Austin Self wins Late Model race at NAPA Know How 250 season opener

by Jay Hallas | Posted on Sunday, March 20th, 2016

By JM Hallas

KYLE – It was a double-header season opener of sorts with Central Texas Speedway kicking off its 2016 schedule with 9 classes on hand. As the track part of the show the Pro Late Models, Pro Modifieds, NAPA Trucks, Super Street Stocks, Fox’s Pizza Den Grand Stocks, Dwarf Car Series of Texas, Lone Star Legacy’s, Legend Cars, Sport Compacts and Bandoleros were in action.

Also making their season debut were the Texas All-Star Limited Modified Series competing on the 3/8 mile, semi-banked, D-shaped, paved, oval. New for 2016 the TALMS will run both dirt and paved tracks making an interesting combination for drivers and fans.

Most of the cars used in the series began life as dirt cars and were converted to run on paved tracks, now the cars can return to their roots, in the dirt. This season the series will run three races at Gator Motorplex (Willis) with the possibility of more venues added.

Overnight rains washed much of the rubber off the track laid down in Friday afternoon practice. Early afternoon practice was a bit different with little rubber on the track, cool temperatures and a strong north wind. But by round two of practice, drivers were back on pace and laying down a new groove.

Early season jitters, track/cool weather conditions and impatience saw many of the feature events get off to rocky starts. Most were able to get sorted out from there and have long green flag runs through the mid-stages. Others had late cautions setting up some wild finishes.

Self Scores Late Model Main

Returning from his runs in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Austin Self came back to his home track and picked up the Pro Late Model victory. It was a rock ’em, sock ’em affair that saw the top four trade positions, paint and few other pleasantries during the 50 lapper. The last ten laps saw Bayley Currey run down Self after a caution making it a fight to the finish.

Pro Late Model winner Austin Self on qualifying run. Photo by JM Hallas

With a five-car invert Self started on the pole and jumped out front on green. Zack Knowles got tagged and spun in turn 2 for a quick yellow. The next start saw Self again jump ahead with Knowles, Currey, Bobby Teer jr. and DL Wilson on his heels. David Lewis went off turn 3 for an early caution on lap 2. The restart was just a sign of things to come.

With the “Madhouse” style restarts, Currey picked the high side of Self. The two stayed door to door, literally, with lap 3 too close to call. Currey finally edged ahead to lead lap 4. They continued rubbing with Currey trying to force his way to the bottom, but Self holding his line. Self was able to keep Currey high long enough to get the lead back on lap 6.

Self caught Lewis to lap him, but Lewis didn’t yield to the passing flag. So Self, who had Currey chomping at the bit, moved him sending home around and picking up some damage in the process. Currey again went him high on the restart and got by Self for the point on lap 14. They resumed their slugfest for the lead with Self giving Currey a tap to get back by on lap 16.

Teer took advantage of Currey hung high and got by for second. Currey tried to dive back in line, but Knowles used his nose to keep him up and took third. Teer then began looking high, then low on Self for the lead with the top four nose to tail nearing halfway. As Teer took a look high, Knowles and Currey found a hole and kicked Teer back to fourth at the crossed flags with Davin Cravens in fifth.

Currey got second from Knowles on lap 27 with Teer getting by for third on lap 29. As Currey pressured Self for the lead, Self spun on his own for a lap 33 caution giving everyone a chance to catch a breath. With the short field and Madhouse restart Self was able to quickly challenging Knowles for second. They made contact sending Knowles around.

Self now picked the outside of Currey for the restart. The duo again stayed side by side scraping it out until Self finally got by on lap 35. Teer was able to get second followed by Knowles to third as Currey may have overheated his tires. Knowles was able to get by Teer for second before a lap 40 caution.

The ensuing restart would put Self and Knowles side by side where they stayed until Currey gave Knowles a tap when he tried to get to the bottom. This gave Currey second with Teer getting alongside Knowles for third. All this gave Self a slight margin out front, but it would be short lived.

