By J M Hallas
Elm Mott, Tx., After a regular Friday night race card honoring all members of the military and their families, Elm Mott's Heart O' Texas Speedway capped off the Memorial Day weekend with a special event night featuring the eighth race of nine for the IMCA Lone Star Series championship. The night's action included a diverse field of racing action on the high-banked, 1/4 mile dirt track just north of Waco.
All four of the IMCA Classes were in action (Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stocks and Hobby's), plus the winged warriors from the Sprint Series of Texas, and Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock Championship.
Before the evening's race action Heart O' Texas Speedway and the Vintage Texas Open Wheel group, paid tribute to a handful of their past heroes as they inducted 10 new members to their 'Wall of Fame.' This permanent structure is located behind the grandstands of the long time race facility that has been racing since 1955.
The track established the 'Wall of Fame' in 2010 with the first ten inductees that included, Gordon Woolley, Billy White, Henry Witt jr., J.T. Carpenter, Bud Jarosek, Joe Sturdivant, Bo Rawdon, Dale Breedlove, Eldon Dotson and Roy Ewing.
The afternoons festivities added, Morris Smiley, Jr. Ingram, Danny Randolph, Robert Pryor, Steve Stewart, Johnnie T. Barrett, Clarence Jackson, Pete LaPoint, Ray Rawdon and Hal Freeman
Howell Hustles to SST Honors
Jason Howell patiently worked his way up in the 20-lap Sprint Series of Texas main while Jimmy Allard and David Garland swapped the lead. Howell was into the top five by halfway and closed the distance during a red flag. Howell then picked off Allard, then Garland, taking the lead with two to go and eased away to take the checkers.
As green waved on the 20-car SST Feature Allard was first into tun 1 trailed by Gary Kelly, Bud Hannah, Carl Lamb and Garland. As the top five sorted out single file, the rest of the pack stayed side by side. Garland, working the top, got by Lamb and along side Hannah on lap 2. Once clear of Hannah, Garland ran down Kelly for second and took the spot on lap 6.
Yellow waved on lap 8 to slow the pace. On the restart Garland went back up top and led back to the line on lap 9, while Lamb got third from Hannah, and Howell cracked the top five. Allard, still plugging along on the bottom, retook the lead on lap 10. Hannah got sideways in turn 3 with Corey Minor spinning to avoid him and doing an easy tip over for a red flag.
Once back to green, Allard and Garland were wheel to wheel for the lead, with Howell getting third from Lamb. Garland inched past Alard for the top spot on lap 12, with Jerry Hammock making a big run up top to sixth. Allard tried to use the bottom to get the lead back, but couldn't pull t off this time. Dustin Woods got fourth from Lamb on lap 13, with Hammock losing steam and spots.
With five to go, Howell was able to get past Allard for second and began his chase on Garland. Howell closed the gap catching Garland on lap 17 and taking a look inside. Howell stuck the nose under Garland and came out with the lead on lap 18. From there it was Howell, a former Heart o' Texas winner, going on to take the win in the All Import Auto Parts, Graph-Tech Racing Graphics, Champion Dent Repair, H&H Race Engines, Maxim Chassis.
“This has been long weekend,” said Howell. “I didn't think we were going to make it tonight after what happened last night. It's great way to end the weekend. We tightened the car up after heats. With this wind it just glazes over these tracks. It's hard to keep moisture in them. It was kind of follow the leader and the bottom and thought I'd test the waters up top. It started going forward so I just stayed up there.”
Smiley's Sprint Series of Texas
44 Jason Howell, 84 David Garland 43 Jimmy Allard, 05 Dustin Woods, 7 Carl Lamb, 59 Kenny Venable, 41 Danny Merrell, 67 Rodney Henderson, 4 Jerry Hammock, 12 Gary Kelly, 9 Kurt Summers, 94 Drew Wright, 17 Edd French, 30 Shane Gloeckler, 07 Mike Knowles, 21 Kenny Elwood, 31 Stacy Haviland, 61 Ed Keaton, 80 Bud Hannah, 8 Corey Minor
SST B-main(Top 2 to A-main)
B-main 1
8 Corey Minor, 31 Stacy Haviland, 11 Bruce Bridges, 69 Brian Fulton, 88 Walter Lane, 91 Kerry Rush, 20 Mike George, 77 Keith Sturgeon
B-main 2
17 Edd French, 30 Shane Gloeckler, 2 Jon Freeman, 48 Davis Barr, 93 Mark Barr, 53 Brent Mayfield, 99 Mike Herring, 56 Mike Hayashi
SST heats(Top 4 to A-main)
Heat 1
44 Jason Howell, 80 Bud Hannah, 94 Drew Wright, 12 Gary Kelly, 31 Stacy Haviland, 11 Bruce Bridges, 20 Mike George, 88 Walter Lane
Heat 2
59 Kenny Venable, 07 Mike Knowles, 43 Jimmy Allard, 41 Danny Merrell, 56 Mike Hayashi, 99 Mike Herring, 93 Mark Barr, 30 Shane Gloeckler
Heat 3
4 Jerry Hammock, 61 Ed Keaton, 7 Carl Lamb, 84 David Garland, 8 Corey Minor, 69 Brian Fulton, 55 Brent Mayfield, 48 Davis Barr
Heat 4
05 Dustin Woods, 21 Kenny Elwood, 9 Kurt Summers, 67 Rodney Henderson, 17 Edd French, 2 Jon Freeman, 77 Keith Sturgeon, 91 Kerry Rush
White Wins Wild One
The defending Southern Region champion, Keith White (Academy) had his hands full in the IMCA Modified main event. White had all he could handle from Chase Jupe throughout the last half of the 20-lapper. Jupe looked high, low and threw everything at White but the proverbial kitchen sink. At the checkers it was the veteran White holding off his young counterpart for a hard earned win.
