traffic for the lead when Michael Votaw spun in turn 4 to bring out a caution. Kemp got away on green while Bissonette was trying to hold off Dulock for second. Sexton slipped and fell from fourth to eighth moving Michael Gaunet into the top five.
With five to go the top four were nose to tail and Bissonette was taking a peek inside Kemp. Dulock then looked under Bissonette, while Roller was trying a high line on Dulock. Bissonette held off Dulock and put the pressure on Kemp again for the lead. As the lead duo took the white flag Bissonette dove inside Kemp in turn 1. After some rubbing Bissonette got by on the back stretch. Kemp tried to return the move with the two banging doors in turn 3. Both got a little out of shape but Bissonette recovered and beat Kemp back to the line in the Big Jims, AVDI, AMS Race Engines, Destroyer Chassis.
IMCA Hobby Stocks
85$ David Bissonette
45 Ray Kemp jr
47 Shannon Dulock
63 Andy Roller
25 Michael Gaunet
89 Jeff Sexton
82 Jeremy Oliver
5c Chris Cogburn
60 Nathan Sodek
18 Jeremy Hendrix
29 Michael Votaw
46 Billy Taylor
95 Dylan Lucko
7 Jaron Shahon
15 Brandon Williams
23 Les Maxwell
32 Joe Williams
c17 Charlie Norris
16 Aaron Headrick
82g Garrett Rawls
IMCA Hobby Stock heat winners; 47 Shannon Dulock, 60 Nathan Sodek, 82 Jeremy Oliver
At the start of the Young Guns Mini Stock Shootout, Jarred Robert got out to the lead with Corbin Suggs spinning and getting tagged by Tyler Webb to bring the yellow back out. Suggs again got the point on the second start with Courtney Garrison, Dillon Landers and Trenton Raney in tow. Raney got by Landers on lap 1 for third as Suggs began to stretch out his lead early.
Raney spun from third on lap 5, with Austin Thiess spinning to miss him. Both continued on without caution. Yellow did wave on lap 7 when Calton Pritchett went around in turn 2. Suggs got a good jump once back to green, while Tyler Webb worked up to fourth getting by Trenton Turney. No one had anything for Suggs as he easily motored away to grab the win with a comfortable margin.
Young Guns Mini Stocks
6 Jarred Roberts
93 Courtney Garrison
ksp1 Dillon Landers
56 Tyler Webb
17 Trenton Turney
7d Austin Theiss
5k Kelsey Baggett
22 Calton Pritchett
175a Austin Gearhardt
78 Cameron Caldwell
11 Trenton Raney
21 Bryce Pritchett
32 Corbin Suggs
Young Guns heat winners; 32 Corbin Suggs, 6 Jarred Roberts
- administrator on Jun 01, 2010
- Article Date: 6/1/2010