With five to go, Currey was closing, and fast, running deeper into the corners than Self. As the white flag waved Currey was within a car length and sniffing the lead. Currey gave it his best shot, but came up short as Self, in the Blacks Barbecue, Texas Tea, AM Racing, NAPA, Avis, Don’t Mess With Texas, Hamke Chassis Toyota held on for the win.

“It was wild,” commented Self. “Coming back here to race is always fun. This is where I learned some hard racing with these guys. I was losing the brakes a little in the middle of the race. I’d have to pump them up. It got a little rough there, but that’s what the fans like. I was able to make some good moves at the end, led the last few laps and came home with the win.”

“We’ve all been racing each other for a while. What happens on the track, happens on the track. You can be mad for a little bit, but you have to race each other again sooner or later. It’s what the fans want and it’s pretty fun on the race track. It’s better than 50 green flag laps, single file for them.”

“With Bayley (Currey), Bobby Teer and the 51 car (Zach Knowles) up there running high and low with all of us having a chance to win, it was fun for us. I hope it was fun for the fans too.”

“Teer was the guy to beat here when I first started here. He took some time off when his family had some health problems. So big shout out to him and hope everything is alright now. It was cool having him back out here. You’d think he’d rusty after some time off, but he was pretty racy and raced me clean.”

“I like coming back here and being just one of the guys again. I wanted a good racecar so I brought Mark Browning and my CWTS crew with me. I want to win some races here this year. It’s just being around people I know real well, like the Krugers. It’s a big family thing back here. This place (CTS) is cool, we have the Car Bar here to hang out after the races. The racing here is awesome. It’s a lot of fun.”

Pro Late Models (50 laps)

22 Austin Self, 05 Bayley Currey, 51 Zach Knowles, 2t Bobby Teer jr, 2c Davin Cravens, 17 David Lewis, 5 Steven Buchanan, 45 DL Wilson

Pro Late Model Qualifying

05 Bayley Currey, 14.501, 2b Bobby Teer jr., 14.643, 51 Zack Knowles, 14.759, 2 Davin Cravens, 15.151, 22 Austin Self, 15.526, 45 DL Wilson, 15.720, 5 Steven Buchanan, 16.089, 17 David Lewis, 16.460

Moczygemba Muscles to Modified Money

Brian Moczygemba (San Antonio) continued his success in Pro Modifieds grabbing another win in the 40-lap main. It wasn’t easy as he traded the top spot with Dillon Spreen on restarts and had to hold off charges by Ryan Luza along the way. Moczygemba finally secured the spot with a handful of laps remaining leaving Spreen and Luza to fight for second.

Pro Modified winner Brian Moczygemba in practice. Photo by JM Hallas

As the 13-car Pro Modified took the green Spreen got the advantage off turn 2, but Scooter Bates, Donnie Kelly, Memphis Villarreal and Vinnie Aramemdia tangled in turn 3 for a caution. Spreen again jumped ahead on the second start with Moczygemba, Luza, Michael Kourkoubes and Craig Sellman on his tail.

After Luza and Moczygemba exchanged second on cautions, Moczygemba got inside Spreen to get the top spot on lap 18. At halfway it was Moczygemba, Spreen, Kourkoubes and Luza side by side, and Jason Marshall fifth. Luza secured the spot with Marshall taking advantage of Kourkoubes stuck up top for fourth.

Moczygemba began to get away from Spreen, who either slipped high or let Luza past for second while Moczygemba motored to a half straight lead. Caution on lap 31 set up a restart that saw Spreen choose the outside on the ‘Madhouse” restart and get a big jump on Moczygemba for the lead on lap 32.

Moczygemba fought back quickly and got inside Spreen lap 33. The two ran wheel to wheel until Moczygemba retook the spot on lap 34. Once back out front, Moczygemba left Spreen and Luza battling for second as he inched away for the win in the Premier Minerals, Aramendia Plumbing, GT Sirizzotti Excavating, RPM Equipment, BMF Shocks, All In Designs, McGunegill powered, BMF Chassis.

