Late Model winner Cody Leonard(48)
IMCA Modified winner Cody Leonard(12)
Limited Modified winner JJ Jennings(26)
Factory Stock winner Allen Torres(94)
Fireball winner GW Hessong(four)
Sport Compact winner Fons Ponsioen(22)
By JM Hallas
Pleasanton, TX.,(Nov. 2nd, 2024) Honoring three great men…
After a full night of racing action for the Late Model and Sport Compacts along with heats and qualifiers for the IMCA Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Fireballs and Limited Modifieds. Last nights qualifiers would lock in the top 8 drivers for each of the four classes. Others would have to run last chance qualifiers to make the show and set their starting position.
Talon Minten returned to racing and took home the win in the Late Models, while Josh Jones scored the victory in the Sport Compacts. The top eight transfers from Friday night included; Cody Leonard, Dean Abbey, Logan Dinsmore, Ryan Slott, Steven Whiteaker jr., Jared Maupin, Greg Dinsmore and Ryan Doyon in IMCA Modifieds. Trent Beaver, Johnny Torres, Nathan Titzman, JJ Jennings, James Cole, Jared Maupin and Steven Whiteaker III in Limited Modifieds. Dillon Gaither, Johnny Torres, Allen Torres, Kasey Krauss, Grant Wollam, Joey Heinaman, Trey Heald and Mason Casteneda in Factory Stocks and AJ Dancer, GW Hessong, Ryker Hernandez, Howie Marcx, Brandon Spreen, Daniel Lopez, Michael Keylich and Joseph Montemayor in the Fireball class.****All redrew for starting positions
ATTENTION IN THE PITS:
One more HUGE race remains on I-37 Speedway's 2024 schedule, the Texas Showdown, December 5-7th paying $10,000 to win for IMCA Modifieds, $6,500 to win Limited Modifieds and $1,000 to win Factory Stocks thanks to sponsors; Comanche Concrete, TEXMIX, DB Insurance, Western Concrete Pumping, Consolidated Reinforcement and RACEON.
Late Pass Land Leonard in Victory Lane
Steve Whiteaker jr. got the advantage as the 25-lap Late Model main roared off turn 2. Ryan Doyon, Jared Maupin, Chase Neill and Broc Bowen filled out the top five. Action was so crazy it was hard to keep track at times. Doyon began looking low on Whiteaker for the lead. Maupin jumped up top looking to get by Doyon for second.
In the pack, Leonard who started in row 4, got by Hardage for sixth. Maupin finally cleaned Doyon and along side Whiteaker for the lead until scrapping the wall, loosing a little ground. Bowen next the find the front stretch ending his night on lap 9. Neill then entered the fight on the restart trying to get second from Maupin while Leonard took fourth from Doyon.
Once Neill cleared Maupin he began challenging Whiteaker for the lead. It was door to door for the lead at halfway with Whiteaker and Neill with Maupin, Leonard and Doyon within striking distance. Neill got the nose out front to lead lap 13, but Whiteaker got back ahead on lap 14. As they continued the side by side scrap, Leonard took third from Maupin.
After a laps breath, Neill mounted another charge and again got the nose ahead at the line, but Whiteaker held serve for the lead. Now Leonard had Neill in his sights snagging second with five to go. Leonard began looking low on Whiteaker and on lap 22 got a better run to get under and clear of Whiteaker. The final couple laps Leonard(Sinton) inched away for the win in the Swenson Racing Products, OnDemand Shirts, All in Designs, Smileys, DB Insurance, Ace Transmission, 366 Motorsports, QA1 Drive Shafts, Farm 7 Ranch Fabrication & Machine, VP Fuel, Ingram Race Engines, Swenson Chassis.
“It wasn't easy for us,” commented Leonard. “We kind of dug ourselves a hole in the qualifying and heat. We've been trying to loosen this thing up when we get a wet, sticky race track. We struggled to qualify and that set us in the back of the heat. We didn't go anywhere in the heat so we started mid-pack for the feature.”
“When you're starting back in seventh, look at the line up and see the caliber of cars starting in front of you, you're just kind of thinking to yourself how am I going to get this done. There's a lot of good competition here, guys who can win this race any night of the week. They're all fast.”