The start of the 24-car IMCA Modified main saw White, Ben Ketteman and Benji Kirkpatrick go three wide into turn 1, with White coming out of turn 2 in front. John Gober and Ketteman made contact on lap 1, with Gober and Jupe getting by for second and third. As the top three eased away, Pat McGuire and Ketteman were side by side for fifth.
Jupe got by Gober for second on lap 3, while JP Dowell moved past McGuire for fifth. As Jupe began cutting into Whites lead, Dowell and Ketteman ran wheel to wheel for fourth and Josh McGaha got by McGuire for sixth. Just before halfway the yellow flew for debris, the races only caution. This set up the chase by Chase on White for the win.
Once back to green coming to halfway it was White, Jupe, Gober, Dowell and McGaha in the top five. Lap 12 saw Jupe take a look high on White in turn 4, while Dowell and Gober ran side by side for third. Jupe then went to the bottom again giving a look of turn 4 on lap 13. Jupe was back up top on lap 14 giving White everything in the book.
The scramble up front continued with Gober, Dowell and McGaha now nose to tail in their own personal battle for third. Jupe looked low on lap 15, then back on the high side for lap 16. Jupe gave it another try high on lap 17, then tried to duck under White in turn 1 on lap 18. White in the Braka Operating, Traceys Auto Sales, BSB Manufacturing, Belton Metals, Tubbs Paint & Body, Kempner Iron & Steel, TCI, Temple Iron & Metal, Extreme Graphics, racinwithneal.com, Stephenville Starter, CenTex Motorsports powered Hughes Chassis was able to hold off the hard charging Jupe to grab the victory.
White increased his Lone Star Series points lead over Gabe Tucker(12th), while Jupe shaved 10 points off his battle with Tucker for second.
“I could hear him on the bottom and hear him him on the top,” replied White. “I knew he was coming, making runs wherever he could. Had I been a little more consistent he may have gotten me. I wasn't very good on the bottom and moved to the middle. When it didn't feel good there I moved back to the bottom. I could see him once in a while a feel him. Chase(Jupe) has been real good this year. He does a good job and s a heck of a driver”
“We missed it by that much,” shrugged runner-up Jupe, “I did everything I could, but take him out and I wasn't going to win it that way. We were faster than Keith(White) at the end, but he had the lead and used the track up. That's why he's a champion.”
IMCA Modifieds
1 Keith White, 303 Chase Jupe, 52 John Gober, 715 JP Dowell, 911 Josh McGaha, 9 Pat McGuire, 5k Kenny Stone, 47 Benji Kirkpatrick, 412 Marc Beltz, 11j Justin Radcliff, 777 Archie Whitt, 28 Gabe Tucker, 63 Hardy Henderson, 72 Charles Brewer, 02 David Davis, 3p Kenneth Parker, 26 Darin Leonard, 102 Danny Rogers, 44s Joe Spillman, 22k Ricky Kizer, 1x Jake Henderson, 115 Jimmy Don Summerour, 5 Keith Green, 37 Ben Ketteman
IMCA Modified B-main(Top 6 to A-main)
B-main 1
5 Keith Green, 02 David Davis, 22k Ricky Kizer, 26 Darin Leonard, 1x Jake Henderson, 44s Joe Spillman, 27 Dwayne Grantham, 43 Steven MacIsaac, 31 Doyle Massa
B-main 2
72 Charles Brewer, 5k Kenny Stone, 11J Justin Radcliff, 28 Gabe Tucker, 3p Kenneth Parker, 102 Danny Rogers, 13 Jason Hunter, 118 Steven Carter
IMCA Modified heats(Top 4 to A-main)
Heat 1
715 JP Dowell, 37 Ben Ketteman, 777 Archie Whitt, 115 Jimmy Don Summerour, 02 David Davis, 72 Charles Brewer, 31 Doyle Massa, 26 Darin Leonard, 3P Kenneth Parker
Heat 2
1 Keith White , 303 Chase Jupe, 9 Pat McGuire, 412 Marc Beltz, 11J Justin Radcliff, 5 Keith Green, 5K Kenny Stone, 44s Joe Spillman, 102 Danny Rogers, 27 Dwayne Grantham
Heat 3
63 Hardy Henderson , 47 Benji Kirkpatrick, 52 John Gober, 911 Josh McGaha, 22k Ricky Kizer, 8 Gabe Tucker, 1x Jake Henderson, 13 Jason Hunter, 43 Steven MacIsaac
Kiphen Captures Sportmod Scramble
Gateville's Sid Kiphen worked his past both the Green boys(TJ and Kevin) as he marched to the front of the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature. Kiphen took over the top spot on lap 6 and never looked back as the race ran green to checkers without a single caution.
The Green boys drew the front row as the 24-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature started. The two stayed side by side on lap 1 until K. Green got out front of TJ, with points chaser Tom Earl jr, Kiphen and BJ Dulock side by side with Cody Daniel. Kiphen jumped to high groove getting along side and by TJ Green on lap 3 for second.
Kiphen, sticking with the high line, then pulled beside K. Green on lap 5 and got the point on lap 6. The top 8 were sorted out single file as the crossed flags were shown on the top five of Kiphen, K. Green, TJ Green, Earl and Dulock. Dulock and Earl made contact battling for fourth with Dulock getting spot followed by Quentin Noel to fifth.
As Noel and Earl dueled for fifth, Dean Abbey moved in to challenge both. Earl got back by Noel on lap 16 for fifth, bringing Abbey along to sixth. As Kiphen held a slight margin on the Greens, Abbey went around Earl for fifth. Coming to the checkers it was Kiphen, in the K&S Backhoe Service, CenTex Motorsports, Express Race Car, with a comfortable lead on the Green boys.
In the points battle for the Lone Star Series Championship, Bradley Poor came into the race with a three point margin on Earl. With Earls sixth place finish and Poor back in 10th, Earl goes into the final race of the series with a 1 point margin on Poor.