“Hard work off the track and patience paid off tonight,” replied Moczygemba. “I had a good car. We had to pass (Ryan) Luza who’s always fast and Dillon Spreen who always runs decent. The track was pretty fast tonight. My uncle Joe (Aramendia) and Cat Daddy did a good job with the set up. It was a long race for just a 40 lapper. After about 10 laps my car would go pretty good.”

“I spun the tires on that one restart and let Dillon and Luza go. Then I had to work my way back around them. Just trying to keep heat in the tires on this cool evening was a bit tougher. The cool weather and rain last night made the track tricky for some people. The 14.90 I ran in qualifying I think is a track record. We got heat in our tires early enough to get a good second lap down.”

“We may be doing a bit of points racing here and running on the east coast this year. We’ll have to see how the season plays out. We’ll probably go run a race or two in Pensacola if everything lines up the way we want.”

Pro Modifieds (40 laps)

50 Brian Moczygemba, 81 Dillon Spreen, 15 Ryan Luza, 14 Jason Marshall, 4 Michael Kourkoubes, 38 Craig Sellman, 26 Bob Slezinsky, 81 Christopher Hogan, 99 Cole Miller, 12 Scooter Bates, 03v Memphis Villarreal, 79 Vinnie Aramendia, 03 Donnie Kelly

Pro Modified Qualifying

50 Brian Moczygemba, 14.909, 81d Dillon Spreen, 14.941, 15 Ryan Luza, 15.233, 38 Craig Sellman, 15.328, 4 Michael Kourkoubes, 15.338\, 26 Bob Slezinsky, 15.532, 81 Christopher Hogan, 15.591, 12s Scooter Bates, 15.649, 03 Donnie Kelly, 15,732, 14 Jason Marshall, 15.766, 03v Memphis Villarreal, 15.846, 79 Vinnie Aramendia, 15.921, 99 Cole Miller, 17.054

Colt Has Horsepower for NAPA Truck Trophy

Colt James (Newton, NC.) made the trip back home to run the opener for Central Texas Speedway in the NAPA Trucks. James, who started fourth with the invert, chased down early leader Jake Wright at halfway and got the spot. James was challenged late by multi-time NAPA Truck champion Cary Stapp after a late restart and took the money back to North Carolina.

NAPA Truck winner Colt James in victory lane. Photo by JM Hallas

Wright started on the pole with the invert and got out front but Nelson Dees and Michael Villarreal had separate spins in the pack. Wright again jumped out from with Jesse Salazar and Adam Haugh side by side. Once Haugh cleared Salazar, James and Stapp followed through to third and fourth.

James got Haugh up the track in turn 4 to snatch second with Stapp filling hole to take third. As James closed on Wright, who got stalled out by lapped cars, he got by for the lead at halfway with Stapp, Haugh and Salazar holding the other top five spots.

By lap 20 James had increased his lead, but was running up on traffic as Stapp got by Wright for second. After a yellow for Dees finding the turn 4 tire barrier, James again was checking out while Haugh and Salazar swapping the fourth spot.

Michelle Reininger found herself going around on the front stretch and into the infield grass for a lap 27 caution. James got a slight edge on the restart, Stapp would get in better, but James pulled him getting off the corners. Meanwhile Haugh and Salazar were back at it. At the checkers it was James in the Chevy crate powered, TRC Racecars Chassis getting the win.

“It was a great race,” exclaimed James. “We seemed to have a better truck on the long runs after about five laps on the tires. I was able to get some good restarts and get a little breathing room until my tires came in. My dad (Terry James) builds good trucks, four out of the top five were trucks he built.”

“I really have to thank my family, my Grandpa (Junior Medlock), my wife and my son. We would love to add some sponsors and be able to come back here and run a little more. We’re grateful for the opportunity to run at a great facility like CTS and have some fun.”