“I was looking around trying to see what worked best for me. I found a line. Then it was getting tricky. Starting back there sometimes you can see what's working better and judge off cars I front of you. It's good to learn what works for ya and use it as needed to move forward.”
“You always have to stay on your toes and keep searching. You never know who is going to go where, or do what. Once lapped traffic comes into play you have to be versatile and move around a bit. You never know what everyone's working with.”
Late Models by Nogalitos Gear
48 Cody Leonard. 89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 416 Chase Neill, 91 Jared Maupin, 5r Ryan Doyon, 12 Kody Hardage, 08 Landon Sowder, 53x Matt Fox, 14 Talon Minten, 53 Chandler Fox, 77x Robert Liese, 57 Jason Kelly, 24 Robby Minten, 56 Broc Bowen---DQ, 87 Marcus Mikulencak---dns, 9r Ray Doyon III---dns
Late Model qualifying; 12 Kody Hardage 15.391, 416 Chase Neill 15.694, 91 Jared Maupin 15.696, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr. 15.785, 48 Cody Leonard 15.876, 56 Broc Bowen 15. 888, 5r Ryan Doyon 16. 021, 53x Matt Fox 16.108, 14 Talon Minten 16.215, 08 Landon Sowder 16.760, 53 Chandler Fox 16.979, 24 Robby Minten 17.351, 57 Jason Kelly 18.394, 9r Ray Doton III DNT, 77 Robert Liese jr. DNT, 87 Marcus Mikulencak DNT
Late Model heats;
Heat 1; 91 Jared Maupin, 5r Ryan Doyon, 12 Kody Hardage, 48 Cody Leonard, 14 Talon Minten, 77x Robert Liese jr., 57 Jason Kelly, 53 Chandler Fox
Heat 2;89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 416 Chase Neill, 56 Broc Bowen, 53x Matt Fox, 08 Landon Sowder, 24 Robby Minten, 9r Ray Doyon III---dns, 87 Marcus Mikulencak---dns
Leonard Doubles up
On the initial start of the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature Ryan Slott and Cody Leonard stayed side by side for the lead, but a spin by David Gibson brought about a complete restart. On the next try Slott beat Leonard into turn 1, but Leonard got a run off the top to grab the lead. Slott held second over Dean Abbey, Jared Maupin and Steven Whiteaker jr.
As the field began to migrate to the top, Whiteaker kissed the front stretch wall, but soldiered on. With Leonard beginning to pull away, Whiteaker and Ryan Doyon had an epic battle going for fifth. Greg Dinsmore was next to find the front stretch wall with slight contact. At halfway it was Leonard with a full straight lead ahead of Slott, Abbey, Maupin and Whiteaker.
Whiteaker would bail out from fifth moving Doyon up. Abbey caught Slott in traffic and got by for second. Cameron Starry was on the move getting past Doyon for fifth. Doyon and Starry then swapped the spot. As the white flag waved, Leonard(Sinton) had motored away to another zip code with nearly a half track lead easily taking the checkers in the Cody Leonard Racing, Pittaway Ranch, On Demand Shirts, CCT, Lincoln Heritage, Speed Secrets, Swenson Racing Products, Ace Transmission, Supreme Vinyl, crate powered, Shaw Chassis.
“I really didn't know big of a lead I had,” exclaimed Leonard. “I was just trying to hit my marks and stay focused. A lot of guys like to use a pit guy with sticks. I don't know if I have reverse ADD or what. I get locked in on what I'm doing and don't like to look around. My dad tried it before, I was like, dude, I wasn't even looking at you. I lock in on my line until I see a nose peek around and then maybe start searching.”
“Starting in the front row you're kind of a sitting duck. Starting on the outside I felt it out under the pace laps. I knew there was a little up there to bite on. If you hooked the cushion just right you could get the right rear into it. I went with my gut. It worked for us Friday night. I had a hunch that we may be up there again tonight. I went for it and stuck with it waiting if I saw someones nose. I guess it worked out better in our favor than I thought.”
“The track changes so much I wasn't sure what it was going to do between the Late Model and Modified features. If everyone gets to the top it can be hard to pass. He(Ryan Slott) had a good run around the bottom and I was a little concerned at first where we were going. I stuck with my same line on the next start and it worked out.”
