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First Responders Nights @ I-37 Speedway by Gun Owners of America 9-14-24

Late Model winner Jared Maupin
STIMS winner Logan Dinsmore
Limited Modified winner Jared Maupin
Factory Stock winner Dillon Gaither
Fireball winner Sammy Smith
Sport Compact winner Eric Wilson

By JM Hallas
Pleasanton, TX.,(Sept 14th, 2024) The heat will end, someday….I think

It was another “hot” night of racing at I-37 Speedway after a week off. The action was as hot as the temperatures on the ¼ mile, semi-banked, dirt, oval just outside Pleasanton.

Scheduled were six classes with the regular classes of Late Models, Limited Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Fireballs, Sport Compacts plus a return visit of the STIMS(South Texas, IMCA Modified Series).

With only this race and September 28th left in the track points season every position counts for the championship chasers.

The Nogalitos Gear Late Models show Robby Minten out front of his uncle, Ray Doyon III and Landon Sowder tied for second nine back. Ziggy Reusser is 16 behind in fourth with Rory Jordan fifth 24 back.

It's still a tight battle in the STIMS by Hortch Speed Shop with Chris Morris now on top by ten over Ryan Doyon, eleven over Rick Green, and nineteen up on Chris Carroll with Logan Dinsmore fifth thirty-one back after missing two events.

Dinsmore leads in wins with four followed by Jared Maupin with three, Morris and Doyon are tied with two victories, while Carroll and Cody Leonard have one each.

***Points season for STIMS ends September 28th at Cotton Bowl Speedway. The series will do a race drop at seasons end. A handful of non-point, big show events will continue as Mother Nature permits into November.

Trent Beaver holds a pretty comfortable lead in the Iron Horse RV Limited Modifieds coming into the night. The young guns of Charles Flanagan(-24) and Steven Whiteaker III(-52) second and fourth respectively. Rookie Robert Wiggins(-35) holds down third with 'I'll drive anything, anywhere' Jared Maupin(-118) in fifth running an abbreviated schedule.

The All in Designs Factory Stocks show Michael Keylich ahead on brother, Robert Keylich in second but 36 back. Kyle Kirkland(-38) is a close third, Jarrett Payton, who switched classes forth and multi-time track champion, Johnny Torres fifth in select races.

In the Winners Circle Racing Transmission Fireballs Howie Marcx has a commanding advantage over rookie, Shane Stonebreaker(-60) on his second car of the season after rolling one earlier this season. Another rookie and former drag racer, Danny Dear is third, Joseph Sotomayer and Levi Hernadez are only separated by a single point for fourth.

Eric Wilson and Josh Jones have the tightest battle going for the Johnson Supply Sport Compact title. Wilson has a mere five point edge over Jones while Sonny Kinnaman, defending champ, Rod Tait and James Baum have a close scrap for third separated by only eight points.

Late Model Main to Maupin
As the 20-lap Late Model main roared to life it was Ryan Doyon leading into turn 1, but Broc Bowen, on the high side, got a good run off turn 2 to grab the point. Ry. Doyon, Jared Maupin, Ray Doyon and Rory Jordan sorted out. Bowen had built half straight lead over Ry. Doyon and Maupin when Landon Sowder went around in turn 2.

After a restart spin by Rory Jordan, Maupin got second with Rob Liese taking fourth from Ra. Doyon. At the crossed flags it was Bowen, Maupin, Ry. Doyon with Ra. Doyon retaking fourth from Liese. The two continued to swap the spot until Ziggy Reusser had an encounter with an infield tire for a yellow.

Once back to green, Bowen left a line low in turn 1 that Maupin dove in for a slide job. Slight contact was inevitable with the washboard track conditions, but both continued. Ra. Doyon got by Ry. Doyon for third as the two leaders started to pull away.

Bowen tried to return the slide job on Maupin in turns 3-4. The two made heavy contact sending Maupin up turn 4 and left Bowen coasting down the straight where he expressed his displeasure with Maupin who, somehow, was able to refire, and continue despite serious body damage and get his position back.

Maupin, in his wounded car, was able to get clear of Ra. Doyon on the restart. Ra. Doyon would slip up high giving Ry. Doyon an opening for second. The two continued to swap the position giving Maupin(San Antonio) an easy run to the checkers in the Kris Workman owned, JGR Fab, CNC Grafix, 91 Specialties, Klein crate powered Rocket XR1 Chassis.

