Late Model winner Broc Bowen
Limited Modified winner Trent Braver
E-Mod winner Zach Freeman
Factory Stock winner Kasey Krauss
Fireball winner AJ Dancer
Sport Compact winner Sonny Kinnaman
By JM Hallas
Pleasanton, TX.,(Aug. 24Th, 2024) Back on schedule….
After an impromptu Wednesday night show, I-37 Speedway got back to a regular night of racing on the ¼ mile, semi-banked, dirt, track south of San Antonio. The nights slate included the Late Models, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Fireballs, Sport Compacts and the rescheduled second race of the E-Mods Trilogy sponsored by 366 Motorsports.
With the season winding down it's time to start thinking about the points races now that only a few more points races remaining this year.
In the Late Model class Robby Minten leads, but only by 3 over Landon Sowder, 6 over Ray Doyon, 7 over mark Taylor and 9 over Cody Leonard and Ziggy Reusser tied for fifth.
Trent Beaver comes in with a 19 point margin on Charles Flanagan, rookies Robert Wiggins(-27) and Steven Whiteaker III(-51) and Jared Maupin(-78) in fifth.
The Keylichs lead the Factory Stock points race with Michael 33 ahead of Robert while Jarrett Payton, Kyle Kirkland Johnny Torres round out the top five. In the Fireball class it's Howie Marcx with a comfortable 56 point advantage over Shane Stonebreaker trailed by Danny Dear, Joseph Montemayor and Levi Hernandez.
In Sport Compacts, Eric Wilson comes in 11 markers ahead of Josh Jones, while Rod Tait, James Baum and Sonny Kinnaman complete the top five.
With only one race in so far, Parker Titzman used his first ever victory to lead the E-Mod Trilogy with Daniel Preston, Caden Valenta, Jaden Edmond and Zachary Calhoun third through fifth.
Bowen Best in Late Model Bash
Thirteen Late Models took the green with Broc Bowen, on the top, getting a run off turn 2 to grab the top spot chased by Lawrence Mikulencak, Rory Jordan, Steven Whiteaker jr and Robby Minten. Ray Doyon made contact with Ziggy Reusser who went around for a lap 7 yellow. Back to green, Minten got by Jordan for third.
At the halfway point it was Bowen, Mikulencak, Minten, Jordan and Johnny Torres, in Kody Hardage's borrowed car. Minten was able make the pass on Mikulencak for second, but almost a half track behind. The only thing to slow Bowen(Fannin) was traffic but he still maintained his huge advantage easily winning in the Triple Cross Ranch, True Air Conditioning & Heating, Shelbys Spic & Span Cleaning, Jordan Aire, Supreme Vinyl Works, KS Engineering, MB Custom Chassis.
Late Models by Nogalitos Gear
56 Broc Bowen, 24 Robby Minten, 87 Lawrence Mikulencak, 7x Rory Jordan, 9r Ray Doyon III, 129 Johnny Torres, 08 Landon Sowder, 93 Aaron Leddy, 5x Ziggy Teusser, 53 Matt Fox, 23 Carl Dyer, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 57 Jason Kelly
Late model heats
Heat 1; 87 Lawrence Mikulencak, 7x Rory Jordan, 24 Robby Minten, 53 Matt Fox, 9r Ray Doyon III, 5k Ziggy Reusser, 129 Johnny Torres
Heat 2; 56 Broc Bowen, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 93 Aaron Leddy, 57 Jason Kelly, 08 Landon Sowder, 23 Carl Dyer
Back to Front For Beaver
Despite a short field the 20-lap Limited Modified got crazy, early and often. It started on the initial green when Beaver was charged with jumping the start, twice. To the tail he goes. This put the father-son duo of Steven Whiteaker jr and Steven Whiteaker III on the front row. Dad grabbed the lead on lap 1 trailed by Whiteaker III, Allen Torres, Bobby Smith and Logan Densman.
Turn 3 caught Densman as he got sideways and collected Robert Wiggins, Landon Bednarz, Kaden Moran and Charles Flanagan to bring out a red. After a lengthy unpiling, Whiteaker jr. got out ahead of Smith, Whiteaker III and Torres battling for second. Once they sorted out, Beaver took fourth from Smith before a Flanagan spin slowed the pace.