“There were a lot of good competitors ahead of me,” said Kiphen. “I knew it was going to be a fast race. We set the car up for a dry slick track and it seemed to work real good. I ran through the middle thinking they were either going to be high or low. I was able to keep my momentum up and it worked pretty good.”
“This is brand new car (Express Race Car) and new car is always good. The set up seems to work real well on dry slick. I was real happy with it. Shane Hebert builds a good car and helped me get the handle on the set up. A good car always helps. Jonathon Beard and Pat McGuire give me a lot of help on the car.”
“I took a little time off to collect my thoughts and patience. We came back with a new slate and hopes of just driving clean.”
IMCA Southern Sportmods
58 Sid Kiphen, 5D Kevin Green, 55 TJ Green, sly1 BJ Dulock, 26 Dean Abbey, 46 Thomas Earl jr., 3x Quentin Noel, 5c Chris Cogburn, 65 Randy Doyle, 148 Bradley Poor, 07 Jeff Kinniard, 103 JC Howell, 76s Cody Daniel, 7 Cody Frank, 7g David Goode jr., 2 Zac Sydney, 702 Brain Walker, 5r Ricky Rodriguez, 00 Brad Shirley, 62 Tim McDonald, 66 Matt Robbins, 95 Ronnie Bell jr., 134 Ronnie Warren, 48x Duane Toyne
IMCA Southern Sportmod B-main(Top 6 to A-main)
B-main 1
5R Ricky Rodriguez, 2 Zac Sydney, 7g David Goode jr., 95 Ronnie Bell jr., 702 Brian Walker, 48x Duane Toyne, 681 Mat Miller, 23 Shelly Sakhnini, 48 Mitch Tierney, 43 Josh Cox
B-main 2
5c Chris Cogburn, 07 Jeff Kinnaird, 7 Cody Frank, 62 Tim McDonald, 134 Ronnie Warren, 7m Megan Engstrom, 66 Matt Robbins, 25m Bryan Monroe, 75K Kyle Nelson
IMCA SSM heats(Top 4 to A-main)
Heat 1
00 Brad Shirley
5D Kevin Green, 3x Quentin Noel, 76s Cody Daniel, 2 Zac Sydney, 7 Cody Frank, 48 Mitch Tierney, 75k Kyle Nelson, 702 Brian Walker, 66 Matt Robbins
Heat 2
46 Tom Earl jr., 65 Randy Doyle, sly1 BJ Dulock, 103 JC Howell, 07 Jeff Kinniard, 95 Ronnie Bell jr., 62 Tim McDonald, 43 Josh Cox, 25m Bryan Monroe, 48x Duane Toyne, 23 Shelly Sakhnini
Heat 3
55 TJ Green, 26 Dean Abbey, 58 Sid Kiphen, 148 Bradley Poor, 5r Ricky Rodriguez, 5c Chris Cogburn, 7g David Goode jr., 7m Megan Engstrom, 681 Matt Miller, 134 Ronnie Warren, 17s James Skinner---DNS
White Doubles up With I-Stock Win
Doing double duty is no stranger to Keith White this year, running both a Modified and I-Stock. As in the past with a Sportmod, White captured two feature wins for the night out running points challenger, Jeff Turner. White jumped out front on green then ran flag to flag, uncontested, for the victory.
White got a big jump as green waved on the 22-car, 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature. Ronnie Warren, BJ Dulock, Turner and Duain Pritchett fell in line behind White. Matt Guillaume moved in to go three wide with Turner and Dulock for fifth on lap 2. Turner, Dulock and Warren were three wide for second on lap 3 as White edged ahead.
Guillaume was able to get by Dulock on lap 4 for third, while Jason Batt got sixth from Pritchett. At the halfway point it was White, with a good advantage, Turner, Guillaume, Dulock and Warren in the top five. J. Batt was able to get by Dulock and Warren as they swapped fourth. With a four wide battle for sixth starting, yellow waved for a spin by Melvin Burrows erasing Whites three second lead.
On the restart, Daniel Parker got by J. Batt and Guillaume, while Pritchett faded with a flat right rear. Sam Sovey moved in to battle with Dulock for sixth on lap 12. As White rebuilt his lead on Turner, Warren lost a right rear wheel to bring out a yellow on lap 15. When green waved again, Turner tried to hang on to Whites bumper.
Parker and Guillaume were door to door on laps 16-17 as they slugged it out for third. With two to go White was again inching away from Turner while J. Batt, Sovey and JC Howell were three wide for fifth. At the checkers it was was White in the Traceys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, Belton Metals, BSB Manufacturing, Extreme Graphics, racinwithneal.com, Stephenville Starter, Tubbs Paint & Body, Kempner Iron & Steel, TCI, Temple Iron & Metal, CenTex Motorsports powered Medieval Chassis gabbing win number two for the night.
White's win and Turner's second place finish gave White, would started a single point ahead of Turner, a two point edge going to the final event at Texas Thunder Speedway July 3rd.
“This new Medieval Chassis is running great,” said White. “We put it together the way they told us and it's been great ever since I got in it. All these I-stock guys are a good bunch of guys to race with. We're trying to get this class built back up to where it was at one time. If we keep having fields like this, an putting on shows like this I think we'll get it there.”