Nogalitos Gear Late Models
91 Jared Maupin, 9r Ray Doyon, 5r Ryan Doyon, 7x Rory Jordan, 4 Newton Barta, 08 Landon Sowder, 77 Mark Taylor, 56 Broc Bowen,77x Robert Liese jr., 53x Matt Fox, 5k Ziggy Reusser, 24r Robby Minten---dntg, 57 Jason Kelly---dns

Late Model heats
Heat 1;, 5r Ryan Doyon, 9 Ray Doyon III, 53x Matt Fox, 08 Landon Sowder, 5k Ziggy Reusser, 24r Robby Minten

Heat 2; 56 Broc Bowen, 91 Jared Maupin, 7x Rory Jordan, 77x Robert Liese jr., 77 Mark Taylor, 4 Newton Barta

Dinsmore Dices to STIMS Dollars
Jacob Hortch led the field into turn 1 at the start of the 20-lap STIMS feature, but it was Rick Green getting inside to lead lap 1. Hortch, Chris Morris, Jared Maupin and Logan Dinsmore followed in the top five. Morris got by Hortch for second with Maupin following to third. L. Dinsmore was next to pick up a spot from Hortch before Maupin spun and collected Hortch, ending both their nights.

On the restart, Green had Morris looking high while L. Dinsmore looked low. Green and Morris then went side by side with Morris getting the nose ahead briefly. L. Dinsmore got by low for second, as he and Green caught back up to Morris. It was three wide for the top spot on lap 6 with Green back out front and L. Dinsmore taking second.

L. Dinsmore got past Green for the lead on lap 7 bringing Morris along to second. Green would then give up a spot to Ryan Doyon a lap later. At halfway it was L. Dinsmore, Morris, Doyon, Green and Joey Whitehead in the top five. Morris kept the pressure on L. Dinsmore as the lead duo ran up on slower traffic.

Morris was able to get by L. Dinsmore on lap 18 for the lead but still had traffic to contend with. Morris and a slower car made contact in turn 3 sending Morris around. L. Dinsmore(Kerrville) was able to sneak past to grab the win, his fifth STIMS victory of the season, in the Sundowner Performance Diesel, Royals Automotive, Lowery Plumbing, On Demand Shirts, Jcs Auto Body, Carquest of Kerrville, Swensons Racing Shocks, Relief for Troops, Jimmys Towing, Wehrs, Fast Shafts, Friesen crate, Assault by Dinsmore Chassis.

“I fell back to fifth at one point and they got away from me.” replied Dinsmore. “I was trying to figure out the holes. Once I got them figured out I got out front and then I couldn't miss the holes. I tried to give it away until a lapped car and Chris(Morris) got tangled up. So I was good and lucky, I guess.”

“I heard the tower telling lappers to hold their lane. I'm looking at where they're at and they're right on the bottom. They have every right to be there, but it was right where I was running. I started backing off a little bit. When I got there I tried to arc it off in the middle to miss the holes, but it was crumby and dirty up there and I pushed like a dump truck and saw Chris drive right by. I don't know if I could have gotten back around him because of how rough it was.”

“Ninety percent of the car is based off what my dad tells me to do. Our cars are basically the same, with just some little things different because of mounting points on this car. I struggle in the slick a bit and I've got some things to try, but we haven't really had any slick tracks this year. A lot of notes get shared. I talk with several friends, Cody Leonard, Jaxon Saathoff to name a few. Some of my north friends may come down for that December race, one for sure if he can get out of his driveway.”

“The series is doing two drop races, so after dropping two, I was five points behind Chris. I didn't see him on the tech pad so he may have finished fifth or sixth. That would put us close to tied for the series championship.”

STIMS By Hortch Speed Shop
8jr Logan Dinsmore, 5r Ryan Doyon, 82 Rick Green, 366 David Gibson, 45 Brian Machicek, 94 Chris Morris, 17m Joey Whitehead, 77x Robert Liese jr., 11x Brian Harbison, 91 Jared Maupin, 73d Jacob Hortch, 8g Greg Dinsmore---dntg

STIMS Heats
Heat 1; 5r Ryan Doyon, 8jr Logan Dinsmore, 82 Rick Green, 77 Robert Liese jr., 94 Chris Morris, 8g Greg Dinsmore

Heat 2; 91 Jared Maupin, 11x Brian Harbison, 73d Jacob Hortch , 45 Brian Machicek, 17m Joey Whitehead, 366 David Gibson

Limited Modified Win to Maupin
At the start of the 20-lap Limited Modified feature Jared Maupin and Trent Beaver dueled it out until Maupin got the advantage. Steven Whiteaker III, Allen Torres and Logan Dinsmore filled out the top five until Whiteaker took a tour of the infield falling back to fifth. By lap 5 Maupin and Beaver had pulled away to a full straightaway margin on the field.