“We've really been working on this car. We took it to Boone for the Super Nationals. We had some help from Jaxon(Saathoff) with Jett Racecars. He helped through some things. We bounced stuff off each other. He, I and Logan Dinsmore talk a lot and help each other. There's a bunch of us guys that hang out online together and play games on our computers. We made a lot of changes and got it going in the right direction.”
IMCA Modifieds by Eastside Hot Rods
12 Cody Leonard, 26 Dean Abbey, 49 Ryan Slott, 91 Jared Maupin, 5r Ryan Doyon, 8js Cameron Starry, 8g Greg Dinsmore, 366 David Gibson, 77 Robert Liese jr., 37 Bill Pittaway, 89 Steven Whiteaker jr., 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 22 Darrell Boyd, 11x Brian Harbison---dntg
Jennings Joins Return Winners
JJ Jennings was able to use the high side off turn 2 to grab the lead of the 25-lap Limited Modified feature ahead of Johnny Torres, Max Calles-McDonald, Steven Whiteaker III and Trent Beaver. Lawrence Mikulencak slowed with mechanical issues and Jared Maupin made slight contact trying to miss him for a lap 2 caution.
On the restart, Beaver picked off Calles-McDonald and Whiteaker for third. Jennings had just started to pull away from Torres when Bobby Smith looped it in turn 2 for a lap 5 caution. Beaver wasted little time taking second from Torres and was pressuring Jennings for the lead. At the midway point it was Jennings, Beaver, Torres, Calles-McDonald and Whiteaker in the top five.
Beaver kept the heat on Jennings for the lead until sliding too high off turn 2 for a lap 19 yellow. Jennings got away on green with Calles-McDonald and Whiteaker getting by Torres for second and third. Torres lost another spot to Maupin in the finals laps. Up front, Jennings(Corpus Christi) had built a good lead going unchallenged to the checkers in the G&M Oilfield Services, Deluxe Welding Supply, VanBlarcum Services, OnDemand Shirts, CC Weighing Company, Swenson Racing Products, WW Bodies, Best Racing Engines, Express Chassis.
“We shoot for heat race wins and packing the track now,” joked Jennings who likes the big money races at I-37. “Really, we came to support Ray, Johnny, Michael, Allen for this race every year. I don't think we've ever missed one. We're just trying to hit as many(races) as we can before the big shows in Corpus. Hopefully we'll have the same outcome as tonight.”
“Trent(Beaver) has been fast this year. If he didn't break, he was winning. He'll be one to watch in the big shows. There's going to be a lot of good cars coming down. We hope Cody Smith isn't since he's usually the one to beat down there. Just making the show is going to be tough.”
“We're pretty much standard on what we run. I don't change much, too be honest I'm not sure what I'm doing half the time. That's why I went and talked to Chris Swenson last night. He set me up a shock, and I'm glad he did. It helped so much tonight. The track had a little grip, even the slick in (turns) 1-2, it was turning, good on the gas. Hopefully this will transition over to Corpus where you carry so much speed. I'd sure like to get one of those wins.”
“We made some changes from last night, the rear tires were worn out. I didn't want to use up a good set last night with the track a bit dry. It was still awesome. I know those guys worked their butts off on it. I'm kind of disappointed with the turn out. I talked to Ray about that, maybe trying the beginning of the year or something.”
“I have to thank my whole family, without them I wouldn't be doing this. Chris and Gary Swenson, the Whiteakers, Stevie is always there to help.
Limited Modifieds by Iron Horse RV
26g JJ Jennings, 148 Max Calles-McDonald, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 91 Jared Maupin, 66 Johnny Torres, 14c James Cole, 79 David Meredith, 00k Oliver Billingsley, 14 Trent Beaver,11t Tom Grothues, 9s Bobby Smith, 693 Colton Borlace, 87 Lawrence Mikulencak, 1t Nathan Titzman---dns
Torres Tallies One for Dad
As the Factory Stock feature took the green it was Mason Casteneda grabbing the lead over Trey Heald, Dillon Gaither, Allen Torres and Joey Heinaman. Gaither quickly got by Heald who fell back to three wide with Heinaman and A. Torres. Gaither began looking low on Casteneda for the lead while Kasey Krauss moved along side Heinaman for fourth.