IMCA Stock Cars
1 Keith White, 144 Jeff Turner, 3P Daniel Parker, 50 Matt Guillaume, 103 JC Howell, 9 Jason Batt, 771 Sam Sovey, 7 Pat Wilson, 44 Joe Spillman, 5 David Acosta,489 Anthony Otken, 56 Melvin Burrows, 3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt, 8 Buck Owens, 14b BJ Dulock, 6c Caleb Crenshaw, 96 Richard Valentine, 20 Trevor Sparkman, 693 Jason Bernal, C7 Tony McPherson sr., 34 Ronnie Warren, 22 Duain Pritchett
IMCA Stock Car heats
Heat 1
1 Keith White ,50 Matt Guillaume,489 Anthony Otken, 22 Duain Pritchett, C7 Tony McPherson sr., 5 David Acosta, 6 Caleb Crenshaw, 56 Melvin Burrows
Heat 2
771 Sam Sovey, 144 Jeff Turner, 7 Pat Wilson, 34 Ronnie Warren, 3P Daniel Parker, 8 Buck Owens, 20 Trevor Sparkman
Heat 3
14b BJ Dulock, 9 Jason Batt, 693 Jason Bernal, 96 Richard Valentine, 3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt, 103 JC Howell, 44 Joe Spillman
Montgomery Motors to Hobby Stock Honors
Allen Montgomery(Ft. Worth) worked his way though two three wide battles as he made his way to the front of the 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Montgomery got by early leader Jeff Sexton on a restart then held off a stacked field of Hobby Stock drivers for the win.
Sexton used the top to grab the lead off of turn 2 with Jeremy Oliver, Shannon Dulock, Ray Kemp and Montgomery in pursuit. Montgomery, Jeff Kinnaird and Michael Gaunet were three wide for fifth on lap 2. As Oliver looked high on Sexton for the lead, Kemp, Dulock and Montgomery were three wide for third. Oliver got by only to have caution fly for a tangle between Barrett Hutchinson, Dulock, Nathan Sodek and Jordan Kornegay and erase the pass.
On the restart Oliver and Sexton traded some paint in the fight for the lead. Behind them Kemp climbed the back stretch wall nearly going over and out of the park to bring out a red flag. On the next restart Montgomery used the top side to get a run by both Olive and Sexton for the lead on lap 4 with Oliver following to second.
Kinniard was next to put Sexton back a spot taking third on lap 5 with David Bissonette getting fourth a lap later. Bryan Sewell snagged fifth on lap 8 going past both Sexton and Gaunet. At halfway it was Montgomery, Oliver, Kinniard, Bissonette and Sewell in the top five. Bissonette and Kinniard then put on a good side by side fight for third running four laps, cleanly, tied at the door handles.
Sewell's top five run ended on lap 17 when e spun and got clipped by Gaunet setting up a three lap shootout for the win. The top three broke away clean as green waved again with Montgomery holding a slight edge. Oliver, trying to chase Montgomery and hold off Bissonette, spun on the final lap giving up several spots. Montgomery took the checkers in the www.texasstarracing.com, Extreme Graphics, Stephenville Starter, Master Repair, Ace Tire Service, Niwdog Race Engines. HDC Chassis Fabrication.
Montgomery's win, combined with Charles Cosper falling out early catapulted him into the Lone Star Series points lead by a margin of 19 points.
“Any time you come to one of these Lone Star Series races you have the best in the Southern Region show up,” commented Montgomery. You've got to really be on your game and be fast. We started running here about a month ago since Boyd wasn't getting the car count. Last Friday was my first win here so we've been pretty good.”
“ I've learned a lot about how to run this track over the past month. I think we had it figured out tonight. You've got the best of best here tonight. The northern guys are closing in points now, but the haven't run as much as we have. You just have to quick and hold on to it.”
IMCA Hobby Stocks
38 Allen Montgomery, 85 David Bissonette, 25 Michael Gaunet, 63 Andy Roller, 43 Barrett Hutchinson, 82 Jeremy Oliver, 47 Shannon Dulock, 82g Garrett Rawls, 21j Jordan Kornegay, 41 Jeremy Wininger, 53 Robert Scrivner, 89 Jeff Sexton, 07 Jeff Kinniard, 3x Amanda Brewer, 18 Jeremy Hendrix, 44 Bryan Sewell, 14 Zach Riley, 45 Ray Kemp jr, 98 Rick Barrett, 74 Chris Grusendorf, 33c Charles Cosper, 60 Nathan Sodek, 25c Gary Turner---DNS
IMCA Hobby Stock heats
Heat 1
07 Jeff Kinniard, 98 Rick Barrett, 21J Jordan Kornegay, 89 Jeff Sexton, 82G Garrett Rawls, 33c Charles Cosper, 74 Chris Grusendorf, 25c Gary Turner
Heat 2
44 Bryan Sewell, 25 Michael Gaunet, 38 Allen Montgomery, 45 Ray Kemp jr., 43 Barrett Hutchinson, 53 Robert Scrivner, 3x Amanda Brewer, 60 Nathan Sodek
Heat 3
82 Jeremy Oliver, 85 David Bissonette, 47 Shannon Dulock, 41 Jeremy Wininger, 63 Andy Roller, 18 Jeremy Hendrix, 14 Zach Riley
The 15-car, 15-lap Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock feature saw Brooke Cooper break out front trailed by Thomas Lunsford, Jarred Marquez, Bryce Pritchett and Trenton Raney. Cooper quickly began building a lead, while Jarrett Roberts began working his way up to second. In the pack Austin Theiss, Marquez, Tyler Webb and Raney were in their own battle for fifth.
Theiss emerged from that battle with the position only to spin and bring out a caution on lap 12. This gave Roberts the opportunity to close on Cooper for the restart. When green waved again Roberts ducked inside Cooper and got by for the lead on lap 13, with Webb moving up to third. Cooper couldn't rechallenge Roberts as the local Young Gun went on to score the victory.
Young Guns Jr. Mini Stocks
6 Jarrett Roberts, 94 Brooke Cooper, 56 Tyler Webb, 21 Bryce Pritchett, 11 Trenton Raney, ksp1 Jarred Marquez, 21k Kaylee Kornegay, 5k Kelsey Baggett, 7d Austin Theiss, 11x Thomas Lunsford, 12 Calton Pritchett, 3D Donovan Hosch, 38k Matt Garrison, 17 Trinten Turney, 155 Austin Waundershied
Jr. Mini Stock heat winners; 94 Brook Cooper, 11x Thomas Lunsford
Elm Mott, Tx., After a regular Friday night race card honoring all members of the military and their families, Elm Mott's Heart O' Texas Speedway capped off the Memorial Day weekend with a special event night featuring the eighth race of nine for the IMCA Lone Star Series championship. The night's action included a diverse field of racing action on the high-banked, 1/4 mile dirt track just north of Waco.