Coming to the midway point Maupin had put some distance on Beaver with the huge gap to Torres, Dinsmore and Whiteaker. With five to go, Maupin had increased his lead on Beaver while Torres gave up spots to Dinsmore and Whiteaker. Maupin continued to ease away to a full straight as the white waved easily taking the checkers in the Rick Pollaro owned, RNM Install, JGR Fab, All in Designs, BMF Shocks & Chassis, CNC Grafix, Mission Race Engines, IRP Chassis.

Iron Horse RV Limited Modified
91 Jared Maupin, 14 Trent Beaver, 30 Logan Dinsmore, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 94 Allen Torres, 26 Logan Densman, 10d Clint Everage, 95 Sterling Tausch, 12r Roly Rodriguez, 7 Lupe Gomez, 58 Charles Flanagan---dns

Limited Modified heats
Heat 1; 91 Jared Maupin, 88 Steven Whiteaker III, 30k Logan Dinsmore, 10d Clint Everage, 12r Roly Rodriguez, 26 Logan Densman

Heat 2;; 14 Trent Beaver, 94 Allen Torres, 95s Sterling Tausch, 7k Lupe Gomez, 58 Charles Flanagan

Gaither Grabs Factory Gold
As the Factory Stock field took the green it was Johnny Walker Brown first to turn one chased by Makayla Trimble, Rusty Head, Dakota Hurley and Mike Lyon. Head quickly got by Trimble for second with Lyon getting fourth from Hurley. Head then began putting pressure on Brown for the lead until Brown slipped in turn 2 and Head got the top spot on lap 5.

In the pack, Lyon, Brandon Welker and Dillon Gaither were three wide for sixth. Gaither got the spot then took fourth from Hurley. As Trimble got sideways, Gaither got another spot with Hurley getting into Trimble straightening her out. Coming to halfway it was Head, Brown, Gaither, Hurley and Welker in the top five.

Hurley would be forced to pit with a flat, probably from earlier contact. Gaither, who started near the back, picked off Brown for second and was looking for the lead when Head pulled off the track giving him the spot with three to go. Gaither(San Antonio), had no challenge the final circuits taking the victory in the Paul Horelka owned, Opiela Mechanical, All in Designs, SABFI Transportation, Medieval Chassis.

“First time I've won in this car,” replied Gaither who was in a championship hunt a few years back. “This is my very first win for Paul and the Horelka family. Donny(Horelka) was one of my heros growing up so this is perfect for me to win one for them.”

“We lost an axle seal in the heat race, but quite a few people came over and helped out. We found some silicone and got it back in to get it through the night. It held, that's all that matters.”

“That race was more like a 20 lap baja race. It was pretty rough except for the top of (turns) 3-4. If you could run the top pretty good, it was actually smooth up there. Once I found that, it was a lot better. (Turns) 1-2 you just sent it in there and did a triple like a motocross race. I think at one point the whole car was off the ground. Track had a lot of moisture though, probably why it got a little rutty.”

“My dad doesn't do the set up on this car, he calls me. I'm the one who sets it up. Paul and I go back and forth on some stuff. The stuff on this car is very similar to my car. My dad is the engine department. That's what he does. He knows the tricks of trade that he's done in the past.”

All in Design Factory Stocks
41 Dillon Gaither, 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 44x Brandon Welker, 18 Kyle Kirkland, 20 Mike Lyon, 44k Michael Keylich, 92r Robert Keylich, 55 Rusty Head, 40 Dakota Hurley, 174 Makayla Trimble, 10 Scott Jerkins---dns

Factory Stock heat
Heat 1; 7 Johnny Walker Brown, 55r Rusty Head,174 Makayla Tremble. 20 Mike Lyon, 40 Dakota Hurley, 44x Brandon Welker, 18 Kyle Kirkland, 92r Robert Keylich, 41 Dillon Gaither, 44k Michael Keylich, 10 Scott Jerkins

Smith Snags Fireballs Sweep
A full Field of 20 Fireballs took the green for their 20-lapper with Sammy Smith getting a run up top to the lead trailed by Jarrett Payton, Jeff Walker, Michael Keylich and Joseph Montemayor in the top five. Payton got alongside Smith for the lead until Dale Caswell and Jeff Wills had trouble in turn 4.

On the restart Keylich got by Smith for second while Cody Earnhardt, Jeff Walker and Ryker Hernandez ran three wide for fifth. Keylich then began looking low on Payton for the lead before going high on lap 6. Keylich got the spot on lap 7 bringing Smith along to second before a spun by Cris White on lap 8 brought out a yellow.

Back to green with Keylich getting away, Smith and Payton stayed door to door as Howie Marcx cracked the top five. At halfway it was Keylich, Smith, Payton, Marcx and Co. Earnhardt. Smith and Payton began swapping second giving Keylich the chance to pull away. Smith secured second while Payton fell back in the grasp of Marcx for third.