John Leita went around on lap 8 collecting Michael Keylich and Heald for a yellow. Castenda and Gaither continued to fight for the lead on green with Gaither getting to edge. Caution waved when Johnny Torres and Grant Wollam tangled after J. Torres slid high. Wollam, unhappy, charged the back stretch and dumped J. Torres in the pit exit.
Finally back to racing, with Gaither now on point, A. Torres and Casteneda were door to door. At the crossed flags it was Gaither, A. Torres, Krauss, Casteneda and Heinaman in the top five. Nathan Rachui, who started in row 7, was able to get fifth from Heinaman. Riley Heil would spin turn 4 right in front GW Hessong who had to dive for the infield.
It was bumper tag between the top 3 as the green waved between Gaither, A. Torres and Krauss. A. Torres finally went to high side with the two side by side for the lead until lap 20 when A. Torres finally secured the spot. A. Torres(San Antonio) then crept away to take an emotional win in the Allens 24/7 Towing, Hercules Foundation Repair & Remodeling, All in Designs, Iron Horse RV, Sundowner Performance Diesel, Drive In Truck Salvage, JGR Fab, 91 Specialties, Destroyer Chassis.
“In memory of my dad,” said Torres. “I was nervous and stressed out all week long about this race. Dillon and I were both running the bottom. I was beating on his bumper a little bit. I was like, screw this, I've got to go to the top. Once I got there I set sail. I was wondering if there was anything up there. I went up there a couple laps before. I didn't think there was anything up there. I went up there and it worked.”
“The line is different all the time no matter how many laps it has got on it. We changed some lead from last night, changed from the F-45s to the ST 1 & 2's and a lot of stagger. This was the first time we've had them on the car. First time for everything, right? We had no idea how they'd do.”
“I didn't know what happened to Johnny during the race. I just saw him walking on the track and thought, this can't be good. I want to thank Ray and Michael for putting on this show for us to race, for all of our dads.”
Factory Stocks by All in Design
94 Allen Torres, 41 Dillon Gaither, 28m Mason Casteneda, 53k Kasey Krauss, 24 John Leita, 25r Nathan Rachui, 41s Joey Heinaman, 2k Kiehl VanBlarcum, 10 Scott Jerkins, 92 TJ Sullivan, 44k Michael Keylich, 14t Trey Heald, 34 Zach Dodson, 174 Riley Heil, 51 Johnny Torres, 35 GW Hessong---DQ, 26 Grant Wollam---DQ
High Side Hessong Scores in Fireball Frenzy
Things got interesting for the Fireball feature before the race even started when pole winner AJ Dancer crashed in hot laps. But Dancer was able to jump in the Dale Caswell ride, albeit starting at the tail.
When the race started Michael Keylich took the lead with Brandon Spreen, GW Hessong and Joseph Montemayor three wide for second. Spreen and Hessong then ran side by side for second while Bobby Jack took fifth. James Wofford brought out a yellow after contact with Ryan McDonald. Spreen got a run up on the restart and got the top spot on lap 6.
Cody Earnhardt then had mechanical issues stopping in turn 2 for a yellow. On the restart it was Hessong out front and three wide between Spreen, Keylich and Daniel Lopez with Spreen holding the position. Spreen looked low on Hessong with Lopez getting third from Keylich. Charles Earnhardt would spin on lap 8 for a caution.
As racing resumed Lopez got by Spreen for second with Keylich, Ryker Hernandez and Montemayor three wide for fourth. Casteneda would loop it on the back stretch for a lap 12 yellow. Coming to halfway after the restart it was Hessong, Lopez, Spreen, Keylich and Jack in the top five. Keylich would slip and take a trip through the infield giving up tons of spots.
The top three began to break away until Danny Dear went around for lap 16 yellow. Hessong got a good launch back under green leaving Spreen and Lopez while Jarrett Payton and Jack battled for fourth. Keylich added to his problems going over the turn 3 hill on lap 18. Once back to racing Lopez was looking low on Spreen for second, but had Payton looking even lower on him.