All four of the IMCA Classes were in action (Modifieds, Southern Sportmods, Stocks and Hobby's), plus the winged warriors from the Sprint Series of Texas, and Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock Championship.
Before the evening's race action Heart O' Texas Speedway and the Vintage Texas Open Wheel group, paid tribute to a handful of their past heroes as they inducted 10 new members to their 'Wall of Fame.' This permanent structure is located behind the grandstands of the long time race facility that has been racing since 1955.
The track established the 'Wall of Fame' in 2010 with the first ten inductees that included, Gordon Woolley, Billy White, Henry Witt jr., J.T. Carpenter, Bud Jarosek, Joe Sturdivant, Bo Rawdon, Dale Breedlove, Eldon Dotson and Roy Ewing.
The afternoons festivities added, Morris Smiley, Jr. Ingram, Danny Randolph, Robert Pryor, Steve Stewart, Johnnie T. Barrett, Clarence Jackson, Pete LaPoint, Ray Rawdon and Hal Freeman
Howell Hustles to SST Honors
Jason Howell patiently worked his way up in the 20-lap Sprint Series of Texas main while Jimmy Allard and David Garland swapped the lead. Howell was into the top five by halfway and closed the distance during a red flag. Howell then picked off Allard, then Garland, taking the lead with two to go and eased away to take the checkers.
As green waved on the 20-car SST Feature Allard was first into tun 1 trailed by Gary Kelly, Bud Hannah, Carl Lamb and Garland. As the top five sorted out single file, the rest of the pack stayed side by side. Garland, working the top, got by Lamb and along side Hannah on lap 2. Once clear of Hannah, Garland ran down Kelly for second and took the spot on lap 6.
Yellow waved on lap 8 to slow the pace. On the restart Garland went back up top and led back to the line on lap 9, while Lamb got third from Hannah, and Howell cracked the top five. Allard, still plugging along on the bottom, retook the lead on lap 10. Hannah got sideways in turn 3 with Corey Minor spinning to avoid him and doing an easy tip over for a red flag.
Once back to green, Allard and Garland were wheel to wheel for the lead, with Howell getting third from Lamb. Garland inched past Alard for the top spot on lap 12, with Jerry Hammock making a big run up top to sixth. Allard tried to use the bottom to get the lead back, but couldn't pull t off this time. Dustin Woods got fourth from Lamb on lap 13, with Hammock losing steam and spots.
With five to go, Howell was able to get past Allard for second and began his chase on Garland. Howell closed the gap catching Garland on lap 17 and taking a look inside. Howell stuck the nose under Garland and came out with the lead on lap 18. From there it was Howell, a former Heart o' Texas winner, going on to take the win in the All Import Auto Parts, Graph-Tech Racing Graphics, Champion Dent Repair, H&H Race Engines, Maxim Chassis.
“This has been long weekend,” said Howell. “I didn't think we were going to make it tonight after what happened last night. It's great way to end the weekend. We tightened the car up after heats. With this wind it just glazes over these tracks. It's hard to keep moisture in them. It was kind of follow the leader and the bottom and thought I'd test the waters up top. It started going forward so I just stayed up there.”
Smiley's Sprint Series of Texas
44 Jason Howell, 84 David Garland 43 Jimmy Allard, 05 Dustin Woods, 7 Carl Lamb, 59 Kenny Venable, 41 Danny Merrell, 67 Rodney Henderson, 4 Jerry Hammock, 12 Gary Kelly, 9 Kurt Summers, 94 Drew Wright, 17 Edd French, 30 Shane Gloeckler, 07 Mike Knowles, 21 Kenny Elwood, 31 Stacy Haviland, 61 Ed Keaton, 80 Bud Hannah, 8 Corey Minor
SST B-main(Top 2 to A-main)
B-main 1
8 Corey Minor, 31 Stacy Haviland, 11 Bruce Bridges, 69 Brian Fulton, 88 Walter Lane, 91 Kerry Rush, 20 Mike George, 77 Keith Sturgeon
B-main 2
17 Edd French, 30 Shane Gloeckler, 2 Jon Freeman, 48 Davis Barr, 93 Mark Barr, 53 Brent Mayfield, 99 Mike Herring, 56 Mike Hayashi
SST heats(Top 4 to A-main)
Heat 1
44 Jason Howell, 80 Bud Hannah, 94 Drew Wright, 12 Gary Kelly, 31 Stacy Haviland, 11 Bruce Bridges, 20 Mike George, 88 Walter Lane
Heat 2
59 Kenny Venable, 07 Mike Knowles, 43 Jimmy Allard, 41 Danny Merrell, 56 Mike Hayashi, 99 Mike Herring, 93 Mark Barr, 30 Shane Gloeckler
Heat 3
4 Jerry Hammock, 61 Ed Keaton, 7 Carl Lamb, 84 David Garland, 8 Corey Minor, 69 Brian Fulton, 55 Brent Mayfield, 48 Davis Barr
Heat 4
05 Dustin Woods, 21 Kenny Elwood, 9 Kurt Summers, 67 Rodney Henderson, 17 Edd French, 2 Jon Freeman, 77 Keith Sturgeon, 91 Kerry Rush
White Wins Wild One
The defending Southern Region champion, Keith White (Academy) had his hands full in the IMCA Modified main event. White had all he could handle from Chase Jupe throughout the last half of the 20-lapper. Jupe looked high, low and threw everything at White but the proverbial kitchen sink. At the checkers it was the veteran White holding off his young counterpart for a hard earned win.