After a couple quick yellows, Smith pushed Keylich out on a late restart. Keylich, with a suspension issue, had trouble holding the low line giving Smith an opening coming off the corners. Smith seized the opportunity to get inside while Marcx lurked. Contact was made with Smith(Spring Branch) getting by for the win in his Ebling Welding, Dillon Septic, Spreen Engine & Performance, 20 year old Monte Douglas Chassis. The win was Smith's first in 20 years.

“This isn't my first win here,” explained Smith. “I haven't won at this track for almost 20 years though. The last time I won here, it was in this car too. I started running out here about 2001 when I was 15 years old. It's sat outside and rusted away since then. We drug it out of the weeds and worked on it nonstop and it's starting to pay off.”

“I kept thinking someone would get underneath me at some point. The car was good on top, but I was trying to keep it pinned on the bottom to keep the door closed. I knew I had the motor and was hooked up enough to get around him.”

“Some may say the track was bad tonight, but 20 years ago it was way rougher. I thought the track was smooth, honestly. I like a nice slick track. This car is on the scales about every day before we come out. We throw some changes at it. I knew the car was good if it worked right. We finally got it pretty darn close, but we'll work on it some more.”

“After I saw we had 20 cars I was thinking about laying back and letting it play out. The car was fast in the heat race so I just went with it in the feature. Plans change, the car was fast and it worked out.”

Winners Circle Racing Transmission Fireballs
86 Sammy Smith, 13 Howie Marcx, 18s Jarrett Payton, 68 Cody Earnhardt, 44k Michael Keylich, 1 Dale Caswell, 09 Clint Montanio, 6m Blaine Markgraf, 8s Charles Earnhart III, 64 Danny Dear, 93 Cris White, 5 Jeff Wills, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 56 Jeff Walker, 18m Joseph Montemayor, 35 Tony Blankenship, 14 Mark Pivarnik, 55 Ryker Hernandez, 6 Kelly Marbach, 17 Aaron Leddy---dns

Fireball heats
Heat 1; 56 Jeff Walker, 18s Jarrett Payton, 44k Michael Keylich, 1 Dale Caswell, 35 Tony Blankenship, 14 Mark Pivarnik, 8s Charles Earnhardt III, 6m Blaine Markgraf, 93 Cris White, 64 Danny Dear

Heat 2; 86 Sammy Smith, 18m Joseph Montemayer, 68 Cody Earnhardt, 55 Ryker Hernandez, 13 Howie Marcx, h2s Shane Stonebraker, 09 Clint Montanio, 5 Jeff Wills, 6 Kelly Marbach, 17 Aaron Leddy

Wilson Wins in Memory of Father
Sonny Kinnaman and Josh Jones stayed door to door through the turns before Kinnaman edged ahead coming to the line on lap 1. Jones, Eric Wilson, Rod Tait and Donald Lewis fell in line behind. Wilson was able to get past his points rival Jones for second and got the lead on lap 3 when Kinnaman took a trip through the infield, falling to fourth.

Kinnamans trouble continued when he went off turn 2 for a lap 8 caution. Wilson and Jones took off back under green to settle it among themselves. Jones could close to Wilson's bumper on corner entry, but Wilson had more drive down the straights. Jones got the nose inside on the final lap, but it was Wilson(Uvalde) in his Ted Taxidermy and After Hours Feed, 1.9L Saturn SC2. holding on for the emotional victory after losing his father weeks earlier.

“This is pretty bittersweet,” said Wilson. “This is the first race I've won without my dad here with me. It's pretty emotional. I'm not really that spiritual, but I could feel his presence at times. We've had ignition and fuel issues with this car all year. It wouldn't pick up speed off the corners, but about halfway down the straight it felt like it was getting an extra push. I saw Josh(Jones) get the nose inside coming to the finish and was able to hold him off at the line.”

Johnson Supply Sport Compacts
18 Eric Wilson,11j Josh Jones, 70 Rod Tait, 76y Donald Lewis, 21 n/a, 5 Jayln Magott, 43 Jennifer Ashelin, 38 Sonny Kinnaman, 83 Priscilla Tait, 85 Michelle Conlee, 81 Anthony Monroe---dq (weight), 05 Erika Tait---dns

Sport Compact heat
Heat 1; 38 Sonny Kinnaman, 11j Josh Jones, 18 Eric Wilson, 76y Donald Lewis, 70 Rod Tait, 83 Priscilla Tait, 5 Jayln Magott, 43 Jennifer Ashelin, 05 Erika Tait

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