NAPA Trucks (30 laps)

15 Colt James, 99 Cary Stapp, 48 Jake Wright, 12 Adam Haugh, 18 Jesse Salazar, 51 Chance Nesloney, 31 Chase Havely, 14 Michelle Reininger, 6 Nelson Dees, 79 Michael Villarreal, 00 Beau Bukowski, 32 Robert Stewart

NAPA Truck Qualifying

15 Colt James, 15.924, 12 Adam Haugh, 15.961, 18 Jesse Salazar, 16.041, 48 Jake Wright, 16.047, 99 Cary Stapp, 16.114, 32 Robert Stewart, 16.391, 00 Beau Bukowski, 16.460, 14r Michelle Reininger, 16.478, 31 Chase Havely, 16.492, 51 Chance Nesloney, 16.853, 6 Nelson Dees, 17.220, 79 Michael Villarreal, 17.557

Barker Bags Super Street Stock Honors

After setting fast time in qualifying, Boerne’s Robert Barker got a six for the invert. It didn’t take long for the track and past TSRS Champion to make his way to the head of the class. Barker dodged a few land mines on tries at the start, then methodically worked his way to the front, built a huge lead on a long green flag run, before a late caution restacked the pack. Undaunted, Barker regained control and edged away from early leader Robert Walton for the win.

Super Street Stock winner Robert Barker was also fastest in second practice session. Photo by JM Hallas

With the invert Robert Walton started on the pole and quickly jumped out front, but spins by Trent Beaver and Matthew Villarreal brought the yellow right back out. Take two. Walton again gets out front, Beaver slows and stops with Villarreal spinning again.

Take three….This time its Clint Lafont with problems and Sterling Tausch going around collecting Brandon Spreen in a borrowed Grand Stock trying to pick up points. Officials decide it’s now time for a single file try.

As Walton gets out on green, Barker is already beginning his charge getting by Mike Pollaro. Beaver and Hunter Montgomery keep Pollaro hung out up top taking over fourth and fifth. Two laps later Barker gets past Jeff Wills for second and closes quickly on Walton for the lead.

Barker caught Walton on lap 9 and wasted little time getting the nose under Walton. Barker got the spot coming to the line for lap 10 while Pollaro retook a spot from Montgomery. Barker then began motoring away from Walton building up to a full straightaway margin before coming into traffic.

Barker’s lead was erased after Delina Walker spun in turn 2 with Wayne Wernette and Tausch making contact on the back stretch for a lap 22 caution. As green waved again Barker quickly checked out and had several car lengths as the white waved and he marched off to the win in the STX Coatings, Thunder Electric, RNB Services, Rack in Motion, Dilmak Services, All in Designs, Mission Auto Parts, Barker Chassis, Chevy.

“The car is pretty good handling wise,” explained Barker. “We have a good package to run here. When it handles that good, it’s easy to get to the front. We kept everything the same from last year. We almost got the same time in qualifying as the last race, last year. Pretty impressive time, we were real happy with the car. It doesn’t need a lot of changes anymore.”

“You just have to be patient and wait, wait for something to happen starting back a ways. When you get underneath them you want them to know you’re there. You just hope for the best. You never know what’s going to happen when you’re starting sixth, on the outside.”

“It was pretty hairy on the starts. After several tries to get a green flag they went single file which was better for everybody, but then we clicked off 22 green flags laps. That’s not the way you want to do it, but sometimes the guys with less experience are going to make mistakes. It was one of those races that didn’t go the way everyone planned. It was fun, though.”

“We’re race to race right now and we’ll see what happens. Hopefully we get some sponsorship help. We’ll race when we can. You never know. You can tear some stuff up or have expensive stuff break. That’s why I just say, race to race, with no commitments.”

Super Street Stocks (25 laps)

17 Robert Barker, 10 Robert Walton, 14 Trent Beaver, 69 Mike Pollaro, 20 Jeff Wills, 15 Hunter Montgomery, 2 Delina Walker, 57 Mark Shipman, 37 Landon Sowder, 42 Tommy Casey, 95s Sterling Tausch, 33 Matthew Villarreal, 99 Wayne Wernette, 112 Clint Lafont, 14(88) Brandon Spreen