The start of the 24-car IMCA Modified main saw White, Ben Ketteman and Benji Kirkpatrick go three wide into turn 1, with White coming out of turn 2 in front. John Gober and Ketteman made contact on lap 1, with Gober and Jupe getting by for second and third. As the top three eased away, Pat McGuire and Ketteman were side by side for fifth.
Jupe got by Gober for second on lap 3, while JP Dowell moved past McGuire for fifth. As Jupe began cutting into Whites lead, Dowell and Ketteman ran wheel to wheel for fourth and Josh McGaha got by McGuire for sixth. Just before halfway the yellow flew for debris, the races only caution. This set up the chase by Chase on White for the win.
Once back to green coming to halfway it was White, Jupe, Gober, Dowell and McGaha in the top five. Lap 12 saw Jupe take a look high on White in turn 4, while Dowell and Gober ran side by side for third. Jupe then went to the bottom again giving a look of turn 4 on lap 13. Jupe was back up top on lap 14 giving White everything in the book.
The scramble up front continued with Gober, Dowell and McGaha now nose to tail in their own personal battle for third. Jupe looked low on lap 15, then back on the high side for lap 16. Jupe gave it another try high on lap 17, then tried to duck under White in turn 1 on lap 18. White in the Braka Operating, Traceys Auto Sales, BSB Manufacturing, Belton Metals, Tubbs Paint & Body, Kempner Iron & Steel, TCI, Temple Iron & Metal, Extreme Graphics, racinwithneal.com, Stephenville Starter, CenTex Motorsports powered Hughes Chassis was able to hold off the hard charging Jupe to grab the victory.
White increased his Lone Star Series points lead over Gabe Tucker(12th), while Jupe shaved 10 points off his battle with Tucker for second.
“I could hear him on the bottom and hear him him on the top,” replied White. “I knew he was coming, making runs wherever he could. Had I been a little more consistent he may have gotten me. I wasn't very good on the bottom and moved to the middle. When it didn't feel good there I moved back to the bottom. I could see him once in a while a feel him. Chase(Jupe) has been real good this year. He does a good job and s a heck of a driver”
“We missed it by that much,” shrugged runner-up Jupe, “I did everything I could, but take him out and I wasn't going to win it that way. We were faster than Keith(White) at the end, but he had the lead and used the track up. That's why he's a champion.”
IMCA Modifieds
1 Keith White, 303 Chase Jupe, 52 John Gober, 715 JP Dowell, 911 Josh McGaha, 9 Pat McGuire, 5k Kenny Stone, 47 Benji Kirkpatrick, 412 Marc Beltz, 11j Justin Radcliff, 777 Archie Whitt, 28 Gabe Tucker, 63 Hardy Henderson, 72 Charles Brewer, 02 David Davis, 3p Kenneth Parker, 26 Darin Leonard, 102 Danny Rogers, 44s Joe Spillman, 22k Ricky Kizer, 1x Jake Henderson, 115 Jimmy Don Summerour, 5 Keith Green, 37 Ben Ketteman
IMCA Modified B-main(Top 6 to A-main)
B-main 1
5 Keith Green, 02 David Davis, 22k Ricky Kizer, 26 Darin Leonard, 1x Jake Henderson, 44s Joe Spillman, 27 Dwayne Grantham, 43 Steven MacIsaac, 31 Doyle Massa
B-main 2
72 Charles Brewer, 5k Kenny Stone, 11J Justin Radcliff, 28 Gabe Tucker, 3p Kenneth Parker, 102 Danny Rogers, 13 Jason Hunter, 118 Steven Carter
IMCA Modified heats(Top 4 to A-main)
Heat 1
715 JP Dowell, 37 Ben Ketteman, 777 Archie Whitt, 115 Jimmy Don Summerour, 02 David Davis, 72 Charles Brewer, 31 Doyle Massa, 26 Darin Leonard, 3P Kenneth Parker
Heat 2
1 Keith White , 303 Chase Jupe, 9 Pat McGuire, 412 Marc Beltz, 11J Justin Radcliff, 5 Keith Green, 5K Kenny Stone, 44s Joe Spillman, 102 Danny Rogers, 27 Dwayne Grantham
Heat 3
63 Hardy Henderson , 47 Benji Kirkpatrick, 52 John Gober, 911 Josh McGaha, 22k Ricky Kizer, 8 Gabe Tucker, 1x Jake Henderson, 13 Jason Hunter, 43 Steven MacIsaac
Kiphen Captures Sportmod Scramble
Gateville's Sid Kiphen worked his past both the Green boys(TJ and Kevin) as he marched to the front of the 20-lap IMCA Southern Sportmod feature. Kiphen took over the top spot on lap 6 and never looked back as the race ran green to checkers without a single caution.
The Green boys drew the front row as the 24-car IMCA Southern Sportmod feature started. The two stayed side by side on lap 1 until K. Green got out front of TJ, with points chaser Tom Earl jr, Kiphen and BJ Dulock side by side with Cody Daniel. Kiphen jumped to high groove getting along side and by TJ Green on lap 3 for second.
Kiphen, sticking with the high line, then pulled beside K. Green on lap 5 and got the point on lap 6. The top 8 were sorted out single file as the crossed flags were shown on the top five of Kiphen, K. Green, TJ Green, Earl and Dulock. Dulock and Earl made contact battling for fourth with Dulock getting spot followed by Quentin Noel to fifth.
As Noel and Earl dueled for fifth, Dean Abbey moved in to challenge both. Earl got back by Noel on lap 16 for fifth, bringing Abbey along to sixth. As Kiphen held a slight margin on the Greens, Abbey went around Earl for fifth. Coming to the checkers it was Kiphen, in the K&S Backhoe Service, CenTex Motorsports, Express Race Car, with a comfortable lead on the Green boys.
In the points battle for the Lone Star Series Championship, Bradley Poor came into the race with a three point margin on Earl. With Earls sixth place finish and Poor back in 10th, Earl goes into the final race of the series with a 1 point margin on Poor.