On back to green, Beaver continued his charge back getting by Torres for third then going three wide with Whiteaker jr and Whiteaker III for the lead on lap 4. Whiteaker III made contact with Beaver sending him around for another seemingly every lap yellow. On the restart, Torres and Whiteaker jr tangled sending Whiteaker jr around.
Lap 4, six cautions, 19 minutes. 'Insert eye roll emoji here.'
Beaver got a good start with Smith now looking outside Whiteaker jr for second. Behind them, Whiteaker III was making up ground going past Moran and Flanagan for fourth then Smith for third. Flanagan did a half spin and got tagged by Moran for another yellow just before halfway. And yet another caution on the restart for debris.
Cut to 15-laps, Beaver began inching away from Whiteaker jr and Whiteaker III. Whiteaker jr would have a solo spin setting up a green, white checker finish. On the restart Whiteaker III kept the pressure on Beaver for the win. On the last lap Whiteaker III tried to dive in under Beaver in turn 3. At the checkers it was Beaver(China Grove) in the Beaver Heating & Air Conditioning, Bear Wash, Beaver Medical Group, Auburn Custom Homes, LaVernia Mini Storage, WW Bodies, Best Race Engines, IRP Chassis holding on for the win.
“I started on the pole, but got moved to the back,” said Beaver. “They said I jumped the start. I don't know. Track made the call, so there's not anything I can do about it. We came back from it and got the win. I can't complain about that. I knew there was 20 laps to go and got towards the front pretty quick. So I knew I had a chance.”
“That crash was right in front of me. I saw them sideways more than I thought they should be. I pulled it to the right. They said I barely missed them. At least we didn't tear the car up.”
“I was just trying to hold the bottom on that last restart. I wasn't trying to run it hard. If you can run the tires, you're going to be fine. There was nothing up to gain off of the top. If you could run the bottom, you were going to win the race.”
“I wouldn't say I've got this place dialed in with the wins I have here. The track is all about moving around. You've got to adjust the set up. You can't get it dialed in every race. I started from the back and still got the 'dub' I can't complain about that.”
“I raced at Cotton Bowl for that three race series. We blew up the motor the second race. We had to sit out the third one. We're back. We got the motor in Thursday and it was a crunch getting it ready. It didn't come with a water pump so we had to find one. We got it done. I'd say it ran pretty good.”
Limited Modifieds by Iron Horse RV Specialists
14 Trent Beaver, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 11t Tom Grothues, 88k Kaden Motan, 30 Steven Whiteaker jr., 58 Charles Flanagan, 51d Allen Torres, 26 Logan Densman, 26w Robert Wiggins, 29 Landon Bednarz, 9s Bobby Smith----dq(tech)
Limited Modified heats
Heat 1; 14 Trent Beaver, 30 Steven Whiteaker jr., 26 Logan Densman, 26w Robert Wiggins, 11t Tom Grothues, 58 Charles Flanagan
Heat 2; 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 9s Bobby Smith,51d Allen Torres, 88k Kaden Moran, 29 Landon Bednarz
Freeman Takes First I-37 Checkered Flag
Nineteen E-Mods took the green for their 20-lapper with Hunter Porter getting the run off turn 2 for the lead. Daniel Preston, Parker Titzman, Zach Freeman and Michale Pesek sorted out in the top five. Titzman grabbed second from Preston leaving him side by side with Freeman. Titzman then took a side trip to the infield losing several spots. Porter then slapped the front stretch wall giving up the lead to Freeman on lap 6.
Preston then picked off second from Porter, who would fade and pull off. At the crossed flags it was Freeman, Preston, Derrick Gonzales, Pesek and Brianna Witzsche in the top five. Gonzales took second from Preston before Witzsche got turned by Pesek for a lap 12 caution.
Freeman got a good restart with Mickey Helms getting past Witzsche who faded after the contact/spin. With five to go Gonzalez was putting the heat on Freeman for the lead. Freeman(Pleasanton) was able to keep him behind earning his first ever I-37 checkers in the Paul & Laura Colter owned Twisted K Cattle Company, All in Designs, United Vision, Lovett Car Wash, Colter Cattle Company, Hawkeye Oilfield Service, The Tinhorn, Baby Lou, Edmond Race Engine, Gold Chassis.
“It was a good night for us,” exclaimed Freeman. “We've been working hard trying to get this car in Victory Lane. We've done it once in Corpus, but Pleasanton has been our nightmare. We were able to pull it off tonight.”