Super Street Stock Qualifying

17 Robert Barker, 15.749, 112 Clint Lafont, 16.176, 14 Trent Beaver, 16.394, 69 Mike Pollaro, 16.442, 20 Jeff Wills, 16.464, 10 Robert Walton, 16.519, 15 Hunter Montgomery, 16.596, 33 Matthew Villarreal, 16.666, 42 Tommy Casey, 17.162, 95s Sterling Tausch, 17.203, 37 Landon Sowder, 17,510, 57 Mark Shipman, 18.422, 2 Delina Walker, 21.113, 99 Wayne Wernette, 29.624. 88 Brandon Spreen, N/T

Monroe Motors to TALMS Tally

Rockport’s Anthony Monroe took home the TALMS opener leading wire to wire in his Backwoods Saloon, CC Speedway, Express Chassis. Monroe got out front on green with 2013 series champ, Cody Beddoe, Michael Carlock, Gary Box and Steven Robison in pursuit.

TALMS winner Anthony Monroe gets by Michael Carlock. Photo by JM Hallas

John Witzsche, who broke the front suspension on his qualifying lap and made repairs, quickly got by Box and Robison for fourth. Witzsche then got alongside Carlock and took third. Up front it was Monroe and Beddoe easing away from the field. Beddoe gave Monroe his best shot on the final lap, but came up short as Monroe was able to hold him off for the victory, his first TALMS win ever.

“I really have to thank my dad and crew for getting the car ready to go while I was working,” said Monroe. “They busted their butts all week to get it done. That’s what it all boils down to is teamwork. We’ve finished second a couple times, but this is my first win.”

“I didn’t know that Cody (Beddoe) was that close at the end. Once I get out front, I don’t look back. I mainly just concentrate on my line and what I’m doing. If I see someone trying another line I’ll give them room to run. Basically I just run my own race and hit my marks and not worry what someone else is doing.”

Texas All-Star Limited Modifieds (20 laps)

82 Anthony Monroe, 79 Cody Beddoe, 97 John Witzsche, 11 Gary Box, 7 Steven Robison, 76 Michael Carlock

TALMS Qualifying

82 Anthony Monroe, 16.281, 79 Cody Beddoe, 16.342, 76 Michael Carlock, 16.638, 7s Steven Robison, 16.663, 11 Gary Box, 16.896, 97 John Witzsche, N/T

Fox’s Pizza Den Grand Stocks

It took Sean Folsom five years, but good thing come to those who wait. Folsom finally got his first ever Grand Stock feature win in their 20-lap event. Ivan Winningham got the point early chased by Folsom, Michael Weaver, Brandon McCall and Scott Nester. Folsom got the top spot on lap 4 bringing McCall along to second.

First ever Grand Stock winner Sean Folsom. Photo by JM Hallas

As Folsom and McCall pulled away, Nester and Winningham battled for third. Behind them Casey Simons was fighting with Weaver until he spun. Folsom eased away from McCall the final laps get his inaugural victory in the Southside Wrecker, Cherry Creek Restaurant, SBB, Print This, Chevy.

Fox’s Pizza Den Grand Stocks (20 laps)

3 Sean Folsom, 14 Brandon McCall, 71 Scott Nester, 46 Ivan Winningham, 81 Michael Weaver, 58 Casey Simons

Sport Compact

The Sport Compact 20-lap feature had a couple wild starts before it got underway. Polesitter Matt Kempf spun on the first attempt scattering the field in turn 1. The next try saw Lisha Teague go around and clip Jamie Garner. Finally under green Richard Fitch got the lead with Teague Shelby Huff, Alyson Dorken and Kris Wilson trailing.

Sport Compact winner Richard Fitch. Photo by JM Hallas

Huff and Dorken got past Teague for second and third while Eric Wilson made his way up to sixth after starting near the back. Wilson continued moving forward going by K. Wilson and Teague for fourth. Garner, who pitted for repairs, was also making his way up grabbing fifth from Don Hardwick before halfway.

Dorken was able to snag second from Huff with Garner taking fourth from E. Wilson then third from Huff. Dorken caught Fitch for the lead with five to go and make it a race. Dorken gave Fitch a few taps, looks high and low, but she could never get a good enough run on Fitch to get alongside as Fitch held her off for the win.