“There were a lot of good competitors ahead of me,” said Kiphen. “I knew it was going to be a fast race. We set the car up for a dry slick track and it seemed to work real good. I ran through the middle thinking they were either going to be high or low. I was able to keep my momentum up and it worked pretty good.”
“This is brand new car (Express Race Car) and new car is always good. The set up seems to work real well on dry slick. I was real happy with it. Shane Hebert builds a good car and helped me get the handle on the set up. A good car always helps. Jonathon Beard and Pat McGuire give me a lot of help on the car.”
“I took a little time off to collect my thoughts and patience. We came back with a new slate and hopes of just driving clean.”
IMCA Southern Sportmods
58 Sid Kiphen, 5D Kevin Green, 55 TJ Green, sly1 BJ Dulock, 26 Dean Abbey, 46 Thomas Earl jr., 3x Quentin Noel, 5c Chris Cogburn, 65 Randy Doyle, 148 Bradley Poor, 07 Jeff Kinniard, 103 JC Howell, 76s Cody Daniel, 7 Cody Frank, 7g David Goode jr., 2 Zac Sydney, 702 Brain Walker, 5r Ricky Rodriguez, 00 Brad Shirley, 62 Tim McDonald, 66 Matt Robbins, 95 Ronnie Bell jr., 134 Ronnie Warren, 48x Duane Toyne
IMCA Southern Sportmod B-main(Top 6 to A-main)
B-main 1
5R Ricky Rodriguez, 2 Zac Sydney, 7g David Goode jr., 95 Ronnie Bell jr., 702 Brian Walker, 48x Duane Toyne, 681 Mat Miller, 23 Shelly Sakhnini, 48 Mitch Tierney, 43 Josh Cox
B-main 2
5c Chris Cogburn, 07 Jeff Kinnaird, 7 Cody Frank, 62 Tim McDonald, 134 Ronnie Warren, 7m Megan Engstrom, 66 Matt Robbins, 25m Bryan Monroe, 75K Kyle Nelson
IMCA SSM heats(Top 4 to A-main)
Heat 1
00 Brad Shirley
5D Kevin Green, 3x Quentin Noel, 76s Cody Daniel, 2 Zac Sydney, 7 Cody Frank, 48 Mitch Tierney, 75k Kyle Nelson, 702 Brian Walker, 66 Matt Robbins
Heat 2
46 Tom Earl jr., 65 Randy Doyle, sly1 BJ Dulock, 103 JC Howell, 07 Jeff Kinniard, 95 Ronnie Bell jr., 62 Tim McDonald, 43 Josh Cox, 25m Bryan Monroe, 48x Duane Toyne, 23 Shelly Sakhnini
Heat 3
55 TJ Green, 26 Dean Abbey, 58 Sid Kiphen, 148 Bradley Poor, 5r Ricky Rodriguez, 5c Chris Cogburn, 7g David Goode jr., 7m Megan Engstrom, 681 Matt Miller, 134 Ronnie Warren, 17s James Skinner---DNS
White Doubles up With I-Stock Win
Doing double duty is no stranger to Keith White this year, running both a Modified and I-Stock. As in the past with a Sportmod, White captured two feature wins for the night out running points challenger, Jeff Turner. White jumped out front on green then ran flag to flag, uncontested, for the victory.
White got a big jump as green waved on the 22-car, 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature. Ronnie Warren, BJ Dulock, Turner and Duain Pritchett fell in line behind White. Matt Guillaume moved in to go three wide with Turner and Dulock for fifth on lap 2. Turner, Dulock and Warren were three wide for second on lap 3 as White edged ahead.
Guillaume was able to get by Dulock on lap 4 for third, while Jason Batt got sixth from Pritchett. At the halfway point it was White, with a good advantage, Turner, Guillaume, Dulock and Warren in the top five. J. Batt was able to get by Dulock and Warren as they swapped fourth. With a four wide battle for sixth starting, yellow waved for a spin by Melvin Burrows erasing Whites three second lead.
On the restart, Daniel Parker got by J. Batt and Guillaume, while Pritchett faded with a flat right rear. Sam Sovey moved in to battle with Dulock for sixth on lap 12. As White rebuilt his lead on Turner, Warren lost a right rear wheel to bring out a yellow on lap 15. When green waved again, Turner tried to hang on to Whites bumper.
Parker and Guillaume were door to door on laps 16-17 as they slugged it out for third. With two to go White was again inching away from Turner while J. Batt, Sovey and JC Howell were three wide for fifth. At the checkers it was was White in the Traceys Auto Sales, Braka Operating, Belton Metals, BSB Manufacturing, Extreme Graphics, racinwithneal.com, Stephenville Starter, Tubbs Paint & Body, Kempner Iron & Steel, TCI, Temple Iron & Metal, CenTex Motorsports powered Medieval Chassis gabbing win number two for the night.
White's win and Turner's second place finish gave White, would started a single point ahead of Turner, a two point edge going to the final event at Texas Thunder Speedway July 3rd.
“This new Medieval Chassis is running great,” said White. “We put it together the way they told us and it's been great ever since I got in it. All these I-stock guys are a good bunch of guys to race with. We're trying to get this class built back up to where it was at one time. If we keep having fields like this, an putting on shows like this I think we'll get it there.”