“Driving two cars just gives an idea of where the line is going. The only place this car would run tonight was the middle. It was rough but we made it work. I wonder where people are out there while leading. Daniel Preston is always a big competitor with us. Parker Titzman has won a few races. Hunter Porter has been stepping up his game like crazy. Derrick Gonzalez is a tough competitor in only second E-Mod race.”
“I just bought that Factory Stock from GW Hessong. We tried it out and when we got log jammed, JW(Brown) and I got together and it broke our brake line. I tried making it work, but it didn't. There's a lot of difference between the E-Mods and Factory Stocks. Tires, are a world of difference. We get to groove/sipe these on the E-Mod.”
E-Mods by 366 Motorsports
27 Zach Freeman, 73 Derrick Gonzales, 6” Daniel Preston, 75h Mickey Helms, L87 Parker Titzman, 17 Kyler Ross, 13k Kyle Jackson, 22m Anthony Gordon, 101 Tripp Whitmire, 40 Kyle Workman, 18 Cameron Voelschow, 71w Dusty Wilcox, 59b Bianna Witzsche, 07 Michale Pesek, 4k David Sheffield, 18s Cameron Schmidt, 13p Hunter Porter, 13k Kris Workman, 95 Tim Thompson---dntg
E-Mod heats
Heat 1; 6” Daniel Preston, L87 Parker Titzman, 07 Michale Pesek, 59b Brianna Witzsche, 17 Kyler Ross, k13 Kris Workman, 18 Cameron Voelschow, 18s Cameron Schmidt ,40 Kyle Workman, 22m Anthony Gordon
Heat 2; 13p Hunter Porter, 27 Zach Freeman, 73 Derrick Gonzales, 75h Mickey Helms, 13k Kyle Jackson, 4k David Sheffield, 95 Tim Thompson, 71w Dusty Wilcox, 101 Tripp Whitmire
Krauss KO's Factory Field
Last years track champion, Kasey Krauss jumped into the lead of the 20-lapper for the Factory Stocks chased by Zach Freeman, Dillon Gaither, Johnny Walker Brown and Mike Lyon. Gaither grabbed second leaving Freeman to battle with Brown and Lyon before a lap 3 yellow for cars parts on the track. The restart wasn't clean as Brown, Freeman and Rusty Head tangled.
Finally back under green with the top three pulling away from Kyle Kirkland and Brown. By halfway Krauss had shaken Gaither and Lyon with Kirkland and Head getting by Brown for fifth. Krauss increased his advantage on lap 15 while Lyon closed on Gaither for second. With almost a full straightaway lead yellow waved for a Michael Keylich spin setting up a green, white, checker shootout.
Krauss got away by three car lengths with Head taking fourth from Kirkland. Gaither couldn't close back on the final lap with Krauss taking his first track win of the season in his All in Designs, Johnson Supply, Bodies by Opiela, Daddy Franks Classic Car Wash, Braided & Poppin Guide Service, Victory Shocks, Longs Machine Shop homebuilt chassis.
“Last years motor was just barely hanging on. This year Longs helped us out with a new one.” replied Krauss. “It's running pretty good. We've been trying other tracks this year. We raced all last year at I-37 so we're trying some new stuff out. We're always trying new things. Sometimes we go back to old stuff and others we make new changes. You just keep going.”
“It's kinda scary starting up front when you've got some of these other guys, like Dillon(Gaither) and guys back behind you. You start searching around and don't know if you want to move up or not. I was just sticking to what I thought was working. If someone showed me a nose I'd try to move up.”
“Dillon showed me the nose on that one restart so I knew I had to move back down. He gave me a break and let me get back down. I got lucky there and was able to run it to the end”
Factory Stocks by All in Designs
53k Kasey Krauss, 41 Dillon Gaither, 20 Mike Lyon, 55 Rusty Head, 18 Kyle Kirkland, 7 Johnny Walker brown, 174 Makaya Trimble, 14t Trey Heald, 34h Hunter Peterson, 44k Michael Keylich, 10 Scott Jerkins, 27 Zach Freeman, 92r Robert Keylich
Factory Stock heats
Heat 1; 53k Kasey Krauss, 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 18 Kyle Kirkland, 174 Makayla Trimble,55r Rusty Head, 14t Trey Heald, 10 Scott Jerkins
Heat 2; 27 Zach Freeman, 41 Dillon Gaither, 20 Mike Lyon, 44k Michael Keylich, 34h Hunter Peterson, 92r Robert Keylich
Dancer Dashes to Fireball Dough
The start of the 20-lap Fireball saw AJ Dancer and Howie Marx stay door to door, but debris would slow the pace. Again it the two front row drivers staying side by side with Dancer edging out the lead. Marcx, Ryker Hernandez, Michael Keylich and Cody Earnhardt filed out in the top five. Aaron Leddy got by a slowing Co. Earnhardt for fifth, As Co. Earnhardt tried for the infield, Danny Dear got caught up and went around in turn 2.