Hessong and Spreen got some breathing room as Payton and Lopez ran side by side for third. Montemayor made contact with Hernandez sending him to a stop on the track edge for yet another caution. Hessong got some breathing room while Spreen, Payton and Lopez slugged it out for second and Dancer, from the back, made it to the top five. At the checkers it was Hessong(Edna) in the Tonys Mobile Home Service, Mickey Auto Service, Titan Mobile Homes, BMF Chassis taking the win.
Fireballs by Winner Circle Transmission
four GW Hessong, 6 Brandon Spreen, 18s Jarrett Payton, 93 Daniel Lopez, 49/1 AJ Dancer, 13 Howie Marcx, 88 Bobby Jack, 55 Ryker Hernandez, 81 Evahdent Ivy, 816 Ryan McDonald, 18m Joseph Montemayor, 44k Michael Keylich, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 67 Joe Boop, 86 Sammy Smith, 28 Shaw Paul Lehman, 64 Danny Dear, 8s Charles Earnhardt III, 3 Abraham Mares, 12 James Wofford, 68 Cody Earnhardt, 7 Levi Hernandez, 1/49 Dale Caswell---dns
Fireball Last Chance Qualifier;(Top 12 to A-main)
LCQ ; 88 Bobby Jack, 86 Sammy Smith, 68 Cody Earnhardt, 18s JarrettS Payton, 67 Joe Boop, 64 Danny Dear, 81 Evahdent Ivy, 8s Charles Earnhardt III, 7 Levi Hernandez, 816 Ryan McDonald, 12 James Wofford, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 3 Abraham Mares, 28 Shawn Paul Lehman, 1 Dale Caswell
Pay Day for Ponsioen in Compacts
As the Sport Compact feature took the green Josh Jones and Fons Ponioen stayed side by side with Jones ahead at the line. As the duo stayed door to door, Rod Tait, Michael Burris jr and Richard Mares followed. Ponsioen got the advantage on lap 3 bringing Tait along to second as the lead group caught slower traffic.
Priscilla Tait went around and made contact with Mares sending him around. Ponsioen left Tait and Jones side by side until Tait got the spot followed by Burris for third. At halfway it was Ponsioen, Tait, Burris Jones and Mares still holding the top five spots while negotiating traffic. The top three were nose to tail when they ran up on a slower pack again.
Burris used traffic to get past Tait for second and ran down the Ponsioen for the lead trying low off turn 4. That battle was cut short when yellow waved for Daniel Casas high centered on the turn 2 berm. Tait got by Burris for second as Ponsioen got a slight edge with Jones and Mares side by side. Ponsioen(Jourdanton) would not only finish this race, but win his first race in the iraceenterprises, Lovett Car Wash, C3 Speed Horses, TLC Graphics, Opiela Plumbing, Chevy Cavalier.
“I just stayed my course and kept focused,” said Ponsioen about not only finishing his first ever race this Friday, but winning the one Sunday. “The track was great. The track prep guys did a good job. I was gonna drive it till the wheels fell off.”
“It(Traffic) was a challenge. I think there were five or six that couldn't figure out which line they wanted. Once they did pick one we just breezed right around them.”
“Every time I get in this car I think about Ryker and Jeremy and them winning three championships with it. They've pushed it to the limit and now I'm finding out what that limit is. This car is proven.”
“I have had to just find the line that works the best for me and try to stick to it. Before last night I hadn't even finished a race, finishing fourth. Tonight, I finished first.”
Sport Compacts by Johnson Supply
22 Fons Ponsioen, 70 Rod Tait, 98 Ronnie Schoenfeldt, 11j Josh Jones, 39 Richard Mares, 33k Kayla Pouncy, 43 Jennifer Ashelin, 38 Sonny Kinnaman, 76y Donald Lewis, 85 Michelle Conlee, 8 Yesenia Ruiz , 3 Dayln McQueen, 5 Jayln Touchstone, 88 Daniel Casas, 83 Priscilla Tait
Sport Compact heats;
Heat 1; 22 Fons Ponsioen, 98 Michael Burris jr., 39 Richard Mares, 76y Donald Lewis, 38 Sonny Kinnaman, 43 Jennifer Ashelin, 85 Michelle Conlee, 83 Priscilla Tait
Heat 2; 11j Josh Jones, 70 Rod Tait, 33k Kayla Pouncy, 8 Yesenia Ruiz, 5 Jayln Touchstone, 88 Daniel Casas