IMCA Stock Cars
1 Keith White, 144 Jeff Turner, 3P Daniel Parker, 50 Matt Guillaume, 103 JC Howell, 9 Jason Batt, 771 Sam Sovey, 7 Pat Wilson, 44 Joe Spillman, 5 David Acosta,489 Anthony Otken, 56 Melvin Burrows, 3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt, 8 Buck Owens, 14b BJ Dulock, 6c Caleb Crenshaw, 96 Richard Valentine, 20 Trevor Sparkman, 693 Jason Bernal, C7 Tony McPherson sr., 34 Ronnie Warren, 22 Duain Pritchett
IMCA Stock Car heats
Heat 1
1 Keith White ,50 Matt Guillaume,489 Anthony Otken, 22 Duain Pritchett, C7 Tony McPherson sr., 5 David Acosta, 6 Caleb Crenshaw, 56 Melvin Burrows
Heat 2
771 Sam Sovey, 144 Jeff Turner, 7 Pat Wilson, 34 Ronnie Warren, 3P Daniel Parker, 8 Buck Owens, 20 Trevor Sparkman
Heat 3
14b BJ Dulock, 9 Jason Batt, 693 Jason Bernal, 96 Richard Valentine, 3 Robin Rasmussen-Batt, 103 JC Howell, 44 Joe Spillman
Montgomery Motors to Hobby Stock Honors
Allen Montgomery(Ft. Worth) worked his way though two three wide battles as he made his way to the front of the 20-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Montgomery got by early leader Jeff Sexton on a restart then held off a stacked field of Hobby Stock drivers for the win.
Sexton used the top to grab the lead off of turn 2 with Jeremy Oliver, Shannon Dulock, Ray Kemp and Montgomery in pursuit. Montgomery, Jeff Kinnaird and Michael Gaunet were three wide for fifth on lap 2. As Oliver looked high on Sexton for the lead, Kemp, Dulock and Montgomery were three wide for third. Oliver got by only to have caution fly for a tangle between Barrett Hutchinson, Dulock, Nathan Sodek and Jordan Kornegay and erase the pass.
On the restart Oliver and Sexton traded some paint in the fight for the lead. Behind them Kemp climbed the back stretch wall nearly going over and out of the park to bring out a red flag. On the next restart Montgomery used the top side to get a run by both Olive and Sexton for the lead on lap 4 with Oliver following to second.
Kinniard was next to put Sexton back a spot taking third on lap 5 with David Bissonette getting fourth a lap later. Bryan Sewell snagged fifth on lap 8 going past both Sexton and Gaunet. At halfway it was Montgomery, Oliver, Kinniard, Bissonette and Sewell in the top five. Bissonette and Kinniard then put on a good side by side fight for third running four laps, cleanly, tied at the door handles.
Sewell's top five run ended on lap 17 when e spun and got clipped by Gaunet setting up a three lap shootout for the win. The top three broke away clean as green waved again with Montgomery holding a slight edge. Oliver, trying to chase Montgomery and hold off Bissonette, spun on the final lap giving up several spots. Montgomery took the checkers in the www.texasstarracing.com, Extreme Graphics, Stephenville Starter, Master Repair, Ace Tire Service, Niwdog Race Engines. HDC Chassis Fabrication.
Montgomery's win, combined with Charles Cosper falling out early catapulted him into the Lone Star Series points lead by a margin of 19 points.
“Any time you come to one of these Lone Star Series races you have the best in the Southern Region show up,” commented Montgomery. You've got to really be on your game and be fast. We started running here about a month ago since Boyd wasn't getting the car count. Last Friday was my first win here so we've been pretty good.”
“ I've learned a lot about how to run this track over the past month. I think we had it figured out tonight. You've got the best of best here tonight. The northern guys are closing in points now, but the haven't run as much as we have. You just have to quick and hold on to it.”
IMCA Hobby Stocks
38 Allen Montgomery, 85 David Bissonette, 25 Michael Gaunet, 63 Andy Roller, 43 Barrett Hutchinson, 82 Jeremy Oliver, 47 Shannon Dulock, 82g Garrett Rawls, 21j Jordan Kornegay, 41 Jeremy Wininger, 53 Robert Scrivner, 89 Jeff Sexton, 07 Jeff Kinniard, 3x Amanda Brewer, 18 Jeremy Hendrix, 44 Bryan Sewell, 14 Zach Riley, 45 Ray Kemp jr, 98 Rick Barrett, 74 Chris Grusendorf, 33c Charles Cosper, 60 Nathan Sodek, 25c Gary Turner---DNS
IMCA Hobby Stock heats
Heat 1
07 Jeff Kinniard, 98 Rick Barrett, 21J Jordan Kornegay, 89 Jeff Sexton, 82G Garrett Rawls, 33c Charles Cosper, 74 Chris Grusendorf, 25c Gary Turner
Heat 2
44 Bryan Sewell, 25 Michael Gaunet, 38 Allen Montgomery, 45 Ray Kemp jr., 43 Barrett Hutchinson, 53 Robert Scrivner, 3x Amanda Brewer, 60 Nathan Sodek
Heat 3
82 Jeremy Oliver, 85 David Bissonette, 47 Shannon Dulock, 41 Jeremy Wininger, 63 Andy Roller, 18 Jeremy Hendrix, 14 Zach Riley
The 15-car, 15-lap Young Guns Jr. Mini Stock feature saw Brooke Cooper break out front trailed by Thomas Lunsford, Jarred Marquez, Bryce Pritchett and Trenton Raney. Cooper quickly began building a lead, while Jarrett Roberts began working his way up to second. In the pack Austin Theiss, Marquez, Tyler Webb and Raney were in their own battle for fifth.
Theiss emerged from that battle with the position only to spin and bring out a caution on lap 12. This gave Roberts the opportunity to close on Cooper for the restart. When green waved again Roberts ducked inside Cooper and got by for the lead on lap 13, with Webb moving up to third. Cooper couldn't rechallenge Roberts as the local Young Gun went on to score the victory.
Young Guns Jr. Mini Stocks
6 Jarrett Roberts, 94 Brooke Cooper, 56 Tyler Webb, 21 Bryce Pritchett, 11 Trenton Raney, ksp1 Jarred Marquez, 21k Kaylee Kornegay, 5k Kelsey Baggett, 7d Austin Theiss, 11x Thomas Lunsford, 12 Calton Pritchett, 3D Donovan Hosch, 38k Matt Garrison, 17 Trinten Turney, 155 Austin Waundershied
Jr. Mini Stock heat winners; 94 Brook Cooper, 11x Thomas Lunsford