As Dancer got away on green, Marcx and Hernandez stayed side by side with Leddy getting by Keylich for fourth. Hernandez, using the top, cleared Marcx and was trying Dancer for the lead while Keylich retook fourth from Leddy who would spin to the infield for a caution. Dancer again got a jump on green with Hernandez getting second from Marcx and Dear, Sammy Smith and Jarrett Payton three wide for fifth.
At halfway it was Dancer, Marcx, Hernandez, Keylich and Dear in the top five. Payton and Mark Pivarnik tangled on the back stretch for a lap 11 yellow. After another quick yellow for a Payton spin, Dancer cleared the pack when Marcx got loose in turn 2 while Markgraf got by Dear for third and Keylich passed Shane Stonebraker for fifth.
By lap 15 Dancer had increased his margin on Marcx leaving Marcx and Markgraf and Dear battling with Keylich for fifth. As the white waved it was Dancer, with a full straightaway over Marcx with Markgraf, Dear and Keylich scrapping for third. Dancer was able to cruise to another win in his Brewster Baker themed Chevy.
Fireballs by Winners Circle Transmissions
49 AJ Dancer, 13 Howie Marcx, 64 Danny Dear, 6m Blaine Markgraf, 18s Jarrett Payton, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 16k Michael Keylich, 8s Charles Earnhardt III, 55 Ryker Hernandez, 86 Sammy Smith, 14 Mark Pivarnik, 93 Aaron Leddy, 68 Cody Earnhardt, 28 Levi Hernandez---dns
Fireballs heats
Heat 1; 13 Howie Marcx, 55 Ryker Hernandez, 68 Cody Earnhardt, 86 Sammy Smith, 18s Jarrett Payton, 8s Charles Earnhardt !!!, 93 Aaron Leddy
Heat 2; 49 AJ Dancer, 64 Danny Dear,16k Michael Keylich, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 6m Blaine Markgraf, 14 Mark Pivarnik, 28 Levi Hernandez
Kinnaman Kaptures Kompact Kash
The Sport Compact feature started with Joshua Garcia getting a good launch but Eric Wilson quickly caught him with Sonny Kinnaman, Josh Jones and Ronnie Schoenfeldt in tow. Wilson, working the high side, was able to get the nose out front to lead lap 3. Garcia retook the spot on lap 4 as both changed lines. Wilson, now on the low side, got under Garcia in turn 1 with the two trading some paint. Again in turn 3 they made contact ending up in a pile putting both out of the race.
Birthday boy, Kinnaman inherited the top spot on the restart that saw him inch away from Jones, Schoenfeldt, Sitterle and Jennifer Kidd-Ashelin at halfway. Kinnaman(San Antonio) would slowly increase his margin the final half to a half straightaway going on to celebrate his birthday with his first ever I-37 Speedway win in the Turtle Team Racing, Kinnaman Racing, Rods Towing, 2.2 Eco-Tech Cavalier.
“I've been trying forever, commented Kinnaman who turned 65. “But I finally made it. I thought I might have blown a tires after the leaders crashed and I got a little piece of that. I shook it off, and went on. Rod(Tait) will be here next race and we're going to have a showdown among the Turtle Team. I don't care about points racing. When they fall, they scatter like dominoes.”
Sport Compacts by Johnson Supply
38 Sonny Kinnaman, 11j Josh Jones, 98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 43 Jennifer Kidd-Ashelin, 32 Joshua Garcia, 81 Anthony Monroe, 88 Justin Sitterle, 18 Eric Wilson, 88k Tyler Moran, 15 Devon Surritt
Sport Compact heat
Heat 1; 32 Joshua Garcia, 18 Eric Wilson, 39 Sonny Kinnaman, 11j Josh Jones, 98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 15 Devon Surritt, 43 Jennifer Kidd-Ashelin, 88k Tyler Moran, 88 Justin Sitterle, 81 Anthony Norris---dns
...