Sport Compacts (20 laps)

07 Richard Fitch, 43 Alyson Dorken, 33 Jamie Garner, 11 Shelby Huff, 76 Eric Wilson, 4 Matt Kempf, 71 Chris Wetz, 47 Don Hardwick, 7 Kris Wilson, 14 Robert Fox, 54 Ty Hymel, 27 David Kobierowski, 26 Nicole Wells, 1 Lisha Teague,63 Gordon Dowdy,5 Jene Bond, 42 Daniel Zajac—dntg

Lone Star Legacy Series

It was the Sampson and Sampson show late in the 20-lap Lone Star Legacy Series feature. Dillon Sampson grabbed the lead from James Huff at the start with Gabriel Fogg, Allen Sampson and Del Harris in pursuit. Fogg and A. Sampson got by Huff second and third with Harris still holding fifth at halfway.

Lone Star Legacy Series winner Allen Sampson. Photo by JM Hallas

Sampson then picked off second from Fogg and began to run down his brother Dillon as the laps clicked off. A. Sampson was on D. Sampson’s bumper with two to go. On the final lap they were door to door for the lead at the flag with A. Sampson getting the better run through turns 1-2 for the lead and the win.

Lone Star Legacy (20 laps)

01 Allen Sampson, 04 Dillon Sampson, 10 Gabriel Fogg, 32 James Huff, 1 Del Harris, 7 James Remore, 37 Jaida Simental, 15 Colt Mize, 63 Brad Harden , 23 Alexis Leone—dntg, 51 Rocky Mize—dntg, 48 Matt Yevcak—dns, 8 Kit Leslie—dns

Dwarf Car Racing Series

The Dwarf Car Racing Series if Texas 20-lapper took three tries to get going then ran nearly caution free. The first try saw Ty Paxson, Danny Davis and Dillon Coyne go three wide for the lead before Davis went around collecting Dwain Groff. You’d think after that things might calm down, but no.

DCRST winner Rusty Young. Photo by JM Hallas

As if three wide wasn’t enough, the next attempt was four wide for the top spot. This time D. Groff got the spot off turn 2 with Rusty Young, Paxson, Gary Buchanan and Coyne in tow. In the back of the pack Butch Havelka and Lyle Bonnett both looped it.

The third time was the charm with Paxson getting out front trailed by R. Young, D. Groff, Davis and Coyne. It didn’t take R. Young long to get to the point as he took over on lap 4 bringing Buchanan to second. After a yellow, R. Young and Buchanan began to pull away from the pack as the top five sorted out single file.

Behind them Ryan Stoy and Billy Groff were going at it for sixth. R. Young built a good advantage over Buchanan until traffic allowed Buchanan to cut the distance in half. That was as close as he could get as R. Young cleared slower cars and kept his nice margin over Buchanan to the checkers.

Dwarf Car Racing Series of Texas (20 laps)

88 Rusty Young, 99 Gary Buchanan, 15 Ty Paxson, 14 Dwain Groff, 12 Dillon Coyne, 30 Billy Groff, 20 Ryan Stoy, 37 Drew Simental, 3 Kevin Hubbard, 85 Chris Silvas, 16 Lyle Bonnett, 27 Butch Havelka, 6 James Fitzgerald, 7 Danny Davis, 18 Jerry Young, 39 Matt Goulias, 49 David Bonner, 4 Rodney Rodriguez, 5 Jim Kritikos, 44 Bradley Hall, 33 Russell Rust, 51 Jon Martin, 22 John Hawking, 72 Arden Vikre

DCRST heat winners; 16 Lyle Bonnett, 88 Rusty Young, 99 Gary Buchanan

Bandoleros

In the 12-lap Bandolero feature Levi Dubeau jumped out front trailed by Cole Tipton, Cade Brown, Camryn Chadwick and Conner Chadwick. Tipton slipped in turn 2 falling to fifth before recovering. This left Dubeau with huge lead over Brown. Tipton would his way back to third but give up that spot late to Co. Chadwick. Up front no one had anything for Dubeau who took the checkers by a comfortable margin.